The Hall family is one of the oldest and most prominent in Montgomery county, dating back prior to the revolution. They were noted for their industry and thrift, and the excellent management of their farms.
(I) Peter Hall was one of the earliest settlers in Montgomery county, locating in the northwest part of the town of Glen, where he led the hard adventurous life of the pioneer in that heavily-timbered section of the county, and where there hovered behind every tree an unseen danger. He built first a log cabin, in which he sheltered his family, and afterward secured an entire section of land which was gradually cleared and turned into fertile fields. As he prospered he added to his material comforts, burning his own brick on his farm with which he erected a comfortable house. This was a substantial building, and was the homestead for many years, this in turn yielding to a still more modern and pretentious structure. The family has continued in possession of a great part of the land, although it has been greatly subdivided. Some member of the family has always lived in the old homestead, making it a continuous Hall residence. The locality was known as "Logtown," so called from the fact that the logs cut there were run down West creek, which empties into the Mohawk at Auriesville. Logtown was never an organized village, but was a central meeting place for the pioneers for a great many years. It was the scene of some of the early Indian conflicts with the settlers. The settlement was patriotic and furnished soldiers for the revolution, and Peter Hall with his neighbors did some private disciplining of Tories, on their own account, which led the crown authorities to offer rewards for their apprehension. At one time he was obliged to flee to Schenectady for protection from the Indians. He escaped all the dangers of that period however, and lived on his farm to a good old age. He was married and had issue.
(II) Peter (2), son of Peter (1) Hall, was born on the homestead farm in Montgomery county, New York, where he died in 1869. He succeeded to the ownership of the farm, which he continued to clear and improve and finally divided among his children. He married, in Glen, Hannah Van Horne, born in the town of Florida, daughter of Cornelius Van Horne. Children:
- Peggy Ann, married Abram ————,
- Abel, and
- Cornelius Van Horne, see forward.
(III) Cornelius Van Horne, son of Peter (2) and Hannah (Van Horne) Hall, was born on the Hall homestead, June 7, 1808, died on the farm, where he was born, October 22, 1882. He was a successful farmer and accumulated considerable property which he divided among his sons. He married, May 18, 1830, Catherine Schuyler, born in Charleston, March 1, 1810, died in Glen, January 27, 1865, daughter of Philip Schuyler, also born in Glen, descendant of the Schuyler family of New Jersey, who early settled in the county. Children:
- Peter, born January 26, 1831, died in Iowa, 1901; he married (first) a kinswoman, leaving children: Alphea, married and has children; Pearl, Fred, Grace and Violetta. Peter Hall married (second) Eliza Wall; children: Cornelius, William, Francis and Libbie Hall.
- Philip Schuyler, November 8, 1836; a farmer of Glen; married Elaine Becker, no issue.
- William, October 12, 1839; married Mary A. McDuffee, of Glen; children:
- William C. V., married Joan Lyker, and has children: Lucille, Fred and Herman;
- Frank, married Mary Pruyn and has a son Francis.
- Anna, July 4, 1842; married ———— McDuffee; children: Sanford, William, Palmyra and Mary.
- Marian, January 17, 1844; married Cornelius Devenpeck; children: Peter, Delphemea, Fannie, Frank, Alonza, Annie, and Schuyler.
- Jacob W., see forward.
- Maria D., January 6, 1856; married Zachariah C. Neahr; she survives him in the town of Mohawk with a son, Ross Neahr.
(IV) Jacob Wires, son of Cornelius Van Horne and Catherine (Schuyler) Hall, was born March 9, 1846. He owns a part of the old Hall homestead and is a prosperous farmer. He married (first) September 7, 1870, in the town of Root, Nancy, born 1847, died April 22, 1890, daughter of Joshua and Catherine (Topping) Rider. Children:
- Ada, born January 8, 1882; married John W. Hanson, of Gloversville, and has John W.
- Lena, January 8, 1889, unmarried.
He married (second) June 25, 1893, Emma, born in Root, March 13, 1873, daughter of William Putnam, born in 1836, met his death by accident at his saw mill in 1886. William Putnam was a carpenter and builder, preparing a great amount of the lumber used in his building operations at his own mill. He was a son of Abram Putnam, born and died in Montgomery county. William Putnam married, in Root, Harriet M. Lettis, born in Root, where she now lives with her second husband, Nelson Miller. Children of her first marriage:
- James, married Amanda Lee; child, Ruth A.
- Eleanor (Kitty), married William Warren; children: Ethel, Julia and Clara Warren.
- William (2), married Mary Bruner; child, Howard.
- Emma, married Jacob Wires Hall.
- Albert, married Ruby Davis; children: Hazel and Pauline.
- Alfred, twin of Albert, married, no issue.
- Mark, married Minnie Rockwell; children: Albert and Clarence.
- Mary, married William Gordon; child, Ethel Gordon.
- Luella, married Clarence Safford; children: Thelma and an infant.
- Sevie, died unmarried.
- Willa, died unmarried.
Child of Jacob Wires and Emma (Putnam) Hall;
- Jacob W. Jr.