Civil War Figure. He owned the house across the street from Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC. President Abraham Lincoln was brought to his house after being shot by John Wilkes Booth, and died there. Mr. Petersen's house is now a National Historic Landmark, visited by thousands each year. According to Robert T. Bain, great, great, great grandson of William & Anna Petersen, William Petersen, with all he dealt with from the public, soldiers, curiosity seekers & many others, losing two children, home damage, work issues, suffered severe worsening depression after the heartbreaking night of Lincoln dying in his house (repeatedly damaged by people just wanting souvenirs - beyond what many have heard re: wallpaper etc. in the room where Lincoln died, also including ripping out pieces of brick from its outside). To quote Bain about Petersen's death: "...One night, when he was out walking around the city, he stopped to have a rest on a park bench. There he had a bottle of liquor in one pocket and laudanum in the other. He got them mixed up and sadly, took too much laudanum. Local police happened by him, and when they noticed that he looked to be in a stupefied state, they asked what was wrong. After explaining his evening, the police took him to the station, where they tried to pump his stomach and save his life, but it was too late. On June 19, 1871, William died of an accidental overdose." His heartbroken and poorly treated, scrutinized wife died four months later. Bain state's in his book that he wants truth about his family out as much as possible, deservedly so.
Civil War Figure. He owned the house across the street from Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC. President Abraham Lincoln was brought to his house after being shot by John Wilkes Booth, and died there. Mr. Petersen's house is now a National Historic Landmark, visited by thousands each year. According to Robert T. Bain, great, great, great grandson of William & Anna Petersen, William Petersen, with all he dealt with from the public, soldiers, curiosity seekers & many others, losing two children, home damage, work issues, suffered severe worsening depression after the heartbreaking night of Lincoln dying in his house (repeatedly damaged by people just wanting souvenirs - beyond what many have heard re: wallpaper etc. in the room where Lincoln died, also including ripping out pieces of brick from its outside). To quote Bain about Petersen's death: "...One night, when he was out walking around the city, he stopped to have a rest on a park bench. There he had a bottle of liquor in one pocket and laudanum in the other. He got them mixed up and sadly, took too much laudanum. Local police happened by him, and when they noticed that he looked to be in a stupefied state, they asked what was wrong. After explaining his evening, the police took him to the station, where they tried to pump his stomach and save his life, but it was too late. On June 19, 1871, William died of an accidental overdose." His heartbroken and poorly treated, scrutinized wife died four months later. Bain state's in his book that he wants truth about his family out as much as possible, deservedly so.
Bio by: LCTR
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Petersen memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
