Bryantown in Charles County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Village of Bryantown
Commercial Center
— John Wilkes Booth - Escape of an Assassin —
This building is the Bryantown Tavern, constructed about 1815. On April 15, 1865, the morning after President Lincoln’s assassination, Lt. David D. Dana made it his headquarters while pursuing John Wilkes Booth, the assassin, with a detachment of the 13th New York Cavalry. Unknown to Dana, Booth was only four miles north at the home of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, who treated Booth’s broken leg. Though Booth had visited Bryantown several times in 1864, he did not pass through here during his escape, but swung east after leaving Mudd’s house. Col. Henry H. Wells, in overall command of the pursuing forces, soon occupied the tavern, and it later served briefly as the headquarters of Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, who arrived on April 27. In the interim, Mudd and others were brought here for questioning, and several (including the doctor) remained here before they were transferred to jail in Washington.
The crossroads village of Bryantown dates to the colonial era, and by its heyday in the 1850s, it had become a commercial center with stores, mills, and taverns. During the Civil War, James H. Montgomery operated the tavern. Of its seventeen antebellum buildings, only four remain standing, and one of these is the Bryantown Tavern. The tavern is the oldest commercial structure in Charles County. It served as an inn and post office for more than a century, and is now a private home.
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Maryland Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1979.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 33.293′ N, 76° 50.572′ W. Marker was in Bryantown, Maryland, in Charles County. Marker was on Trotter Road (State Highway 5), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Bryantown MD 20617, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Village of Bryantown (a few steps from this marker); Boarman's Manor (approx. 1.1 miles away); Rev. Lawrence Anthony Bender, S.S. (approx. 1.1 miles away); St. Mary’s Church and Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); St. Mary’s Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); John Thomas Parran, Jr (approx. 3.3 miles away); Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House (approx. 3.9 miles away); Home of Dr. Samuel Mudd (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bryantown.