He [Joseph Hall] was born in England in the year 1745. His father, Jonathan Hall, was a land owner, or tenant proprietor, and like his ancestors, a farmer. Joseph was a younger son, and under the English laws could not inherit any of the ancestral acres, so he was educated for the mercantile business and entered the employment of an uncle [? pos David Hall?].
In 1764, this uncle closed up business, and accompanied by Joseph, came to Alexandria, Virginia, and became one of the leading merchants of that place. In 1774, Joseph volunteered in Governor Dunmore's expedition against the Indians, and was made a corporal in Dunmore's division.
-----
[cos1776 note: no additional sources given]
