William S. Borden suicide - from City Clerk of Fall River

[joseph]

I claim no certainty that any of the assertions following are true. Though the copy included certainly appears to be authentic. (Bottom of post)


The Record Of Death copy is included in an article published either by The Spectator or The Chronicle (a little confusing to me). Don't know what city either are located in - and apparently written in 1997.

The person who published the article on his website recommends a cautionary approach. I certainly read info in the article that seems dubious and unsupported.

The theory put forth is partially founded on the claim that William's (Bill) occupation was that of a "killer of horses and cattle" which had become diseased. Employed by the County. Supposedly he used a hatchet in his work. According to the article, one Ellan Sweeny Eagan claimed to police that she bumped into a man fitting his description leaving the Borden yard the morning of the murders. She was quickly dismissed by police.

One thing is certainly striking, the date of death - April 17, 1901 - listed by Kat's work on the genealogy in the Heritage Project forum - viewtopic.php?t=2584 - is identical to the date listed on the Record Of Death copy.

It is proposed that he was about to be questioned by police in regard to some diseased cattle. Maybe he was creating work for himself? The article also says that he claimed to be the son of a rich man. Was he the visitor that argued with Andrew Borden that has been theorized as the killer?

I'll leave the rest for your reading pleasure.


Again, I claim no certainty that any of the assertions mentioned in the article are true.


Sources:

Tattered Fabric Website - http://phayemuss.wordpress.com/2008/04/ ... -s-borden/

One Source - Daily Globe - Aug 4, 1897 - http://phayemuss.wordpress.com/

Kat's Genealogy work in Heritage Project Forum - viewtopic.php?t=2584

[edited for clarity]

[joseph]

Finally found proof that William S. Borden really existed! The siblings and ages match Kat's Borden tree perfectly at viewtopic.php?t=2584 (I also attached the record there).


from 1860 Federal Census, Fall River

[joseph]

From the Taunton directory in 1890. Maybe Lizzie was right and he was 'peddling' Andrew weeks earlier as she maintained? Cannot say for certain that this is him, though the article in the OP and the Death Record list Tauton as residence and burial place. Either he or another William S Borden (unlikely) is also listed as a 'shoecutter' and 'printer' and also as 'peddler' in the same directory for 1890-1893 though at different addresses.

[Allen]

There are actually two death certificates for William S. Borden. One filed in Taunton, Mass and one in the city of Fall River. Because he resided in Taunton but died in Fall River. So both cities filed death certificates. The one filed in Fall River lists the death date as April 17, 1901, lists no occupation, and gives his age as 45 years old. The one filed in Taunton lists the death date as April 16, 1901,lists the occupation as "Peddler", and gives his age as 47 years old. Both list his death as suicide by hanging, and his parents as Charles L. Borden and Pheobe (Hathaway) Borden.

And this is off topic but my browser is not working so well on the site right now. Which is why I'm having so many edits. Anyone else having a problem?

[Allen]

I have wondered what cause the discrepencies in the two records.

[joseph]

Allen, were you able to click on the images and get a large enough pic to read? I've seen that done in other posts but couldn't figure it out.

I couldn't find death certificates in ancestry.com or otherwise on William anywhere, except finally as a sibling in the one I posted. I was glad I just found him somewhere officially. I wasn't ready to accept that the guy even existed till I did.

I haven't been able to figure out what relation Charles was to Andrew. Obviously the speculation that William was Andrew's son is incorrect.

[Allen]

Yes I was able to click on them to enlarge. I obtained my copies by writing a request for the records in Fall River and Taunton. If you could find a copy of Len Rebello's book "Lizzie Borden Past and Present" he outlines his research into William S. Borden and provides the information he obtained.

[joseph]

Thanks, Allen. I know I'm a neophyte amongst the learned (thus why I chose Watson instead of Sherlock).

I've spent some time reading older threads, methinks I'll head for the archives for a while. His suicide was 'new' news to me. ha! Thanks again.

[Allen]

Rebello's book is a goldmine of information about any number of things concerning the case. It's actually a really amazing book. If you don't already have it, I would recommend a copy for your library. Other than the source documents it's about the only other place I turn to find answers to any questions I have.