Converting pendant light to wired hanging lamp - what to do with ground wire?
Sounds like the ground wire would have attached to the ceiling mount which in turn would have grounded the chain and any metal attached to that. The value in the earth is if, some how, the live comes lose and touches the metal rather than potentially electrocuting you it will be connected by all that metal to earth and trip the breaker. You want the earth connected to a metal part that touches everything. Typically the mounting point would have a green earth screw to attach the earth to.