Petition from Henry Kingsmill to the Marquis Wellesley

Copy of a Petition from Henry Kingsmill to the General Governor of Ireland – dated 22 April 1824 - seeking clemency for his son, John [Allen] Kingsmill, Superintendent of Police in Queen's County, Ireland, following John's sentence to Transportation for Life for manslaughter.

o - 0 - o

To his Excellency the Marquis Wellsely Lord Lieutenant General & General Governor of Ireland

The humble Petition of Henry Kingsmill Serjeant from the 59th foot out Pensioner of Chelsea Hospital

Sheweth that your unhappy Petitioner has been in the service and Pay of George the third of Glorious memory and of his present Majesty 48 years.

Your Petitioner is the father of John Kingsmill now under sentence of transportation for life. Your Petitioner is aware that your Excellency will be troubled with many applications on behalf of the unfortunate men.

It is thought by the Petitioner's best friends that it is too presumptuous of Petitioner to dare to address your Excellency, however Petitioner's knowledge of your Illustrious Brother's fatherly care and attention to the Army offers him a shade of hope that your Excellency will be Graciously pleased to have Mercy upon the son of a broken-hearted Veteran.

Prayers for the long life and prosperity of your Excellency will be offered up by your unhappy Petitioner till death.

Borris in Ossary (Transcribed in 1988 by Irish records as Banis in Offery) 22nd April 1824