Borne by Loving Hands

[Bob Cecil]

Back in 2005 I asked the Director at Ford’s Theatre for a list of Lincoln assassination eyewitnesses who claimed to have helped carry Lincoln’s body from the theatre to Petersen House across the street. I added my great grandfather’s name, Obadiah Jackson Downing, and one other name to their list. That added up to about 20 people who made the claim.

I have sent a pdf document, “Who Carried Lincoln’s Body & attachments.pdf” to Roger Norton for inclusion on his website. This eight-page document includes a five-page article that attempts to substantiate O. J. Downing’s claim, a two-page spreadsheet that lists claimants’ names, dates, etc. (which I constructed based on the information I obtained from Ford’s Theatre), and a one-page spreadsheet diagram showing how a limited number of people might have been positioned around Lincoln’s body as they were carrying it.

I must state that these materials do not prove who, besides three doctors, actually helped to carry Lincoln. No one will ever know for sure. But I would like to think that, although I’m not even an amateur historian, I have contributed something to the discussion. At least I have taken an opportunity to make the case for my ancestor. Others certainly have every right to do the same for their ancestors.

Click below:

Who Carried Lincoln's Body & attachments