The Murder of Edward Anstee

It was said Thomas Wheeler had a grudge against Edward Anstee. Perhaps he had a grudge about some of the others?

In the late 1860's Thomas Wheeler lived in one of the brickmakers cottages on the south side of Bernards Heath. He was cowman at Heath Farm, the farmer being Edmund Smith.

In 1869 cows from Townsend Farm got into his garden and ate some cabbages. Thomas successfully sued Frederick Barford, who owned the cows, and was awarded 10 shillings damages.
Herts Advertiser  3rd April 1869

Later the same year he was prosecuted for trespassing in search of rabbits on Mr Peppercorn's fields, and Sarah Ives, cook at Heath Farm, provided an alibi and he was found not guilty.
Herts Advertiser  27th November 1869

Who is going to employ a cowman who sues farmers and poaches rabbits (who cares about the verdict)?

In September 1870 Edmund Smith died suddenly, and Jacob Reynolds, of Hammonds Farm, took over the running of Heath Farm. He moved in permanently in 1871 and gave up Hammonds.

Almost certainly Thomas Wheeler left the area because Jacob wouldn't employ him and he couldn't get another job.