Family and Education

Bro. of Anne Halsey, w. of Ralph Thrale of Offley, Herts., fa. of Ralph Thrale. m. 16 Nov. 1693, Anne, da. and coh. of James Child of Southwark, brewer, 2s. d.v.p. 1da. who m. Richard Temple, M.P., 1st Visct. Cobham.

Offices Held

Brewers’ Co. 1697, master 1715; director, South Sea Co. 1721-d.

Biography

Edmund Halsey, who is said to have been a miller’s boy at St. Albans, Herts., came to London ‘with 4s. 6d. only in his pocket’ and found work at the Anchor Brewery, in Southwark, owned by James Child.1 Becoming clerk in the counting house, he was taken into partnership in 1693, ten days before his marriage to his employer’s daughter, and on Child’s death in 1696 became sole owner of the brewery.2 Unseated at Southwark in 1712, less than four weeks after his election, he was found a seat at Buckingham in 1717 by his son-in-law, Lord Cobham, voting with the Administration. For the 1722 election he went back to Southwark, where he was returned on his own interest after a contest and was unopposed in 1727. In 1724 he bought the Stoke Poges estate from Robert Gayer for £12,000.3 He died 19 Aug. 1729, leaving the Anchor Brewery to his wife and his daughter, Lady Cobham.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: R. S. Lea

Notes

• 1. K. C. Balderston, Thraliana, i. 299; N. & Q. (ser. 3), ii. 133.
• 2. Three Centuries (Barclay, Perkins Co. Ltd.), 7-9.
• 3. VCH Bucks. iii. 307.