Vital Statistics...Maybe not so Vital

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 12:31 pm

I had stated previously in another thread that I had sent away for the death records of William S. Borden. What I actually applied for were certified copies of the death records for four individuals: William S. Borden, Phebe V.M. Bowen, Alice E. Borden, and Leafa ( Claflin) Bowen. I finally received them in this mail this morning. They really do not shed much new light on anything. I was not sure of posting all the records, or where to post them, but I decided to just post them here. These images were too large to be posted as attachments. When I tried to make them smaller they became blurry and quite illegible. What I did was add them to my photobucket album and included them in my post in this manner. The records of William S. Borden listed the mother as Phebe Hathaway. I am curious as to whether she might have been from the same family of Hathaways that Dr. Bowen's daughter married into?

RayS · Post by **RayS** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 3:01 pm

The One Big Problem I see is their format! It is way too modern IMO.
I've seen death certificates from the 1970s and 1990 (death of parent & grandparent); they were typewritten. No raised seals in those days (at least on my copies).

I have a strong feeling that such details were written out 50 or more years ago. (A birth certificate from 1937.) Being official recreations, they have standing. Except for the skeptics who question recreated reality. (See Mary Mapes' book.)

Most of all, there is NO MENTION OF CARBOLIC ACID POISONING!!!
I wonder if the mention of this painful method of death was created for publication as a warning against anyone who might speak out of turn. As Arnold Brown suggested in his book. (I wonder if he had discovered this in his studies?)

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 5:14 pm

The only thing I have always found interesting about the records of his death are the discrepancies between the two records. I simply wonder what may have caused them. Namely in the differences between the dates of death and in his age. One also has him listed as a peddler, but the other leaves that information blank. The spelling of his mother's name is also different. But in no way do I think this points towards any relationship with Andrew J. Borden.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:51 pm

Missy, thanks for sharing. It's nice when members dig and get copies of these documents.

Dr. Bowen, who died in 1918, outlived his wife by nearly 11 years.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:13 pm

Thanks for giving us your info, Missy.
Those are very nice!

Here is the link, in the Heritage section of the Forum for those interested in that Claflin reference- it is a Bowen "connection."

viewtopic.php?t=1476&start=0

RayS · Post by **RayS** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 2:34 pm

Allen @ Sat Mar 31, 2007 5:14 pm wrote:The only thing I have always found interesting about the records of his death are the discrepancies between the two records. I simply wonder what may have caused them. Namely in the differences between the dates of death and in his age. One also has him listed as a peddler, but the other leaves that information blank. The spelling of his mother's name is also different. But in no way do I think this points towards any relationship with Andrew J. Borden.

Could two records (very unusual?) have been created to hide something?

I'm sure Willy didn't die twice.