Thomas Hall

Reverend Thomas Hall was born April 8, 1750, in the Township of Byberry, Pennsylvania, and was the second eldest son of Captain John Hall (1722–1798) and Sarah (Parry) Hall. He was a cousin of Dr. Benjamin Rush through his aunt, Susannah Hall, and a nephew of the Reverend Samuel Finley (1715–1766) through his aunt Sarah Hall (1728–1760). Hall earned an B.A. degree from the University of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) in 1773. Thomas Hall is especially notable as an historical figure because during the years leading up to the American Revolution (especially during the years 1774 and 1775), Hall was a leading advocate of the acquisition of rights of all colonists in Philadelphia and later in Virginia. However, when it became apparent to him that the American colonies intended to split entirely with England, he left Virginia (where he had served in several Anglican parishes) and never returned to America. A number of letters survive (some of which have been published in The William and Mary Quarterly Historical Magazine) in which he recounts both his reasoning for his departure from America before the Revolution, as well as some of the details of his eventful life.