Did Lincoln not want to attend the theater that night?

[Jim Garrett]

(11-17-2012 03:08 AM)Dr. Todd Descendant Wrote:  Newbie Alert!
I've read many, no where NEAR all, of the messages posted to this forum, and feel like a toddler in a room full of adults who are discussing the meaning of life.
My great, great-grandfather, Dr. Geo. Brainard Todd stated in the letter to his brother that, "Yesterday, about 3P.M. the President and wife drove down to the Navy Yard and paid our ship a visit, going all over her, accompanied by us all. Both seemed very happy and so expressed themselves, glad that this war was over, or so near its end, and then drove back to the White House. In the evening nearly all of us went to Fords Theatre."
The Lincoln's seemed to have been in a good mood, so I am a little surprised to hear someone state that the president didn't want to attend the play, although I'm sure being tired is a good enough reason. Why the belief in Abe's hesitancy to attend?

Welcome to the group Todd descendant! Was Dr. Todd at the theatre? AL wanted to go to the theatre. I think he had hoped for a leisurely day (being Good Friday). However the needs of the office kept him pretty busy. I think he was tird and that was the reason he may have wanted to beg off. At 8:00pm, the time the performance was starting, AL was still in his office seeing people and when he left at about 8:15, he still had three or four people following him out to the carriage.

So while AL did say he wanted to stay back, it didn't take alot of nudging for him to follow through.