James Hall
Governor of Maryland-in-Africa
In office
1833–1836
Succeeded byOliver Holmes Jr.
Personal details
Born(1802-04-09)April 9, 1802
Cornish, New Hampshire
DiedAugust 31, 1889(1889-08-31) (aged 87)
Elkridge, Maryland
Resting placeGreen Mount Cemetery
Baltimore, Maryland
Spouse
Caroline Matilda
​
​
(m. 1825; d. 1829)​
Alma materMedical School of Maine (MD)

James Hall (April 9, 1802 – August 31, 1889) was an American physician who founded the colony of Maryland-in-Africa. Hall served as its governor from 1833 to 1836.

Early life and education

James Hall was born on April 9, 1802, in Cornish, New Hampshire, to parents Nathaniel and Prudence Hall. James studied medicine with Dr. Nathan Smith, and later attended the Medical School of Maine. He graduated with an M.D. in 1822. He practiced medicine in Claremont, New Hampshire, as well as Windsor, Vermont, until 1829, when rheumatism caused James to lose partial use of his left leg, which necessitated the use of a crutch and cane for the rest of his life.[1] He later spent time in the West Indies.[2]

Maryland-in-Africa

In 1831, Hall sailed to Liberia with a group of colonists. There he served as colonial physician for two years, after which he returned to the United States.[3] In 1833, the Maryland State Colonization Society commissioned Hall to establish a new Liberian colony at Cape Palmas. Hall did so, and served as governor of the colony of Maryland-in-Africa from October 1833 until his resignation in July 1836.[4] After his resignation, he returned to the United States. Hall continued work with the Maryland State Colonization Society, as a general agent, as well as with the American Colonization Society, as a commercial agent, from 1840 to 1861.[1] The colony Hall founded gained independence in 1854, but was annexed by Liberia in 1857. In 1877, Hall donated the organization papers of the Maryland State Colonization Society to the Maryland Historical Society.[5]

Personal life

Hall married Caroline Matilda on October 31, 1825, in Charlestown, New Hampshire. Together they had two children. Caroline died in 1829.[1]

Later life and death

Hall spent his retirement in Elkridge, Maryland. Hall there died on August 31, 1889.[1] He was interred in Green Mount Cemetery.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bowdoin College (1889). Obituary Record of the Graduates of Bowdoin College and the Medical School of Maine. pp. 21–22.
  2. 1 2 "A PIONEER OF LIBERIA". The New York Times. New York, New York. 7 September 1889. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  3. ↑ Dunn, Elwood D.; Beyan, Amos J.; Burrowes, Carl Patrick (2000). Historical Dictionary of Liberia. p. 157. ISBN 9781461659310.
  4. ↑ Dunn; Beyan; Burrowes; Historical Dictionary of Liberia, pp. 157, 222.
  5. ↑ "Maryland State Colonization Society Overview" (PDF). Maryland State Archives. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
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