However, through the efforts of abolitionist Gerrit Smith Melchoir was bought by William Seaton, the editor of the National Intelligencer and later mayor of Washington D.C., for $1000.

While his emancipation papers were being processed, he enlisted in the Union Army under Col. French's regiment, 4th Maine Company H, as a servant to Captain George J.

Her duties at the Treasury Department "consisted of sweeping, scrubbing, dusting, emptying baskets and boxes of waste papers."

[9] This prevention of a major theft of more than $200,000 was described in numerous newspaper articles in great detail in later years and upon her death.

[9][10] Following this event, Holmes received an official commendation from President Lincoln and a lifetime executive appointment as a messenger for the Department of Issues.