Lizzie Borden Society Forum

I'm curious to know the population of Fall River in 1892. Does anyone know the answer to this, or know where I can find out?

Hi Elizabelle, welcome to the forum.

I've seen quite a few different numbers. In Rebello, p61:

"In 1892, Fall River had a diverse population of 83,026."

He cites several sources so I don't know in which one this figure was obtained.

Unfortunately the 1890 cencus records were mainly destroyed in a fire. Here are the 10 largest cities in Massachusetts in 1900:

Boston 560,892
Worcester 118,421
Fall River 104,863
Lowell 94,969
Cambridge 91,886
Lynn 68,513
Springfield 62,659
Lawrence 62,559
New Bedford 62,442
Somerville 61,643

Arnold Brown's book, p32 of the paperback edition, has: "At the time of the Borden murders, Fall River's population was more than 75,000, with more than 125 families named Borden. ..." He probably got that from Pearson's book, who on p2, says: "In 1892, the year with which we are concerned, Fall River had about seventy-five thousand people."

I find it hard to believe that the population grew that fast from 1892 75,000-83,000 to 104,000 in 1900. The 1890's were not boom years for the textile industry but I am certainly no expert on that period

This is The Keeley Library Online.
There are books like Phillips History of Fall River there. Whole books. The site has been updated.
This book by Fenner had a chapter on "Statistics."
Anyone can check this site for Fall River history.
(Also lots of post cards).
This site is an amazing resource!

http://www.sailsinc.org/durfee/fulltext.htm


History of Fall River / "prepared under the direction of a committee of prominent citizens appointed by His Honor Mayor John T. Coughlin by Henry M. Fenner, A. B., assisted by Benjamin Buffinton. -- New York : F. T. Smiley Publishing Co., 1906.
364 p. : ill., ports. ; 28 cm.
Chapter: Chapter XVII. Statistics: City Officers from 1854 to 1906, p. 143-159. (3,469K)"

It looks like Rebello's # matches Fenner. I suppose that is his source.
(He probably has the actual book. )

Thanks for the descriptive information. I really appreciate it!