This collection contains 4 letters that New York politician Thurlow Weed received about Frank H. Walworth, who was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his father, Mansfield Tracy Walworth, in June 1873. Charles O'Conor, Mary W. Putnam, John M. Barbour, and Ellen H. Walworth discussed Walworth's sentence and encouraged Weed to discuss the case with the governor, who could issue an executive pardon. Ellen H. Walworth, who refused to present a formal petition on her son's behalf, mentioned physicians' reports that she believed would persuade Governor John A. Dix to release her son (December 15, 1874).
Francis ("Frank") Hardin Walworth was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, on August 17, 1853, the son of Mansfield Tracy Walworth (1830-1873) and Ellen Hardin (1832-1915). He attended Georgetown College and later studied law. The Walworth family lived together for a time in New York City, but Ellen Walworth and her children later returned to Saratoga Springs. According to Frank H. Walworth, his father became abusive; on June 3, 1873, Mansfield and Frank Walworth met at the Sturtevant House Hotel in New York City, where Frank killed his father. Walworth's trial was held from June 24, 1873-July 2, 1873; he was convicted for second-degree murder and received a life sentence at Sing Sing Prison. Governor Lucius Robinson pardoned Walworth on August 1, 1877. Walworth married Corinne Bramlette on December 20, 1883, and they had one daughter, Clara G. Walworth (1886-1952). Frank H. Walworth died on October 29, 1886.
