<title type="main">William E. Arthur to Beriah Magoffin Edition created from new transcripts of this manuscript. Initial upload of this work's facsimile images and metadata to FromThePage for editing Kentucky Historical Society Digital Collections Administrator of the CWGK Migration transcription project on FromThePage Kentucky Historical Society Digital Collections Kentucky Historical Society Digital Collections made 4 edits between June 22, 2025 and June 22, 2025. Dynamic TEI export from FromThePage (version 22.10)

This image and transcription is publicly accessible. The image appears courtesy of the repository named in the Source Description. The transcription and annotation were undertaken by Kentucky Historical Society staff, volunteers, and interns. If referencing this document title, accession number, and permanent URL.

 November 11, 2025 Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862 KYR-0001-020-1891 MG23-311 to MG23-312

Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky 1862-05-30 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 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

Covington Ky -- May 30th 1862 For the Governor

At the March Term, 1862, of the Circuit Court for the County of Kenton John Singer, Ann his wife, Rachel and Charles his son and Daughter, the two latter aged, respectively, 18 & 20 years, free Negroes, then residing in this City, were indicted under and in persuance of the 2d ^3d^ and 6th sections of "An Act concerning free Negroes, Mulattoes and Emancipation" -- apprroved March 3d 1860, sec. 2o Stantons R.S. p. 810-811= which Indictments are now pending and indetermined.

Many years ago, with the approbation of this community, an Act of our General Assembly "secured to John and his family certain enumerated principles in this Commonwealth and among others that of Council in this place where he has continued to reside to the present time -- I have known John nearly all my life, and I am not aware that John has either in his own person, or in those of his family abused the privileges conferred upon them by the act mentioned, save and except in the unfortunate, instances, which gave rise to the Indictments alluded to,

The public sentiment of this community, no less than the laws of the Commonwealth demanded and justify, the Indictment of John and his family= But, on the other hand, I think I may say, with equal confidence and with equal breadth of expression that the public sentiment of this Community palliates the Acts upon which the Indictments are founded on the belief, that John, and consequently John's family, were honestly mislead, by a misapprehension of their rights and duties, both as to the special law in their favor and the particular and more recent law, under which they have been Indicted --

I concur in every thing that has been expressed in the within petition in reference to the uniform propriety and probity of John's life -- I think the Indictments in question, have already produced a salutory efect in the right quarter, and that the

2

affect will be rather increased than diminished, (in this particular instance), by extending a free pardon to these otherwise meritorious negroes --

I have written this note at the request of citizens and members of the Grand Jury, eminent for their public and private worth some of whose names appear signed to the accompanying petition and ^are^ well known to the Executive

W E Arthur Aty Com'th

I heartily concur with the foregoing recommendation, having known John Singer since my residence in Covington. An honester, more accommodating, and gentlemanly "gentleman of color," it would be hard to find. I am satisfied his violation of law complained of was the result of mistake, not malice

R. Richardson

Kenton Cir Ct Indictment against John Singer & others

Pardon IssdJune 9. 1862

3

To his Excellency Beriah Magoffin Governor of Kentucky.

At the march Term 1862 of the Kenton Circuit Court, indictments were found against John Singer, his wife ^(Ann)^ and daughter about 18 years old named Rachael and his son Charles about 20 years of age, for going out of the state and returning and residing in Convington -- they being free blacks.

Singer has been a resident Covington for nearly thirty years. He has raised his family here. He is a Barber, and has pursued his business, diligently and has been all the time a quiet, orderly, well behaved man -- remarkable for his quiet unoffensive demeanor, and for the propriety of his life The same may be said of his family. Neither one of them have ever before been called to answer a charge for the breach of any law state or municipal before -- and they all have the confidence and respect of all our people. They erred without being aware of the law and we are satisfied an act of great justice and propriety would be done on pardoning them this their first offence We respectully and earnestly ask that your Excellency will pardon them

Jas M Prestown

I think pardon will be act of mercy well bestowed on them

Jno W Finell B M Foley L F Daugherty N, B, Stephens

4

T. R. Buster. A C Ellis G B Dudley Jas, C, Gedge John F Fisk John S. Mise J G Carlisle John B Carey S. C.Perrin Jacob Ellinger H. P. Rose J A Goodson A Z Greer Wm Ernst H. Myers I have known Singer eight years & I know no more quiet & orderly man than he. J. B. Jones J W Stevenson M. J. Dudley J Sanderson C A. Withers C. W. Stewart. Jno C Herndon C. Y. Martin G W McDannold F A. Avard Chas. Assmann R A Jones Tho. B. Page John T Lewis Tho. Mise A. Craig A. H. Jameson E B Lewis H. Drexelius D Westcott

(I sincerely desire and hope the governor will grant this pardon)

J. M. Wonall F. Smith J. Gray I have known the petiti-oners many years & alwas with credit to himself & this community (Singer) John Lamey Joe Clark Thos D. Kennedy Franklin Riggs