CARL HENRICH WERKHEISER HANGING RECORD PAGE


        According to the "Colonial Records" which provides a lot of information about individuals whose names may not appear in other records of the period, because Pennsylvania's colonial governments often became entangled in the personal lives of their citizens, is a statement about CHARLES.
        In the Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Volume XIII. page 303-304, dated June 14, 1782: Quote, "The record of conviction of CHARLES WERKHISER of the county of Northampton, of the crime of murder, and sentenced to be hanged until he be dead, was read; and the petition of divers, persons praying full pardon for the said CHARLES WORKEISER, was also read; and on consideration, Ordered, That a warrant be issued for the execution of the said sentence against the said CHARLES WORKEISER, on Saturday, the twenty ninth day of June, 1782, between the hours of ten of the clock in the forenoon and two of the clock in the afternoon, at the usual place of execution in the said county."

        Page 318 of the same Volume, Minutes, etc. as above, Dated June 28, 1782: Quote, "The petition of CHARLES WERKHEISER, of the county of Northampton, convicted of murder, praying a respite of execution until next sitting of the General Assembly, was weak; & on consideration, dismissed."

        Page 350 of the same Volume, Minutes, etc. as above, Dated August 15, 1782: Quote, "Ordered, That the part of the said CHARLES WERKEISER's estate forfeited to the Commonwealth be remitted, and divided between his children equally, his just debts, maintenance in prison, and the charges of prosecution, trial, and execution, being first paid and satisfied.

        Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council, In Council at Philadelphia on Friday, June 28, 1782, was His Excellency the President, The Honorable Vice President, Mr. Bayard, Mr. Byers, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Van Campen, Mr. Levan, and Mr. Ewing. The petition of CHARLES WERKEISER, of the county of Northampton, convicted of murder, praying a respite of execution until next sitting of the General Assembly, was read, and on consideration, dismissed.
        For petitions that were presented to the Council the procedure was to: 1. present a petition asking the Council to excuse or moderate the punishment concerning a conviction or sentence. 2. The Council then recessed to consider the petition. 3. After which the Council issued an order or decision.

        The Supreme Executive Council did not conduct any trials, it only reviewed petitions about sentences already passed by a different and proper judicial body. Which posed the question, "Who conducted the trial of CHARLES WERKHEISER?" Part of his estate was seized before he was hung to pay for "his just debts, maintenance in prison, and the charges of prosecution trial and execution".

        In the Pennsylvania State Library, in the 1960 issue, Volume 64 of the Lancaster County Historical Society. All of the Number 2 issue of this Volume, pages 85 to 164, consists of one article by Dr. Negley K. Teetes and is entitled, Public Executions in Pennsylvania 1682 to 1834 with annotated Lists of Persons Executed; and Delays, Pardons, and Reprieves of Persons Sentenced to Death in Pennsylvania 1682 to 1834.

        Page 146: WORKEISER, CHARLES, ex. June 29, 1782; Northampton; murder; CR XIII, 303, June 14
        Page 150, under the heading of: II Revolutionary War Period Spies, Deserters, Traitors, and Ordinary Criminals, 102 Executions, 1782 June 29, CHARLES WORKEISER, Northampton, murder.

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