In 1850 a woman appeared in Maryland and claimed she was the true wife of Junius Brutus Booth. She became a naturalized citizen and presented papers in court that appeared to justify her claim. Junius Brutus Booth had abandoned her and their two children in London many years ago and run off to America with Mary Ann.

Junius Brutus Booth did not contest the charges. He and his first wife were divorced in 1851, and that same year he married Mary Ann for the second, and legal, time. Junius Brutus Booth died a year later, but the effects of the family drama, or nightmare, were long lasting on all the children, perhaps on John Wilkes Booth the most.