Lizzie Borden Society Forum

Im doing a mock trial and I am playing the maid bridget sullivan and one of the qoustions I was asked was how well did bridget sullivan know mr and mrs.borden. plz help

Hello bluebell12, welcome to the forum.

According to Bridget's testimony at Lizzie's trial, she worked for the Borden's two years and nine months.
See page 193: http://lizzieandrewborden.com/wp-conten ... orden1.pdf

I would imagine that in the amount of time Bridget was employed at the Borden's, she became very well acquainted with them, especially with Mrs. Borden. I know Bridget attempted to leave a couple of times, but Abby talked her into staying.

Hope that information is what you are seeking.

Twinsrwe ...any idea why she wanted to leave? It seems to me she was luckyish in that house..until the murders happened!

Susib wrote: ↑Thu May 17, 2018 3:57 pm Twinsrwe ...any idea why she wanted to leave? It seems to me she was luckyish in that house..until the murders happened!

Susana, I owe you an apology; I am so sorry for not replying to your question in a more timely manner.

I found three sources which stated that Bridget had threatened to return to Ireland. None of the sources state why she made such a threat, because all of the sources stated that she was very attached to Abby. Perhaps Bridget was just homesick, since she had been in this country for six years. I know that doesn't completely answer your question, but unfortunately, that is all I could find.

The Evening Standard, Wednesday, August 10, 1892, Page 2 (Underlining and highlighting are mine.):

“....At 5 o'clock Bridget Sullivan left the police station in company with officer Doherty and passed down Court square. She was dressed in a green gown with hat to match and appeared to be nervous and excited. Nobody knew her, however, and she attracted no attention whatever. She went to the Borden house for a bundle and, still accompanied by Officer Doherty walked to No. 95 Division street, where her cousin, Patrick Harrington, lives, and where she passed the night. She was allowed to go on her own recognizance* and seemed to be much relieved to get away from the Borden house. The government impressed her with the necessity of saying nothing about the proceedings at the inquest and she was warned not to talk with anybody about her testimony. Bridget Sullivan is one of 14 children. She came to this country six years ago. For three years she worked for a number of families in Fall River, and the police say that she bears an excellent reputation. For the last three years she has lived with the Borden family, and for some time past has been threatening to return to Ireland. She says that Mrs. Borden Was a Very Kind Mistress and that she was much attached to her. Mrs. Borden used to talk to her about going home to Ireland, and used to tell her that she would be lonely without her. Accordingly, the girl says that she did not have the heart to leave, but she never expected to be in an awful predicament like this. She had been terrified ever since the tragedy, she said."

Source: http://tinyurl.com/ycunyulc

The New York Herald, August 9th, 1892. (See Allen’s post dated May 01, 2010): http://tinyurl.com/yaqwdalh

Edwin H. Porter was a police reporter for the Fall River Globe. You will find the above information on page 56 of his book titled, The Fall River Tragedy: https://lizzieandrewborden.com/wp-conte ... erTrag.pdf


You are correct, Bridget did have a pretty cushy job working for the Bordens. According to her testimony at the trial, her duties included: Washing, ironing, cooking, and sweeping, as well as the care of her own room. ( See page 195 of the trial transcript, volume 1: https://lizzieandrewborden.com/wp-conte ... orden1.pdf )

However, on Jul 24, 2011, Allen made some very valid points in the thread titled, Who Could Lizzie Have Hired To Be A Killer?, the following:

"When it comes to Bridget being up in her room resting, there is evidence in her own testimony that points to this being a rather normal occurrence. Her work wasn't as easily done with none of the modern gadgets we're all used to. She still had to heat the stove using coal and wood to cook, and carry water back and forth from the one running water faucet in the house. Which only had cold running water. It was all hand labor. Washing and hanging the laundry was likely to take the better part of the day. Just washing the dishes was pretty time consuming. Washing the windows that morning was probably no easy task either. She had to keep filling up her bucket in the barn with clean water to first wash, and then go back to rinse each window. Using the dipper method of throwing water up on each window, and knowing the size of those windows, I'm going to say it took a lot trips to the barn once her bucket was empty. Then she had to start on the inside. I'm sure she was grateful for any time she had to take a little rest before beginning her next task."

I think she just knew them in the form of being her employer. Don't think she was buddy buddy with them. Think she was a little more friendly with Lizzie. Lizzie seemed to be more kind to her

Well, Snokkums, you are entitled to believe what you wish, but I just posted three sources that clearly state, just the opposite. Here is the article from The New York Herald. (Underlining and highlighting are mine.)

The New York Herald, August 9, 1892:

"....Bridget Sullivan is one of 14 children. She came to this country six years ago. For three years she worked for a number of families in this city and the police say that she bears an excellent reputation. For the last three years she had lived with the Borden family and for some time past has been threatening to return to Ireland. She says that Mrs. Borden was a very kind mistress and that she was much attached to her. Mrs. Borden used to talk to her about going home to Ireland, and used to tell her that she would be lonely without her. Accordingly, the young woman says that she did not have the heart to leave, but she never expected to be in an awful predicament like this. She had been terrified ever since the tragedy, she said."

The three sources that I posted above tell me that Bridget was close to Abby, not Lizzie. I think Lizzie probably gave Bridget a rough time because she was attached to Abby, a woman Lizzie disliked.

I'm sure they treated her well and they liked each other, but for some reason I can't picture the two of them going shopping or having lunch together

You may be right, Snokkums, but Bridget sure didn't stick around long after Andrew and Abby were murdered. That fact alone tells me that Bridget was not, at all, attached to Lizzie or Emma for that matter.

Think you are right on that point. Can't argue that. But I do think that she might have been afraid that she would be accused of killing them. After all, she was the employee and she was an imagrint. Given the views of the day, the police may have suspected her first.

I agree. The last sentence of the above paragraph states: "... She had been terrified ever since the tragedy, she said."

In addition to the reasons you have given for her being afraid, I think she may have also been in fear for her own life. The day she left the Borden house for good, she was accompanied by Officer Doherty to the Borden residence so that she could get a bundle of her clothes, and while still accompanied by Officer Doherty she went to her cousin Patrick Harrington’s house where she stayed during the trial.

Evening Standard, Wednesday, Aug. 10, pg. 2:

“....At 5 o'clock Bridget Sullivan left the police station in company with officer Doherty and passed down Court square. She was dressed in a green gown with hat to match and appeared to be nervous and excited. Nobody knew her, however, and she attracted no attention whatever. She went to the Borden house for a bundle and, still accompanied by Officer Doherty walked to No. 95 Division street, where her cousin, Patrick Harrington, lives, and where she passed the night. She was allowed to go on her own recognizance* and seemed to be much relieved to get away from the Borden house."
Source: http://tinyurl.com/ycunyulc

From Agnes de Mille's Dance of Death, page 57:

"Bridget had been under surveillance with the rest of the family since the morning of the killings, but after the Tuesday's questioning had been released unconditionally without bail. A policeman escorted her to the Borden house, where she made a small bundle of her clothes; then she went with his further protection to the house of her cousin, Patrick Harrington, a mile away at 95 Division Street, whence she walked daily, unattended, to the courthouse."

And Bridget didn't have any contact with Lizzie or Emma after she left the house, or later in life. Don't recall ever reading about the girls and Bridget corresponding after the fact.Seems they went their own separate ways.. I wonder if they ever kept up with each other. You know, like what other people might have told them.

You are correct. As far as I know, those three women did not have any contact whatsoever after the trial. Bridget lived a very low profile life; so low that she is extremely hard, if not impossible, to trace.

As a matter of fact, there is a thread on the forum here titled, Bridget's Whereabouts that goes into detail of trying to trace her whereabouts after the trial. It’s as if she disappeared off the face of the earth until 1905 when she appeared in Butte Montana. The thread is definitely worth the time it takes to reaf it.

Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/ycadmnsl

I have looked at that post, and it's a great one. I can see why she kept a real low profile. I don't think I'd want to be hounded about the whole situation either. I'd just want to forget the whole affair and move on with my life.

I think Bridget was justified being fearful for her life. After all, if her employers were hacked to death in such a brutal manner, then she could also be killed. I believe she is a hard one to trace because her date of birth is all over the place and she made it a point of living a very low profile; almost a non-existence life after the murders.

twinsrwe wrote: ↑Wed May 16, 2018 11:55 am Hello bluebell12, welcome to the forum.

According to Bridget's testimony at Lizzie's trial, she worked for the Borden's two years and nine months.
See page 193: http://lizzieandrewborden.com/wp-conten ... orden1.pdf

I would imagine that in the amount of time Bridget was employed at the Borden's, she became very well acquainted with them, especially with Mrs. Borden. I know Bridget attempted to leave a couple of time, but Abby talked her into staying.

Hope that information is what you are seeking.

Does anyone know why Bridget attempted to leave?

I apologize for taking so long to reply to your question. I think the following newspaper clipping will answer your question.

The New York Herald, August 9, 1892 (Underlining and highlighting are mine.):

"....Bridget Sullivan is one of 14 children. She came to this country six years ago. For three years she worked for a number of families in this city and the police say that she bears an excellent reputation. For the last three years she had lived with the Borden family and for some time past has been threatening to return to Ireland. She says that Mrs. Borden was a very kind mistress and that she was much attached to her. Mrs. Borden used to talk to her about going home to Ireland, and used to tell her that she would be lonely without her. Accordingly, the young woman says that she did not have the heart to leave, but she never expected to be in an awful predicament like this. She had been terrified ever since the tragedy, she said."

I think when Abby talked to Bridget about returning to Ireland, Bridget in turn felt homesick and longed for her homeland. This is just a guess on my part.

twinsrwe wrote: ↑Tue Jan 29, 2019 9:43 am I agree. The last sentence of the above paragraph states: "... She had been terrified ever since the tragedy, she said."

In addition to the reasons you have given for her being afraid, I think she may have also been in fear for her own life. The day she left the Borden house for good, she was accompanied by Officer Doherty to the Borden residence so that she could get a bundle of her clothes, and while still accompanied by Officer Doherty she went to her cousin Patrick Harrington’s house where she stayed during the trial.

Evening Standard, Wednesday, Aug. 10, pg. 2:

“....At 5 o'clock Bridget Sullivan left the police station in company with officer Doherty and passed down Court square. She was dressed in a green gown with hat to match and appeared to be nervous and excited. Nobody knew her, however, and she attracted no attention whatever. She went to the Borden house for a bundle and, still accompanied by Officer Doherty walked to No. 95 Division street, where her cousin, Patrick Harrington, lives, and where she passed the night. She was allowed to go on her own recognizance* and seemed to be much relieved to get away from the Borden house."
Source: http://tinyurl.com/ycunyulc

From Agnes de Mille's Dance of Death, page 57:

"Bridget had been under surveillance with the rest of the family since the morning of the killings, but after the Tuesday's questioning had been released unconditionally without bail. A policeman escorted her to the Borden house, where she made a small bundle of her clothes; then she went with his further protection to the house of her cousin, Patrick Harrington, a mile away at 95 Division Street, whence she walked daily, unattended, to the courthouse."

Here’s some more detail about Bridget’s cousin, Patrick Harrington: his address, and when Bridget stayed with him…

Lizzie didn't think enough of Bridget to call her by her correct name.

Yes thanks reasonwhy, I was just reading the papers who stated that Bridget walked to court from Division Street. Apparently she was less obvious as a pedestrian compared to Lizzie’s escort service, which drew gawkers. That was the Inquest. And Bridget states at the trial she was at the Borden’s Monday, and I think that’s the last day she spent on Second Street, if she went to Harrington’s on Tuesday.

WFordII wrote: ↑Tue Sep 05, 2023 8:43 pm Lizzie didn't think enough of Bridget to call her by her correct name.

Yes, Ford, I agree, this showed disrespect. The practice of calling her Maggie, after the last maid? or as a generic Irish maid? marks Lizzie and Emma as less considerate than Mr. And Mrs. Borden, in my book.

Yes, reason why. In light of this, I think the whole idea of Lizzie and Bridget as a couple is ludicrous. Might be good for ratings on cable TV, but too far fetched in reality.

Reason -- not to toss a stone at Mr. Borden, but we have no evidence of how Andrew referred to Bridget. He may have called her Bridget, Maggie or 'hey you'.

One of my disappointments in Andrew is that it seems he heard or became aware that Bridget was vomiting in the backyard the morning of the 4th. Mrs. Churchill saw him seemingly peering into the backyard as he exited the house via the side door. That would have been around 9am and at the same time that Bridget tells us she went into the backyard to be sick. I sure wish Andrew had gone on back to Bridget to see if he could be of any help. But that possible lack of proactive caring really has little bearing on Andrew's overall character makeup. No one is claiming he was Jolly Old Saint Nick.