During the Civil War , the mansion was occupied by Captain Archibald McNeill , a famous Confederate blockade runner . Judah P. Benjamin , Confederate Secretary of State , took refuge here during May 1865 while making his escape from Federal troops following defeat of the Confederacy . He had been accused of having arranged for U.S. President Lincoln 's assassination in April 1865 and feared being unable to get a fair trial after the war . McNeill aided Benjamin in escaping to the Bahamas . From there , Judah Benjamin sailed to England , arriving with almost no resources . He went on to establish a distinguished second legal career in London , where in 1872 he was selected as Queen 's Counsel
Lincoln 's assassination
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Gamble Plantation Historic State Park