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 November 11, 2025 Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives Office of the Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette: Governor's official correspondence file, petitions for pardons, remissions, and respites 1863-1867 KYR-0001-004-0025 BR8-37 to BR8-38

Thomas Elliott Bramlette (KY governor 1863-67, atty, D.A., col 3rd KY Inf) N001000 1817-01-03 1875-01-12 Categories: People

Twenty-third governor of Kentucky, attorney and soldier. Cumberland County, Kentucky, native. Married to Sallie Travis Bramlette in September 1837. Father of James T. Bramlette, William L. Bramlette, Eugene Bramlette, and Corrina Bell Bramlette. Practiced law in Clinton County, Kentucky, and Columbia, Kentucky. Represented Cumberland and Clinton counties in the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from 1841 to 1843. Commonwealth's attorney of the 8th Judicial District of Kentucky from 1848 to 1850. Owned two enslaved persons in 1850. Circuit judge of the 6th Judicial District of Kentucky from 1856 to 1861. Owned nine enslaved persons in 1860. Served as colonel of the 3rd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment (U.S.A.) from 1861 to 1862. District attorney of the United States District Court for Kentucky in 1863. Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from September 1, 1863, to September 3, 1867. Owned law firm of Bramlette & Van Winkle in partnership with Ephraim L. Van Winkle.

Seventh Manuscript Census of the United States (1850), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Clinton County, District No. 1, p. 181A. Seventh Manuscript Census of the United States (1850), Slave Schedules, Kentucky, Clinton County, District No. 1, p. 335 (p. 2 of 2 on microfilm). Eighth Manuscript Census of the United States (1860), Slave Schedules, Kentucky, Adair County, The Town of Columbia 1st Division, p. 13 (p. 2 of 3 on microfilm). Ninth Manuscript Census of the United States (1870), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Jefferson County, Louisville Ward 8, p. 83B. Ross A. Webb, “Thomas E. Bramlette (1863-1867)” in Lowell H. Harrison, ed., Kentucky’s Governors (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2004), 93-97 Lowell H. Harrison, "Bramlette, Thomas Elliott" in The Kentucky Encyclopedia, John E. Kleber, ed. (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1992), 112-13. James Savage (Wayne County farmer and penitentiary inmate) N00004837 1830? 1913-06-18 Categories: People

Wayne County, Kentucky, farmer. Wayne County native. Son of John Savage and Rebecca Savage. Farmer in Wayne County in 1850. Inmate in the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1860. Sentenced in 1858 for manslaughter for the 1857 killing of Ewing Litterell. Pardoned in 1863 by Thomas E. Bramlette.

Relationships Social: Milton P. Buster (Monticello, KY, farmer, judge, senator for Wayne, Pulaski, and Clinton counties) Political: Milton P. Buster (Monticello, KY, farmer, judge, senator for Wayne, Pulaski, and Clinton counties) Political: John Lewis Sallee (Wayne County, KY, farmer and state rep 1850) Legal: Wayne Circuit Court Familial: Rebecca Savage (Wayne County, Kentucky, housewife) Familial: John Savage (Wayne County, Kentucky, farmer and basketmaker) Legal: Kentucky State Penitentiary

Seventh Manuscript Census of the United States (1850), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Wayne County, Division 1, p. 309B. Eighth Manuscript Census of the United States (1860), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Franklin County, Frankfort, District 1, State Penitentiary, p. 125. Vital Statistics Original Death Certificates – Microfilm (1911-1965), KDLA, Film #7016157: All Counties, Wayne, 1913, File #23202, p. 7 of 3296 of microfilm. Ewing Litterell (Wayne County, KY, farmer) N00004839 1800? 1857-12-08 Categories: People

Wayne County, Kentucky, farmer. Wayne County native. Son of Samuel Litterell and Abigail Litterell. Married to Jane Litterell. Father of Mary Ann Litterell, Jane Litterell, Eliza Litterell, Clarinda Litterell, and Louisa Litterell. Farmer in Wayne County in 1830. Farmer in Wayne County in 1850. Farmer in Wayne County in 1857. Shot and killed by James Savage in Wayne County on December 8, 1857.

Relationships Social: James Savage (Wayne County farmer and penitentiary inmate) Social: John Lewis Sallee (Wayne County, KY, farmer and state rep 1850) Social: Rebecca Savage (Wayne County, Kentucky, housewife) Social: John Savage (Wayne County, Kentucky, farmer and basketmaker)

Fifth Manuscript Census of the United States (1830), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Wayne County, p..232. Seventh Manuscript Census of the United States (1850), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Wayne County, p. 321A. Kentucky Birth, Marriage and Death Records – Microfilm (1852-1910), KDLA, Film #994057: Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, 1857, p. 673 of 753 of microfilm (accessed via Ancestry.com). KYR-0001-004-0025. John Savage (Wayne County, Kentucky, farmer and basketmaker) N00014044 1777? Categories: People

Wayne County, Kentucky, farmer and basketmaker. Virginia native. Married to Rebecca Savage. Father of James Savage. Farmer in Wayne County in 1850. Basketmaker in Wayne County in 1860.

Relationships Social: Ewing Litterell (Wayne County, KY, farmer)

Seventh Manuscript Census of the United States (1850), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Wayne County, Division 1, p. 309B. Eighth Manuscript Census of the United States (1860), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Wayne County, p. 428-29. Rebecca Savage (Wayne County, Kentucky, housewife) N00014045 1794? Categories: People

Wayne County, Kentucky, housekeeper. Virginia native. Married to John Savage. Mother of James Savage. Resident of Wayne County in 1850. Housewife in Wayne County in 1860.

Relationships Familial: John Savage (Wayne County, Kentucky, farmer and basketmaker) Social: Ewing Litterell (Wayne County, KY, farmer)

Seventh Manuscript Census of the United States (1850), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Wayne County, Division 1, p. 309B. Eighth Manuscript Census of the United States (1860), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Wayne County, p. 428-29. Milton P. Buster (Monticello, KY, farmer, judge, senator for Wayne, Pulaski, and Clinton counties) N00004834 1824-12-06 1864-01-21 Categories: People

Wayne County, Kentucky, farmer, senator, and judge. Kentucky native. Married to Louisa L. Parker Buster in Wayne County, Kentucky, on November 5, 1846. Father of William Buster, Kate Buster, Sophia Buster, Charles Buster, and Sis Buster. Farmer in Wayne County in 1850. Farmer in Wayne County in 1860. Owned three enslaved persons in Wayne County in 1860. Member of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for Wayne, Pulaski, and Clinton Counties from 1861 to 1864. Judge in Monticello in 1863. Died on January 21, 1864.

Seventh Manuscript Census of the United States (1850), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Wayne County, Division 1, p. 284A. Eighth Manuscript Census of the United States (1860), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Wayne County, p. 236. Eighth Manuscript Census of the United States (1860), Slave Schedules, Kentucky, Wayne County, p. 2. Kentucky Marriage Records, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond, Kentucky, Wayne County Marriages, Film #000591550. Lewis Collins and Richard H. Collins, Collins' Historical Sketches of Kentucky, vol. 2 (Covington, KY: Collins & Co., 1874), 754. "Milton P. Buster (1824-1864)," Find A Grave, Memorial #93627948, accessed April 27, 2017, http://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93627948. "Resolutions Upon the Death of Judge M.P. Buster," in Acts of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Passed at the Session Which was Begun and Held in the City of Frankfort on Monday, the Seventh Day of December, 1863, (Frankfort, KY: The Commonwealth Office, 1864), 153. Wayne County, Kentucky P00004831 Categories: Places

County in south central Kentucky. Seat at Monticello.

36.8298, -84.8491 Gale Edwards, "Wayne County," in The Kentucky Encyclopedia, ed. John E. Kleber (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1992), 938-39. “Monticello, Kentucky," USGS: Earth Explorer, accessed March 3, 2021, https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/. Commonwealth of Kentucky O001025 1792 Categories: Organizations

Administrative body of the state of Kentucky. Capital at Frankfort, Kentucky. Governor(s): Beriah Magoffin (1859-1862), James F. Robinson (1862-1863), and Thomas E. Bramlette (1863-1867).

Paul Blanchard, "Office of Governor" in The Kentucky Encyclopedia, John E. Kleber, ed. (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1992), 380. Malcolm E. Jewell, "General Assembly" in The Kentucky Encyclopedia, John E. Kleber, ed. (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1992), 366. Paul J. Weber, "Court System" in The Kentucky Encyclopedia, John E. Kleber, ed. (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1992), 233. Kentucky State Penitentiary O00000266 1798 1884 Categories: Organizations

State prison of the Commonwealth of Kentucky in Frankfort, Kentucky. Operated from 1798 to 1884. Keeper(s): Jeremiah W. South (1859-1863) and Harry I. Todd (1863-1871).

Relationships Economic: Harry Innes Todd, Sr. (Frankfort, Kentucky, merchant and penitentiary keeper) Legal: Gabriel Endicott (Lawrence County farmer and prisoner for man slaughter) Economic: Ephraim Whitesides (Frankfort, Kentucky, carpenter and assistant keeper of the penitentiary) Legal: Charles Hawkins (Frankfort, Kentucky) Legal: George Knorr (Newport, Kentucky farmer and felon) Legal: Angelo Devoto (Louisville, Kentucky, confectionery shop owner) Legal: James Duddleson (stub, mercer or boyle county) Legal: James Savage (Wayne County farmer and penitentiary inmate) Legal: James Johnson (Campbell County, Kentucky, prisoner) Economic: James Landon Sneed (Franklin County, Kentucky farmer and clerk) Economic: Robert W. Lawler (Franklin County, Kentucky, prison guard) Legal: William J. Tice (Steele) (Jefferson Co, Frankfort, and Covington, KY) Legal: Felix McDermot (Kenton County laborer and prisoner for grand larceny) Legal: David Schroeder (Louisville, Kentucky, butcher) Legal: Thomas Edrington (Louisville, Kentucky, carpenter and convict) Legal: Francis Pace (Harlan County, Kentucky, resident) Legal: Thomas Birmingham (Jefferson County, Kentucky) Legal: Daniel Bush (Jefferson County, Kentucky) Legal: William Nichols (Covington, KY steel mill worker) Legal: Charles T. Sullivan (Jefferson County, Kentucky, resident and inmate) Political: James Landon Sneed (Franklin County, Kentucky farmer and clerk) Political: Robert W. Lawler (Franklin County, Kentucky, prison guard) Political: John T. Hockensmith (Franklin County, KY, prison guard) Political: Luther S. Prentiss (Franklin County, KY, miller) Political: Robert W. Willhoit (Franklin County, Kentucky, petitioner ) Political: R. K. Taylor (Franklin County, Kentucky, prison guard. ) Political: James Gallahue (Franklin County, Kentucky, prison guard. ) Political: Thomas J. Frazier (Breathitt County, Kentucky, postmaster, politician, judge, and Register of the Land Office) Political: L. Tobias (Franklin County, Kentucky, prison guard) Legal: Thomas B. Wadlington (Caldwell County, Kentucky, farmer) Legal: Wesley [Unknown] (Caldwell County, Kentucky, enslaved man) Legal: William J. Wadlington (Caldwell County, Kentucky, farm laborer. ) Legal: Hezekiah Alexander Jr. (Meade County, Kentucky, resident. ) Legal: William Duerbeck (Ohio River boat steward.) Legal: John Smith (Mont Wilson) (Frankfort, Kentucky, inmate.) Legal: Austin Bingham (Trigg County, Kentucky, laborer. Convicted of murder in 1859.) Legal: Jeremiah W. South (Franklin County, Kentucky, farmer and keeper of the State Penitentiary) Legal: John J. Dyer, Jr. (Trigg County, Kentucky, farmer and sheriff.) Legal: William Johnson (Convicted of grand larceny in Franklin Circuit Court in 1863.) Legal: Daniel W. Clark (Kenton County, Kentucky, farmer) Legal: Stephen W. Duval (McLean County, Kentucky, laborer and soldier.)

Calvin Fairbank, Rev. Calvin Fairbank During Slavery Times: How He “Fought the Good Fight” to Prepare “The Way” (Chicago: R. R. McCabe & Co., 1890), 54-56; 104-117; 139-46. J. W. South. “Report of the Keeper and Lessee of the Kentucky Penitentiary to the General Assembly, September 13, 1861,” Legislative Document Series, No. 7 (Frankfort, Ky.: Jno. B. Major, State Printer, 1862), 3-13. Report of the Special Committee on the Penitentiary to the Senate of Kentucky, February 26, 1880, Legislative Document No. 18 (Frankfort: E. H. Porter, 1880), 78. William C. Sneed, A Report on the History and Mode of Management of the Kentucky Penitentiary from its Origin, in 1798, to March 1, 1860 (Frankfort: Senate of Kentucky, 1860), 553. Petition English Version 1 of page "4": Changes to page transcript. Version 2 of page "4": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "4": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 2 of page "1": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "3": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 1 of page "1": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "2": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 0 of page "1": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile.
1

To his Excelency the Governor of Ky

the undersigned would most respectfully State that James Savage has been confined in the Penitentiary of this State for about 5 years for the killing of Ewing Litterell the undersigned herd the proof on the final Trial which was in Substance as follows the Said Savage was at home with his aged Parents the Father upwards of 80 yeas and the mother hard by he being the youngest child was liveing with and takeing care of then when at night Litterell with 2 or 3 others entered the house with a pale of whiskey which he Sat on the table declared his intention to have a frollic to all of which the young Savage protested he the Litterell bent on his purpose commenced dancing and blackgarding to which young Savage objected but he would not desist when Savage outraged by his vulgar insult to his aged Parents took down his gun and Shot him the proof also showed that the Said Litterell exposed his person in the presence of his mother and declared he ^had^ had Sexual intercorce with every woman on that creek wharefore your petitioner asks that your Excelency remit the ballance of the time for which he was condemed

Respectfully yours M P Buster

2
3
4

M. P. Buster asks the Pardon of J. Savage

Wayne Co Jas Savage Pardoned 28th Sept 1863 Manslaughter