Abby Borden was the second wife to Andrew Borden. She was 37 years old and considered to be an old maid when they married. Abby used the Durfee to link her with one of the first families in the area.
She desired respect and social status, but was often regarded as the daughter of a push cart peddler: to marry someone of Andrew's station was unexpected. Many at the time speculated Andrew had proposed because he was looking for a housekeeper and a someone to raise his daughters.
The relationship between Abby and her stepdaughter Lizzie remains something of a mystery. There is no documentary evidence of abuse or neglect. Several persons, however, including prosecution witnesses in the murder trial, reported that the relationship was less than loving. Many believe Lizzie killed Abby because she hated her, then felt that she had no choice but to also kill her father, who would know the truth.
Killed by 18 whacks (not 40 as the children's song goes), Abby's body was found in the second floor guest room, her body in an unusual position. Her skull, cleaned of blood and matter, was used as evidence at the trial. It showed a huge section missing.
Source(s):
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/LizzieBorden/biographiesborden.html
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