The reactions of the conspirator's families

[antiquefinder]

I'm not sure if this was written about already but I would like to know how all the conspirators families reacted to their involvement with the assasination? For example, Lewis Powell admitted he attacked Seward and his household. What did Lewis Powell's family say about his guilt? Maybe Betty can chime in? What did John Wilkes Booth's mother ever say about what her son did? And to this day... any living relatives think they were guilty? I know Dr. Mudd's family is still trying to clear his name. How about the other conspirator's family or relatives? Just wondering if there were any comments ever made by the families? I'm sure they were more hurt and devastated over the assasination then the conspirators. But some of them had to know their family members were guilty.

[L Verge]

I can only speak for the Surratt family: Awhile ago, I posted that there is absolutely no record that Mary Surratt's mother (who outlived her by 13 years) ever spoke about her daughter, and there is no evidence that she ever visited her during her imprisonment. She was not present at the Mt. Olivet reinterment of Mary's body either.

Mary's older brother, John Zadoc Jenkins, supported her during the trial; but the younger brother, James Archibald, supposedly retorted to my great-grandfather Huntt - upon being extended condolences - that his sister got just what she deserved, that she knew what she was doing.

I have spoken with Mary's great-grandchildren and later generations over the past forty years, and they offer no substantial comments. They have actually told me that we know more history than they do because the subject was taboo when they were growing up.

[Hess1865]

I'm sure that some of the conspiritors descendants are still shamed by the whole thing.

[antiquefinder]

How about the Lincoln family? Did they have any comments about the conspirators? Were any of the Lincoln family members present at the hanging?

[RJNorton]

The Lincolns were in Chicago at the time of the hangings. In Ruth Painter Randall's Lincoln's Sons it says that Tad Lincoln attended the conspiracy trial on May 18th.

Offhand I cannot think of any statements about the conspirators. However, Mary suspected Andrew Johnson was involved, and she wrote a friend (Sally Orne):

"...that, that miserable inebriate Johnson, had cognizance of my husband's death - Why, was that card of Booth's, found in his box, some acquaintance certainly existed - I have been deeply impressed, with the harrowing thought, that he, had an understanding with the conspirators & they knew their man... As sure, as you & I live, Johnson, had some hand, in all this..."

(p.s. Mary liked commas)

[Jim Page]

(p.s. Mary liked commas)

Roger, you said it! I can't stand reading what MTL wrote for that very reason. I wonder if she spoke in a halting fashion, since commas are intended to indicate a pause as well as a clause.

I just made that up that last part, so be tolerant, Laurie the English maven!!!

--Jim

[Jim Garrett]

I'm surprised that Betty hasn't contributed to this thread yet. She truly is the sage of all things Powell. The depth of her knowledge on young Lew iappears to be infinite. Trying to track the afterlife of George Atzerodt, George's mother and brother John appear to be the only family members in any remembrance of George. Dave Taylor, notes that after the death of her husband, John's widow Hester, seems to reverted back to her maiden name, Butler.

[BettyO]

Thanks, Jim - you are MORE than kind!! But...there are some things that I'm keeping under "my hat" until the 2nd edition of Alias comes out next year.....I don't want to spoil ALL my surprises!

The Powell family did not have much to say over their son's involvement in this tragedy and his tragic death, other than to say that he was a good boy. They retreated deeper into rural Florida - particularly after some hateful people were utterly cruel to them. I don't blame them one bit....this was a tragedy all the way around.

[Rsmyth]

Jim, I have a feeling Betty has the rest of Lew in the trunk of her car and she is bringing it with her to the conference.

[BettyO]

Rats!!!

Now you and Jim know the secret, Rich! That's why I keep air fresheners in my car....

HA!!

No seriously - ya'll will find out soon enough....

[Jim Garrett]

Rich, I don't think she's kidding.