Early Governors' Papers

To his Excellency the Governor of the State of Tennessee

Your memorialists would respectfully state, that during the present Term of the Lincoln Circuit Court Erasmus Chapman of Lincoln County by the verdict of a jury was found guilty of manslaughter in the Killing of John Warren, and that execution of the judgment is delayed to give an opportunity for the present application.

That the unfortunate transaction occurred upon a provocation given by the deceased, and in a sudden transport of passion - previous to which the parties had been friendlythat said Chapman is an old man nearly sixty years of age - he was a soldier in the revolutionary war - and was in the campaign against the Creek Indians - He has a large family ^and has already lain in Goal about four months - and is very poor - for many years he has been entirely deprived of the sense of hearing - His family is respectable, and he has always sustained the character of a good citizen, a peacable honest & indus trious man - And they believe him a proper subject of executive clemency.

They therefore recommend to your Excellency that the punishmment about to

State N. Carolina Surry County} To all whoom [sic] it may Concern- We the Subscribers haveing [sic] been requested by John A. Chapman of the State of Tennessee to say what we know respecting the Character & Reputation of his Father Erasmus Chapman. (also of the State of Tennessee) we do Certify that we were acquainted with said Erasmus Chapman while he resided in this State- that we had every Reason to Esteem him an honest man that he was well disposed towards his neighbours & that he had the Confidence & regards, for We believe of all his Acquaintances In witness of which we hereunto Subscribe our hands & Seals the 2^nd day of Sep^t. 1820

John Welch J. P. H. P. Poindexter J. P. Thomas D. Kelly Col^o W. W. Chaffin William C. Bird J. P. W^m Mosley [S-illegible] Williams

and [illegible] Joseph Sater Samuel L. Davis Benjamin Browne Robert Freeman John [illegible] Ja^s Parks C M E who has been aquainted with him from his youth M. Larkin

The within Petition, and accompanying papers have been examined; upon which it is deemed, Just to remit the Sentence of the court, so far as relates to branding, and imprisonment, of the prisoner. Erasmus Chapman Jos. M^cMinn 6^th January 1821 ~

Pardon issued 6 Jan 1821 Gov M^cMinn