Water End: The Old Maypole

Image: © Nigel Cox Taken: 24 Sep 2008

A date on the front wall of the public house implies that it was built circa 1520, although the style of the building suggests a later date. Perhaps there was an older building on the plot that was demolished, with the current public house replacing it. Nonetheless it is an old public house. A view of the 1881 Census shows the following occupants and a veritable goldmine for genealogists researching the Massey family:- Thomas MASSEY, Head of the household, unmarried, aged 31, born Hatfield, Hertfordshire, occupation Blacksmith Mary Ann MASSEY, His Sister, unmarried, aged 33, born Hatfield, Hertfordshire John MASSEY, His brother, unmarried, aged 25, born Hatfield, Hertfordshire, occupation Gamekeeper Sarah MASSEY, His sister, unmarried, aged 23, born Hatfield, Hertfordshire Walter MASSEY, His brother, unmarried, aged 15, born North Mimms, Hertfordshire, occupation Scholar Mary Ann MANNING, His mother, married, age 56, born North Mimms, Hertfordshire Thomas MANNING, His step-father, married, aged 35, born London, occupation Bricklayer Edward HICKSON, His nephew, unmarried, aged 12, born Tonbridge, Kent, occupation Scholar It must have been strange for Thomas Massey to have had a step-father only 4 years older than himself.

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