I believe you mean President Andrew JOHNSON. In most of the CSA states, federal officials required oaths of allegiance after the war. Whether that was required of everyone usually depended on the whim of the Reconstruction officer in a particular district. At least, that was the case in parts of NC. In the case you mention, perhaps someone had told officials the man was a Reb, and he needed presidential intervention. Charlie Weaver, Winston-Salem On 4/14/2012 4:32 PM, Madaline Preston wrote: > In a petition to President Andrew Jackson, dated 26 May1865, a Virginia man > swears he was always and is a Union man and asks for executive clemency. > The petition also mentions he was a poor man but had inherited $20,000 from > his deceased brother. Why would a Union man need clemency from the United > States and what does the inheritance have to do with it? > My appreciation to anyone who can help me understand this "petition > for pardon." > M. Preston > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at > http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.ht To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html