Mary Surratt holds a unique place in American history as the first woman executed by the U.S. federal government. Her life, trial, and execution remain subjects of controversy and debate. Born in Maryland in the 1820s, Surratt was a devout Catholic and a mother of three. Her involvement in the conspiracy to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln led to her conviction and execution, a decision that continues to be scrutinized.
Early Life and Family
Mary Elizabeth Jenkins
was born on a tobacco plantation in Maryland. Her early life was marked by the death of her father, which left her mother to manage the family estate. Despite her Protestant upbringing, Surratt converted to Catholicism during her education at a Catholic boarding school. This conversion would influence her life profoundly, as she remained a practicing Catholic until her death.
In 1840, Mary married John Harrison Surratt, an entrepreneur who owned a tavern, inn, and hotel. The Surratts were known for their Confederate sympathies during the Civil War, often hosting fellow sympathizers at their tavern. After her husband's death in 1862, Mary moved to Washington, D.C., where she managed a boarding house that would later become infamous.
The Conspiracy and Trial
Mary Surratt's boarding house in Washington, D.C., became a meeting place for John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators. Booth visited the house multiple times, and Mary was implicated in the conspiracy to assassinate Lincoln. After the assassination, she was arrested and tried by a military tribunal. The trial was controversial, with key testimonies from John M. Lloyd and Louis J. Weichmann linking her to the conspiracy.
Despite five of the nine judges recommending clemency due to her age and sex, President Andrew Johnson did not grant it. The trial's outcome was heavily influenced by the political climate and the desire for swift justice following Lincoln's assassination.
Execution and Controversy
Mary Surratt was executed by hanging on July 7, 1865. Her execution was a significant event, as she became the first woman executed by the U.S. federal government. The decision to execute her remains controversial, with debates over her level of involvement in the conspiracy and the fairness of her trial.
Her legacy is complex, as she is both a symbol of the harshness of wartime justice and a figure of sympathy for those who believe she was wrongfully convicted. The Surratt House Museum in Maryland serves as a historical site, preserving her story and the events surrounding the Lincoln assassination.
