Emma Offutt the Conspirator?

[Susan Higginbotham]

In her book on Mary Surratt, Elizabeth Steger Trindal writes that John Lloyd's sister-in-law Emma Offutt had long been involved in various plots to kidnap President Lincoln. She cites as evidence a letter in the Surratt Society archives from Mrs. H. E. Naylor, a Lloyd relative, to Mr. Kackley.

Has anyone seen this letter?

[L Verge]

It has been many a year since I read that letter. George Kackley was a long-time superintendent of Mt. Olivet Cemetery where Mrs. Surratt is buried - along with Anna, Dr. Tonry, several of their children, and Isaac Surratt.

However, I remember talking to Mrs. Naylor on the phone at that time, and she was much more interested in sharing the family rumors that John Lloyd was having an affair with Mrs. Offutt, his wife's sister. I was skeptical of Emma having knowledge of any kidnap scheme except maybe Booth's failed one in March - and then only if she were privy to the rifles being hidden at Surratt House.

Since her home (when not at Surratt House) was near one of the smuggling points on the Potomac, however, she might have been party to overheard talk in that area, Newport and Allen's Fresh.

[Susan Higginbotham]

It has been many a year since I read that letter. George Kackley was a long-time superintendent of Mt. Olivet Cemetery where Mrs. Surratt is buried - along with Anna, Dr. Tonry, several of their children, and Isaac Surratt.

However, I remember talking to Mrs. Naylor on the phone at that time, and she was much more interested in sharing the family rumors that John Lloyd was having an affair with Mrs. Offutt, his wife's sister. I was skeptical of Emma having knowledge of any kidnap scheme except maybe Booth's failed one in March - and then only if she were privy to the rifles being hidden at Surratt House.

Since her home (when not at Surratt House) was near one of the smuggling points on the Potomac, however, she might have been party to overheard talk in that area, Newport and Allen's Fresh.

Thanks! Is there a file in the Hall research center on Mrs. Offutt?

[L Verge]

I'll check with our librarian...

[L Verge]

I'll check with our librarian...

Susan - we do not have a separate file on Emma; she is included in the Lloyd files.