Pursuing Powell event from Seward House Museum

[Dennis Urban]

Dave's piece is excellent research and really pinpoints when Powell decided to reveal his true name. The fact that he allowed Payne or Paine to be used into the beginning of the trial indicates that he still wanted to continue the name charade for a while longer. At some point he probably realized that his true identity would be revealed.

On March 14, 1865 when Powell signed the Oath of Allegiance for the Provost Marshall in Baltimore as a result of the beating incident of the Branson's sisters maid and was banished "to go north of Philadelphia & remain during the war" he acknowledged that he was from Fauquir (sic) County, VA and he signed his name as "L Paine". I wonder by what name the Branson sisters knew him.