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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-0001-004-0924 BR10-421 to BR10-422

1864-06-25 Petition English Version 1 of page "4": Changes to page transcript. Version 1 of page "3": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "4": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 1 of page "2": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "3": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 0 of page "2": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 1 of page "1": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "1": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile.
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To Govenor Bramlete

The undersigned your Petitioner states that at the last term of the Fayette Circuit Court he was fined the sum of $1000 -- in all for the following cases, for giving spirituous liquors to slaves $50 -- in 13 several cases, and $300 for disorderly house & $50 -- for suffering unlawful assembly of slaves on his premises. He states that he never soldor gave liquor to slaves as charged unlawfully; yet the appearances were against him. The disorderly house case & suffering unlawful assembly of slaves on his premises were made out by the same state of facts. He has his house & grocery store just on the corner of short street & Georgetown road, in Lexington & the negroes from twofactorys, beyond him, passed into town by

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the two roads meiting at his corner & there they met & parted on their return & congregated on his pavement & in the present state of that population & for six months past, he could not drive them off & this was the assembling that was construed to make an disorderly house & an unlawful assembly" of slaves & none other -- There was no evidence of any disorder in the house & now except the congregation of negroes & their loud talking & laughing on the corner pavements as stated. He says that he keeps a retail grocery store of as good character as any in the city &c & keeps a general & good assortment of groceries of nearly all kinds & has as good & genteel a custom as any establishment in the city. He is

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and has been striving to make by his business an honest support for his growing young family & has to depend greatly upon his credit & good name & prompt business character. He appeals confidently to his customers & neighbors generaly. The indictments were produced by the unfounded prejudices ^and malice^ of one man against him. He asks for a remission of the fine as its payment will greatly embarass him ^& is unjust^ -- He knows his case is a good one. --

John M Sheppard

Sworn to before me by John Sheppard this 25 June 1864.

Q. Gibbons Notary Public

We the neighbors of John Shepherd state that he keeps an orderly grocery store & has on hands a good & general assortment of such articles ^as^ are usual in that business & he is industrious attentive & sober & has a good custom. -- We cheerfully recommend his case to the Governor & believe his statements to be true

A T Parker W S. McChesney Samuel McMeekin

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I unite in his application John B Payne Jr W F White Bird Taylor Abram Smith J. Dudley Henry. Robertson M. C. Fowler H D Hulett Thos Shumate C. Shryock. David McMurtry J. T. Mayfield James M Bruson T. Mitchell E D Layn Jno. B. Wilgus Robt, B, Daugherty J McMichael R McMichael Wm Robertson John Robertson We the undersigned citizens of Lexington recommend the case of Mr. Shepherd -- Q. Gibbons M. Stuttots Geo. Lancaster Jno. H. Carr Thos M. Bell J. W. Bright J. Harkins P. Harkins E. S. DeLong.

I know John Shepherd and deal with him -- I was not counsel for him -- I believe his statements to be true -- Those who know him best speak well of him & he is a worthy man & I earnestly recommend his case to your favor. I believe it is one deserving a remission.

Yours & c Jno B Huston