Generation 5: Brian Hall and Abaih Crossman

Timeline

1727 JUL 9		Birth of Brian Hall Taunton, MA
1726 AUG 28		Birth of Abiah Crossman Taunton, MA
1751	Age 24/5	Marriage of Brian Hall and Abiah Crossman Taunton, MA
1751		Birth of Infant Hall Raynham, MA
1753 AUG 16		Birth of  Isaac Norton, MA
1755 APR 1		Birth of  Nancy Norton, MA
1758 JAN 8		Birth of Prudence Norton, MA
1760 OCT 21		Birth of John Norton, MA
1762/3 APR 10		Birth of Major Brian Norton, MA
1765 OCT 3		Birth of Abijah   Norton, MA
1768 JUN 19		Birth of  Silas Norton, MA
1778 DEC 13	Age 52	Death of Brian Hall Norton, MA
1814 FEB 15	Age 88	Death of Abijah Crossman Hall Norton, MA

 

 

Brian Hall was born to John Hall 3^rd and Mary his wife[1] [2] (Brettun/Britton, possibly widow of Joseph Hall) on July 9, 1727. 

 

Year	Date	Record	Type
1727	July 9	Brian son of John Hall 3d of Taunton & Mary his wife	Birth

 

 

Brian’s will mentions a brother in law Jacob Woodward (Woodard)[3] and Silence his wife, this section of the will is later filed in N. Providence deeds also naming Jacob and Silence.  Editor’s note: possibly Silence is his sister.  The book, “George Hall and his descendants” compiled by Robert Leo Hall in 1998 lists Jacob Woodward as married to Brian’s sister Freelove who was 10 years younger than Brian)  Ruth Woodward in N. Providence deeds pg 199 (1748 or 1768?) mentions brothers Jacob & Paul Woodward and father Ezekiel (will A774, 1760 N Prov.). One of the witnesses signs as Mary Hall.

 

Brian Hall, in 1751, married Abaih[4] who was born on August 28, 1726 to Thomas and Joannah Crossman, of Raynham and Taunton[5]

 

 

(Joannah Crossman has a sister Alice Leonard and parents are Thomas Leonard and Joanna all of Raynham – per probate records[6]).

 

A year or more after their marriage and the death of their first child, they moved to Boston, living there a few years, during which time their eldest son Isaac was born. Having purchased a farm in Norton, they moved there and Brian subsequently became a large owner and operator in real estate[7].

 

He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, one of the first to act and respond. He was a lieutenant in Capt. Hodges’ company, serving in Rhode Island in 1776[8]. He was also a member of the select committee of correspondence, to take into consideration the “Confederation of the Union of States” proposed by Congress, and also being on the committee to devise means for the formation of a State constitution. He held other responsible positions in the town and was assessor the year previous to his death in 1778. He and his wife were connected to the First Congregational Society[9] [10].

 

Volume 7 page 68[11]

Hall, Brian (also given Briant), Norton. 1st Lieutenant, Capt. Isaac Hodges’s (2d) co., Col. John Daggatt’s (4th Bristol Co.) regt. of Mass. militia; list of officers chosen by the several companies in said regiment, dated Attleborough, March 18, 1776; ordered in Council March 21, 1776, that said officers be commissioned; reported commissioned March 21, 1776; also, Lieutenant, Capt. Isaac Hodges’s co., Col. John Daggit’s (Daggett’s) regt.; service, 25 days, in Dec., 1776, and Jan., 1777, on an alarm, including travel (34 miles) from Norton to Tiverton, R. I., and return; also, 1st Lieutenant, Capt. Samuel Robinson’s co., Col. Wade’s regt.; engaged June 18, 1778; service, 25 days, at Rhode Island; company raised to serve for 21 days from June 21, 1778; roll dated Attleborough.

 

 

They had 8 children[12], 7 of whom lived to adulthood. 

 

-          Infant, name unknown

 

-          Isaac

Isaac is mentioned in Brian’s will drafted on October 25, 1778 but not mentioned when the estate is later settled in 1782.  

 

“I give and bequeath to my son Issac Hall[13] his heirs and assigns forever 4 acres of land lying on the west side of old pond in Raynham and two acres of fencing in Joiners Swamp so called

In Maysied (?) and also ten acres of land to be measure of according to Quantity & Quatily of from my land in North Providence in the state of Rhode Island.

 

I give him my two broud clouth bats and a Camblet Coat and my _eft Beaver Hat”.

 

He resided in Boston, MA was the family’s first Harvard Graduate and became an attorney[14]. In the Providence Gazette of January 29,1780 there is a notice of him which says “His learning abilities as a lawyer and strict adherence to the principles of virtue rendered him dear to his friends, an honor to his profession and highly esteemed by all his acquaintance.”

 

On the NEGS website, there is a listing in the cemetery records of Taunton MA and vicinity: Norton Common Burying Grounds (from Taunton Graveyard book #936):

 

Isaac is found buried in the Norton Common Cemetery right next to Brian and Abiah Hall along with many other Hall’s – Isaac, Attorney at Law, son of Brian & Abiah Hall died Dec 14, 1799 aged 26 years[15]. 

 

 

-          Nancy

An Anne is mentioned in Brian’s will as daughter and heir of “two feather beds and furniture one high case of ___ a dozen of chairs and a looking glass and a round table”.  Nancy was a nickname for the name Anne. Some of the later land deeds (see Major Brian) are witnessed by a “Nancy Hall”.

 

Nancy married Nathaniel Monroe and bore 4 children: Betsy (m. John Monroe Jr, Norton), Nancy (m. Crocker Babbitt of Dighton), William (married Sophia Williams of Dighton) and Nathaniel (married Eliza Jackson of Bristol, RI).[16] 

 

-          Prudence

Prudence is mentioned in Brian’s will as daughter and heir of “two feather beds and furniture one high case of ___ a dozen of chairs and a looking glass and a round table”.

 

Prudence died unmarried[17].

 

Prudence is found buried in the Norton Common Cemetery right next to Brian and Abiah Hall along with many other Hall’s – Prudence daughter of Brian & Abiah Hall died March 28, 1839 aged 81 years[18]. 

 

-          John

John is mentioned in Brian’s will.

 

I give to my three sons namely John, Brian and Silas to their heirs and assigns forever to be equally divided between them all my land and Real Estate lying in the town of Norton, Easton & Taunton. Re____ only.

 

Only Improvement as before mentioned to my said wife ____ all my probate rights in Taunton and Taunton North probate to the privilege of land (?)

 

When the estate is later settled he is called the “John, eldest surviving son”.

 

Duly we left off to John Hall the oldest surviving son of said deceased forty eight acres and one hundred and thirty rods of land lying on the Southerly side of the farm that was formerly Joseph Lincolns on both sides of the road bounded as follows beginning at the river at the Southwest corner of said farm thence. North seventy two degrees East one hundred and eighty rods to a corner thence north thirty one acres with six rods and twelve feet to a Corner thence North seventy two degrees east twenty rods and four feet to Samuel Hunts[19]  Land thence by Hunt’s Land North ten acres west seventy four rods to a corner thence South seventy two degrees west sixty seven rods to a stake thence South Six and a half degrees East forty rods and a half to a stake thence west thirteen and a half degrees south thirty five rods to the road thence crossing the road the same point to the River hence downstream said river first mentioned Corner together with one half the barn to wit the East half now standing an the other part of said Lincoln farm with liberty to improve the half of said barn at all times where it is now stand and one third part of all the out land not particularly herein mentioned and Estate of any kind given to said sons by said deceased in his last will being his full share of said estate appraised at one hundred seventy one pounds twelve shillings and eleven pence.

 

 

John married Sarah Bragg of Norton and had 4 children Sally (married Enoch Tobey Paull and had 8 children), Lucy (married Jason White [20]. and had 5 children Lucy who married Daniel W. Jenks of Smithfield RI[21] and lived at Valley Falls, RI, Jason Nelson, Issac Henry, Daniel Albert, Edward Teasdale), Brian (accidentally drowned) & Abiah (married James Franklin and had 5 children) [22].

 

He then married Dilly Stanley of Norton and had 3 children John Stanley (single), Otis Stanley (single) and Wells (died at age 19) [23].

 

-          Major Brian

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

 

-          Abiah

Abiah is mentioned in Brian’s will as daughter and heir of “two feather beds and furniture one high case of ___ a dozen of chairs and a looking glass and a round table”.

 

Abiah married Samuel Wild and had 5 children: Betsy (married William Lane), Samuel (Married Rebecca Barton), Abaih (married David C. Lane), Alice (married Nehemiah Dean), Daniel (who died at age 18 from an accidental discharge of a gun) [24]. 

 

-          Silas

Silas is mentioned in Brian’s will and when the estate is later settled he is called the “Silas, youngest son, a minor”

 

Duly we left off to Silas Hall a miner the youngest son of said deceased thirty nine acres and one hundred and twenty one rods of Land of the said Lincoln farms lying on both sides of the road bounded as follows beginning at the Corner of the road Southerly from Nathaniel Woods house thence by the road that leads to Samuel hunts North Seventy Degrees Eat until it comes to said Hunts Land thence by said hunts land south twenty one and a half degrees east twenty nine and a half rods to corner thence South seventy two degrees west partly by said Hunt and partly by the land left off to said John Seventy seven rods and six feet to a Stake a corner between said John and Silas thence South six and a half degrees east forty and a half rods to a stake thence west thirteen and a half degrees south crossing the road to the river thence upstream said river until it comes to the land left off to said Brian to a small white oak near the river thence north three and a half degrees west about twenty two rods to a corner thence east twelve degrees North forty eight rods to the road thence crossing said road and ranging on the East Side of the road to the first mentioned corner together with the Dwelling house thereon and one half the barn to wit and with half one third part of all the out land  or any other Estate not particularly mentioned that was given to sons by the deceased in his last will being his full share of said estate appraised at one hundred seventy one pounds twelve shillings and eleven pence.

 

 

Silas married Nancy Stanley and had 7 children: Chandler (married Julia Ann Monroe, 1 child & Susan W. Gillett, 6 children), Anna (died age 2, found buried in the Norton Common Cemetery right next to her parents along with many other Hall’s – Anna daughter of Silas and Nancy Stanley Hall, died Nov 14, 1818 in the 22 year of her age), Silas (married Julia Ann Smith, 10 children) Benjamin Stanley (married Caroline Hodges, no children), Dexter (married Abby Bailey Snow, 5 children), Soranus Leonard (married Ann S. Monroe, 3 children), and Richard Hutchens (married Mary Ann Bates, 10 children) [25].

 

In the 1790 Norton census Silas is found living in a household of two males under age 16 and two females.

 

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.

 

Silas and wife Nancy Stanley (Nancy Stanley wife of Silas Hall died March 26 , 1833 aged 63 years) are found buried in the Norton Common Cemetery right next to Brian and Abiah Hall along with many other Hall’s[26]. 

 

When the estate is settled, the following is left to the widow:

 

The whole of the above said Estate we appraised at seven hundred seventy two pounds and eight shillings by we. Left off to the widow Abaih Hall the widow of the deceased 55 acres and seventeen rods of land of the home farm lying on both sides of the road bounded as follows northerly on the river and easterly from the Bridge near at utma Cobbs as the fence now stones by ttu. Cart North to the road then the crossing road and ranging south forty three degrees west sixty seven and a half rods to George Leonard’s[27] Land to a large Stump then to on the same. Course twenty two rods to a white oak tree thence. South seven and a half degrees west to a stake in the outside line thence North twenty nine degrees west to a heap of stones on the South side of the road thence by the road North seventy three degrees east fifty three rods thence crossing the road North nine degrees east sixty four rods to said river together with one half the dwelling house.

 

Editor’s note: Perhaps this refers to Cobbs Bridge is over the Wading River at the upper end of the Barrowsville Factory Pond. It took its name from Ann Cobb who once lived near it and was reputed to be a witch. A locality known in early times as the Scotlin or Scotland is supposed to have been in the neighborhood of number three schoolhouse.[28]

 

Thereon to wit the East half with a Privilege to pass and repass   through any other parts of said house necessary to improve her own half and one half the barn and all of the farm house and all the shed an said premises and two acres and a half more of land that is ditched for to be laid out adjoining to Palmers[29] wood lot and to Nathan Perry[30] & Nathan Dunham (?) one hence of Ceder swamp in Seekonk Swamp to half __of Joseph Lincoln Land being her full share for one third part of said estate appraised at two hundred fifty seven pounds, nine shillings and four pence.

 

Editor’s note: the Seekonk Cedar Swamp is in the southwesterly part of Norton.[31]

 

Also mentioned in Brian’s will is his brother-in-law:

I leave to my brother in law Jacob Woodward[32] and Silence his wife to them their heirs an assigns forever real estate lying in North Providence in the state of Rhode Island excepting only ten acres to be measured of according to quantity & quantity which I have herein given to my son Issac.  An excerpt of this line of the will is found filed in the Records of North Providence pg 291, April 16, 1787.

 

He also says: My pew in the meeting house I leave to be _______ by any or all of my family as long as they live in said Norton.

 

Witnesses are: John Morey, B_____d Ca___n & Geo Leonard Jr

 

Brian died on December 13, 1778[33]. On the NEGS website, there is a listing in the cemetery records of Taunton MA and vicinity Graveyards Dea Reed: Norton Common Burying Ground – (937) In memory of Lieut Brian Hall Dec 13, 1778 in the 52d year of his age. “Patriot of the American Revolution”.  His stone is next to Abiah’s in a plot with many other Halls[34].

 

In the 1790 Norton census Abijah is listed as head of household, living with three women (possibly her three daughters)[35].  She is not listed in 1800.

 

Abiah’s grave stone is in the Norton Common Cemetery sitting next to Brian’s among many other Hall’s – Abiah wife of Brian Hall, died Feb 15, 1814 in the 88^th year of her age .[36] [37]

---

[1] First Book of Raynham Records, pg 19, First Book of Raynham (MA) Records, 1700–1835(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).

[2] Pendleton Genealogy, 1911, Everett Hall Pendleton

[3] Note that the book, “George Hall and his descendants” compiled by Robert Leo Hall in 1998 lists Jacob Woodward as married to Brian’s sister Freelove, this document lists a wife of Silence.  Also we don’t know if Jacob is a brother-in-law married to his sister or married to his wife’s sister.

[4] Text: Abiah Crossman; Female; Birth: 28 AUG 1726 Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts; Death: 15 FEB 1814; Father: Thomas Crossman; Mother: Johanna; Spouse: Brian Hall; Marriage: 1751; Sealing to Spouse: 01 OCT 1953; Film Number: 458137 Page Number: Reference number:

[5] Text: Abiah Crossman; Female; Birth: 28 AUG 1726 Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts; Death: 15 FEB 1814; Father: Thomas Crossman; Mother: Johanna; Spouse: Brian Hall; Marriage: 1751; Sealing to Spouse: 01 OCT 1953; Film Number: 458137 Page Number: Reference number:

[6] Pg 130, Bristol County Massachusetts Probate Records

[7] The Halls of New England : genealogical and biographical – Family 36, pg 580 & 581

[8] In the War of the Revolution – Brian (Briant) Hall, pg 68

[9] The Halls of New England : genealogical and biographical – Family 36, pg 580 & 581

[10]  Page 731: Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts

[11] Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, 17 Vols., volume 7, pg 68

[12] Children names confirmed from above article: Representative men and old families of southeastern Massachusetts : containing historical sketches of prominent and representatives

[13] Note that Issac dies a year later before the estate goes through probate.

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

[15] Linda Hall’s visit to the Norton Common Cemetary 6/9/2008

[16] George Hall and his descendants Compiled by Robert Leo Hall 1998.

[17] George Hall and his descendants Compiled by Robert Leo Hall 1998.

[18] Linda Hall’s visit to the Norton Common Cemetary 6/9/2008

[19] This document was written in 1780,  there was no 1780 census on ancestry, this name found in Norton 1790 census

[20] George Hall and his descendants Compiled by Robert Leo Hall 1998.

[21] The Nicholas White Family by Thomas Jackson Lothrop, 1902, pg 196

[22] George Hall and his descendants Compiled by Robert Leo Hall 1998.

[23] George Hall and his descendants Compiled by Robert Leo Hall 1998.

[24] George Hall and his descendants Compiled by Robert Leo Hall 1998.

[25] George Hall and his descendants Compiled by Robert Leo Hall 1998.

[26] Linda Hall’s visit to the Norton Common Cemetary 6/9/2008

[27] This document was written in 1780,  there was no 1780 census on ancestry, this name is found in Norton 1790 census

[28] A History of the Town of Norton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, from 1669-1859, By George Faber Clark, page 42

[29] This document was written in 1780, there was no 1780 census on ancestry, this name Palmer (first name Joseph  found in Norton 1790 census.

[30] This document was written in 1780,  there was no 1780 census on ancestry, this name is found in Norton 1790 census

[31] A History of the Town of Norton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, from 1669-1859, By George Faber Clark, page 42

[32] Note that the book, “George Hall and his descendants” compiled by Robert Leo Hall in 1998 lists Jacob Woodward as married to Brian’s sister Freelove, this document although difficult to read says something along the lines of Silence.  Also we don’t know if Jacob is a brother-in-law married to his sister or married to his wife’s sister.

[33] Norton deaths to 1850.

[34] Linda Hall’s visit to the Norton Common Cemetary 6/9/2008

[35] Ancestory.com

[36] Norton deaths to 1850.

[37] Linda Hall’s visit to the Norton Common Cemetary 6/9/2008