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Savannah Georgia December 9th 1865

General,

I hereby respectfully ask your patient investigation of the justice of my claim in the matter of a House Lot situated in Savannah, on Farm St. & now occupied as a [[strikethrough]] Hospit [[/strikethrough]] School House for Colored persons. This Home & the Lots belong to me, were not abandoned by me at any time. I have been their sole Owner for many years, & the rents accruing therefrom have been my only means of support. At the time of the Federal Occupation of Savannah, the Building was used as a Hospital for Colored persons, who were turned out by Federal Soldiers. At the same time I had placed the property under the charge of Ann Gibbons, a free woman who lived near by. Soon after the surrender of this City, the Freedmen's Bureau took possession & have ever since occupied it as a School Home for Colored persons.

Immediately after taking the Oath of Allegiance (May 12th 1865), I applied to the Provost Marshall for the possession of my property & for power to collect the rents due. I have never been able to get possession or to collect rents. I am a widow & have no means of living unless I get back this property & collect the rents & therefore earnestly solicit your investigation of these enclosed papers and immediate action in this matter.

I am very respectfully 

M V Stiles

P.S. I have the will of my late husband & can provide it if nec'y}

To Brig. Genl Davis Tillson
Savannah Ga.