Dist. Court of the U. S. for the Dist. of Col.
Clerk of the Court

“Fugitive Slave Cases, 1862,” May 15-19, 1862
(By file date or affidavit)

Original papers in fugitive slave cases before the Circuit Court of the U.S. for the District of Columbia consisting of claimants petitions, affidavits for arrest of fugitive slaves, warrants of arrest, depositions, court orders to deliver fugitive slaves to claimants, and related papers.

Transcribed from National Archives Microfilm Publication M433 “Records of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia Relating to Slaves, 1851-1863, Roll 3.

District of Columbia

Washington County to wit:

On this 15th day of May 1862 personally appeared in open court in the circuit court of the District of Columbia Dr. Charles Duvall a citizen of the United States residing in Prince George County, State of Maryland, and made oath according to law that he is the lawful owner of three Negro men slaves named respectively Tom (Chesley), Lee (Chesley) and Wilson (no other name known) that they are slaves for life, and were serving him at his residence in Prince George County; that Tom absconded last fall; Wilson absconded just after the Easter Holidays this present year, and Lee about two weeks ago; that the said slaves absconded without the knowledge or consent and against the will of affiant, and are now fugitives from labor and service justly and lawfully due to affiant by them in said Prince George County and he has reason to believe, and does believe they are now in the District of Columbia and he prays proves, and that the said slaves may be taken, and returned to him by order of this court according to the statutes in such case made and provided.

Charles Duvall
Sworn to in open court
Test: Jno. A. Smith, Clk.