John Kennett et al. to Thomas E. Bramlette

KYR-0001-004-1462.xml

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Accession Number

KYR-0001-004-1462

Document Genre

Petition

Repository

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

Collection

Office of the Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette: Governor's official correspondence file, petitions for pardons, remissions, and respites 1863-1867

Item Location

BR12-274 to BR12-275

Place of Creation

Newport, Campbell County, Kentucky

Date of Creation

26 January 1865

Dates Mentioned

1865-01-26

1863-05

1863-08

1864-02

John Kennett et al. to Thomas E. Bramlette, 26 January 1865, Office of the Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette: Governor's official correspondence file, petitions for pardons, remissions, and respites 1863-1867, BR12-274 to BR12-275, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-004-1462, (accessed April 18, 2024).

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Newport, Ky, Jan, 26^th 1865 --
To Hon. Thomas E. Bramlett,
Governor of Kentucky --
Dear Sir: --

In the Month of May 1863, Robert W. Becroft, a worthy young man employed as a Clerk in a Commission House in the City of Cincinnati, at the request of Mrs Pancost, whose Husband was then confined in the Newport Jail, Charged with Grand Larceny, ordered a key to be made by a Locksmith in Cincinnati, and carried and delivered it to Mrs Pancost -- Shortly afterwards Pancost escaped from Jail, by means, as is supposed, of that key. It is supposed that Mrs Pancost, who frequently visited her Husband in the Jail furnished the Key. Pancost was, however, subsequently re-captured and admitted to Bail.

The young man when charged with complicity in the escape frankly explained all his conduct relative to the Key. and solemly asseverated that he did not know or suspect the
object of the key. He had only delivered Mrs Pancost's instructions to the Locksmith, at her request, received and paid for the key with her money, and delivered the key to her.

The Grand Jury of Campbell County K, on substantially the above state of fact, in August 1863, Indicted Becroft for "aiding Pancost to escape," and Becroft on the [ ] day of August 1863, with his relative Mrs Mary K. Williamson as his surety, was recognized in open Court, in the penalty of Five Hundred dollars for his appearance at the ensuing February Term of said Court in 1864.

Becroft was a young Man of excellent character, simple-hearted and unsuspecting. He became very much alarmed, and just prior to the February Term of said Court he unaccountably disappeared and has not since been heard from and his whereabouts are unknown. It is conjectured he joined a friend of his, in a Regiment of Pennsylvania Soldiers. enroute by
way of Cincinnati to the South-west.

Mrs Mary K. Williamson believes him to be perfectly innocent. She had the most perfect confidence and belief that he would stand his trial and she deeply regrets his misterious absence. Mrs Williamson is a most excellent Lady, a Widow with a slender income. She is burdened with a family of children to raise and educate, and if required to pay the penalty of the recognizance will be irreparably injured. The recognizance has been forfeited and a judgment against her is impending.

We think if any case is commended to the Governor's clemency it is this.

We therefore cordially and earnestly recommend to your Excellency the remission of the penalty of the recognizance.

Signed!!

John Kennett.
R. H. Jones
James B Brovard
Geo. Ratclifffe
P H Rells
J J Gabger

N, B, Shaler M, D.
.W^m N. Airs,
Edw^d Airs
Thomas [Tunnel]
F,, M,, Davidson
Benjamin Davidson --
J, T, Jackson --

Geo W Walker
John M^cCormick
W, H, Lape
E W Hawkins
William Holt
C, P, Buchanan
George Cay
Alfred. F Fox
J, H, Stone
R. T. Baker
J, S[Carothorer]

Campbell Cir Ct
Mrs Mary K. Williamson
To } In Petition
The Governor

Refused

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