Mary Surratt, born on July 1 in Maryland, was an American boarding house owner who became entangled in a notorious conspiracy. She was raised in a devout Catholic family and converted to Catholicism at a young age. This faith would play a significant role in her life and ultimately her downfall.
In 1840, Mary married John Harrison Surratt and together they had three children named Isaac, Elizabeth Susanna, and John Jr. The Surratt family lived in Maryland and operated a tavern that became a haven for Confederate sympathizers during the Civil War.
As tensions in the country escalated during the Civil War, Mary and her husband openly sided with the Confederate States of America. Their tavern became a meeting place for Confederate sympathizers, including John Wilkes Booth, George Atzerodt, and Lewis Powell. It is believed that Mary was aware of the plans to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln, although she always maintained her innocence.
Following the assassination of President Lincoln in 1865, Mary Surratt was implicated in the conspiracy. She was arrested, tried by a military tribunal, and ultimately convicted of her involvement. President Andrew Johnson signed her death warrant, making her the first woman executed by the United States federal government.
Mary Surratt's case remains controversial to this day. Some believe she was unjustly convicted, while others argue that she played a significant role in the conspiracy to assassinate President Lincoln. Regardless of where the truth lies, her story serves as a reminder of the complexities of loyalty, faith, and political allegiances during one of the darkest periods in American history.
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