Brigham Family Collection
DESCRIPTION
This small archive is comprised of a collection of material pertaining to Emma L. and Lizzie A. Borden in relationship with George Sewall Brigham (1858-1927), his wife, née Mary Ella Sheen (1856-1942), and their son, Richard Curtis Brigham (1895-1974).
HISTORICAL NOTE
Mrs. George S. Brigham was an intimate friend, confidante, and staunch supporter of both Emma and Lizzie Borden and, as such, figured prominently in events following the Borden murders. She remained a lifelong friend of Emma Borden, but severed ties with Lizzie subsequent to the Borden sisters’ estrangement in 1905. Privy to a great deal of personal information pertaining to the Borden sisters, she decisively refused to discuss, either publicly or privately, her friendship with the two women, or her involvement in the case.
PROVENANCE
BFC001: Richard C. Brigham Sr.; to his wife, née Florence Cook (1899-2000); to the FRHS, 1988, Accession Number: 1988.011.
BFC002: Mrs. George Sewall Brigham; to her son, Richard Curtis Brigham Sr.; to his wife, Florence C. Brigham; to the FRHS, 1988, Accession Number: 1988.011.
BFC004: Mrs. George Sewall Brigham; to her son, Richard Curtis Brigham Sr.; to his wife, Florence C. Brigham; to the FRHS, 1984, Accession Number: 1984.104.
BFC003, BFC005, BFC006, BF0007: Mrs. George S. Brigham; to her son, Richard C. Brigham Sr.; to his wife, Florence C. Brigham; to their son, Richard Curtis Brigham Jr. (1925-2014); to the FRHS, 2009, Accession Number: 2009.001.
INVENTORY
BFC001 – Periodical: Our Dumb Animals, November 1908.
Volume 41, Number 6, The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Boston, Massachusetts, publishers; wove paper, 9 ¾” x 12 ¼”, 16 pp. numbered 82 to 96.
Note: The periodical was Richard C. Brigham’s copy from a subscription purchased for him by Lizzie A. Borden.
Object Identification Number: 1988.011.001
BFC002 – Photograph: Emma Leonora Borden.
Gay’s Gallery of Art, Fall River, Massachusetts, circa 1882; albumen print, 2 ¼” x 3 ¾” on a 2 ½” x 4” carte de visite.
Note: Removed from a personal photograph album of Mrs. George S. Brigham by her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Richard C. Brigham, Sr., in 1988. The subject was identified on the album page in the hand of the former.
Object Identification Number: 1988.011.002
BFC003 – Postcard: Carlisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight, The Woodville Tower, sent by Emma L. Borden to George S. Brigham, postmarked July 4, 1906.
Holograph postcard, initialed; unidentified publisher; tinted calotype on paper, 5 ½” x 3 ½”; inscribed in ink on two sides.
Subject: Travel
Object Identification Number: 2009.001.001
BFC004 – Postcard: St. Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh Castle, sent by Emma L. Borden to Mrs. George S. Brigham, August 12, 1906.
Holograph postcard, initialed; The Valentine Company, Dundee, Scotland, and London, England; tinted calotype on paper, 5 ½” x 3 ½”; inscribed in ink on two sides.
Subject: Travel
Object Identification Number: 1984.104.001
BFC005 – Postcard: Heidelberg, das Schloss [Heidelberg Castle], sent by Emma L. Borden to George S. Brigham, September 5, 1906.
Holograph postcard, initialed; Zedler & Vogel, Kunstanstalt, Darmstadt, Germany; tinted calotype on paper, 5 ½” x 3 ½”; inscribed in ink on two sides.
Subject: Travel
Object Identification Number: 2009.001.002
BC006 – Postcard: Chateau Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace, Quebec, Canada, sent by Emma L. Borden to George S. Brigham, October 8, 1907.
Holograph postcard, initialed; Warwick Brothers & Rutter, Limited, Toronto, Canada; tinted calotype on paper, 5 ½” x 3 ½”.
Subject: Travel
Object Identification Number: 2009.001.003
BFC007 – Recipe Card: “Lizzie’s Meat Loaf.”
Holograph index card; ruled, paper, 3” x 5”; handwritten in ink by Mrs. George S. Brigham.
Note: According to family tradition, this was Lizzie Borden’s recipe.
Object Identification Number: 2009.001.004
