<title type="main">Frances Huff 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)

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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, Apprehension of Fugitives from Justice Papers, 1862-1863 KYR-0001-033-0011 R3-34 to R3-35

Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky 1862-08-11 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 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.
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To His Excellency Beriah Magoffin Governor of Kentucky

Your Petitioner Frances Huff a resident of Louisville respectfully states that at the October Term 186059 of the Jefferson Circuit Court her son William A. Huff was tried on an Indictment charging him with a Felony (stealing jewelry from a Jewlers store) and convicted & Sentenced to Four years & Six months in the penitentiary where he has been ever since confined, He was charged with the commission of the offense in company with one Charles Stephens who was tried at the same time convicted & Sentenced for the same term -- She states that at the time of his conviction her said son was under 18 years of age, and the oldest of Ten children, Seven of whom are living. --

She states that shortly after the conviction of her son; his father the Husband of your petitioner being much grieved & mortified at the conviction of his son left his home and family & went South to engage in work at his business as a Blacksmith, that for some time she has not heard from her said Husband & does not know whether he is living & if alive what his conditions & circumstances are * * since this petition was written his father has returned & Joined the army he also served in the Mexican War

That given the absence of her husband she has supported by her own labor -- being poor & without other means of support -- herself & her six children at home with her; she is getting in years & declining in health & needs the help of her son now in prison to aid her in supporting the family. -- Your petitioner will not attempt an apology for her son

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but she Insists that the punishment put upon him by the Jury was unreasonably severe for one of his years, charged for the first time of offense against the Laws; she has understood that the object of the punishment Inflicted upon those who violate the Law is to reform them and she submits to your Excellency if there is not a danger by Imposeing too severe a penalty on the young; that they may become reckless & in their desperation make resolves to be avenged on what seems to them to be unjustly and unreasonably severe, Her son has now been confined Two years & Ten months at hard labor -- certainly a sufficient time to Effect a reformation if such can be Effected by Imprisonment & Labor, and she fears a longer confinement may result in Injury rather than good to her unfortunate son She therefore most humbly beseeches your Excellency to Pardon her said son, that he may before it be too late enter upon a course of life which will regain for him a good name & make him useful to himself, to your Petitioner & his unfortunate Brothers & Sisters & your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray &c

Frances Huff

Sworn to before me by Frances Huff August 11th 1862

Geo W Johnston J. c c L.

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To His Excellency the Governor

In view of the considerations presented in the foregoing petition, I hope the clemency of the Executive may interpose. the punishments was very severe, and I cheerfully join in the prayer of the petitioner

August 9 1862.

Respectfully E S Craig Atto for Commonwealth 7th Jur dis

In consideration of the time young Huff has been Imprisoned and a Sympathy for his aged & afflicted mother we unite in the Petition that he be released.

Tho. Joyes

I am well acquainted with the mother and family of young William Huff and Knew him when he was my Sundy School sskchollar -- He was a promising boy till a short time before he was led off to commit the crime for which he is now punishded, being about 17 years of age -- I hope the Executive will feel at liberty to release the ballance of young Huffs time and extend to him the Executive clemency

S. A. Atchison

Gov. Jas F. Robinson Dr Sir.

The Petition was written previous to the resignation of Gov Magoffin & is addressed to him, but the circumstances are the same now as when it was written; & I have advised Mrs Huff that you will act upon it, as readily as if addressed to yourself & that she need not be a

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trouble to see those who have signed the Petition again to get their signatures again to another. --

Very respectfully Geo. W. Johnston --

I have known young Huff a Bout 12 or 15 years and I think his Punishment is a eNugh at this time My Store is in the Neighborhood Whear hea Was Raised and Where his Mother Now Lives

Very Respectfull J. R. Browne

Jefferson Cir. Ct

Pettn granted -- Pardon 20 Augt 1862 J F R.

Wm A. Huff 4 ys & 6 Mos IssdAug 20. 1862