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Affidavit of James C. Gill
I am the coroner of Jefferson County State of Kentucky.
On the th day of December 1863rs Burk Wife of the said John Burk. She Swore before me That Martin Pendergrast and Patrick Welsh, got into a difficulty that they Bouth gotwent out on the Street that she Saw a Butcher knife in the hands of Pendergrast. that she did not see Pendergrast Stab Welsh but thought he was shot with a Pistol. that she thought she heard a Pistol Shot. She made the same statement before the examining court She however changed her testimony before the Jury in the circuit court and Swore Positively that she saw Pendergrast Stab Welsh twice.
James C. Gill,
Coroner J. C.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this th day of February 1865
Phil Tomppert Jr C C C L
Govenor Bramlett
Dear Sir
Some time ago a petition in favor of Martin Pendegrass was sent you. Some nine or ten of the Jury recomended him to your Excellency as a proper person for Clemency. He was convicted for two years, the lowest term for Manslaughter. The conviction was made upon the evidence of Mrs Burke who swore before the coroner that she did not see deceased stabed, see Coroners affidavit, This she swore also in the examining court, but before the Jury she swore she saw Pendegrass when he did the stabing. Pendegrass remained in the county Jail for one year before he could have his trial, He proved a most exelent Character when he was tried, & most of the Jury was eager to sign in his behalf.
We Join in the prayre of the petitioner not as his feed Counsel, but do so because he is a fellow creature, & worthy of the clemency he asks in his petition
Very Respectfully
Baird & Price