Stern/Dour Bridget

[Aamartin]

The article in which Brigit's family state they remember her as having no sense of humor and even mean...

http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x2210 ... rs?photo=0

I wonder if she was always like that-- naturally grew into that-- or if somehow the circumstances at 92 2nd contributed....

[Albanyguy]

Interesting. I don't think I've ever read anything that indicated that Bridget was "stern" or "mean" during her time in Fall River. The picture of her that emerges from all the books is that of a pleasant and obliging young woman. Even Edward Radin, who claimed she was the real killer, couldn't come up with anything bad to say about her behavior prior to August 4th (and that's one of the major weaknesses of his book). But perhaps that was all an act; in those days, domestic servants were expected to mind their manners and perhaps Bridget hid her disagreeable nature under a serene and smiling facade in front of her employers and the rest of the world. Hmmm..if that were true, it might make the idea of Bridget-as-murderer slightly more plausible.

The most likely explanation, though, is that Bridget was relatively good-natured as a young woman and that her disposition soured as she grew older. Perhaps her marriage was unhappy (and as a Catholic, divorce would have been out of the question) or perhaps she was bitter about not being able to have children. Maybe she had money problems that weighed on her spirits. Or maybe she was simply in poor health; chronic pain can make anybody grouchy.

I guess we'll never know. Oh, well at least we have the new pictures.

[snokkums]

That was an interesting article. I think Bridget just had a miserable life. Some times when nothing in life goes your way, you get a pessimistic attitude.

[Yooper]

I find it interesting that Bridget's family spoke of her returning to Ireland after the murders. I wonder how soon after the murders that might have taken place? It raises other questions; how could she afford the trip (both ways) and why would she want to do that, only to return to the United States and move to Montana? Escaping notoriety comes to mind, but why return?

Maybe the press badgered her after the trial and Lizzie's acquittal, wanting to know the "real" story, on the assumption there was something she could tell. Whether the press did that or not, Lizzie's lawyers might have speculated that the newspapers would make the attempt. Lizzie could not be re-tried as the perpetrator of the crimes, but she could be tried as an accessory for the same crimes. If Bridget had any new information or if the lawyers feared she might, there would have been ample reason to fund a trip back to Ireland.

Bridget would have been "that Borden maid" wherever she went. I doubt she would have shaken that stigma for the rest of her life. Hiding from the press could have been a lifelong burden, which might account for a sour disposition.

[Angel]

Or, maybe it was due to living with a guilty conscience over SOMETHING.

[Aamartin]

And even in marriage-- she didn't change her name.

[mbhenty]

[mbhenty]

Yes:



Bridget Sullivan married a guy named John Sullivan. So, she never had to change her name. Cool for her.

[augusta]

I think Bridget didn't have a whole lot of patience. I think she had a mouth on her. Remember the "PSHAWWW!" when she couldn't get the front door open on the murder morn? She may have been nervous as well. She refused to sleep in the house the night of the murders. And when a policeman came to get her to be questioned, she fell apart and cried. (Was that just nerves, or was she afraid she may have to give Lizzie, or herself, away?)

If you read her court testimony/ies, she didn't seem afraid to speak up. Some of the stuff she said was pretty funny.

[Yooper]

The fact that Bridget cried when the policeman came to take her in for questioning might be the result of the fear that she was suspected of the crimes. This was early in the game, people were less likely to be aware of what others had told the police. Bridget must have mulled it over, she and Lizzie were the most likely candidates as suspects and if she thought that Lizzie had somehow been cleared, that left her as the primary suspect. No one had been formally accused of the crimes at the time she was escorted by the policeman, the accusation came immediately after the inquest. Bridget wanted to distance herself from the Borden household, so I expect she spent the minimum amount of time there after the murders. She might not have been aware of who said what to whom, she might not have known that Lizzie corroborated her story about going upstairs for a nap or that Mrs. Churchill had also seen her washing windows, in addition to the Kelley's maid. If it came down to a contest between her word or Lizzie's about what happened, she probably figured she would finish second.

Still, falling apart and crying seems a bit extreme. I expect fear is the motivator, but was it the fear of being correctly or incorrectly accused of wrongdoing?

[snokkums]

I think Bridget might have been thinking to that, "Of course blame the maid." I think she was worried about that. Back then, servants weren't too much better than an actor. They weren't well thought off. I mean, why not blame the maid. The police could probably zero in on her thinking that she wasn't to happy with the employment or the employer.

[Aamartin]

I know she married another Sullivan...

But I was wondering if, in her case-- she might have wished for a different last name.

[mbhenty]

Yes: Aamartin:

It would probably have been easier for poor Bridget to change her first name.

Fall River Directory lists only one other Bridget Sullivan in Fall River, MA in 1892. Of course there were probably many others who did not have their names listed and instead, their husbands.

Here are some interesting stats:

In 1892 fall river had around 76,000 population

Out of that 550 (est.) were named Sullivan, give or take a couple.

Out of all these Sullivans there was 90....that's 90 guys named "John Sullivan."

And 60 guys named Daniel.

There were 25 Mary Sullivans. Out of these Mary Sullivans 19 of them were widows.

[Albanyguy]

I think Bridget didn't have a whole lot of patience. I think she had a mouth on her. Remember the "PSHAWWW!" when she couldn't get the front door open on the murder morn?

I've always thought that the "PSHAWWW!" was actually an "OH, SHIT!" that she was too embarrassed to cop to in court.

[augusta]

Could be, Albanyguy. They had pretty much all the swear words we have today back then. I don't know if Lizzie would have come out and laughed at just "Pshaw!" A lot of people have brought that up before, and I'm guessing you're probably right.

I think that's true, Yooper, that part of her was afraid she'd be blamed. (Or possibly she'd have to tell some stuff on the Bordens that she knew Lizzie wouldn't like. I'd be afraid of Lizzie then if I were her...)

Her reaction reminded me of the woman in the Lindbergh house the night of the baby's kidnapping. Violet Sharpe? If y'all recall, she fell to pieces ala Bridget when she was questioned about the kidnapping. Then shortly afterwards she committed suicide by poison.

Yeah, Snokkums. 'The butler did it.'

[snokkums]

I think she was frieghtened to say anything. Either that she was very loyal employee. I think kyou are right about that too Albanyguy. She really wanted to say Oh Shit!

[Yooper]

Yes: Aamartin:

It would probably have been easier for poor Bridget to change her first name.

Fall River Directory lists only one other Bridget Sullivan in Fall River, MA in 1892. Of course there were probably many others who did not have their names listed and instead, their husbands.

Here are some interesting stats:

In 1892 fall river had around 76,000 population

Out of that 550 (est.) were named Sullivan, give or take a couple.

Out of all these Sullivans there was 90....that's 90 guys named "John Sullivan."

And 60 guys named Daniel.

There were 25 Mary Sullivans. Out of these Mary Sullivans 19 of them were widows.

She could have changed her first name to "Maggie".