DID THE GOAT WOMAN REALLY EXIST? 

No stone was left unturned trying to find evidence that the Goat Woman actually existed.  No birth or death records existed at Essex Records Office. Enquiries to St. John's Church in Havering-atte-Bower, the Diocesan Office, and several other local churches drew a blank. There was no mention of her in a Quaker burial book for Havering Well; no Census data; and no Last Will and Testament. Havering's Court Process Book of Indictments had no entry and Chelmsford Gaol had no knowledge of her in their records.

Havering, is derived from two Saxon words 'Haefer' and 'ing' meaning 'goats pasture'. Is it possible that the idea for a story sprang from the village name? Brian Ecott is convinced she didn't exist, however Raymond Small thinks otherwise.

Since this article was originally written details of an auction following Elizabeth's death have now come to light (see newspaper clipping at top of page)... maybe the truth is out there!