New Development in Booth Case Coming Soon

[Steve Whitlock]

(07-03-2019 06:58 PM)Steve Wrote:  I think Junius Jr. was born in Baltimore, not South Carolina.

Junius Brutus Booth, Jr
Birth 22 Dec 1821
Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, USA
Death 16 Sep 1883 (aged 61)
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA
Burial
Rosedale Cemetery
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA
Memorial ID 11573822 · View Source

Actor, theatrical manager. He was
the son of renowned Shakespearean actor Junius Brutus Booth Sr. and elder brother of actors Edwin and John Wilkes, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. An ardent unionist and supporter of Abraham Lincoln, he nonetheless suffered villification for his brother's crime, but recovered his career in theater. He was manager of the Boston Theater company and built and managed summer theater in Manchester-by-the-Sea. He appeared on stage together with Edwin and John Wilkes only once in "Julius Caesar."
Family Members
Parents

Photo
Junius Brutus Booth

1796–1852
Photo
Mary Ann Holmes Booth

1802–1885

Spouse

Photo
Marion Agnes Land Rookes Booth

1843–1910

Siblings

Photo
Rosalie Ann Booth

1823–1888
Photo
Henry Byron Booth

1825–1836
Photo
Mary Ann Booth

1827–1833
Photo
Frederick Booth

1830–1833
Photo
Elizabeth Booth

1831–1833
Photo
Edwin Thomas Booth

1833–1893
Photo
Asia Sydney Booth Clarke

1835–1888
Photo
John Wilkes Booth

1838–1865
Photo
Joseph Adrian Booth

1840–1902

Half Siblings

Photo
Richard Junius Booth

1819–1868

Children

Photo
Blanche De Bar Booth

1844–1930
Photo
Marie Booth Douglas

1865–1932
Photo
Junius Brutus Booth

1868–1912
Photo
Algernon G Booth

1869–1877
Photo
Sydney Barton Booth

1873–1937
Photo
Barton J Booth

1874–1879
************************
Julius B Borth

in the 1850 United States Federal Census

Name: Julius B Borth
[Julius B Booth]
[Junius B Borth]
[Junius Booth]
[Julius B Jr Borth]
[Junius Brutus Jr Booth]
Age: 25
Birth Year: abt 1825
Birthplace: South Carolina
Home in 1850: Baltimore Ward 5, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Gender: Male
Family Number: 624
Household Members:
Name Age
Julius B Borth 52
Mary Borth 40
Julius B Borth 25
Rebecca Borth 23
Ed T Borth 16
Sidney Borth 14
James K Borth 12
John E Borth 10
Nancy Hollins 30
Zachary Bilson 27
Mary Bilson 26
Ellen Bilson 2
Mrs Ward 60
****************************
J B Booth

in the 1870 United States Federal Census

Name: J B Booth
Age in 1870: 46
Birth Year: abt 1824
Birthplace: South Carolina
Dwelling Number: 9
Home in 1870: Boston Ward 10, Suffolk, Massachusetts
Race: White
Gender: Male
Occupation: Theatrical
Male Citizen over 21: Y
Personal Estate Value: 1000
Real Estate Value: 20000
Inferred Children: Agnes Booth
James B Booth
Algernon C Booth
Household Members:
Name Age
J B Booth 46
Agnes Booth 26
James B Booth 2
Algernon C Booth 10/12
******************************
Junius B. Booth

in the 1880 United States Federal Census

Name: Junius B. Booth
Age: 59
Birth Date: Abt 1821
Birthplace: South Carolina
Home in 1880: Manchester, Essex, Massachusetts, USA
Dwelling Number: 303
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital status: Married
Spouse's name: Marion A. Booth
Father's Birthplace: England
Mother's name: Sarah Smeathman
Mother's Birthplace: England
Occupation: Hotel Proprietor
Neighbors:
Household Members:
Name Age
Junius B. Booth 59
Marion A. Booth 35
Junins B. Booth 12
Sydney Booth 7
Sarah Smeathman 66 [Mother-in-law]
****************************************
Jennis Bratus Booth [Junius Brutus Booth Jr]

in the Massachusetts, Death Records, 1841-1915

Name: Jennis Bratus Booth
Gender: Male
Age: 61
Birth Date: abt 1822
Birth Place: Charleston, S C
Death Date: 17 Sep 1883
Death Place: Manchester, Massachusetts, USA
Father: James Bratus Booth
Mother: Mary Ann Holmes
Wills and Probates: Search for Jennis Bratus Booth in Massachusetts Wills & Probates collection
*****************************
While the year of birth for Junius Brutus Booth Jr is inconsistent, the state of birth seems pretty certain as South Carolina, with Charleston, SC being more specific.

[L Verge]

His parents landed first in Charleston, SC, upon arriving in America, and I believe that Junior was born shortly thereafter - before they moved on and ended up in Baltimore and BelAir. I know many sources just skip over the Charleston landing.

[Steve]

From Dave Taylor's 2017 talk on the life Junius Jr at Tudor Hall:

- Junius Jr. was conceived while Junius Sr. and Mary Ann Holmes were "honeymooning" on Madeira

- After Mary became pregnant they got onto another ship and continued onto America landing in Virginia

- Once they arrived in the United States Mary followed Junius Sr. around to several cities during his acting tour.

- Following Junius Sr's performances in Charleston SC, Mary's pregnancy had progressed to where she could no longer follow Junius Sr, so she stayed in Charleston while he continued onto New Orleans.

- Junius Jr. was born in Charleston in December 1821

Here's a link to view Dave's complete talk on the life of Junius Brutus Booth Jr:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aVgXc6U5tw


I'd seen this video before and yet I still thought he was born in Baltimore for some reason...

[Steve Whitlock]

(07-04-2019 01:03 AM)Steve Wrote:  From Dave Taylor's 2017 talk on the life Junius Jr at Tudor Hall:

- Junius Jr. was conceived while Junius Sr. and Mary Ann Holmes were "honeymooning" on Madeira

- After Mary became pregnant they got onto another ship and continued onto America landing in Virginia

- Once they arrived in the United States Mary followed Junius Sr. around to several cities during his acting tour.

- Following Junius Sr's performances in Charleston SC, Mary's pregnancy had progressed to where she could no longer follow Junius Sr, so she stayed in Charleston while he continued onto New Orleans.

- Junius Jr. was born in Charleston in December 1821

Here's a link to view Dave's complete talk on the life of Junius Brutus Booth Jr:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aVgXc6U5tw


I'd seen this video before and yet I still thought he was born in Baltimore for some reason...

FM Steve,

Since you mentioned Baltimore I have a note for Laura Ida Booth playing an engagement in Baltimore:

The New York Dramatic Mirror Feb 13, 1904

Vaudeville Correspondence

Baltimore, MD

“The new faces at the Odeon are Edwards and Kernell, Laura Ida Booth and Teresa Moritz. Harry Montague’s productions, The Black Birds and Gibson’s Hotel, are presented.”

[Steve Whitlock]

FM Steve,

Since you mentioned Baltimore I have a note for Laura Ida Booth playing an engagement in Baltimore:

The New York Dramatic Mirror Feb 13, 1904

Vaudeville Correspondence

Baltimore, MD

“The new faces at the Odeon are Edwards and Kernell, Laura Ida Booth and Teresa Moritz. Harry Montague’s productions, The Black Birds and Gibson’s Hotel, are presented.”
[/quote]

FM Steve, I have made inquiries as to what became of Dolly (Baker) Booth's family album, but have gotten no response. If you, or anyone, has a photo of the John Wilkes Booth that died 1916 in Leadville, CO I'd love to see it. I also understand that there may have been a painting of JWB of Leadville on the 2nd floor of a hotel in Leadville, which looks "suspicious", but I haven't seen it. It seems that paintings of some older citizens were made and put on the 2nd floor of the Delaware Hotel.

"There are several cemeteries in Leadville, one which has a marker with J.W. Booth. It would not surprise me if John Wilkes Booth the assassin of Abe Lincoln is buried in Leadville. If you just shot the President of the United States would you stay in a tobacco barn for two days until U.S. troops came to get you? I'd be in Leadville, CO!!! As a matter of fact if you go to the second floor of the Delaware Hotel, there are paintings of people who lived in Leadville, CO. but there is one which looks awfully suspicious!!! J.W. Booth. We'll also be visiting the Mining Museum and where Doc Holliday shot and killed his last man on the front steps of the Heyman Hotel."

I'd just like to know what he looked like if people in TN were actually believing he was the assassin JWB. I guess Louisa J. (Price) Payne never got a marriage photo either, since no mention of one from Laura Ida Booth or her older half-brother, McCager Payne. Don't forget in 1910 census JWB in Leadville does show he is on his 2nd marriage.

My efforts to find a living descendant of Laura Ida Booth aren't looking good, so dna testing won't help this mystery. Charles Wilson Asburn Jr is supposed to have had a daughter, Virgina Elizabeth (Asburn) McCrea, who married a much younger John Robert McCrea in 1956.

"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:
*****************************************************
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
************************
Virginia Elizabeth McCrea

Add a Memory
Share This Page
VIRGINIA ELIZABETH MCCREA "GINNY" (NANA) , 83, a 55 year resident of San Bernardino, passed away on Jan. 6, 2006. She was born in Springfield, Missouri. She is survived by her daughter, Lynda Britton; granddaughters, Kathi, Kimberly, Shari & Cherish; grandson, John Slough; and many great grandchildren. Memorial Service will be held Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006, 1 p.m. at Mt. View Memorial Chapel, 570 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino.
Published in San Bernardino Sun from Jan. 17 to Jan. 18, 2006
*************************************************
Lynda L. (McCrea) Britton was born in 1948 (8 years before John m: Virginia Asburn) and her birth record indicates her mother's maiden name was Lee, so either I have the wrong Virginia (Asburn) McCrea, or Lynda (McCrae) Britton, in CA or Lynda wasn't her natural daughter. Notice also that according to her obit Virginia was born in MO, so perhaps C. W. Asburn/Lavine Jr was passing through. I haven't found him in 1920 or 1930 census, so no idea whether Virginia b: abt 1921 was with him in 1930. She isn't with him in 1940 census, but she was 18-19 by then.

[Steve]

(07-05-2019 11:25 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote:  "There are several cemeteries in Leadville, one which has a marker with J.W. Booth. It would not surprise me if John Wilkes Booth the assassin of Abe Lincoln is buried in Leadville. If you just shot the President of the United States would you stay in a tobacco barn for two days until U.S. troops came to get you? I'd be in Leadville, CO!!! As a matter of fact if you go to the second floor of the Delaware Hotel, there are paintings of people who lived in Leadville, CO. but there is one which looks awfully suspicious!!! J.W. Booth. We'll also be visiting the Mining Museum and where Doc Holliday shot and killed his last man on the front steps of the Heyman Hotel."

Steve W. -
Who said this, or where does the above quote come from?

Virginia Elizabeth McCrea is not the former Virginia F. Ashburn because she appears in city directories in 1952, four years before Ashburn was married.

This might be the Find A Grave record for Ashburn's husband:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/

I also found this article on page 1 of the 30 Dec. 1908 Grand Valley News of Garfield Co. Colorado about John Wilkes Booth suing Arapaho Co. Colorado, claiming slot machines aren't gambling devices:

   

Now Arapaho Co. isn't near Leadville or Colorado Springs (where this JWB lived for a short time before returning to Leadville), so it seems strange that he'd be a party to a lawsuit in this county. To add to this strangeness the District Attorney for Arapaho Co. and the surrounding areas at this time was named John Wilkes Booth Smith (born c.1869 in Alabama, apparently to fans of the assassin) who led the Petersburg gambling raids in August 1908. So I guess we can't be completely sure that it's not some mistake with the name referring to the DA for some reason. The DA JWB Smith lost his reelection campaign later in 1908.

[Steve Whitlock]

(07-06-2019 03:39 PM)Steve Wrote:  

(07-05-2019 11:25 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote:  "There are several cemeteries in Leadville, one which has a marker with J.W. Booth. It would not surprise me if John Wilkes Booth the assassin of Abe Lincoln is buried in Leadville. If you just shot the President of the United States would you stay in a tobacco barn for two days until U.S. troops came to get you? I'd be in Leadville, CO!!! As a matter of fact if you go to the second floor of the Delaware Hotel, there are paintings of people who lived in Leadville, CO. but there is one which looks awfully suspicious!!! J.W. Booth. We'll also be visiting the Mining Museum and where Doc Holliday shot and killed his last man on the front steps of the Heyman Hotel."

Steve W. -
Who said this, or where does the above quote come from?

Virginia Elizabeth McCrea is not the former Virginia F. Ashburn because she appears in city directories in 1952, four years before Ashburn was married.

This might be the Find A Grave record for Ashburn's husband:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/

I also found this article on page 1 of the 30 Dec. 1908 Grand Valley News of Garfield Co. Colorado about John Wilkes Booth suing Arapaho Co. Colorado, claiming slot machines aren't gambling devices:



Now Arapaho Co. isn't near Leadville or Colorado Springs (where this JWB lived for a short time before returning to Leadville), so it seems strange that he'd be a party to a lawsuit in this county. To add to this strangeness the District Attorney for Arapaho Co. and the surrounding areas at this time was named John Wilkes Booth Smith (born c.1869 in Alabama, apparently to fans of the assassin) who led the Petersburg gambling raids in August 1908. So I guess we can't be completely sure that it's not some mistake with the name referring to the DA for some reason. The DA JWB Smith lost his reelection campaign later in 1908.

Here is the whole article from which I excerpted a paragraph for J.W. Booth:

WALK THE STREETS OF HISTORICAL LEADVILLE, CO. AND BEYOND
Don E. K.
Hosted by Don E. K.

From HITTIN' THE COLORADO TRAILS
Public group

Canceled
Saturday, April 18, 2015
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Needs a location
Details

This mountain town is untouched by modern-day development — the kind of place where the lady on Main Street with the kayak over her shoulder throws a neighborly nod your way and the corner barista welcomes customers by first name.

In the late 1800s, prospectors rushed to extract more than $4 million in gold from Leadville’s hills in just five years. Today the one-stop-light community is a 70-square-block National Historic Landmark known for Victorian architecture and an impressive number of museums.

We'll experience the fortunes and figures that built one of America’s richest mining towns at the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum. Often called the Smithsonian of the Rockies, exhibits include a model mining-town railroad, a walk-through replica of an underground hard rock mine and prospector’s cave, and the Gold Rush Room, which displays artifacts from each of the 17 U.S. states that hosted significant gold rushes.

Continue down Harrison Avenue past specialty shops, treasure hunt at The Delaware Hotel, where the lobby doubles as an antique emporium and guest rooms are decorated with collectibles from around the world.

The essential stops on the Historic Walking Tour, is the 132-year-old Tabor Opera House, the Matchless Mine and the Baby Doe Tabor Cabin. Elizabeth Doe Tabor walked back and forth several times a day trying to sell what she had left to survive so I believe if she was in her 80's we should be able to manage a 2+ mile round trip to her home. There are several cemeteries in Leadville, one which has a marker with J.W. Booth. It would not surprise me if John Wilkes Booth the assassin of Abe Lincoln is buried in Leadville. If you just shot the President of the United States would you stay in a tobacco barn for two days until U.S. troops came to get you? I'd be in Leadville, CO!!! As a matter of fact if you go to the second floor of the Delaware Hotel, there are paintings of people who lived in Leadville, CO. but there is one which looks awfully suspicious!!! J.W. Booth. We'll also be visiting the Mining Museum and where Doc Holliday shot and killed his last man on the front steps of the Heyman Hotel.

Sometime during the day I would like to carpool, take a drive up near Twin Lakes and do some photo-shooting. You will have several of the 14ers standing right in front of you including: Mt. Elbert the highest 14er in Colorado and second highest peak on the United States Continent. Her sister Mt. Massive right next to her and La Plata down the road. But there are more, I just don’t know which ones they are.

When we get back from a short road trip to Twin Lakes, I would like to have lunch/dinner at the Golden Burro which is the highest restaurant on the Continental United States and then go over and have some drinks at the Silver Dollar Saloon which is the highest Saloon on the Continental United States.

I do believe you’ll have a good time visiting the highest city on the continent. If there is more you would like to see please leave your idea in the comment section and I’m sure we’ll fit it in some way.

Directions to Leadville, CO. Take westbound I-70 to the Copper Mountain/Leadville exit up Fremont Pass. If you miss this exit you'll have one exit you can turn around and head back. If you miss this exit you're on your way to VAIL!!!

We'll meet at the visitor center on Harrison across the street from the justice center.

I hope you have yourself a great day!
Don
*********************************
I can't add anything to the slot machine lawsuit.

---

(07-06-2019 03:39 PM)Steve Wrote:  

(07-05-2019 11:25 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote:  "There are several cemeteries in Leadville, one which has a marker with J.W. Booth. It would not surprise me if John Wilkes Booth the assassin of Abe Lincoln is buried in Leadville. If you just shot the President of the United States would you stay in a tobacco barn for two days until U.S. troops came to get you? I'd be in Leadville, CO!!! As a matter of fact if you go to the second floor of the Delaware Hotel, there are paintings of people who lived in Leadville, CO. but there is one which looks awfully suspicious!!! J.W. Booth. We'll also be visiting the Mining Museum and where Doc Holliday shot and killed his last man on the front steps of the Heyman Hotel."

Steve W. -
Who said this, or where does the above quote come from?

Virginia Elizabeth McCrea is not the former Virginia F. Ashburn because she appears in city directories in 1952, four years before Ashburn was married.

This might be the Find A Grave record for Ashburn's husband:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/

I also found this article on page 1 of the 30 Dec. 1908 Grand Valley News of Garfield Co. Colorado about John Wilkes Booth suing Arapaho Co. Colorado, claiming slot machines aren't gambling devices:



Now Arapaho Co. isn't near Leadville or Colorado Springs (where this JWB lived for a short time before returning to Leadville), so it seems strange that he'd be a party to a lawsuit in this county. To add to this strangeness the District Attorney for Arapaho Co. and the surrounding areas at this time was named John Wilkes Booth Smith (born c.1869 in Alabama, apparently to fans of the assassin) who led the Petersburg gambling raids in August 1908. So I guess we can't be completely sure that it's not some mistake with the name referring to the DA for some reason. The DA JWB Smith lost his reelection campaign later in 1908.

FM Steve, Charles Wilson Asburn Jr (Not Ashburn) is supposed to be the father of Virginia McCrae. Stage name is Charles Levine or La Vine. The link you sent for a Find a grave memorial for Virginia's possible husband only goes to a place asking for input of name, etc, not to his memorial.

I'll take a closer look for the Virginia McCrae you referred to in 1952. I know there was more than one, but when I checked before, if the same one, her maiden name was McCrae. As I said I'll look again. It's also possible that Virginia was adopted and her real maiden name was Lee. If so I have a possible line on that.

[Steve Whitlock]

(07-05-2019 11:25 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote:  FM Steve,

Since you mentioned Baltimore I have a note for Laura Ida Booth playing an engagement in Baltimore:

The New York Dramatic Mirror Feb 13, 1904

Vaudeville Correspondence

Baltimore, MD

“The new faces at the Odeon are Edwards and Kernell, Laura Ida Booth and Teresa Moritz. Harry Montague’s productions, The Black Birds and Gibson’s Hotel, are presented.”

FM Steve, I have made inquiries as to what became of Dolly (Baker) Booth's family album, but have gotten no response. If you, or anyone, has a photo of the John Wilkes Booth that died 1916 in Leadville, CO I'd love to see it. I also understand that there may have been a painting of JWB of Leadville on the 2nd floor of a hotel in Leadville, which looks "suspicious", but I haven't seen it. It seems that paintings of some older citizens were made and put on the 2nd floor of the Delaware Hotel.

"There are several cemeteries in Leadville, one which has a marker with J.W. Booth. It would not surprise me if John Wilkes Booth the assassin of Abe Lincoln is buried in Leadville. If you just shot the President of the United States would you stay in a tobacco barn for two days until U.S. troops came to get you? I'd be in Leadville, CO!!! As a matter of fact if you go to the second floor of the Delaware Hotel, there are paintings of people who lived in Leadville, CO. but there is one which looks awfully suspicious!!! J.W. Booth. We'll also be visiting the Mining Museum and where Doc Holliday shot and killed his last man on the front steps of the Heyman Hotel."

I'd just like to know what he looked like if people in TN were actually believing he was the assassin JWB. I guess Louisa J. (Price) Payne never got a marriage photo either, since no mention of one from Laura Ida Booth or her older half-brother, McCager Payne. Don't forget in 1910 census JWB in Leadville does show he is on his 2nd marriage.

My efforts to find a living descendant of Laura Ida Booth aren't looking good, so dna testing won't help this mystery. Charles Wilson Asburn Jr is supposed to have had a daughter, Virgina Elizabeth (Asburn) McCrea, who married a much younger John Robert McCrea in 1956.

"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:
*****************************************************
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
************************
Virginia Elizabeth McCrea

Add a Memory
Share This Page
VIRGINIA ELIZABETH MCCREA "GINNY" (NANA) , 83, a 55 year resident of San Bernardino, passed away on Jan. 6, 2006. She was born in Springfield, Missouri. She is survived by her daughter, Lynda Britton; granddaughters, Kathi, Kimberly, Shari & Cherish; grandson, John Slough; and many great grandchildren. Memorial Service will be held Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006, 1 p.m. at Mt. View Memorial Chapel, 570 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino.
Published in San Bernardino Sun from Jan. 17 to Jan. 18, 2006
*************************************************
Lynda L. (McCrea) Britton was born in 1948 (8 years before John m: Virginia Asburn) and her birth record indicates her mother's maiden name was Lee, so either I have the wrong Virginia (Asburn) McCrea, or Lynda (McCrae) Britton, in CA or Lynda wasn't her natural daughter. Notice also that according to her obit Virginia was born in MO, so perhaps C. W. Asburn/Lavine Jr was passing through. I haven't found him in 1920 or 1930 census, so no idea whether Virginia b: abt 1921 was with him in 1930. She isn't with him in 1940 census, but she was 18-19 by then.
[/quote]

It seems I have the wrong Virginia Mcrea. The one with the obit in San Bernardino, CA m: Kenneth F. McCrea in 1947, so Lynda Britton b: 1948 is her daughter, and Virginia Elizabeth McCrea of the obit is NOT the Virginia F. Asburn that m: John R. McCrea in 1956. Back to the drawing board.

[Steve]

Once it became apparent that the Leadville JWB (and thus Laura Ida Booth's father) was too young to be the assassin most of the forum members probably lost interest in this specific issue, but I enjoy trying to solve genealogical riddles.

Since the Leadville JWB claimed to be Junius Booth Jr's grandson, any DNA tests on the bodies of the Leadville JWB or Laura Ida Booth or of Laura's descendants will be completely useless as evidence for those people/cranks who claim that Booth wasn't killed in the barn in 1865.

Interesting this other JWB first appears in the record as working as a carpenter at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. I wonder if the University has any records for its laborers from the 1871-72 time period.

[Steve Whitlock]

(07-06-2019 10:55 PM)Steve Wrote:  Once it became apparent that the Leadville JWB (and thus Laura Ida Booth's father) was too young to be the assassin most of the forum members probably lost interest in this specific issue, but I enjoy trying to solve genealogical riddles.

Since the Leadville JWB claimed to be Junius Booth Jr's grandson, any DNA tests on the bodies of the Leadville JWB or Laura Ida Booth or of Laura's descendants will be completely useless as evidence for those people/cranks who claim that Booth wasn't killed in the barn in 1865.

Interesting this other JWB first appears in the record as working as a carpenter at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. I wonder if the University has any records for its laborers from the 1871-72 time period.

Yes, other Forum Members know that JWB died at Garretts farm; therefore the search for exactly who the JWB was in Leadville, CO is a waste of time; however, with the increasing prevalence of those seeking to make a case for Booth's escape I think it might prove beneficial to have some autosomal dna to work with, since it's obvious the courts aren't going to allow an exhumation.

There may not be a living descendant for Virginia (Asburn) McCrea, but I don't know that for sure yet. There are still other supposed children of John Wilkes Booth to contend with. If Lois (White) Rathbun-Trebisacci had her autosomal dna available at GEDMatch we could look for other living descendants (Sarah Scott, etc) who now claim a lineage to JWB and either prove or disprove information suggesting an escape. In that case, should we find a living descendant for Virginia (Asburn) McCrea our research would help prove why said descendant was a match, albeit a weak one, to Lois. With the assertion that the man in Leadville, CO (By the way Finis Bates said that David E. George/John St. Helen, or whatever name he ostensibly went by was in Leadville, CO in 1879) was supposedly a son of Junius Booth, then people shouldn't presume he lied about his age by 10 years and really was the assassin JWB. With that name someone in law enforcement surely checked him out, or he was way too different in appearance, or height.

As it stands now if a descendant of Virginia (Asburn) McCrea were to do the autosomal dna test, and match Lois, it would just fire that base up again, more fervently, in the belief that David E. George was JWB, and he really did escape with a government conspiracy.

I don't view what we've done as a waste of time, especially if we could prove the man who married Dolly Baker was the father of Laura Ida Booth, and not David E. George.

[L Verge]

I have pretty much given up on this post because I really don't think it is going anywhere except the "false claims" file. After fifty+ years of speculation from numerous sources - most of which now fall back on the old DNA defense - I'm bone-weary on the subject.

However, just to keep our two Steves on the hunt a little longer, Arthur Ben Chitty, one of the plaintiffs in the 1990s' case to exhume the body of JWB from Green Mount (the other being Nate Orlowek), was a huge supporter of the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee, as well as being on the faculty. Very nice gentleman, and he termed himself a "historiographer," not a historian. I wonder if that "other JWB" having supposedly been a carpenter there a hundred years before Chitty sparked any vibes? Coincidence? Maybe not...

[Steve]

Steve W. -

I found a copy of the 1956 marriage record of Virginia Asburn and John Robert McCrea.


   

[Steve Whitlock]

(07-07-2019 03:01 PM)Steve Wrote:  Steve W. -

I found a copy of the 1956 marriage record of Virginia Asburn and John Robert McCrea.

FM Steve, You the man!! Nicely done with the marriage record.

From my notes, to add to Laurie Virge's mention of Ben Chitty:

"The late historiagrapher [sic] 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."

That was taken from Part Three of a piece written by Susan Sili, I think. It isn't entirely clear as to the author. Another part of the article mentions Dr. Chitty working with Nate Orlowek, and I get the impression they both think David E. George was the John W. Booth who married Louis J. Payne. Dr. Chitty would have had access to any pertinent records at University of the South, but one wonders whether he considered John Wilkes Booth who died 1916. Dr. Chitty died in 2003, but he left a 2-part interview he did about JWB and other information. If you Google "Arthur Ben Chitty" you'll see lots of information about him and some links to his interviews.

Arthur Ben Chitty (June 15, 1914 — February 11, 2003) | Prabook

Arthur Ben Chitty Edit Profile

Arthur Ben Chitty, American Historiographer, consultant. Named honorary paramount chief Kpelle Tribe, Liberia, 1974.
Background

Chitty, Arthur Ben was born on June 15, 1914 in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. Son of Arthur Benjamin and Hazel T. (Brown) Chitty.
Education

Bachelor, University of South, 1935. Master of Arts, Tulane University, 1952. Doctor of Humane Letters, Canaan College, New Hampshire, 1969.

Doctor of Laws, Cuttington College, West Africa, 1974. Doctor of Humane Letters, St. Paul's College, 1984. Data Control Language, University of the South, 1988.
Career

Vice president, sales manager, Chitty & Company, Jacksonville, 1935-1945; Chairman of the Board, Chitty & Company, 1962-1967; president, Association Episcopal Colls., New York City, 1965-1970, 74-79; president emeritus, Association Episcopal Colls., New York City, since 1979; director public relations, University of South, 1946-1965, 70-73; historiographer, University of South, since 1954; consultant. American coordinator Oxford scholar program Keble College, England, 1969-1979, board directors, North America alliance. Consultant Trinity College, Quezon City, 1974-1979, Voorhees College, South Carolina., 1979-1983, St. Dunstan's School, St. Croix, 1987-1991.

Guest NBC television program Unsolved Mysteries, 1991, 92.
Works
book Sewanee sampler book Reconstruction at Sewanee: The founding of the University of the South and its First Administration, 1857-1872

book Sewanee sampler
book Reconstruction at Sewanee: The founding of the University of the South and its First Administration, 1857-1872

More photos

book
Sewanee sampler

(Book by Chitty, Arthur Ben)
Reconstruction At Sewanee 1857-1872
Reconstruction at Sewanee; the founding of the University of the South and its first administration, 1857-1872.
Reconstruction at Sewanee: The founding of the University of the South and its First Administration, 1857-1872 by Arthur Ben Chitty (1993-01-01)

All works
Membership

President Sewanee (Tennessee) Civic Association, 1948-1949. Historian Franklin County, 1965-1969. Senior warden Episcopal Church, 1956-1965.

Trustee University of South, 1944-1945, St. Andrews School, Tennessee, 1970-1972, St. Augustine's College, North Carolina, 1971-1980, St. Paul's College, Virginia, 1974-1982, chairman board associates, 1983-1984. Board advisors St. Andrew's-Sewanee School, since 1984. American secretary Friends of St. James American Church, Florence, Italy, 1984-1987.

Trustee Anglican Digest, 1960-1990. Director research Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, since 1991. With United States Naval Reserve, 1942-1945.

Member Church History Society (director 1964-1989), English-Speaking Union (president Hudson Stuck chapter 1972-1973, member national board 1973-1982), New York Academy of Sciences, Newcomen Society, National Institute Social Sciences, Brotherhood St. Andrew (national vice president 1969-1974), Sigma Nu (president Educational Foundation 1969-1979, National Hall of Honor 1974), Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Gamma Mu, Sigma Upsilon, Phi Alpha Theta. Clubs: Century (New York City). E.Q.B. (Sewanee).

Connections

Married Elizabeth Nickinson, June 16, 1946. Children: Arthur Benjamin III, John Abercrombie Merritt, Em Turner, Nathan Harsh Brown.

Arthur Ben Chitty
Birth 15 Jun 1914
Death 11 Feb 2003 (aged 88)
Burial
University of the South Cemetery
Sewanee, Franklin County, Tennessee, USA
Memorial ID 26776871
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If anyone knew who John W. Booth, a cabinetmaker working at University of the South, was I would think Dr Chitty should have known. Why he fell for the David E. George story baffles me.

[L Verge]

Perhaps Dr. Chitty will be mentioned at the April 2020 Surratt conference. Frank Gorman, the attorney for Green Mount Cemetery that opposed Dr. Chitty and Nate Orlowek's theories, is writing a book on the court case(s) in the 1990s, and will be one of our speakers at the conference. Surratt House also has the transcripts of the trial.

[Steve Whitlock]

(07-07-2019 07:34 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Perhaps Dr. Chitty will be mentioned at the April 2020 Surratt conference. Frank Gorman, the attorney for Green Mount Cemetery that opposed Dr. Chitty and Nate Orlowek's theories, is writing a book on the court case(s) in the 1990s, and will be one of our speakers at the conference. Surratt House also has the transcripts of the trial.

Thank you for that update! I humbly apologize that I'm unable to spell Verge, as opposed to my spelling of Virge!

A little more for Dr. Chitty:

John Wilkes Booth Mystery

A blog with information on the mystery of John Wilkes Booth, highlighting the theories of Dr. Arthur Ben Chitty about the escape of the murderer into South after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and his death by suicide nearly 40 years after he killed "the best man who ever lived."
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Arthur Ben Chitty and the Mystery of John Wilkes Booth
ARTHUR BEN CHITTY

Arthur Ben Chitty was born in 1914, the first child of Arthur Benjamin Chitty and Hazel Talitha Brown of Jacksonville, Florida.

Educated in the public schools of Jacksonville, Chitty matriculated at the University of the South when he was 16 years old, completing his college studies in English in three years and earning membership in Phi Beta Kappa.

Chitty worked for some years in his father's grocery business before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II and serving as a recruiter stateside. After the war, he was called to the University of the South to serve as its first alumni and public-relations director.

In the summer of 1946, he married Mary Elizabeth Nickinson (Betty Nick), whom he had met while serving at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida; her father, Lt. Commander Edward Phillips Nickinson, had been called out of retirement to be the wartime commander of the naval base. He and his wife enjoyed a richly rewarding intellectual partnership for over 50 years, working together on many historical and literary projects together, he providing the creative flair and questing intellect, and she providing an editor's caution, a librarian's encyclopedic knowledge, and a passion for accuracy.


Posted by Em Turner Chitty at 8:20 PM
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Em Turner Chitty is Dr. Chitty's daughter, and a teacher. She says that it was Booth's signature on his marriage record to Louisa J. Payne that got him interested in the possibility that JWB escaped. If so he must have seen a signature that I haven't seen. All I've seen is a marriage with his name, John W. Booth, on it, written by a clerk, with no accompanying signature. JWB's normal signature would be J. Wilkes Booth.