“John Harrison Surratt was born April 13, 1844 in Prince George’s County, MD. He attended Saint Charles College, a Roman Catholic preparatory seminary located then at Ellicott City, MD, from the fall of 1859 to the summer of 1862. His father died in 1862 and John succeeded him as the postmaster of Surrattsville and he also became involved in the work of the Confederate Secret Service. Doctor Samuel Mudd introduced Surratt to John Wilkes Booth at a Washington hotel in December, 1864 and he became a member of Booth’s band of conspirators. Their intent was to kidnap Abraham Lincoln, bring him South and hold him as ransom to end the war. Their one attempt had to be aborted because of the non-appearance of Lincoln. When Booth turned from kidnapping to assassination, John Surratt was not available but was on a mission for the Confederacy. With this, our story begins….”
– from the preface of The Travels, Arrest and Trial of John H. Surratt by Alfred Isacsson
Check out the newest Picture Gallery to see more images relating to that elusive conspirator, John Harrison Surratt, Jr.
LincolnConspirators.com 
Dave, as usual, your postings are interesting and filled with the content we all like, great little known facts and lots of great pics. Keep it up.
Thanks, Jim! And thanks for the pictures of Surratt’s daughter and grandson’s graves. I already added them to the gallery.
John Surratt is an Historical enigma.I have followed him from-Elmira,NY[Brainard House]-to-Canandaigua,NY-[ Webster House] and on to The St.Lawrence Hotel-Montreal,Canada.He would always sign in as John Harrison.I am now beginning to wonder-Did he sign into hotels in NY or did someone do it for him? Great Job Dave!
Get all that information and documentation written down, Herb. Surratt is such an interesting character who is still shrouded in a great deal of mystery.
It’s interesting that Surratt’s grandson was named Louis. You would think that any name associated with Weichmann would be most disfavored by the Surratt family!
Good point, Heath. There must have been a Louis of good standing on the side of one of the Surratt in-laws.