Viewing page 199 of 251

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Richmond Va
May 28, 1866

To Maj. Genl Alfred H Terry
COmmdg Depart. Va &c
General
   Your Petitioners Clement R. Barksdale and N.C. Read respectfully represent:
   That we are owners in fee simple of the lot and ground buildings and appurtenances on the North Side of Franklin Street between 13th and 14th Streets in the City of Richmond commonly known as "Metropolitan Hall". 
  For some time before the end of the War, part of the basement of this building was under the control of a benevolent association and kept by them as a "Soup House" to supply the poor and needy.  The boilers and fixtures with most of the utensils, belonged and still belong to us.
   After the occupation of Richmond by the United States forces, this soup house passed temporially into the hands of a charitable association known as the American Union Association and continued to supply food for the poor.  During the time it was helping them we received no rent therefor.
   It was afterwards taken possession of by officers or agents of the Freedman's Bureau. They have held it for about eight months paying to your petitioners rent not exceeding the rate of Twenty five dollars per month.