William Hals

[4] Much of his work was never published but was used by other Cornish historians, including Davies Gilbert, Thomas Tonkin, and John Whitaker.

His parents were James Hals of Fentongollan, and Anne, daughter of John Martin of Hurston, Devon.

He died without issue in 1737 or 1739 at Tregury (Tregurtha), in the parish of St Wenn, of which he owned the rectorial tithes.

Hals began his work on the history of Cornwall in 1685, forming a collection which he continued until 1736, but it was never actually finished.

The manuscripts of Hals's History passed through various hands, and belonged at one time to Dr John Whitaker.