Herts Characters

An insight into the qualities and quirks of Hertfordshire's locals

By Abi Samuels

The nature of any county is sculpted by the people who inhabit it. Throughout the ages, different characters within Hertfordshire were known and loved for their individual traits. Here is a selection of some familiar faces…

This page was added on 19/08/2011.

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  • In 1873 Kit was sentenced to 5 years in Prison in St Albans Prison … she shot the local Constable! Interesting is the Constable was previously responsible for the imprisonment of her future husband Henry Darnell in Pentonville, They married after they had both completed their respective Sentences which would suggest the shooting was no coincidence.

    By Ian Hudson (22/12/2022)
  • Kit Nash was a relative of mine that was an alias her real name was Caroline Darnel her grave stone was paid for by Lady Cowper

    By Susan Pickford (28/01/2022)
  • Kit Nash is my Great Great Grandmother. My Nan Ruby Darnell/Nash TBC

    By Mark O'Shaughnessy (26/09/2017)
  • A local historian – Marilyn Taylor – advises that Richard Simmons enlisted in 1800 as a private in the 6th Dragoons.

    By Terry Askew (21/05/2015)
  • I have heard that Kit Nash had Albert Fox (Stevenage Poacher) living with her at some stage.  Any truth in this?

    By Bill Lawrence (01/04/2015)
  • This is my husbands great great grandmother Kit Nash, married Darnell had a daughter Caroline Darnell who married John  Shadbolt who had two children Winifred Caroline May born in 1903 and John Shadbolt born in 1905.

    Winifred had a child out of wedlock known as Peter M.R. R. Shadbolt and then she married again and had another child called Phillip Wixcey, whose father was a professional golfer

    My husbands father is Peter Shadbolt, Winifreds first son,

    By Sally Shadbolt (14/08/2014)
  • My sources indicate that she died about 9 October 1830 in Hatfield Poor Law Institution, under her married name of Caroline Darnell. Inscription on her gave reads “In memory of Caroline Darnell (“Kitty Nash”) who died October 9th 1930 aged 81 years”. This is corroborated by her probate records.

    By Phil Nash (18/08/2013)
  • There was no F in his name he was baptised in St Andrews Church as just Walter Taylor. The F appeared in a book I have no idea why but as his Gt Grandaughter I have researched the family and there was no F at any time!

    By Marilyn Taylor (09/10/2012)
  • Another bit of information he is buried in Holy Trinity Church Bengeo with his wife and elsdest daughters and 2 of his sons also have graves in the Church yard. His son Sidney Walter Taylor known as “Rocky” was the Pearly King of Hertford and did a lot of fundraising for the County Hospital. He was buried in his pearly suit!

    By Marilyn Taylor (09/10/2012)
  • My Great, Gt, Gt, Grandfather Joseph Blee was born in Ippollitts in 1828, I wonder if this man has any connection with my family? My Blee family tree can be viewed at Geni.com. I would be interested to find out more about them, if anyone has any knowledge I would be grateful if you would contact me through this website.

    By Elizabeth Pithers (25/09/2012)
  • I wonder if this gentleman is a relatation of my husbands. Is his family still around here.

    By shelley blee (20/07/2012)
  • This is a relative of mine and would appreciate a copy of this photo if possible thank you

    By Janet Moslin (27/02/2012)