Lizzie Borden Society Forum

Does anyone have any information on James and John Cummings? Specifically, their respective involvement in the Borden case? Regarding James: all I can find are tantalizing entries in Rebello, Radin and Porter stating that Bridget was accompanied to the inquest and preliminary hearing (Rebello), or preliminary hearing only (Porter and Radin) by her attorney, James Cummings. Yet, oddly enough, I can find no mention of James in any of the contemporary newspapers available in Kent’s “Lizzie Borden Sourcebook.” Have I missed something? Wouldn’t the reporters have pounced on the fact that Bridget had her own attorney? Is there any documentation of James’ participation? Who hired him and when?
Regarding John: in his book, “The Trial of Lizzie Borden,” dear old Pearson relates a charming anecdote relative to a personal conversation between himself and John Cummings, whom Pearson claims was called into the case by the prosecution to consult on the “poison” issue. John Cummings died in 1929 – 8 years before the publication of Pearson’s book. What a memory Pearson must have had! Does this sound like an “urban legend” to anyone else?
I could find only one mention of a “Cummings” in “The Knowlton Papers,” in a letter from Pillsbury to Knowlton, dated September 20, 1892: “… I have to begin very soon to lay out the season campaign with the Chief Justice, and want to know as nearly as possible what is to be done. Perhaps when you next meet Cummings, if he has returned, you can get his view as to having the pleas disposed of at the time of the trial….”( Pg. 84). How’s that for tantalizing? Any thoughts? The Stickler

There is this brief entry in the Evening Standard newspaper of Aug. 22, the original date the Preliminary was supposed to start:

"...Bridget Sullivan has grown very pale since the day she was first seen by the Associated Press representative. She was dressed in a suit of blue trimmed with lace and she remained for some time in conversation with Lawyer James Cummings..."

Lincoln. in her book, A Private Disgrace had this to say:

"...Bridget came provided with a lawyer, Dr. Kelly's young kinsman James T. Cummings. It has been hinted that Mr. Jennings had felt she might need this legal support since she intended to withhold evidence. I find no basis for the rumor, and she could not have offered much of a retainer on four dollars a week. ..."

In DeMille's book James Cummings is described as a colleague of Jennings, Lizzie's lawyer.

For once I agree with Lincoln. It sounds kind of fishy.

Good stuff Harry!

I was introduced to James Cummings' greatgrandnephew at Stefani's first lecture in Fall River. I didn't get a chance to talk to him about Bridget tho, sorry. Maybe he will come to the next lecture?

In Phillip's History of Fall River, Fascicle II, page 103 there is a comment:
"On my return (Phillips') to Fall River in 1890 after my college days, the prominent law offices in Fall River were headed by James M. Morton, James F. Jackson, John W. Cummings and Henry K. Braley. Mr. Braley was associated in business with Marcus G.B. Swift and Mr. Swift succeeded to that business when Mr. Braley was appointed to the Superior Court bench in 1892."

There is another very slight mention of John in Phillips, Fasc. III, pg. 50.

I think these guys are in Victorian Vistas, but I don't have those copies anymore- Stef has borrowed them back.

James M. Morton was partners with Jennings for 14 years (Rebello, p196). This was before the murders, however.

Found this on EBay a long time ago:

Laura--here's a link to some past discussion on the Cummings:

viewtopic.php?t=1542&highlight=cummings

The confusion goes beyond just John and James, who (to my knowledge) were brothers.

http://www.jssgallery.org/Paintings/Mugs/10204.html

Here's a sketch of John W. Cummings by John Singer Sargent. They seem to have been quite prominent.

Thanks Cntha!!

Anybody have Victorian Vistas? Come on you guys?

Thank you all for your responses! Nbcatlover: It was precisely that past discussion of the Cummings that led me to post my query! (I had done a search on “Cummings” in the Forum.) Harry: Great! At least there is one mention of James in the papers … And, Ah! I wondered where Hoffman had obtained his information that James may have been a relative of Dr. Kelly. So, it was Lincoln … Kat: An interview with James’ great grandnephew would make a great article for The Hatchet! I’m looking forward to reading it. Thanks again! The Stickler.

I couldn't find anything about James Cummings or John Cummings that specifically related to the Borden case in Victorian Vistas, Kat.

The index of names only provided one listing for each of them: a November 1893 trial regarding illegal voter registration where James T. Cummings acted as the defense attorney, and a brief mention that John W. Cummings, Esq. attended a funeral for city solicitor Dennis V. Sullivan at the end of January 1900.

I didn't say I was interviewing Cumming's ggrandson (the Mayor- John became Mayor, right?)- sorry. I think he will be at the lecture, but then so will so many members that it is not the proper venue. It is too exciting to be at Stef's lecture with our members to even think about "work."

Well, thanks for looking Diana! I could have sworn there were several items in the index (non-case related). I wonder what I was thinking of? This is going to bug me...

Oops -- there was one I missed ... an item on September 20, 1900 showing that John W. Cummings was named to the board of trustees for the new Union Hospital of Fall River. This appears to inolve a consolidation of the Fall River and Emergency hospitals.

I only have the one volume of Victorian Vistas (1886-1900) -- so there may be more references to the Cummings in other volumes?

diana @ Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:31 pm wrote:...
The index of names only provided one listing for each of them: a November 1893 trial regarding illegal voter registration where James T. Cummings acted as the defense attorney, and a brief mention that John W. Cummings, Esq. attended a funeral for city solicitor Dennis V. Sullivan at the end of January 1900.

I wonder what the Mellen House Gang was doing about "illegal voter registration"?
In the early 19th century Tammany Hall did all it could to register new immigrants as voters in their battle with the great landowners of Upstate New York. Back then the states decided who would be a citizen.

(If my memory is wrong feel free to correct this, it is a subject censored from today's histories.) The 'Dred Scott' case was based on the right of being a citizen since he had lived in a free state; state law took precedence?

"I was introduced to James Cummings' greatgrandnephew at Stefani's first lecture in Fall River. I didn't get a chance to talk to him about Bridget tho, sorry. Maybe he will come to the next lecture?"

Sorry, Kat! This was the previous post that I was referring to in regards to an interview and it was meant as a joke. But it would be a wonderful article!

How are you guys able to highlight certain parts of your post? When I click on "Highlight Text," everything is highlighted ....

I am more used to suggesting article ideas to others and am not used to having them suggested to me. Sorry.
I kind of felt he was ready to talk but there were too many people- distracting for me.

If you mean by *highlight*- quoting- you click on "Quote" at the top right part of the person you wish to quote.
The screen you get then is all ready with the tags.

If you only want a portion, copy-paste it with your own tags of the word *quote* in brackets and close with the brackets around the word *quote* again with the backslash. Remember to give the person's name.

This ad is from the 1895 Bristol County Atlas

Thanks- that's another Cummings!

I checked some bios but there are none yet that I can find.
John W. became Mayor so maybe you can find him that way.