Lizzie Borden walked out of a Massachusetts courtroom in 1893 as a free woman, but the acquittal did little to end the public fascination surrounding her. She had been accused of killing her father, Andrew Borden, and stepmother, Abby Borden, in Fall River in 1892. Although a jury found her not guilty, suspicion followed her for the rest of her life.
Lizzie stayed in Fall River with her sister Emma, and the two eventually moved into a large Queen Anne home they called Maplecroft. Lizzie also began using the name Lizbeth and traveled more freely, including trips to Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. Her life was far removed from the quiet image expected of a woman who had just survived one of the country’s most notorious murder trials.
Enter Nance O’Neil
That changed further in 1904 when Lizzie attended a performance in Boston featuring actress Nance O’Neil. O’Neil was already a prominent stage performer, known for dramatic roles and promoted during her career as the “American Bernhardt.” The meeting opened the door to a friendship that would soon attract attention.
O’Neil was born Gertrude Lamson in Oakland, California, in 1874. By the time she met Lizzie, she had built a successful theatrical career and had performed in major productions, including roles such as Lady Macbeth and Hedda Gabler. Her glamorous professional world offered a striking contrast to Lizzie’s isolated existence in Fall River.
A Friendship That Sparked Gossip
Lizzie and O’Neil became close, spending time together and moving in the same social circles. Lizzie visited O’Neil’s country home in Massachusetts, while O’Neil became part of the social world surrounding Lizzie. The friendship quickly became a subject of newspaper gossip.
Some reports went further, suggesting that the relationship was romantic. Modern historians have also examined that possibility, but there is no surviving correspondence or diary that definitively establishes what the relationship meant to either woman. Cara Robertson, author of The Trial of Lizzie Borden, has described the relationship as potentially romantic while distinguishing that from proof of a sexual relationship.
Did O’Neil Cause the Borden Sisters’ Breakup?
The friendship became even more controversial after O’Neil and members of her theatrical circle were linked to Maplecroft. A 1905 newspaper report claimed Emma objected to Lizzie’s association with O’Neil and suggested the actress played a role in the sisters’ dramatic split. Emma eventually left Maplecroft and never returned.
But the exact reason for the estrangement remains uncertain. Emma later refused to explain publicly what had caused her departure. O’Neil also disputed aspects of the newspaper story, including the claim that she had visited Maplecroft with her theatrical company. That contradiction has made the story even harder for historians to pin down.
What Nance O’Neil Said About Lizzie
O’Neil later offered her own memories of Lizzie, describing her as a gentle and fragile woman carrying considerable sadness. She said the two eventually drifted apart as O’Neil’s career took her elsewhere. O’Neil also maintained that they never discussed the murders themselves.
In 1916, O’Neil married actor Alfred Hickman, and her career later expanded into film. Lizzie remained at Maplecroft until her death from pneumonia in 1927. Whatever the true nature of their friendship, O’Neil had become one of the most intriguing figures in Lizzie’s post-trial life.
Why Their Story Still Fascinates
The fascination with Lizzie and O’Neil has lasted because so much about their relationship remains undocumented. Their friendship unfolded more than a decade after Lizzie’s acquittal, yet it became tangled with the mystery surrounding her private life and the eventual break between Lizzie and Emma.
Netflix’s 2026 series Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story has brought that history back into the spotlight. The series takes dramatic liberties, including changing the timing of some events, while the real O’Neil and Borden did not meet until 1904.
FAQ
Who was Nance O’Neil?
Nance O’Neil was an American stage and film actress who became known for major dramatic roles and developed a close friendship with Lizzie Borden after meeting her in 1904.
Were Lizzie Borden and Nance O’Neil lovers?
There has been speculation that their friendship was romantic, but surviving historical evidence does not definitively establish that they were lovers.
Did Nance O’Neil cause Lizzie Borden and Emma Borden to stop speaking?
A 1905 newspaper report connected O’Neil to the sisters’ breakup, but the exact cause of Emma’s departure remains uncertain, and O’Neil later disputed parts of the report.