Document 1:

Title: Petition of Lois Bonzer, 18 July 1862

Date: July 18, 1862

Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 433, Reel 3. The original document is held in the Records of the District Courts of the United States, 1685–2004, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 21. Within the National Archives' Archival Description Catalog, see ARC Identifier 4314547 / MLR Number NC-2 33 (http://arcweb.archives.gov).

Document 2:

Title: Evidence Relating to the Petition of Lois Bonzer, 18 July 1862

Date: July 18, 1862

Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 6. The original document is held in the Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, 1775–1978, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 217.6.5. Within the National Archives' Archival Description Catalog, see ARC Identifier 4644616 / MLR Number A1 347 (http://arcweb.archives.gov).

Civil War Washington ID: cww.01063

TEI/XML: cww.01063.xml

 
To the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia

The undersigned, of African descent, respectfully showeth that she was held to service or labor by one R. M. Harrison of the state of Maryland at the time of approval of the act approved April 16th, 1862 Entitled an act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia That, at the time of Approval of said act, previous there too​ and ever since then she was resided in the District of Columbia with the consent of the said R. M. Harrison.

That the said R. M. Harrison has neglected to file with the clerk of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia, the statement in writing or Schedule provided in the ninth section of act Approved April 16th 1862. The undersigned therefore prays that such certificate may be given to her as is prescribed in the 10th Section of the act above, and as directed in the amendment of the above dated July 12th 1862


her X mark Lois Bonzer
Wit​
Jos. Redfern
 
50 paid
R. M. Harrison's Sch​ of Slave by Lois Bonzer
Filed 18th July 1862
Recorded in Manumission Record No. 2 folio 83
Cert​. given Idfd​ by Jos. Redfern
 
July 18, 1862.

The Commissioners being satisfied on the testimony of Joseph Redfern that the facts stated in the within petition are true as therein stated have directed that the same be so reported to the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia.


Wm R. Woodward
Clerk &c
 
Servant Lois Bonzer claim
Joseph Redfern. Lois was servant of R. M. Harrison of Maryland—I know servant was in District time of passage of act. she has been living with me for five years hired to me by Mr Harrison—He or his lawyer wrote to me to send servant to him This was previous to act. I wrote to him he must attend to his own matters so I believe she was here by master's consent as far as I know she was only a [time?] of year servant—belonged to him only for a certain time—& then I understood to be [free?] I live in 1st ward next door to [father?] Saml R.
 
2
R. M. Harrison's
servant
Lois Bonzer
July 18, 1862
Transcription and encoding: Kenneth M. Price, Janel Cayer, and Kevin McMullen.