Lizzie Borden Society Forum

I was just reading Emma's obituaries in David Kent's "Lizzie Borden Sourcebook" and noticed that her funeral was performed by the Rev. J. Wynne Jones of Christ Episcopal Church, Swansea.
We know that Lizzie stopped attending Central Congregational shortly after her acquittal, but that Emma began to attend church with more frequency. But does her funeral notice indicate that Emma had a falling out with the Congregational church as well?
Or, is it simply that Rev. Wynne Jones was perhaps an old family friend?

Being as Emma's funeral or wake was in Swansea, I think out of the Gardner house (?) maybe they provded the pastor? Maybe there was no Congregational Church in Swansea or Somerset?
I don't know that in her later years Emma attended any church in New Hampshire, tho.
Good question.

Yes...the funeral/wake was at the Gardner house in Swansea (Rebello pg.342).

However, on that same page I see two possibly different 'places'. One quote states:
"Funeral Monday, Remains at Home of Cousin, Orrin A. Gardner At Touisset --- Hour of Service Not Made Public --- To Be Buried Beside Her Father," June 11, 1927 (Newspaper unknown)

The other states:
"Emma L. Borden In Family Plot/Funeral at Home of Cousin in Swansea and Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery in This City," Fall River Herald News, June 13, 1927: 1.

Are Touisset and Swansea so close they are the same kind of the same place ?

The Gardner home (Riverby):

I don't think Emma even left the house in NH except when she went to get her fur coat.

Liz, are you just being funny, or do you have some evidence or sources to cite that we are unaware of to back up your claim ?


Tracy...

Thanks for the picture, Tracy!

You're welcome Kat ! It was a fun adventure !


Tracy...

theebmonique--

Touisset was once part of Massachusetts. It is located on a point abutting Swansea, but it is now part of Warren, RI. A number of streets in Swansea (including Wilbur Ave.) will take you to the general direction along the Kickemuit River.

Check out http://www.asri.org/TouissetMap.pdf (Audubon Society of Rhode Island--Touisset Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary).

Thanks for the info NB !


Tracy...

In Rebello he states that Emma was listed as living in Fall River for a few of the years following the time she had moved out of Maplecroft. She is even listed in the phonebook there as living at the Buck residence, according to the information he gives in the book. She lived in a few places after leaving Maplecroft, but she never lived alone at any time. I have always found this rather odd, and rather telling as well when it comes to Emma's personality. But did she continue to attend church in each of these various places? And how did it come to be that Lizzie attended church with Dr. Bowen? Wouldn't he attend church with his family? That is always something I have found truly odd.

theebmonique @ Sun Jul 31, 2005 10:21 pm wrote:Liz, are you just being funny, or do you have some evidence or sources to cite that we are unaware of to back up your claim ?


Tracy...

Fnak Speilring's book had it in it and I wandered if maybe it was true.

Didn't Emma stay at one point with the Rev. Jubb's sister?
One possibility is that, while the Revs. Jubb and Buck were involved in the church, Emma was involved. But after they retired (or died), she may have been much less enthusiastic about their successors and left the church. I've seen that happen many times with people I know.

Did Emma stay with Jubb's sister?
Does anyone have a citation for that?

It's a good question about Emma and church.

Maybe Bowen's family was at the shore on vacation the same time Lizzie's was in Swansea and that's why he escorted her to church?