My newly discovered 6th great-grandfather, James Hall, made his will in Orange County, North Carolina in 1796. James was most likely the son of a Samuel Hall from Chester County, Pennsylvania. Many online sources and genealogy publications seem quite confident of this connection. I’m still not 100 percent sure because there was more than one James Hall in that area at that time. But assuming this is the correct James Hall, he married Maria Clenny from just across the river in Wilmington, Delaware in 1746.
Maria was Swedish and German, the granddaughter of a very interesting character by the name of Carl Springer. Carl was a Swede of German extraction. He was kidnapped while studying in England, sold into servitude in Virginia for several years, then walked about 400 miles to join his fellow Swedes in Christiana Hundred in Delaware, where he helped found Old Swedes Church in Wilmington. There is quite a bit more to this story, but I’ll save that for another day!
Will of James Hall
Orange County, North Carolina, will book C, page 82.
In the name of God amen. I James Hall of the County of orange + state of North Carolina being of sound and perfect Mind + Memory blessed be god do this twenty second day of march in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred + ninety six Make + publish this my Last will + testament in Manner following.
First I give and Bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary Hall all my house hold furniture of What kind so ever Except one desk and one Large table. I also give unto her one sorrel Mare three years old Called Dobbin (?) and Cow + one hefer During her Life to do with the same as she thinks proper.
I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Levi all my Blacksmith tools and one small wagon + five pounds in Money.
I give and Bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Mary Garrison one shilling.
I give unto my beloved Daughter Margret Garrison one shilling.
I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Lydia Faucet one shilling.
I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Elizabeth Hall one shilling.
I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Tamer Server one shilling.
I give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Phebe Anderson one shilling.
I give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Deborah Davis one shilling.
I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Jehu Hall three hundred acres Land being the Land and plantation whereon I Now Live to him and his heirs forever. I also give unto him all my Tools of what kind soever and gears of all sorts Except my blacksmith tools which I have given already. I give unto him one Desk and one large table + all my stock of horses, Cattle, hogs + sheep. Except four ews + Lambs I give to my Wife. And also Eighty four acres Land adjoining the plantation where on I Now Live and for him to pay all my Just Debts + support and Maintain his mother During her Life in a Decent Manner and if she should Not be willing to Live with him then he is to build her a Decent house on her own Land and find a sufficient support for her.
And I nearby Make and ordain my son Jehu Hall my Executor of this my Last will and testament.
In Witness where of I the same James Hall have to this my Last will and Testament set my hand and seal the day and year above Ritten.
James Hall (seal)
Signed sealed published and Declar’d in presents of us who ware present at the time of signing and sealing thereof.
Hardy Hurdle
Isaac Hall
Garret Garrison jurat
Proved Aug 1796.
A Long Way to Tennessee 