Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
Booklet, “Emancipation in the District of Columbia ....,” February 16, 1864, Washington, 80pp., disbound, VG. The booklet opens with 16 pages of explanation of how and when the compensated emancipation was determined. This is followed by an incredible 54 pages of a seven-column schedule which includes; “Claim Number”, “Name of Petitioner” (the slave owner), “Person held in Service” (the slave), “Value” (appraised value of the slave), “Total Paid” and “to Whom Paid.” The slaves range in value from “no value” to over $600.00. There are 966 Claims, the large majority for multiple slaves. George Washington Young, who had the dubious distinction of being the District's largest slaveowner. Young received $17,771.85 for the release 69 slaves. This section is followed by a list of two page, “Alphabetical list of servants to whom certificates have been granted under the supplemental act of July 12, 1862, and names of alleged owners.” This list are the slaves who filed on their own and were granted certificates of Freedom. On April 16, 1862, President Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act. This law prohibited slavery in the District, forcing its 900-odd slaveholders to free their slaves, with the government paying owners an average of about $300 for each.
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