Easily the tallest monument in the cemetery, the lady on the apex is oft-mistaken as being Lizzie Borden by visitors from out of town. This is actually the monument of Richard Borden and is surrounded by many other kin of the Borden family. The obelisk which rivals the Washington Monument in the backgorund marks the grave of Jefferson Borden. Both of these men were captains of industry, mill barons, and wielded much influence in banking and business in the city.
Please click on these links to read the article in today’s Herald News.
http://www.heraldnews.com/town_info/history/x1565510740
http://www.heraldnews.com/town_info/history/x1565510740?view=pop&photo=3
The Friends extend our sincere appreciation to Citizens-Union and their willingness to support our efforts with the purchase of a tree to be planted at Oak Grove. Their assistance in helping us achieve our goals of restoring Oak Grove demonstrates their commitment to our community. Established in 1851, the banking institution has established itself as one of the oldest financial pillars of the Fall River community. For more on the history of Citizens-Union, visit their website at: http://www.citizensunionbank.com/inner/history.asp
The Friends would like to extend their appreciation to Waring Sullivan funeral home. Waring Sullivan has agreed to provide those planning to bury a loved one at Oak Grove with the option of purchasing a tree through the Friends. By making families aware of the Friends and their mission, and by giving them an opportunity to have a tree planted in celebration of a loved one, Waring Sullivan demonstrates their commitment to supporting our restoration efforts to this historic cemetery.
The United Parish of Fall River has distributed FOG brochures to over 200 families in their congregation. Brochures were included in the April issue of UP’s Cross Currents. Many deceased members of the United Parish are interred at Oak Grove. The Friends extend their gratitude to Pastor Ruth Chartier and Denise Dormer for their assistance in promoting awareness of our work.
On March 2nd, the Friends gathered at the cemetery gates to begin our inventory of existing trees at Oak Grove. Although there was a cold wind, the weather held up otherwise. Preliminary work on a computer generated map of the cemtery has begun. This map will be useful in allowing us to record existing plantings and assist us in the development of a plan for new plantings. A big THANK YOU to FOG members Gail Caprio, Betty Welch, Mary Ann Wordell, Karin Wood, Ann Keane (and little Henry too!) who assisted in beginning our inventory. 
Otis Skinner
Chances are slim today that the name of Otis Skinner or his daughter Cornelia would ring any bells except in the minds of students of the theatre. Otis Skinner, who enjoyed a successful career spanning fifty years, worked with the greats of the Charles Frohman stable of stars, the Immortal Madame Modjeska, and Edwin Booth, brother of the infamous John Wilkes Booth. Begining his work as a clerk, by age 18 he was begging his clergyman father for a theatre career. None other than P.T. Barnum. who knew the Skinners when they lived in Hartford, encouraged and supported Otis’ talent and potential for the stage. He is most remembered as a Shakespearian actor and for his great performance as the beggar in Kismet. He was a genial, gentle, friendly man- and much-loved by adoring fans. Cornelia was born into the business in Chicago in 1899 and debuted in her father’s acting company in 1921. The rest is history.
Cornelia inherited her father’s acting and writing genes and made her mark not only on the stage but in films, television, Broadway, and literary circles. She wrote for the New Yorker, and wrote, produced and starred in one-woman monologues based on famous and powerful women in history. Her amusing novel travelogue When We Were Young And Gay was made into a successful Broadway play. The International Movie Data Base includes Cornelia’s filmography as follows by date:
The Swimmer (196 
[Actress …. Mrs. Hammar]
The Pleasure of His Company (1961) [Writer] (play)
“This Is Your Life: Charlie Ruggles” (1959) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“What’s My Line?: (1959-03-29)” (1959) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself - Mystery Guest]
“What’s It For: (1957-10-12)” (1957) TV Episode [Self]
“The Alcoa Hour: Merry Christmas, Mr. Baxter (#2.5)” (1956) TV Episode [Actress …. Susan Baxter]
Max Liebman Presents: Dearest Enemy (1955) (TV) [Actress …. Mrs. Murray]
The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing (1955) [Actress …. Mrs. Thaw]
“Person to Person: (#2.40)” (1955) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“Toast of the Town: (#7.8)” (1953) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“Toast of the Town: (#5.32)” (1952) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“General Electric Guest House: (1951-07-01)” (1951) TV Episode [Actress]
“Toast of the Town: (#4.14)” (1950) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“Toast of the Town: (#4.7)” (1950) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“This Is Show Business: (1950-04-30)” (1950) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“The Girls” (1950) TV Series [Writer] (book “Our Hearts Were Young and Gay”)
… aka Young and Gay (original title (first two episodes title))
Our Hearts Were Young and Gay (1944) [Writer] (book)
The Uninvited (1944) [Actress …. Miss Holloway]
Stage Door Canteen (1943) [Actress …. Herself]
Kismet (1920) [Actress …. Miskah]
Cornelia married Manhattan stockbroker Alden Sanford Blodget- many thought an unlikely choice, and together they had one son. Cornelia Otis Skinner died in New York on July 9, 1979 and was buried beside her husband who had predeceased her by fifteen years. The mystery seems to be why Oak Grove- and why Fall River? R.I.P. - an amazing lady-and amazing career. Her grave is easily located on the hill just over the top of the Gothic-style mausoleum.
“Women keep a special corner of their hearts for sins they have never committed.”
“Woman’s virtue is man’s greatest invention.” Cornelia Otis Skinner
