November 1864 Classified Ad by JWB

[L Verge]

I agree with Susan on both fronts - Mary would not have advertised for boarders if it were to become "the nest" for conspiracy, and she likely would have seen no revenue from conspiratorial boarders. Unlike what John F. said above, that boardinghouse represented financial assistance to Mary and her children after the hubby left them with $3500 in unpaid bills and had sold off much of the revenue-producing farmland in Surrattsville, and the state then freed her slaves on November 1, 1864. Running a boardinghouse was a perfectly acceptable job for a lady in 1864, and city life was also safer than the isolated roadside establishment in Prince George's County.

I can also see why our John Wilkes might want better and more private accommodations than what a hotel or similar boardinghouse could offer -- if it was indeed Booth.

Has anyone checked a city directory to see if there was any J. Wilkes listed in DC at that time?