On 16 April 1862, Congress passed an act abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia. Owners were required to file a schedule of slaves with the court, which issued certificates of freedom. On 12 July 1862, another act permitted minor or absentee owners and slaves themselves to file for certificates of freedom. Rachel Chapman, a "dark" woman, sixty-five years of age, states that she is owned by the estate of Teresa Burgess of Maryland. The estate officials failed to file the schedule of slaves as required by law. Chapman annexes a schedule and asks the court to file it.
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Repository: National Archives, Washington, D. C.
