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Washington D.C.  Aug 24, 1865

District of Columbia
City of Washington  s.s.

Danl Chase of the city of Washington, being duly sworn states:
   
That he was formerly the slave of Virgil Gant, of Prince Frederick, Calvert Co., Md, that when he left said Virgil Gant, in 1863, he left with him his five children, viz. Rachel Ann, aged 8, Hanson, 7-, Sias & David (twins) 6- & Caroline, 3 years, who, about the time of the passage of the emancipation act, were bound by the Orphans Court of Calvert Co. to the said Virgil Gant; & further, that he said Gant has hired out to Mr. Danl. Bowen, the boy Hanson, & "Sias" to Mr. Thos. Hutchins, he (Gant) to receive their wages: that he went to Mr. Gants house in Prince Frederick, the 19" inst, and asked for his children, he wishing to bring them to Washington.  He was refused possession of them: he further states that the children were bound without the knowledge or consent of either himself or his wife, the mother of the children: that his wife, Mina, the mother of the children went after them in December 1864, as soon as she heard they were free, but was refused possession of them by Mr. Gant.

(signed) Danl. Chase his x mark
(signed) Witness H.H. Ray

Sworn to before me this24th day of August 1865
(signed) S. N. Clark
1 Lieut. & A.A.A. Genl.

A true copy
S.N. Clark
1 Lieut. & A.A.A. Genl.