Surratt Courier

[Steve]

Great find, Steve. Congratulations! In the pages of the records which precede and follow "Owens," is there any notation of race on any of the entries? It was generally the custom to note "colored" on records pertaining to African-Americans at that time. I am curious whether the lack of a designation of race on the Owen's entry was an omission or consistent with other entries of persons buried in that section of Arlington.

In any event, well done, and thank you for sharing your find!

Bill,

Owens is buried in Section 13, a section which has Union soldiers buried there but not soldiers from the United States Colored Troops. Soldiers from the USCT are buried in Sections 27 and 23. I don't know whether any soldiers from state colored regiments are buried in section 13 or not. I didn't see any soldiers marked "colored" or notice any of the state colored regiments (though I guess I could've easily passed over a regimental name in the unit section). I did find one other "citizen" burial on pages near Owens' record. A David Metzger, military railroad brakeman, who died of a "compound fracture on his left forearm" on June 7, 1865 and was buried at Arlington two days later. There's no notation for "colored" (if he was) and he was also buried along with Union soldiers. Here's his Find A Grave page:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/4926...id-metzger

In regards to Owens if you look at a photo of his grave



You'll notice that the man before him on the burial list, Pvt. Thomas A Potter of the 19th Maine Infantry is buried directly behind him. And if you look at Potter's grave



You'll notice that the man before him on the burial list, Pvt. Charles Mull of the 12th NJ Infantry is buried directly behind him. The pattern stops at Mull's grave though



So, it's likely that the three men's body's were carted off together and then buried one right after another. Owens' is the last person listed as being buried on June 23rd.

[wpbinzel]

Thanks, Steve. While I was 99.9% certain that you had found the record and grave of THE James Owens, the lack of racial designation that was common for that era was my one and only concern. Your explanation of order of burial and the absence of racial designation elsewhere in the records have removed any doubt in my mind. In addition, I believe your find is further proof of the accuracy and authenticity of the "Owens Statement" and will change the way the Booth escape saga is told. Again, I congratulate you on your find and express my appreciation to you for sharing it. Roger, you should also take a bow; this is another example of how your Forum is helping us to discover the past.

[Dennis Urban]

I am curious about some of the dates and happenings surrounding Colonel Henry H. Wells interviews in Bryantown. At this time Wells was the Provost Marshall for the Military District of Washington, a very high profile position. I believe he interviewed Dr. Samuel Mudd on April 21 and John Lloyd on April 22. According to Rick Smith's account, Wells was then to interview Austin Adams, his wife, and James Owens, who were brought to Bryantown. Since the Wells interview date of Owens is April 28, do we know what Wells did or where he was in those intervening days? During this time the trail for Booth and Herold was heating up, culminating on the 26th. Wells would possibly have known of the outcome on the 26th or certainly by the 27th. I wonder if Wells went back to Washington City or remained in Bryantown interviewing others while the Newport group was rounded up (which would not take days to accomplish) and held for questioning. I, too, wonder about the date of incarceration at Old Capitol of Owens. Seems like those records were pretty well kept. I've never learned if those books exist.

[L Verge]

I am curious about some of the dates and happenings surrounding Colonel Henry H. Wells interviews in Bryantown. At this time Wells was the Provost Marshall for the Military District of Washington, a very high profile position. I believe he interviewed Dr. Samuel Mudd on April 21 and John Lloyd on April 22. According to Rick Smith's account, Wells was then to interview Austin Adams, his wife, and James Owens, who were brought to Bryantown. Since the Wells interview date of Owens is April 28, do we know what Wells did or where he was in those intervening days? During this time the trail for Booth and Herold was heating up, culminating on the 26th. Wells would possibly have known of the outcome on the 26th or certainly by the 27th. I wonder if Wells went back to Washington City or remained in Bryantown interviewing others while the Newport group was rounded up (which would not take days to accomplish) and held for questioning. I, too, wonder about the date of incarceration at Old Capitol of Owens. Seems like those records were pretty well kept. I've never learned if those books exist.

Wells was the one who interviewed Atzerodt on board the monitor on April 25, 1865. Wasn't Lovett the one who did a lot of the legwork in Charles County?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Just skimming this late at night (due to enormous workload) and wonder if I'm dreaming - great find, Steve!!!

[Steve]

I came across this transcription of an April 28, 1865 letter by H.H. Wells to Col. J. H. Taylor in which he attaches the Owens account and forwards Owens as a prisoner. I hadn't seen it fully transcribed elsewhere and thought some people might want to read it:

https://books.google.com/books?id=gfgXgy...22&f=false

[Anita]

Great research Steve. First the Owen's grave site and now the Wells account of Owen's testimony. Congrats.

[L Verge]

Great research Steve. First the Owen's grave site and now the Wells account of Owen's testimony. Congrats.

I cannot get the Owens statement to load, and I am at home and away from the Surratt research center where I can retrieve the Owens file and statement as well as the Rewards file. That said, I am still perplexed as to whether or not James Owens was "colored" or white. 99% of the time, there is a reference made in the actual text or "cld" written in the margin. Other statements on other black folks in the files seem to hold to this, but not the Owens one.

The word "citizen" in the Old Capitol records is also confusing if James were colored. I am not sure that citizenship came with freedom. That took the 14th Amendment, I think - even if born free.

Does anyone have access to the 1860 Federal Census for Charles County, Maryland? Newport or Allen's Fresh area? Is James listed, and if so, any indication of race?

[Steve]

I cannot get the Owens statement to load, and I am at home and away from the Surratt research center where I can retrieve the Owens file and statement as well as the Rewards file. That said, I am still perplexed as to whether or not James Owens was "colored" or white. 99% of the time, there is a reference made in the actual text or "cld" written in the margin. Other statements on other black folks in the files seem to hold to this, but not the Owens one.

The word "citizen" in the Old Capitol records is also confusing if James were colored. I am not sure that citizenship came with freedom. That took the 14th Amendment, I think - even if born free.

Does anyone have access to the 1860 Federal Census for Charles County, Maryland? Newport or Allen's Fresh area? Is James listed, and if so, any indication of race?

I checked Charles County, Maryland and Prince George's County, Maryland (where Austin L. Adams was living) in the 1860 census and couldn't find a James Owens who matches the age of the informant. There is a James Owens who's five years older who's a farmer in Prince George's County but I don't think that's a match. So either Owens was a former slave or moved to the Newport area sometime during the war.

[L Verge]

I cannot get the Owens statement to load, and I am at home and away from the Surratt research center where I can retrieve the Owens file and statement as well as the Rewards file. That said, I am still perplexed as to whether or not James Owens was "colored" or white. 99% of the time, there is a reference made in the actual text or "cld" written in the margin. Other statements on other black folks in the files seem to hold to this, but not the Owens one.

The word "citizen" in the Old Capitol records is also confusing if James were colored. I am not sure that citizenship came with freedom. That took the 14th Amendment, I think - even if born free.

Does anyone have access to the 1860 Federal Census for Charles County, Maryland? Newport or Allen's Fresh area? Is James listed, and if so, any indication of race?

I checked Charles County, Maryland and Prince George's County, Maryland (where Austin L. Adams was living) in the 1860 census and couldn't find a James Owens who matches the age of the informant. There is a James Owens who's five years older who's a farmer in Prince George's County but I don't think that's a match. So either Owens was a former slave or moved to the Newport area sometime during the war.

Thanks once again, Steve. Any indication where in PG County Adams was living at the time of the 1860 Census? Wonder if he moved south to Allen's Fresh to assist in the blockade running? Any idea if there was a post office in his store/tavern/abode in Allen's Fresh? Becoming postmasters in Southern Maryland seemed to be a great way to assist the flow of Southern mail during the war...

[mike86002000]

Thanks once again, Steve. Any indication where in PG County Adams was living at the time of the 1860 Census? Wonder if he moved south to Allen's Fresh to assist in the blockade running? Any idea if there was a post office in his store/tavern/abode in Allen's Fresh? Becoming postmasters in Southern Maryland seemed to be a great way to assist the flow of Southern mail during the war...

I've read Port Tobacco newspapers from the mid 1800's. I remember a notice that the post office for "Allen's Fresh" wasn't actually located in Allen's Fresh, at one time. I assume it was at Newport, just over the hill. There was a P.O. at Allen's Fresh at other times.
Harbin had been post master at Bryantown, early in the Civil War. He was replaced for disloyalty. Indeed post masters with Southern sympathies were of great service to the Confederacy. They could insert letters from the South into the Northern postal system; and also divert newspaper subscriptions to Richmond. Post offices are indicated on the maps I mentioned earlier.
Mike

[L Verge]

Thanks once again, Steve. Any indication where in PG County Adams was living at the time of the 1860 Census? Wonder if he moved south to Allen's Fresh to assist in the blockade running? Any idea if there was a post office in his store/tavern/abode in Allen's Fresh? Becoming postmasters in Southern Maryland seemed to be a great way to assist the flow of Southern mail during the war...

I've read Port Tobacco newspapers from the mid 1800's. I remember a notice that the post office for "Allen's Fresh" wasn't actually located in Allen's Fresh, at one time. I assume it was at Newport, just over the hill. There was a P.O. at Allen's Fresh at other times.
Harbin had been post master at Bryantown, early in the Civil War. He was replaced for disloyalty. Indeed post masters with Southern sympathies were of great service to the Confederacy. They could insert letters from the South into the Northern postal system; and also divert newspaper subscriptions to Richmond. Post offices are indicated on the maps I mentioned earlier.
Mike

Thanks, Mike. That's how the Surratt family lost the postmaster position at Surrattsville. Even though Senior Surratt was listed at the top of most secessionists' lists, he managed to keep the position until his death in 1862. However, when Junior took over, his disloyalty came into question and out he went in favor of a Unionist.

My great-grandfather moved up to T.B. in 1861 and became postmaster there in 1863. My grandmother always swore that he was a Lincoln supporter, but I have my doubts - and so did Richard Mitchell Smoot.

[RJNorton]

Thanks to Steve for sending this information. Steve writes, "These images are of two different tax records for Austin L. Adams from September 1864. One is for his tavern in Newport, Maryland and the other is for his work as a cattle broker in Washington DC. There are a couple other tax records from both places but I wanted to post examples from both places from the same month. Adams was constantly moving between Maryland and Washington which makes me think he was part of the same spying/smuggling network for the Confederates. Especially with Owens' describing Adams and his wife making Booth and Herold several meals while hiding out in the woods.

Find A Grave for Austin L. Adams:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55444653

[Rick Smith]

Thanks once again, Steve. Any indication where in PG County Adams was living at the time of the 1860 Census? Wonder if he moved south to Allen's Fresh to assist in the blockade running? Any idea if there was a post office in his store/tavern/abode in Allen's Fresh? Becoming postmasters in Southern Maryland seemed to be a great way to assist the flow of Southern mail during the war...

I've read Port Tobacco newspapers from the mid 1800's. I remember a notice that the post office for "Allen's Fresh" wasn't actually located in Allen's Fresh, at one time. I assume it was at Newport, just over the hill. There was a P.O. at Allen's Fresh at other times.
Harbin had been post master at Bryantown, early in the Civil War. He was replaced for disloyalty. Indeed post masters with Southern sympathies were of great service to the Confederacy. They could insert letters from the South into the Northern postal system; and also divert newspaper subscriptions to Richmond. Post offices are indicated on the maps I mentioned earlier.
Mike

Thomas Harbin was also the census take for a portion of Prince George's County in 1860. Good networking for his future work.

[Steve]

I just received the August 2019 Surratt Courier in the mail and I really want to commend Rick Smith's article, an updated reprint of his earlier October 2007 on the James Owens statement. I wasn't a member of the Surratt Society when it was originally printed and am glad to get a chance to read it now. (Even if I had been a member of the Society then, I was in Iraq then, so I might have missed it anyway.)

I wasn't aware of the 01 May 1865 memorandum by M. A. Clancey about Owens and his testimony.