Near Collierstown in Rockbridge County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Captain James Hall
Pioneer, Patriot, Farmer
— Died 1816 —
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 11, 2017
1. Captain James Hall Marker
Inscription.
Captain James Hall. Pioneer, Patriot, Farmer. Born and raised near this spot, James Hall bought 215 acres land on Buffalo Creek, Sept. 25, 1771. As a member of Murray’s company of Botetourt Militia, which was composed of men from the “Fork of James” area, he fought in the battle of Point Pleasant, Oct. 10, 1774. In 1777, he was commissioned Captain of a Militia Company, and he and his men were ordered to Ft. Randolph built on the battleground at Point Pleasant. There on Nov. 10, 1777 the Shawnee chief, Cornstalk, was killed and Hall and his men were charged with murder. Cornstalk was responsible for the massacre of many Rockbridge settlers including some of Hall’s family. Hall was tried and acquitted. He fought the British in Eastern Virginia in 1780 and 1781 participating in the battle of Hot Water near Williamsburg. His wife was Martha Gilmore. Their home of native stone still stands on the hill one half mile to the south. He established a school near his home and provided boarding for students. Hall’s School House operated for another generation after his death. James and Martha lie in this cemetery, their graves unmarked. Judge him not by today’s standards; rather by the harsh realities of frontier justice. , Dedicated September 14, 2008 in honor of The Reverend Dr. and Mrs. Horace Douty.
Born and raised near this spot, James Hall bought 215 acres
land on Buffalo Creek, Sept. 25, 1771. As a member of
Murray’s company of Botetourt Militia, which was
composed of men from the “Fork of James” area, he fought
in the battle of Point Pleasant, Oct. 10, 1774. In 1777, he
was commissioned Captain of a Militia Company, and he and
his men were ordered to Ft. Randolph built on the
battleground at Point Pleasant. There on Nov. 10, 1777 the
Shawnee chief, Cornstalk, was killed and Hall and his men
were charged with murder. Cornstalk was responsible for the
massacre of many Rockbridge settlers including some of
Hall’s family. Hall was tried and acquitted. He fought the
British in Eastern Virginia in 1780 and 1781 participating in
the battle of Hot Water near Williamsburg. His wife was
Martha Gilmore. Their home of native stone still stands on
the hill one half mile to the south. He established a school
near his home and provided boarding for students. Hall’s
School House operated for another generation after his
death. James and Martha lie in this cemetery, their graves
unmarked. Judge him not by today’s standards; rather by
the harsh realities of frontier justice.
Dedicated September 14, 2008 in honor of The Reverend Dr. and Mrs. Horace Douty.
Location. 37° 45.182′ N, 79° 33.658′ W. Marker is near Collierstown, Virginia, in Rockbridge County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Oxford Lane (Route 677) and Churchview Lane. It is in the Oxford Church graveyard, facing the entrance to the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 143 Oxford Ln, Lexington VA 24450, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Rockbridge County Pioneers. On RootsWeb.Ancestry.com, submitted by Janet Cowan. Excerpt: “James Hall was indicted for the murder of the Shawnee Indian Chief, Cornstalk, which occurred in Pt. Pleasant.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 11, 2017
2. Captain James Hall Marker
It is recorded that Capt. James Hall became upset after learning that a relative by the name of Gilmore had been killed by an Indian while hunting. Capt. James Hall was very upset with Cornstalk’s past raids on neighbors, friends, and relatives (as well as other Indian massacres that occurred around Kerr's Creek in Rockbridge Co.,VA that left several dead and others abducted by the raiding Indians). Thus, he flew into a rage and ordered some of his men to kill Cornstalk who was at the Fort. Pt. Pleasant is currently located in Mason Co., WV. The place where this occurred can be seen at Tu-Endie-Wee Park in Pt. Pleasant. From Order Book I of Rockbridge Co.,VA on April 13, 1778, trial of Capt. James Hall for being concerned in the murder of Cornstalk Indian his son & two other chiefs of Indians on the 20th November last. Hall appeared & denied the facts with which he was charged. Trial was adjourned; he was tried again on April 28 and because no witness appeared before him, he was acquitted.” (Submitted on July 5, 2017.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 11, 2017
3. Captain James Hall Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 803 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 5, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
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