Thomas Harbin

[Jim Garrett]

As mentioned, Thomas Harbin deserves his own thread. I'm looking forward to posts from John, Rick and Bill on this one.

The best spies do their job well and Harbin was one of the best. He remained under the radar for most of his life His life was short but interesting. He was the brother-in-law to Thomas Jones, postmaster of Bryantown, Confederate operative, world traveler, and front desk clerk at the National Hotel. He is buried at Mt. Olivet just a few yards from Capt. Henry Wirz, (see "The Lincoln Assassination: Where Are They Now" by Jim Garrett and Rich Smyth) shameless plug, for a brief bio. A very complete account in "In The Sahadows of The Lincoln Assassination" by Rick Smith and Bill Richter.

So the question is, how did he stay off they radar for over 100 years?

[Rick Smith]

Jim,

Thomas Harbin was also the owner of the Harbin House Hotel in Piscataway, which is now being restored.

He was also the census enumerator for the Piscataway & Surratts Districts of PG County for the Federal Census taken in 1860.

Sounds like a good way to set up a reliable underground network.

Many thanks for the plug, shameless or otherwise, for "In The Shadows of the Lincoln Assassination," which is the story of Harbin's life.

Rick

[Bill Richter]

Harbin stayed off the radar by living below the Potomac as much as possible, and staying out of the Old Capitol Prison, and fleeing to Europe until the heat was off after the war. When he returned to the District, he was chief clerk at the National Hotel, which was owned in part by Dr. Richard Stuart. Like all CSA spies, he had connections everywhere in Md and Va. In the Shadows follows the same format as Last Confederate Heroes with chapter notes referring to where we got our info.

Again, I refer all those interested in Harbin to peruse John Stewart's Confederate Spies at Large, as well.

Sorry for slighting Jim G for his gratis mention of In the Shadows in an earlier thread.

[RJNorton]

Many thanks to Rick Smith for sending these photos of the Harbin House in Piscataway.

[Jim Page]

Those are certainly great-quality photos!

--Jim

[Rick Smith]

Jim,

Thanks. Taken this February with my cell phone on a very bright, chilly morning.

Rick

[BettyO]

That's some cell phone! I have an iPhone and the photos are never that clear....

Thanks for sharing!

[RJNorton]

Many thanks to Jim Garrett for sending this photo. It's a picture of Thomas Harbin's grave. Capt. Henry Wirz is behind and to the right with the Southern Cross of Honor.

[Laurie Verge]

Take note of how close the road is to that old building. Up until several years ago, that was the main street of Piscataway. Why cars have not wiped out at least the porch over the years is a mystery.

I'm rustling up a ca. 1900 photo of the building to post here shortly.

[RJNorton]

Here's the photo Laurie mentioned in the above post. Thanks, Laurie.

[RJNorton]

Many thanks to Rick Smith for sending a couple more photos of the Harbin House in Piscataway.

[BettyO]

Many thanks for the plug, shameless or otherwise, for "In The Shadows of the Lincoln Assassination," which is the story of Harbin's life.

Rick - Is "In the Shadows" out yet ?!? This is the first I've heard of it!!!

Glad that the house has been fixed up!! Great photos!

[Laurie Verge]

In the Shadows has been out for several years, Betty. We sell it at Surratt House.

[BettyO]

I need a copy! I'll pick one up when I come up on my way to Baltimore this coming month!

[SSlater]

Didn't we discuss Harbin before? The one item that makes me wonder, was a comment that Harbin lived in an abandoned school house on the Quesenberry farm. Does any one know the source of that comment? I favor the possibility that he lived in the abandoned camp of E. Pliney Bryant. Bryant set up a camp very early in the war - on the Quesenberry farm - and signaled to Major Watson in Maryland. I believe that same camp was occupied by a Navy Partisan Group in Jan 1865, and Brogdan and Cawood (camped near by) protested their activities - so the Navy was moved away. Harbin was a facilitator, he stayed out of the limelight, but he saw that things got done. He actually hired Jones to be "Chief Signal Officer north of the Potomac" (or some such words.) I have been in correspondence with his descendant, who lives near Pittsburgh, PA. I have invited her to visit. (That will be a party that you will all be invited to attend.) I'm also tempting a Cawood descendant to drop by. (also Betto O. and Laurie have been lured to "The Charles Cawood No Escape Tour" - no takers.)
I forget what we were talking about. Oh yeah, Harbin. I'm pleased that someone has dug into Harbin's life. Sign me up for an early copy, when it's ready. P.S. Ask questions - I will answer all I can.