Source:  Governor's Papers, John M. Morehead Governor, Governors Papers 99,
         October-December 1841.


PETITION OF ABRAM KORNEGAY OF DUPLIN CO., N.C.	

Transcribed by Sloan Mason


Petition of Abram KORNEGAY of Duplin Co., N.C.-9 Dec. 1841

To His Excellency John M. MOREHEAD, Gov'r.

The petition of the undersigned citizens of the County of Duplin, humbly 
complaining, sheweth unto your Excellency that at the Fall Term of the Superior 
Court last for this County, Abram KORNEGAY was tried & found guilty of an assault 
& battery upon Lewis OUTLAW, the jury finding upon the evidence of the Prosecutor 
only; and that upon the said finding, the Court sentenced the Defendant to an 
imprisonment for six months, about half of which time has expired. Your Petitioners 
represents that Abram KORNEGAY has been addicted to intemperance, and when 
intoxicated is a man of some violence, but where there is now every appearance of 
reformation on this subject, and his behavior mild and peaceable as it always has 
been when sober. Your Petitioners further represents that the assault was committed 
under high party excitement; at a political meeting where this Defendant & Prosecutor 
were in attendance and differing on the subject of Candidates ---, they both indulged 
freely with intoxicating liquors till they became drunk, when in a fight between the 
parties the Defendant used his knife. Your Petitioners further represents that 
KORNEGAY is a man of very respectable parentage, and (except his intemperance) has 
sustained a good character through life; he has a large family of children, who are 
dependant for support upon the exertions of this Defendant, and that his wife at the 
present moment really needs his attentions and services at home. In consideration of 
all the premises, your Petitioners pray your Excellency to interpose in behalf of 
this unfortunate prisoner, and grant him a pardon for the remainder of the 
imprisonment that he may return to his Family a reformed man when and where he may 
afford them that protection & attention that a fond parent is wont to administer.
Your Petitioners further represent, that they are conscious they represent the voice 
of the County in making this appeal, and again pray your Excellency for your Clemency 
in this behalf, and as in duty bound will ever pray. 

9th Dec'r. 1841

? H. BOURDEN

D. C. MOORE

James CARRELL

A. G. STANFORD

H. SULLIVAN

R.L. STANLY

Jesse BATTS

Wm. MINGESAS?

W. MINGAS

John A. KORNEGAY

Jms? KORNEGAY

D. MCINTIRE

Sam'l. HOUSTON

Edward MAZINGO

Charles M. OGLESBY

Wm. SMITH

Wm. H. STETSON

Thos. J. HOLLAND

Wm. FARRIOR, C.S.C.

Wm. D. PEARSALL, C.M.C.?

Nicholas HALL

Edw'd. ARMSTRONG

Joseph M. MCGOWAN

J.? PEARSALL

John OLIVER

Alsa SOUTHERLAND

C. J. HUNTER

G. W. JOHNSTON

David S. HURST

James C. WILLIAMS

Alexander CHAMBERS

Joseph T. RHODES

John F. RHODES

Wilson BOURDEN

John A. BISHOP

David CHURCHWELL

J. MAXWELL

W.H. HANSLEY

David SOUTHERLAND

Th. J. KINNREAR

D.?. WILLIAMS

H. SULLIVAN

J.G. MIDDLETON

Jacob TTURER


Petition for Abram KORNEGAY of the county of Duplin
Prayer and Granted
His Exclsy. John M. MOREHEAD, Esqr., Raleigh, N.C.

Duplin Co., N.C.-29th Nov. 1841
His Excellency John M. MOREHEAD, Esqr.

Dear Sir,
AT the request of an unfortunate Suffer, I take the liberty to address you in his 
behalf-At the last term of our Superior court Abram KORNEGAY of this County was 
tried on an Indictment and found guilty of an assault upon Lewis OUTLAW, Jun'r. 
And the evidence of the prosecutor (he being the only witness) proved the assault 
of such a violent character that the Judge presiding sentenced him to an imprisonment 
for six months. I was in Court during the trial and agree that the Court (from the 
evidence) was altogether consistent; but considering all the circumstances connected 
with the transaction, there is something of a mitigating character which I beg leave 
to call to the attention of your Excellency. First, the Prisoner is the Son of one of 
our most respectable Citizens, and (except when wrought upon by Spirituous liquors, 
as he sometimes unfortunately is) he himself is a peaceable good citizen. Second, he 
is a very poor man with a large family of children dependent upon his labor for their 
support, and his wife now in a delicate situation requiring his attentions at home. 
Third, the assault was provoked by the Prosecutor at a politics meeting of the Whigs 
in May 1840. At this time the Whigs of the county had a public meeting at the County 
seat, and Sunday resolutions introduced and adopted for the advancement of their 
cause; the Defendant being one of the body showed some considerable gratification at 
the prospects, and soon after the meeting adjourned was insulted by the Prosecutor 
(he being a Loco Foco)  when a fight ensued & the Prosecutor bit the Prisoner on one 
of his Fingers & in jerking his finger from the mouth of the Prosecutor, drew one of 
his teeth also; for which Prosecutor was heard to say he would have satisfaction. It 
is believed by many that the Prosecutor pursued the Prisoner for this Satisfaction, 
& the prisoner used his knife in self defense. I don't pretend that the Prosecutor 
would perjure himself willingly, but I was present at the meeting where the fight 
first commenced, and left about an hour before the cut was given; & when I left he 
Prosecutor was quite drunk; I understand from respectable Gentlemen that he continued 
to drink till he left the Village and if so, he was not by any means a Competent 
witness. The Prisoner is a man of intemperate habits (till since his confinement) 
and when drinking is rather violent, but when sober very peaceable. He regrets his 
former course, I think really, & so much is he resolved on reformation that he has 
besought me to write to your Excellency asking a pardon from the imprisonment so 
long as he refrains from drink. I take the liberty to say Sir, if he could be 
reformed by your interference much would be done for his family and I think the 
purposes of justice answered to the full. The history I have given of the Prisoner 
is of my own knowledge, he having lived near me all his life.

From the whole of the circumstances mentioned if your Excellency will remit the 
remainder of the imprisonment, I take the responsibility of saying that you would 
meet the wishes of a large portion of the respectable citizens of the County. I 
hope I will not be considered presumptuous in making this appeal, I do it from a 
firm conviction that your clemency in behalf of KORNEGAY will be productive of good; 
remember he is very willing to be pardoned on the condition he refrains from drink; 
and if he indulges again to be remanded to prison immediately; & remain the balance 
of the time.

Should you think with me in this matter, please enclose your communication to Isaac 
B. KELLY, Esqr., Postmaster at Kenansville, N.C.
I have the honor to be your Obedient Servant,
Jere PEARSALL

N.B. At the request of several Gentlemen, I have penned an imperfect petition, which 
will be signed, & accompany this.
J. P.

END OF DOCUMENT





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