Long before Emma Borden abandoned her sister, Lizzie, in late May of 1905, she had very close ties to many Gardners in Swansea, Ma. But after she split from Lizzie, some of those Gardners became a surrogate family to her.
The progenitors of those that Emma would embrace, socialize with, attend major family events, and help financially in trusts and her will, are those in the oval picture below (click it to enlarge).
The births, marriages and deaths of these people were recorded in William Gardner’s family bible:
Why were these people and their children, and even some of their children’s children important to Emma? Well, the genealogical link was addressed in this blog post.
If you’re interested, study the names and who married who….there’s more to come about events she attended.
The direct line of Henry Augustus Gardner is the most important – and closest – to Emma. Much of the information I have obtained was from his estate records and from direct descendants.
As for Lizzie, well she was pretty much written off by these Gardners around early 1897 due to two hugely embarrassing incidents to this quiet, salt of the earth, family entrenched group.
Lizzie had her servants, dogs and a few loyal friends.
But Emma had family.
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About phayemuss
If you've stumbled across this blog, I hope you will enjoy in the musings, images, and perspectives as much as I enjoy sharing them. As a writer, scholar and collector of the infamous Lizzie Borden case of Fall River, MA (1892), I have spent over 40 years collecting rare books, journals, letters, photographs and memorabilia on this most compelling case. I like to say: "Some people play golf - I do Lizzie."
My first read on the case was Victoria Lincoln's A Private Disgrace, and my first visit inside 92 Second Street(when it was numbered 230)was in 1978. For the next 15 years, I traveled to Fall River doing research and meeting with long time residents. In 1992, I was a presenter at the Lizzie Borden Centennial Conference in Fall River. Since 1998, I have stayed at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast two to three times a year, often serving as tour guide and night manager. I've lectured at University campuses, women's groups, genealogical societies, civic clubs and fraternal organizations, and libraries conducting multi-media presentations on Lizzie Borden and Fall River's history. I am the creator of the Lizzie Borden board game: "Journey to Maplecroft" and have produced several research and reference materials in both print and CD formats, some of which are available at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast.
My personal images are copyrighted and not intended for other blogs or internet sites or print publications or any commercial use without permission, however, please feel free to copy them for your own personal collection. Also, feel free to email email me at phaye@npgcable.com.
-Faye Musselman
Payson, AZ
Beverly Patt
April 21, 2011 at 8:22 am
And what were those two embarrassing incidents? Something regarding her relationship with that actress friend?
thanks,
B.
phayemuss
April 21, 2011 at 11:01 am
The two incidents was the paper reporting she was engaged to a “Swansea school teacher” (later word came out it was Orrin Gardner, who was mortified. The other was the 1897 scandal that a warrant had been issued for her shoplifting in Providence. It was Preston Gardner that got her out of that mess.
Nancy Parry
November 3, 2011 at 2:32 am
Hi there Faye i am enjoying your page very much reading mostly about emma trying to figure out her address in new market and wondering if the house is still standing,i live in rochester nh not far from there and was thinking of going there to look around wondering if you have any info on the address and such thank you so much and keep doing what your doing i to am a Lizzy fan thank you Nancy parry