I am not answering questions, but asking them.

[Harry]

No, not me, but Hosea Knowlton. Lizzie was questioned about her Uncle Morse at the inquest.

"Q. Since he has been in the east has he been in the habit of coming to your house?
A. Yes; came in any time he wanted to.
Q. Before that had he been at your house, before he came east?
A. Yes, he has been here, if you remember the winter that the river was frozen over and they went across, he was here that winter, some 14 years ago, was it not?
Q. I am not answering questions, but asking them."

To be less rude to Lizzie I tried to find the year the area was frozen over. I found this article, dated January 30, 1888 in the Boston Globe, which mentions the worst weather in 12 years. That would make it the year 1876 which is 16 years previous, close to Lizzie's recollection. Here's the article:

[Tina-Kate]

Wow...good sleuthing, Harry!

I thought initially that it was rude, but later understood poor Hosea Knowlton was probably getting very frustrated with her at that point.

[Harry]

Yes, Lizzie was lucky Knowlton didn't have access to the hatchets and axes found in the cellar.

This does appear to be the winter because we know that John Morse spent the year 1875 at the Borden house. The article would cover the winter of 1875-1876. Cool!

[diana]

What a neat affirmation to find, Harry! I love it when bits and pieces come together unexpectedly.

[Kat]

That's cool, Har, thanks!
Talk about price gouging tho- the tugs!

Now I'm wondering if Knowlton treated Lizzie that way because possibly he knew her?
I read a news item that he had dandled Lizzie on his knee when she was young.
He might be related thru his wife.