John Ely, the
innkeeper, was killed falling off his horse in Halstead High Street,
leaving his widow to bring up their 10 children, including Joseph
Bird Ely (thought to have been christened after the pub). In 1860, at
the age of 16, Joseph Bird Ely left Halstead with a friend to seek
his future in London.
After walking a few
days they parted at Islington, and Joseph Bird Ely continued where,
after a few years working for a drapery shop in Camberwell, he saw
that it was becoming fashionable for the ladies of London to take day
trips on the train to do their shopping, so he moved to Wimbledon
where in 1876 he opened a small shop near the station selling
hats. This grew over the years and in 1910 Joseph Bird Ely died
a confirmed teetotaller, when my father was 10. The shop is still
there, although not run by an Ely.
A great-uncle of mine
took an interest in tracing the family tree, and about 45 years ago
visited the Bird in Hand in Halstead, where, over a pint, he did a
deal with the landlord. In exchange for the old square piano sitting
in the corner of the bar he arranged for the bar to have a new
carpet. The old piano now resides in my lounge!
Provided by Simon Ely