Lizzie Borden Society Forum

Hello All,

I'm new to this forum so this topic may have already been discussed so please forgive my repetitiveness if so.

There always seems to be this fascination with the locks between Lizzie's room and Andrew/Abby's room with all kinds of speculation that the locks were put there out of spite or possible incest issues. Both of these seem just completely overdone as this house was built originally as a two family home. It would seem more likely that the locks were there from the original build. Is it true that the upstairs room was actually a kitchen area that was later moved downstairs?

Also, there's a lot of reference to Andrew keeping the key to his (and Abby's) room on the mantel as a "reminder to Lizzie" that he knew she had been the thief of Abby's things. Does anyone know how or where this theory originated?

Yes Georgainia:

The reason for the locks was just to assure privacy for both daughter and parents. Most likely nothing more than that.

When the house was renovated the consideration was probably concluded that it was cheaper to just permanently lock the door between the two rooms than build a new wall in its place. It is safe to assume that the locks were placed there by Andrew when he converted the two apartment house to a one family. The door was most likely permanently locked and assumed to be a perpetual barrier or partition between the two private living spaces and nothing more than that.

When the Trafton House was a two family home the Borden bedroom on the second floor was originally a kitchen. At that time there was also another kitchen on the first floor. Both apartments were clones of one another.

The key that Borden kept on the mantle was for a different door. It was for the door between the Borden Bedroom and the back hallway. Many have speculated to why Borden kept the key on the fireplace mantle. But I'm afraid that there is not much to it but speculation.

Also, much has been written about Borden placing his bedroom key on the 'fireplace mantle'. According to Bridget, he kept the key on a shelf in the sitting room. I don't think there is any mention to where the shelf could be, though it was probably the pantry shelf just to the right of the fireplace. Though Bridget also testifies that he took the key from the mantle and went upstairs. So where did the key live? We don't really know. Unless the mantle is considered a shelf.... a mantle shelf. In any event what is important is that he kept the key in full view of those who lived there, including Lizzie. I for one believe he did so because he trusted his daughter and all family members, including Bridget. But that doesn't make for a good yarn, now does it?

PS

Weather Borden suspect his daughter of taking things from his room is not really made clear. Someone had broken into the bedroom. If I'm not mistaken, Lizzie testified that a nail was used.

But leaving the key out in full view would be nothing our of the ordinary for Borden. He was of age and a creature of habit. That he did so could have meant that he just continued to store the key in it's place, which was common routine for him.

Though it is entertaining to speculate, invent conjecture and theory, in the end it is just that. A hypothesis. And without an incontestable conclusion the safe way to go is on the side of probability.

Or Not For where is the fun in that

Thank you both for your answers. So much of the story of Lizzie seems built up by stories retold over and over until someone decides they're facts. I like that people are actually informed enough with what IS known to question these "facts."