Clinton in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

John Wilkes Booth

Photographed By F. Robby, December 1, 2004

1. John Wilkes Booth Marker

Inscription. The assassin of Lincoln stopped here at the house of Mrs. Surratt to secure ammunition on the night of April 14, 1865. He rode on to "T.B." and then to Dr. Mudd's who set his broken leg.

Erected by State Roads Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Booth's Escape series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 14, 1892.

Location. 38° 45.878′ N, 76° 53.836′ W. Marker is in Clinton, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is on Brandywine Road (Maryland Route 381) 0.1 miles south of Woodyard Road (Maryland Route 223), on the left when traveling south. The marker is about 200 feet south of the intersection along Brandywine Road, and on the grounds of the house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton MD 20735, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Mary Surratt House (a few steps from this marker); Surratt Tavern (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named John Wilkes Booth (a few steps from this marker); Crucifix (approx. 0.2 miles away); Louise F. Cosca Regional Park (approx.

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2.4 miles away); Thrift School (approx. 2.8 miles away); His Lordship’s Kindness (approx. 3 miles away); Slaves’ Infirmary [on His Lordship’s Kindness] (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clinton.

Also see . . . Booth's Escape Byway, Maryland Office of Tourism. (Submitted on August 19, 2019.)

Additional commentary.
1. Marker "stolen" then "taken back".
Many years ago, before Surratt House was restored, this sign stood beside the road in front of the then-boarded up house. One day, the sign disappeared. Only the post remained.

Sometime in the 1980s, a fresh coat of paint was bring put on the exterior of the house; and one of the painters "knew" what had happened. Supposedly, he was not in on the heist, but he knew where the sign had ended up.

For almost a week, several young men who had gone to college in Chicago would go to the sign at night, spray WD-40 on it and try to wiggle it loose from the pole. It finally worked, and they sent it (or took it - two stories) to a favorite bar in Chicago that collected unusual signs and hung them on the walls.

Surratt

Photographed By Christopher J Shelton, April 28, 2018

2. John Wilkes Booth Marker

House had two guardian angels, James O. Hall and John C. Brennan. The latter corresponded with half the world! At that time, the U.S. Senator from Illinois Charles (again, fill in the blank - his daughter married Sen. Rockefeller...) was one of Mr. Brennan's pen pals. JCB contacted the Senator, who sent in Illinois State Troopers to retrieve the sign from the bar's wall, and had it shipped back.

With a little touch-up of paint, a move to the herb garden inside the fence, a pole stuck in about three feet of cement, and a sign firmly secured to the top, the sign has been happily at home ever since.

— Submitted May 29, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Additional keywords. John Wilkes Booth Escape Route

Mrs. Surratt's House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By F. Robby, December 1, 2004

3. Mrs. Surratt's House

Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,555 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 17, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on August 19, 2018, by Christopher J Shelton of Indianapolis, Indiana. 3. submitted on November 17, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.