Essex Murders


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Books: Chloroform Essex Murders Whiteley's Folly Gloucestershire Murders Crooks Who Conned Millions Notorious Blasted Rascal	Essex Murders (published 13 May 2004) Additional information on this book This book can be ordered through Amazon.co.uk Essex is a county of contrasts - rolling farmland, sandy beaches, salt marshes, quiet rural villages, and busy market towns, and all of these can provide a backdrop to murder. In this book I have selected ten cases, ranging in date from 1744 to 1944, many of which have never been anthologised before. All have moments of high drama, and remarkable personalities, and many have unexpected twists in the story. 1. Colchester Jack (1744-6) The story of a notorious eighteenth century smuggler who came to a bad end. 2. One Night in Walthamstow (1751-2) A shot in the dark - a wealthy man murdered in his bed - but whose finger was on the trigger? 3. The Dagenham Outrage (1846-58) A young policeman is savagely murdered and mutilated. As the investigation proceeds a scandal breaks which throws suspicion in an unexpected quarter. 4. The Clavering Poisoner (1845-51) The story of a callous poisoner who very nearly escaped justice. 5. Sweet Lass of Buckhurst Hill (1867-8) Frederick Watkins stabbed his lover, but at his trial the chief prosecution witness was unaccountably missing. 6. The Man at Witham Station (1893-1901) As flames die down a blackened corpse is found, and the search is on for an escaped murderer. 7. Tragedy at Southend (1922) Two lovers head for the seaside, and an unusual murder charge. 8. The Beast of Hornchurch (1939) Every parent's nightmare - a missing child, found dead. As the police collect fragmentary clues, suspicion falls on a quiet family man, but his loyal wife conducts her own investigation. 9. Explosion at Rayleigh (1943) An invalid is blasted to fragments by a mine placed under the seat of his wheelchair. 10. Last Taxi to Birch.(1944) A taxi driver is murdered by American soldiers, which leads to a unique trial. Additional information For me research never ends. You can never know all the truth. The above cases are not simply ones which I have written about only to forget them and pass on to the next project. I will always remember them and continue to investigate. One of the greatest boons to a researcher nowadays are searchable databases, which are being constantly updated, so that censuses and other family records are gradually giving up their secrets. At present I don't know if there will be a second edition, but if there is I hope to be able to include updates and corrections. Until then I will put them here. I am often asked if I know what happened to Frederick Watkins (Chapter 5 above) - I don't - yet. But I am still trying to find out. I have, however, since the book was published found out more about Jessie, his daughter. You can find her in the 1901 census for Leytonstone, married to an Edward Omara (or O'Mara), and with four children. So if your name is O'Mara and you come from Leytonstone you could be the desecendant of Matilda Griggs and Frederick Watkins! I have also found out more about Thomas Newport (Chapter 4) His wife was called Sarah, and they raised three daughters and two sons. In 1891 he and Sarah were still at Pledgdon, with two daughters, Fanny, 30, and Laura 28, and a son, William 25. In 1901 William was farming at Pledgdon, and he was married with two daughters and a son. Lydia Taylor (Chapter 4) married an agricultural labourer called Charles Parker, who was born in 1825. They had five children, one of whom died very young. I have to confess to a small error, now. In chapter 4 I referred to Sarah Chesham hiding poison under a slab. This was due to my myopic misreading of a word in the Times report. It should, I realise now, have been 'stub' meaning the stump of a tree. I know it makes no difference to the story, but one should always get these details right.
About me A writer's diary Magazine writer and sub-editor Book reviews