In a remarkable historical moment, Samuel James Seymour, believed to be the last surviving witness to the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, appeared on the popular CBS television program "I've Got a Secret" in February 1956. Then 96 years old, Seymour shared his childhood memory of the fateful night at Ford's Theatre, bridging more than nine decades of American history for a national audience. His appearance, just weeks before his death, offered a poignant connection to one of the nation's most tragic events.
Seymour was only five years old on April 14, 1865, when he attended the play "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theatre with his nurse and godmother. From a balcony seat across from the presidential box, he witnessed President Lincoln enter, waving to the crowd. He recounted hearing a shot and seeing Lincoln slump forward in his seat, followed by John Wilkes Booth jumping from the box to the stage. "I saw Lincoln slumped forward in his seat," Seymour later recalled, noting his initial concern for Booth, who reportedly broke his leg in the fall.
During his appearance on "I've Got a Secret" on February 9, 1956, panelists Bill Cullen and Jayne Meadows successfully deduced Seymour's extraordinary secret. The show's host, Garry Moore, generously awarded Seymour the full prize, acknowledging the profound impact of his testimony. The segment underscored the significance of his presence as a living link to the Civil War era, captivating viewers with a direct account of history.
Born on March 28, 1860, in Easton, Maryland, Seymour worked as a carpenter and contractor, living most of his later life in Baltimore. He first publicly shared his detailed account of the assassination in 1954, nearly 90 years after the event, in an article titled "I Saw Lincoln Shot." While some historians have noted the late timing of his public recollection, his narrative offers a unique, child's-eye perspective on the chaos and confusion of that night.
Samuel J. Seymour passed away on April 12, 1956, just two days shy of the 91st anniversary of Lincoln's assassination and 15 days after his 96th birthday. His death marked the end of an era, as he was the last known individual to have personally witnessed the assassination. His brief television appearance remains a powerful historical artifact, preserving a direct, albeit childhood, account of a pivotal moment in American history.
