John Surratt's real parents?

[RJNorton]

(03-01-2015 02:59 PM)LincolnToddFan Wrote:  My belief is that she felt right up to the hour of the shooting that the kidnap plot against AL had been revived and was on for that night. I don't think she knew that at that point she was assisting the men in a murder conspiracy. Booth involved her and duped and manipulated her because she was useful to him and she was willing to help. I don't think she was ever told that the plan had switched to murder.

(03-01-2015 04:01 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Personally, I agree that Mary did not know that the plans had changed to murder.

Toia and Laurie, until I read Kate Larson's book I would have agreed 100% with both of you. Now if someone asks me if she knew of Booth's change of plan I would say, "I don't know, but I am open to the possibility." My question is, I guess, a geography question as I do not know the area well.

It seems to me that Mary Surratt gave out two messages on April 14th. She told Smoot that his boat was going to be used that night. The boat was connected to the kidnap/capture plot as I understand it.

But she also took Booth's field glasses to Surrattsville, and Lloyd testified that she "told me to have those shooting-irons ready that night, there would be some parties who would call for them." (On April 11, according to Lloyd, Mrs. Surratt told him the "shooting irons" would be needed soon.) Additionally, on April 14th, she asked about pickets on the road and was apparently relieved to know they were usually called in by 8. It would seem she knew Booth would be traveling the road that night.

I am not sure this post is coming out as clear as I would like. I guess what I am asking is are the two routes the same --> the one to be used for the kidnapping and the one used to escape Washington after the assassination? In other words is it possible for Mary to think it was a still a kidnapping, the boat would be used, and also the group would be stopping to pick up weapons and field glasses at Lloyd's?

Geographically, does that make sense? (the boat being used plus the stop at Lloyd's)
Was stopping at Lloyd's also geographically part of the kidnap/capture escape route?

I apologize if the post is not clear; we had a family crisis yesterday which led to a sleepless night.