Booth Turned Away

— John Wilkes Booth - Escape of an Assassin —

In front of you is the Brockenbrough-Peyton House where fugitives John Wilkes Booth and David Herold accompanied by three former Confederate soldiers arrived about 2:30 pm April 24, 1865, 10 days after Booth shot Lincoln.

The owner, Randolph Peyton, was not at home when the group arrived. His sister, Sarah Jane Peyton, admitted the men. Booth was described as a wounded Confederate soldier looking for a place to stay.

Booth made himself at home in the parlor, but Miss Peyton soon reconsidered and told the group that it would be improper for them to stay when the man of the house was not home. She directed them to the Garrett Farm.

(Sidebar): The Garrett Farm
Richard Henry Garrett operated a modest farm about three miles south of here. Booth and company arrived there during the afternoon of April 24, 1865. While Booth settled in with the Garretts, Federal soldiers were closing fast. In the early morning hours of April 26, members of the 16th New York Cavalry cornered Booth and Herold in the Garrett tobacco barn. Herold surrendered, but Booth stayed in the barn, which was set on fire. Booth made a break for the door but was shot. He died on the Garrett house front porch. Herold was later executed.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Port Royal, VA  |  Caroline County  |  22535  |  Virginia  |  United States of America

The Fox Tavern: A Colonial Landmark
The Sacred Lot
Port Royal
Dorothy Roy
Old Port Royal
St. Peter's Church
The Earliest Inhabitants: Native Americans
Port Royal
Port Royal Harbor
This monument, until 1983 located on the Belle Grove Lawn

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.