... Samuel, b. May 7, 1787. ...
... SAMUEL HALL, (Samuel, Josiah, John, Andrew), m. Jan. 1 [16, per VR], 1813, Sophia, dau. of John and Lois (Jackson) King, of Newton.
Capt. Samuel Hall was born in Newton, Mass., May 7, 1787. He lived in Newton, during his minority, with his father, who was a farmer and hand-loom weaver, receiving only the educational advantages which the district schools of that period afforded, and in. that time he learned the trade of a blacksmith.
January 1 [16], 1813, he was married to Miss Sophia King, of Newton. In 1816, after the birth of two children, they settled in Grafton, and in 1822 he purchased the "Wood" estate, situated on the road leading to Millbury, took down the old house, and built the cottage which he occupied up to the time of his death, a period of some fifty-six years. They had twelve children, seven of whom are now (May, 1879), living, four daughters and three sons, all of whom are filling well their respective situations in life, the sons being favorably known in business and official circles. ...
More than fifty years ago he was elected captain of a military company, and served for several years with great acceptance. He had a good ear and natural love for music, and, by study and practice, he made himself one of the best musicians in the county. He played the bass-viol, and directed the singing with marked success, at different periods, in the choirs of each of the religious societies in Grafton ; and his interest in, and love for this art, he retained almost unabated to the close of his life; his passion for music being strong so long as he was able to receive and entertain his friends and neighbors. Indeed, his friends listened with pleasure to his rendering of several of the old-time tunes, upon his bass-viol, so recently as the anniversary of his ninetieth birthday. Captain Hall was eminently social and cheerful, characteristics which he retained to the last. He seemed young at ninety. He was a man of truth, justice and charity, and the spirit which characterized him in his daily life governed him also in his treatment of political and moral questions. He had no taste for controversy, but acted quietly on his own convictions, and left others to act as they pleased. In all things he was an independent and intelligent thinker and actor. His word was as good as his bond, and his promises seldom, if ever, exceeded what he performed. In a word, he despised pretence and hated corruption wherever found.
Politically he was a Whig, until the formation of the Republican party, with which he acted, depositing his last ballot for Hayes and Wheeler.
Whatever failings he had dwindled into insignificance in the presence of his intelligence, his love of right, his amiability, his courteous manner, his devotion to his family and friends. He was an affectionate husband, a fond and indulgent father, and, endowed as he was, he became to his large and happy family its guide and blessing, leaving behind him a memory of undying fragrance. He died February 24, 1878, in the ninety-first year of his age; at that time the oldest man in Grafton.
Children, ...
