Unveiling the Dark Secrets: Mary Surratt and the Shocking Plot to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln

The Intriguing Life of Mary Surratt

With her demure appearance and unassuming disposition, Mary Surratt appeared to be an ordinary woman. However, beneath her serene facade lay the chilling secrets of her involvement in the scandalous plot to assassinate one of America's most beloved presidents, Abraham Lincoln. In this article, we delve into the life of Mary Surratt, the woman who became entangled in a conspiracy that shook the nation to its core.

The Birth of a Conspirator

Mary Elizabeth Jenkins, later known as Mary Surratt, was born on May 9, 1820, on a small tobacco plantation in Waterloo, Maryland. After the untimely death of her father, she was left to be raised by her fiercely independent mother, Mary Jenkins.

As a young woman, Mary Surratt attended a girls' Catholic boarding school in Alexandria, Virginia. It was during this time that she met and married her first husband John Harrison, with whom she had three children: Isaac, Anna, and John Jr.

Hanged!: Mary Surratt and the Plot to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln

by Sarah Miller (Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
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Tragedy struck when John Harrison died, leaving Mary a widow with three young children to raise. In an effort to provide for her family, she opened a boardinghouse in Washington D.C., which would later become a pivotal location in the plot to assassinate Lincoln.

A Nest of Conspiracy

Behind the doors of Mary Surratt's boardinghouse, she unwittingly became a hub for Confederate sympathizers, including John Wilkes Booth, the mastermind behind the assassination plot. It is believed that Surratt was not only aware of the nefarious activities taking place under her roof but actively participated in discussions and meetings centered around the plan to assassinate President Lincoln.

In the weeks leading up to the assassination, Surratt's boardinghouse became a meeting place for Booth and his co-conspirators. It is alleged that Surratt delivered messages, weapons, and even served as a conduit between the individuals involved. However, the full extent of her involvement remains a topic of debate to this day.

The Tragic End of an Era

On April 14, 1865, the nation was sent into turmoil when President Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth during a performance at Ford's Theatre. The assassination shocked the country, leaving it mourning the loss of a beloved leader who had guided the nation through the tumultuous years of the Civil War.

Shortly after the assassination, on April 17, 1865, an arrest warrant was issued for Mary Surratt. She was captured at her boardinghouse, along with several other individuals believed to be connected to the conspiracy. Surratt maintained her innocence, claiming she was unaware of the plot. However, the evidence presented against her was significant.

Controversy and Consequences

Mary Surratt faced a swift trial alongside several other alleged conspirators, including her son, John Jr. The trial itself was marred by controversy and accusations of unfairness, with many believing Surratt was being used as a scapegoat.

In the end, Mary Surratt was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. Despite numerous pleas for clemency, President Andrew Johnson denied her pardon, and on July 7, 1865, Mary Surratt became the first woman to be executed by the United States federal government.

The Legacy of Mary Surratt

The story of Mary Surratt and her involvement in the plot to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln remains a topic of intrigue and debate. Some argue that she was an innocent bystander caught up in a web of conspiracies, while others believe she played an active role in the plot.

Regardless of where the truth lies, Mary Surratt's legacy serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of association and the lengths people will go to in their quest for power. Her story has captured the imagination of authors, historians, and filmmakers, ensuring that her name will forever be linked to one of the darkest chapters in American history.

In

Mary Surratt's involvement in the plot to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln remains a fascinating and unsettling piece of history. As a seemingly ordinary woman plunged into extraordinary circumstances, her story reminds us of the complexity of human nature and the profound impact individuals can have on the course of history. The mysteries surrounding Mary Surratt and her role in the plot continue to captivate audiences, ensuring that her story will be told for generations to come.

Hanged!: Mary Surratt and the Plot to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln

by Sarah Miller (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1282 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	352 pages

FREE

From the critically acclaimed author of The Borden Murders comes the thrilling story of Mary Surratt, the first woman to be executed by the US government, for her alleged involvement in the plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln.

A dubious distinction belongs to Mary Surratt: on July 7, 1865, she became the first woman to be executed by the United States government, accused of conspiring in the plot to assassinate not only President Abraham Lincoln, but also the vice president, the secretary of state, and General Grant. 

Mary Surratt was a widow, a Catholic, a businesswoman, a slave owner, a Union resident, and the mother of a Confederate Secret Service courier. As the proprietor of the boardinghouse where John Wilkes Booth and his allies are known to have gathered, Mary Surratt was widely believed, as President Andrew Johnson famously put it, to have “kept the nest that hatched the egg.” But did Mrs. Surratt truly commit treason by aiding and abetting Booth in his plot to murder the president? Or was she the victim of a spectacularly cruel coincidence? Here is YA nonfiction at its best--gripping, thought-provoking, and unputdownable.