Dr. Baldwin Hamey was born in 1600. He retired to Little Chelsea from the hurry of his profession the year before the Fire of London, saving thereby his library; he also escaped from the direful effects of the plague in London. At Chelsea he contributed largely towards the erection of the church steeple, and gave the great bell which had his name on it. I may here state that the first large bells are mentioned by Bede, in the year 680. Before that period the early British Christians made use of wooden rattles (sacra ligna) to call the congregation of the faithful together. Dr. Adam Littleton, in gratitude to Dr. Hamey for the above benefactions, printed at the end of the first edition of his Latin Dictionary, a copy of Latin verses which he dedicated to him. Dr. Hamey was a great scholar, a philosopher, and an eminent physician. At his death he bequeathed to the College of Physicians the estate of Ashlins, in Essex, besides money and books. There is a manuscript life of him, written about 143 years ago, by his relation, Mr. Palmer. “Chemistry,” says the biographer, “now began to come into vogue, which Dr. Hamey could not well be reconciled to, from his Galenical principles, and at his age. It seemed to him to be a stroke of quackery.” He declined a knighthood, and the offer of being first physician to Charles II. after his restoration. The same modesty made him waive the offer of being President of his beloved College of Physicians, although he had held all other subordinate offices in it. He died in 1676, and was buried in the Old Church.
The Goat and Boots Tavern still stands at the eastern corner of Park Walk, West Brompton, or Little Chelsea, although from its age it seems probable that in a few years a new house will be substituted for it. The sign was originally painted by Morland, to pay his tavern bill. In old deeds it is called the Goat. Perhaps poor Morland added the “Boots” to the sign to make it more attractive, and to get a better price from the proprietor, but this is mere conjecture.
Park Walk, in a very old map of Chelsea, is called Lovers’ Walk, and it appears to have been planted with trees, but from some unknown cause—surely all the loving lads and lasses had not left the parish—it degenerated into Twopenny Walk. After dark, from its retirement and seclusion, it was dangerous for persons passing that way. It has been now for many years a good thoroughfare from the King’s Road to West Brompton, having Park Chapel in a central position, and houses on both sides of the road. When the improvement at the bottom of Milman’s Row is entirely completed, there will then be an excellent and continuous roadway to the river-side.