Playbill

[PaigeBooth]

I have been researching George Wright and his family, searching for anything of interest that might be available about this man who witnessed Lincoln's murder, and whose daughter donated the original playbill. I have found some things of interest I thought worth sharing. Last week Betty sent me some fabulous information regarding Wright, including the obituary she posted on the forum.

As stated in the obituary, George Wright moved to Washington DC in 1861. George's wife was Victoria, and his daughters: Sarah, Gertrude, Jesse, and Grace. Grace was Wright's oldest child who donated the playbill.

His obituary also states his address as 1313 R Street, Washington DC. He lived at this address until his death in 1929. Wright's home at 1313 R Street still stands today. It is an absolutely gorgeous Victorian home in beautiful condition. The home is currently for sale, with an asking price of $3,500,000.00

You can take a virtual tour of Wright's home here:

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1313-R...5714_zpid/

And you can see a street view of the home here:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1313+R...ae01684b13

The home stayed in the Wright family long after George Wright's death. According to a 1980 directory, Sarah J. Wright owned the home. George's daughter, Sarah J. Wright, had passed away by 1980, so I assume the Sarah J. Wright listed in the directory is a grandchild.

http://www.mocavo.com/American-Art-Direc...569647/489

Over the years, George Wright's occupation changed from engraver and plate printer, to government clerk. Regardless, Wright had enough financial comfort to purchase the stunning 1313 R Street sometime after 1900. It is tempting to imagine where in the house Wright safely tucked away the playbill he kept from Ford's Theatre the night Lincoln was assassinated............

Here is a 1900 census I found. During the time this census was taken, George was renting a home somewhere in DC:

http://www.mocavo.com/1900-United-States.../604#row-0

Here is a 1920 census I found with Wright's address listed as 1313 (George's name is at the bottom of the page):

http://www.mocavo.com/1920-United-States...4964393/74

George's family is at the top of the page:

http://www.mocavo.com/1920-United-States...3/75#row-1