New Development in Booth Case Coming Soon

[Steve Whitlock]

(07-07-2019 03:01 PM)Steve Wrote:  Steve W. -

I found a copy of the 1956 marriage record of Virginia Asburn and John Robert McCrea.

FM Steve, You the man!! Nicely done with the marriage record.

From my notes, to add to Laurie Virge's mention of Ben Chitty:

"The late historiagrapher [sic] for University of the South, Dr. Arthur Ben Chitty, did extensive research into Louisa Payne and her marriage to the man claiming to be John Wilkes Booth. Dr. Chitty eventually discovered the marriage certificate itself, located in the Franklin County Courthouse in Winchester, Tennessee. Dr. Chitty archived at The University of the South several audio tape interviews of men who personally knew McCager Payne, who in 1872 became John Wilkes Booth's step-son. Dr. Chitty discovered that McCager had intimate knowledge while a youth that his stepfather was actually John Wilkes Booth."

That was taken from Part Three of a piece written by Susan Sili, I think. It isn't entirely clear as to the author. Another part of the article mentions Dr. Chitty working with Nate Orlowek, and I get the impression they both think David E. George was the John W. Booth who married Louis J. Payne. Dr. Chitty would have had access to any pertinent records at University of the South, but one wonders whether he considered John Wilkes Booth who died 1916. Dr. Chitty died in 2003, but he left a 2-part interview he did about JWB and other information. If you Google "Arthur Ben Chitty" you'll see lots of information about him and some links to his interviews.

Arthur Ben Chitty (June 15, 1914 — February 11, 2003) | Prabook

Arthur Ben Chitty Edit Profile

Arthur Ben Chitty, American Historiographer, consultant. Named honorary paramount chief Kpelle Tribe, Liberia, 1974.
Background

Chitty, Arthur Ben was born on June 15, 1914 in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. Son of Arthur Benjamin and Hazel T. (Brown) Chitty.
Education

Bachelor, University of South, 1935. Master of Arts, Tulane University, 1952. Doctor of Humane Letters, Canaan College, New Hampshire, 1969.

Doctor of Laws, Cuttington College, West Africa, 1974. Doctor of Humane Letters, St. Paul's College, 1984. Data Control Language, University of the South, 1988.
Career

Vice president, sales manager, Chitty & Company, Jacksonville, 1935-1945; Chairman of the Board, Chitty & Company, 1962-1967; president, Association Episcopal Colls., New York City, 1965-1970, 74-79; president emeritus, Association Episcopal Colls., New York City, since 1979; director public relations, University of South, 1946-1965, 70-73; historiographer, University of South, since 1954; consultant. American coordinator Oxford scholar program Keble College, England, 1969-1979, board directors, North America alliance. Consultant Trinity College, Quezon City, 1974-1979, Voorhees College, South Carolina., 1979-1983, St. Dunstan's School, St. Croix, 1987-1991.

Guest NBC television program Unsolved Mysteries, 1991, 92.
Works
book Sewanee sampler book Reconstruction at Sewanee: The founding of the University of the South and its First Administration, 1857-1872

book Sewanee sampler
book Reconstruction at Sewanee: The founding of the University of the South and its First Administration, 1857-1872

More photos

book
Sewanee sampler

(Book by Chitty, Arthur Ben)
Reconstruction At Sewanee 1857-1872
Reconstruction at Sewanee; the founding of the University of the South and its first administration, 1857-1872.
Reconstruction at Sewanee: The founding of the University of the South and its First Administration, 1857-1872 by Arthur Ben Chitty (1993-01-01)

All works
Membership

President Sewanee (Tennessee) Civic Association, 1948-1949. Historian Franklin County, 1965-1969. Senior warden Episcopal Church, 1956-1965.

Trustee University of South, 1944-1945, St. Andrews School, Tennessee, 1970-1972, St. Augustine's College, North Carolina, 1971-1980, St. Paul's College, Virginia, 1974-1982, chairman board associates, 1983-1984. Board advisors St. Andrew's-Sewanee School, since 1984. American secretary Friends of St. James American Church, Florence, Italy, 1984-1987.

Trustee Anglican Digest, 1960-1990. Director research Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, since 1991. With United States Naval Reserve, 1942-1945.

Member Church History Society (director 1964-1989), English-Speaking Union (president Hudson Stuck chapter 1972-1973, member national board 1973-1982), New York Academy of Sciences, Newcomen Society, National Institute Social Sciences, Brotherhood St. Andrew (national vice president 1969-1974), Sigma Nu (president Educational Foundation 1969-1979, National Hall of Honor 1974), Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Gamma Mu, Sigma Upsilon, Phi Alpha Theta. Clubs: Century (New York City). E.Q.B. (Sewanee).

Connections

Married Elizabeth Nickinson, June 16, 1946. Children: Arthur Benjamin III, John Abercrombie Merritt, Em Turner, Nathan Harsh Brown.

Arthur Ben Chitty
Birth 15 Jun 1914
Death 11 Feb 2003 (aged 88)
Burial
University of the South Cemetery
Sewanee, Franklin County, Tennessee, USA
Memorial ID 26776871
*******************************
If anyone knew who John W. Booth, a cabinetmaker working at University of the South, was I would think Dr Chitty should have known. Why he fell for the David E. George story baffles me.