1. "Not our andrew borden?"
Posted by Stefani on Jan-21st-03 at 9:36 AM

I ran across this auction on eBay. Interesting but not our Andrew I fear.



"YOU ARE BIDDING ON A UNIQUE PIECE OF LIZZIE BORDEN MEMORABILIA. OFFERED IS A SPECIFICATIONS OF RESIDENCE BUILDING PLANS TYPED BOOK MADE FOR LIZZIE BORDEN'S FATHER ANDREW WHEN HE HAD HIS FALL RIVER ROCK ST. HOUSE BUILT C. 1880'S. BOOK MEASURES 8"x10". I AM NOT A BORDEN EXPERT BUT I AM PRETTY CERTAIN LIZZIE LIVED IN THIS HOME WITH THE FAMILY BEFORE MOVING TO 2ND ST. WHERE THE MURDERS TOOK PLACE. THE PLANS WERE DESIGNED BY THE ARCHT. FIRM OF GOULD, ANGELL, AND SWIFT FROM PROVIDENCE, RI AND ARE A GREAT LOOK INTO VICTORIAN HOME DESIGN. THE BOOK WAS AQUIRED AT AN ESTATE SALE IN FALL RIVER, MASS AND IS EXTREMELY UNIQUE! THE BOOK CONSISTS OF AROUND 45 PAGES AND IS VERY DETAILED COVERING EVERY ASPECT OF THE DESIGN. THE COVER AND SOME OF THE FIRST FEW PAGES ARE TAPED ON THE EDGES AND ARE TATTERED. THE 1ST PAGE IS SEPEARATED FROM BINDING BUT THE REST OF THE BOOK IS FINE AND IN GOOD READABLE CONDITION. THE BACK COVER HAS A WATER STAIN. THE BOOK IS BROKEN INTO CHAPTERS WHICH START OFF CITING "SPECIFICATIONS OF MATERIAL AND LABOR REQUIRED FOR THE (PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE) FOR EXAMPLE, OF A GAMBREL ROOF FRAME DWELLING, TO BE ERECTED ON THE WEST SIDE OF ROCK ST, FALL RIVER, MASS FOR MR. ANDREW BORDEN." NO DATES ARE LISTED BUT CIRCA 1880'S IS ROUGH DATE."

Not our Andrew Borden?  Here's a scenario for you:  Lizzie, in her late teens, and Emma, a budding old maid, finally convince Father to build a fine home on the Hill.  He goes so far as to have the plans drawn up and take an option on the land.  Then mean ol' Abby puts her foot down and says the Second Street house is "good enough."  This throws both girls into a rare snit, which stews for years until, in August of 1892...  (I agree; it's most likely not "our" Andrew.)

I like your scenario, Edisto.  What a find would that be if it was for one of the Borden's homes or Maplecroft? 

There was an Andrew Borden, who lived on Rock Street in Fall River. He was very active and served in several capacities in the Central Congregational Church, located on the corner of Rock and Franklin Streets.  I don't know when he passed away, but he was extant in 1905 (Ref. History, Annals & Sketches Central Congregational Church, Carr,Thurston & Holmes 1905).

(After I emailed him) the seller apparently had the good sense to contact the FRHS, which set him straight.  He has amended his listing.