Emancipation of Slaves in the District of Columbia, 1862-1863

An Act of April 16, 1862 (12 Stat. 376) abolished slavery in the District of Columbia. Under Section 3 of the Act, the President was authorized to appoint a board of three commissioners, who were residents of the District, to examine petitions for compensation from former owners of freed slaves in the District.

An Act of July 12, 1862 (12 Stat. 538), provided that petitions could be received from slaves whose owners had not presented petition for compensation.

Here is a list of the record of petitions filed under the Act of April 16, 1862, dated April 29 - July 15, 1862 showing the date the petition was filed, the number of the petition, name of petitioner, names of slaves, and value of slaves as claimed in the petition.

Final Report of the Board of Commissioners