The Parson Wilmer "Myth"

[L Verge]

Parson Lemuel Wilmer was well-known in Southern Maryland as one of the few Union people. He even had a commission as a chaplain for U.S. troops. He refused to vacate his pulpit and position when asked to by his Southern brethren and continued to preach when there were only two or three in the congregation. He never left Piney Church and is buried in its churchyard.

The reason for me saying this is that, I suspect, Booth, Herold, and certainly Mudd knew all about him being pro-Union and used his name to either get him in trouble (insinuating that he helped the fugitives) or to throw the search parties off as to where the pair were headed.