Uncle John

[LABRhush]

What was the relationship between Lizzie and John in Lizzie's later life? Did they keep in touch? I know he died in 1912, but beyond that I got nothing.

[mbhenty]

There is no record or hint that I know of that Lizzie and Emma corresponded with John Morse after the murders. We are lead to believe that Emma had a closer relationship with Morse than Lizzie, only because she admits as much at the inquest, calling him her 'dear uncle', disclosing that they wrote to one another in the past on a regular basis when he was out west. (if I remember correctly) She makes it clear that she and her father wrote to Morse. No mention of Mrs Borden or Lizzie.

Thus we don't know about after the trial. And if Emma wrote to him in the past we can only surmise that it continued into the future. But there is no record of it.

[LABRhush]

Thanks! Yes I think I read that Emma kept closer with family after than Lizzie did but.... ohhh to have the details!

[jcurrie]

I don't think the relationship between Lizzie and Uncle John was very cordial. For one thing, the night before the murders Lizzie had been visiting Alice Russell and when she arrived home, went straight upstairs to her room, without greeting her uncle. Lizzie also wasn't friendly with the Hiram Harringtons, Andrew's sister and brother-in-law. This was in contrast to Emma, who always maintained a relationship with her aunt and uncle.

I'm currently re-reading Robert Sullivan's book and I've noticed one thing I've never thought of before. The elder Bordens and John ate breakfast just after 7 a.m. and then retired to the living room. Just what did they talk about? Uncle John left the house at about 8.45 a.m. and Andrew not until 9.30 a.m. (I think). Was there a plan to do some business regarding property, without Lizzie's knowledge, where Abby's presence was required? And that might explain the existence of a note asking her to leave the house, ostensibly to call on a sick friend.

[camgarsky4]

JC - in your final comments, is the scenario you're wondering is that perhaps all 3 left the house and planned to meet off-site? The note was Abby's reason to join this off-site meeting?

[camgarsky4]

By the way, that is an interesting point that Lizzie is aloof from both her mom and dad's siblings. Perhaps Emma stays 'close' with them out of family obligation and a sense of loyalty to her biological mom, but Lizzie for some reason handles in the opposite fashion. Do we know of any relations which Lizzie had a close relationship with?