Who was that “little colored girl"?

[L Verge]

Rachel [Eliza] Hawkins had been rented to the Surratts in 1859 and appears to have had a very good relationship with Mary Surratt. When interviewed in the 1890s, Rachel remained adamant as to the innocence of her mistress.

She did not come to D.C. when the Surratts moved into the boardinghouse (her husband, whom she declared as "no good" was still on a neighboring plantation, and I believe there was a son involved). She was also working for a Robey family in the area, assisting with their daughter's wedding plans.

At Surratt House, we have set up a room over the kitchen wing as typical of a domestic slave's sleeping quarters. We know that Aunt Rachel was a domestic, but we have no proof as to whether she lived in the home or in quarters on the farm. At one time, the Surratts owned as many as seven slaves.