Lizzie Borden Society Forum

I believe I read that Lizzie's nickname for Nance was "Daphne" or "Daphnis"? Do we know Nance's nickname for Lizbeth? I want to say Camille... but I can't remember. You out there, Twins?

I apologize for the delay in replying to your post, LABR, but when I first read your entry, I really thought you had stumped me with this one!

However, I did a google search and found a google book preview for Brandy Purdy’s book titled, The Secrets of Lizzie Borden, and a page from the Tattered Fabric: Fall River's Lizzie Borden blog, which mentions the word ‘Daphne. (Usually I do not go on the Tattered Fabric: Fall River's Lizzie Borden blog, out of respect for Stefani, our forum administrator, but I’m glad I did this time, because the information that the administrator posted in her blog lead me to a great source for answering your question.)

Here is the link for the google book preview for Brandy Purdy’s book titled, The Secrets of Lizzie Borden: http://tinyurl.com/y8pct5hy Keep in mind that this is a book of fiction, therefore there may be some truth within it’s pages, but there is also a lot of made up things. So, as far as I'm concerned, it is not a good source.

In the Tattered Fabric: Fall River's Lizzie Borden blog, is a post which states:

BTW, I have a pansy broach that belonged to Lizzie, inscribed “Daphne”.

That’s an inside joke if you’ve read Parallel Lives.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/ycktabql

With that information in mind, I pulled out my Parallel Lives book, and sure enough the information you need for your question is from page 727 through page 730. I’m sorry, but I am not willing to type that many pages of information, but I am willing to summarize it for you:

Simply put, Nance O’Neil’s nickname was ‘Daphne’, and Lizzie Borden’s nickname was ‘Lizbeth’.

Nance O’Neil inscribed the words to the poem “Flower and Thorn” by Thomas Baily Aldrich in the book titled, “The Poems of Thomas Bailey Aldrich”. She completed her dedication to Lizzie with these words:

For my dear Lizbeth, with love from Daphne.

O’Neil Manor
June 13, 1904
Tyngsboro, Mass.

Nance presented this book to Lizzie and from that time on, Nance was Daphne, and Lizzie was Lizbeth, the name by which she would refer to herself as, for the reminder of her life.

The true origin of Lizbeth and Daphne will most likely never be known; remaining a secret well kept.

I highly recommend that you check out the information given in Parallel Lives for yourself, LABR, because it is quite interesting to say the least.

BTW, out of curiosity, do you recall what source you read that Lizzie's nickname for Nance was "Daphne"?

Hey Twins! Yes. I believe I read it in Parallel Lives when I was able to borrow my friend's copy. ( She lives in another state, so I only had the book briefly on vk). But, it being PL... which is huge, ha, I couldn't remember for sure. Maybe I remembered Camille because Nance played the part once. Either way, thanks as usual! Most of my questions pertain to a tiny detail I can't remember where I found it! The years and sources tend to blur in my head . I've accumulated 100s of pgs of research notes and the pile can be daunting. I overwhelm easy. Bahaha. Thanks, Twins! You guys make my life a lot easier

You’re welcome for the information; I enjoyed the research and I learned something that I didn’t know before. Lizzie changed her name to Lizbeth, because of Nance O’Neil. I find it interesting that Nance provided Lizzie with a new identity.

I also find it interesting that those two women had several things in common. Both women lived in large houses, both women christened their homes with a name; Lizzie named hers ‘Maplecroft’, and Nance named hers ‘O’Neil Manor’. Both women loved animals, and both women loved money.

Here is a picture of Nance's home (Click on image to enlarge):


Source for pic:http://tinyurl.com/ydhynlee

Thanks for letting me know your source, LABR. After I submitted my previous post, I thought your source was most likely Parallel Lives. I really enjoy reading the information in Parallel Lives, but I find it hard to study a book that weights almost 7 lbs.! I have often thought it would be studied more if it were in 3-4 volumes, but that is just my opinion.

I agree, Twins. It's hard to keep track of everything in PL. There's no way to just skim through and locate the pg w a random fact like the nicknames. I would have much preferred 3 or 4 volumes! It'd been an easier price pill to swallow too ha. I love the pic of Nance's house. Wow ❤

On October 02, 2007, Tina-Kate posted the following in the thread titled, "New" Nance O'Neil!:

Nance had no control over her own money during the time she knew Lizzie. Nance had a Manager/Mentor named McKee Rankin. Rankin was an actor/director/producer/self-proclaimed genius. They had a written contract where Rankin looked after the funds. He took her under his wing when she was young & naive---she let him take care of the pesky money details.

However, Rankin was notoriously inept at dealing with money. He was an alcoholic and borderline con man. When money was around, he spent it with abandon. Nance often had to survive by selling and/or pawning expensive gifts given her by admirers (such as Lizzie). She was almost constantly in trouble financially & legally due to Rankin's misuse & mismanagement of funds.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/y8f3t9je

Tina-Kate also wrote an article titled, Queen of Tragedy: The Career of Nance O’Neil, in the February/March, 2005, Volume 2, Issue 1 of, The Hatchet: Journal of Lizzie Borden Studies: http://tinyurl.com/yancu42g

You may want to check out the article in the June/July 2004, Volume 1, Issue 3, of The Hatchet: Journal of Lizzie Borden Studies, by Mary Elizabeth Naugle, titled, Lizzie Borden Slept Here. It is quite a write up on Nance O'Neil's mansion, with several pictures as well as newspaper articles. Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/ybzq24hj

Thoughts?

Thanks, Twins! Can't wait to check it out

You're welcome, LABR. I would be interested in knowing your thoughts, after you have a chance to read the links I provided.