Bridget Sullivan in Later Years
Perhaps the most thrilling photo from Parallel Lives was that of Lizzie on her veranda at Maplecroft with her little dog. Now we have two photos of the Borden maid around the same age. Whereas Lizzie looks rested, prosperous and content in her photo, Bridget has a stern and careworn visage. Two elderly ladies- worlds apart in many ways, but sharing one extraordinary day in common- August 4, 1892.
Photo of Lizzie and her dog courtesy of the Fall River Herald News Online as seen in Parallel Lives by Michael Martins and Dennis Binette.
Photos reproduced here courtesy of Diana Porter, a relative of John Sullivan
Photo of Bridget Sullivan courtesy of Diana Porter attributed as coming from the Barbara Knightly Hockaway Collection
Marriage license courtesy of Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast Museum
15 Comments
Kate Lavender
Bridget always said she was 26 at the trial and yet here is her marriage license that says she was 21 at the time of the murders. It seems to me that she was a bit of a criminal herself.
Shelley
Bridget admitted she never knew her birthday when she was questioned. Women usually subtract, not add years on! 🙂
Anonymous
I genuinely believe Bridget committed the murders. When she said she was resting, it likely meant she was exhausted from killing two people. By stating this to the authorities, she wasn’t technically ‘lying’; it positioned her away from the crime scene and gave her time to clean herself up. She was the only one in the house at the time, while Lizzie claimed to be in the barn, and Emma had been at a friend’s house for a couple of weeks. Bridget probably saw this as the perfect opportunity, given that no one was home, and such a situation likely didn’t happen often. She started working for the Bordens in 1889 and was employed as their maid until the murders in 1892, which gave her more than enough time to develop strong resentments.
Anonymous
Lizzie was in the house when Abby was murdered.
AliceW
And what’s up with the two surnames? Did Bridget have another surname? Or was “Sullivan” a common name during the time. How odd her husband is Sullivan as well?
administrator
She married a John Sullivan so she was a double Sullivan- yes it was a common name.
Constantine Coutroulos
It still is!
Barbara Toppe
I find the entire mystery interesting. Out of curiosity, do you think that Lizzie did it? I don’t believe Lizzie killed her parents, however if she did, I think her parents deserved it, they were not kind people especially to Lizzie and Emma. My mother was alive and was about 10 years old when it happened and in Boston, she would always tell us that she remembered her mother (my grandmother) breaking down in tears when they heard what happened because she had met Lizzie’s father once. All very interesting. I’m wonder what young people today believe happened?
Anonymous
Thats amazing. Your story is very cool. I think Lizzie was inocent. But i think she knew about it. Thanks for sharing.
Sioux
I do you believe the father had many enemies. If he had abused his daughter at a young age sexually and mentally, I feel that Lizzy could have possibly committed the crime. Maybe she just snapped. Especially in those days when women had very few rights and had to keep emotions bottled up inside. The mind can break down for a period of time where you have no memory of anything. It’s a physiological way the body protects itself especially when you’re under extreme stress.
Fear and threat of ones survival can make people act in very extreme ways- even murder.
Lizzy seemed to have the most to lose
Mary Noon
Trying to reach Diana or Joan Porter. Your cousin, Mary Noon. Reach me at cakmjn@gmail.com
Anonymous
I’m thinking Lizzie is “rested & content” because she was monied and had a very easy life; Bridget (or ladies like her) had to actually work for a living. Assuming I should continue reading b/c I don’t understand the comparison. Amazing photos–I’ve never seen either one of these before. Thanks for sharing them. PS: lol at the Wilfred Brimley comment.
Pamela Howe
Is it just me, or does it look like Bridget married Wilford Brimley?
Leslie A Brown
Though “politically incorrect”, I can’t help but noticed Bridget’s husband with his “Mr. Happy” expression. Lizzie never married. Hmmm. Wonder if that made a difference?
Jo Anne Giovino
You know “They” say there is no such thing as a coincidence. I find it rather eerie that we have a new picture of Lizzie as an elderly lady and now Bridget at about the same age. Coincidence….or a parallel life ????