Episode 49: England's Most Haunted Houses

Host: Genevieve Mannion
Release Date: June 30, 2025

In this captivating episode of My Victorian Nightmare, host Genevieve Mannion transports listeners to the eerie landscapes of Victorian England, exploring two of its most infamous haunted residences: Borley Rectory and the Cage of St. Osith. With rich historical contexts and spine-chilling paranormal accounts, Genevieve delves deep into the mysteries that shroud these Victorian-era homes.

1. Haunted Housekeeping

Genevieve kicks off the episode with heartfelt gratitude for her listeners' support, highlighting the significance of ratings and reviews on platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. She shares a touching listener comment, likening the podcast experience to "driving by a gorgeous or decaying Victorian home," emphasizing the show's immersive nature [05:48]. Additionally, she promotes her social media channels and Patreon, inviting fans to join her community for exclusive content and ad-free episodes.

2. Weekly Segment: With Their Own Eyes

In the "With Their Own Eyes" segment, Genevieve presents firsthand accounts of Victorian ghost sightings, setting the stage for the haunted houses discussion.

The Ghost of Sarah Duckett
Genevieve recounts a mysterious ghost story from the Illustrated Police News (1882) about Sarah Duckett, a phantom reportedly haunting the town of Shropshire in 1881. The ghost reportedly followed townsfolk at night, with one notable encounter involving a man who saw Sarah Duckett clearing her bonnet only to vanish mysteriously [06:17]. Genevieve explores the ambiguity surrounding Sarah Duckett's existence and the unclear circumstances of her death, pondering whether the ghost was indeed Sarah Duckett or perhaps an impostor.

“...the ghost of a young woman began appearing to the quivering townsfolk of Shropshire in 1881, following them around at night...” [06:17]

Genevieve further investigates historical records, uncovering that Sarah Duckett was believed to have been murdered and disposed of in a copper hole shaft. However, despite extensive searches, no remains were found, leading to theories of deception or mistaken identity. The mystery deepens with conflicting reports from Sarah Duckett’s alleged family, suggesting the possibility of another woman’s spirit or fabricated tales.

3. Seance Room

Introducing a new segment titled "Seance Room," Genevieve shares her fascination with Victorian spiritualism. She delves into the "Philosophy of Death" article from the November 19, 1869, volume of the Spiritualist newspaper, highlighting the era's reverence for the afterlife.

“Spirits and mediums, clairvoyants and seers all agree very closely in the descriptions they give of the natural process called death...” [Around 12:00]

The excerpt describes the spiritualist view of death as a transition where the spirit gradually separates from the body, describing vivid imagery of the process. Genevieve reflects on the comforting yet haunting nature of these beliefs, setting a philosophical backdrop for the ensuing discussions on haunted residences.

4. England's Most Haunted Houses

a. Borley Rectory

Overview
Built in 1862 in Borley, Essex, Borley Rectory was intended to be the residence of Reverend Henry Dawson Ellis Bo and his large family. Tragically, during its construction, 17-year-old John Wired drowned nearby, a death that Genevieve uncovered through diligent research [10:50].

Paranormal Activity
Residents began reporting unexplained phenomena as early as 1863. Reports included:

• Apparitions: In 1900, Reverend Bo's daughters sighted a nun's ghost at twilight outside the rectory [15:30].
• Ghostly Horsemen: Across four decades, sightings of a phantom carriage driven by two headless horsemen became common [18:00].
• Object Movement: Objects like stones and vases reportedly moved on their own [21:00].

Investigations by Harry Price
Prominent paranormal investigator Harry Price of the Society for Psychical Research visited Borley Rectory, claiming to witness unexplained events such as stones being thrown and objects moving [19:00]. However, Price's findings were met with skepticism and conflicting reports from other experts.

“...strange, different kinds of experiences than the ones the Smith family reported started happening and mysteriously stopped as soon as he left.” [21:30]

Genevieve expresses doubt over the reliability of some accounts but remains intrigued by the Smith family's genuine distress and their encounters with the Headless Horseman, suggesting underlying truths to the haunting legends.

b. Cage of St. Osith

Historical Background
The Cage of St. Osith in Essex was originally constructed in the 1500s as a prison and later transformed into a charming cottage in the 19th century. Named after St. Osuth, the granddaughter of England's last pagan king, the village holds a rich and dark history, particularly concerning witch trials.

The Legend of Ursula Kemp
Among the most tragic tales is that of Ursula Kemp, a midwife and alleged witch accused of using black magic to cause harm. Despite her reputation as a healer, societal fears led to her arrest and execution by hanging after being coerced into confessing and implicating others [30:00].

Genevieve emphasizes that many accused during the witch trials were innocent individuals, such as healers or misunderstood practitioners, highlighting the era's injustice.

Haunted Accounts
Post-conversion, numerous tenants reported terrifying experiences:

• Vanessa Mitchell's Tenure:
  Vanessa experienced rattling doorknobs, moving objects, and apparitions of people during the daytime. Notably, she and her friend Nicole encountered black fog, cold temperatures, and violent occurrences such as furnishings smashing without cause [35:00].

  “She claimed that she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around, expecting to see her friend. But when she turned, she saw a black fog drift across the room through the door.” [37:30]

• Paranormal Investigations:
  Investigator John Fraser, accompanied by Rosie O' Carroll, documented unusual phenomena, including searing burn marks on Carroll's legs and unexplained sounds. Despite Fraser's own lack of supernatural experiences, he concluded that the house was indeed haunted after extensive research [40:00].

Genevieve expresses skepticism towards the Society for Psychical Research's findings at Borley Rectory but remains convinced of the authenticity of the Smith family's experiences, drawing parallels to the tragic events that coincide with the houses' haunted reputations.

5. Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, Genevieve reiterates the enduring allure and mystery of Victorian haunted houses. She encourages listeners to share their thoughts, rate the podcast, and join her Patreon for more exclusive content. The episode concludes with an invitation to delve deeper into the haunted histories of England’s most enigmatic residences in future installments.

Notable Quotes

• Sarah Duckett Ghost Encounter:

  “...the ghost of a young woman began appearing to the quivering townsfolk of Shropshire in 1881, following them around at night...” [06:17]

• Philosophy of Death Excerpt:

  “Spirits and mediums, clairvoyants and seers all agree very closely in the descriptions they give of the natural process called death...” [Around 12:00]

• Harry Price on Borley Rectory:

  “...strange, different kinds of experiences than the ones the Smith family reported started happening and mysteriously stopped as soon as he left.” [21:30]

• Vanessa Mitchell's Encounter:

  “She claimed that she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around, expecting to see her friend. But when she turned, she saw a black fog drift across the room through the door.” [37:30]

Join the Conversation:
Connect with Genevieve and fellow enthusiasts on Instagram @myvictoriannightmare and Bluesky @victorianightmare.

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If you enjoyed this deep dive into England's haunted Victorian homes, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to My Victorian Nightmare on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Share the spookiness with friends and family, and stay tuned for more tales that blend history, mystery, and the supernatural.