Lizzie Borden took an axe, and gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one.” -anonymous folk rhyme
Do you have the guts to spend a night?
One of America’s most haunted homes, the Lizzie Borden House
The Murders:
During the late morning hours of August 4, 1892, the body of A.J. Borden was found in the sitting room of the Borden home. Slumped over and dead on the sofa, Lizzie Borden’s father A.J. had been brutally murdered. Just a few minutes later, the body of Abby Borden, Lizzie’s stepmother, was found in the upstairs bedroom. It appeared that they had both been murdered with an axe. Further investigation would conclude that A.J. received 11 fatal blows, Abby 18.
It didn’t take long for Lizzie to be accused of the murders. Some say she had a long hatred for her father and wanted to inherit his riches. Others argued that it could have been anyone, that he was a miser and an disliked man in the community. Some even blamed the maid. None the less, there just wasn’t enough evidence to convict Lizzie, and she was acquitted from the charges. Acquitted and rich.
So, during our Legendary New England Tour, we went to the Lizzie Borden House…
When I first walked into this home I was just stunned at how well preserved the house itself was. Though most of it’s furnishings are near identical replacements, it was laid out as if we had time warped right to that fateful day. There are photos of the family on walls and shelves and artifacts from the Borden case and family. We went on a tour through the home and in great detail, relived the murders of that summer morning of 1892.
Life would never be the same for Lizzie…
As I mentioned, Lizzie was acquitted. From this day on she was an outcast, and moved away from the Borden home to a nearby house on a hill which she named “Maplecroft”. Here she lived a comfortable life with a staff and her sister Emma. She changed her name to “Lizbeth” in an effort to remove herself from the stigma of “Lizzie”. She eventually passed of natural causes on June 1, 1927, just 9 days before her sister Emma’s death. Both sisters were buried beside their murdered parents in the family plot in Oak Grove Cemetery.
It just so happens we went to the cemetery too, cause we’re creepy like that…
As I drove into the Oak Grove Cemetery I couldn’t help but notice a lot of buried Bordens. I mean this place is filled with everything from tiny little blocks of marble to all out monumental statues all bearing the Borden name. Why is it that the Bordens seem to be bound to Fall River? I did a little bit of research upon my return from New England and came upon this…
The Borden Ties to the Titanic
Staying with the Bordens:
The Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast at 92 Second Street in Fall River, MA is known to be one of the most haunted homes in the Northern United States. Said to be haunted by more than just the victims, today it is a fully functional Bed & Breakfast with more than just a place to rest your head. If you are brave enough, you can stay a night in the very rooms once occupied by A.J., Abbey, Lizzie and Emma, and live the “Lizzie Borden Experience” with an evening paranormal ghost tour.
Something you may not know…
The Borden family is no stranger to tragedy. Just next door to the Borden home was the home of Lizzie’s Great Uncle Lawdwick. Uncle Lawdwick’s second wife, Eliza Darling Borden brutally murdered 2 of their 3 children when she threw all of them down a well just before slitting her own throat with a straight razor.
It is said that these 2 children, Eliza and Holder, haunt the Lizzie Borden House today. It is not uncommon for guests to bring small toys for the earthbound spirits to play with. Guests have reported hearing children’s laughter and the sound of children playing on the second and third floors. There is a room in the house called the “children’s room” where most of the activity has been experienced.
Check out this link to some paranormal footage from guests of the Lizzie Borden House
Click here to check out the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast
As seen on Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures
As seen on the Travel Channel’s Dead Files
15 Comments
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Lizzie’s case is always a mystery, eh? Lizzie Borden is my 26th cousin 7 times removed. I personally don’t believe that she killed her parents not just that I’m related, but by knowing some information about late Victorian and Edwardian Era Fahion. Whether my cousin killed her parents or not, whether she was bare or not, would point to clues that she did it. But there was no running water in the house, so Lizzie would have to wash off the blood in a tub and send someone, like Bridget Sullivan, to the pump for water. Bridget would then have to heat the water and pour it into the tub while Lizzie was in there. The bath would take about an hour. Then it would take Lizzie over 3 hours to dress in a frock with assistance from Bridget because there are many layers under a frock back in the 1890s, like corsets, corset covers, padding, ruffled tops, chemise, drawers, stockings, shoes, garters, petticoats, and the frocks separated into two pieces: the upper and lower bodice usually closed in the back with ribbons or buttons running up the back, and a sash. Let’s not forget the elaborate hairstyles that Bridget would have to do in Lizzie’s hair along with hair extensions and hair rats. Also, Bridget would have to do the makeup. It seems too much for a maid like Bridget who was sick on the day of the murders, eh? But those are interesting photos and trivial information about my cousins.
Very good points. I kind of wish I had a notorious 26th cousin. Makes for a great chat over a pint! On a side note, man am I glad I don’t have to wear a frock in Florida!
Hello Kirsten. Read your post but with all due respect, there was running water in one of the rooms and in the barn. I just returned from a tour of the house and there was also one or two flushing toilets in the basement, also. (I couldn’t believe it!) It has been suggested that Lizzie may have gone to the barn between the murders as she claimed to and washed the blood off (there was running water there). Hot water, as every housewife knows, can “set” a bloodstain, essentially dying the cloth. Lizzie, as a stay-at-home proper Victorian lady certainly knew this. So if she got splashed with bits of Abby’s blood, then all she had to do was to get a pail of cold water and quickly wash out the stain. (IT HAD TO BE COLD, NOT HOT). So the scenario – at least regarding Abby – is Lizzie had plenty of time and could easily have washed off the splashed blood.Also, in the wash basin, which was located int he basement, there was indeed bloody rags that she labeled as “her menstrual rags,” but the police did not have them analyzed because it was not proper in those days to question menstruation., this was “taboo.” The police did not investigate this. The police messed up big time here. Also, who’s is to say that Lizzie was nude really? She, in my opinion shielded herself fully clothed with Andrew’s coat; thus no splatter upon herself, rolled it up and placed it under Andrew’s head as indicated in his murder photo. So she did not need to redress at all. Also, Lizzie had plenty of motive, what with her father giving his estate/money to his sister-in-law, really? That would totally leave Emma and Lizzie homeless and destitute…Just saying. Thank you for listening Kirsten, an interesting case indeed!
THank you for your input. I love your perspective. It certainly is an interesting case and one that will be talked about for many years.
also, remember, it was august and a very hot day at that. idk bout anybody else but as for me, i’m not taking a hot shower in the summer!!!!!
Very nice presentation. While I’ve never spent the night, I’ve been to the B&B several times. This coming May, the Lizzie Borden group I administer is taking a field trip to spend the night. I am in the process of writing my own Lizzie book and somehow I feel I can’t do it justice without getting back into that house one more time; spending the night is a huge bonus. Your experience makes me all the more enthusiastic about our upcoming trip!!! Thanks for sharing…:)
That’s awesome! Thank you. It was a very cool visit to say the least. You’d be surprised how many people don’t even know about it.
i have been there twice now and am planning on going back next year as well. im going to make it my annual trip. i cant believe how many people dont know about it like u said christa! each time i was there i would see ppl going up to the house, trying to peek in the windows and when u start talking to them, u find out that they never knew about it, found out by chance or whatever the case may be. it’s kinda funny
I know, it’s really such an interesting story. There have been TV networks that have covered it in the past, but no one really talks much about it at the dinner table.
Some day, I will get to explore places such as this…♡
Hiiii! So glad to see you here Belinda! 🙂
Awesome post and indeed great presentation. There was a lot of info in the post and even in the comment section, I didn’t know about. I would love to stay a night at the house! I’m actually putting this on my bucket list.
And it was also a great reminder of the tv show with Christina Ricci I forgot to watch… I hope it’s good, it probably won’t not The Addams Family good but watchable. Have you seen it maybe?
Thank you! It was a really cool experience for sure. I have not seen it.
Thanks!