William Hall of Portsmouth, Rhode Island

WILLIAM HALL OF PORTSMOUTH, RHODE ISLAND

BY WANDA WARE DEGIDIO

[email protected]

SEE WWW.HALLFAMILYNAME.COM

11/11/2018

From the "Early Records of Town of Portsmouth R.I." are the list of those signers of the Company of Loyalty, dated 30 April 1639, which states: "We whose names are underwritten do acknowledge ourselves the legal subjects of His Majesty King Charles, and in his name do hereby bind ourselves into a civil body politic, unto his laws according to matters of justice." It is unknown why the names of William Aspinwall and William Haule (Hall) were lined through. But it is known that on 7 February 1639, Mr. Aspinwall was proceeded against as a suspected person for sedition against the state of Rhode Island and he soon thereafter returned to Boston, William Hall's name may have been marked through due to his disagreement with Portsmouth authorities soon after the towns establishment. He is said to have stated, "A pastor is not needed to figure out one's religion as I can read the bible for myself" and, "one's deeds and action ye are known in Heaven."

A plaque of the Portsmouth Compact Memorial has been placed at Founders Park, in Rhode Island, containing the name of William Hall. The compact dated 7 March 1638, was drawn up prior to the group leaving Boston, under which a group of the leading men of the newly proposed Colony had incorporated themselves into "A Bodie Politik" to the end that they might go to their new Plantation in a formal organization, under a chosen leader or Governor.

WILLIAM HALL'S SIGNATURE ON THE PORTSMOUTH COMPACT SIGNED MARCH 7, 1638.

Dated the 7th Day of the First Month, 1638,it states, "We whose names are underwritten do hereby solemnly in the presence of Jehovah incorporate ourselves into a Bodie Politick and as He shall help, will submit our persons, lives and estates unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and to all those perfect and most absolute laws of His given in His Holy Word of truth, to be guided and judged thereby."

WILLIAM HALL (c1613 England-will 11/20/1673 Portsmouth, RI), likely married ca. 1647 Mary Fish (Bap. 4/24/1625 England-AFT 12/12/1684), dau. of Robert, son of Thomas Fish of Leicestershire, England. William's wife was not Mary Thomas (see NOTE below). CHILDREN: 1. Zuriel Hall b. c1648 d. 9/5/1691 m. Elizabeth Tripp, dau. of John Tripp and Mary Paine 2. William Hall b. b. c1650 d. 1698 m. 1/26/1671 Alice Tripp, dau. of John Tripp and Mary Paine 3. Elizabeth Hall b. c1552 d. 1698 m. Giles Pearce / Pierce b. 6/22/1651 m. 4/13/1676 Richard Pearce and Susanna Wright 4. Benjamin Hall b. c1654 d. 1/26/1730 Benjamin Hall, son of William and Mary Hall, was born in Portsmouth, R. I. He was admitted freeman of Portsmouth, April 30, 1678. He married July 27, 1676, Frances Parker, dau. of George Parker and Frances. 5. Rebecca Hall b. c1656 April 14, 1677, Lieut. Thomas Wood was chosen deputy for Portsmouth to use next two general assemblies. In October 1677 he was one allotted land at the founding of East Greenwich. May 7, 1680, now of Swansea, he and wife Rebecca sold 12 acres in Portsmouth to Benjamin Hall for £20; 1680 taxed 3 shillings; and July 1, 1680, chosen "rater"; September 7, 1681, took oath of fidelity and 1685 was surveyor of highways, also 1687. In 1690 he was chosen deputy from Swansea. His wife was Rebecca Hall, daughter of William Hall and Mary Thomas Austin of the Swansea area. Koenig, Trager & Wood genealogy, By Frank E. Wolf, 2007, p. 105. 6. Deliverance Hall b. c1658 d. 1721 m. 1) 1/30/1679 Abel Tripp, son of John Tripp and Mary Paine, d. 9/10/1684 m. 2) Thomas Durfee 1643 1712

NOTE: MARY NOT MARY THOMAS: Thomas family of Talbot county, Maryland, and allied families, By Richard Henry Spencer https://archive.org/stream/thomasfamilyofta00spen/thomasfamilyofta00spen_djvu.txt shows that this Thomas family settled and stayed in Maryland and has no connection to Rhode Island.

I believe William Hall m. Mary Fish, bap. 24 April 1625 at Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England. Mary would have m. William Hall in 1647, at age 21/22. The Fish family were at the Portsmouth town meeting on 5th of Oct 1643 when, "Land was ordered layd out to Thomas Fish at the first Brooke". Mary, wife of William Hall, was the age of Mary Fish, and, there were no other single women named Mary, living in Portsmouth at this time. There's no proof Mary came with her brothers, but she disappears from the Leicestershire records at the time her brother Thomas is receiving land in Portsmouth. Years later, Robert Fish (13/12/1664 Portsmouth, RI-) m. Mary Hall, a daughter of Zuriel Hall and Elizabeth Tripp, on 9/16/1686. Mary's younger brother was named Benjamin, and this could be the reason they named a son Benjamin. During this time in Portsmouth the name Benjamin was unusual, as was Zuriel, which likely came from William and Anne Hutchinson naming a son Zuriel. Zuriel means "Strength of God", appropriate at this time of religious turmoil.

Dec 3, 1662. votted - The free inhabitants of this towne hath lent vnto Henery Ewies & his wife One Acre of land Acknoynenge to that land thay Now Ewies live vpon, duringe both there lives, and when thay are both of them dead, the said Acre of land is to returne to the towne againe the said Acre of land is to be laid out by William Hall and Thomas fish. The early records of the town of Portmouth, Rhode Island, Page 114. On March the 10th: 1656, an agreement of several of the free Inhabitants of Rhode Island etc. concerning the purchasing of a certain Island (called Conanicut), out of 100 plus names, William Hall and Thomas Fish are listed side by side. Inventory of the estate of Nathaniel Browning was taken 11 March 1672/73 by William Hall, Thomas Fish, Thomas Manchester, William Wilbor and Robert Hassard. On 10 Dec 1657 two acres ... bounded ... head of Mr. Burton’s farm, land of Thomas Cornell, land of Thomas Fish and the land of Thomas Cooke Jur., layd out 6 Feb 1657,” signed William Hall and John Albro (Portsmouth LE l:107).

Many early land-owning colonists used only their mark, while the name of "Thomas Fish" appears in bold, legible hand-writing. He held many town offices and was prominent in the early affairs of the Portsmouth Colony, "Thomas Fish was a member of the town council in 1674 and evidently a citizen of substance and consequence in his community." Source: History of the Bench and Bar of Wisconsin, Vol. 1, By John R. Berryman, p. 606.

1667 - At a meetinge of ye free inhabitants of ye Towne of Portsmouth Mr William Baulston Chosen moderator for ye day the Genrall Sargants worrant Reed in that Assembly 1667. Deputies Chosen for searues in ye Generall assembly, Deputies: Mr John Card, Mr William Wodell. Mr Willam Hall, Mr Robert Hazard, Graund Jury men, Adam Mott, Giddion frceborn, William Corry, Pettey Jury men, William Cadman, Danille Greenell, Thomas Fish .

1668 - At a Meetinge of ye ffree inhabitants of ye Towne of Portsmoth ye 16th of October 1668 Mr William Baulston Chosen moderator for ye day The Sarjants worrant Reed for warninge ye meetingc Chosen Deputies for October Court Mr John Sanford, Mr John Briggs, Mr John Tripp , Mr John Albro. Chrosen Graund Jury: Mr Thomas Cooke, Mr Thomas ffish, Mr Thomas Lawton, Chosen petty Jury men Mr Thomas Cornell, Mr William Corr, Mr ffranees Brayton.

1679 - Att a meeting of the free Inhabitants of the Towne of Portsmouth held at the house of John Brigs sen the first of the 3rd moneth Called May 1679: John Albro Chosen moderator. Chosen deputies for the next Gen assembly: George Lawton, William Corey, Francis Brayton, William Cadman. Chosen to be on the grand jury the next court of Tryals: Thomas Fish, Adam mott, Daniel Lawton. Chosen to be on the petty jury the next court of Tryals: Lott Strangc, Isaac Lawton, Benjamin Hall.

Men of William Hall's status were expected to marry into families of the same or higher status. Old handwritten maps of early Portsmouth (see at bottom) shows that Thomas Fish was living in close proximity to John Hall. Since John Briggs bought the house and lot of John Hall of Portsmouth on 24 Aug 1646, this map would be between Oct 1643 when, "Land was ordered layd out to Thomas Fish at the first Brooke" and 24 Aug 1646.

Thomas Fish bap. 1/1/1618-9 at Great Bowden, Leicestershire, England, featured on the map of early Portsmouth near John Hall, was the father of Robert Fish, a nephew of Mary Fish bap. 4/24/1825 who married William Hall. Thomas Fish and Mary Fish were children of Robert Fish bap. 1593 and his wife Alice Fishe bap. 11/6/1597, and they settled in Portsmouth, RI in 1643. Thomas, who m. Mary _____ in 1645, would have been age 24/25 and his sister Mary would have been age 18. Robert Fish was the son of Thomas Fishe bap. 8/15/1570 and his wife Alice, a daughter of John Fishe b. ca. 1565 and Margaret.

MORE ON THE FISH FAMILY ....

Thomas Fish left England, together with his brother John Fish and landed at Portsmouth, Newport, RI on or before 1643. Portsmouth was at that time called Aquidneck Island. John Fish is not mentioned again in Portsmouth records, and may be the John Fish who died in 1689 in Mystic, New London, CT. Thomas Fish was appointed to Jury for the present court on 21 Nov 1649, admitted freeman to the Portsmouth, Newport, RI in 1655. and became a member of the church. On 20 March 1660, Thomas Fish received a deed of house and land from Henry and Ann Ayres in consideration of fencing two acres, Henry and Ann would be allowed to live there throughout their lives without paying rent. On 3 Dec 1772, Thomas Fish and William Hall were appointed to lay out one acre of town land. On 17 Febr 1663 he was chosen Petty Jury man to the court in Newport. He was chosen constable for the year on 5 June 1665 and that same year he bought two parcels of land and a dwelling house, barn and orchard for 50 pounds from James Babcock. Job Babcock, his son, married Jane Crandall and their daughter Sarah married James Hall, son of Henry Hall, son of John Hall III. Thomas Fish later sold four of these acres to Thomas Lawton. Children of Thomas Fish: • Thomas Fish, Jr. (ca. 1649-) m. Grizzel Strange 12/10/1668; (ca. 1656-). • Mehitable Fish, (ca. 1650 Portsmouth, RI-) m. 8/6/1667 to Joseph Tripp (ca. 1650-). • Mary Fish, (ca. 1652 Portsmouth, RI-4 /4/1747 Portsmouth, RI) m. 3/18/1670 to Francis Brayton. • Alice Fish, (ca. 1655 in Portsmouth, RI-1734 in Portsmouth, RI) m. ca. 1674 William Knowles (1645-1727). • John Fish, (ca. 1657-) m. Joanna Unknown. • Daniel Fish, Sr. , (ca. 1662-) m. 5/1/1682 Abigail Mumford (ca. 1667-) • Robert Fish, (ca. 1665-1730) m. 9/16/1686 to Mary Hall, daughter of Zuriel Hall (ca 1670-).

On 12 July 1675 a rate of 400 pounds was ordered levied in this towne and Island, Thomas Fish, with nine others, were "chosen to make the Said Rate and with all convenient speed return it under their hands into the Treasurie of the towne." On 12 Sep 1680, it was voted that John Briggs to be appointed to speak with Thomas Fish, so "that he lay out that acre of land to this townes commons which was lent to Henry Eves." On 18 Sep 1685, Thomas was appointed to Coroners Jury for an Inquest into the hanging of the Scotsman John Crage, by Coroner Major John Abro. Thomas's will was recorded on 9th of Febr 1687, and proved 13th of Dec 1687. It named wife Mary as executrix, and mentions four sons, three daughters and seven grandchildren. It bequeathed "to son John land bought of James Babcock. To son Robert 20s, and like amount to daughters Mehitable, Mary and Alice. To grandson, Preserved, son of Thomas, Jr., 5s, to wife remainder of the estate. Inventory, 49 pounds, 10s." From the "Early Records of Town of Portsmouth R.I." are the list of those signers of the Company of Loyalty, dated 30 April 1639, which states: "We whose names are underwritten do acknowledge ourselves the legal subjects of His Majesty King Charles, and in his name do hereby bind ourselves into a civil body politic, unto his laws according to matters of justice." It is unknown why the names of William Aspinwall and William Haule (Hall) were lined through. But it is known that on 7 February 1639, Mr. Aspinwall was proceeded against as a suspected person for sedition against the state of Rhode Island and soon thereafter returned to Boston. William Hall's name may have been marked through due to his disagreement with Portsmouth authorities soon after the towns establishment. He is said to have stated, "A pastor is not needed to figure out one's religion as I can read the bible for myself." and, "one's deeds and action ye are known in Heaven." The statement by William Hall was typical of the teachings of Anne Hutchinson.

William Huchinson, Gentleman Of Alford, Lincolnshire, son and heir of Edward Hutchinson, of Alford, Lincolnshire, by his wife Susanna, William was baptized at Alford, Lincolnshire 14 Aug. 1586, he married Anne Marbury, baptized at Alford, Lincolnshire 20 July 1591, she was the daughter of Francis Marbury, a dissident Puritan clergyman, and his wife Bridget Dryden. They married at St. Mary Woolnoth, London 9 Aug. 1612 and had seven sons, (Capt.) Edward, Richard , Francis, William, Samuel, William (again) and Zuriel and eight daughters, Susanna , Faith (wife of Thomas Savage), Bridget (wife of (Gov.) John Sanford and William Phillips), Elizabeth, Ann (wife of William Collins), Mary, Katherine and Susanna (again) wife of John Cole). The immigrated in 1634 on the ship Griffin to New England, where they settled successively in Boston, Massachusetts, and Portsmouth and Providence, Rhode Island. Source: Magna Carta Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families, 2nd Edition, Vol. 1, By Douglas Richardson p. 436. William Huchinson, Gent. Of Alford, Lincolnshire, son and heir of Edward Hutchinson, of Alford, Lincolnshire, by his wife Susanna. He was baptized at Alford, Lincolnshire 14 Aug. 1586. William Hutchinson and Anne Marbury were parents of a son named Zuriel and William Hall and his wife Mary were parents of a son named Zuriel indicating a possible close relationship between these two families.

William Coddington, John Clarke, William Hutchinson, Jr., John Coggeshall, Samuel Wilbore, John Porter, John Sanford, Edward Hutchinson, Jr. Esq., Thomas Savage, William Dyre, William Freeborne, Phillip Shearman. John Walker, Richard Carder, William Baulston, Edward Hutchinson, Sr., Henry Bull ("his mark" written next to name), Randall Holden, Thomas Clarke (brother of John), John Johnson, William Hall, John Brightman, Esq.

On the 8th day of the 8th month in 1638, the name of William Hall was on a list of 59 persons who were admitted inhabitants of an island on the coast of Rhode Island now called Aqueedunk (now called Aquidneck), and by 1639 he was listed as an inhabitant of Newport. It was this year, he along with several others, joined to found the town of Portsmouth. On the 27th day of the 5th month, in 1644, a parcel of land in Portsmouth, was granted to William Hall by the town. William Hall sold, on the 6th day of the 7th month, 1654, to Richard Sisson, of Portsmouth, land on an island called Canonocut, and land on the island called Dutch Island. His name was on the list of freemen of Portsmouth in 1655. He was appointed to take area of all highways and driftways "not set off", and purchased lands where Roger Williams' trading post was located. William was Commissioner to the Portsmouth General Court in 1654, 1656, 1660 and 1663, and was a Deputy to the Portsmouth General Assembly from 1665-1668 and again from 1672-1673 and a member of town council in 1672.

In 1663, William Hall refers to himself in a Rhode Island court document as; "50 yrs. or thereabouts." The Rhode Island Register shows Portsmouth Land Evidence, 2nd book No. 1 1647-1696, William Hall of Portsmouth, will date 22 Nov 1673, proved 19 Feb 1675. p. 138 which mentions his wife Mary, sons Zuriel Hall, William Hall and Benjamin Hall and daughters Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Deliverance. In 1673, the same year he wrote his will, he was appointed on a committee for the purpose of "treating with the Indians about drunkenness, and to seriously council them, and agree of some way to prevent extreme excess of Indian drunkenness. "Five chiefs are named, among whom is the name of the famous Philip of Mount Hope', called King Philip, with whom the committee should treat. This was just prior the King Phillip's War.

William's will was dated 20 Feb 1673, and probated on 19 Apr 1676, he was sixty-three at the age of his death. His wife Mary, his executrix, died in 1680. It stated, "I do ordain, substitute and appoint my truly and well beloved friend and yoke fellow, Mary, my wife, to be my whole and sole executrix, into whose hands and possession I do give and bequeath my whole estate during her life, and, considering the weakness of my said wife, I do appoint my two younger sons, viz.: William and Benjamin, to be assistants to their mother in the managing of whatever business she shall have need of during her life; and after her decease, I do hereby give power to my above named two sons to see my will performed as following, that is to say: after the decease of the last of us, either me or my wife, my will is that my son Zurill Hall shall have and enjoy that twenty acres of land whereon his dwelling house now stands. Next, my mind and will is that my son Benjamin Hall shall have my new dwelling house and land thereto adjoining; and, further, my will is that my three sons, Zurill, William and Benjamin, shall have all my land in the Narragansett which I purchased of Thomas Lawton, to be equally divided between them. And, further, I do give and bequeath unto my son Benjamin my cart horse, with my cart and plow, and the tackling thereto belonging; and as for the remainder of my estate, together with that which I have lent to my son William, shall be divided into four equal parts, vis.: one-fourth thereof to my son William; one-forth part to my daughter Elizabeth; one-fourth part to my daughter Rebeecka; and the other fourth part to my daughter Deliverance."

DESCENDANTS OF GEORGE HALL, JR.

The following is the story about George Hall, Jr. (1744-1822, and his descendants. George Hall, Jr. was the son of George Hall, Sr, who was son of John Hall, who was son of William Hall, Sr., born c1613, of Newport and Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

Most of this was written by Reuben T. Hall on March 13, 1874 from Farmington Hill, Tioga Co., PA and was submitted by Dorothy Remington Cutts to the Orange Co., CA Genealogy Society Quarterly, XIV #3, Dec 1977.

Marvin and Marietta Remington found this in the Hall Family History folder in the Pittsfield, MA Library on October 1999. We then added information from similar stories from a descendant of Jonathan and Dinah (Hall) Remington, Musette Remington Taylor Flint in 1898, Adams, NY and passed on to M & M by Charles Clark, the great grandson of Musette. Other information came from Allen L. Plucinik, also a descendant of Jonathan and Dinah (Hall) Remington, 1999.

This story appeared in the Tioga County Express, Tioga, PA - March 19, 1874.

Editor Express: At the solicitation of my brother and many other relatives, I have compiled a brief sketch of George Hall and his descendants, which, although not of paramount interest to the general reader, will be found highly interesting to the immediate friends and relatives of the venerable old man whose name heads this sketch and who for many years has been gathered to his fathers. Some omissions and errors may occur in what follows, but it is my purpose to write facts.

Grandfather Hall, as I shall call him, was born August 30, 1744 at Coventry, RI to George and Jane (Vaughn) Hall, the grandson of John and Abigail Vaughn Hall and George and Jane (Nichols) Vaughn. His parents were poor and George Hall received a pioneer's education, which consisted of acknowledge how to handle the axe, plow, hoe, and the trusty rifle. During his youth he worked with his father at the forge.

February 10, 1766, George Hall married for his first wife Ruth Nichols, daughter of a Baptist minister, by whom he had three children, Benjamin and John and a girl that died at birth as did also his wife.

In the fall of 1772 George Hall married for his second wife, Rachel Briggs. By this marriage his first child was born Dec 14, 1773 and they named her Abigail. Previous to this, his wife's father had moved to a place called Hoosock Hollow, Rensselaer Co., NY but at this date called South Berlin. His father-in-law, Thomas Briggs, wrote to George if he would move to his new home he would give him a deed of twenty acres of land at Cherry Hill where there was a demand for a blacksmith. George accepted the offer packed his all in an ox cart and with wife and three children made the journey through the wilderness of 156 miles, which consumed between two to three weeks. The journey was so severe that the health of his wife gave out. She afterwards referred to the fatigue of carrying Abigail up Glasco Hill behind the ox cart as breaking down her health. They arrived at their new home at Cherry Hill in the summer of 1775.

At Cherry Hill they had the following children, Clark b. 17 Mar 1777, George born 7 Jun 1779, Elizabeth b. 26 Mar 1781, and Rachel b. 11 Apr 1783.

Soon after Grandfather Hall and his family were settled in their new home, the war between the colonies and the mother country broke out, at which time he was about 30 years old. The fires of patriotism burned within him and caused the blood to course quickly through his veins. Yielding to the demands of the infant colonies for accessions to the ranks of the continentals, he left his farm, committed his little family to the care of the Great Arbiter of events (namely God), and shouldering his musket marched to the front, to defend and protect the imperiled liberties of his country. For it was in 1777 that Gen. John Burgoyne was trying to form a junction with Gen. William Howe that Grandfather Hall volunteered with all the surrounding country to stay the British legion that was sweeping over the country with its destroying hand and met in martial conflict at Schyler's Flats and at Stillwater. Grandfather Hall had the honor of being present when Gen. Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga, NY on the 17th of October 1777, which needed the British aggression in the North. He also took part in the memorable battle of Bennington, VT on August 16, 1777 at which time he held the position of Quartermaster Sergeant.

The name of Bennington is dear to me, for I first saw the blessed light of day within sight of the mountains around this grand old town having been born in Hancock, MA, which I blush to say, furnished as many Tories as loyal men to fight the battles of the Revolution and every person able to bear arms in that town was engaged in the battle of Bennington. It frequently happened on that eventful day that neighbor met neighbor face to face in the deadly conflict on the field of blood and battle. The Americans gained the victory on that day and captured their Tory neighbors, who were held prisoners for sometime, but the disgrace of being a Tory always remained and they were hooted at and made the butt of ridicule by their more loyal neighbors. After the dead had been consigned to their last resting places and the wounded taken care of, the hungry soldiers received their rations from Quartermaster Hall. The rations were drawn into a field by ox cart and dealt out to the soldiers and only half rations at that. Did they complain? No! They raised their voices to Heaven in Thanksgiving and thanked the God of Battles for the victory he had permitted them to achieve.

Military information from the "Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in War of the Revolution", - 17 Vols. - Boston: Wright and Potter Printing Co. 1896, Vol. 7: - Hall, George Private, Capt. John Morgan's Co., Col. Ruggles Woodbridge's regt.: - enlisted 8/24/1777; discharged 11/29/1777; service 3 months 13 days, in Northern department, including 7 days - 140 miles - travel home."

In due time the Revolution ended and Grandfather Hall returned to his family, bringing with him his trusty musket, which had been his faithful and constant companion during those exciting times of privation and hardship that "tried men's souls." Speaking of the musket reminds me of a little incident which happened many years after the old man had gone to rest. The musket and bayonet was transmitted as an heirloom to the third generation, and one certain day it was loaded with two balls and shot. Rhodes W. Hall, then a lad of 8 or 9 years, lay the venerable piece across a log, and the target, which he patriotically imagined to be a Tory, was a choice apple tree. He took sight, pulled the old flintlock, which had never failed to do duty to a Tory. The old apple tree received the full charge. But Rhodes, what became of him? After the smoke had cleared away, he was discovered some ten feet in the rear, crying for joy to think that he had received no greater injuries. He recovered, but the apple tree never did!

The first of May 1783 when his daughter Rachel, was about three weeks old, George Hall moved to the town of Hancock, MA, about 11 miles from Cherry Hill, were he had bought a farm in it's wild virgin state. [Grandfather, George Hall and wife Rachel bought the farm, at the foot of Hancock Mt., of the State of MA Committee, paying in addition $100 for squatter improvements. They left the farm to their son, Caleb. Caleb sold the farm to his sister, Alice and her husband, Henry Whitman. They gifted the farm to their son, Herman Whitman. "The farm has never been out of the family ever!" says Joan Burdick - Taylor Library - Box 1124 - Hancock, MA 01237 (letter of Mar 2000). Location of the farm is - About 1/2 mile from the Taylor Library on the back side of Jiminy Peak Ski Area on Potter Mt. Rd. Info M.& M Remington found.] Hancock was in a small valley beneath the towering peaks of the Hoosic Mountains. His new location at this primitive time went by the name of Jericho Hollow and Johnny Cake land, names it retained until certain boundaries were incorporated into the town of Hancock in honor of Gov. Hancock. Previous to this time it had been included in the town of Lanesborough.

Here he erected a house and Blacksmith shop where he secured a competency. George and Rachel reared a large family of their eleven children and the two boys by his first wife Ruth. All these children grew up to adult life and married with the exception of John who never married. It seems almost incredible that a man could amass wealth on a small farm which was "one-half rocks and the other half stones," but such was the fact, as Grandfather George, with the help of an industrious, frugal Yankee wife, Rachel, made this then a wilderness, "blossom as the rose," and succeeded in making his rockbound farm productive, and provided for himself and a family a comfortable home. As the George Hall, Jr. family cleared the virgin land of the rocks, they constructed rock fences that remain standing today on the farm owned by his descendant. I shall speak of his descendant’s hereafter.

Grandfather Hall held many positions of trust in his new home being a man of regular habits, strict integrity of character, industrious and always ready and prepared to attend to his numerous customers. George was the town clerk for Hancock in 1792 and 1794 and in 1795 he was selectman / assessor. He had a dark complexion with dark eyes and black hair, stood 5 feet 6 inches in height and weighed 209 pounds at one time. He was no doubt a descendant from the Latin race. He lived to see many of his grandchildren and lived on the same farm until his death, which occurred, June 17, 1822, having lived to the age of 78 years. His widow died soon after, thus leaving a family of eleven children - six boys and five girls, plus the two boys by his first wife. George was the father of a total of 14 children. Hancock Village Cemetery (Old Front) On his tomb stone is the inscribed: "My children all of you and you have heard the sway to live in peace and love together when by death I am called away."

I shall now pass to the second generation of George Hall, whose names I give, also their occupations: Benjamin Hall, son of George by Ruth Nicholas, married Mary Sweet, daughter of William Sweet. They moved to Norway, Herkermer Co., NY, where he raised a large family and at a ripe old age, died and is buried in the town cemetery. His children are: Warren, Benjamin, Ruth, Caty, Mary, Hannah, William, George, Rachel, Edith, Sibbel, and Manervia. John Hall, the son of Ruth and only son of George that remained unmarried.

Abigail (Nabbie) Hall married Abel Corey, a farmer, and settled on the East Mt. in the Town of Hancock. They were well to do and lived to be upwards of ninety years of age. Their children were as follows: Catherine, Carey, Othenial, Clarke, Hamilton, Alice, Hart, Humilia, Freeborn and Amy. Clark Hall, oldest son of George Hall, married Susannah Townsend, moved into Canada, where he became a citizen; was a farmer and also held several important positions under the British Crown. He lived to be upwards of 80 years old. The descendants of Clark Hall were nine, being - George C., Susannah, Amanda, Rowena, Martin, Horatio, Lucena, Calvin and Eli.

Rachel Hall married Thomas Eldridge, a wealthy farmer, who lived in a small valley west of the main road in the town of Hancock. They both have been dead some years, having lived to age of eighty years. Their descendants were: Herman, James H., Thomas B., Truman, Norton, Mary, Teresa, Elivira and Nathaniel.

Elizabeth (Betsy) Hall married John Eldridge, who settled in the main valley on the turnpike in the town of Hancock. They were among the wealthy farmers in the town and died a number of years ago at an advanced age. They left five children, namely: Caleb, John, Eliza, Polly and Sally. Alice Hall married Henry Whitman, a farmer in moderate circumstances, who settled on a wild piece of land on the West Mountain in the town of Hancock. By economy and industry they amassed much property. The writer lived with this family when a youth of ten years, and consequently knows more about them than any of the other families. Mr. Whitman died some twenty years ago, aged sixty-eight. His widow is now living at an advanced age of eighty-four years, and has always resided in her native town. Their children are seven, named Diana M., George R., Rachel H., Herman, Nathaniel, Sally A., and Wealthy. Herman H. owns and now lives on the old Grandfather Hall farm. spoken of in the beginning of these memoirs. Briggs Hall married Hannah Finch, moved to Michigan and followed the occupation of a farmer. He was twice married and lived to the age of eighty-one years. He had eight children, viz: Whitman, Clarke, Thomas, George Briggs, Nehemiah, Hannah and William.

Reuben Hall married Lydia Whitman in 1813. He was born in 1792. He erected a small house on a lot of fifteen acres, fourteen of which was rocks, and the remainder pretty good land. This fifteen acres was willed to Lyman Hall by Grandfather Hall, to be used for the home of Reuben Hall and his family. His occupation was that of blacksmith, cooper, farmer, and almost every other branch of business, and he was not successful at anything. The descendants of Reuben Hall numbered seven - three boys and four girls.

Each of these children bid goodbye to their parental home in their youth not one of them remaining after their twelfth year. At all events, I left at the tender age of ten years. I was the last to leave. My father lived alone for a number of years and removed to Pennsylvania twenty years ago, where he lived until his death, which occurred some four years since, at the age of seventy-six, and he was buried in Farmington. His widow, (my mother) was a hardworking, industrious woman, with an iron constitution, when to reside with her youngest daughter in Illinois some thirty years ago. She died last March at the ripe age of eight-three years. Of this family I have material for quite a history, but time will not permit. the children of Reuben Hall were - Phoebe, Rachel, Lyman, Polly Ann, Rhodes W., Reuben T. and Sally C. The eldest girls settled in Illinois and died there. Lyman and Salley both lived in that state. Ann lives in Williamstown, Berkshire Co., Mass. Rhodes W. and Reuben T. live in Farmington, PA and pursue the avocation of farming.

I visited my native town some twelve years ago. The rocks remain but the old house where I first saw light, was entirely gone. As I lingered around the well remembered spot, memory carried me back to the days of my youth, gone, never to return. But I must hasten on.... Dinah (Diana) Hall married Jonathan Remington, moved to the Black River country, in Lorraine, Jefferson County, NY, were well-to-do farmers, and died some years ago, aged over eighty. Their descendants were seven, namely: Clark, Diadama, Rachel, Edmund, Orsemus, Allen and Thomas. Thomas Hall married Waity Hall, settled in Lorraine, Jefferson County, NY, at an early day, and followed farming. He is yet living and is seventy-nine years old. They had six children whose names are: Harriet F., Charles, Clarke, Ann Eliza, George and Phoebe.

George (Jr) Hall married Polly Hand, settled at an early day in Michigan, and followed farming. At the time of his death was eighty years of age. Their children were nine - Oliver, Clarke, Rachel, Polly, Amanda, Matilda, Gaylord, Eliza and Henry. Caleb Hall married Lydia Morey and he died before age 40 at Lock, Cayuga Co., NY. George had cousins living in Hancock, MA. Many of their descendants still live there as well as some of his own children. They are among those who give character and wealth a prominent place in the town. Most of the males moved away but two cousins married John Gardner and Willis Smith, marked men of character in their day.

DNA test results from two descendants of William Hall, born c1613 in England, have been analyzed. They were an exact match with the exception of DYS464b (a fast mutating marker) which was 16 in lieu of 15. The haplogroup from these two descendants tested as being R1b1b2 (R-M269).

Over the years a vast amount of misinformation has circulated on William Hall without any documentation to back it up. There are a great number of Hall lines and if you visit www.familytreedna.com under the Hall surname, you can see test results of the various Hall families. You can also reach the Hall page directly by clicking here: https://www.familytreedna.com/public/hall/default.aspx?section=yresults Family 12 is John Hall of Rhode Island under Haplogroup G-M201, and Family 13 is William Hall of Rhode Island, R-M269. At www.ysearch.org there is a Jewett family under 3UW33 who is a close match to William Hall (Family 15). This Jewett family originated from Bradford on Avon. The difference in DNA consists of three one-step mutations on fast mutating markers, one two-step mutation on a fast mutating marker and one two-step mutation on a slow mutating marker. Any variance from William Hall’s results are indicated on the number in green with a plus or minus beside the number showing a one-step [-1] or [+1] or a two-step [-2] or [+2] mutation. DYS 460 shows a two-step mutation on a slow mutating marker, however, we are talking about approximately 14 generations and about 500 years since these two individuals who tested would have shared a common ancestor.

Additional testing of both individuals is recommended to confirm this scenario. I find it likely that William Hall was the adopted son of John Hall and Elizabeth Brune, and that he was adopted from the Jewett family of Bradford on Avon, or a possibly a maternal event occurred within the family structure. It was a surprise when DNA test results of these two did not match since John and William are both listed as sons in the will of John Hall of Bradford on Avon. I was equally surprised when the researcher in England provided baptism records of ALL the children of John Hall and Elizabeth Brune and William was not included. When calculating Elizabeth’s age at the time of William’s birth, she was still of child bearing age, but close to the end when most women of her time gave birth.

Most of the present-day European males with the M343 marker also have the P25 and M269 markers. These markers define the R1b1a2a1a1b subclade. This subgroup is believed by some to have existed before the last Ice Age and has been associated with the Aurignacian culture (32,000 - 21,000 BC). Archeological evidence supports the view of the arrival of Aurignacian culture to Anatolia from Europe during the Upper Paleolithic rather than from the Iranian plateau. Although the precise route of the M269 marker is not known, it is theorized to have originated in Central Asia/South Central Siberia. It could have entered prehistoric Europe from the area of Ukraine/Belarus or Central Asia (Kazakhstan) via the coasts of the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea. It is considered widespread in Europe throughout the Paleolithic already before the last Ice Age. Traditionally this culture is associated with the Cro-Magnon people, the first modern humans to enter Europe. However, this view has recently been challenged. The people of the Aurignacian culture were the first documented human artists, making sophisticated cave paintings. Famous sites include Lascaux in France, Altamira in Spain and Valley of Foz Côa in Portugal (the largest open-air site in Europe). European LGM refuges, 20 kya. The glaciation of the ice age intensified, and the continent became increasingly uninhabitable. The genetic diversity narrowed through founder effects and population bottlenecks, as the population became limited to a few coastal refugia in Southern Europe. The present-day population of R1b in Western Europe are believed to be the descendants of a refugium in the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain), where the R1b1b2 haplogroup may have achieved genetic homogeneity. As conditions eased with the Allerød Oscillation in about 12,000 BC, descendants of this group migrated and eventually recolonised all of Western Europe, leading to the dominant position of R1b in variant degrees from Iberia to Scandinavia, so evident in haplogroup maps. A second R1b1b2 population, reflected in a somewhat different distribution of haplotypes of the more rapidly varying Y-STR markers, appear to have survived alongside other haplogroups in Eastern Europe. However, they do not have the same dominance that R1b has in Western Europe. Instead the most common haplogroup in Eastern Europe is haplogroup R1a1. Note that haplogroup R1b and haplogroup R1a first existed at very different times. The mutations that characterize haplogroup R1b occurred ~30,000 years bp, whereas the mutations that characterize haplogroup R1a occurred ~10,000 years before present (bp).

LINEAGE OF THE DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM HALL OF EARLY PORTSMOUTH, RHODE ISLAND

-1-William HALL (c1613 England-BFR 4/19/1676 Portsmouth, RI) m. Mary ______ (c1623 England-AFT 12/12/1684) --2-Zuriel HALL (7/13/1642- 9/5/1691) m. Elizabeth TRIPP (1648 d/o John TRIPP & Mary PAINE

--2-William HALL II (1/14/1644/45, Portsmouth RI-BFR. 4/11/1698) North Kingstown, RI m. 1/26/1670 Portsmouth, RI, Alice TRIPP (1650 Portsmouth, Newport, RI-1700 Portsmouth, Newport, RI), d/o John TRIPP and Mary PAINE

---3-Elizabeth HALL (1673 Kingston, RI-5/8/1762 South Kingstown, Washington Co., RI) m. 11/28/1694 George BABCOCK (1673-1762) Vital Records of RI, 1636-1850 N Kingstown, Washington Co, RI, Marriages, by James N Arnold, Vol. 5 pg 8, Babcock, George & Elizabeth Hall, Nov 28 1694. Early Settlers of Westerly, RI, by J. D. Champlin, Jr., NEHGR, Vol 14 shows: LARKIN, Edward, free inhab. Westerly 1669. In Early Settlers of Westerly, RI, J.D. Champlin, Jr., NEHGR, Vol 14, Jan 1860, p. 23 states: BABCOCK, John, son of James, Sen., m. Mary. His will dated 1685, mentions eldest son James & "nine more", viz. Ann, Mary, John, Job, George, Elihu, Robert, Joseph, & Oliver. Elizabeth is found in the Boston Evening Post of May 24, 1762, and republished in the N. E. Genealogical and Historical Register" "Died. - South Kingston, May 8, 1762, Mrs. Elizabeth Babcock, widow of George Babcock, late of said town, in the 91st year of her age. She left eight children, sixty-one grand-children, and seventy-six great-grand-children. She also left four sisters, one of which is older than herself." George was the son of John Babcock and Mary Lawton. From: Swamp Yankee from Mystic, Family, Region & It's Roots, By James H Allyn, p 50: George Babcock, John's 4th son, did not inherit, so he went to work on farm of William Hall, Jr. at Kingston, RI. Like his father before him George married the boss' daughter Elizabeth in 1694. 11 years later they and 26 others bought Shannock Purchase around headwaters of Pawcatuck River in present town of Richmond. Babcocks built on south side of Shannock Hill, with their land running down to river along Beaver Riv. Like his father before him George was Deputy to General Court. He did well with the farm; for when he died in 1751 at age 78, he left 300 Pounds to the 7th-Day Baptist Church, and farmland and money to his 5 children. In Dec 1696, his mother deeded to him tract of land in Westerly, RI. He was living in Kingston on 31 Dec 1706 when he sold land to brother his James in Westerly, RI.

------------------8-George Bishop HALL (/8/1830 Chaplin, Windham Co., CT-9/17/1899 Clayton Co, Iowa, buried in County Corners Cemetery) m. 11/28/1850 Ashford, Eastford, CT to Esther E. LYON (9/6/1830 Eastford, CT-1906).  He came to Iowa and farmed in Putham Twp., Fayette Co., Iowa.  Esther was the d/o Thomas LYON and Elizabeth and gd/o James LYON (5/11/1784-) and Polly TROWBRIDGE (1808-4/8/1834).  

BAPTISED IN HANCOCK, MA 1. Wed Dec 14, 1773 - Abigail Hall, dau. of George and Rachel Hall 2. Child Hall b. ca 1775, probably died young, NFI. 3. Tues Mar. 17 1777 - Clark Hall, son of George and Rachel Hall. 4. Mon. June 7, 1779 - George Hall, son of George and Rachel Hall. 5. Mon. Mar. 26, 1781 - Elizabeth Hall, dau. of George and Rachel Hall. 6. Thurs. April 11, 1783 - Rachel Hall, dau. of George and Rachel Hall. 7. Wed. Mar. 30, 1785 - Dinah Hall, dau. of George and Rachel Hall. 8. Thurs. Feb. 22, 1787 - Alce [Alice] Hall, dau. of George and Rachel Hall. 9. Wed. May 20, 1789 - Briggs Hall, son of George and Rachel Hall. 10. Wed. April 4, 1792 - Reuben Hall, son of George and Rachel Hall. 11. Sun. Sept. 21, 1794 -Thomas Hall, son of George and Rachel Hall.

Children of Eli Wanton HALL and Eliza Ann TABER:

Children of Eli Landon HALL and Romelia Ann KATHAN:

Children of Eli Landon HALL and Evangeline TABER:

Children of Eli Wanton HALL and Hannah ROBERTS:

Children of Briggs HALL and Hannah FINCH:

Children of Clark HALL and Clarissa JOHNSON:

Children of Clark HALL and Harriett Jane BAILEY m. 1858 in Orleans, NY

Children of Briggs HALL and Freelove LNU:

History of Washington and Kent Counties, Rhode Island by J. R. Cole W.W.Preston & Co., New York, 1889 p. 1236 Edward S. Hall, born 1825, is a son of Slocum Hall, whose father, Slocum, was born in 1748. The latter was a son of William, born 1723, grandson of John, born 1681, and great-grandson of William. Edward S. married in 1846 Hannah F., daughter of Chandler Newell. Their children are: Ann F., (Mrs. Charles H. Phillips), Alzadah (Mrs. Benjamin f. Snow), and Slocum. Mr. Hall followed railroading about thirty-five years, the first seven years at track work and the following twenty-eight as station agent at Wickford Junction, during which time he was absent from the station but one week day. He has retired from active service and resides at La Fayette. Henry S. Hall, brother of Edward S., was born in 1833, and married Abby A. Brownell. He was a farmer and occupies part of the old Hall homestead. William L. Hall, born 1837, is a son of Isaac, grandson of Benjamin and great-grandson of William Hall. He married in 1883 Susan Lawton. His mother was Amy Brown (6), daughter of Beriah (5) Beriah (4), Beriah (3), Alexander (2), Beriah (1). Beriah Brown (1) built the house where Mr. Hall lives. Mr. Hall has a table that was new when his great-grandmother began housekeeping in 1758. Mr. Hall is a democrat and is serving his third year in the town council. He has been assessor of taxes two years.

--------5-Mary HALL (11/11/1762-1838) m. ______ REYNOLDS  History of Washington and Kent Counties, Rhode Island by J. R. Cole W.W.Preston & Co., New York, 1889, page 1238: Joseph Slocum Madison, born 1860, is a son of John Harris Madison, born 1828, died 1887. The latter was a son of Joseph and grandson of Ezekiel Madison. John H. married Elizabeth A., daughter of Slocum Godfrey and Sarah Reynolds. The latter's mother was Mary, daughter of William Hall, and granddaughter of John Hall. This John Hall's parents were William Hall and Alice Tripp. Alice Tripp came in the "Mayflower." Joseph S. Madison graduated in 1881 from the Greenwich Academy. The family name is variously spelled Madison, Mathewson and Matteson. Joseph S. Madison married in 1888 a daughter of Nathaniel S. Allen, and granddaughter of the later Elder Allen of North Kingstown.

Children with Elizabeth LNU:

Children with Isabell Sherman:

--2-Benjamin HALL, Sr. (1650-1/26/1730) m. 7/27/1676 to Frances PARKER, d/o George PARKER. He was a freeman in Portsmouth, April 30, 1678. He died January 26, 1729

--2-Elizabeth HALL (c1652-1698) m. 4/13/1676 Giles PIERCE (1/22/1651-11/19/1698) East Greenwich, RI

--2-Rebecca HALL --2-Deliverance HALL (c1650-) m. 1) Abiel TRIPP 2) Thomas DURFEE (1643-1712)