Andrew Jackson Borden was born in Fall River on September 13th 1822 to Abraham and Phebe (Davenport) Borden at the family home on 12 Ferry St. His father was a fish peddler and the family lived in one of the poorer sections of town.

On Christmas Day, 1845, he married Sarah Anthony Morse. They had three children, Emma, Alice who died, and Lizzie. Sarah died on March 26, 1863 when Lizzie was 2 1/2.

Before Andrew began his climb to successful business man, he was apprenticed as a carpenter to Abner L. Westgate. About 1845, with a $1,000 loan, he formed a business partnership with William M. Almy, the beginning of Borden & Almy. By the 1850's, Mr. Borden had moved on to real estate and banking.

In April 1872, Mr. Borden purchased the house at 92 Second St. from Charles Trafton. He moved in with his second wife Abby and his daughters Lizzie (11) and Emma (21).

At the time of his death, he owned many properties around the Fall River area. He was also the president of the Union Savings Bank (still found today) on South Main St. and also on the board of directors for the B.M.C. Durfee Safe Deposit and Trust Co. as well as having holdings in many prominent mills.

Despite all his wealth, Andrew was known as a miser. The house at 92 Second Street used oil lamps instead of gas, did not have hot running water and did not have electricity, although Andrew easily could have afforded those utilities.

Mr. Borden arrived home about 10:45 am on the morning of August 4th. His body was discovered on the sofa in the sitting room and reported by Lizzie at 11:10 am. According to the autopsy, he had received 10 blows to the face with a hatchet.