Notes for the Tree

Direct Line of Ancestors: Halseys in England and America 1510-1682

Thomas Halsey I immigrated to Lynn, MA, around 1638 and moved to Southampton, NY, in 1640. The first authentic record mentions the Halseys as Lords of the Manor of Tanesley in Cornwall, England, as early as the year 1189. In 1458, a branch of the Halsey family settled at Great Gaddesden and later became lessees of the Rectory of Gaddesden. In March 12, 1545, when came the dissolution of religious houses, Henry VIII bestowed the estate upon William Halsey. At that time the donation consisted of 4000 acres and it was on this estate in 1591, in the old mansion designated the Golden parsonage, that Thomas Halsey I the pilgrim to America was born.

The Golden Parsonage was situated a short distance from the river Gadde in Hertfordshire, England, about 28 miles north of London. The present heir and occupant of the property, Thomas Frederic K Halsey, M.P., is a descendant of the elder brother of immigrant Thomas Halsey. The great grandfather of the present owner tore down the original structure in 1773 after a fire and erected Gaddesden Place, the present residence. Gaddesden Place was designed by James Wyatt. About 3000 acres remain of the original grant. Reportedly, in a letter dated "Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, March 23, 1885," and addressed to Jacob L. Halsey, Vice President of the Manhattan Life Insurance Company, NY, Thomas Frederick Halsey acknowledges the clear and undoubted right of the descendants of Thomas Halsey, born at Great Gaddesden, to bear the Halsey Arms.

In 1994 I visited the Halsey homestead which is about 28 miles north of London. It was not easy to find [before the interwebs] and involved a very lucky cab ride and a lot of walking. But it was worth the trip.

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William Halsey I was born 1510 in Great Gaddesden, [parish], Hertfordshire, England. He married Alice Ringsall. She was born Abt. 1510 in Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, England. She died 1557 in Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, England. He died 1546 in Great Gaddesden, [parish], Hertfordshire, England.
William Halsey II is the son of William Halsey & Alice Ringsall. He was born 1536 in Great Gaddesden, [parish], Hertfordshire, England. He married Anne in 1590 in Great Gaddesden, [parish], Hertfordshire, England. She was born Abt. 1536 in Great Gaddesden, [parish], Hertfordshire, England. She died on 20 Sep 1608 in Hemel, Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. He died on 16 May 1596 in Hemel, Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. 


Robert Halsey is the son of William Halsey & Anne. He was born 1565 in Great Gaddesden, [parish], Hertfordshire, England. He married Dorothy Downs about 1590 in Great Gaddesden, [parish], Hertfordshire, England. She is the daughter of John Alley & Esabel. She was born 1567 in Linslade, [parish], Buckinghamshire, England. She died on 23 Sep 1620. He died on 12 Oct 1618. 

Thomas Halsey I is the son of Robert Halsey & Dorothy Downs. He was born on 02 Jan 1592 in Parsonage, Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, England. He married Elizabeth Wheeler Abt. 1625 in Cranfield, Bedford, England. He died on 27 Aug 1678 in Southhampton, Long Island, Suffolk County, NY.

Elizabeth Wheeler is the daughter of John Wheeler & Elizabeth. She was born Abt. 1604 in Cranfield, Bedford, England. She died 1649 in Southhampton, Long Island, Suffolk County, NY.

Daniel Halsey is the son of Thomas Halsey I and Elizabeth Wheeler. He was born Bef. 1630 in Cranfield, Bedford, England. He married Jemima Woodhull. They were married Abt. 1668 in Southhampton, Long Island, Suffolk County, NY. He died Abt. 1682 in Southhampton, Long Island, Suffolk County, NY.