Early Life and Background
Sarah Anthony Morse was born September 19, 1823, in Somerset, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Anthony Morse and Rhoda Morrison, members of the well-known Morse family in Bristol County. Her upbringing was conventional for the time, with an emphasis on family management and societal responsibility. Somerset, famed for its agricultural scenery and proximity to Fall River, probably influenced her childhood memories.
Marriage to Andrew Jackson Borden
Sarah married Andrew Jackson Borden on Christmas Day, 1845, at 23. Andrew ran a prosperous firm in Fall River, Massachusetts, which was developing thanks to the textile sector. Reflecting their loving bond, their marriage was called a true love match. Andrew’s economic ability helped the Bordens live comfortably as a distinguished family.
Children
Sarah and Andrew had three daughters: Emma Lenora, Alice Esther, and Lizzie Andrew. The oldest child was Emma, born March 1, 1851. Alice Esther, born May 3, 1856, died early of congenital hydrocephalus on March 10, 1858. Lizzie was born on July 19, 1860, and her father and stepmother were murdered unexplained.
Life in Fall River
Sarah was well-liked in Fall River’s social circles. The textile mills in Fall River fuelled the local economy. Sarah gracefully balanced family and social life in the industrial metropolis, creating an impression. Close to the city centre, the Borden family home was convenient for business and social events.
Health Challenges and Death
Later in life, Sarah Anthony Borden struggled with health. Uterine congestion and spinal illness were difficult to treat in mid-19th-century medicine. Her declining health led to her early death at 39 on March 26, 1863. Her family was devastated, especially her 12- and 3-year-old daughters Emma and Lizzie.
Burial and Legacy
Sarah was originally buried on a family plot near home. In a curious twist, her grave was excavated and relocated to Oak Grove Cemetery plot 2733 in Fall River, Massachusetts. Her husband Andrew, daughter Lizzie, and stepdaughter Abby Durfee Grey Borden were buried in this cemetery, further linking her to the Borden murders.
Impact on Her Children
Her children were deeply affected by Sarah’s death. At 12, Emma was Lizzie’s main female influence. After her sister’s trial, Emma became the lone Borden heir. Lizzie, who was overshadowed by her father and stepmother’s unsolved killings, grew up without her mother’s supervision and presence, which may have affected her personal development and familial ties.
The Borden Family After Sarah’s Passing
The Borden family’s idyllic period ended with Sarah’s death. Because Andrew Jackson Borden remarried Abby Durfee Grey, Lizzie and her stepmother had family strife. This tension culminated in Andrew and Abby’s violent murder at their house on August 4, 1892, one of America’s most famous unsolved mysteries.
Emma Borden’s Role
Emma Borden helped her sister Lizzie through the murder trials and public attention. Emma, the oldest Borden daughter, inherited the land and helped Lizzie defend herself. The sisters split ways as their relationship soured, adding to the Borden family’s mystery and complexity.
Conclusion
Though tragically short, Sarah Anthony Borden’s life is part of the Borden family’s story. Her daughters, especially Lizzie, are remembered for the Borden murders. Sarah’s experiences as a mother, wife, and community role in 19th-century Fall River illuminate her era’s social and familial dynamics, piqueing historical interest today.
