My Family Tree

James and Polly had 19 children, but 3 died young ( probably in the smallpox epidemic late 1830's). A review of 1830 vs 1840 US Census shows 3 unknown children, added., however the 1820 Census of James Hall in Lincoln Co, TN does NOT show extra daughters ( only 3 in 1820: Elizabeth, Jerusha, & Permelia). More likely the extra children were born between 1830 and 1837.

1809: Petition to Protect Settler's Land ( "South-Eastern Bedford Co at the time)
1812: tax roll of Franklin Co, TN has a "James M Hall" next to "Thomas Hall" http://www.tngenweb.org/franklin/frantax.htm
1818-1819: Land records in Lincoln Co, TN on Bends Creek, south fork of Elk River (on border with Franklin Co, and near a grist mill in Franklin County later mentioned by descendants)
1820: James Hall in Lincoln Co, TN (note small family in Franklin Co could not be them)
1830: Huge family in Jackson County, TN "West of the 4th Range Line (pg 93)

great-grandson Willie Hall recalled only these children "He was married twice and reared several children, Thomas Hall, Elija, Elisha, Dave, Sam, and one girl, Fannie"

son Thomas Hall lists the heirs of his estate for Letters of Administration:
widow Leatha Hall
John in Missouri
Thomas , the petitioner
Jerutha Taylor
Jessee in Missouri
Elizabeth Taylor in Missouri*
Samuel Hall*
Elijah (Elizabeth) Hall in Texas*
Elisha Hall, Ark
James Hall, Ark
William Hall in Missouri*
Permelia Vandiver*
David Hall
Cyntha Murphy*
Mary Prince
Nancy Wann
Frany(Fanny) Robertson
[note somewhat different order than known!]*

from HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ALABAMA by John Robert Kennamer, Decatur, Al 1935:
"The valleys of the Tennessee, Paint Rock and the low level lands lying along Crow, Mud and Sauta Creeks were covered with dense cane-brakes, brushwood and briers matted together with vines; and towering above all this were large oak, poplar, gum and other trees, with a lake or lagoon here and there. The ridges and coves which were bordered by the Cumberland, Sand, and Gunter's Mountain were fertile and had a luxuriant growth of cane and forest.
The mountain tops were better suited for the early settler to make his home, with no undergrowth except tall grass with trees far enough apart that one could drive a team and wagon for miles without a road. Deer were plentiful and turkeys as numerous as chickens are at the present time. Upon the waters bevies of ducks, geese, and other wild fowls dived and circled in play. One has described these mountains as follows: "The mountain air sighed through the tree tops as pure and sweet as the breath of a maiden; squirrels gambled in the forest trees; turkeys gobbled and strutted on the mountains; eagles screamed from their lofty perch on towering cliffs; and doves cooed their story of love on every hill and in every dale."