Help - William Easby Hutchinson at Ford's Theatre

[Jim Woodall]

Once again chasing through relatives, this one being William Easby Hutchinson (b. 1827, d. 1907), uncle to my 3rd great aunt's husband (Laura V Anderson married James Hutchinson).

According to his obituaries (scroll down to William Easby Hutchinson), he was at Ford's theatre and saw booth jump to the stage. They also indicate he saw Booth's body on the monitor while employed at the Navy Yard.

He was also part of the procession which brought the cornerstone of the Washington Monument to site, laying of the cornerstone, and at the dedication of the Monument when completed.

He did 3 months service in Civil War (April 15, 1861 - July 15, 1861) in Co. D 7th Battalion District Volunteers.

I was wondering if anyone had some good hints on how to verify whether he was at Ford's Theatre and whether he saw Booth's body on the monitor.

In 1870 census, he was listed as a Boiler Maker living near the Navy Yard. He spent 25 years at the end of his life as Engineer/Superintendent of City Hall (or the U.S. Court House/Supreme Court).

[RJNorton]

(07-04-2016 06:28 AM)Jim Woodall Wrote:  I was wondering if anyone had some good hints on how to verify whether he was at Ford's Theatre

Jim, I checked Tim Good's We Saw Lincoln Shot: One Hundred Eyewitness Accounts. His name is not mentioned, and I don't think it's mentioned in other books I've seen either. Susan mentioned the "rubber room" syndrome in another thread, and my best guess at this point is it may apply to William Easby Hutchinson. I'll keep looking.