Person:Josias Hall (1)

Research Notes

• see William Smith purchases “Broad’s Improvement” – 1770
  • ... In 1804, William Smith gave the 170-acre “Broad’s Improvement”, including the mill and miller’s house, as well as the 30-acre parcel of Maiden’s Out and its spring to his daughter, Janet, and her husband, Josias Carvell Hall. At the time, both Janet and Josias Carvell Hall resided in Harford County on the couple’s home farm on Spesutie Island, adjacent to plantation also owned by William Smith. Josias and Janet remained in Harford County until at least after 1810 as census records indicate their place of residence as Spesutie Island. However, they likely relocated to the now 207-acre Herring Run tract by 1814 since in that year, Josias Carvell Hall had died and his will was recorded and proved in Baltimore County. Since Josias and Janet did not reside on the property, the mill and agricultural land along the Herring Run were likely leased to tenants.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Family Recorded, in Papenfuse, Edward C; Alan F Day; David W Jordan; and Gregory A Stiverson. A Biographical dictionary of the Maryland legislature, 1635-1789. (Baltimore [Maryland]: Johns Hopkins University Press, c1979-1985)
   426:380, 388.

   HALL, JOSIAS CARVIL (1746-1814).
   BORN: on July 7, 1746, in St. George's Parish, Baltimore County; youngest son. NATIVE: fourth generation.
   RESIDED: in Baltimore County, (later became Harford County); Baltimore County, 1811 until death.
   
   FAMILY BACKGROUND.
   FATHER: John Hall (1701-1774).
   MOTHER. Hannah (1711-1782).
   ...
   MARRIED by 1775 Janet (Jane) (1752-1812), daughter of William Smith (1728-1814), a merchant of Baltimore Town, who immigrated from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1761, and his wife Elizabeth Buchanan (1733-1784); ...
   CHILDREN.
   SON: Benedict William (1790-?).
   DAUGHTER: Hannah Elizabeth (1785-by 1814).
   
   PRIVATE CAREER.
   EDUCATION: M.B., College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1769.
   RELIGIOUS AFFILLIATION: Presbyterian, by 1786.
   SOCIAL STATUS AND ACTIVITIES: Gent.; third generation legislator; member of the Maryland Society of Cincinnati.
   OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE: physician; planter.
   
   PUBLIC CAREER.
   LEGISLATIVE SERVICE: Convention, Harford County, 3rd, 1774.
   OTHER STATE OFFICE: Executive Council, 1788-1789.
   LOCAL OFFICES: Committee of Observation, Harford County, in office 1775; justice, Harford County, appointed 1795.
   MILITARY SERVICE: captain, First Company, Harford County Militia, 1775; colonel, Second Battalion, Flying Camp, 1776; colonel, Fourth Battalion of Regulars, 1777; supernumerary colonel, Maryland Line, 1781; brigadier general, First Brigade (Harford and Cecil counties), Maryland Militia, 1794-1795 (resigned); lieutenant colonel, Ninth U.S. Infantry, 1799-1800.
   STANDS ON PUBLIC/PRIVATE ISSUES: signed the Bush Declaration, Harford County, 1775; his will included details on the manumission and care of his slaves.
   
   WEALTH DURING LIFETIME.
   PERSONAL PROPERTY: 14 slaves, 2 servants, 1776; assessed value $882.80 current money, including 23 slaves and 16 oz. plate, 1783.
   LAND AT FIRST ELECTION: 1,461 acres in Harford County (inherited from his father in 1774).
   SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN LAND BETWEEN FIRST ELECTION AND DEATH: he was entitled to 400 acres in Allegany County for his service in the Revolution; acquired the lease on at least 1 lot in Baltimore Town in 1792; bought an additional 600 acres in Harford County, 1786-1800, and sold ca. 900 acres in Harford County, 1800-1811.
   WEALTH AT DEATH.
   DIED: between June 18 and November 12, 1814, in Baltimore County.
   PERSONAL PROPERTY: his will mentioned 15 slaves.
   LAND: at least 1,124 acres in Harford County and probably a lease on 1 lot in Baltimore City.