Military & Warriors · 19th Century
Mary Surratt’s Last Words
“Please don't let me fall.”— Mary Surratt, July 7, 1865
Who Was Mary Surratt?
Mary Surratt was convicted as a Lincoln assassination conspirator and became the first woman executed by the U.S. federal government.
The Final Moments
Surratt was hanged at Fort McNair alongside three other conspirators.
Are These Words Verified?
Multiple contemporary newspapers and eyewitnesses documented her plea to the hangman before execution, making this one of the most reliably sourced last words from the Lincoln conspiracy trials.
Sources
- newspaper Contemporary newspaper accounts (1865)
- archive Trial and execution records
- firsthand Eyewitness accounts
Legacy
Surratt's guilt remains debated by historians.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Mary Surratt’s last words?
“Please don't let me fall.”
How did Mary Surratt die?
Mary Surratt died on July 7, 1865 at the age of 42. Cause of death: Hanging.
Were Mary Surratt’s last words documented?
Multiple contemporary newspapers and eyewitnesses documented her plea to the hangman before execution, making this one of the most reliably sourced last words from the Lincoln conspiracy trials.
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