John Hall, emigrant ancestor of the Halls of Westminster, Vermont, Troy and Hoosick Falls, New York, who are here recorded, came from Coventry, Warwickshire, England, in 1630, to Charlestown, Massachusetts, perhaps in the fleet with Governor Winthrop. He was then about twenty-one years of age. His name is number nineteen on the list of members of the First Church of Charlestown at its organization, July 30, 1630; the church was removed and became the First Church of Boston. He was made a freeman, May 14, 1634, was of Barnstable, 1640, and of Yarmouth, 1653. He made his will July 15, 1694, in which he mentions eight sons. He died July 23, 1696, and was buried on his farm. He married (first) Bethia ————. Children:
- Samuel, married Elizabeth Pollard; had no issue, but willed his property to his widow and seven brothers.
- John, of whom further.
- Sheba, baptized in Charlestown, September 12, 1639, died in infancy.
Children by second wife, Elizabeth:
- Joseph, baptized in Yarmouth, July 3, 1642, died May 31, 1716; removed to Mansfield, Connecticut; deacon of the first church of Mansfield and the first town clerk; married Mary ————, left no children.
- Benjamin, baptized July 14, 1644, died in infancy.
- Nathaniel, baptized February 8, 1646; fought as captain under Colonel Church, September 30, 1689, in defence of Falmouth, Maine, and November 19, 1689, it was ordered that Captain Nathaniel Hall take charge as commander-in-chief of the forces. He was an inn keeper in Yarmouth and also practiced medicine to some extent; finally removed to Lewiston, Sussex county, Pennsylvania, near the Delaware river. He married Anna, daughter of Rev. Thomas Thornton, of Yarmouth, and left no children.
- Gershom, baptized March 5, 1648, died October 31, 1732; a millwright; he lived in Harwich, Massachusetts; was a selectman in 1710, continuing until 1722; a representative 1712-13-14. He acted as minister and received salary of twenty-six pounds yearly from the town of Chatham, also from Harwich. He married (first) Bertha Bangs; (second) Martha Branhall; five children.
- William, baptized June 8, 1651, died June 11, 1727, buried at Mansfield, Connecticut. He held rank of captain at Norwich, Connecticut. He married Easter, Esther or Hester————, the name being given all three ways in the records; four children.
- Benjamin, baptized May 29, 1653, was found dead in his bed, February 7, 1678; a soldier of the Second Narragansett expedition, lived in Harwich, Massachusetts, and Mansfield, Connecticut. He married Mehitable Matthews and had three children.
- Elisha, born 1655; in 1716 was called "Ensign Elisha" and lived in Yarmouth. He was chosen representative in 1703 and held office five years. He married Lydia ———— and had eight children.
(II) John (2), son of John (1) and Bethia Hall, was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1637, died in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, October 14, 1710, and is buried in Dennis, a part of Yarmouth. He was a deacon of the Yarmouth church and lived on the old homestead in Dennis, where he and his wife are buried. He married Priscilla, born March 10, 1643, died March 30, 1712, daughter of Austin Bearse, of Barnstable, who came from Southampton, England, in the ship "Confidence," April 2, 1638, aged twenty years. Children:
- John, born 1661, died in infancy;
- Joseph, of whom further;
- John, born 1666, married Margaret, daughter of Rev. John Miller, nine children;
- Priscilla, born 1668, died in infancy;
- Priscilla, born February, 1671;
- Esther, April, 1672;
- Mary, March 1, 1674;
- Martha, May 24, 1676;
- Nathanel, September 15, 1678, married Widow Jane Moore; removed to Lewiston, Pennsylvania, where he was living with two children in 1733.
(III) Joseph, son of John (2) and Priscilla (Bearse) Hall, was born September 29, 1663, died January 29, 1737. He settled on his father's farm in Dennis; was chosen deacon of the Yarmouth church; selectman in 1701 and held the office twenty-eight years; a representative in 1715-16. He married (first) February 12, 1690, Hannah, born April 19, 1666, died August 23, 1710, daughter of Rev. John Miller, first minister of the Yarmouth church. He married (second) Mary Pounce, widow of John Morton. She died May 31, 1761, aged eighty years. Children of first wife:
- Hannah, born February 20, 1691, married, November 22, 1715, Ebenezer Crocker, of Barnstable.
- Priscilla, March 28, 1693.
- Margery, February 24, 1695.
- Joseph (2), August 6, 1697; he was a deacon of the Yarmouth church; married Rebecca, daughter of Paul and Mercy (Freeman) Sears; eleven children, five dying young.
- Daniel, of whom further.
- Josiah, August 12, 1701, died April 9, 1758; married Rebecca Howes, eight children.
- David, August 6, 1704, died May 8, 1789; a graduate of Harvard College, 1724; received degree of D.D. from Dartmouth College; 1777 was candidate for presidency of Princeton College at the time Dr. Jonathan Edwards, was elected; minister at Sutton, Massachusetts, sixty years until his death; was of "noble bearing, intellectual vigor and fervent piety." A monument stands to his memory erected by the people of Sutton. He married, June 24, 1731, Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Jonathan and Rebecca (Berkley) Prescott, of Concord, Massachusetts. She died August 7, 1803, aged ninety years; twelve children and probably more. (A young minister exchanged pulpits with Dr. Hall, and being at his house and seeing Mrs. Hall with a child in her arms and looking very youthful, asked her if it was her first child. She replied, "Yes, it is the first of the second dozen.")
Children of second wife:
- Mary, born March 30, 1712.
- Peter, May 19, 1715; married Abigail Sears; five children.
- John, January 30, 1717, died January 1, 1792; married (first) Abigail Hay; (second) Elizabeth Sears; nine children.
- Bathshebah, July 5, 1719.
(IV) Daniel, son of Joseph and Hannah (Miller) Hall, was born July 15, 1699, died October 24, 1768. He lived in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, all his days. He was a deacon of the church there for many years. He married (first) Lydia ————; (second) Sarah Downs; (third) Rebecca Bangs. He had sixteen children, seven of whom are mentioned; there were two sons and seven daughters whose names are not recorded:
- Daniel, born August 6, 1722, died August 3, 1774; married (first) Priscilla Paddock; (second) Jerusha Howes; two children.
- David, March 6, 1724; married (first) Tamsen Sears; (second) Ruth Atkins; (third) Rebecca Crosby; six children.
- Lot, of whom further.
- Joshua, May 5, 1737.
- Atherton, March 7, 1748; married Ruth Crowell; nine children.
- Peter, February 10, 1750.
- Samuel, March 7, 1752; married Elizabeth Sears; six children.
(V) Lot, son of Daniel Hall (by which wife cannot be stated), was born March 18, 1725. He resided all his life at Yarmouth, Massachusetts. He married Hannah Doane. Children:
- Daniel, born October 14, 1754; he was a lieutenant on board the privateer "Arnold," and froze to death off Cape Cod, December 26, 1778, with seventy-seven others (see [Frederick] Freeman's [The] History of Cape Cod).
- Lot, of whom further.
- Urian, born September 17, 1759.
- William, September 14, 1764; married Polly ————; one son.
(VI) Hon. Lot (2) Hall, son of Lot (1) and Hannah (Doane) Hall, was born at Yarmouth, Barnstable county, Massachusetts, 1757. Little is known of his youthful days. He was well educated, as is proven by his after career. At the outbreak of the revolution he warmly advocated the cause of the colonies and at the first opportunity entered the service. South Carolina, "being in want of seamen," offered inducements to the young man through Elijah Freeman Payne, who furnished him with enlistment papers. Payne was then lieutenant of a twenty-gun ship, "The Randolph," lying at Charleston, South Carolina, commanded by Captain Cockran. He promised Hall a lieutenancy in the marine department provided he would enlist fifteen men and transport them to Providence, Rhode Island. Entering upon his task with energy, he secured twenty-nine men and a boy, residents of Barnstable county, procured a schooner and conveyed his recruits to Providence. At Stonington a vessel was procured with cannon and stores, named the "Eagle," and in her Captain Payne and Lieutenant Hall put to sea, intending to cruise to Charleston and there join "The Randolph." They took several prizes, one of them "The Spears," being placed in command of Lieutenant Hall as prize master. The ships became separated and the prisoners on board greatly outnumbered the crew, mutinied and on September 13, 1776, obtained control of the ship. They arrived at Glasgow, Scotland, and Lieutenant Hall was delivered to the city authorities, who ordered him imprisoned. Through Masonic friends whom he found in power he received many favors and was given unusual liberties. In April, 1777, he was released; on his way home, and within sight of the Virginia coast, when the vessel on which he was a passenger, "The Duke of Grafton," was captured by a British man-of-war of sixty-four guns, "The St. Albans," and the lieutenant was again a prisoner. His second captivity lasted only ten days. Through the efforts of Patrick Henry, then governor of Virginia, he was exchanged and provided with a horse and money to enable him to reach Massachusetts. Many years afterward his descendants received pay for his naval services. On returning to Barnstable he began the study of law and remained there until 1812, when he removed to Vermont, first settling at Bennington. In 1783 he was at Westminister. He rose to eminence in his profession; was elected to the Vermont general assembly, 1789-91-92 and 1808. In 1792 he was presidential elector and with his colleagues cast the vote of his state for George Washington and John Adams. He was a fellow of Middlebury College, a member of the council of censors, and for seven years, 1794-1801, was judge of the supreme court of the state. Of Judge Hall it was written: "He is one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, which office he fills in such a manner as to reflect honor on even so important a station." He died May 17, 1809, in his fifty-third year. He married, in Boston, February 13, 1786, Mary Homer, of that city, an orphan, only fifteen years of age. She outlived her husband many years, died February 21, 1843, aged seventy-two years. Under the title "A True Story," a romantic account of her courtship and marriage appeared in the Herald of Freedom in December, 1789. The "A True Story" was again printed in the Barnstable Journal in August, 1829, and reprinted in the Troy Daily Post, February 21, 1845.
(VII) Daniel (2), eldest child of Lot (2) and Mary (Polly) (Homer) Hall, was born in Westminster, Vermont, 1787, died in Troy, New York, December 10, 1868. He was educated at the University of Vermont, and in 1804 came to Troy, New York, where he began the study of law with A. Paine. He was admitted to the bar of New York and was actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Troy all his life. He was a careful, painstaking lawyer, a safe counsellor, but not an advocate. His was largely an office business and his clients' interests were well safeguarded. He was a Whig, and on the formation of the Republican party became an active, earnest worker in that organization. He was a very strict observer of religious forms and always insisted that his family accompany him to public worship. He married Anjinette Fitch. She was a descendant of Thomas Fitch, the emigrant ancestor who came from Bocking, Essex county, England, with his widowed mother in 1635-38. He was in Norwalk, 1652. He is the ancestor of Thomas Fitch, governor of Connecticut, and of all the family of Fitch claiming Norwalk ancestors. Children of Daniel and Anjinette (Fitch) Hall:
- Mary Olivia, died 1909, aged over seventy years;
- Fitz Edward, married, in India, ———— Sherldham and had several children;
- George Canning, born March 29, 1828, married Mary Marvin;
- Benjamin Homer, of whom further;
- Richard Fitch, of whom further;
- James Stephenson, of whom further.
(VIII) Benjamin Homer, son of Daniel (2) and Anjinette (Fitch) Hall, was born in Troy, New York, November 14, 1830. died in that city, April 6, 1893. He prepared for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, and was graduated at Harvard, A.B., class of 1851. He prepared for the profession of law by a thorough course of study and was admitted to the bar in 1856. He was in the active practice of his profession in Troy from 1856 to 1893. He was city chamberlain of Troy, 1884-85. He was a well-known author and a poet of local prominence, his works of that kind that are preserved being largely of a humorous nature. One of his poems, entitled "The Tale of the Whale," was published in the September number of Our Young Folks in 1866. In it the author blends in verse the strange names of the contemporary people of Rensselaerwyck in the quotations, describing the inspection of the great mammal (cast ashore on Whale Island, opposite Lansingburg in 1647) and the disposition made of its blubber: another read during the Centennial Celebration at Troy, on "The Naming and Progress of Troy," thus described the reception of the name at Albany.
"But when next day a shallop,
Sailed proudly down the stream,
And brought the news that Troy
No longer was a dream,
The streets were all deserted,
Each true Albanian wailed,
A fast day was appointed,
Five sturgeon vendors failed."
Verse, however, was his recreation. For two years he was editor of the Troy Morning Whig, 1878-79. He published anonymously while at Harvard "A Collection of College Words and Customs," and on the authorship becoming known, Jared Sparks, president of Harvard, presented him with three histories of Harvard, then extant, inserting in each volume, "Presented to Mr. Benjamin H. Hall, by the Corporation of Harvard University, June 18, 1851. Jared Sparks, president." In 1856 he revised the work. He published "A History of Eastern Vermont" (1858, new edition 1865), "Bibliography of the United States," Vermont (1860); "A Tribute of the Citizens of Troy to the Memory of Abraham Lincoln" (1865), and articles in the Harvard Book (1875) and in Sylvester's History of Rensselaer County, New York (1880). He was an eloquent, forceful orator and many of his orations survive in published form. He was president of the Young Men's Association of Troy, and at their Semi-Centennial, December 12, 1884, read a most effective and interesting sketch of the association. He took an active part in the Troy Centennial, delivered eulogies on Hon. John Paine Cushman, David Buel, Jr., and William L. Marcy, on Historical Day, and on another day addresses on Troy's "two great teachers," Emma Willard and Amos Eaton. He built the then immense "Hall Building" in Troy in 1871, that is yet a noticeable feature of Troy's business streets. "A cultured, polished gentleman, an able lawyer and a true friend." He married, June 1, 1859, Margaret McConn, daughter of Jacob L. Lane, of Troy. Children: Derick L., of whom further; Anjinette; John Griswold; Mary Howard. Margaret McConn (Lane) Hall survives her husband and resides in Troy, New York.
(VIII) Richard Fitch, fifth child of Daniel (2) and Anjinette (Fitch) Hall, was born September 24, 1833, in Troy, where his early education was obtained in a private school. He prepared for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, and was graduated from Harvard University, A.B., class of 1854. In 1855 he established a wholesale lumber business at West Troy, near Watervliet, where he continued for twenty years in successful operation. He was superintendent of the West Troy Gas Company for nine years. January 17, 1855, he joined the Troy Volunteer fire department; in 1856 he was elected assistant captain of Washington company; in 1857-58 he was captain of the same company; from 1860 until August, 1866, he was chief engineer of the department. In March, 1869, he was appointed fire commissioner and held the office twelve years. In 1870 he was appointed water commissioner and served continuously until the commission was dissolved, a period of thirty years. In 1893 he was appointed superintendent of construction of the water works, and in 1900 superintendent of the water works, served four years and then retired. He was a director of the National Bank of Watervliet for twenty years; a director of the Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroad Company; member of the Troy Chamber of Commerce; trustee and secretary of the Troy Orphan Asylum; trustee of the Episcopalian Church Home; member of St. John's Episcopal Church and Republican in politics. He was a man of great energy and a hard worker in whatever he undertook. He was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi and the Hasty Pudding Club of Harvard University, and for two terms president of the Exempt Firemen's Association of Troy. He married, February 2, 1860, Sarah Helen, born April 22, 1833, died August 13, 1899, daughter of Wells and Sarah Helen Belding, of Troy.
(VIII) James Stephenson, son of Daniel (2) and Anjinette (Fitch) Hall, was born at Troy, August 9, 1835. He was educated at private schools in Troy, was graduated from Phillips Andover Academy, class of 1854; Harvard University, A.B., class of 1858. He prepared for the profession of law and was admitted to the bar and for a short time was in private practice. After abandoning the law he devoted his time to his real estate interests and those of his brother, Fitz Edward, and this has been his principal business throughout his life. He is a Republican in politics and an attendant of the Presbyterian church.
(IX) Derick Lane, son of Benjamin Homer and Margaret McConn (Lane) Hall, was born in Troy, New York, June 5, 1860. He was educated in private schools at Norwalk, Connecticut, and at the "Gunnery," Washington, Connecticut. After completing his studies he returned to Troy and entered the employ of J. M. Warren of that city. He was an employee of the Troy post office for three years, and during his father's term of chamberlain of Troy was a clerk in his office. He was connected with the Walter A. Wood Machinery Company for ten years, located in the central west. Returning east in 1901, he purchased the newspaper plant at Hoosick Falls, and has since been editor and proprietor of the Standard, a weekly newspaper, Republican in politics and devoted to the interests of Hoosick Falls and vicinity. He is a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church at Hoosick Falls and has served as vestryman since 1896. He was one of the organizers of the Pafraets Dael Club of Troy, and is a member of the Hoosick and of the Hoosick Country clubs. He holds fraternal membership with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He served seven years in the Troy Citizens Corps and is now a member of the Senior Corps. He married, February 4, 1892, Isabella Mary Flett, of Scotch parents who came to America in 1850. Children:
- Benjamin Homer, born November 14, 1893;
- Harriet Robertson, born November 21, 1899.