The Lizzie Borden House is said to be one of the most haunted houses in America and has been investigated by countless people including the Ghost Adventures Crew and Ghost Hunters (The Atlantic Paranormal Society). The story of Lizzie is one that has traveled history. Lizzie Borden was born on July 9th, 1860 and grew up with her father Andrew Borden and sister Emma. Lizzie lost her mother when she was young, and they say that it had an effect on her for the rest of her life. The father eventually remarried a young woman named Abby who became Lizzie’s step-mother.
Andrew himself was a wealthy textile mill owner who worked his way up from poverty. Because of this he was a very frugal man and even lacked plumbing in his own home. As a young woman, Lizzie was very involved in township activities including her church, teaching Sunday school and children of recent immigrants to America. They were a happy family until the year of 1892.
It was this summer that tension began to grow. Andrew presented his wife Abby with a home which she in turn gave to her relatives. Upset with such a large gift, Lizzie and her sister bickered and scolded the father until he gave them a home of their own for $1(it was the home they lived in while their mother was alive). Believe it or not, they only lasted a few months before selling the home back to the father for a large sum at the time of $5,000.
On the morning of Thursday, August 4th, 1892 Lizzie called down to her nanny saying that her parents had been killed. She failed to mention how gruesome the murder was. Both the father and step-mother were butchered with an Axe. Andrew was hit an estimated 11 times, and the step mother 19 leaving a blood soaked mess everywhere.
Lizzie was accused of the murder and many believed she performed the evil deed. Even her accounts of the day would vary each time she spoke with officers as well as during the trial. It was even known that she unsuccessfully attempted to purchase prussic acid, a highly poisonous liquid, in the days before the murders. In the end though, Lizzie was found not guilty of the murder and its mystery remains unsolved to this day.
The house which still stands is open for reservations or tours for any guests which want to stay. It is considered to be haunted by the multiple spirits which have lived there. Mr. Borden is said to carry on his usual business, unwilling to except the fact that he is dead. He will respond to questions and is the common spirit to provide EVP’s. Abby is said to be the most common sighting, appearing through the home and usually will yell from time to time, believed to be reenacting the moment of her death. One month after renovations of the home, in the John Morse Room there was a indentation made on the bed, believed to be her spirit. Other sightings include that of Lizzie herself in the basement, cleaning the hatchet used to perform the deadly deed. Investigators will also receive evidence from Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, the family maid, and her pet cat. This includes sighting of the maid, hearing cat meows, cold spots and more. Doors will open by themselves, footsteps can be heard, and lights will flicker. This is one house with a daunting past and a history of one of the most famous unsolved murder cases.
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