Lizzie's church involvement - pre & post Europe
Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2023 1:43 pm
Newspaper reports tell us that Lizzie disengaged from church activities before taking off on her trip to Europe, but did not re-engage to the same degree upon her return. Reverend Jubb, pastor of Central Congregational Church, said "family circumstances" caused Lizzie's disengagement.
What do we think the 'family circumstances' were or was there another reason for her pull back from community involvement? We know she didn't shut it down completely since she was hurt in the 'infamous' dumb waiter accident, June '92 while apparently helping serve food at a social event at the church.
Was Andrew's real estate dispute (see sourced info below) with the CCC (Central Congregational Church) the source cause of the 'circumstances"? Family turmoil? Where the 'circumstances' an excuse to back away, if the church involvement had served its purpose? Was any of this a precursor to August 4th?
As a reminder, and to add more context, the Borden home burglary occurred June 1891, a month after Carrie Borden was elected VP of the Fruit & Flower Mission and Lizzie appears to have decided not to 'reup' her leadership role in that same organization.
Also of note, Jubb mentions that Emma was also interested in teaching a church classes also. Without more information, we'd assume she was assigned her own class. Not sure we've ever given Emma 'credit'.
Thoughts?
--------------------------
Source: Fall River Daily Herald March 21, 1890
Lizzie Borden elected Secretary and Carrie Borden Treasurer of the Fruit & Flower Mission.
Source: Fall River Daily Evening News May 29, 1890
Lizzie Borden and Carrie Borden resign from Fruit & Flower Mission board of officers due to upcoming extended trip to Europe.
Source: Fall River Daily Evening News May 9, 1891
Carrie Borden reelected as Vice President of the Fruit & Flower Mission.
No mention of Lizzie Borden.
Boston Post August 8
Reverend Walker Jubb, pastor of Central Congregational Church
"After joining the church Lizzie and her sister expressed a desire to take classes. I gave Lizzie a class of boys, but she was rather diffident and
could not seem to handle them. She came one day, with tears in her eyes, and said, "Mr. Buck, I am discouraged; I can't keep those boys in order." I then gave her a class of girls, and she evinced an interest, and under her tutelage the class made good progress. When she went to Europe she gave it up, and when she returned there was some family circumstances, in consequence of which she did not care to resume teaching."
Fall River Globe August 16, 1892
Reverend Walker Jubb, pastor of Central Congregational Church.
"Mr. Holmes, by the way, is the leading deacon in my church, of which Mr. Borden was also a member. He (Andrew Borden) never attended, however, out of pique toward Mr. Holmes. Mr. Borden had a piece of property that the corporation desired to buy, but would not accede to Mr.
Borden's price. Mr. Holmes voted against paying the price, as he thought it too high, and as a result Mr. Borden never attended the church
afterwards."
What do we think the 'family circumstances' were or was there another reason for her pull back from community involvement? We know she didn't shut it down completely since she was hurt in the 'infamous' dumb waiter accident, June '92 while apparently helping serve food at a social event at the church.
Was Andrew's real estate dispute (see sourced info below) with the CCC (Central Congregational Church) the source cause of the 'circumstances"? Family turmoil? Where the 'circumstances' an excuse to back away, if the church involvement had served its purpose? Was any of this a precursor to August 4th?
As a reminder, and to add more context, the Borden home burglary occurred June 1891, a month after Carrie Borden was elected VP of the Fruit & Flower Mission and Lizzie appears to have decided not to 'reup' her leadership role in that same organization.
Also of note, Jubb mentions that Emma was also interested in teaching a church classes also. Without more information, we'd assume she was assigned her own class. Not sure we've ever given Emma 'credit'.
Thoughts?
--------------------------
Source: Fall River Daily Herald March 21, 1890
Lizzie Borden elected Secretary and Carrie Borden Treasurer of the Fruit & Flower Mission.
Source: Fall River Daily Evening News May 29, 1890
Lizzie Borden and Carrie Borden resign from Fruit & Flower Mission board of officers due to upcoming extended trip to Europe.
Source: Fall River Daily Evening News May 9, 1891
Carrie Borden reelected as Vice President of the Fruit & Flower Mission.
No mention of Lizzie Borden.
Boston Post August 8
Reverend Walker Jubb, pastor of Central Congregational Church
"After joining the church Lizzie and her sister expressed a desire to take classes. I gave Lizzie a class of boys, but she was rather diffident and
could not seem to handle them. She came one day, with tears in her eyes, and said, "Mr. Buck, I am discouraged; I can't keep those boys in order." I then gave her a class of girls, and she evinced an interest, and under her tutelage the class made good progress. When she went to Europe she gave it up, and when she returned there was some family circumstances, in consequence of which she did not care to resume teaching."
Fall River Globe August 16, 1892
Reverend Walker Jubb, pastor of Central Congregational Church.
"Mr. Holmes, by the way, is the leading deacon in my church, of which Mr. Borden was also a member. He (Andrew Borden) never attended, however, out of pique toward Mr. Holmes. Mr. Borden had a piece of property that the corporation desired to buy, but would not accede to Mr.
Borden's price. Mr. Holmes voted against paying the price, as he thought it too high, and as a result Mr. Borden never attended the church
afterwards."