Hertfordshire History: The Child Killer of Westmill.

Beginning a series of videos exploring rural Hertfordshire, its history and amazing forgotten stories. The story of an horrific murder in the Hertfordshire village of Westmill during the 19th century.
Filmed using a Panasonic VXF990 and a Panasonic LX15 mounted on a Zhiyun Crane M gimbal.
Music: 'From Truth' by Dexter Britain (creative commons)

[@zimnaya]

My family lived at High Cross and then at Braughing before my parents moved to France. I was born in Hertford and brought up outside Ware. It was beautiful 'walking' the countryside with you over to Westmill. A superlative piece of video-filming and an excellent though harrowing piece of local history. Thank you so much...wonderful!

[@arcadia449]

Thank you. I do a lot of walking around East Hertfordshire.

[@luxmeedollie8563]

How soothing to my soul. Such beautiful scenery! Its almost like im walking behind you smelling nature... Thank you so much for the share..

[@arcadia449]

It's a lovely walk, and the history there is incredible.

[@debhaslam9475]

I came across your video by accident. Its awesome. I live in the U.S. We have beautiful places here...but NOT like this. What a beautiful place for such a sad story too. ♥️

[@arcadia449]

That's true. But I was amazed that nobody in the village had ever heard that story?

[@tannenbaum7594]

Beautiful countryside ! Oh,these Bluebells,touches my soul. Thank you for this video😊

[@arcadia449]

Thank you.

[@markwestwood9730]

@@arcadia449 I spent the first 30 odd years of my life in Buntingford but I never knew anything of this story. Fascinating and well told. 👍.

[@arcadia449]

@@markwestwood9730 Nobody in the village had ever heard it either?

[@barbaralamson7450]

I love walking with you. You find magical places, beautiful countryside, with a tragic bit of history at both ends. Thank you. 😊

[@joanbrennan2534]

Thank you for investing a huge effort into this documentary! AND for sharing it with others. Felt like you invited us to actually be there with you. It was an amazing experience. The truth is not always pleasant, but it is what it is. Some sadness intertwined with mystery (the 2 isololated homes) and connected by the lush beauty of the footpath bathed in bluebells. Thank you again. You ought to feel proud of this vid.

[@arcadia449]

Thank you Joan.

[@joeleadbetter8736]

As D Stew commented I enjoyed this video so much. Quant villages, walks and a sad horror story but punctuated with all good stuff. These kind of videos are what KZbin is all about for me.

[@arcadia449]

Thank you, Jo. I'm in the process of making another interesting one.

[@007JHS]

My favourite time of year too... the season of promise.

[@annturrell8858]

Another awesome vid from David Stuckey. A bit late seeing this, so glad I found it. Poor little Lucy. I for one really appreciate all the miles you walk to bring us these fantastic vids. Thankyou so much.

[@arcadia449]

Thank you, Ann. It was a shock to find this in my family history and it's not recorded in local history?

[@nickgilmour6835]

Thanks for a very interesting albeit horrific story. I once lived in Westmill as child between the ages of 4 and 8, and lived in the old thatched cottage with the lavender painted front door directly across from the Tea Room (which used to be the village shop and post office back in 1970s). I have very fond memories of Westmill, and the Sword In Hand, as it was in 1970 before the fire, which I think was in the late 1990s.

[@arcadia449]

Thanks for the story. I know the cottage you mean.

[@alanroberts4060]

Well told Dave, i was riverted watching this, RIP to those brave seamen and the little girl. Al.

[@arcadia449]

Many more stories to come, Alan, cheers.

[@barbaralamson7450]

I will probably leave another comment but had to say the first bit of this video was absolutely magical. What a beautiful land our England. Thank you. 😊

[@arcadia449]

It's beautiful and it's full of amazing history.

[@barbaralamson7450]

@@arcadia449 Indeed.

[@Mauser_.]

Incredible work. Absolutely loved it and appreciate all the effort and time that went into making it.

[@arcadia449]

Thank you.

[@terryfarrelly6071]

Dave, I really enjoyed your thoughtful video, I used to live in Hertfordshire, but am now in Australia, so this brought back lovely memories. Keep up the great work, loved your presentation and the music.

[@arcadia449]

Thank you.

[@lindadobson9854]

Another expat here in California....I too lived in various parts of Hertfordshire.

[@allmc3120]

A very good story teller, interesting, and thanks for your video.

[@Dstew57A]

Another outstanding piece of work. When I watched this the clarity and arrangement makes me feel like I am walking right there beside you. Absolutely Brilliant ☺️. I so look forward to your videos. The time you take, patience and detail plus your enthusiasm really is matched by none on the net. Lovely way to spend time. A most hearty 🙏 Thank you!

[@arcadia449]

Many thanks for your comments. I'm hoping to make more videos when the weather improves.

[@sturmfreii7219]

Thank you so much for posting! I learned my ancestors immigrated from Hertfordshire and wanted a peak at what the place looked like + some history. Fantastic work on both accounts!!!!

[@arcadia449]

Thank you. I guess my ancestors would've known yours?

[@WhispersFromTheDark]

Rest in peace little Lucy. You are not forgotten.

[@happysingle9184]

Very beautiful video, I live in Eastern Ky. I'm so surprised not to many people about as It's very populated here. I would love to visit England . Please keep up the great work !

[@arcadia449]

Thank you. I am currently working on another one.

[@Jkk55]

I loved this video, the bluebells were gorgeous. I can't imagine such a horrific thing like that happening in the beautiful village, I subbed thank you.

[@arcadia449]

It was a surprise to me that nobody in the village had ever heard this story? I am related to this family through my 4 times Great-Grandfather.

[@sharonkeel7963]

😔🙏💔 a very touching story. It’s so sad to know how much history is lost. How many stories will never be heard. Thank you for sharing ❣️

[@arcadia449]

I found this story in the archives, along with many others that have never been published in local history books. But It shocked me even more to learn that I was related to this family.

[@sharonkeel7963]

@@arcadia449 I’m in the US and my extended family is in Norway. Some still in the small town of Kjol. I’ll bet my second cousins don’t even know half of the history of our family there. 😢 The original farm raised Silver Fox and I believe, farmed Wheat. I wish I knew more. My father just passed this year and he was desperate to connect us all. We’re trying to learn as much as possible from the ones who have stayed on the farm. I enjoyed your journey. Don’t stop there. I hope you have more stories to tell😊👍 God bless and Happy Holidays to you and yours. 💖

[@arcadia449]

@@sharonkeel7963 I hope to do more. Thank you.

[@MM0SDK]

Really enjoy hearing the stories of people who have passed. Little did they know their resting place and story would be told many years later, to the world through the powers of a new medium - the internet.

[@arcadia449]

Wells said. I'm currently working on a new video(s) called 'Amazing stories behind the Graves'. Many of our churchyards have at least one famous person buried in them, or an ordinary person with an extraordinary background story behind them. Many of these people, and their stories, are forgotten to modern generations now. I'm making some incredible discoveries already.

[@MM0SDK]

@@arcadia449 Now that i would enjoy, along with your detecting videos. I can see your channel growing.

[@arcadia449]

Thank you.

[@airzulu2733]

We have some beautiful villages and towns in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas . Hitchin is my favourite town .

[@lindadobson9854]

Go rest now David....I enjoyed this video.💐

[@mandylovett3980]

Fascinating story, thank you x

[@fartyscratchy]

Amazing story from the past Lucy will never die in peoples memories

[@arcadia449]

Nothing of this event is mentioned in any local history books? Nobody in the village had ever heard it either?

[@AussieBrit]

KZbin works in mysterious ways...your video popped up in my recommended box so I thought I'd take a peek and I am glad I did! That's my daily walk sorted...haha. I have subscribed look forward to more of your work. A big cheers from Oz! 🦘

[@arcadia449]

Thank you, Nicola.

[@AussieBrit]

@@arcadia449 You are most welcome. By the way, I was born in Cheltenham and I'm wondering if you care to sally forth into the wilderness of Gloucestershire?

[@arcadia449]

@@AussieBrit I have been to Gloucestershire several times and roamed the Cotswolds. Sadly that was before I got a video camera. But I hope to go back.

[@AussieBrit]

@@arcadia449 I look forward to that. I have been back once but had to cut my trip short due to a medical emergency. With all the offspring out of the house now my husband and I planned to go over for a year or so (about eighteen months ago) but obviously, that had to be put on hold. Cheers.

[@robynfarrar278]

Hello David from down under.......I came across your video and thoroughly enjoyed it, with one comment, if I may.......once you were at the tea shop the sound faded and I could not hear properly from there on...then the sound returned, then faded (?) Thank you for taking us, the viewing public, to these picture perfect villages which I have added to my "to do" list and to be included in my annual trip to the U.K.....of course not this year, but hopefully in 2021 when things will get back to normal.........fingers crossed

[@azrikhairol4941]

This video just touched my heart

[@arcadia449]

Thank you for the comment. I am currently making another one with many tragic stories in it also.

[@airzulu2733]

Hertfordshire is a really beautiful county

[@suga6479]

I just found your channel, it's so beautiful there, great video, I just subscribed 👍

[@arcadia449]

Thank you.

[@deadinteresting8905]

urgh what an awful story! thanks for the research and presentation, very interesting

[@Joelswinger34]

That poor little girl. Killed and no one even had to pay for it.

[@arcadia449]

True, but how do you punish an eight year-old boy?

[@pollyanne234]

I love the scent of bluebells

[@alanevans9604]

Fantastic video and research, very enjoyable. Have you visited Wallington, near Baldock where George Orwell once resided? Also Clothall, which is on the Icknield Way.

[@kimdeakin7678]

Great video

[@huckleberrythinz4617]

Great video well done.

[@arcadia449]

Cheers, thank you.

[@Dooalicious]

Really liked this video. I wonder if you remember me, this is Phil's oldest daughter. Do you have any history stories about Watton? Would love to see a Video on that :0)

[@arcadia449]

I'm hoping to do something on Watton at some stage, Jo.

[@Dooalicious]

David Stuckey that would be great, would love to see how the village is now. It's been a very long time since I was there.

[@arcadia449]

They built a big new housing estate up near the station.

[@Dooalicious]

I remember they were selling those houses before I left, I looked on Google maps and can't believe how different it looks.

[@MultiSirens]

Lovely video

[@arcadia449]

I'm planning a series of videos on walking around the countryside visiting many of the wonderful villages in the eastern counties.

[@MakeAllThingsBeautiful]

Very well done, some beautiful filming and rich in content, there seems to of been quite a serious tragedy in Charles Lambs family as well, seems his sister murdered his mother?

[@arcadia449]

I didn't know that? It will be interesting to research that story.

[@MakeAllThingsBeautiful]

@@arcadia449 this is a quote from wiki quoting a letter Charles Lamb wrote to Coleridge just after the event .... ''''MY dearest friend - White or some of my friends or the public papers by this time may have informed you of the terrible calamities that have fallen on our family. I will only give you the outlines. My poor dear dearest sister in a fit of insanity has been the death of her own mother. I was at hand only time enough to snatch the knife out of her grasp. She is at present in a mad house, from whence I fear she must be moved to an hospital. God has preserved to me my senses, - I eat and drink and sleep, and have my judgment I believe very sound. My poor father was slightly wounded, and I am left to take care of him and my aunt. Mr Norris of the Bluecoat school has been very very kind to us, and we have no other friend, but thank God I am very calm and composed, and able to do the best that remains to do. Write, -as religious a letter as possible- but no mention of what is gone and done with. -With me "the former things are passed away," and I have something more to do that [than] to feel. God almighty have us all in his keeping. - Lamb to Coleridge. 27 September 1796[7]''''

[@arcadia449]

@@MakeAllThingsBeautiful Wow! The Bluecoat School is just a few hundred yards from where I work in the town of Hertford. That is very interesting. Thank you.

[@MakeAllThingsBeautiful]

@@arcadia449 I am quite new to Hertfordshire but love exploring, there are so many hidden gems and generally places of intrigue and beauty. Thank you for introducing me to new villages and stories ... Charles Lamb is fascinating discovery, I don't read any fiction but I am very drawn to this writer .. in wikipedia it associates him mainly with London but no doubt he lived in Herts for many years and he could become very fashionable again and following history trails related to Charles Lamb could be very worthwhile, he seems like a long forgotten light from the past and the flame is slowly going out but just hanging on .. He has been referred to by E. V. Lucas, his principal biographer, as "the most lovable figure in English literature".[1] (wikipiedia) that is some praise, he certainly seemed like a totally decent and all round good fella.

[@arcadia449]

@@MakeAllThingsBeautiful I planned my walk using Google Earth and chose this one so as to stop by 'Buttonsnap' cottage. It's a beautiful little house.

[@Nickmedium]

Hello David, enjoying your filming.Have you heard of a place called NASTY it's not far from Ardley, I live there. Take care.

[@arcadia449]

Hi Nick. Yes I have and I've walked through the village several times. Very close to Great Munden.

[@mrvarus8957]

2 miles away in the village of Walkern is an even better story.A witch trial.

[@arcadia449]

I live near Walkern. There are more stories about Walkern than just Jane Wenham's trial. I will be covering Walkern in my next video.

[@mrvarus8957]

@@arcadia449 Cool

[@SharonBrown-yn6fz]

England is so beautiful not like Canada. Something gets old we rip it down. Not to many memories of the past except kn Quebec and the maritime provinces. So sad.

[@arcadia449]

My wife's son and his family live in Ontario. We've been over to visit a few times and it's lovely, but I know what you mean.

[@SharonBrown-yn6fz]

@@arcadia449 sure can see the difference in old and young. England is beautiful I think

[@dukecity7688]

Someday i am going to take a walking tour of the UK countryside in the Spring. I'd like to know a little more about the house with the bricked up windows. This was very interesting. Thank You

[@arcadia449]

I am hoping to go and ask about the houses in that strange location.

[@dukecity7688]

@@arcadia449 I am curious about that house because the windows are cinder blocks nor just boarded up. That took some effort. Why the reason?

[@arcadia449]

@@dukecity7688 Maybe to stop people getting inside?

[@dukecity7688]

@@arcadia449 Those bricks will accomplish that. I'm still curious about what's inside. Thank you. we got almost twelve inches of snow last night here in Boston MA.

[@arcadia449]

@@dukecity7688 I'm curious also. You can keep the snow...lol.

[@colinhertz]

I lived in Westmill for over 7 years & didn't know this story. Did you know that John Profumo was renting a cottage in the village at the time of the scandal in the 1960's. Lovely video, well planned & photographed (shame about the sound issue)

[@arcadia449]

I spoke to many people in the village when I was filming and none of them had ever heard of this story. I came across it whilst I was searching in the archives. I did know about Profumo's cottage there. That was an interesting revelation when someone told me.

[@colinhertz]

It is a fascinating place to live - but a bit of a nightmare parking there at the weekends. I missed some of your story due to the sound issues - are you aware of them, and if so, any chance of re-dubbing? Would love to hear what you had to say.

[@arcadia449]

What part of the video has sound issues?

[@arcadia449]

I had some issues with wind noise on my Gimbal-mounted camera in the early part of the video?

[@MrXipso]

Answer my question where filmed on Panasonic VXF990 and where on Panasonic LX15. Tell me the time on video. Thanks.

[@arcadia449]

2:15 to 5:07 seconds into video is LX15 video. All static video is VXF990.

[@MrXipso]

Thank you.

[@MrXipso]

Super shot. Specify where the Panasonic VXF990 is taken.

[@arcadia449]

It was taken at Westmill, in Hertfordshire, UK.

[@MrXipso]

Thank you. Where is filmed on Panasonic VXF990.

[@dewisujatim6301]

Wish I know how to get to the bluebells. What the route?

[@arcadia449]

It's in a private woodland I passed through on the way. The landowner gave ,e permission to take a short-cut.

[@LeggattNZ]

That abandoned house looked like those built and used for Army and Police gun training

[@arcadia449]

I keep meaning to go and find out.

[@petesmith2132]

Those abandoned cottages appear on the Ordnance Survey maps of 1913. There appears to have been a farm house further up the track, which has since disappeared. Presumably the cottages were part of that farm, but it is surprising that they have survived.

[@Stroopwaffe1]

Baldock and letchworth, are you near stevenage ?

[@arcadia449]

I am in Stevenage.

[@MrXipso]

And one more question. The video was processed or not.

[@arcadia449]

Yes. It was all processed using Sony Movie Studio.

[@MrXipso]

Thank you.

[@blakerichardson1519]

We traced our family tree and Westmill England is the farthest back our records go. All the way to 1503. American since mid 1600s where a great grandfather left and settled in Massachusetts. Traveled south through generations living in Virginia and settling in South Carolina. I wonder about if they're any Richardson's still living here that may be distant relatives.

[@blakerichardson1519]

Thank you for this video showing the area. I really enjoyed getting to see the area my family once lived

[@arcadia449]

I'll do some research and get back to you on that.

[@arcadia449]

I'm finding records of Richardsons in Westmill from the 1500's up to the 1800's. Would it be a Thomas Richardson IV?

[@blakerichardson1519]

@@arcadia449 From the records my father has found. Thomas Richardson Sr. 1503-1543 Westmill Thomas Richardson 1st 1523-1570 Westmill Thomas Richardson 2nd 1543-1630 Westmill Then shows Thomas Richardson the 3rd 1565-1634 moved to an area called Standon. Your records maybe more accurate though. Very kind of you to take time for this I appreciate it.

[@arcadia449]

Standon is a neighbouring village.@@blakerichardson1519

[@hell0hkitty]

wow! do you have any idea where lucy is buried, david? what a fascinating story! i want to look into it too. you should have taken a taxi! lol william must have died with that stigma on his head. i wonder just how developmentally disabled he actually was. your photography is so professional. found this: www.planetslade.com/broadside-ballads-murder-at-westmill.html

[@arcadia449]

I've seen that. But apart from that I cannot find any other reference to the William Game case on the internet? I only found the story whilst trawling through the Hertfordshire Archives. William's mother died of TB ten years later, in 1858. The 1861 Census shows that he left the village and moved to Easington, in East Yorkshire to become a Jet miner. After that I cannot trace him?

[@Aderin.]

I'm glad Lucy didn't live a painful death

[@arcadia449]

Must've been horrific for her parents?

[@Aderin.]

@@arcadia449 yeah

[@WhispersFromTheDark]

::::::laying 🌺🌺🌺 at her gravesite:::::

[@arcadia449]

I wish I knew where her grave was? A nice gesture, Thank you.

[@teenieneenie630]

Another good video ruined by bad audio. Sad...

[@arcadia449]

Sorry about that.

[@dilly1863]

Repetitive piano tinkling continuously is annoying.

[@arcadia449]

Sorry about that. I've joined Artlist since I made this and got a better selection of music.