Commonwealth of Kentucky v. William Porter, Abstract
1863-06-02
- Date of Creation
- June 2, 1863
- Place of Creation
- Lewis County, Kentucky
- Document Genre
- Legal/Financial
- Repository
- Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
- Collection
- Office of the Governor, James F. Robinson: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons, Remissions, and Respites, 1862-1863
- Box / Folder
- R4-157 to R4-158
- CWGK Accession Number
- KYR-0001-029-0407
- 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
- 32211609
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- Dates
- 1863-06-02
Citation
Commonwealth of Kentucky v. William Porter, Abstract, 1863-06-02, Office of the Governor, James F. Robinson: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons, Remissions, and Respites, 1862-1863, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, https://discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-029-0407 (November 12, 2026).
State of Kentucky
Lewis Circut Court } 2nd day June Term 1863
Commonwealth of Kentucky Plt
Against
William Porter Deft
The prisoner being unable to employ counsel, the court appointed W H Wadsworth to defend for him. By consent the arraignment of the prisoner is dispensed with — the parties appeared by their attorneys, and the defendant plead not guilty, thereupon the following Jurors viz. Seth Parker. W. P. Sanders, A. C. Henderson, [Edward Roe], B W Clark, S. B Pugh, D H Brightman Jas. H Connell, Amos Means, Cary Wilson James Henderson John McCormick ^who were duly empannelled & sworn^ The Defendant then asked and obtained leave to withdraw his plea and plead guilty to the indictment — the jury having heard the evidence &c returned the following verdict viz: We the jury find the defendant guilty, and fix his term of imprisonment at four years in the penitentiary, but recommend him to the clemency of the Governor and to pardon on condition of his volunteering in the army, in pursuance of his volunteering in the army in pursuance of his intentions at the time of his arrest —
Signed Seth Parker Foreman.
It is therefore ordered that the Prisoner be committed to the Couty Jail —
C
Commonwealth of Kentucky Plt
Against } 6th day
William Porter Deft.
The defendant was this day brought into court, and being informed of the nature of the indictment plea, and verdict was asked if he had any legal cause to show why Judgment should not be pronounced against him, and none being shown, it is adjudged that the defendant, be taken by the sheriff of Lewis County to the State Penitentiary and there confined at hard labor for the period of four years
Copies.
Teste John T Parker Clk
By A. V. Wilson D, C.
Commonwealth of Ky vs. Wm Porter —
Wm Johnson states that he knows the Prisoner Wm Porter & his father & family. His father lives in Carter Co. is a good christian man & patriot, the young man is also a young man of good character. He states that the rebels have plundered the prisoners father, taken two horses from him & two from another Son & one from a brotherinlaw, also taken his bed clothes &c &c. He states that the prisoner could not safely stay at home on account of the guerrillas & was on his way to join the Army at Catlettsburg, when he was induced to retaliate on the rebels by taking a horse ^(to go to camp)^ from one Garland, who was represented to him as a rebel. Affiant firmly believes these facts, & has no idea that the prisoner would have taken the horse, except under such peculiar circumstances. The prisoner is about 18 years old & a country boy without experience.
Wm Johnson
Sworn to before me by Wm Johnson
Jno. T. Parker, Clk
