User:Talskiddy/Sandbox/HALS

The ancestors of Mr. William Hals, though originally of Devonshire, had settled in this county nearly a century before this gentleman began to make collections for his Parochial History of Cornwall, which was never more than partially published.

Mr. William Hals began to make his collections for his history about the year 1685; which he continued to improve and augment for nearly half a century. He brought it down to the year 1736, which was within three years of his death. His manuscript, when this event happened, was nearly completed. His place of residence, while compiling the greater part of this work, was at Tresawseu in Merther; from which place he removed to St Wenn, where he died.

It was not until the year 1750 that this work began to make its public appearance. It was undertaken by Andrew Brice, a printer, who then resided in Truro, and was the first work of any magnitude that was ever printed in Cornwall. The patronage which this work at first received, promised to the printer an ample support; and an account of seventy-two parishes was published in folio. These parishes extended through ten numbers, and the account appeared at first to be particularly interesting. But after some time the purchasers fell ofF, and the work was discontinued; nor has it ever since been resumed. The reason generally assigned for this neglect is, that Mr. Hals introduced too many unpleasant tales, which reflected on the families of some of the purchasers. Brice himself seems to have been aware of these consequences, and in order to prevent them as much as possible, he omitted many anecdotes which Hals had introduced. With the descent of property, and the genealogy of families, Mr. Hals was extensively acquainted; but many inaccuracies are to be found in his work. The copies that were published are still to be discovered in many families, scattered throughout the county; but most of them are in a very mutilated state. A sound copy is now exceedingly scarce. Of his manuscripts that remained unprinted when the work was suspended, no account can at present be given. They seem to have found their way into different hawi-. and some of them no doubt have been destroyed.

Mr. Thomas Tonkin, of St Agnes, was descended from an ancient family that can be traced back to the days of Richard II. This gentleman was a contemporary with Hals, and devoted his time to nearly the same pursuit. He began his work in the year 1702, at which time he was permitted to inspect those collections which Mr. Hals had made. But as he advanced in his work, their intercourse was suspended, and Mr. Tonkin disclaimed all obligation to his cotemporary and rival. These authors seem to have written independently of each other. In the year 1737, Mr. Tonkin's papers were in such a state of forwardness as to enable him to send forth proposals for publication.