After this the Gibbon family lived at Halstead, coming from Tealby, and are supposed to have owned it, the baptism of “John Gibon” being registered in 1666. Another owner of Halstead was Sir John Coventry, Bart., who as before stated, presented to the benefice of Stixwould in 1685. His sister married the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, who is said to have been entertained more than once with a large retinue at Halstead. Sir John was the subject of various attacks, for using offensive language concerning his eccentric Sovereign, Charles II, asking in Parliament “whether the King’s pleasure lay in the men, or women players” at the theatres; in consequence of which “The Coventry Act” was passed in 1671, making it felony to maim or disfigure a person, and declaring the Sovereign incompetent to pardon such offenders. Halstead, subsequently, became the property of Sir William Kyte, or Keate; then of Lord Anson, and his son Thomas Anson, who presented to the benefice in 1767, and it was in 1778, bought by Edmund Turnor, Esq., of Stoke Rochford. Having been the residence of these various owners of wealth and position, we can hardly doubt that Halstead Hall was formerly much larger then it is at present, and there still remains, as a part of the farm buildings, a lofty structure with stone-framed windows; the walls being of brick, smaller than those of modern times, and relieved by diamond-shaped patterns of black bricks, indicating a care and taste in the style of erection, which would hardly have been bestowed upon a mere barn. It probably dates from the 15th century. {204} The present Hall, probably erected in the 16th century, is a two-storeyed structure; the rooms not large, but lofty, their height on the ground floor being over 10ft, and on the upper floor more than 13ft, with spacious attics above, for stores; the walls are very substantial, being 2½ft. thick; while the windows, with their massive mullions of Ancaster stone, would indicate a much larger building; and foundations of further buildings have, from time to time, been discovered.