Joshua Slade (image from Norris Museum)

Old Rectory, Little Stukeley

History of the Old Rectory

Listed Building

House, formerly the rectory, now divided into flats. Mid C18 with C19 front and service wing at rear.

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This is the location of the murder of the rector, Rev Joshua Waterhouse, on 3rd July 1827.

The most detailed account of this crime is in ‘Cambridgeshire Murders’ by Alison Bruce.

See Cambridge Chronicle and Journal 13.7.1827.

The Rev’d Waterhouse was 81 at the time and well known for his meanness and eccentricities. He had been vicar for 14 years and numerous complaints were recorded against him. He underpaid his workers and hoarded produce. He boarded his windows to avoid paying tax.

Two men were eventually convicted of the murder, William Heddings and Joshua Slade, after a relatively complex investigation of alibis.

Slade was executed on 1st September 1827 and his body used for dissection.

Joshua Waterhouse is buried in the churchyard at Little Stukeley. He had left instructions that he was to be buried 12 feet down, standing and facing east alongside his favourite horse. These wishes were not carried out and he was buried in the normal way.