David Edgar Herold
Convicted Conspirator of the Lincoln Assassination
Convicted Conspirator of the Lincoln Assassination
Born: June 16, 1842
Birthplace: Maryland
Father: Adam George Herold 1803 – 1864
(Buried: Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C.)
Mother: Mary Ann Porter 1810 – 1883
(Buried: Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C.)
Education:
Attended Gonzaga College High School
Attended Georgetown College
Attended Charlotte Hall Military Academy
1860: Received Pharmacy Certificate from Georgetown College
Occupation:
Becomes acquainted with John Surratt while attending Classes at Charlotte Hall Military Academy.
Pharmacist Assistant and Clerk for a Doctor in Washington, D.C.
1864: Introduced by John Surratt to Actor John Wilkes Booth in December.
1865: Made plans with Booth to abduct President Abraham Lincoln.
1865: Acted as a Guide for Lewis Powell in an attack on Secretary of State Seward’s home, but Herold was frightened by the attack on Seward and rode off.
1865: Known to have met John Wilkes Booth outside of Washington where the two headed to Surrattsville, Maryland. There they would pick up weapons left by John Surrat’s mother, Mary Surratt.
1865: Travelled together with Booth to Dr. Samuel Mudd’s house in Maryland. Dr. Mudd helps Booth with his injured leg, and let's them sleep for a few hours at his home.
1865: Hiding in a Barn, and surrounded with no place to escape, Herold surrendered to the Union Army on April 26th. Booth remains behind and refuses to lay down his arms. Booth is shot and later dies from the wound. Herold is arrested and charged with being a part of the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy, something he admits to.
1865: Herold is convicted and sentenced to death by Military tribunal.
1865: Hung in Washington, D.C. on July 7th, however, the fall from the gallows did not break his neck, he struggled for a few minutes, strangling to death from the ropes around his neck.
Died: July 7, 1865
Place of Death: Washington, D.C. Penitentiary, Washington, D.C.
Cause of Death: Death by Hanging and Strangulation
Age at time of Death: 23 years old
Burial Place: Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
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