Interesting Observations from James O'Beirne's Diary

[L Verge]

Don't confuse Woodyard with Woodville 'cause they are about 15 miles apart. The site of the original Woodyard is just a few miles from Surratt House and is now a development - which is a shame because the original plantation held, at one time during the Revolution, the largest home on the East Coast with an industrial wing added to it where supplies for the American forces were produced in large quantitites. I believe that I'm correct that it was once owned during the War of 1812 by Stephen West, husband of F.S. Key's sister. (Not positive on that tidbit.) Woodville is way down the road (now Aquasco) and a village, not a farm.

As for Atzerodt, I think there are several descriptions referring to him having rounded shoulders - like the beginnings of spine curvature. I'll probably get kicked by a few people for saying this again, but I still contend that the conspirators could have been our friends and neighbors if we lived back then. Ordinary people until something gets them stirred up.

You mentioned Annie Ward. She was teaching in D.C. and serving as a mail post for the Confederacy (John Surratt specifically) in 1865. Did she come here from Baltimore?