Ruth Slagle | Bachelor of Arts in History ~ Asbury University | ruth.slagle8@gmail.com ~ rslagle2@illinois.edu
"Bringing Hidden Treasures into the Light: Discovering Civil War Letters in an Archives Backlog"
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This letter holds significance because it was written to George W. Sleeper form his brother, John S. Clarke, a week after Lincoln had been shot. John Wilkes Booth was John S. Clarke's brother-in-law. This letter shows that John S. Clarke wanted to let George know that his family was doing relatively well following the circumstances, telling him that the children were fine as well. Asia, his wife and Wilkes' sister, was doing as well as he could expect following the shock Asia had just experienced. At the time of the assassination Asia was 6-7 months pregnant. Such a shock could have easily induced labor. To me the letter shows that family connections are stronger especially in times of dire straits. John S. Clarke wrote this on the same day that John Wilkes Booth's letter to the nation was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer. I hold Asia in high esteem because of her tenacious courage in facing life. She wrote the memoir The Unlocked Book about her brother John Wilkes Booth completely in secret.
Three Important Letters Concerning the Booth Family
Letter 2: June 19
Letter Transcription by Ruth Slagle
229. N, 18th St
Phila June 19
Dear Bro --
Yrs recd (Yours received) I expect to be in N.Y. about 1 of Sep. Certainly not much earlier. We are tolerably well here -- Junius Booth is still most unrighteously detained at Washington -- With regard to the $500 use it as you may deem most advantageous to you -- I hope that before I shall need it you will be in a way to be enabled to refund it conveniently -- Asia sends regards.
Yours [sic]
J Clarke
This letter was written roughly two months after Lincoln's assassination. It holds importance to my research because of its connection to the Booth Family. John S. Clarke refers to the family as "tolerably well" in reference to the assassination and all the chaos that followed. The letter also talks about Junius Booth and his being "most unrigheously detained." This passage shines a light on how the entire Booth Family was affected by Wilkes' actions. The Booth brothers (Junius and Joseph) and John S. Clarke were arrested after the assassination being held in the Old Capital Prison in Washington, D.C. Edwin Booth would have been imprisoned as well if he had not bribed the right people to prove his loyalty to the Union. These letters provide a glimpse into American history that is not known. Both this letter and the one written on April 21st are related to the assassination and create links between the past and present making history more tangible. In a modern setting we might think that "Dear Bro" is a contemporary greeting when, in fact, it was used almost 148 years ago in this letter.
Letter Transcription by Ruth Slagle
229. N, 18th St
Phila June 19
Dear Bro --
Yrs recd (Yours received) I expect to be in N.Y. about 1 of Sep. Certainly not much earlier. We are tolerably well here -- Junius Booth is still most unrighteously detained at Washington -- With regard to the $500 use it as you may deem most advantageous to you -- I hope that before I shall need it you will be in a way to be enabled to refund it conveniently -- Asia sends regards.
Yours [sic]
J Clarke
This letter was written roughly two months after Lincoln's assassination. It holds importance to my research because of its connection to the Booth Family. John S. Clarke refers to the family as "tolerably well" in reference to the assassination and all the chaos that followed. The letter also talks about Junius Booth and his being "most unrigheously detained." This passage shines a light on how the entire Booth Family was affected by Wilkes' actions. The Booth brothers (Junius and Joseph) and John S. Clarke were arrested after the assassination being held in the Old Capital Prison in Washington, D.C. Edwin Booth would have been imprisoned as well if he had not bribed the right people to prove his loyalty to the Union. These letters provide a glimpse into American history that is not known. Both this letter and the one written on April 21st are related to the assassination and create links between the past and present making history more tangible. In a modern setting we might think that "Dear Bro" is a contemporary greeting when, in fact, it was used almost 148 years ago in this letter.
Letter 3: May 1, 1857
Letter Transcription by Ruth Slagle
Boston May 1st 1857
Friend George --
It was my desire to have visited you before leaving Boston, but my time has been so much occupied that I have hardly had time to write. I have heard and written to John since I have arrived, and I promised to visit you -- if I could do so. I am very anxious to see your mother, and I know that she would be pleased to shake me by the hand again. I trust she is in good health, remember me kindly to her. I may perform in Providence after my New York engagements. I have not had an opportunity to see John act yet, but am delighted to learn that he is very popular, and is decidedly an ornament to our profession -- He has many friends and will, ever long, become one of the leading artists on the stage. Remember me kindly to your lady -- I presume you have heard of my sweep in this city. Excuse the liberty I have taken.
Yours truly,
Edwin Booth
Letter Transcription by Ruth Slagle
Boston May 1st 1857
Friend George --
It was my desire to have visited you before leaving Boston, but my time has been so much occupied that I have hardly had time to write. I have heard and written to John since I have arrived, and I promised to visit you -- if I could do so. I am very anxious to see your mother, and I know that she would be pleased to shake me by the hand again. I trust she is in good health, remember me kindly to her. I may perform in Providence after my New York engagements. I have not had an opportunity to see John act yet, but am delighted to learn that he is very popular, and is decidedly an ornament to our profession -- He has many friends and will, ever long, become one of the leading artists on the stage. Remember me kindly to your lady -- I presume you have heard of my sweep in this city. Excuse the liberty I have taken.
Yours truly,
Edwin Booth
The last letter in this selection was written to George W. Sleeper from Edwin Booth an old friend. It describes the simple goals in life that two friends have of visiting one another. Edwin had already launched into his famous acting career in 1852. The Sleepers and the Booths grew up with one another in Baltimore, Maryland, so when Asia married she did so within her circle of immediate friends. It is indicated that the families are close because Edwin is "anxious to see" George's mother. He also alludes to the fact that J.S. Clarke has become "very popular" in his own stage career. Edwin asks to be remembered "kindly to your lady", George's first wife Mary Jane, although at this time they were divorced. Demonstrating that Edwin's busy career has kept him from knowing everything about George's personal life. Later after the assassination Edwin thought that John Wilkes Booth's actions would totally ruin his acting career. He was partially wrong because his best appearances happened afterwards, however history remembers his brother much more than him.
Who's Who in the Sleeper and the Booth Families
George Washington Sleeper (1826-1903) -- eccentric, extravagant, antagonistic to religion and God, and overall quite an interesting gentleman; the large majority of which is known about him comes form his writings, correspondence, and an unpublished biography written by his son, John Fremont Sleeper. Held very strong opinions on an array of subjects including slavery, religion, education, temperance, and others. He was an abolitionist. Owned Geo. W. Sleeper Tea Warehouse for a number of years.
John Sleeper Clarke (1833-1899) -- Brother of Geo. W. Sleeper and husband of Asia Booth. Changed his name from John Clarke Sleeper to John Sleeper Clarke early on in his career thinking that it would be a better stage name. Idolized the entire Booth family; wanted to be apart of them; later married to Asia in 1859. Became business partners with Edwin Booth and they owned theaters in New York and Philadelphia. Imprisoned after assassination because of the letters in his safe, which were wrongly incriminating. After the assassination he moved to England with his wife and family, but did return on tours to the United States.
Lizzie Coffee Sleeper (1842-1911) -- Second wife of Geo. W. Sleeper and mother of John F. Sleeper. Met George when she was employed as his mother's companion. George sent her to finishing school to polish her manners. Lizzie was 16 yeas his junior. Not a whole lot known about her because there is no correspondence.
John Fremont Sleeper (1864-1941) -- Son of George and Lizzie Sleeper, became a Chemistry professor and taught at a school in New Jersey and possibly California. Published a few books some of which can be found online at www.archive.org. Lived for a time near his parents in Jersey City, NJ eventually moving out west.
Edwin Thomas Booth (1833-1893) -- Seventh child of Junius and Mary Ann Booth for a time he went abroad to escape the war. It is unclear if he ever was conscripted. Known to family as "Teddy" or "Ted." Debuted on the stage in 1852 in San Francisco and became his father's successor in the business. Was very possessive of his stage career refusing to share much of it with his brothers, Junius and John Wilkes. Edwin divided up their turfs so they would not cross paths: Junius the West, Edwin the Northeast, and John the South and Mid-West. Had one daughter, Edwina (born 1861), with his first wife Mary Devlin Booth. Edwina later became her father's companion until her marriage in 1885.
Asia Frigga Booth Clarke (1835-1888) -- Eighth child of Junius and Mary Ann Booth, sister of John Wilkes Booth and wife of John Sleeper Clarke; found solitude in writing. She authored three books, two of which, can be found on www.archive.org. She was very close to her brother, John Wilkes. Joined her husband in self-imposed exile to England never to return to the United States after Lincoln's assassination from the shame of her brother. Was the mother of 6-7 children; not exactly sure how many lived to adulthood.
John Wilkes Booth (1838-1865) -- Ninth child of Junius and Mary Ann Booth pursued the stage like his father and two brothers before him. He was not as successful as Edwin and blamed that on Edwin because he refused to help him both professionally and financially making them bitter rivals. It is not exactly known when he began to cultivate pro-southern views. When staying with Asia during the winter of 1860-61 this came out and thus made many family members angry who were Unionist. He out played his brother for all time as the assassin of a most beloved man, President Abraham Lincoln.
John Sleeper Clarke (1833-1899) -- Brother of Geo. W. Sleeper and husband of Asia Booth. Changed his name from John Clarke Sleeper to John Sleeper Clarke early on in his career thinking that it would be a better stage name. Idolized the entire Booth family; wanted to be apart of them; later married to Asia in 1859. Became business partners with Edwin Booth and they owned theaters in New York and Philadelphia. Imprisoned after assassination because of the letters in his safe, which were wrongly incriminating. After the assassination he moved to England with his wife and family, but did return on tours to the United States.
Lizzie Coffee Sleeper (1842-1911) -- Second wife of Geo. W. Sleeper and mother of John F. Sleeper. Met George when she was employed as his mother's companion. George sent her to finishing school to polish her manners. Lizzie was 16 yeas his junior. Not a whole lot known about her because there is no correspondence.
John Fremont Sleeper (1864-1941) -- Son of George and Lizzie Sleeper, became a Chemistry professor and taught at a school in New Jersey and possibly California. Published a few books some of which can be found online at www.archive.org. Lived for a time near his parents in Jersey City, NJ eventually moving out west.
Edwin Thomas Booth (1833-1893) -- Seventh child of Junius and Mary Ann Booth for a time he went abroad to escape the war. It is unclear if he ever was conscripted. Known to family as "Teddy" or "Ted." Debuted on the stage in 1852 in San Francisco and became his father's successor in the business. Was very possessive of his stage career refusing to share much of it with his brothers, Junius and John Wilkes. Edwin divided up their turfs so they would not cross paths: Junius the West, Edwin the Northeast, and John the South and Mid-West. Had one daughter, Edwina (born 1861), with his first wife Mary Devlin Booth. Edwina later became her father's companion until her marriage in 1885.
Asia Frigga Booth Clarke (1835-1888) -- Eighth child of Junius and Mary Ann Booth, sister of John Wilkes Booth and wife of John Sleeper Clarke; found solitude in writing. She authored three books, two of which, can be found on www.archive.org. She was very close to her brother, John Wilkes. Joined her husband in self-imposed exile to England never to return to the United States after Lincoln's assassination from the shame of her brother. Was the mother of 6-7 children; not exactly sure how many lived to adulthood.
John Wilkes Booth (1838-1865) -- Ninth child of Junius and Mary Ann Booth pursued the stage like his father and two brothers before him. He was not as successful as Edwin and blamed that on Edwin because he refused to help him both professionally and financially making them bitter rivals. It is not exactly known when he began to cultivate pro-southern views. When staying with Asia during the winter of 1860-61 this came out and thus made many family members angry who were Unionist. He out played his brother for all time as the assassin of a most beloved man, President Abraham Lincoln.
Main Players
Supporting Players
Mary Jane Harding Sleeper (dates unknown) -- First wife of Geo. W. Sleeper and mother of his first three children, Edward, Emma, and Evelina. Some would say that George was infatuated with her for their marriage barely lasted 10 years. A couple years after the divorce she remarried to a man named Brooks and the children took their stepfather's last name.
Jonathan Sleeper (d. 1836?) -- father of Geo. W. Sleeper and John Sleeper Clarke and husband of Georgina Sleeper. He owned a tavern called Washington's Arms in Baltimore and was a local hero from the War of 1812.
Georgina Clarke Sleeper (d. 1862) -- mother of Geo. W. Sleeper John Sleeper Clarke and wife of Jonathan Sleeper. In her old age she lived with both of her sons. Died at the home of her son, John S. Clarke, in Philadelphia.
Junius Brutus Booth, Sr. (1796-1852) -- Father of Edwin, Asia, and John Wilkes Booth. Known to the entire world as the Greatest Tragedian Shakespearean actor in the 19th century. Led a double life in order to keep his "secret family" unknown to the world. Few knew that he had a mistress, Mary Ann, and 10 children living on the outskirts of Baltimore. Every month he sent his wife, Adelaide, in England money and a letter. Kept this up for 20 years. In early 1851, Adelaide received her divorce, and Junius married Mary Ann in May. At times Junius was referred to as a drunken brute to friend and foe alike. About a year later he died from a fever.
Mary Ann Holmes Booth (1802-1885) -- Mistress, later second wife, of Junius Brutus Booth, Sr., and mother of Junius Brutus Booth, Jr., Rosalie, Edwin, Asia, John Wilkes, Joseph, and four children lost to childhood diseases. A professional seamstress, helping Junius out a lot with costumes for his production trunk and sewing wardrobes for her children. Had a very close relationship with her eldest daughter, Rosaline.
Junius Brutus Booth, Jr. "June" (1821-1883) -- Eldest son of Junius and Mary Ann Booth; became an actor against his father's wishes and settled out in San Francisco, marrying at least twice, and having at least four children. In my research I was unable to find much information about him. Known as "June" to family and friends. In the early 1860s he came back to the East coast and became closer to John Wilkes.
Rosalie Ann Booth (1823-1889) -- Eldest daughter and second child of Junius and Mary Ann Booth who throughout her life stayed at her mother's side only to be parted from her at Mary Ann's death. They had gone through thick and thin together, watching her mother loose four children to diseases. According to a family friend, Mrs. Rogers, Rosalie sent money to two children said to be John Wilkes Booth's illegitimate children.
Mary Devlin Booth (1842-1863) -- First wife of Edwin Booth and mother of their daughter Edwina (born 1861); she was also an actress in her own right. Of Irish descent, which is why some of the Booth family disliked her since they were English. Died of pneumonia in 1863 and after her death Edwin went completely sober because he was not there at her deathbed due to being drunk.
Edwina Booth Grossman (1861-1938) -- only child of Edwin and Mary Booth who became his companion in her teens until her marriage to Ignatius R. Grossman in 1885. She published a work about her father in 1895, Edwin Booth: Recollections by His Daughter, Edwina Booth Grossman, and Letters to Her and His Friends.
Joseph Adrian Booth (1840-1902) -- Tenth child of Junius and Mary Ann Booth, only male not to make acting his careen. He was close to Edwin, who paid his way through medical school. Became a doctor, but did suffer from melancholy like his other siblings, an inherited trait from their father. Not much is know about him.
Jonathan Sleeper (d. 1836?) -- father of Geo. W. Sleeper and John Sleeper Clarke and husband of Georgina Sleeper. He owned a tavern called Washington's Arms in Baltimore and was a local hero from the War of 1812.
Georgina Clarke Sleeper (d. 1862) -- mother of Geo. W. Sleeper John Sleeper Clarke and wife of Jonathan Sleeper. In her old age she lived with both of her sons. Died at the home of her son, John S. Clarke, in Philadelphia.
Junius Brutus Booth, Sr. (1796-1852) -- Father of Edwin, Asia, and John Wilkes Booth. Known to the entire world as the Greatest Tragedian Shakespearean actor in the 19th century. Led a double life in order to keep his "secret family" unknown to the world. Few knew that he had a mistress, Mary Ann, and 10 children living on the outskirts of Baltimore. Every month he sent his wife, Adelaide, in England money and a letter. Kept this up for 20 years. In early 1851, Adelaide received her divorce, and Junius married Mary Ann in May. At times Junius was referred to as a drunken brute to friend and foe alike. About a year later he died from a fever.
Mary Ann Holmes Booth (1802-1885) -- Mistress, later second wife, of Junius Brutus Booth, Sr., and mother of Junius Brutus Booth, Jr., Rosalie, Edwin, Asia, John Wilkes, Joseph, and four children lost to childhood diseases. A professional seamstress, helping Junius out a lot with costumes for his production trunk and sewing wardrobes for her children. Had a very close relationship with her eldest daughter, Rosaline.
Junius Brutus Booth, Jr. "June" (1821-1883) -- Eldest son of Junius and Mary Ann Booth; became an actor against his father's wishes and settled out in San Francisco, marrying at least twice, and having at least four children. In my research I was unable to find much information about him. Known as "June" to family and friends. In the early 1860s he came back to the East coast and became closer to John Wilkes.
Rosalie Ann Booth (1823-1889) -- Eldest daughter and second child of Junius and Mary Ann Booth who throughout her life stayed at her mother's side only to be parted from her at Mary Ann's death. They had gone through thick and thin together, watching her mother loose four children to diseases. According to a family friend, Mrs. Rogers, Rosalie sent money to two children said to be John Wilkes Booth's illegitimate children.
Mary Devlin Booth (1842-1863) -- First wife of Edwin Booth and mother of their daughter Edwina (born 1861); she was also an actress in her own right. Of Irish descent, which is why some of the Booth family disliked her since they were English. Died of pneumonia in 1863 and after her death Edwin went completely sober because he was not there at her deathbed due to being drunk.
Edwina Booth Grossman (1861-1938) -- only child of Edwin and Mary Booth who became his companion in her teens until her marriage to Ignatius R. Grossman in 1885. She published a work about her father in 1895, Edwin Booth: Recollections by His Daughter, Edwina Booth Grossman, and Letters to Her and His Friends.
Joseph Adrian Booth (1840-1902) -- Tenth child of Junius and Mary Ann Booth, only male not to make acting his careen. He was close to Edwin, who paid his way through medical school. Became a doctor, but did suffer from melancholy like his other siblings, an inherited trait from their father. Not much is know about him.
Letter 1: April 21
Image Owned by Asbury University Used by Permission
Letter Transcription by Ruth Slagle
229. N. 18th St
Phila Apr 21.
My dear Brother,
I have recd (received) your kind letter, I cannot answer you as fully as I could wish owing to the afflicition which this atrocious affair had brought upon us -- My wife is as well as I could hope and the children entirely so. I trust that this may find you and yours in the enjoyment of good health --
Yours affectionately
John
229. N. 18th St
Phila Apr 21.
My dear Brother,
I have recd (received) your kind letter, I cannot answer you as fully as I could wish owing to the afflicition which this atrocious affair had brought upon us -- My wife is as well as I could hope and the children entirely so. I trust that this may find you and yours in the enjoyment of good health --
Yours affectionately
John
1796 -- Junius Brutus Booth, Sr. born London, England
1802 -- Mary Ann Holmes born London, England
1821 -- Junius Brutus Booth, Sr. and Mary Ann Holmes leave England
1821, Dec 22 -- Junius Brutus Booth, Jr.
1823 -- Rosealie Ann Booth
1826, Oct 15 -- George Washington Sleeper born in Baltimore, MD
1833, Nov 13 -- Edwin Thomas Booth born near Bel Air, MD
1833 -- John Clarke Sleeper born Baltimore, MD later changed name to John Sleeper Clarke
1835 -- Asia Frigga Booth born Bel Air, MD
1838 -- John Wilkes Booth born Bel Air, MD
1840 -- Joseph Adrian Booth born Bel Air, MD
1842, Jul -- Lizzie Coffee born in Ireland
1842 -- Mary Devlin born in New York
1847 -- George and Mary Jane Harding married
1851 -- Junius Booth divorced Adelaide Booth Feb and married Mary Ann in May.
1852 -- Death of Junius Brutus Booth, Sr. father of all children borne to Mary Ann
1857 -- George and Mary Jane divorce and she gains custody of the 3 children: Edward, Emma, and Evelina
1858 -- George and Lizzie Coffee married
1859, Apr 28 -- Asia Booth and John Sleeper Clarke married, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Baltimore, Maryland
1861 -- Edwin Booth and Mary Devlin married
1861 -- Birth of Edwina Booth
1862 -- Death of Georgina Sleeper in Philadelphia, PA
1863 -- Death of Mary Devlin Booth in Boston, MA
1863-1867 -- John S. Clarke was associated with his brother-in-law Edwin Booth in the management of the Winter Garden
Theatre in New York, the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, and the Boston Theatre during this time.
1864 -- John Fremont Sleeper born Providence, Rhode Island
1864, Aug -- John Wilkes Booth initiates plot to abduct Lincoln as hostage for the South
1865, Mar 17 -- John Wilkes Booth fails in attempt to abduct Lincoln in Washington
1865, Apr 14 -- John Wilkes Booth assassinates Lincoln at Ford's Theatre, escapes; Lincoln dies April 15
1865, Apr 21 -- Printing of John Wilkes Booth's letter in the Philadelphia Inquirer. John S. Clarke also sends a letter to his
brother, George.
1865, Apr 26 -- John Wilkes Booth killed at Garrett Farm, Caroline County, Virginia
1865, Apr 27 -- John Wilkes Booth's body identified formally by the family, autopsied, and secretly buried in Washington
1865, June -- Letter sent to George Sleeper from John S. Clarke stating that Junius Both was still imprisoned, "unrighteously
detained"
1868 -- Asia and John Clarke leave United States for London with their children in self-imposed exile
1869, Feb 15-17 -- Remains of John Wilkes Booth exhumed at the request of Edwin Booth, take to Baltimore for identification
by family, and place in receiving vault to await burial
1869, Jun 26 -- Reburial in family lot in Greenmount Cemetery, Baltimore
1874 -- The Unlocked Booth, John Wilkes Booth, A Sister's Memoir written by Asia Booth Clarke although its existence was
kept secret for fear of being destroyed by either John S. Clarke or Edwin Booth
1883 -- Death of Junius Brutus Booth, Jr. "June" in Manchester, MA and buried there
1885 -- Death of Mary Ann Holmes Booth in New York City, NY and buried in Baltimore, MD
1888 -- Death of Asia Booth Clarke in Bournemouth, England, body returned to Maryland and buried in family plot at
Greenmount Cemetery in Baltimore, MD
1889 -- Death of Rosalie Booth in New York City, NY and buried in Greenmount Cemetery, Baltimore, MD
1893 -- Death of Edwin T. Booth in New York City, NY, buried in Cambridge, MA next to his first wife Mary Devlin
1899 -- Death of John Sleeper Clarke in London, England
1902 -- Death of Joseph Booth in New York City, NY
1903 -- Death of George W. Sleeper and buried in Bayview Cemetery, Jersey City, NJ
1911 -- Death of Lizzie Sleeper buried alongside her husband
1938 -- Asia Booth's memoir published by C.P. Putnam's Sons in USA and Faber and Faber Limited in Great Britain
1941 -- Death of John Fremont Sleeper in Santa Barbara, CA and buried with his parents in Jersey City, NJ
1996 -- Asia Booth Clarke's book re-edited and republished as John Wilkes Booth: A Sister's Memoir
1802 -- Mary Ann Holmes born London, England
1821 -- Junius Brutus Booth, Sr. and Mary Ann Holmes leave England
1821, Dec 22 -- Junius Brutus Booth, Jr.
1823 -- Rosealie Ann Booth
1826, Oct 15 -- George Washington Sleeper born in Baltimore, MD
1833, Nov 13 -- Edwin Thomas Booth born near Bel Air, MD
1833 -- John Clarke Sleeper born Baltimore, MD later changed name to John Sleeper Clarke
1835 -- Asia Frigga Booth born Bel Air, MD
1838 -- John Wilkes Booth born Bel Air, MD
1840 -- Joseph Adrian Booth born Bel Air, MD
1842, Jul -- Lizzie Coffee born in Ireland
1842 -- Mary Devlin born in New York
1847 -- George and Mary Jane Harding married
1851 -- Junius Booth divorced Adelaide Booth Feb and married Mary Ann in May.
1852 -- Death of Junius Brutus Booth, Sr. father of all children borne to Mary Ann
1857 -- George and Mary Jane divorce and she gains custody of the 3 children: Edward, Emma, and Evelina
1858 -- George and Lizzie Coffee married
1859, Apr 28 -- Asia Booth and John Sleeper Clarke married, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Baltimore, Maryland
1861 -- Edwin Booth and Mary Devlin married
1861 -- Birth of Edwina Booth
1862 -- Death of Georgina Sleeper in Philadelphia, PA
1863 -- Death of Mary Devlin Booth in Boston, MA
1863-1867 -- John S. Clarke was associated with his brother-in-law Edwin Booth in the management of the Winter Garden
Theatre in New York, the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, and the Boston Theatre during this time.
1864 -- John Fremont Sleeper born Providence, Rhode Island
1864, Aug -- John Wilkes Booth initiates plot to abduct Lincoln as hostage for the South
1865, Mar 17 -- John Wilkes Booth fails in attempt to abduct Lincoln in Washington
1865, Apr 14 -- John Wilkes Booth assassinates Lincoln at Ford's Theatre, escapes; Lincoln dies April 15
1865, Apr 21 -- Printing of John Wilkes Booth's letter in the Philadelphia Inquirer. John S. Clarke also sends a letter to his
brother, George.
1865, Apr 26 -- John Wilkes Booth killed at Garrett Farm, Caroline County, Virginia
1865, Apr 27 -- John Wilkes Booth's body identified formally by the family, autopsied, and secretly buried in Washington
1865, June -- Letter sent to George Sleeper from John S. Clarke stating that Junius Both was still imprisoned, "unrighteously
detained"
1868 -- Asia and John Clarke leave United States for London with their children in self-imposed exile
1869, Feb 15-17 -- Remains of John Wilkes Booth exhumed at the request of Edwin Booth, take to Baltimore for identification
by family, and place in receiving vault to await burial
1869, Jun 26 -- Reburial in family lot in Greenmount Cemetery, Baltimore
1874 -- The Unlocked Booth, John Wilkes Booth, A Sister's Memoir written by Asia Booth Clarke although its existence was
kept secret for fear of being destroyed by either John S. Clarke or Edwin Booth
1883 -- Death of Junius Brutus Booth, Jr. "June" in Manchester, MA and buried there
1885 -- Death of Mary Ann Holmes Booth in New York City, NY and buried in Baltimore, MD
1888 -- Death of Asia Booth Clarke in Bournemouth, England, body returned to Maryland and buried in family plot at
Greenmount Cemetery in Baltimore, MD
1889 -- Death of Rosalie Booth in New York City, NY and buried in Greenmount Cemetery, Baltimore, MD
1893 -- Death of Edwin T. Booth in New York City, NY, buried in Cambridge, MA next to his first wife Mary Devlin
1899 -- Death of John Sleeper Clarke in London, England
1902 -- Death of Joseph Booth in New York City, NY
1903 -- Death of George W. Sleeper and buried in Bayview Cemetery, Jersey City, NJ
1911 -- Death of Lizzie Sleeper buried alongside her husband
1938 -- Asia Booth's memoir published by C.P. Putnam's Sons in USA and Faber and Faber Limited in Great Britain
1941 -- Death of John Fremont Sleeper in Santa Barbara, CA and buried with his parents in Jersey City, NJ
1996 -- Asia Booth Clarke's book re-edited and republished as John Wilkes Booth: A Sister's Memoir
A Detailed Timeline of the Booth and Sleeper Families
Significant Sequence of Events in the Lives of Both Families