In an intriguing exploration of historical crime, Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, the maid of the notorious Borden family, has seen renewed interest thanks to the latest season of Netflix’s crime anthology series, “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.” The show’s fourth season, released on 17 September, revisits the infamous double murders that shook Fall River, Massachusetts, on 4 August 1892.
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Sullivan, born around 1866 in County Cork, Ireland, emigrated to the United States in 1883, settling in the Northeast. She found work as a maid for several affluent families, eventually joining the Borden household in 1889. At the time of the murders, Sullivan was a 26-year-old, unmarried woman, and her testimony has become a crucial element in the narrative surrounding Lizzie Borden’s trial. Lizzie, accused of killing her father Andrew and stepmother Abby, was later acquitted in a case that still intrigues historians and true-crime enthusiasts alike.
On that fateful day in 1892, Sullivan was reportedly washing windows outside while the murders took place. She claimed not to have heard any commotion during the incident, a point that raises questions about her knowledge of the events that unfolded. Returning inside, Sullivan said she encountered the locked door to Andrew’s home when he returned. After struggling to get the door open, she stated she heard Lizzie call down to her, informing her that their father had been killed.
The relationship between Sullivan and the Borden family has been depicted in various ways across dramatizations, including in “Monster.” The series portrays a complicated dynamic, suggesting a level of hostility, particularly from Abby Borden towards her staff. Although the drama takes creative liberties with Sullivan’s character, historical accounts paint a different picture. In testimony, she expressed her dissatisfaction with her circumstances, noting that her employer, Abby Borden, although strict, was generally a pleasant woman.
As the trial unfolded, Sullivan’s life took a different turn. During a later interview, she indicated plans to possibly return to previous jobs or visit relatives, with some speculation that she might consider returning to Ireland. A significant gap in her documented life followed the trial, during which little is known about her movements. Eventually, she resurfaced in Anaconda, Montana, where she married John Sullivan in 1905, a man unrelated to her, and lived out the rest of her years.
With few children or descendants to follow her, Maggie Sullivan’s life after the trial remains largely shrouded in mystery. Some family members have claimed she was a strict and serious person, often remembered for her trademark dust cap. However, the portrayal of her character on Netflix shows a more nuanced personality, adding depth to her relationship with Lizzie.
Biographical accounts indicate that Sullivan’s final years were spent relatively quietly. She passed away on 25 March 1948, and photographs taken in her later years reveal a woman who had witnessed both the extraordinary and the mundane in her life journey. There is a poignant notion that despite being the only witness to the notorious Borden murders, her story is often overshadowed by the scandal of Lizzie Borden’s alleged actions and subsequent trial.
The release of “Monster” has reignited interest not only in Lizzie Borden but also in the lives of those often forgotten in the shadows of historic events. Sullivan’s role as the maid at a tumultuous time in American history is now gaining its deserved recognition. As modern audiences engage with these tales, questions remain about the true complexities of life in the Borden household, especially for those who were not in the spotlight, like Maggie Sullivan.
While the dark legacy of the Bordens continues to fascinate, it is crucial to remember the lives of individuals like Maggie, whose stories offer vital context to this infamous chapter of American history.