Rufus Hall (1744 - bef. 1820)

Born 8 Aug 1744 in Exeter, Kings, Rhode Island

Ancestors

Husband of Anne (Hoxsie) Hall — married 16 Feb 1769 in Dutchess, New York Colony

Descendants

Died before 7 Sep 1820 before age 76 in Galway, Saratoga, New York, United States

Biography

Rufus was a Friend (Quaker)

Rufus Hall was an early Quaker settler in Easton, Washington County, New York.^[1] He was born 8 of 6m 1744 [8 Aug 1744] in Providence, Rhode Island to Samuel Hall and Dinah Greene.^[2][3]

Rufus was reported married to Anna Hoxsey at the Oblong monthly meeting on 16d 2mo 1769 [16 Feb 1769].^[4]

Rufus was noted as a member of the Easton monthly meeting, residing at Saratoga (meaning the Saratoga Patent) circa 1778.^[1] Also noted are his wife Anna and children Abigail, Samuel, Zebulon, and Peleg.^[1]

He was granted a certificate from the Easton monthly meeting to the Galway monthly meeting on 14d 6mo 1804 [14 Jun 1804] along with his wife Anna, and children William and Mary.^[5] He was reported as being deceased on 7d 9mo 1820 [7 sep 1820].^[6]

He died 26d 5m 1818 [26 May 1818].^[3]

Testimony

The following testimony is from Memorials Concerning Several Ministers, And Others, Deceased, published by the New York Yearly Meeting.^[3]

A Testimony of the Monthly Meeting of Gal way, concerning Rufus Hall.

He was born in the town of Exeter, in the State of Rhode-Island, the 8th of the 6th Month, 1744. His parents, Samuel and Dinah Hall, were members of our society, and careful to educate him in a manner consistent with its religious principles. And from his own account, he appears to have been sensible of serious impressions on his mind in very early life.

About the tenth year of his age, his parents removed to Dutchess County, in this State, and he became exposed to the in fluence of vicious and unprofitable company; and through temptation and the levity incident to youth, he was frequently drawn into vanity and dissipation ; but being followed from time to time, by the reproofs of instruction, and repeatedly made sensible of the danger that awaited him, he at length be came willing to deny himself the gratification of his evil propensities, and yielding to the humbling, sanctifying power of the spirit of Truth, he therein experienced the consolation of his heavenly Father's love, and endeavouring to abide under the influence of that which had thus measurably effected his emancipation from the power of evil, he witnessed an increase of strength, and an advancement in religious experience, and through deep and repeated baptisms, be came prepared for service in the church, and appeared in public ministry about the 26th year of his age.

In the exercise of his gift, he was careful not to minister without a renewed qualification ; his language was plain and simple, and he often communicated instructive counsel from the most common occurrences. In the year 1775, he removed with his family to Saratoga, (now Easton.) His first visit abroad was to Friends in New England, in which he suffered close exercise and conflict of mind, but endeavouring to attend strictly to the pointings of duty, he was favoured to accomplish it to the peace of his own mind, and, we believe, to the satisfaction of those he visited.

He also visited the families of Easton Quarterly Meeting, which was at that time very extensive, and afterwards Friends in the western parts of this State three times, Upper Canada twice, and the southern quarter of this Yearly Meeting once, producing, on his return, satisfactory accounts of the unity of Friends with his services amongst them. He likewise performed several other journeys of less extent.

In the year 1804, under an apprehension of duty, he removed to Northampton, in the compass of this meeting. And while his health permitted, was diligent in the attendance of our religious meetings, and frequently concerned to encourage others to be faithful in the discharge of that important duty.

For several years, he suffered much bodily indisposition, which he bore with becoming patience and fortitude; and when able to attend meetings, was frequently strengthened to rise superior to the pressure of dis ease, and the increasing infirmities of age, and in the flowings of gospel love, to bear testimony to the efficacy of the Divine principle of light and grace; and to invite others to an unreserved submission and obedience thereto, that they might experience for them selves that the Lord is good. In him, we think, was verified the declaration of the Psalmist:—“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God: they shall still bring forth fruit in old age ; they shall be fat and flourishing.” His indisposition increasing, he became con fined to his bed the fore part of the 5th Month. At one time, being turned on his side, he complained of much distress, and said, “If it was for the best, he hoped it might be the last time,” adding, “I see nothing in my way, but desire to be patient, and wait the Lord’s time.” Soon after, he uttered the following prayer:—“O Lord, how many times have I felt the incomes of thy Divine love, why should I doubt any longer? O Lord, forsake me not now in my most trying moments, but bear me up as in the hollow of thy hand ; take me from this body if it be thy will, that I may be de livered from these afflictions, and enjoy thy peace, which has been reserved for me, and for all those that love the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ.” A few days after, he appearing better, something was said about his getting about again; he replied, that if he should, it would be a miracle, and added, “I have nothing to do but to be patient, and endure to the end, for it is the end that crowns all.” At another time he said, “My work is done,” and soon after expired, the 26th of the 5th Month, 1818, aged nearly 74 years.

Children

Children of Rufus and Anna Hall:

• Abigail - born 26d 4mo 1770 [26 Apr 1770].^[7][8]
• Samuel - born 10d 5mo 1772 [10 May 1772].^[7][8]
• Zebulon - born 6d 5mo 1774 [6 May 1774].^[7][8]
• Peleg - 30d 11mo 1777 [30 Nov 1777].^[7]
• Isaac - 12d 11mo 1780 [12 Nov 1780].^[7]
• Richard - 19d 11mo 1783 [19 Nov 1783].^[7]
• William - born 26d 2mo 1787 [26 Feb 1787].^[7]
• Mary - born 12d 10mo 1789 [12 Oct 1789].^[7]
• David - born 18d 3mo 1793 [18 Mar 1793];^[7] died 5d 10m 1793 [5 Oct 1793].^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Monthly meeting records, Membership 1778-1790, Society of Friends, Easton Monthly Meeting (New York : Hicksite), p. 3.
2. ↑ Quaker Births From Oblong Monthly Meeting, Dutchess County, New York, LDS Film # 873511, Records of Josephine Frost, Transcribed by Debbie Axtman, Pages 9 - 12.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. Meeting for Sufferings. Memorials Concerning Several Ministers, And Others, Deceased: of the Religious Society of Friends, With In the Limits of the Yearly Meeting of New-York, With Some of Their Last Expressions. New-York: Printed and sold by Mahlon Day, 1825. p. 66.
4. ↑ Monthly meeting records, Men's minutes 1757-81, Oblong Monthly Meeting (Society of Friends : Hicksite : Pawling, N.Y.), p. 263.
5. ↑ Monthly meeting records, Removals 1790-1959, Easton Monthly Meeting (New York : Hicksite), p. 109.
6. ↑ Monthly meeting records, Men's minutes 1820-1836, Galway Monthly Meeting (Society of Friends : Orthodox : 1828-1836: Providence, N.Y.), p. 8.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9} Monthly meeting records, Births and Deaths 1735-1973, Society of Friends, Easton Monthly Meeting (New York : Hicksite), p. 24.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2} Nine Partners Digest. 1769 - 1798. A book of testimonies, marriages, births, deaths, removals and the manumission of slaves. Canadian Friends Historical Association. 2015. page 36.

Additional Resources

• Important information regarding the interpretation of pre-1752 Quaker dates