Lizzie Borden Society Forum

Here's another example of Abby being not so friendless as has been assumed by a lot of the authors. From Bridget's trial testimony, page 196:

"Q. Do you know who took charge of the room in the front part of the house?
A. Well, when Miss Emma was home she done it. When Mr. Morse was there and when Mrs. Borden had any of her friends there, I guess she done it or helped do it, that is, as far as I can remember.
Q. That is the front chamber you are talking about?
A. Yes, sir."

This says she had friends and that they stayed overnight at the house on occasion. Bridget doesn't use the word "relatives" but "friends".

That's a good point about differentiating between friends and relatives.
Isn't it odd how, after several readings, fresh things pop out?

Her neighbors, Mrs. Bowen and Ellen Miller (Southard's wife) liked her very much. She also was not a recluse. It's always been said that she never left the house, only to go to her half-sister's sometimes. Unfortunately we don't know a lot about Abby, but we do know that she usually did the marketing every morning. And she did go over to the farm in Swansea. She didn't like staying by herself, tho. If she knew Andrew would be coming back to FR a lot for business, she would try to get someone to go to Swansea too. She might have served on the board of the YMCA. There's an "Abby Borden" listed, but so far I can't find anyone that knows for sure if it's "our" Abby or another one.

I don't believe she was the 'evil step-mother' she's always been portrayed as, either. There's comments out there made by those who knew her that speak of her kindness. I feel sorry for Abby. Firstly in getting the bum rap she has had after her death. Secondly for the horrible way she died - she even saw the person coming at her.

I hope in any movie remake, and in future writings of Abby, that these things will start to be brought to light.

Nice find Harry...Bridget did say friends, still she must not have had that many overnight guests as Bridget doesn't remember clearly who attended the room.

There were "friends" coming on Monday night. Who were the "friends?"