Bridget Sullivan was born one of 13 children to Eugene and Margaret (Leary) Sullivan in Cork County Ireland in 1864. She emigrated to the U.S. in 1883 and worked as a scullery maid in Newport RI . By 1888 she had made her way to Fall River where she found work with the Borden's in 1889. Her major duties were cooking, cleaning and ironing. All of which she did on the morning of the murders.

On the witness stand at Lizzie's trial, Bridget told in detail, all of the events she witnessed on the day of the murders. Much of what we know today comes from her statements including the now infamous breakfast of johnnycakes, coffee, fruit, cookies and three-day old mutton broth.