Tiny Tuesday is a tad bit tardy!
 
Yesterday, as many of you may know, was the 128 Anniversary of the Borden murders. To commemorate, we continue with another artifact pertaining to one of Fall River’s most famous residents, Miss Lizzie Andrew Borden (1860-1927)!
 
One of a set of six, this lovely fruit knife has a mother-of-pearl handle mounted in sterling silver. Well over 100 years old, the steel blade is still sharp to the touch! The entire set is housed in the original presentation box. Though the manufacturer is unidentified, this set was retailed by New Bedford jeweler C.E. Woodworth.
 
The knives were gifted by Lizzie A. Borden to Sydney Freeman Borden (1873-1947) and his wife, Louella Mae [Shores] Borden (1878-1957). They were donated to the FRHS by their son, Freeman Sydney Borden (1901-1994), shortly before his death.
 
During the middle to late 19th and early 20th centuries, proper etiquette called for a wide assortment of eating utensils for nearly every kind of fish. There were fruit knives, dessert spoons, various soup spoons, and even ice cream forks!
 
Now you can see how important a set like this was. After all, no one wants to be caught cutting their fruit with the wrong knife!