Abby's Sisters

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:18 pm

Did Abby Borden have a sister named "Mrs. Fitch"? I read it in a newspaper article recently and couldn't place that name. The article mentioned Priscilla Fish. It did not mention half-sister Sarah Bertha Whitehead of FR.

Of course I can't place my hands on the article now.

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 3:03 pm

Nope, that would probably be "Mrs FISH"...I believe that was Priscilla.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:12 pm

Yes that is right! And if anyone can find out if the Fishes had any children together, please let us know!

snokkums · Post by **snokkums** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:54 am

I thought that abby only had one sister. The one that andrew gave the interest of a house.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:31 pm

Abby had one sister from the same parents as she, Priscilla- but then when they acquired a step-mother in Jane Baker, there was this other child born (1864), Sarah Gray. There were also stepchildren brought to that marriage.
That is from Rebello, page 23.

Sarah Borden had had a stepmother
Emma and Lizzie Borden had had a stepmother
Andrew Borden had had a stepmother
Abbie Borden had had a stepmother

Miss Chagnon, who lived behind the Borden property, back on Third Street, had had a stepmother as well.

I just list these all because it seems that others adjusted to a stepmother without killing her.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:34 am

I think I read that Priscilla Fish and her husband lived in Hartford, CT. I will check this out this week in the street directories.

Fargo · Post by **Fargo** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:45 am

I had forgotten that Sarah was so much younger than Abby. I wonder if the fact that Sarah was younger than Lizzie may have increased Lizzie's anger about the fourth street house?

Having her father giving half a house to a girl young than herself. Wheras Lizzie was older, unmarried, with no family of her own and no home of her own. Maybe jealousy played a role more for personal status than for money.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:13 pm

Yes, a good point there- and I expect Abby's gushing over Little Abbie would give Lizzie and Emma thoughts about what would happen if Andrew died and Abby doted on Sarah and Little Abby with her widow's inheritance. Emma and Lizzie did get the Ferry street house though- in compensation although they did not manage it well.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:37 am

Well, Andrew gave the share of the house to Abbie, his wife, not to Sarah, Fargo - but I do see what you guys mean about Abbie fussing over her 1/2 sister and that little family there on Fourth Street.