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Albert Gallatin Hall                                        see Family Tree

Born: 19 Apr 1805 Whitehall, Washington, NY Married: 14 Sep 1826 Whiting, Addison, VT Died: 10 Sep 1871 Rochester, Monroe Co., NY Buried: Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, NY FATHER Nathaniel Hall MOTHER Esther Parker WIFE Emily Walker  CHILDREN 1. Theodore Francis Hall b. 20 Oct 1827 2. Sarah Elizabeth Hall b. 15 Sep 1832 3. Emma Louise Hall b. 11 Sep 1838

Albert Gallatin Hall

Albert Gallatin Hall
by Chase Brooke
Sep 2021

Albert Gallatin Hall was probably born 19 Apr 1805 in Whitehall, NY (1) His father was Nathaniel Hall and his grandfather was Nathaniel Hall.  The only way to prove that is from a receipt for $100 found in his grandfather's estate.  Albert's father had inherited that amount and Albert must have gone from Whitehall to New Hampshire to pick up his father's inheritance and had to sign a receipt. (2)  He married Emily Walker in Whiting, VT on 14 Sep 1826. (3)
He was a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Penfield. This church was later disbanded in 1884.
According to the biography printed by the Third Presbyterian Church, "In November 1840 (age 36) Albert Gallatin Hall began his thirty-one-year ministry. He had come to Rochester as a layman to edit a religious paper, "The Genesee Evangelist." He had no seminary training and acquired his theology in the course of his writing and in his spare time." (4)
This same biography says Dr. Hall opposed the revivals of a Finney because they were too emotional. Albert Hall was opposed to the abolition of slavery and ignored the slavery discussion in his sermons. It is interesting that his daughter, Sarah E. Hall, married William Pitt Cleaveland Whiting, the son of Lindley Murray Whiting, who was a very strong abolitionist.
From the Hall Genealogy by David Brainerd Hall, 1883, "Mr. Hall went to Rochester in 1828, and became associated with Samuel Chipman in the publication of a religious paper; the next year he became connected with the Third Presbyterian church, and was one of the earliest members; the records of the Sunday school showing that he was an active and earnest worker; he was the first secretary and treasurer, and once or twice chosen superintendent. While engaged in printing he pursued theological studies, and fitted himself for the avocation of a preacher, and in 1835 was ordained and became pastor of the Presbyterian church of Penfield."
At his funeral service Rev. Dr. John C. Lord of Buffalo said, " 'Many a time in this city has he stood almost, if not altogether, alone in opposition to men and measures, with rare courage, resisting even the prevalent feeling in his own congregation, while the event has ordinarily proved his sagacity and increased his influence.' Mr. Lord here probably refers more particularly to Mr. Hall's opposition to Rev. Charles G. Finney and his measures."
"One of the admirable elements in Dr. Hall's character was his sincerity; he hated pretense. In all he did, all he promised, all he thought, he was sincere. he was a plain, unpretending, upright, true-hearted man. As a man, as a Christian, as a minister of Christ, as a sound theologian, as an able defender and expounder of the truth, as a faithful preacher of the everlasting gospel, as a judicious, sympathizing pastor, Dr. Hall was entitled to the confidence and love of our race." (5)
Albert was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York. His obituary appeared in the Rochester Daily Union and Advertiser on 11 Sep. (6)  He had died intestate and on 28 Oct 1871 his wife Emily Hall petitioned for administration of an estate valued at about $3000.  In addition to herself she named as heirs, his daughter Sarah E Whiting residing in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa, California, his daughter Emma Louise Harris, residing in Brighton, Monroe, New York and Sarah Hall  a  granddaughter. (7)  His wife was granted administration on 30 Oct 1871. (8)

Sources

(1) The Google book, Halls of New England, written just 12 years after his death, says that Albert Gallatin Hall was born 19 April 1804.  Findagrave says he was born 19 April 1805, but without any evidence of proof.  The back of the headstone on Albert Gallatin Hall says he was 66 years old when he died, so the 1805 year seems more likely.

Halls of New England, Genealogical and Biographical by David Brainard Hall, 1883, page 282

Findagrave on Albert Gallatin Hall

Tombstones of Albert and Emily Walker Hall. Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, NY.  Photos taken by Chase J. Brooke

Albert G and Emily Walker Hall in Mount Hope Cemetery

Back side of same stones

(2) Grafton County, New Hampshire, Probate Estate Files FHL film 7485727 image 529  

(3) Marriage Record
Whiting VT Town Clerk vital and town records FHL film 29123 image 166

Whitehall, Addison, VT Land Record Book 3 page 271

(4) Biography by the Third Presbyterian Church of Rochester, NY

(5) Halls of New England, Genealogical and Biographical by David Brainard Hall, 1883, page 284

(6) Obituary, Rochester Daily Union and Advertiser. Monday evening September 11, 1871

(7) Letters of Administration, Surrogate Court of Monroe County, New York. 

(8) Probate Records, 1826-1921. Monroe County, New York
FHL film 1004141 image 597

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