James William Boyd

James William Boyd was a supposed double of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln.

The vast majority of historians believe that Booth was killed by Sergeant Boston Corbett, a Union soldier, on April 26, 1865, at Richard Garrett's farm, near Bowling Green, Caroline County, Virginia.

However, some believe that Booth escaped from Garrett's farm, with James William Boyd dying in his place, and the government going to great pains to cover up the blunder. These theories remain unproven and are regarded by most historians as having no substance.

What is very strange about James William Boyd is that not only was he Booth's alleged double, but he also has the same initials as him. (J.W.B.)

*"The Lincoln Conspiracy" (ISBN 1-56849-531-5) details the assassination, the Boyd plot, and Booth's escape to the swamps.
*"The Curse of Cain: The Untold Story of John Wilkes Booth" (ISBN 1-58006-021-8) continues with the claim that Booth escaped, sought refuge in Japan and eventually returned to the United States where he died in Enid, Oklahoma in 1903.