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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-0001-004-2413 BR15-345 to BR15-346

Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky 1865-09-12 Petition English Version 1 of page "4": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "4": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 1 of page "3": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "3": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 1 of page "2": Changes to page transcript. 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

Richmond Kentucky Sept 12th 1865 Hon. Thos E. Bramlette Governor of Kentucky

The undersigned citizens of Madison County Kentucky, respectfully represent that during the Winter of 1864 in a sudden affray Franklin Morris stabed Andrew Thomsburg in this County both being Citizens of the same.

At the March Term 1865 of the Madison Circuit Court Franklin Morris Ennis Morris and Richard Morris wereallindicted for the murder of Andrew Thornsburg.

The only weapon used as established by the proof ^at the Examining Court^ was a Knife -- no other weapon than a Pocket Knife has ever been seen. There was no proof that Richard Morris struck any blows, although he was present.

The reason for including him in the indictment is obvious.

John W. Thornsburg theFather of the man whowasstabed & from whichhedied, was Foreman of the Grand Jurythatindicted the Morriss -- By including Richard Morris in the indictment, Franklin Morris was cut off from the benefit of his testimony -- Besides being the Foreman of the Grand Jury, John W Thornsburg has also employed two able Lawyers to prosecute Franklin Morris.

2

The Morriss are very poor and being unable to give bail they have been lying in Jail for nearly three months. Richard Morris is between 15 & 16 years of age -- about 15 years of age when the difficulty occured

We are satisfied there is no proof tending to show that Richard Morris was guilty of the Murder of Andrew Thornsburg, or even participated in the affray -- He had no weapon of any kind & being small & slender he could have rendered no assistance -- Considering his extreme Youth we earnestly pray your Excellency to grant said Richard Morris an immediate Pardon & relieve him from the unjust indictment against him.

We Peter T. Phelps & Wm Williams who held the Examining Court for the trial of the Morriss state that from the Evidence before us Richard Morris is deserving more even of Executive Clemency than Ennis Morris.

Peter T Phelps one of the justices that tried the Morris's Wm Williams one of the Justices that tried the Morises R. D. Davis James H. Embry R. R. Harris John Bennett Wm. J. Walker V B Norries L, D, Mauprin E G Broaddus

3

We concur in the prayer of the foregoing Petition.

L. N. Zimmerman Editor Messenger. Samuel Fox Esqr R. D. Davis D. C Madison Cir court Robert E Little D C Madison Circuit Court Geor Shackelford D C M Ct Ct Benton Crooke J. T. Shackelford David Irvine W, W, Embry John G. Taylor Charlie.C. Taylor D M Bright C F Moberly Wm M Irvine E. F. Miller Wm R Letcher D. C. G S Roberts D Burk Silas T. Green S. S. Parker John Taylor Willard Davis

4

Madison Cir Ct vs Richd Morris Indicted for Murder Pardoned 16th Sept 1865