Petition from Mary and Annie M. Stewart to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; August 8, 1865

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Petition from Mary and Annie M. Stewart to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; August 8, 1865

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People

Atkinson, John C.Bradford, H. B.Chew, John C.Diggs, J. W.Falconer, Kinloch Ferrell, John D.Gateley, J. J.Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885 Hill, J. G.McCarroll, Jonathan R.Moreley, G. H.Parker, J. B.Polk, Thomas G.Sharkey, William Lewis, 1798-1873 Stewart, Annie M.Stewart, Mary Trotter, James F.Valentine, E. H.Van Dorn, Earl, 1820-1863 Watson, John William Clark Watson, R. L.Weaver, J. F.

Events

Crime Crime--Arson Crime--Destruction of property Military Events--Military occupation Military Events--Raid Taxation Taxation--Exemption Taxation--Mississippi

Military Units

Confederate States of America--Military Service (Branch Unspecified)United States. Army

Occupations

Law Enforcement Law Enforcement--Sheriffs Mayors Merchants Millinery workers

Places

Mississippi--Marshall County. Holly Springs

Social Identifiers

Impoverished people

Page 1

[Seal]

To his Excellency, W. L. Sharkey, Pro-visional Governor of the State of Mississippi:

The petition of Mary Stew-art and Annie M. Stewart respect-fully showeth:

That some years prior to the beginning of the late war they became citizens of Holly Springs, Mississippi and there commenced business, on a very small capital, as Dry Good Merchants and Millinery; that by in-dustry, economy and perserverance they gradually increased their stock in trade, so that by the latter part of the year 1862, they had become the owner of two or three improved lots in town, including the house in which they did business, and a stock in trade, which altogether were reasons-ably worth not less than $18,000.—

Petitioners had taken no part whatever in politics, but continued quietly to attend to their own private affairs, until the 20th day December, 1862, when the Con-federate forces under Genl Van Dorn, having made a raid upon the town of Holly Springs, (then occupied by a

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portion of the Federal Army com-manded by Genl Grant) fired the magazine of the Federal Army, and thereby caused a conflagration which destroyed the dwelling and out houses and business house and stock of good, furniture, and almost everything else that petitioners then possessed and owned. In this way, in the course of one hour, petitioners were reduced to poverty, and as yet on account of their said losses, they have re-ceived no compensation whatever. By the kindness of friends and rela-tions, petitioners were soon given the use of a few hundred dollars, and by industry and care, they have been enabled since to support themselves, and to realize an inconsiderable amount of profits, (not exceeding the sum of $750.⁰⁰/.)

Under these circumstances, and in view of the almost indigent condition of petitioners, they respect-fully ask that they may be exempt-ed from the payments of the tax imposed by the Circular of your Excellency dated July 17_th, 1865.

And as in duty bound, & C.

Annie M. Stewart
Mary R Sewart

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The undersigned, citizens of Holly Springs, have been acquainted with the Misses Stewart, the fore going petitioners, since some years prior to the beginning of the late war. The statements contained in their said petition they believe to be true. They are personally cogni-zant of the heavy losses they sus-tained as stated by them, and their condition has excited the sincere sympathy of this whole community. By their unexceptionable deportment and lady-like conduct, they have won the regard and confidence of all who know them. And the undersigned most earnestly unite in the prayer of their petition in the premises.

Holly Springs, Aug. 8, 1865.

Jno. W. C. Watson
H. B. Bradford
John Chew
Jno. C. Atkinson
J. F. Weaver
Kinloch Falconer Mayor H. S.
J. G. Hill
E H. Valentine
G. H. Moreley
Jno D. Ferrell
J. R. M^cCarroll shf
J. B. Parker
R ^L Watson
James F. Trotter
J J. Gateley
J. W. Diggs
Thos. G Polk

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Annie M & Mary B Stewart

wants tax remitted