Sir Josiah Child was an English merchant, economic writer, East India Company governor, and substantial landowner. He acquired Abells and Bois Hall in Halstead and listed Abells among his manors in his 1696 will.

The will evidence confirms ownership by 1696; the 1673 acquisition date comes from the local estate-history account.

Research sources:
- The Greater Essex Estate, History of the Draycot Estate, section on Bois Hall and Halstead; corroborated by the study of Sir Josiah Child's landed estate citing his 1696 will, PROB 11/451/289. — https://draycotestatehistory.wordpress.com/the-greater-essex-estate/
- Wikipedia biographical reference — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josiah_Child