The Legacy of John Wilkes Booth: His Descendants and Their Stories

John Wilkes Booth, the infamous assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, is a name that still evokes strong emotions and controversy. Despite his notoriety, there are indeed descendants of John Wilkes Booth who continue his lineage. This article explores the legacy of these descendants, their efforts to maintain privacy, and sheds light on the stories shared by some of them.

Continued Lineage

John Wilkes Booth's lineage continued through his siblings, particularly his brother Edwin Booth, who was a renowned actor. Edwin Booth's descendants greatly contributed to this lineage, providing a detailed family tree that includes several generations. Many descendants have spoken publicly about their connection to John Wilkes Booth. However, it is often noted that they distance themselves from his infamous actions, emphasizing the complexity of their ancestry.

Identified Descendants

Some public figures have confirmed their connection to John Wilkes Booth on their maternal grandmothers side. For instance, one individual states that they are related to JWB on their maternal grandmothers side. The grandmother's best friend adopted her, and the adopter's husband was a blood relative cousin of JWB. Similarly, another individual mentions that their girlfriend's family is likely direct descendants of John Wilkes Booth, but they prefer to avoid discussing it due to the notoriety.

Tracing Back to Booth

Before his assassination, John Wilkes Booth fathered two daughters and one son. After his death, his children were born to different women, each with their own unique circumstances. Interestingly, there are documented accounts of Booth's descendants:

Descendants of Booth's Children

Ogarita Rosalie Wilkes is a daughter of John Wilkes Booth. She gave birth to a child named Izola Henderson, who had five children. Some of these five descendants are believed to still be alive and maintain their privacy.

Ellen "Ella" Yarbrough Turner is known to have carried John Wilkes Booth's child. She gave birth to a daughter, Sarah, after learning of Lincoln's assassination and disappearing with her child. It is believed that Ella never informed her daughter of John Wilkes Booth being her father.

Kate Scott was expecting Booth's child just months before Lincoln's assassination. She reportedly concealed the identity of the father and refused to share the circumstances of her daughter's birth, saying, "To this day I have never told anyone who the father was nor the circumstances of her birth."

In Indianapolis, Indiana, a child was born on December 8, 1865, named Sarah Katherine Scott. She was likely a daughter of Kate Scott and John Wilkes Booth but was raised without her true father's identity being known.

Privacy and Distance

Despite the historical significance of these connections, many of John Wilkes Booth's descendants choose to maintain a low profile. They often emphasize their efforts to distance themselves from the actions of their ancestor. This decision is often driven by the notoriety and negative connotations associated with their family history.

Conclusion

The lineage of John Wilkes Booth is more complex than often portrayed in history. While many descendants maintain privacy and distance themselves from his infamous actions, there are also individuals like Ella Turner and Kate Scott who kept their children's true parentage a secret. These stories remind us of the lasting impact of historical figures and the often hidden lives of their descendants.