Hi Steve,

I do not have a copy of Drummond's 1844 print (for Keed). So please send me a copy. I did find the earlier Scottish version you mentioned and I sent you a link to it : "The tragical ballad of the miller of Whittingham Mill. Or, a warning to all young men and maidens." Glasgow, printed by J. & M. Robertson, 1800. Also in chapbook, "The History, Witty Questions and Answers, of that noted Philosopher, the Miller of Whittingham Mill, and Betty Puslem his wife." Published Edinburgh, 1793.

So now we have the murder location also as Wittenham (Ebsworth) and Whittingham. In the early broadsides the murderer's name is "John" and in the 1844 print it's "John Mauge" so that is consistant.

Tom Pettitt has emailed me back but has not responded to a couple questions but I think he will- I'll try and have him post here also. I have three of his articles on my site and have read another on google books. The first one "Murdered Sweetheart Ballads: The Berkshire Tragedy" has a fairly extensive list- but for example "The tragical ballad of the miller of Whittingham Mill" is missing and- i haven't done the US version yet but a bunch are missing so I'm sure there are a few dozen that will be added.

Anyone else know about a "murther" at Wittenham or Whittingham/ Or know of a mill there circa 1700?

Richie