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Emma Borden: The Sister Behind Lizzie's Acquittal
21 Aug
Summary
- Emma Borden managed family finances and hired Lizzie's defense team.
- Emma testified in court, discussing household routines and evidence.
- The sisters lived together after the trial but later separated permanently.
Emma Borden, the elder sister of Lizzie Borden, remained a significant figure throughout the notorious 1892 murder case. Born in 1851 in Fall River, Massachusetts, Emma was tasked with looking after her younger sister Lizzie from a young age. She was not present at the family home on August 4, 1892, when their parents, Andrew and Abby Borden, were found brutally murdered.
Following the killings, Emma's role shifted dramatically. She managed the family's financial affairs and hired a prominent defense team for Lizzie, led by former Massachusetts Governor George D. Robinson. Emma also provided testimony during Lizzie's trial in June 1893, detailing household matters and specific items.
After Lizzie's acquittal, the sisters pooled their inheritance to purchase the large Maplecroft house in Fall River. Despite living together for many years, their differing personalities led to increasing friction. Emma preferred a quiet, religious life, while Lizzie embraced a more theatrical social scene.
The sisters' relationship fractured permanently in 1905 when Emma left Maplecroft after a dispute over Lizzie's lifestyle. Emma relocated to New Hampshire and lived a private life, never reconciling with Lizzie. Both sisters passed away in 1927, Eliza from surgical complications and Emma from kidney disease, unaware the other had already died.
