Correspondence

David W. McGoodwin to James F. Robinson

1863-01-06

Date of Creation
January 6, 1863
Place of Creation
Princeton, Caldwell County, Kentucky
Document Genre
Correspondence
Repository
Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
Collection
Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862
Box / Folder
MG17A-155
CWGK Accession Number
KYR-0001-020-0078
Rights
This image and its transcription are freely available to the public. Images appear courtesy of Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Transcriptions and annotations were created by Kentucky Historical Society staff, volunteers, and interns. When referencing this document, please use our preferred citation.; The use of transcriptions, images, or annotations from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce any material on CWGK is required.
FTP Identifier
32208488
People
Magoffin, Beriah
McGoodwin, David W.
Robinson, James Fisher
Wadlington, Thomas B.
Wadlington, William J.
Places
Caldwell County, Kentucky
Kentucky
Princeton, Kentucky
Organizations
Kentucky State Penitentiary
Dates
1863-01-06
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Citation

David W. McGoodwin to James F. Robinson, 1863-01-06, Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, https://discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-020-0078 (November 12, 2026).

[Page 1]

PrincetonKy 6th Jany 1863.
His Excellency J F. Robinson
Dear Sir.

Some time Since Thomas B. Wadlington of this County was convicted of the crime of Murder and was sent to the penitentiary of our state for life.

Since his conviction certain facts have been developed touching the character of the two witnesses on whose evidence the conviction was had. Some twelve months since a large number of affidavits were forwarded to Gov. Magoffin by the neighbors of Wadlington, and the two witnesses, presenting such facts as I think ought to Justify Your Excellency in granting him a free pardon.

I learned after Gov McGoffin had examined the affidavits refered to that he had expressed a determination to pardon him, and did pardon his son Williamwho is now at home.

The affidavits are on file in the secretaries office, and I would respectfully ask Your attention to them at your earliest convenience.
I make this request from a conviction in my own mind that it would be only an act of simple Justice to pardon him. The Lord save our beloved country.

I have the Honour to be very Respty
Yr frd
D. W. McGoodwin

[Page 2]

Letter of D. W. McGoodwin

requesting examination of Pettn & Affds before Govr McGoffin for pardon of Thos B. Wadlington