New Development in Booth Case Coming Soon

[Steve]

(06-20-2019 05:41 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote:  Also, when I mentioned the actress being born 10 years after George died, that should have been 10 years after JWB was presumed killed at the Garrett farm.

What actress are you referring to? The only one I can think of is Ogarita Henderson, but she was born in 1859 - six years earlier.

[RJNorton]

(06-20-2019 04:52 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote:  Junius Booth III, who was just a few months old when JWB was killed, but he is said to have come to Enid and identified David E. George as his uncle.

Apparently there were reports that Junius Brutus Booth III (born in 1868) filled out an affidavit in which he claimed David E. George was indeed his uncle. I never heard of this before. If true, can anyone post the text of the affidavit? Is there any proof that Junius Brutus Booth III really came to Enid?

[Steve Whitlock]

(06-21-2019 02:58 AM)Steve Wrote:  

(06-20-2019 05:41 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote:  Also, when I mentioned the actress being born 10 years after George died, that should have been 10 years after JWB was presumed killed at the Garrett farm.

What actress are you referring to? The only one I can think of is Ogarita Henderson, but she was born in 1859 - six years earlier.

I am referring to new information (for me) about Laura Ida Booth (really!) whose mother was Louisa J. (Price) Payne-Booth, and whose father was John W. Booth. She was born in 1873 after Louisa m2: John W. Booth in 1872. When Louisa was on her deathbed she told Ida and her half-brother McCager (Micajah?) Payne that her father was John Wilkes Booth, aka John St. Helen and David E. George.

Laura Ida Booth

in the New York, County Marriage Records, 1847-1849, 1907-1936

Name: Laura Ida Booth
Gender: Female
Age: 34
Birth Date: abt 1883
Marriage Date: 9 Jun 1917
Marriage Place: Oneida, New York, USA
Father: John Wilkes Booth
Mother: Louisa J. Price
Spouse: Isaac Driver
Film Number: 000381750
[NOTE: 3rd marriage]
************************
Louisa J Price

in the Tennessee, Marriage Records, 1780-2002

Name: Louisa J Price
Gender: Female
Marriage Date: 21 Mar 1863
Marriage Place: Grundy, Tennessee, USA
Spouse: Z C Payne [Zebadiah C. Payne]
*********************************
Mccager W Payne

in the Tennessee, Death Records, 1908-1958

Name: Mccager W Payne
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 79
Birth Date: 17 Jul 1864
Birth Place: Wartrace Bed, Tennessee, USA
Death Date: 9 Apr 1944
Death Place: Shelbyville, Bedford, Tennessee, USA
Father: Z C Payne
Mother: Louise Price
Certificate Number: 7245
Wills and Probates: Search for Mccager W Payne in Tennessee Wills & Probates collection
***********************
McCager W. Payne
Birth 17 Jul 1864
Death 9 Apr 1944 (aged 79)
Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA
Burial
Rose Hill Cemetery
Fayetteville, Lincoln County, Tennessee, USA
Memorial ID 155871179 · View Source

Family Members
Children

Nell S. Payne Harris

1891–1948
******************
Louisa J Payne

in the Tennessee, Marriage Records, 1780-2002

Name: Louisa J Payne
Gender: Female
Marriage Date: 25 Feb 1872
Marriage Place: Franklin, Tennessee, USA
Spouse: John W Booth
********************************************
Louisa J Price Booth [Louisa J. (Price) Payne-Booth]
Birth 1844
Grundy County, Tennessee, USA
Death Apr 1880 (aged 35–36)
Grundy County, Tennessee, USA
Burial
Warren Cemetery
Pelham, Grundy County, Tennessee, USA
Memorial ID 120856677 · View Source

unmarked grave

US Mortality Schedule: Lou Booth, died Apr 1880 in Grundy Co, TN from burns

Husband #1: Zebadiah Payne b. 1842 MO(died from Civil War wounds) Married 21 Mar 1863 in Grundy Co, TN
son: McCaleb "Cage" Payne 1863-1932

Husband #2: John Wilkes Booth aka John St. Helen & later, David E George, according to the Legend. Married 24 Feb 1872 in Franklin Co, TN.
daughter: Laura Ida Booth 1873-1924 (lived with her aunt & uncle, Sarah & Ben Wilkerson, in 1880, age 7) 1900 New York census, 1910 Pennsylvania census.
Laura was married at least three times: Charles Asburn (stage name Levine) in 1896 in Manhattan, Kings Co., NY; to Lewis A. Howard 1914, Hoopeston, Vermilion Co., IL and last to Isaac Driver (stage name Art Norman) 1917, Utica, New York.


Parents: Jerome Wilson Price & Martha Jane Crawford
1860 census, Grundy Co, Tennessee:
J W Price 43
Martha Price 33
Louisa Price 16 [Louisa J. (Price) Payne-Booth]
George Price 11
Sarah Price 8
Louisa Price 6
John Price 3
Joseph C Price 6/12

1870 census, Grundy Co, Tennessee:
L J Payne 24 TN
Family Members
Parents

Martha J. Thomas Price
1828–1904

Siblings

Joseph Crawford Price
1859–1923
************************
Martha J. Thomas Price
Birth 2 Mar 1828
Death 8 Apr 1904 (aged 76)
Burial
Price Essmann Cemetery
Coffee County, Tennessee, USA
Memorial ID 27662469 · View Source

Gravestone Inscription -
"Gone But Not Forgotten"
Family Members
Children

Louisa J Price Booth

1844–1880
Photo
Joseph Crawford Price

1859–1923
*************************
I have a bigger write-up for Laura Ida Booth, if interested, from an all-nighter (last night).

There were many John Booths, and some John W. Booths, so he wasn't necessarily a John Wilkes Booth, and since David E. George died about 23 years after Laura's mom I don't know whether she presumed David E. George was really the John W. Booth that married her mother. Grandma Martha, mentioned in the news article was still around, dying in 1904, so did she say David E. George was John Wilkes Booth. There was mention of money [the real John Wilkes Booth did have money invested in oil]. After reading the article again last night I went looking for who she was and was surprised at the marriage record.

I got as far as a Virginia (Asburn) McCrae b: abt 1921, living in Los Angeles, married to a John R. McCrae.

Petition of Charles Wilson Asburn to bve notified by the court of any proceedings regarding his mother's estate [Laura Ida Driver on the petition]

4 June 1925

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

CharlesRice28

CharlesRice28 originally shared this on 15 Feb 2018
Linked To
**********************
Charles W Asburn

in the 1910 United States Federal Census

Name: Charles W Asburn [Son of Laura Ida (Booth) Asburn, stage name for Asburn was Levine]
Age in 1910: 12
Birth Year: abt 1898
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1910: Philadelphia Ward 13, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Street: Vine Street
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Lodger
Marital status: Single
Father's Birthplace: New York
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Native Tongue: English
Occupation: Performer
Industry: Theatrical
Employer, Employee or Other: Wage Earner
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors:
Household Members:
Name Age
Lewis Howard 35 [2nd marriage for Laura]
Laura I Howard 36 [Laura Ida (Booth) Levine (Asburn)- Howard-Driver (Norman)
Charles W Asburn 12 [Charles Wilson Asburn]
*************************************
Charles Wilson Asburne
Birth 30 Jun 1897
Death 8 Mar 1977 (aged 79)
Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, USA
Burial
Holy Cross Cemetery and Chapel Mausoleum
Mays Landing, Atlantic County, New Jersey, USA
Plot Lawn 5, Sec 1, Lot 62, Grave 2, No Headstone
Memorial ID 64682894 · View Source

"CHARLES W. ASBURNE

"ATLANTIC CITY - A retired actor, Charles W. Asburne, 69, of the Inlet Towers, died Sunday in Atlantic City Medical Center.
"Mr. Asburn's career spanned 50 years. He had appeared on radio and in Vaudeville and motion pictures,
"He was born in Boundbrook and had been a local resident 30 years.
"He is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Virginia McCrea, of Los Angeles, Calif.
"Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m.Wednesday in the Church of the Holy Spirit. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Mays Landing. Arrangements are by the H. M. Gormley Funeral Home, Albany and Winchester avenues."

From The Press of Atlantic City for Tuesday, March 10, 1977, page 6:
Family Members
Spouse

Photo
Evelyn Asburne

1892–1944
**************
Virginia F Asburn

in the California, Marriage Index, 1949-1959

Name: Virginia F Asburn
Gender: Female
Estimated birth year: abt 1921
Age: 35
Marriage Date: 17 Feb 1956
Marriage Place: Los Angeles, California, USA
Spouse: John R McCrea
Spouse Age: 24
*********************
I have another marriage record for Louisa and John W. Booth, but size is too large. As I said I do have more information.

[GustD45]

(06-21-2019 04:22 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(06-20-2019 04:52 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote:  Junius Booth III, who was just a few months old when JWB was killed, but he is said to have come to Enid and identified David E. George as his uncle.

Apparently there were reports that Junius Brutus Booth III (born in 1868) filled out an affidavit in which he claimed David E. George was indeed his uncle. I never heard of this before. If true, can anyone post the text of the affidavit? Is there any proof that Junius Brutus Booth III really came to Enid?

Roger, the only proof is in the Finis Bates book and he claims Junius Brutus Booth III was only shown the alleged photo of David E. George

[RJNorton]

(06-21-2019 09:14 AM)GustD45 Wrote:  Roger, the only proof is in the Finis Bates book and he claims Junius Brutus Booth III was only shown the alleged photo of David E. George

Thanks, Gust. In C. Wyatt Evans' book entitled "The Legend of John Wilkes Booth: Myth, Memory, and a Mummy" the author mentions the possibility of a sworn affidavit from JWB's nephew --> I was just curious if anyone had ever come across how that affidavit was worded (assuming the alleged story of JWB's nephew coming to Enid is true).

[Anita]

(06-21-2019 01:25 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(06-21-2019 09:14 AM)GustD45 Wrote:  Roger, the only proof is in the Finis Bates book and he claims Junius Brutus Booth III was only shown the alleged photo of David E. George

Thanks, Gust. In C. Wyatt Evans' book entitled "The Legend of John Wilkes Booth: Myth, Memory, and a Mummy" the author mentions the possibility of a sworn affidavit from JWB's nephew --> I was just curious if anyone had ever come across how that affidavit was worded (assuming the alleged story of JWB's nephew coming to Enid is true).

Roger, the complete affidavit is here. Read Chapter XX

http://www.majorkey1920ksscv.org/books/e...00bate.pdf

[RJNorton]

Thanks, Anita!

[RJNorton]

Thanks to Steve Whitlock for sending these articles. Steve W. writes, "The 1st attachment has information pertaining to Laura Ida (Booth) Levine starting at bottom of 1st column on the left and continuing thru col. 2 & 3. The 2nd attachment alludes to Junius Brutus Booth III identifying the remains of David E. George, which would necessitate going to Enid; however, further on it mentions that Finis Bates went back East and got a positive identification from "the dead man's nephew" (that would be Junius III). I missed that Junius was only identifying a tintype. Personally,I don't think the tintype looks all that much like JWB.

Note also in the 2nd attachment that Clara Morris is said to be one also identifying David E. George as John Wilkes Booth, a claim denied by Clara Morris in the 3rd attachment.

[RJNorton]

In the link Anita sent (The Escape and Suicide of John Wilkes Booth) it says, "While Mr. Junius Brutus Booth was in the city of Memphis, playing an engagement at the Lyceum Theater in support of Mrs. Brune, I (Bates) sought an intro­duction to him, and by pre-arrangement was ac­corded an interview at my office, which lasted for several hours, being of much interest to myself as well as Mr. Booth."

So I think the alleged affidavit (if it's real) was made in Memphis, not from going "East."

[Steve Whitlock]

[quote='RJNorton' pid='77486' dateline='1561155276']
Thanks to Steve Whitlock for sending these articles. Steve W. writes, "The 1st attachment has information pertaining to Laura Ida (Booth) Levine starting at bottom of 1st column on the left and continuing thru col. 2 & 3. The 2nd attachment alludes to Junius Brutus Booth III identifying the remains of David E. George, which would necessitate going to Enid; however, further on it mentions that Finis Bates went back East and got a positive identification from "the dead man's nephew" (that would be Junius III). I missed that Junius was only identifying a tintype. Personally,I don't think the tintype looks all that much like JWB.

So, why did Finis L. Bates pick only Junius B. Booth III of the Booth family to identify the tintype? I wasn't aware of it, but it seems Junius III had drug and financial problems, which resulted in a 1912 murder-suicide for his wife and himself. I wonder whether Finis offered money for some support from Junius.

Junius Brutus Booth, III
Birth 6 Jan 1868
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA
Death 6 Dec 1912 (aged 44)
Brightlingsea, Tendring District, Essex, England
Burial
All Saints with St. James Churchyard
Brightlingsea, Tendring District, Essex, England
Memorial ID 31880318 · View Source

A short biography provided by John B. Schoeffel, manager of the Tremont Theater in 1912, and Junius Brutus Booth's stepfather.

"Junius Brutus Booth was eldest son of a former manager of the Boston Theatre, also named Junius Brutus Booth, and of Agnes (Perry) Booth, in her later life married to John B. Schoeffel.

He was the grandson of the most famous Junius Brutus Booth of the family, who was born in England, before 1800, and was a contemporary of Edmund Kean. The grandfather died out West, in 1852; the father in 1883.

The mother, Mrs. Schoeffel, died Jan. 2, 1910. Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth were uncles of the suicide.

The eldest Junius Brutus Booth, who died in 1852, was noted for his eccentricities, which at time verged upon insanity; and in acting he was so intensely carried away that the fencing in "Hamlet" and "Richard III" became duels in which Richmond and Laertes were sometimes compelled to defend themselves in earnest.

Junius Brutus Booth was the last but one of the family of actors, Sidney Booth surviving Junius Brutus Booth was an actor of only moderate ability. He had appeared frequently in Boston, having been at one time in the Boston Museum Stock Company and later was seen at the Tremont Theatre.

Mrs. Junius Brutus Booth, killed recently [by Junius Brutus Booth III], was an American. Her maiden name was Noah and she was the daughter of the publisher of the old-time Noah's Sunday Time a newspaper making a specialty of theatrical news, in New York.

Junius Brutus Booth was the eldest son of the late Agnes Booth of Boston, the noted actress. He was born in the South End, in the shadow of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, about 45 or 46 years ago. He was educated in private schools and then, following the example of his illustrious ancestors, he decided to go upon the stage.

His first important stage experience was obtained with the Boston Museum Company, where, with Jack Mason and other great actors and actresses, he remained two or three years playing juvenile roles. About this time an ambition to become a physician seized him and he left the museum to study in a medical school in New York.

His expectations in medicine not being fulfilled, Booth returned to the stage about 10 years ago. He played two seasons at a theatre in London and later formed a stock company of his own and played in the smaller cities and towns, chiefly manufacturing centers in England. One of his greatest successes was in "Monte Cristo".

Success, however, did not remain long, and in recent years Mr. Booth is said to have found it hard to make both ends meet. Mr. and Mrs. Booth had no children. His brother, Sidney Booth of New York, [was] his nearest surviving relative."
Family Members
Parents

Photo
Junius Brutus Booth

1821–1883
Photo
Marion Agnes Land Rookes Booth

1843–1910

Spouse

Photo
Florence Elizabeth Noah Booth

1859–1912 (m. 1894)

Siblings

Photo
Blanche De Bar Booth

1844–1930
Photo
Marie Booth Douglas

1865–1932
Photo
Algernon G Booth

1869–1877
Photo
Sydney Barton Booth

1873–1937
Photo
Barton J Booth

1874–1879
*******************************************
Florence Elizabeth Noah Booth
Birth May 1859
New York, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA
Death 6 Dec 1912 (aged 53)
Brightlingsea, Tendring District, Essex, England
Burial
All Saints with St. James Churchyard
Brightlingsea, Tendring District, Essex, England
Memorial ID 158358249 · View Source

On 29 Sep 1891, Miss Florence Noah arrived in London, England, on board the ship British Princess.

In 1894 Florence Elizabeth Marie Edviga Noah married Junius Brutus Booth. Junius came from a family of world renowned actors but the families greatest claim to infamy was that Junius's uncle John Wilkes Booth had in 1865 assassinated President Abraham Lincoln.

Junius Brutus had aspirations to be an actor but was largely unsuccessful in his endeavors, it seems that by 1912, when he and his wife had been living in England for some time, possibly because of her bad health, his excitable nature and poor business dealings he murdered Florence and then committed suicide on 6 Dec.1912, a verdict of murder whilst insane was given.

According to news reports on the murder/suicide of Junius Brutus Booth and his wife, Florence Edviga Noah Booth:

New York Times Dec 8, 1912

JUNIUS BOOTH KILLED WIFE

Nephew of Edwin Then Shot Himself,
Probably While Insane.

Brightlingsea, England, Dec. 7,--A verdict of "Willful murder and suicide, while insane," was returned by the Coroner's Jury at the inquest today on the bodies of Junius Booth, and American, and his wife, who were found here yesterday, shot dead in bed.

None of the witnesses called was able to identify Booth, definitely. They all described him as an American, who conducted cinematograph shows, and some of them declared that he was addicted to the taking of drugs. Evidence was given to show that he was very excitable and was much worried because his show had failed to pay.

A note found in the bedroom said:

"I have given my wife a sleeping draught, to ease her pain. As I cannot live without her, I will give myself another."
Family Members
Parents

Robert Phillips Noah

1832–1901

Spouse

Photo
Junius Brutus Booth

1868–1912 (m. 1894)

Siblings

Robert Lionel Noah

1876–1944

[Steve]

Steve W.
Thanks for the info on Laura Ida Booth. I never heard of her before. I guess it'll be a new research rabbit hole to go down to see if I can find out who the John W. Booth who was her father was.

[Steve Whitlock]

(06-22-2019 03:17 AM)Steve Wrote:  Steve W.
Thanks for the info on Laura Ida Booth. I never heard of her before. I guess it'll be a new research rabbit hole to go down to see if I can find out who the John W. Booth who was her father was.

Steve FM,

A little more:

Lou Booth

in the U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885

Name: Lou Booth [Louisa J. (Price) Payne-Booth]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Marital status: Single
Birth Place: Tennessee , USA
Death Date: Apr 1880
Cause of Death: Burned
Census Year: 1880
Census Place: Civil District 4, Grundy, Tennessee , USA
Enumeration District: 43
Line: 2
***************************
Ida Booth

in the 1880 United States Federal Census

Name: Ida Booth
Age: 7
Birth Date: Abt 1873
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1880: District 4, Marion, Tennessee, USA
Dwelling Number: 93
Race: White
Gender: Female
Marital status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Neighbors:
Household Members:
Name Age
Ida Booth 7 [Laura Ida Booth, Shown as servant for Ben and Sarah Wilkerson family]
************************************
Ben Wilkerson

in the 1880 United States Federal Census

Name: Ben Wilkerson
Age: 28
Birth Date: Abt 1852
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1880: District 4, Marion, Tennessee, USA
Dwelling Number: 93
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital status: Married
Spouse's name: Sarah Wilkerson
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Occupation: Laborer
Maimed, Crippled, or Bedridden: Yes
Neighbors:
Household Members:
Name Age
Ben Wilkerson 28
Sarah Wilkerson 27 [Sarah E. (Price) Wilkerson m: Ben 19 Dec 1875, sister of Louisa J. Price]
Mary Wilkerson 3
Martha Wilkerson 1
[NOTE: Ida Booth, age 7, is with this family in census image as a servant. Supposed to be a niece.]
*******************
W B Wilkerson

in the Tennessee, Marriage Records, 1780-2002

Name: W B Wilkerson
Gender: Male
Marriage Date: 19 Dec 1875
Marriage Place: Grundy, Tennessee, USA
Spouse: Saraah (sic) E Price
*************************
Marion Co., TN (where Laura Ida Booth was in 1880) abuts Grundy and Franklin counties in TN. Louisa (Price) Payne-Booth who died from burn injuries Apr 1880 had her dress catch fire. Note that her marital status is "Single".

While trying to determine just who John W. Booth was I checked for other Booth marriages in the same time frame of Franklin and Grundy Co., TN. Only 2 came up.

Louisa Booth

in the Tennessee, Marriage Records, 1780-2002

Name: Louisa Booth [Miss Louisa Booth]
Gender: Female
Marriage Date: 24 Jun 1875
Marriage Place: Franklin, Tennessee, USA
Spouse: Samuel Thomas
**************************
I thought that might be Louisa (Price) Payne-Booth, but one of the 2 marriage records has her as Miss Louisa Booth, but I don't know what became of them if not her, and that Louisa Booth died as Louisa Booth in 1880.

The other Booth marriage was for C.A. Booth:

C. A. Booth

in the Tennessee, Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900

Name: C. A. Booth [Charles A. Booth]
Gender: Male
Spouse: Margret A. Pyland
Spouse Gender: Female
Marriage Date: 16 Nov 1870
County: Franklin
State: Tennessee
******************
He was born in OH and wound up going to Indiana where he died in 1892.

Corp Charles A Booth
Birth 7 Feb 1846
Death 14 Dec 1892 (aged 46)
Burial
Barnett Chapel Cemetery
Elberfeld, Warrick County, Indiana, USA
Memorial ID 10998917 · View Source

Family Members
Spouse

Photo
Margareta Pyland Booth

1852 – unknown

Children

Photo
Wesley Alfred Booth

1871–1887
Photo
Arthur Albert Booth

1874–1919
Photo
Almira Booth

1878–1882
Photo
Araminta H. Booth Butcher

1881–1967

Inscription

Co. B Ohio Infantry; Co. D 3rd Michigan Infantry
*****************************************
I believe this was him in 1860, note no John W. Booth, or Miss Louisa Booth.

Charles Roothe

in the 1860 United States Federal Census

Name: Charles Roothe
[Charles Booth]
Age: 14
Birth Year: abt 1846
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Ohio
Home in 1860: Hambden, Geauga, Ohio
Post Office: Hampden
Dwelling Number: 737
Family Number: 689
Attended School: Yes
Household Members:
Name Age
George Roothe 58
Almira Roothe 42
Charles Roothe 14 [Charles A. Booth]
Eunice Roothe 13
Elijah Roothe 10
Electa Roothe 9
Lydia Boothe 5
Amanda Boothe 3
********************
Charles A Booth

in the 1870 United States Federal Census

Name: Charles A Booth
Age in 1870: 24
Birth Year: abt 1846
Birthplace: Ohio
Dwelling Number: 71
Home in 1870: District 7, Franklin, Tennessee
Race: White
Gender: Male
Occupation: Farm Laborer
Father of Foreign Birth: Y
Male Citizen over 21: Y
Household Members:
Name Age
Charles A Booth 24
******************
I checked the John, John W. and J.W. Booths in the TN 1870 census, but none seems likely as the John W. Booth that married Louisa (Price) Payne, that is the age is too young or married with children. None of them were near Louisa for her to entice a married man. No St. Helens, but several David Georges, none of them near the right age. Of course, he could have had another alias. I also checked for Jack Booth, since he introduced himself as Jack Booth, a cousin of JWB initially. Oops, I haven't shared my excerpted source for the Jack Booth story.

"Mrs. Charles Levine was born Laura Ida Elizabeth Booth in Payne's Cove, Tennessee, a few miles west of Chattannooga, Tennessee in 1873. She was the daughter of Louisa Holmes [Price] Payne and John Wilkes Booth (see marriage certificate to the left). Louisa J. Payne was a Confederate Civil War widow. Her first husband, Confederate soldier C.Z. Payne, died in 1865 toward the end of the war. Louisa was left to care for her young son McCager (or "Cage"). Louisa worked as a seamstress for the recently opened University of the South in Sewannee, Tennessee. In 1871 Louisa met a man named Jack Booth who claimed he was a "distant cousin" to John Wilkes Booth. Louisa fell in love, and she married Jack in February 1872. However, after the wedding, Jack told Louisa that he had a past, and his name was not really Jack. When she pressed him for the truth, Jack told her he was actually John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of the Republican President. Louisa, a devout Christian and southern Democrat, could forgive her husband for his war actions and personal deceptions to her, but she insisted that he sign their marriage certificate with his God-given name. And so, on February 24, 1872, a new certificate was signed in the presence of Rev. C.C. Rose, listing the marriage of John Wilkes Booth and Louisa Payne. The late historiagrapher for University of the South, Dr. Arthur Ben Chitty, did extensive research into Louisa Payne and her marriage to the man claiming to be John Wilkes Booth. Dr. Chitty eventually discovered the marriage certificate itself, located in the Franklin County Courthouse in Winchester, Tennessee. Dr. Chitty archived at The University of the South several audio tape interviews of men who personally knew McCager Payne, who in 1872 became John Wilkes Booth's step-son. Dr. Chitty discovered that McCager had intimate knowledge while a youth that his stepfather was actually John Wilkes Booth.

As a newly married couple Louisa and John Wilkes Booth moved to Memphis, Tennessee because, as Louisa would later say, "my husband had been told he would be paid a large sum of money owed him for his offical work on behalf of the Confederacy." While in Memphis, Louisa overheard some men on the street discussing her husband and pointing out where the "skunk" was now living. Louisa informed John that men knew who he was and his life was in danger. John told Louisa that it would be better if they separated for a season. He would go to Texas and she should go back to Tennessee until things cooled off. John promised Louisa that he would return to Tennessee after things settled down.
Louisa went back east to Payne's Cove Tennessee and the man claiming to be John Wilkes Booth headed south. Unbeknown to the couple at the time, Louisa was pregnant with John's child. Louisa Payne would give birth to Laura Ida Elizabeth Booth, named after one of John Wilkes Booth's sisters, while living alone in Tennessee in early 1873. Her second husband, the man she first knew as "Jack Booth," but later laimed to be "John Wilkes Booth" went to Granbury, Texas -- and would change his name to John St. Helen. Historian Steven Miller suggests that John St. Helen, the man who confessed to being "John Wilkes Booth" to attorney Finis Bates, is a different man from the person who married Louisa Payne. My research on a book about the Lincoln assassination and the bizarre connections to Enid, Oklahoma suggests they are the same man. This man--Jack Booth/John St. Helen, David E. George, is either a deluded and deceptive man who pretended to be John Wilkes Booth for over four decades, or as many in the family of John Wilkes Booth now believe, this man was actually John Wilkes Booth himself.
DNA testing in 2011 could help solve the mystery.

Back in Tennesee during 1873 Louisa Booth received financial help from the family of her deceased first husband (C.Z. "Zeb" Payne). She went to work caring for her son McCager and her newborn infant girl. Louisa kept hope that her husband would return to her from Texas, but she never heard from him. In 1879, seven years after marrying the man who claimed to be John Wilkes Booth, beautiful 36 year old Louisa Payne was raking and burning leaves in her front yard when her dress accidentally caught fire. Louisa ran to the creek in an attempt to extinquish the flames, but the burns on her body would prove to be fatal for her. Before she died, Louisa called her six-year-old daughter Laura Ida Booth and her fourteen-year-old son McCager Payne to her bedside. The mother informed her children that Ida's father was John Wilkes Booth. McCager would later tell friends at the mill where he worked late in his life that he already knew John Wilkes Booth was his stepdad because of conversations he had overheard between his mom and stepdad when he was a boy. Caught listening in one time by his step-dad, McCager was threatened that if the boy told anyone that his step-dad was John Wilkes Booth, "I will kill you."

After the death of her mother young Laura Ida Booth would go to live with friends and family. Laura Ida Booth eventually became an actress herself and married a fellow actor named Charles Levine in New York City. When Mrs. Charles Levine heard of David E. George's death in Enid, Oklahoma in early 1903, and that David E. George had claimed to be "John Wilkes Booth" before he died, Mrs. Levine sent her letter to the the mayor of El Reno claiming George's estate "if indeed he is John Wilkes Booth."

Mrs. Charles Levine was serious in her query about Booth's estate, believing herself to be his daughter. Her letter should also be taken seriously by historians. Again, one of two options is possible regarding the man who appears as Jack Booth/John St. Helen/David E. George/ and who fathered Laura Ida Booth: (1). Either this man is a devious and/or deluded individual who kept up a false front for four decades about being John Wilkes Booth, or (2). This man is actually John Wilkes Booth.

To take the latter position opens oneself up to ridicule from mainstream historians. I remain personally unpersuaded. What is certain, however, is this: The DNA testing of the vertebrae from 'the body in barn' will either be a match to John Wilkes Booth and lay to rest the "Booth Legend" or the DNA testing will NOT provide a match and the escape theories for Lincoln's assassin will explode. Either way, historians ought to give Laura Ida Elizabeth Booth (Mrs. Charles Levine) and the letter she wrote to the mayor of El Reno in February 1903 far more serious attention than they are currently being given.
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wrote to the mayor of El Reno in February 1903 far more serious attention than they are currently being given.

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I'm not trying to get anyone fired up here, just sharing the notes I have because Forum Master Steve asked about Laura Ida Booth. Memphis, east of Oklahoma, seems to get some mentions in all this whatever it is, hoax or whatever.

Steve FM, here's some final notes, for now.

Seeking death record for Laura Ida (Booth) Norman.
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Looking for a death date and place for Laura Ida (Booth) Norman died between 1920-1925 possibly in New York City. She was living in the National Vaudeville Artist Club, 229 W. 46th St. in 1924, at least she received a letter in March of 1924 there. Not looking for anything but a death date. Thank you.

booth norman

asked Apr 1, 2012 in Genealogy Help by Carol Hicks G2G Rookie (180 points)
2 Answers
+2 votes

Best answer

I am the great niece of Laura and Art Driver. I have all the same info you have plus a litle more.

Laura Ida Booth who joined the circus, supposedly Robinson's Circus between 1891-1894 in Tennessee, was listed as a new act for Welsh Bros. Circus (1894-95 Fulton, New York site Feb. 1) and left Welsh Bros., according to 1897-1899, July 2, Fulton, New York site. She and her husband Charles Levine (Le Vine) worked with the Harry and Amy La Van during part of those year at Welsh Bros., leaving at the same time.

She was also known as Alma Booth, Mlle Alma and Mrs. L. I. Norman and later performed in Vaudeville.

Besides being married to Charles Levine aka Charles Asburn, and having a son, Charles Wilson Asburn, who was also a performer, she married at least twice more; Lewis A. Howard 1914 in Illinois and Isaac Driver (aka possibly Art Norman), 1917, in New York. She died, according to her son, in 1924.

Lewis A. Howard was considered the fastest lightning crayon artist.
answered May 29, 2012 by anonymous
selected Mar 2, 2013 by Ron Norman

[Steve Whitlock]

(06-22-2019 03:17 AM)Steve Wrote:  Steve W.
Thanks for the info on Laura Ida Booth. I never heard of her before. I guess it'll be a new research rabbit hole to go down to see if I can find out who the John W. Booth who was her father was.

Steve FM, When the wills (more than one) were read it was determined that David E. George didn't have those things he bequeathed, or much of anything; however, in 1935 Charles Wilson Asburn, son of Laura Ida Booth, tried to make a claim for property in OK of John Wilkes Booth.

[Steve Whitlock]

(06-22-2019 09:09 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 03:17 AM)Steve Wrote:  Steve W.
Thanks for the info on Laura Ida Booth. I never heard of her before. I guess it'll be a new research rabbit hole to go down to see if I can find out who the John W. Booth who was her father was.

Steve FM, When the wills (more than one) were read it was determined that David E. George didn't have those things he bequeathed, or much of anything; however, in 1935 Charles Wilson Asburn, son of Laura Ida Booth, tried to make a claim for property in OK of John Wilkes Booth.

Steve FM, So, what did Laura Ida Booth look like? Here she is in 1913 as Mrs Laura Ida Howard. She married Art Norman, aka Isaac Driver, in 1917.

Laura Ida Booth

in the New York, County Marriage Records, 1847-1849, 1907-1936

Name: Laura Ida Booth
Gender: Female
Age: 34
Birth Date: abt 1883
Marriage Date: 9 Jun 1917
Marriage Place: Oneida, New York, USA
Father: John Wilkes Booth
Mother: Louisa J. Price
Spouse: Isaac Driver [Stage name Art Norman]
Film Number: 000381750
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When you get to the bottom of the first column it goes above the photo for more information and then below the photo where it ends. Note her contention that she has the marriage record for her parents and John W. Booth's signature, and handwriting matches that for John Wilkes Booth amd David E. George. I haven't seen the will and signature for David E. George, and if she is referring to the marriage record available at ancestry.com that isn't the signature of John W. Booth, but either the Justice of the Peace or a clerk. If it was John W. Booth's it would NOT match that from some bonds John Wilkes Booth signed.

[RJNorton]

(06-20-2019 04:52 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote:  There are many other indications which show David E. George was a man with serious mental issues, and not John Wilkes Booth.

I agree with you 100%. In reading Bates' book it's obvious John St. Helen/David E. George says things that show he didn't know the specifics of what really went down on April 14, 1865. He tells Bates things that the real Booth would not say, IMO. For example, John St. Helen/David E. George tells Bates that it was Andrew Johnson who arranged for the Grants not to attend the theater with the Lincolns. This is totally false; Johnson had nothing to do with the Grants leaving Washington that evening. John St. Helen/David E. George said he stopped at the Kirkwood House and met with VP Johnson at 3 PM. False. Johnson was at the White House meeting with Abraham Lincoln at that time. Booth didn't meet Johnson at all; rather he left a note that said, "Don't wish to disturb you. Are you at home? J. Wilkes Booth." I feel the real Booth, in trying to convince people he was indeed JWB, would not create stories that were patently false. Rather his stories show he wasn't Booth.