Lizzie Borden Society Forum

I was perusing old newspapers and came across a reference to Lizzie Borden and a friend named Josie Rodman.

From the Boston Post, Aug. 22, 1892, pg. 1:

"One day about six years ago, Josie Rodman, one of the close friends of this girl, took sick. Lizzie Borden watched and waited upon her faithfully and constantly. But she died. The effect of this loss upon the watcher was deep and marked. Her thoughts were directed to spiritual things. She joined the Central Congregational Church soon after, entered into its work and found in it occupation for her thought, and hands and time."

There's another reference to this friendship in regards to Josie's will. This is from the Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, NY, Oct. 11, 1892 (keeping in mind this was published at the same time as the fake McHenry stories):

"Some years ago, Miss Josie Rodman was very intimate with Lizzie Borden. Miss Borden attempted to persuade Miss Rodman, who was in failing health, to make a will in her favor, promising at the same time to make her will in favor of Miss Rodman. Mr. Jennings drew Miss Rodman's will, but it has not been shown that Lizzie Borden was a beneficiary by it."

Josephine E. Rodman died in 1886 and her will was probated in Bristol that year. The executor of her will was Philip Borden, husband of her aunt, Caroline Seabury Borden. (Probates, Vol. 246=247, 1887, source ancestry.com).

Lizzie WAS a beneficiary. I wonder if the trunk she inherited is the one she used for her grand European tour.

After the murders of Andrew and Abby there are mentions of Lizzie being very generous with friends, buying gifts and things for them for no apparent reason. Of course, by that point she had the money to do so. She was living “high on a hog” (as my Grandfather would say) at Maplecroft. Before the murders, she got very little allowance in comparison to the riches in her later life.

From the Sourcebook by David Kent page 340 - Helen Leighton interview: She gave away thousands of dollars to aid needy cases which came to her attention. She also brought cheers to scores by sending them little luxuries their slender purses could not afford. She helped several young people obtain a college education. Fond of good reading herself, she saw to it that many persons who enjoyed good books but could not afford them, were well supplied with reading matter. Very few people knew the extent of her charities.

I think that it goes back to the difference between Lizzie and Lizbeth. Lizzie being the spinster who lived at home with her father and stepmother, and lived a life of neither luxury nor connivence. Lizbeth had all extravagances: a large house, carriage, library, tons of money, etc. 
I wouldn’t be surprised if Lizzie had been greedy and manipulative, whereas Lizbeth was a generous friend.