Iron Works of Taunton-Part One
By Kathryn Hall | May 24, 2008
On January 19, 1890 an article appeared in the New York Times entitled “Taunton’s Two Old Houses: An Antiquarian on the History of the Leonard Mansions.” The antiquarian referenced was genealogist Elisha Clark Leonard who presented a paper at the Old Colony Historical Society entitled “Ancient Iron Works and Leonard Mansions of Taunton.” The image above was included in this paper. States the New York Times, “…the Old Gambrel-Roofed House at Raynham Forge…was built by a Leonard to accomodate the employees at the iron works in 1653, and undergoing slight changes, stood until 1885, when it too was torn down. It was coeval with the first settlement of Taunton, and stood as a landmark for 230 years, and its low, quaint, and sturdy architecture commanded general attention. It was the oldest building by far in this section of the country, and ranked among the earliest among the Commonwealth.”
KH
Topics: Massachusetts | No Comments »
Marsha Hoffman Rising on Halls of Taunton
By Kathryn Hall | May 17, 2008
Well-known and highly respected certified genealogist Marsha Hoffman Rising is current president of the American Society of Genealogists and a contributing editor for The American Genealogist. She is the author of The Family Tree Problem Solver: Proven Methods for Scaling the Inevitable Brick Wall. The following article, “A Maze of Halls in Taunton, Massachusetts: Correlating Land Description to Prove Identity” was written by Marsha Hoffman Rising, and was originally published in National Geneological Society Quarterly in 1993. It is here reprinted in its entirety with the permission of the editor of NGSQ and Mrs. Rising. This article has proven to be an invaluable document for all researchers tracing the roots of the descendants of George and Mary Hall of Taunton as well as those tracing the descendants of Edward Hall of Rehoboth.
Topics: Massachusetts | 7 Comments »
Ode to Taunton River upon the 250th Anniversary of Taunton
By Kathryn Hall | May 10, 2008
Photo courtesy Andy Niles and savethetaunton.org
Sweet Taunton
Flow gently, sweet Taunton, thy bright course along,
Flow gently, sweet river, the theme of my song,
For planted along by they silvery tide,
Are the happiest homes in the all the world wide.
We love thee, sweet River: thy banks are so green
As when by brave Winslow and Hopkins first seen;
The sturgeon and shad still in summer are here,
And herrings make glad the spring-time of the year.
Flow gently, for oft by thy murmuring stream,
The maiden and lover hae breathed life’s young dream;
Flow gently, the wise and fair of lang syne,
Have wandered so oft on those green banks of thine.
Sweet River, so long as they tides ebb and flow,
And o’er they clear water the cooling winds blow,
They name for fond memories and hopes will be dear,
To all who find peaceful and happy homes here.
These lyrics were prepared for the Quarter Millennial Celebration of the city of Taunton, Massachusetts held June 4 and 5, 1889. The song was intended to be sung to the tune “Sweet Afton.” The mayor who presided over the event was Mayor Richard Henry Hall.
Topics: Massachusetts | 1 Comment »
The Last Will and Testament of George Hall of Taunton
By Kathryn Hall | May 3, 2008
Home of George Hall 128 Dean Street (Memorial tablet placed on home prior to 250th Anniversary Celebration in Taunton; home then occupied by descendant Mrs. Mary B. Washburn. Photo courtesy Taunton Public Library.)
The Last Will and Testament of Gorge hall of Taunton deceased exhibited to the Court held att New Plymouth the first day of March 1669 on the oath of Richard Williams
In the Name of God Amen;
Gorge hall of Taunton in the Iurisdiction of New Plymouth being in health and memory (blessed be the Lord) doe heer make my last Will and Testament in manor and forme as followeth; I Comitt my speritt into the hands of the Lord and doe dispose of my goods as followeth; Item I giue to my wife during her widdow hood; The parte of my dwelling bouse; that parte which I built Last; and tbe Garden Ioyning to it; and halfe my new barne; and halfe the staule against the barne; Item I giue her that I bought of Benjamine Wilson lying between Richard Williams and that which was Nicbolas harts; which is eight acrees which Lyeth on the North syde of tbe great Riuer; Item I giue vnto my wife the Land that is called by the Name of Cobbs Neck and all the land That I brok vp in the Necke that Iohn hall hath; and one acree more (If shee want it); Item I giue her more att broad Coue a Carriage of hay: halfe in Samuells and halfe in Iosephs;(if shee doth want it) for her selfe; This is my wifes dureing her widdow hood; after to be disposed as followeth; and I make her my exequitrix) Item I giue vnto my son Iohn hall the Necke of Land Called by the Name of Ione Wyates bed; and the Land the house stands vpon; and the 4 acrees that Reacheth against Tabetts Land and the Necke Called by the Name of Cobbs necke and 76 acrees by the great Riuer; att the further syde of Thomas deans Land on the eastsyde To him and his heires for euer; Item I giue vnto my son Samuell hall my great Lott: viz: all my land there Lying from the great Riuer to Iames Leanards Land; the one syde is against hesekia hores Land; and the other syde against Mr Pooles Lands and twenty two acrees against the great Riuer on the west syde of Thomas deanes: Item I giue vnto my son Samuell my twenty acrees and the meddow belonging to it att the three mile Riuer Called Romford; and halfe my meddow att Broad Coue; Item I giue to my daughter Charity six pound; Item I giue vnto my sonne Ioseph hall my homlott which is eight acrees two acrees wherof I bought of William harvey and six acrees ouer the great Riuer; and I giue vnto him that which I bought of Benjamine Wilson which is eight acrees vpon the Northsyde of the great Riuer; The east syde against Richard Williams Item I giue him halfe my meddow att broad Coue.; Samuell is to parte it equally and Ioseph is to Choose the halfe hee will haue; and I giue him my Purchase and ten acrees from the towne of my deuision; Item I giue to my grandchildren to each of them forty shillings Item I giue to my daughter Sarah twenty pounds; and if shee doe not match to her Mothers mind shee is to haue but sixteen pounds; Item I giue to the Church in Taunton forty shillings to buy Cupps; Item I giue to William Euens twenty shillings Item I giue to my son Iohn My new Purchase; Item I giue to my daughter Mary forty shillings; Item I giue to my son Samuell six acrees of Land That is due to mee from the Towne and three acrees of swampe; Gorge hall;
Witnes
Richard Williams
Walter deane;
[from Plymouth Colony Wills and Inventories, vol. III, p. 16]
KH
Topics: Massachusetts | 11 Comments »
The Kibbe Manuscript on Halls of Taunton
By Kathryn Hall | April 27, 2008
The following is a manuscript completed originally in 1908 by genealogist James Allen Kibbe, a member of the Connecticut Historical Society, documenting the Halls of Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts who removed to Suffield, Stafford and Somers, Connecticut, precisely the Hall families we are tracing on this blog. We are indebted to Mr. Kibbe for this important document, as Kibbe was regarded as one of the experts on the early family histories of several towns in Connecticut. While it is within the realm of possibilities that the manuscript might contain some errors or omissions, which will be discussed in comments and in future posts, I believe this is an invaluable starting point, as this is a publication not so readily found and important to the research that will take place on this blog. Kibbe begins with data regarding George Hall, our earliest known ancestor; thus begins this journey. [Notes: parenthetical info is Mr. Kibbe’s. Brackets indicate a transcriber’s notes. Also please note formal publication date indicated at top, which appears to correspond to the additional notes included after Mr. Kibbe’s signature. ]
James Allen Kibbe
Warehouse Point, Conn.
1929
GENEALOGY of HALLS of TAUNTON, Mass, SUFFIELD, STAFFORD and SOMERS, CONN.
by Kibbe of Enfield, Ct.
HALL, GEORGE (1) and his wife Mary said to have emigrated from Co. Devon, Eng. 1636/7 to Duxbury, Mass. Richard Henry Hall of Taunton says he thinks they came from Gloucester, Eng. (May have been a brother of Edward Hall 1638 who was permitted to build in Duxbury 1637 10 acres at C.H. Path, 1638 sold his house to Wm. Witherell 1641. He appears in Taunton 1642 and 1645 Prop. Bridgewater. He was a son of Francis Hall of Henborough Co. Gloucester, Eng.)
[Editor’s note: there has been no known evidence found to date to indicate Edward and George were related, in spite of their residential proximity.]
George Hall had land assigned to him at Duxbury, Mass. In 1637 at C.H. Path – not occupied – and in 1637 or the next year settled in Taunton, Mass., where he died Oct. 30, 1669 [written in longhand: aged about 69 yrs.] He was one of the original Pprs. of the first purchase of lands for Taunton, Mass., and a founder of the town in 1639. When he died he was a man of large property and influence.
He was a large land owner in Taunton, was heavily engaged in Iron manufacture. The Iron Forge in which he had a large interest existed for more than 200 years. His descendants for three or four generations are known as the “Iron Halls”. ****Extract from 250th Anniversary of Taunton, page 41*** In 1656 (?) One of several of leading citizens to form a joint stock company with a capital of 600ÂŁ to build a dam across the two mile river on main road to Raynham to prepare for the manufacture of bar iron from bog ore. He was the 1st clerk and manager of the company for many years and the first “celectman” of Taunton, and was an influential man in town affairs until his death. In this book is a picture of the “Anchor Forge” called the original Iron Works. Memorial Tablets in Taunton to his memory as follows “Home of Geo. __ Hall 1637-1669 on the estate of his descendants 230 years”. [Next line is undecipherable.] In the list of the Taunton Company, William Pople [?], Capt., Plymouth Co., who were able to do Military Duty August 1643 between the ages of 16 and 60 years is the name of George Hall. [Handwritten here: Enrolled to bear arms in 1643, was Freeman in 1643.] (See Page 75 Peirce’s Colonial List. Also Pg. 88) Also on record is a will dated Oct. 26. Prob. 1 Mch 1669; wife Mary; sons John, SAMUEL, and Joseph; dtrs Charity and Sarah; 40 s to church (Bapt) of Taunton to buy cups; to William Evans (Reg. VII 180). In list of purchases of Taunton contains “George Halle 1ÂŁ 15 s 3 d Head 7 Acres 86″
His children were;
……..2JOHN b. 1640
……..2JOSEPH b. 1642
(2) 2SAMUEL b. 1644
……..2CHARITY
……..2SARAH
……..2MARY. See Taunton Records.
SAMUEL HALL (2) born in Taunton, now Raynham, Mass. Born 1644, died 1690. He was an Iron Bloomer. M. ELIZABETH WHITE dtr of NICHOLAS WHITE, who mentions her in his will. She is said to have married (2) Johnathan Pratt. Taunton Records.
His children born in Taunton, Mass.;
(3) SAMUEL (Called Son of Samuel) b. Dec. 11, 1664
……John b. Oct. 19, 1666
……Nicholas b. Jan. 23 1668
……Elizabeth b. Oct. 28 1670
……Mary b. Oct. 3, 1672
……Sarah b. 1674 d. 1677
……Sarah b. March 1679 m. John Austin
……George b. Jan 25, 1680/1
……Hannah b. 1682/3 m. William Witherell of Taunton.
Mr. Kibbe says, “The above is given in all the books; but what follows is mostly not given in any book. The small part of it that is published is very unreliable and incorrect. There being another Samuel Hall in Taunton who had a son Samuel and the wives and children have been given to each other. This Samuel’s son being called “Samuel son of Samuel” while the other was Samuel Sr. and Jr. The Jr. m. Abigal Prat of Plymouth Jan. 3, 1683, and not this line.”
SAMUEL HALL (3)
Called “son of Samuel” was b. Taunton, Mass. Dec. 11, 1664 d. in Enfield, Conn. May 7, 1733. He resided in Taunton, Windsor, Suffield, Stafford and Enfield.
Like his ancestors he was engaged in Iron manufacture. He married 1st Elizabeth Bourne April 7, 1686 at which time both were said to be of Taunton, Mass. See Prop. Record of Taunton. She bore him at least 7 children and probably more. When and where she died is not known. About 1708 Samuel 3 appears in Windsor and Suffield, being located just north of the present village of Windsor Locks. Here he m. Sarah Rising, who bore him 8 children. These two sets of known children are increased by three, which are probably his, it brings the total up to eighteen. The following is the list and a few important facts concerning each: Samuel Hall 3 removed from Suffield to Stafford about 1718 or 1719. So his known children were born in three different towns, Taunton Suffield and Stafford, while three, probably his, were born we know not where.
Elizabeth, b. Taunton March 20, 1687 m. in Suffield Sept. 15, 1714 Richard Woolworth. She joined Suffield Ch. By letter from Ch. In Taunton June 1716. See Suffield church records. This fact alone identifies the Suffield Halls as belonging to the Taunton Halls. She died in 1760. Her husband 1732. Had children.
Remember b. Taunton Febry 15, 1689 m. in Suffield Apr. 24, 1712 Benj. King who removed with his father-in-law to Stafford where he died and his widow Remember m. Nov. 7 1734 Benj. Thomas of Somers.
Nicholas b. Taunton Jan. 23 1690 went with his father from Suffield to Stafford and thence to Enfield near Somers line where he had an Iron Forge near what is now known as Forge Bridge. He and his son Joseph were admitted to the Somers church Jan. 3, 1742. He is mention in deeds in land records of Suffield, Stafford and Enfield. He m. twice and had several children but no descendants are now known. Most if not all his children died early. His death record is not found.
Mary b. Taunton Oct. 3, 1692 m. in Suffield Nov. 29, 1716 Samuel Roe. He d. 1732.
Nathaniel b. Taunton May 18, 1695 m. Mable Winchell in Suffield date not found, published Dec. 9, 1716. She d. June 8, 1768, had several ch. All recorded in Suffield. He was a “cordwainer”. Resided near Conn. River and near west end of present railroad bridge spanning that stream.
Mehitabel b. Taunton Dec. 1, 1697. No record further.
Enoch b. Taunton Apr. 13, 1699 lived in Enfield. M. Martha Wright of Northfield, Mass. where records show he lived several years. Afterwards removed. Had children.
Hannah b. no birth record, not known to be of this family, m. Joseph Rising, pub. Sept. 5, 1729 in Suffield and lived there.
Ichabod b. no birth record, may not belong to this family m. Enfield June 25, 1730 Lois Kibbe of Enfield, had a numerous family and many descendants. He moved to Vermont or New Hampshire in middle life.
[Note in margin says, “not in Taunton list with others”, beside Hannah and Ichabod.]
Sarah b. Suffield Oct. 3, 1709, first child of second marriage (Sarah Rising)
Samuel b. Suffield Dec. 2, 1710 m. Oct. 1, 1741 Hannah Parson, said to be of Somers. He was a prominent citizen of Somers and had children.
Marcy b. Suffield June 3, 1712. From Suffield records she seemed to have lived there with her half sister Mary (Hall) Roe.
Bethia b. Suffield Sept. 9, 1713 seems from Suffield records to have been cared for by half sisters Elizabeth Woolworth and Mary Rowe and half brother Nathaniel Hall. She m. May 25, 1736 Wm. Holten of Northfield, Mass., the home of her half brother Enoch Hall.
Abigal b. Suffield April 8, 1717. She m. in Somers Samuel Hayden of Windsor (Hayden Station) Nov. 17, 1737.
Eunice b. Suffield Apr. 8, 1717 (Twin with Abigal) m. in Somers Samuel Cravath of Middletown, Conn. Aug. 31, 1741.
John b. Stafford May 31, 1719 m. Hannah Guild of Somers, He was then of Enfield. Marriage record not. published in Enfield Feb. 25, 1741/1 pub. In Somers Feb. 28, 1741. They lived in Enfield and had children. He has been recorded among the probable children of Samuel and Sarah Hall but he was SURELY their child.
Josiah b. Stafford March 16, 1722 m. Sarah Bush of Somers.
Charity b. Stafford Aug. 18, 1723 admitted to Somers church Apr. 25, 1742.
NOTE: The above items are taken from the records indicated and are correct to the best of my knowledge and ability.
(Signed) JAMES ALLEN KIBBE,
Warehouse Point, Conn.
September 6th, 1908.
JOSIAH HALL (4) B. Stafford March 16, 1722 m. Sarah Bush of Somers. Somers Town Clerk says, “First marriage in Somers to be put on record; fee 50 cts. Oct. 30, 1743. Children:
Josiah b. Sep. 6, 1744
Joseph b. Apr. 22, 1746
Zadock b. Dec. 18, 1750 d. Dec. 30, 1826 m. Elizabeth Coy, Somers Apr. 19, 1781
Vashni b. Mch. 18, 1753 d. Feb. 11, 1816
Sarah b. Nov. 30, 1755 m. Thos. Wilkinson of Enfield Jan 16, 1777
Terza b. July 5, 1760
Libni (5) b. Apr. 12, 1763 m. Mary Coy Jan 11, 1786. His gravestone on Hall Hill (Somers
cem.) says he was b. Apr. 12, 1764. He d. Mar 24, 1842. Mary, his wife, b. 1766 d. June 19. 1839.
Topics: Connecticut | 3 Comments »
Introducing HallsofBristolCounty.com
By Kathryn Hall | February 26, 2008
Welcome. In pondering what might be a good entryway into HallsofBristolCounty.com I seriously considered introducing my own introduction to the Halls of Bristol County history, and that would be through my father’s sister, Annie Hall Lindquist, to whom I do, indeed, owe a deep depth of gratitude for religiously and faithfully planting the many seeds of family lore and history into my consciousness, that eventually took root most largely, (unfortunately), after she was no longer here so that I might say, “Wait! What exactly did you mean by that?” Sigh. And so it goes. If there’s a moral to that tale (should it need to be explained) it is Ask Now. While they are still here. Got it? In any case, I decided against that approach because, frankly, it would leave me with the irony of beginning this blog with someone who was not a Hall at all. She was a Stedman who married a Hall. And my determination to figure her history remains elusive. So, no. Mercy Stedman Hall shall be introduced in proper sequence. For, yes, there shall be sequences and next post you shall see Generation One, beginning with George and Mary Hall and so forth, down the line to the living Halls, who shall remain nameless while still on planet Earth, per the reasonable etiquette of genealogy.
And so we are left with the pieces of the puzzle to labor over what I refer to as the Ultimate Human Jigsaw Puzzle–in this case, mine, and, if you happen to be related, and you most likely are if you are reading this, yours–or not, depending on the ultimate outreach of this blog.
For anyone who has done this sort of research one comes to recognize certain things, some of them magical, and at very least, synchronistic (as if that were not magic enough) and archetypal. In other words, we who do this work find there are certain truisms that repeatedly emerge.
For me personally synchronicity has played a part in my recognizing that I have lived twice most conspicuously, as a young woman, in places where my early ancestors lived and owned large pieces of land–land I would near to tread upon both in high school in Massachusetts and later in college in Ohio. It is unsettling to learn this sort of thing. I’m sure you have your version of this if you have entered this field of study. It is also reaffirming to find these discoveries. You will have yours if you choose to embark upon this journey, though you are just as welcome to simply cruise along and share mine and ours.
As for the archetypal side of things, I am compelled to share a portion of a document I recently found from the Pease family. [And there are many Pease family members among our Halls, just as there are Cooleys and Parsons, among others.] And so I close this first post with what I found to be aptly put by someone who was writing in the 1800’s about his own genealogical endeavors. And you may trust me that not much has changed. All of these elements still abound. The primary difference, most likely, is the introduction of DNA research, which I hope to include here as a way of making firm our paper trails, and thus ensure the highest quality of work. This is not to say I will not also include family stories and lore. But now in the words of Rev. David Pease in 1869:
…considerations have led the writer to comply with a request to prepare for the press a genealogical record of the descendants of John Pease, Sen. It appeared, at the time this request was made, quite possible that, with what had been done, the object could be accomplished with convenient dispatch and in a short time. In this we have been disappointed.
By way of apology to our subscribers for the long delay in the appearance of this volume, we desire to say that its preparation has involved a much greater amount of historical and genealogical investigation than was anticipated at the commencement, resulting in important changes, and thereby hindering our progress; while professional and domestic duties have diminished the amount of time necessary to be devoted to it.
…We do not expect this Record will be found without errors. Some blanks have been unavoidable, as we have been unsuccessful in our efforts to obtain the desired information about families, names, and dates: there are also many ways for mistakes to occur. But whatever defects may be found in this work, we wish to remind our kinsmen that we have designed to make it a reliable basis by which all the descendants… may trace themselves, in an unbroken line, back to England; and if there should be any stray family or individual who has not been registered in this Record, the appropriate place can be found, and the names placed in lineal order.
It remains for the writer to express his gratitude to those who have, in any way, aided us in this labor, while we assure them their correspondence and acquaintance has awakened a kindred feeling which will be pleasant to cherish, and an ardent desire for the present and future good of those to whom these pages are devoted.from A GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE DESCENDANTS OF JOHN PEASE, SEN., Last of Enfield, Connecticut
******************************************************************
Topics: Introduction | 9 Comments »
Welcome and Introduction
By Kathryn Hall | February 12, 2008
Welcome to Halls of Bristol County, the blog. Information on this blog is offered to assist others in their research of the Halls of Bristol County. Please note this is a personal blog, not a website. All content is released on rss feeds. Much work has gone into this blog. The content provided on this site is original content or used with permission and links when possible. The content is protected under the US Copyright Protection Laws and appropriate international laws.
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Topics: Notes | No Comments »
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