1857 - Stephen

EARLY LIFE: 

Born around 1857 in his family's ancestral parish of Stockbury, the second of Stephen Hales & Anna Goodhew. Stephen Richard Hales would have been around six years old when the family moved five miles north to Milton Regis. He is believed to have left the family home in Kent around 1875, and moved to Henley on the Thames, Oxfordshire. (This may be when his parents moved to Prospect Cottage, in Headcorn. )

MARRIAGE: 

Stephen married Lena Emily Perrett (1850 -1917) at Henley on January 11, 1881. He was listed as 24, a confectioner and son of Stephen Hales. She was 28, "of the parish of Henley, daughter of Thomas Perrett, a Bailiff. The witnesses were Stephen's brother Herbert and Lena's sister Emma Perrett. Hilary Fisher, from the Henley Library, wrote that there were no Perrett's in the area, which suggests Lena was either living and working in Henley or stayed with a Henley family long enough to have her banns read in the local church.

Lena was born about 1853, the seventh child of Thomas Perett (1808-aft 1881) and Mary Rance, of Cholderton village in the parish of Amport, Hampshire. Though it is possible he was a farm bailiff at some point, Thomas Perrett's only known occupations "shepherd" and "agricultural labourer." The last record I have of Thomas Perett was the 1881 census, at which point he was a shepherd and widower. His fifty-year-old daughter Jane and twenty-three-year-old grandson William were both living with him. (Both Jane and her son William are described as being deaf and dumb from birth in an earlier census.)

HALES BAKERY

According to the 1881 census, Stephen was a confectioner employing 2 men. He, his wife Leena and a household servant were then living on Bell street. 

The next census, in 1891, mentions 2 servants. 

By 1893 he was able to lease the much more prestigious location of 20 market street,whose interior is pictured in the photo above. The boy is believed to be Thomas Perret Hales and the man immediately behind him Stephen Richard Hales. The oven in the back is a side-flue oven, which was replaced by a Perkins Patent Steam Oven early in this century. This was in constant use during Robert Stephen Hales' times, the other side flue oven was difficult to regulate and very rarely used. This  would be remain Hales Bakery until Stephen's grandson Robert Stephen Hales retired in 1962. The model steam oven he utilized was state of the art technology for the turn of the century. Stephen entered several United Kingdom wide baking contests, winning: one of seven prizes awarded at  the "Confectioners, Bakers and Allied Trades Third Annual Exhibition (London, 1895)"; Third in the "Baker and Confectioner Prize Competition" (London, 1896);  A special diploma from the Master Baker's and Confectioners Society (1899). 

His grandson (my father), Roy Armstrong Hales, remembers hearing how Stephen allowed the town's poor families to cook their Sunday dinners in the bakery.  

Another grandson, Robert Stephen Hales writes that "Grandpa put Uncle Richard into a business at Fareham (a coastal village on the Northern tip of Portsmouth Harbour, about  5 miles North of the city of Portsmouth, in Hampshire ), which apparently failed and he helped at the Market Place during the war.  According to odd conversations I heard ( I was 5 years old and probably should not have heard) Uncle Richard tried to get Grandpa to give him the business. As you can imagine there was dissension in the family. As I was only 5 or 6 at the time, I don't know how this was sorted out and after my father died found no letters. Richard married a second time and his wife (Margaret) got in touch with my father to try and patch things up. Whether she succeeded I never knew." 

Perhaps Stephen Richard Sr had loaned his son the money to go into business, for Stephen Richard Jr was the only one of the family not to be given a legacies of 150 - 200 pounds on their father's death. Further, while all three brothers were given an additional 62 pounds, 20 pounds "less paid on account" was taken from Stephen Richards sum.

LATER LIFE

In the photo above, Stephen and Emma are dressed in the ornate garb of sixteenth century English gentry. Another photo depicts Stephen and Emily in Eighteenth century costumes  Stephen appears plump, satisfied and materialistic. His plump, buxom  wife Lena appears uncomfortable in her tight fitting Eighteenth century gown. By this time they had at least two household servants and six children. 

Lena reputedly died of the Asian flu in 1918. Her death certificate, however  states: " died 4 Aug 1918, at 20 Market Place, Henley upon Thames, age 64, wife of Stephen Richard Hales, a baker and confectioner; cause of death: bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema - certified by J F Windsor, M.D.; name and address of informant: Florence Hales, daughter, present at the death, 20 Market Place, Henley upon Thames. 

Stephen moved to Minster, in Kent, with his two unmarried daughters, Florence & Vera, after retiring in 1922. They returned annually for the Regatta until Stephen died, July 10 1930, at the age of 73. 

Stephen was buried beside Lena, in Family cemetery, just outside Henley-on-the-Thames. 

In his will we find that Stephen Richard Hales owned a house in Henley (worth 650.0.0) and cottages (110.0.0) which he had apparently rented out (34.3.11, per annum?) He had several sums in Barclays Bank Ltd (126.15.7;   82.15.0 &  an accumulated of 7.15.8) He also owned stocks - Bright & Colson (197.9.0), Smith's Motor Accessories (251.4.0) Branstone Silk co (8.18.3) - which reported dividends of 28.5.8. His entire estate was valued at 1,497.7.1. Among the legacies paid out from this sum was 10 pounds to a Mrs Fordham and 20 to T Stone. Then four of his children (each daughter and Thomas Perrett Hales) were each awarded 200 pounds. Clifford Walter Hales was given 150 pounds, and Stephen Richard (Jr) was omitted. A further division of money occurred after all expenses and legacies were paid out. His two single daughters were left out, and each of his sons and Lillian Elsie Hales were "awarded" 62.4.8. With regard to Stephen Richard (Jr), however, there is a notation that 20 pounds had already been paid on account, and so he received 42.4.8.

Children:

1. Stephen Richard Hales (c1882 - aft 1933) - biography follows 

2. Thomas Perrett Hales (c1883- Jan 7 1948) - biography follows 

3. Lillian Elsie Hales (c1885 -18 June 1967) m Charles Edward Fox a civil service worker in London. She received an estate of 200 pounds after her father's death in 1930, and 86.2.10 after the death of her aunt Lily Phyllus Stovkis (nee Hales) in 1947.  

4. Florence Hales (July 19 1885 - Jan 28 1970, London) - some letters  follows

5. Clifford Walter Hales - (CLICK HERE)) 

6. Vera Dorothy Hales ( August 1895 - aft 1974) Youngest of the family & Clifford Hales' favourite sister. Same inheritances as her sister Florence, who she lived with and in whose letters she is cited. (see entries for Florence, as well as the families' of Thomas Perrett Hales  and Stephen Richard Jr). 

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CHILDREN OF STEPHEN RICHARD HALES & LENA EMIY PERRETT

Stephen Richard Hales (c1882 - aft 1933) m (A) Alice May Burfitt in1905 (d 1920) (B) Margaret Lewis. His nephew Robert writes that "Grandpa put Uncle Richard into a business at Fareham (a coastal village on the Northern tip of Portsmouth Harbour, about  5 miles North of the city of Portsmouth, in Hampshire ), which apparently failed and he helped at the Market Place during the war.  According to odd conversations I heard ( I was 5 years old and probably should not have heard) Uncle Richard tried to get Grandpa to give him the business. As you can imagine there was dissension in the family. As I was only 5 or 6 at the time, I don't know how this was sorted out and after my father died found no letters. Richard married a second time and his wife (Margaret) got in touch with my father to try and patch things up. Whether she succeeded I never knew." Perhaps Stephen Richard Sr had loaned his son the money to go into business, for Stephen Richard Jr was the only one of the family not to be given a legacies of 150 - 200 pounds on their father's death. Further, while all three brothers were given an additional 62 pounds, 20 pounds "less paid on account" was taken from Stephen Richards sum. Stephen Richard's Alice died of consumption, as did daughter Bunty in the 1920's. 

Children:

1. Bunty Hales - died of consumption

2. Stephen Richard Coote Hales (Aug 16 1912) m See around 1933. They lived in Worthing, ( a popular resort town on the coast of  Sussex) 

3. Clifford James Dyke Hales (April 2 1914 - Jan 23 1984)  m Lily. Referred to in many of Vera Hales' letters listed under his brother "Coote".  That of  Jan 17 1971 says " Cliff (works) in the Post Office, supervisor in the telephone department, an outdoor job, advises people the best place to fix their telephones, & see if they are satisfactory when fixed." Son - Peter Lewis Hales (born 28 June 1933)

Stephen Richard Coote Hales & his brother Clifford James Dyke Hales were often mentioned in Vera Hales' letters to her brother Clifford Walter Hales:

Feb 2 1970: " Dick's two boys young Cliff (below) Coote and their wives came for the funeral (of Florence Hales) so I was not alone."     

Jan 17 1971: "Dick's two boys Coote and Cliff & their wives are very good to me. Often come over to see me. It is about an hour's drive from Brighton, so quite an easy trip for them to come, as Cliff lives in Worthing and Coote in Shoreham by the Sea. which is not far from Brighton. I am glad to say that they both have good jobs, Coote manages a concrete concern. Cliff (works) in the Post Office, supervisor in the telephone department, an outdoor job, advises people the best place to fix their telephones, & see if they are satisfactory when fixed." 

Dec 3 1972 " I am thankful I have Coote and Cliff (Dick's two boys) to help me over problems that crop up at times, they are both good boys and very helpful."

Jan 14 1973 " I should have written this before, only Coote and See (his wife) came up to see me, so had to put off doing so, but better late than never eh? ...  Coote's daughter  had a divorce some time ago, but is now happily remarried and settled down."

Dec 9 1973 "Coote (Dick's elder son) and his wife See are flying to New Zealand to spend Xmas with their son Paul who emigrated over there about 20 years ago. He was apprenticed in the engineering business before going there and I think doing very well. He is happily married with two small sons. See (Coote's wife) flew over there to see Paul three years ago. Now Coote has got the urge to go over. They think of staying for 5 or 6 weeks. Coote is now 61 years old. Paul would be about 39."  

Dec 9 1973: " Nephew Cliff (Dick's younger son) & Lily, his wife, are spending Christmas with their son John up North in Leeds. John is something to do with the computer business, he is also happily married and has two small sons. So you see Coote and Cliff are both grandparents and I am a great great aunt."  

In 1995 Lily was living at 219 South Farm road, Worthing.  I had mailed all the Hales families in Worthing, hoping to find a relative. She had her son Richard  reply.  Richard wrote that his father, Clifford James Dyke Hales, remembers my grandfather Clifford Walter Hales' "kindness and generosity during his visits home."  

Richard Hales (1953)  m Nicky Moss. Presently lives at Harbour View, Chidham Lane, Chidham, Chichester, West Sussex P018 8TQ. 

children:  Katie Hales (c1984) & Matthew Hales (c1987) , in his 1995 letter Richard  sends "Best Wishes to the Hales clan on the other side of the pond." 

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Thomas Perrett Hales (c1883- Jan 7 1948) m Else Holmes (d Feb 1955) in 1909. His son Robert writes that " My father went to Henley Grammar school and later possibly to a boarding school ( the last odd remark I picked up, but cannot verify it) He was a keen footballer in the early 1900's . In September 1909 he married Elsie Holmes, a farmer's daughter from Stokenchurch in Buckinghamshire, who worked in the Post Office in Henley. My father worked in the business with grandpa until he was called up in 1916." Thomas didn't talk about his wartime experiences, but his son Robert found a notebook about field telephones and electrical details. Thomas apparently served in the signal corps of the 4th Royal Berks in WWI. In 1922 took over the Hales Bakery in Henley. Thomas was awarded 262.4.8, more than any of the other boys, when his father died. This may have been because his brother Richard owed their father money, and Clifford was in Canada. He died prior to the division of Lily Phyllus Hales's property, so that that inheritance passed to his sons. Both he and Elsie were cremated at Caversham, near Reading. 

Children:

(1) Robert Stephen Hales ( Sept 1911) m Bessie McSweeney in 1945

I first learned of Robert Stephen Hales through a report that the Henley on the Thames Archaeological and Historical Group made on the former Hales Bakery at 20 Market street: " The last member of the three generations of bakers was able to throw some more light on the history of the house and that of his family. He also told me that it was common knowledge that the house had been a surgery before. This dispels the last doubts whether it had really been the home of Dr J H Brooks previously."  Along with this report, the Henley Library sent me Robert's address. 

Perhaps a month after I wrote, I received Robert's reply:

" Your letter was a surprise! I knew Uncle Cliff had a daughter Betty, but was unaware of any son....I am sorry I have taken so long to reply, but sorting through loads of stuff took a long time.  I married a London girl, Bessie McSweeney, in 1945. Of their courtship - " During the last war Henley on the Thames was designated a 'reception area', and East Londoners were billeted there and in surrounding villages. We adopted a boy in 1948 - (the year he inherited the bakery) and a girl a little later.   In the mid 1950's I packed up my bread rounds; sliced bread was taking off and the milkmen were delivering it, having got it from supermarkets. Things were getting tight. Should I spend money on new equipment? My lease needed  renewing and the new lease rent came as quite a shock, particularly as local Council rates were tied to business rents. We had a meeting,accountants, solicitors ect and were advised to get a fourteen year lease and sell up. This we did in 1960 and, although I was only 50, I decided to retire and ended up here in the Chilterns. In Henley on the Thames after the war there were more than a dozen bakers, several butchers, grocers and a couple of fishmongers. Now there are only two butchers and bakers, no fishmongers or grocers shop. The supermarkets have taken their place. Henley now consists largely of Estate agents, antique shops, building societies and closed shops. Wallingford, where my daughter Julia lives, is just the same - no small businesses. Supermarkets are being built on the outskirts of towns and the centres are dying. I spent Christmas in hospital, having a hip replacement which was successful  but I have back problems which slow me down, plus of course old age! After retiring I became interested in Vintage Cars and went to race tracks to watch vintage car events. If I can find a picture of my last car, a 1928  four and a half litre Bentley 25 H.P. I will send it to you. ....I am trying to trace my cousins, Uncle Richard's sons. As they would be as old as me, I doubt that they will still be alive. At one time there were some cousins living in Worthing. It is dreadful to realize that we have no contact since the death of grandfather, except several years ago when Aunt Vera died and left a bequest in her will to my brother and myself."

Robert's letters  also mention his two adopted children:  a son (adopted in 1948);  Julia Hales (adopted  in 1949) m Mr. Sharp. She was the secretary to the mayor of Wallingford & helps her father with correspondence as well.

2. Frank Thomas Hales (Feb 1915-89) m Helen Brooks. Trained as an engineer, and so became a Royal Engineer during WWII. Subsequently worked at the City Engineering Department, Kennington, Oxford. Had a daughter  - Ann Hales (1940) 

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Florence & Vera Hales: 

Florence was the eldest of the Hales girls and often looked after her brother Clifford. "Floss" lived with her father until his death in 1930, witnessed his death certificate and received 200 pounds after his death. "Floss" must have been about 45 at that time. She and her sister Vera used their inheritance to open a sweetshop at Thornton and later bought a house in Streatham. They took in borders. She received 86.2.10 after the death of her aunt Lily Phyllus Stovkis in 1947.  

"Floss"  was living at 52 Glenaldon rd, Streatham (a suburb of London), when she wrote her brother Clifford on October 11 1968: "What a delightful surprise to see your letter on the hall stand & the lovely photo of baby  (Cliff's great grandson Patrick Edward Hales, born May 26 1968) what a darling he looks, one longs to pick him up and hug him, what a nice looking boy Steve is & your photo Cliff. I can see the Cliff I remember when I saw you last, but had I met you on the street I would not have known you and I guess its the same with you (to I?) When Betty gets home Cliff, ask her to to take a photo of you and Roy and Steve and Patrick, 4 generations of Hales's. Betty seems to be roaming the world eh? What pluck she has, you ought to be proud of her.... Yes Cliff, my dear, we are all getting old, I was 83 last July ... Cliff dear, you ask why Vera does not write, but she has had a trying time lately, I have been in hospital again for 3 weeks, I had a bad heart and couldn't get my breath & my heart was beating so fast, Vera got frightened and said she must go for the Dr. I said don't leave me. We were in the house alone, our folk upstairs were away, but I did not get any better so Vera went for the Dr. I did not know she had gone, must have been half conscious. When Vera got to the Dr the waiting was full of patients. So Vera ask them if they would would mind if she went next as she had left someone very ill with heart trouble. Poor Vera, she did not know whether I would be alive when she got back, but the Dr left the surgery & came back at once in his car with Vi. When he saw me he said I must go to hospital he would phone for an ambulance to come at once with oxygen  So I went to the hospital, they gave me oxygen in the ambulance going along and when I got to the hospital there was a nurse near me all night with oxygen  (Vera?) was terribly worried, but they took (an) x-ray photo & now have found out there is phlegm on the heart which is stopping blood from feeding it. Now they have given me pills etc to take & already I feel much better. My breathing is easier & the sickness is gone: in fact I feel a different person but (Vera?) looks queer: she has had a lot to do: my washing and shopping & the flat to keep clean. She has told me since that she thought I would die I looked so ill. I thought my time had come & now must stop. Vera sends her love & all to baby (Patrick)."

Another of Floss' letters came in early 1969: "Just a few lines to thank you for your xmas gift which I shall find very useful  I ought to have written before but I have been too lazy. I am glad to write I am much better, the doctors have given me some pills and should I get another attack I must go back to the hospital at once. How are you both keeping? Have you had much snow, we are nearly frozen but it is not so much snow, more frosts. I don't get out at lot as my balance is not too good and Vera is nervous, but it might be worse eh? Your little Patrick is a wonder isn't he? Fancy getting about at 6 months with the walking (word unknown), how times change. Years ago babies did not feel their feet till much later. "

Her sister Vera wrote on Feb 15 1970 " Well my dears. I have sad news for you. Floss passed away suddenly January 28 1970. Fell. Had a blackout and never regained conscious, it was all so sudden. I shall miss her very much but I think that she was tired of this old World. She often said that life wasn't worth living, and she was very deaf and would not bother to have a hearing aid. It was a shock for me as she seemed so much better the morning it happened."

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 Proceed to our ancestor,  Clifford Water Hales