The Halls of New England : genealogical and biographical – Family 19

Timeline

1700?		Birth of John Hall Taunton, MA
		Birth of Mary Brettun
		Marriage of John Hall and Mary Brettun
		Birth of Freelove (or possibly Silence)
1727 JUL 9		Birth of Brian Raynham, MA
		Marriage of John Hall and Hannah Williams
1728 JUL 29		Birth of John Raynham, MA
1730 NOV 11		Birth of Hannah Raynham, MA
1732 DEC 6		Birth of Elkanah Raynham, MA
1735 SEP 10		Birth of Elisha   Raynham, MA
		Birth of  Joseph
		Birth of  Noah
1766 OCT 17	Age 66	Death of John Hall Raynham, MA
		Death of Mary Britton Hall
		Death of Hannah Williams Hall

 

John was a large landholder and farmer, resided in that section of Taunton which became Raynham in 1731, and held town offices several years, as well as other positions of trust. He and his family were members of the First Congregational Church.

 

Crows, blackbirds, blue jays and woodpeckers were very numerous and did much injury to the grain crops of the first settlers so that a price was put upon their heads.  May 23, 1715 the town voted to pay three half pence a head for every flying blackbird or Jaw’s head that should be killed in this town, and the heads brought to the selectman, or John Smith, or Eliezer Fischer, between this time and next March.  It may be interesting for some of our readers to know who the hunters were in those days and we therefore make the following extract from the town records”

 

Sept 19^th, 1715 voted to pay –

To John Hall for killing six birds 00 09[1]

 

John’s children were by Mary, his first wife, and by Hannah Williams, his second wife (who is mentioned in probate records[2])[3].

 

Mary may have had a former husband, Joseph Hall, as on the 14th of Feb 1721, Nicholas Morey (her grandmother’s 3^rd husband) deeded to Mary Hall, widow of Joseph Hall of Taunton, twenty acres of land in that town, and on the 1st of March, 1726, he deeded to the heirs of Joseph Hall, late of Taunton, deceased, “for love and affection” a “little lot in Dighton.” (Bristol Co. Deeds, 59, 190: 45, 41).

 

Mary was born to William Brettun of Taunton (born abt 1679, deceased prior to 1732, possibly 1724) mother is Lydia Leonard.

Name:	William Brittun (Britten, Brittain)
Spouse:	Lydia Leonard
Marriage Date:	26 Oct 1698
Marriage Place:	Taunton
Source:	Vital Records of Taunton
Full Text:	BRITTUN, William (Britten) and Lydia Leonard, Oct. 26, 1698.Intention not recorded.

 

 

Siblings include: William, Abiall, Ebenezer, Pendleton, Lydia, Sarah, Elizabeth, James & Abigail (all mentioned in grandmother’s will – “children of my son William Brettun dcd., late of Taunton”).

 

Mary’s great-great grandfather Brian Pendleton (emigrant from Birmingham parish) died during the winter of 1680-81, either in Winter Harbor or Wells, Maine, at the home her grandmother Mary (Pendleton, Brettun, Cross, Morey). Two Wells men were appointed to take the inventory of his estate, indicating he may have died there[4].

During his lifetime, Brian gave son James 140 acres of land in Sudbury and also 700 acres in Westerly, Rhode Island, that he had obtained in a business transaction. He also apparently turned over business interests in Portsmouth to James. The major’s will left land on the Great Island in Portsmouth to grandsons Pendleton Fletcher and Brian Pendleton, Saco area property to his wife, and housing and land at Wells to Mary and Hannah Pendleton, daughters of James and his first wife. This included “three plantations or lotts.”[5]

 

The will of James-2 Pendleton, names wife, Hannah, sons: Joseph, Edmund and Caleb, daughters Ann Borwn, Eleanor Pendleton and Dorothy Pendleton, “children by my present wife, Hannah,” and daughters Mary and Hannah “had by my former wife.” [6]

No reference is made by Capt. James Pendleton to his sons, James  and Brian, named in his father’s will in 1677, or to any heirs of these sons, and as no mention of any such has elsewhere appeared, it would seem indisputable that James and Brian died without issue. [7]

 

Grandmother is Mary (Pendleton) Morey of Digton born abt 1653 (will dated 10/25/1732), She was married three times: William Brettun, Joseph Cross & Nicholas Morey dcd., her father is James Pendleton (mentioned in will, b abt. 1628 Eng – d. abt 1709 RI) , her grandfather is Briant Pendleton (mentioned in will, b abt. 1599 Eng – d. abt 1680 NH).  Mary’s will mentions rights to lands in “the Province of Newhamshire” belonging to Briant Pendleton her grandfather[8].

 

Mary married (2) Joseph Cross, son of John Cross of Wells, Maine. He was a soldier from Wells in the Indian War of 1677, and died 18 Jun 1684, leaving no children. [9]
 

His will, dated at Wells, 2 March 1683/4, proved 2 Aug 1684, names wife Mary as executrix and makes a bequest to “My wife’s soun Willi: Breeden” (York Deeds, Book v, part 1, folio 28 ) [10].

Mary also married (3) Nicholas Morey before 25 May 1685 in Wells, Maine. Nicholas died 1731 in Dighton, Bristol Co., Massachusetts[11]

 

Name

Year of Birth

Place of Birth

Year of Death

Place of Death

Description

Bibliography

Morey, Nicholas

1663

England

1731

Dighton

Freetown HR 1721M; selectman 1688; M Mary (Pendleton) (Britton) Cross (c1653-1732) in c1685, no ch; innkeeper, carpenter; will. Three black slaves. Moved from Wells to Taunton, Freetown, and Dighton by 1722. No committees.

1956 Pendleton g 42-9; Torrey 518; Bristol Co Prob Abs 1:193, 195

 

The grandchildren are left ¾’s of her real estate to divide equally except James (executor) who gets ¼. Mary’s will states that her granddaughter Mary Hall is to enjoy her part during her lifetime but after her “deceased” her children to enjoy her part equally between them and their heirs[12].  Land includes “land in the meadows” in the county of York in Massachusetts (now Maine), Leindy & Meadows in the Providence of New Hampshire, goes on to mention land of her father, grandfather & former husbands. 

 

 

John Hall had 8 children all of whom lived to adulthood. 

 

With Mary

-          Freelove (Silence ?)

David Hall’s book, The Halls of New England lists a marriage to Jacob Woodward of Vermont in Raynhan, Brian Hall son of Mary and John Hall who married Abiah and died 1778 in his will mentions a brother-in-law Jacob Woodward who was married to Silence to whom he left property to in Providence RI[13].

 

1812	WOODWARD	WOODWARD Jacob, in 85th year, at Providence, Aug. 5, 1822	Death	Providence
1824	WOODWARD	WOODWARD Silence, wife of Jacob, at North Providence, in 76th year, Nov. 26, 1816	Death	Providence

 

 

-          Brian

(Editor’s note: Brian is a direct descendant whose life is outlined in a separate entry under his name)

 

 

With Mary

-          John

The First Book of Raynham[14] mentions Children of John Hall & Hannah his wife: July 29, 1728 John – Monday

 

John is mentioned in his father’s probate record as eldest son.

 

We left of to John Hall eldest son of the deceased all the aforesaid of five lots of land:

 

Appraise 10 acres of land at a place called pine hill 4:0:0

One small lot in Taunton ____ and cedar swamp that lyeth South of end of that of _______ ________ Late Deceased 2:6:0

One small lot that lyeth North of ________ Lot 2:8:1

Small lot high to the North purchase ____ so called 1:6:0

 

One small right in the old iron works in Raynham and two seventh parts of purchase Rights in old Taunton township three lots of land for cash for forty seven pounds thirteen shillings and seven pence and also fire arms three swords and farming utensils agreeable to the inventory given to him turn other To the value of ten pounds ten shilling and seven pence all which we appraise at seventy five pounds fourteen shillings and ten pence an let of to the aforesaid John.  John Hall as his full part or Dubbed portion 75:14:10

 

 

-          Hannah

The First Book of Raynham[15] mentions Children of John Hall & Hannah his wife: Nov 11, 1730 Hannah – Thursday

 

John Hall’s probate mentions grandchildren Thomas, Ebenezer, Hannah & Lydia Stetson (looks like Studson?). – Robert Leo Hall’s book pg/60-61 list these same grandchildren and states that John’s daughter Hannah married Ebenezer Stetson.

 

Cemetery records in Dighton (NEGHS) Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Anna wife of Mr. Ebenezer Stetson she died May 21st 1796 aged 63 years, Dighton Bristol Co. Massachusetts , US, Old cemetery at site of First Church .  In Ancestory, the 1840 census of Dighton mentions an Ebenezer Stetson of Dighton, age 79 who was in the war.   

 

-          Elkanah

The First Book of Raynham[16] mentions Children of John Hall & Hannah his wife: Dec 6, 1732 Elkanah – Wednesday

 

NEGS, Taunton Graveyards – King Burying Ground: (1124) In memory of Elkanah son of Lt John Hall who died Dec 14, 1755 in ye 23d year of his age.

 

Not mentioned in his father’s probate record but is deceased in 1766.

 

 

-          Elisha

The First Book of Raynham[17] mentions Children of John Hall & Hannah his wife: Sept 10, 1735 Elisha – Wednesday

 

Not mentioned in his father’s probate record.

 

 

-          Joseph

Joseph is mentioned in his father’s probate record.

 

Nothing is left to Joseph Hall son of deceased because he already got a gift in his lifetime of 95 acres estimated at 3 quid and 50 pounds.

 

 

-          Noah

Noah is mentioned in his father’s probate record.

 

Nothing is left to Noah Hall son of the deceased because he already got a gift in his lifetime of four (?) pieces of land which are estimated at three hundred pounds the land being about 84 acres. 

 

 

NEHGS.org, Henry Andrews of Taunton pg 18 & 19 includes a map of land drawn in 1728 called Neck Plain which lists J. Hall.  The text speaks of the Neck formerly being called Calves Necke .  In 1683 deeds list land as of John Hall, in 1698 it is listed as land of Hannah, widow of John Hall (John’s mother).

 

 

 

Hannah Hall widow of Lieutenant John Hall deceased and her sons Joseph, James, Benjamin & Jacob all of Taunton, for 5 pounds give to the eldest son John of said John Hall deceased…twenty acres of land in Taunton, eastward from the meeting house lay six acres on the Neck Plain so called and ten acres of land bounded Eastward by 6 acres of plain and Westward by the land of Phillip King and four acres of land joining to the northward side. Ten acres of land is bounded Eastward, Northward and Westward by the land of Thomas Dean which twenty acres of the land by agreement and settlement of the estate of the above Leiutenant John Hall deceased did belong to the above Hannah Hall for her material life…. Signed June 3,1700, 5th year of the reign of Queen Anne over England, Scotland, France & Ireland (Bristol County deeds 16:310) .

 

John later buys additional land on the Neck Plain: Nathanial Williams of Taunton in exchange for 10 pounds 6 shillings paid by John Hall junior of Taunton son of John Hall deceased, for or a certain parcel of land in Taunton called Neck Plain about 6 acres. Bound Eastward by a stake & heap of stones, between said 6 acres and common land, Southward the land of Thomas Caswells, Westward & Northward by land of said John Hall.  Witnesses: John Leonard, Benjamin Williams, April 5, 1707 (not filed until 1764 – Bristol County deeds 47:166).

 

John King of Taunton for 10 pounds paid by John Hall son of John Hall of Taunton deceased, 2 certain tracts of land in Taunton, easterly from the meeting house on the so called Neck Plain 15 acres, NW corner a stake & stones, land out to Benja Hall and running on a direct line to John Hall’s pasture, running northerly to an old fence and stake with stones then in a line to stones & back to the start. Witnesses Jacob Hall & Phillip King. Signed 4/19/1720. (Bristol County deeds 47:172).

 

John Andrews & Hannah H. Andrews his wife of Norton to John Hall of Taunton land near so called pale brook (note: see map) in Taunton, 20 acres more or less by Elisha Dean.  Dated: June 12, 1727, May 22, 1747 signed by Justice of Peace, filed June 30, 1764. Witnesses: Elisha Dean & Seth Dean (Bristol County deeds 47:324).

 

 

---

[1] A History of the Town of Norton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, from 1669-1859 (Issac page 484 & 485) published in 1859

Pg 47

[2] Probate records copied as NEGHS by Linda Hall 6/2008

[3] Halls of New England, David B Hall

[4] BRIAN PENDLETON AND HIS DESCENDANTS, 1599-1910, Compiled by Everett Hall Pendleton, Privatley Printed MCMX, found in the DAR Library, Washington, DC. Page 1-77

[5] Wheeler: Brian Pendleton’s will is on pages 722 and 723.

[6] BRIAN PENDLETON AND HIS DESCENDANTS, 1599-1910, Compiled by Everett Hall Pendleton, Privatley Printed MCMX, found in the DAR Library, Washington, DC. Page 1-77

[7] BRIAN PENDLETON AND HIS DESCENDANTS, 1599-1910, Compiled by Everett Hall Pendleton, Privatley Printed MCMX, found in the DAR Library, Washington, DC. Page 1-77

[8] Abstracts Bristol County, MA Probate, 1687-1745, pg 211

[9] BRIAN PENDLETON AND HIS DESCENDANTS, 1599-1910, Compiled by Everett Hall Pendleton, Privatley Printed MCMX, found in the DAR Library, Washington, DC. Page 1-77

[10] BRIAN PENDLETON AND HIS DESCENDANTS, 1599-1910, Compiled by Everett Hall Pendleton, Privatley Printed MCMX, found in the DAR Library, Washington, DC. Page 1-77

[11] BRIAN PENDLETON AND HIS DESCENDANTS, 1599-1910, Compiled by Everett Hall Pendleton, Privatley Printed MCMX, found in the DAR Library, Washington, DC. Page 1-77

[12] Actual copy of probate records pulled at NEGSH (Linda Hall, 6/7/2008 )

[13] Probate records copied 6/2008 by Linda Hall at NEGHS

[14] (Online database: NewEnglandAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2003), (Handwritten unpublished transcription, transcriber unknown, “First Book of Raynham Records,” donated to NEHGS in 1897).

 

[15] (Online database: NewEnglandAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2003), (Handwritten unpublished transcription, transcriber unknown, “First Book of Raynham Records,” donated to NEHGS in 1897).

 

[16] (Online database: NewEnglandAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2003), (Handwritten unpublished transcription, transcriber unknown, “First Book of Raynham Records,” donated to NEHGS in 1897).

 

[17] (Online database: NewEnglandAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2003), (Handwritten unpublished transcription, transcriber unknown, “First Book of Raynham Records,” donated to NEHGS in 1897).

 

 

 

Linda Hall’s Story of how she was influenced by Nana, Grampa & Dad

I was six years old when my Grampa described his wish for my future.  “You will become a medical secretary!!” he stated emphatically on a number of occasions.  I was not sure how a medical secretary differed from a regular secretary but based on what I had heard from my mother (a secretary prior to marriage) a job as a typist did not sound like much fun.  But…I loved having Grampa’s attention so I worked diligently to reach this goal and make him proud.  During first grade when everyone was starting with “run Jane run,” I was learning how to spell and define words like castration, hysterectomy and expectorate. Every Saturday at 228 Main Street, Grampa would administer verbal quizzes to test my retention.  I always passed with flying colors and begged for more. Weekly Grampa would shop at the bookstore and buy one or more books covering every imaginable topic.  My father’s office became a small library. On most days after school through bedtime I opted to keep my nose in a book in lieu of watching the popular kids shows.

 

In addition to being my first teacher, my Grampa was a genius. He was a life long learner and veterinarian who in 1975 cured cancer in a greyhound through a diet of raw fish and selenium.  Every Saturday morning I observed closely while assisting Grampa as he skillfully performed surgeries on cats and dogs. I held the animal’s legs while Nana stood by dispensing the ether after calming down the sobbing owner who waited anxiously in the next room. 

 

Grampa’s second love was raising greyhounds and racing them at the Topsfield fairgrounds where he moonlighted as the track’s veterinarian.  He let me name some greyhounds, always bet $2 on the dog of my choice and bought me jelly donuts at the food stand when we arrived early on crisp spring mornings. The dog’s winnings went to a college fund for his five grandchildren.  Grampa was happiest when he was with family and animals, he lived what he loved.

 

His wife, known to me as Nana was a pleasantly plump woman who found the good in everyone and everything. Although she worked hard helping with the business and managing a household, she loved life and was never without a smile. While in her late 70’s she was hit by a car while out for her daily walk.  As she lay in her hospital bed with a bruised body, she recounted how fun it was to go flying up in the air when the car struck her. “I was higher than the car roof!! It was sooooooo exciting,” she giggled. On another occasion, while in her late 80’s she decided to take the bus a few stops away to visit my dad who was hospitalized with cancer.  Several hours later she was nowhere to be found. My entire family was panic stricken.  Finally to our relief she arrived. She was happy as a clam.  Nana had taken the wrong bus and had traveled for hours having to change buses a few times to find her way back home with the help of some friendly bus drivers.  “The best part”, she exclaimed, “was that I got to see the ocean, and the whole trip only cost me a dime!!”  

 

Nana was an incredible painter and a baker.  We spent Saturday afternoons making toll house cookies, licking spoons and bowls, making mock-cherry pies, cream cheese and cherry sandwiches, knitting, crocheting, painting and taking trips to Boston where we sailed on swan boats and walked the Freedom Trail.  Sadly, Grampa died unexpectedly in 1976.  Nana spent the next 25 years exploring the world making up for her vacation free life by visiting everyplace imaginable from Alaska to Europe. 

 

Although Grampa died when I was 13, his son who was my Dad continued to promote learning.  His forte was science projects and math homework. Together we built a real volcano, a working radio and a spectroscope.  He was one of the few Dads in the world who “got” Calculus. 

 

When I was 12, I followed in Nana’s footsteps by taking art lessons. I recently found several of my drawings dated in the 1970’s.  They were amazing.  I do not recall having that much talent. I was a pleaser.  When I presented a report card of straight A’s I got a pat on the head, an “attaboy” and a few dollars as a reward.  When I brought home a beautiful painting there was no recognition.  This was not surprising as my mother had passed up a fully paid four year scholarship to art school as she was certain that her foster mother would not allow her to attend. My passions grew to become math and science.

 

Nana also influenced me by planting the seed of wanting to see the world. As soon as I secured my first “real” job, I began to tackle my travel “to do” list of far off places: I have experienced dog sledding on top of a glacier in Alaska; skied in Austria while elbowing Germans to gain my place in the unorganized lift line, celebrated the Queen’s birthday in Amsterdam by wearing an orange hat while viewing fields of bright red tulips, hiking into the Grand Canyon and stalking a bobcat while watching the Colorado flow below….always with my camera close to my side, capturing each moment as well as keeping an extensive written journal of my experiences and thoughts.   I never considered it an option to turn any of this or any other passion into a career.

 

As I approached college age in 1980, I began to realize that there were far more career choices for woman.  I decided that if my grandfather were alive he would have understood if I chose to become something other than a medical secretary.  I think his intent was that I become an independent successful career woman.    I thought that I might like to become a psychiatrist. My Dad who was a self-taught engineer working in Honeywell’s defense division determined that an accounting degree would be my best choice since finance professionals were among the most highly compensated in his company.  I attempted to change his mind to no avail. It was quickly evident that I did not get a vote. 

 

Dad (also a genius) loved to tinker with anything electronic.  He took things apart to figure out how they worked.  When our television had a problem he would pull out a sautering gun, replace some wires and the problem was solved.  At a very young age he converted his passion into an engineering career.  His second love was introduced to us during our annual two week vacation. The beauty of the White Mountains and the joys of hiking, skiing and nature watching became passions.  During one of these trips he attempted to make us homemade sloppy joes but mixed in a whole head of garlic mistaking it for a garlic clove…

Charles G Hall & Edith Anna Haines

Edith Anna Haines was listed as living on 101 Maxwell Street, Boston at birth.  Her father John was listed as a Chemist born in Chelsea (although he had many jobs) and her mother Edith Lansil was listed as being born in Dorchester.

 

Edith met Charles G. at a church dance at the Congregation Church on Pleasant Street where she was a member for many years.  She noticed him across the room and asked the minister to fix them up for a dance.

 

Charles G. attended Ohio State where he studied veterinary medicine.  He raised and raced greyhounds (the most famous being Hi-guide) and was the official vet at the Topsfield fairgrounds.  Early in his career he worked at Angel Memorial and then started his own practice at 228 Main Street in Malden.  His wife Edith was his right hand person, administering ether during animal operations.  

 

Charles G. owned a farm in Wilmington which was taken by eminent domain as the town wanted to build a school.  He also purchased the home next door to his for his wife’s birthday.  He gave his parent’s home to his son Bob upon his mother’s death in 1963.  He was interested in coin collecting and was working on finding a cure for cancer (discovering that a combination of raw fish and selenium had some effect).

 

The grandchildren (Bob’s kids) visited every Saturday.  Charles (Grandpa) let them “help” with the animals while Edith taught them how to bake and took them on field trips to Boston (swan boats, freedom trail, etc.).  Edith was very active as a member of the knitting club and she loved to paint. She traveled extensively after Charles death.  At this point she moved to the Heritage in Malden on Pleasant Street where she had a studio apartment with the over 60 crowd. She was a glass half full type of person, was always happy and nice to everyone she met. 

Charlie’s BICN (before I croak notes) E-mail from Charles G Hall, Jr 2/07/2008:

February 7, 2008

 

Linda says, “By the way I found a copy of the written records of Charles M. & Georgianna… looks like we are not related to the Singer sewing machine people: born in Rome NY father Frank B Clough and mother Kitty Perry” 2/3/08

 

BICN
 I can now tell you with absolute certainty that Kitty Perry and Grandma Shipman are the
 same person.  Have it in G H ( Georgianna Hall) handwriting. Ann Perry Evans was Kitty Perry’s mother.

 

When I was thinking about Georgianna and Grandma Shipman I had a cringe moment.  The cringe moment is behavior you remember where for one reason or another you have acted inappropriately.

 

I was talking to Georgianna at her house when I was probably eight or nine years old.  Georgianna always treated me well and I had not yet withdrawn because of the animosity between her and my mother.

 

She was showing me some clothes that her mother had made for her as a baby and marveling at the craftsmanship   I knew that she had lived with her aunt in Lynn, Massachusetts.  I asked her why she had lived with an aunt instead of her mother.  She began to cry and told me her mother did the best she could for her.  At this stage I’m not clear on what age she left her mother and for what reason. 

 

I wouldn’t totally give up on the Singer/Clough connection since it was treated as family fact in my youth.

 

It would be nice to know when Kitty married Shipman. Were she and Frank Clough married?  Did they divorce or did Frank Clough die and she marry Shipman?

 

Ephriam  Augustus Hall was born December 28, 1852 and died January 1, 1917.  Roxanna Aurelia Wilson was born October 12, 1859 and died November 1, 1910.

 

We have other discrepancies on some dates for others between what’s on the chart and research done by my mother.  I also have additional people not on the chart.  In my mind Linda is the site manager and I’ll submit any data I have to her for resolution.

 

 

I will try to comment on Charles Milton Hall in the near future.

Singer Connection???

There are family stories that Georgianna was perhaps conceived by Issac Singer (inventor of the sewing machine). Although born in Rome, NY she was sent to live with an Aunt in Lynn, MA (although we do find her mother Kittie/Catherine Perry married to a Frank Shipman (her 3rd marriage) in Lynn, MA censuses). 

Singer’s biography reads, http://www.sewalot.com/singer_history.htm:

“Even as an old man, Isaac Singer’s charm and wealth attracted beautiful women. As a young man, by all accounts, he had the devil in him. He was a renowned womanizer and father to at least 28 children by several wives and countless lovers”. 

The only issue with this theory is that Issac died in July 1875 and Georgianna was born in 1882….perhaps there was another connection??  

 

Note that another rumor was of a Clough “cousin” who invented the bobbin.

 

There is a James Clough Cropper of NY in 1860 who made a patent claim that claimed an improvement in threading and looping (see story below and also e-mail from writer).

 

http://ismacs.net/articles/figurals.html

by Graham Forsdyke
ISMACS News
Issue 27

 

ALTHOUGH thriving sewing-machine industries existed in America, Germany, France and Great Britain during the latter half of the 19th century, of these big four, France was the only country, to my knowledge, not to produce figural machines and Germany’s contribution to the art-in-design market was limited to the Sandt Clown/Princess series of toys.

 

For the purpose of this article we will ignore the elaborate designs of Starley with his hands; Newton Wilson’s Princess designs; and Thomas’s foliage-inspired bases and concentrate solely on machines in which a particular concept runs through the entire design. The American D W Clark was the most prolific of the figural-inspired designers. In the late 1850s he produced gilded brass machines with designs including a dolphin, cherub and a foliage. Of these three the foliage has survived in the greatest numbers, followed by the cherub of which two distinct designs exist. The only dolphin extant is believed to be the patent model, shown opposite below, in the Smithsonian Institution.

 

Although quoted as a figural, the horse sewing machine patented by James Perry is little more than a relief cut-out of a prancing stallion bolted to a fairly-conventional sewing-machine frame.

The purest form of figural machine, where all of the mechanism is hidden within the design, was possibly introduced for the first time by S D Ellithorpe who patented a design, in America, for a squirrel-shaped model. Although Ellithorpe and his partner Fox worked on the machine for two years, there is no evidence outside a wood-cut illustration that the machine ever existed and none has turned up. Another pure form of figural to emanate from America was the Eagle machine recently unearthed by the Smithsonian Institution. In it the mechanism is not entirely enclosed within the bird’s body and needle is held in the creature’s beak.

 

In Britain we have had examples of pure figurals and also of theme machines.

Perhaps the most famous in the “theme” bracket are the two Anchor designs, one by Thomas Bradford and the other by the Britannia Sewing Machine Company.

Newton Wilson also got onto the “theme” bandwagon with his Cleopatra model in which a serpent forms the main upper casting. But it was left to the Scottish firm of Kimball and Morton — partly financed with American money — to produce probably the purest figurals ever made.

 

Their first attempt in 1866 resulted in lion machine of that year. The beautifully-sculptured head hid most of the working parts, but it wasn’t until 1903 that the concept was completed with the later lion in which every piece of the mechanism was hidden. Even the needle and presser foot were concealed behind swivelling rocks on the base and the bobbin found a home within the lion’s head.

 

Although I wrote off the French as the sole non-producers of figural machines, it’s just possible that a Gustaff Mascart produced a gymnast model, shown opposite, in 1865.

Mascart was a foundry owner living in the Boulevard Sebastapol in Paris who also had offices in the Charing Cross Road.

 

In 1865 he applied for a patent for a simplified form of chain stitch and with the application provided a drawing of what appears to be a gymnast. The entire mechanism, as can be seen from his drawing, was very typical of that produced in France at the period and it’s possible that the machine went into production. However, after receiving provisional patent protection, Macart never followed up to apply for a full patent.

 

One other machine — again of which there is no record of production — should be included in this brief synopsis on figurals. It is one which we shall call the nymphs and which served as a basis for a patent taken out by James Clough Cropper of New York in 1860.

Like so many others of its type, Cropper’s patent claim had nothing to do with the figural design but claimed improvement in threading and looping. GF

 

Dear Linda

 

Thanks for the mail.

 

I’ve checked this article which, it appears was edited for the internet.

 

In the original, written some 18 years ago, I make it clear that the patent was actually taken out in the UK for the American Cropper.

 

I have a copy of the actual patent here but it doesn’t add much other than to state that Cropper’s address was Broadway, NYC.

 

The patent was applied for in the UK not by a patent agent which would have been the usual procedure but by a builder and joiner John Notman of Plumtree St, Nottingham on April 14, 1860.

 

The UK patent number was 1860/934.

 

I sure this won’t be a lot of help but it’s the best I can do

 

Regards

 

Graham Forsdyke

Purveyor of fine Featherweights to the gentry ISMACS London http://www.ismacs.net

 

http://www.singer-featherweight.com

 

Bert’s Vintage Repair Book Book:

http://www.singer-featherweight.com/bert/bert.html

 

The Halls of New England : genealogical and biographical – Family 5

Resided in Taunton, was a farmer and a member of the board of selectman and accessors for several years. Married Elizabeth King, 1690. His children were John, Judith, Philip, and perhaps others.

General Notes: From ; Halls of New England

Author: David Brainard Hall
Call Number: R929.2 H174Genealogical and biographical sketches of the Hall Family of New England.

Bibliographic Information: Hall, David Brainard. Halls of New England. Albany, N.Y.: Joel Munsell’s Sons. 1883.

 

 

2. John Hall (George1) was born in 1635.

John married Hannah Penniman on 4 Feb 1670/71 in Taunton, MA. (Hannah Penniman was born about 1640.)

Children from this marriage were:

   8 M    i. John Hall was born on 27 Jun 1672 in Taunton, MA.

   9 M    ii. Joseph Hall was born on 7 Apr 1674 in Taunton, MA.

   10 M    iii. James Hall was born on 8 Dec 1675 in Taunton, MA.

   11 M    iv. Benjamin Hall was born on 6 Dec 1677 in Taunton, MA.

 

John, the eldest son of George, born in 1640, died in 1693, married, February 4, 1671, Hannah Penniman, having children, John, Joseph, James, Benjamin, Sarah, Jacob, Hannah. His descendants are numerous and he was ever prominent in all town affairs serving some years as constable and selectman. He, like his father, was interested in the church, of which he was a member, contributing five acres of land in its aid in 1687. From this branch of the family, through John 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Brian, Silas and Richard Hutchens, one of Taunton’s mayors Richard Henry Hall, is descended (HISTORY OF TAUNTON)

He took the oath of fidelity in 1659; was on a jury of inquest in 1664; was constable in 1666; succeeded his father as shareholder and clerk in the iron bloomery in 1669, in 1671, and in 1677; was on the board of selectmen in 1684,1685, 1686, and 1691; was on the committee of seven for considering proprietors’ claims in 1680; was deputy to Plymouth Colony general court in 1689-91; was a member of the Congregational church, contributing five acres of land in its aid in 1687, under the teachings of Rev. Samuel Danford; was a large landholder and a large proprietor in “Taunton South Purchase” of 1663 and in the “North Purchase of 1668, also having a right in the original “Purchase”; and was a leading man in business affairs.

 

Married 4 FEB 1671 in Taunton, The American Genealogist, 28:253-54.

 

John Cary and Increase Robinson, the husband of Sarah Penniman, were among the commissioners who divided the estate of Lt John Hall of Taunton, husband of Hannah Penniman, on 29 Dec 1694: Rounds, H. L. Peter, “Abstracts of Bristol County, Massachuetts Probate Records”, 1988, p. 180.

 

The Plymouth Colony Archive Project, George Hall, Last Will & Testament

[Editor's note: This is the first will from vol. I, 1670-1673, of our bound collection. Although it is dated 1669 it was exhibited to the court in March 1670, and does not appear in Simmons' published collection as it is from Plymouth Colony Wills Vol. 3.]

1669

(The 29th of) October 16:

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;

 

February 8, 1669/1670

Plymouth Colony Wills 3:17

#P176

The Inventory of George Hall

A true Inventory of the estate of Gorge hall of Taunton in the Iurisdiction of Plymouth in New England; (yeoman) deceased october 30th 1669 and exhibited to the Court held att Plymouth aforsaid the first of March anno: domine 1669 on the oathes <of Richard xllliams and Walter> Mistris Mary hall Widdow

Impr: his wearing apparrell woolen and Linnine 05 00 00

Item a bedsted and bed and furiture therto appertaining 10 00 00

Item a white Couerlid 002 10 00

Item a bed 3 bolsters a Rubg and 2 blanketts 03 00 00

Item sheets table Linnine with other Linnine 03 00 00

Item new homade cloth 6 yards 001 04 GO

Item 1 Chest 001 00 00

Item bookes and papers 001 02 00

Item lether 001 12 00

Item 2 trunckes and 3 boxes 000 09 00

Item 2 old trapps 000 05 00

Item nailes 000 15 00

Item powder and lead 000 06 06

Item lockes and snite bills 000 05 00

Item Ioyrners tooles 002 05 00

Item more tooles 002 06 06

Item old Iron 000 05 00

Item sawes & more tooles and Iron barrs 001 06 00

Item a sledge a paire of fetters & forkes 000 07 00

Item Cordage flax and gertwebb 000 14 00

Item woole 000 06 00

Item hndJrons spitt peele and other Instruments 002 00 00

Item hookes and hinges 000 03 00

Item a pillian 000 10 00

Item Indian Corne 14 bushells 002 14 00

Item brasse pannes 002 00 00

Item 2 brasse potts & brasse posnetts and skillitts 001 04 00

Item 1 Iron pott 1 spice Mortor and pestell 001 04 00

Item a warming pan a frying pan a skillett 2 paire of pot hookes and a treiuett 000 12 00

Item 2 brasse kettles 001 00 00

Item pewter dishes spoones a skimer and tin vessells 001 03 00

Item 1 siluer spoone 000 04 00

Item serchees seiues and boxes a smale barrell and a keading trough 000 15 00

Item 2 barrells of Cyder 001 04 00

Item empty Caske 000 18 00

Item parte of a barrell of beife 000 12 00

Item Tubbs and pailes and other lumber 000 16 00

Item & spining wheele a paire of bellowes a winowing sheet 3 seiues & other old lumber 001 00 00

Item 3 Cowes 10 10 00

Item a mare 05 00 00

Item 6 swine 05 00 00

Item a yoake of steers 07 00 00

Item a yearling 01 00 00

Item a yeake of oxen 10 00 00

Item plow Chaines a doubble share 3 shares and Coulters & 2 sett of harrow teeth 03 13 00

Item 5 hundred of Iron 05 10 00

Item boxes hoopes and other Iron pertaining to a Cart 00 18 00

Item a Cart Rope 000 07 00

Item Creditt 013 12 06

Item a share in the Iron workes 030 00 00

Item a Cyder presse 02 00 00

———–

suma totalis 170 15 00

———–

February 8th: 69/70

Aprised by

Richard Williams

Walter deane

Plymouth Colony Wills, vol. III, p. 17

George Hall