Letter from Apr. 15, 1865
Letter to Mother
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Full Title
Letter from John T. Ford to his Mother
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Description
John T. Ford, owner of Ford's Theatre, wrote a letter to his mother, in Richmond, Va., the day of President Abraham Lincoln's death, apparently unaware of the news that the president had been murdered in his theatre. Ford expresses gratitude for his wife's health and the growth of his children. Coincidentally, he states that his daughter's birthday is April 15, and that his birthday is April 16. After hearing of the assassination, Ford took a train to Baltimore and was then arrested, questioned about the attack and imprisoned for a month. Ford denied any involvement in the conspiracy despite the fact that he had been a friend of John Wilkes Booth. Ownership of the theatre returned to Ford after the investigation and he attempted to reopen for performances. Many threatened to burn the theatre down and Ford eventually sold the building to the federal government. He continued to own and operate theatres in Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.
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Transcription
Dear Mother
I came to Richmond
hoping to see you and Frances - I
was glad to learn that she had
gone to Baltimore - I go home
Monday morning
I left all well, Edith has been in
bad health for nearly one year
but she is now quite well.
We have our six children, Annie
is taller than her mother - Charlie
is a very bright handsome boy nearly
13 years old. He is studying hard
and a fine scholar. George is
my [?] he is next to Charlie and
a dear good boy. Lizzie and Fannie
are two of the prettiest and sweetest
little girls in Baltimore.
John Lee is the youngest. He
is Martha's boy. He [masters?] her
everyway, and she has spoiled
him completely. She says Johnnie
is the prettiest
Martha is well and happy only
like Edith anxious about
you. They send their love
to all. Lucy-Jane, [?]
their brother and all
I Send you twenty dollars for
yourself and twenty dollars for
Jane as I fear she wants it. Send
it to her
Mrs. Stark has kindly promised to
send this. When I write again
I will direct to her care
Let me hear from you soon direct
to the enclosed direction - use
the envelope withing this letter and
have it put in the Richmond Postoffice
with the love of all, I am
affectionately yours
J. T. Ford
Richmond Va April 15th 1865
Today is Saturday Annie's birthday fifteen
years old. Tomorrow I am 36. -
Source
Box 4, John Thompson Ford Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
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Rights
This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.
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Tags
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Cite this Item
John T. Ford. "Letter from John T. Ford to his Mother". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed December 26, 2024. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1078
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Item Type
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Creator
John T. Ford
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Date
April 15, 1865
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Region
Letter from Apr. 15, 1865
Letter from John T. Ford to his Mother
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Description
John T. Ford, owner of Ford's Theatre, wrote a letter to his mother, in Richmond, Va., the day of President Abraham Lincoln's death, apparently unaware of the news that the president had been murdered in his theatre. Ford expresses gratitude for his wife's health and the growth of his children. Coincidentally, he states that his daughter's birthday is April 15, and that his birthday is April 16. After hearing of the assassination, Ford took a train to Baltimore and was then arrested, questioned about the attack and imprisoned for a month. Ford denied any involvement in the conspiracy despite the fact that he had been a friend of John Wilkes Booth. Ownership of the theatre returned to Ford after the investigation and he attempted to reopen for performances. Many threatened to burn the theatre down and Ford eventually sold the building to the federal government. He continued to own and operate theatres in Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.
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Source
Box 4, John Thompson Ford Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
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Rights
This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.
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Creator
John T. Ford
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Date
April 15, 1865