Member of Tennessee Senate, 29th General Assembly, 1851-53; representing Greene and Hawkins counties; HOUSE, 31st General Assembly, 1855-57; representing Hawkins County; Democrat. Born at Van Hill, Hawkins County, on August 12, 1813; son of Wesley and Sarah (Bailey) Hall. Received little formal education; self-taught, and became well-educated man. Possessed one of the few libraries in Hawkins County; merchant, farmer, lay preacher, and justice of the peace. Married c. 1833 in Hawkins County to Rebecca Kelly, daughter of Jonathan and Patience (Spencer) Kelly. Eight children — Martha Jane (Mrs. Garrett Jones), Spencer A., Patience (Mrs. Robert Carlton), Sarah (Mrs. Henry Gardner), John Wesley, M.M., W.K., and B.F. Ball. Postmaster at Van Hill, 1837-1855. Founded the Beach Creek Baptist Church at Van Hill in 1843; messenger to Holston Association, 1844-1863; clerk and treasurer of the Beach Creek Church. Recruited for the Confederacy during the Civil War; ambushed on Jonesboro, Washington County; removed to his home and died there on October 11, 1863. Buried int eh Ball Family Cemetery at Van Hill. Grandfather of James Robert Gardner, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.

Source: Information supplied by descendent, Mrs. Clifford Maxwell, Johnson City.

From Biographical Directory: Tennessee General Assembly, 1796-1967, Issue 3