Life History

Other facts

Notes

• 1860 Federal Census, Yancey County, North Carolina, 27 August, PO Burnsville, page 201 (scan #469), Hse/Fam #1330
  James M Hall 29 M Farmer $400 Real Estate $375 Personal  born NC
  Judea Hall 22 F born NC
  Cornelius Hall 6 M b NC
  Mary M Hall 4 F born NC
  Ann E Hall 2 F born NC
  James G Hall 5mos M b NC
  Jason Carraway 19 M Farmer b NC
  Elizabeth Robertson 49 F b NC
  
  James is usually named in records as James M Hall.  On his son Cleveland's death certificate the father's name is given as Mathew Hall.  On the death certificate of his wife Rachel Gurley Hall, she is reported as the widow of Dr Matt Hall.  These two records confirm references in family sources to his middle name as Matthew.
  
  James' gravestone also has his name as Dr James M Hall.  Comments on a Find-a-Grave memorial for his son John Anderson Hall also refer to him as Dr Matthew Hall.  James' occupation is reported in all the censuses as Farmer.  His death certificate reports his occupation as "Doctor (Practical)."
  
  A complication in his name is introduced with the death certificate, which names him James Madison Hall.  Some genealogies have Madison as James' middle name.  He was not under the care of a physician (the certificate states "No Physician") at the time of his death. This is the only document on which I have seen the name as James Madison.  His memorial on Find a Grave uses this name from the death certificate.
  
  The informant on the death certificate was his wife Rachel.  It appears the certificate was filled out by the Registrar.  Could Rachel have given him this name, or might the Registrar have misunderstood or miswritten the name?  This is the only instance I have seen this name in public records.
  
  1870 Federal Census, Yancey County, North Carolina, 16 July, South Toe Township, PO not stated, page 2, Hse/Fam #8
  Hall, J M 35 M W Farmer $150 Real Estate $200 Personal b NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, Juda 33 F W Keeping House b NC Cannot read or write
  Hall [Robertson], Elizabeth 63 F W At Home b NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, Cornelius 17 M W At Home b NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, Malinda M 14 F W At Home b NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, Ann Eliza 12 F W At Home b NC
  Hall, James G 10 M W At Home b NC
  Hall, Margaret L 8 F W b NC
  Hall, Amanda 5 F W b NC
  Hall, William P 2 M W b NC
  Hall, John A 2mos b May M W b NC
  
  Malinda M here is the same as Mary M in 1860, so likely her name was Mary Malinda.
  
  1880 Federal Census, Yancey County, North Carolina, 9 June, Crabtree Township, District 238, page 11 (scan 587C), Hse #67, Fam #68
  Hall, James M  W M 42  Farmer NC NC NC
  Hall, Rachael  W F 22 Wife Keeping House NC NC NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, Cornealas [Cornelius] W M 27 Son Works on Farm NC NC NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, Ann  W F  24 Dau Domestic Work NC NC NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, Goodson  W M 21 Son Works on Farm NC NC NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, Louiza W F 18 Dau Works on Farm NC NC NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, Amanda W F 16 Dau NC NC NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, Preston  W M 14 Son NC NC NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, John W M 14 Son NC NC NC Cannot read or write [John has gained 14 yrs since 1870]
  Hall, Delfina W F 10 Dau NC NC NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, Joseph W M 7 Son NC NC NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, Zeph W M  5 Son NC NC NC Cannot read or write
  Hall, Miles W M  4 Son NC NC NC Cannot read or write
  Roberson [Robertson], Elizabeth W F  72 Mother-in-Law NC NC NC Cannot read or write
  
  Goodson matches James G; Preston is William P; Louiza matches Margaret L of 1870.
  
  Rachel is James' wife in both the 1880 census and the 1900 census.  One child not showing up on either of these censuses is Ara (or Arra) Bell.  Her birth record has not been found but we have two other consistent reports of her birth.  She was born, grew up, and married between these two censuses.
  
  Ara Bell Hall was not born until Dec 1880, according to the 1900 census record of Ara as the wife of Thomas Edmonds.  See above.  Judith died between 1876 (last child) and 1879 (marriage to 2nd wife), and James married Rachel in 1879 or early 1880.  Evidence thus indicates that Arrie was the daughter of Rachel Gurley Halll, not Judie Robertson Hall.  Suzie Cruz was finally able to confirm this with one of her aunts in March 2014.  Thanks to Suzy for this good work and clarification!
  
  "Ara Belle Hall Edmonds is a full sister to my grandmother Pansy Mae Hall Edmonds.  I finally spoke to one of my aunts, Pansy's youngest living daughter, today and she confirmed that Ara and Pansy are full sisters."
  --  Suzy Crews, Facebook Message to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 29 March 2014
  
  In the 1900 census Ara Bell is reported as the wife of Thomas Edmonds and her birth date is reported as Dec 1880.  Their record of marriage reports she was 18 years old when they married in 1898, making it about 1880.  This also confirms that Rachael was her mother.
  
  NC Marriages List 1850 - 1920
  Yancey County
  Thomas EDWARDS [Edmonds] 22
  (Very Common Transcription Error in Tom's last name)
  Spouse Ana [Ara or Arra] Belle HALL 18 [b abt 1880]
  18 Jun 1898
  Witnesses:  D J Young - A E Hensley, R J Hyatt, H B Silver
  --  Courtesy of Suzy Crews, comment on this genealogy on Ancestry.com, 2 Nov 2013
  
  1900 Federal Census, Yancey County, North Carolina, 7 June, Crabtree Township, District 123, page 3B-4A, Hse #46, Fam #48
  Hall, James M Head W M Feb 1837  63 Married 20 years NC NC NC Farmer Owns
  Hall, Rachel Wife W M April 1855  45 Married 20 years 8 children/7 living NC NC NC
  -- page 4A --
  Hall, Pansey Dau W F April 1884 16 Single NC NC NC Farm Laborer
  Hall, Cleveland  Son W M July 1889 10 Single NC NC NC
  Hall, Kirby  Son W M April 1894 6 Single NC NC NC
  Hall, Essie Dau W F Mar 1897 3 Single NC NC NC
  
  1910 Federal Census, Yancey County, North Carolina, 6 May, Crabtree Township, District 154, page 11B-12A, Hse #196, Fam #108
  Hall, James M Head M W 77 Marriage 2 Married 33 years NC NC NC Farmer Owns
  Hall, Rachel J  Wife F W 55 Marriage 1 Married 33 years 8 child/4 living NC NC NC
  Hall, Cleveland G Son 20 Single NC NC NC
  - page 12A -
  Hall, Kirby Son M W 16 NC NC NC
  Hall, Essie L W 13 NC NC NC
  
  His gravestone identifies him as Doctor.  In every census he is identified as a Farmer.
  
  Gravestone of James Matthew Hall, Hughes Cemetery, Double Island Rd, Yancey County, North Carolina
  Dr James M Hall
  Feb 22, 1831
  Feb 22, 1916
  
  If the dates are correct, he died on his birthday.  Most census ages vary.  The 1900 census says February 1837.  The 1860 and 1870 censuses are closest to the grave date, 1860 age 29 b 1831. 1870 age 38 b 1832, 1880 age 42 b 1838, 1910 age 77 b 1833.
  
  Thanks to Descendant Suzy Crews, who has communicated with me on research for this family, for putting up the phenomenal memorials on Find a Grave.  She has put up 55 memorials for this lineage and is managing others.
  
  -----------------------------
  Dr James Madison Hall
  Birth Feb. 22, 1831 Burke County, North Carolina
  Death Feb. 22, 1916 Micaville, Yancey County, North Carolina
  
  First wife Judy Roberson (d. bef 1879), dau of Elizabeth (*c. 1807). Burial site unknown to me.
  [It appears from various records that the surname was Robertson.  It appears under several different spelling in records.]
  
  Children of James Matthew and Judith "Judy" Roberson/Robinson are:
  Cornelius Hall
  Mary Malinda Hall
  Ann Elizabeth Hall
  Amanda Hall
  James Goodson Hall
  Margaret Louisa Hall
  William Preston Hall
  John Anderson Hall (1870 - 1945)
  Delfinia Hall
  Joseph Milton Hall
  L. Zaphen "Zafe" Hall (1875 - 1945)
  Mills Hall (1876 - 1906)
  
  Children of James Matthew and Rachel Jane Gurley are:
  Ara Bell "Arrie" Hall
  Minnie Hall
  Pansy Mae Hall (1882 - 1978)
  Grover Cleveland (1889 - 1941)
  McDonald [born 1889, died bef 1900]
  Kirby E (1892 - 1974)
  Essie (1898 - 1991)
  [According to the 1910 census, there was one other child; she had 8 born, 4 living in 1910]
  
  Parents:
  William Frazier Hall (1807 - 1890)
  Sarah Smith Hall (1811 - 1858)
  
  2nd Spouse Rachel Jane Gurley Hall (1852 - 1935)
  
  Burial Hughes Cemetery, Double Island Rd, Yancey County, North Carolina
  
  Maintained by Suzy Crews, Originally Created by Mark Lawson Aug 31, 2010
  --  Find A Grave Memorial #57985234, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=57985234
  -----------------------------

Sources

• 1. 1880 Federal Census, Yancey County, North Carolina
  • 9 June, Crabtree Township, District 238, page 11 (scan 587C), Hse #67, Fam #68
• 2. 1860 Federal Census, Yancey County, North Carolina
  • 27 August, PO Burnsville, page 201 (scan #469), Hse/Fam #1330
• 3. Gravestone of James Matthew Hall, Hughes Cemetery, Double Island Rd, Yancey County, North Carolina
• 4. Find a Grave Memorial Registry
  • Memorial #57985234, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=57985234
• 5. 1900 Federal Census, Yancey County, North Carolina
  • 7 June, Crabtree Township, District 123, page 3B-4A, Hse #46, Fam #48
• 6. 1910 United States Federal Census
  • Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;
  • 6 May, Crabtree Township, District 154, page 11B, Hse #196, Fam #108
• 7. Find a Grave Memorial Registry
  • Memorial #53699208
• 8. North Carolina, Marriage Collection, 1741-2004
  • County Court Records - FHL # 0019009
• 9. Suzy Crews
• 10. 1910 Federal Census, Madison County, North Carolina
  • 3 May, Upper Laurel Township, District 92, page 8B, Upper Laurel Rd, Hse #148, Fam #149
• 11. 1900 Federal Census, Madison County, North Carolina
  • 29 June, Upper Laurel Township, District 84, page 11A, Hse/Fam #193
• 12. 1930 Federal Census, Madison County, North Carolina
  • no date, Upper Laurel Township, District 19, page 9B, Hse #174, Fam #181
• 13. North Carolina, Death Collection, 1908-2004
• 14. 1940 Federal Census, Madison County, North Carolina
  • 11 April, Township 11, District 8-24, Page 3B, Lower Laurel Rd, Hse #42, Owns $300
• 15. North Carolina, Death Certificates, 1909-1975
• 16. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
• 17. 1900 Federal Census, Yancey County, North Carolina
  • 7 June, Crabtree Township, District 123, page 4A, Hse #46, Fam #48
• 18. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
• 19. Find a Grave Memorial Registry
• 20. North Carolina, Death Certificates, 1909-1975
  • Certificate #30655
• 21. 1910 Federal Census, Wichita County, Texas
  • 12 May, Justice Precinct 4, District 232, Sheet 11B, Hse #152, Fam #154
• 22. 1910 Federal Census, Yancey County, North Carolina
  • 6 May, Crabtree Township, District 154, page 12A, Hse #196, Fam #108
• 23. Find a Grave Memorial Registry
  • Memorial #57985726,  http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=46085031&PIpi=40861463
• 24. 1870 Federal Census, Yancey County, North Carolina
  • 16 July, South Toe Township, PO not stated, page 2, Hse/Fam #8
• 25. 1870 Federal Census, Van Buren County, Arkansas
  • 4 August, Craig Township, PO Clinton, page 14, Hse/Fam #30
• 26. Kentucky, Death Records, 1852-1963
• 27. Ancestry Trees
• 28. 1900 Federal Census, Wayne County, West Virginia
  • 7 June, Ceredo Village Ward 1, District 110, page 8B, Hse/Fam #148
• 29. 1880 Federal Census, Van Buren County, Arkansas
  • 3 June, Craig Township, District 2, page 43, Hse #325, Fam #330
• 30. North Carolina, Death Certificates, 1909-1975
  • Certificate #20278
• 31. Find a Grave Memorial Registry
  • Memorial #51954074, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=51954074
• 32. Various Robertson-Hall sources