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069

To Col O. Brown, Commissioner for State of Virginia

Your petitioner William S Tompkins of the Town of Hampton, County of Elizabeth City, would most respectfully submit the following case. 

That at the commencement of the war, believing from the situation of the town of Hampton, it must become the scene of active military operations, & which belief was fully & speedily satisfied & confirmed by subsequent events, he with his family, left their homes in the Town of Hampton, desirous only of escaping the troubles & dangers incident to the near proximity of opposing armies. That your petitioner finally succeeded in procuring a place of residence in the City of Norfolk where he has remained up to the present time.

That he has never occupied any position whatever under the Confederate States, save when he was conscripted into the Militia for temporary duty, from which he was discharged by reason of physical disability. In consideration of the premises, your petitioner would respectfully submit that his property in the Town of Hampton was never "abandoned", as defined by the terms of "abandoned lands" as prescribed by your Bureau. That said lots of land have never been confiscated or any legal proceedings instituted against the same. That your petitioner has taken & subscribed the oath as prescribed in the original Amnesty Proclamation of President Lincoln, and the same he has observed in good faith, and so intends. In consideration of the above statement of facts. Your petitioner would most respectfully & earnestly ask the restoration of his three lots in the Town of Hampton viz two lots adjoining each other on Queen or Main Street, and one small lot near the Academy lot.

Respectfully Yr Ob St
William S. Tompkins.