About This Collection
Images of primarily petitions for clemency addressed to the President of the Supreme Executive Council, the Governor, or the Board of Pardons and pardon proclamations issued by the Governor, but also remissions of forfeitures, extracts of pardons and remissions, copies of death warrants, court transcripts, newspaper notices, and related trial records. Information found varies with each dossier and time period. While for some cases only the name of the person seeking clemency, a description of the nature of the offense, and the sentence or fine imposed is provided, others may give the persons occupation and particulars about his or her personal life and family. Information given in the pardon proclamations is the name of the person pardoned, the name of the court where convicted, a description of the crime, the name of the presiding judge, sentence imposed, name of the institution where incarcerated, the grounds upon which a pardon was sought, the names of those who supported the petition, and the date the pardon was granted. In a few instances, photographs of the prisoners are also present. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide variety of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by current standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections, but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research.