<title type="main">William M. Pratt et al. to James F. Robinson 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 2 edits between June 22, 2025 and June 22, 2025. Dynamic TEI export from FromThePage (version 22.10)

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 November 11, 2025 Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives Office of the Governor, James F. Robinson: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons, Remissions, and Respites, 1862-1863 KYR-0001-029-0459 R4-234 to R4-235

Fayette County, Kentucky Fayette County, Kentucky 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 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.
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His Excellency James F Robinson, Governor of Kentucky, Your petitioners would respectfully state, that James H. Hart is sentenced to be hung on Saturday the 18th July -- that until this 14th of July he had hopes that an appeal would be granted -- that the time is now so short that he will have little chance to prepare for his final and terrible doom. We respectfully ask you to respite his punishment for thirty or sixty days or such time as your Excellency may deem proper.

Gov Robinson- I have acted as the spiritual adviser of Mr Hart, he seems to be Earnestly seeking a preparation for death. I dont think he is prepared, as yet, for that to & dont know that he ever will be but I would be glad to have a longer time to direct his mind

Wm M. Pratt Jno B Norton c f c c Chas F Lowry D C C D Carr H. T Duncan Jr F P Hord. J. H. Harrison Speed S. Goodloe Tho. J. Nichols J. J. Hunter James Hanna W. King Benj F. Graves Thos B Megowam Wm Murphy Jas. C. MorrisZ. Gibbons. R. H. Prewitt Wm Swift (Jury Man) Chas S Bodley Sheriff J. M. Elliott (Jury Man)

The man has but four days left the court of appeals held the matter up. strangely- if you can extend the term upon Mr Pratts statements the poor fellow may make some preparation to die-

Respectfully W S Downey

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Respite granted in this case until 1st August 1863

J F Robinson

Fayette Cir. Ct

Jas H. Hart Murder IssdJuly 14th 1863.