Aaron Hall

Aaron Hall was born on February 16, 1804, in Anderson, Anderson County, South Carolina, to Joseph Sanford Hall and Hannah Mahulda Davis. Joseph and Hannah had at least six children: Mahala Hall, Van Hall, Aaron Hall, Cynthia Hall, Joab Anthony Hall, and William Sanford Hall. Aaron is the father-in-law of my 2nd great grandfather, Leroy Thomas Holland, through his second wife, Cindarilla Darliska Amanda Hall. We do not share a common relative. 

On May 15, 1964, Aaron’s grandson, Aaron Hall Holland, wrote a 10-page, single spaced typed letter to my grandfather, Samuel Jackson Holland. This letter, shared by my aunt Barbara, detailed the “History of Aaron Hall and Clementina Ann (Norris) Hall,” as well as the Holland family history. Aaron Hall Holland was the son of Leroy and Amanda Holland. Some of the information in this post was derived from that letter.

Page 1 of Aaron Hall Holland’s 1964 letter

Aaron Hall Holland

Aaron married Clementina Ann Norris, daughter of Andrew O. Norris and his wife Katherine, on January 8, 1828, in Anderson County. Shortly after their marriage, Aaron and Clementina moved to their permanent home in Anderson County. They had ten children: Alvin Newton Hall (1830), Florilla A. (or P. L.) Hall (1833), John Joseph Hall (1835), Andrew O. Norris Hall (1838), Harriett Permelia Ann Hall (1840), Postel Cator “Dock” Hall (1842), Cindarilla Darliska Amanda Hall (1844), Thaddeus Lafayette Crumley Hall (1846), Lawrence Peake Hall (1849), and one unknown child.

In 1830, Aaron lived in Anderson County with his wife. Their household included one female slave aged 10 to under 24, and one male slave under 10 years of age.

By 1840, Aaron was still residing in Anderson County. In addition to his family members, the household included six slaves: one male under 10, one male aged 10–23, one female under 10, and three females aged 10–23. Three people in the household were employed in agriculture.

On September 3, 1850, the Hall family was living in the western division of Anderson County. Aaron was working as a farmer, with his real estate valued at $2,500. His son Alvin, also a farmer, likely assisted him on the farm. Daughter Florilla was the only child attending school, although she was noted as being unable to read or write. Alvin, John, Andrew, Harriett, and Postelle were all able to read and write. Their neighbors were Joseph (aged 74) and Jemima (aged 51) Hall. I believe this was Aaron’s father, Joseph, and a second wife, but am not able to confirm that at this time. According to the U.S. census slave schedule, Aaron operated his farm with the labor of nine slaves.

In 1856, the legislature transferred ownership of land and its associated properties designated for Flat Rock Baptist Church in Anderson to a group of Trustees. These Trustees were responsible for managing the land on behalf of two different religious denominations, ensuring the land benefited both groups. Aaron Hall was named one of these Trustees. The church, located about six miles south of Anderson on Leatherdeal Road, was named for a large flat rock covering approximately ¼ of an acre, situated about 200 yards west of the public highway. 

Aaron’s family had a long history with the Flat Rock Church. In the early 1800s, the Presbyterian and Baptist denominations of the church jointly owned eight acres of land in the community. Two acres of this land were donated by Aaron’s father, Joseph, who was said to be the oldest settler in the community and owned all the land in and around Flat Rock. In 1856, Aaron was hired by the Baptists and Presbyterians as the contractor to build a church. When the two churches failed to raise enough money to complete the project, Aaron contributed $50, the amount needed to finish the construction.

The information regarding Flat Rock Church was found in historical newspapers and appears to corroborate what Aaron Hall Holland wrote: “My great-grandfather must have owned quite a lot of land when he settled there. I am of the opinion he donated approximately 10 acres for the two Flat Rock Churches, one Baptist and the other Presbyterian, school land, and a cemetery, located approximately 10 miles from the City of Anderson, in Varennes Township. This old homestead is about two miles from this Church toward the City of Anderson, South Carolina.”

On July 23, 1860, the Hall family resided in the 4th Regiment of Anderson County. Aaron continued his work as a farmer, though the census enumerator inaccurately recorded his age as 64 instead of 56. His real estate had increased in value to $3,500, and he now had a personal estate valued at $12,000. His 24-year-old son John had a personal estate valued at $1,000. Daughter Harriett was working as a school teacher. Postel, Amanda (enumerated as Cinderilla), Thaddeus, and Lawrence were all attending school.

The Tate family lived two houses away from the Hall household. Seven-year-old Pinckney Tate would eventually become a member of the Hall family by marrying one of Aaron’s granddaughters.

Aaron’s farm consisted of 150 acres of improved land and 421 acres of unimproved land, valued at $3,500. His farming equipment and machinery were valued at $300. Aaron owned 6 horses, 6 milch cows, 2 working oxen, 6 other cattle, 8 sheep, and 35 swine, all valued at $1,200. The land produced 214 bushels of wheat, 5 bushels of rye, 600 bushels of Indian corn, 50 bushels of oats, 200 pounds of rice, 4 bales (at 400 pounds each) of ginned cotton, 20 pounds of wool, 10 bushels of peas and beans, 10 bushels of Irish potatoes, and 100 bushels of sweet potatoes. The milch cows produced 200 pounds of butter and 6 pounds of cheese. Additionally, bee hives produced 5 pounds of beeswax and 50 pounds of honey, valued at $100. Slaughtered animals were valued at $100.

The 1860 slave schedule shows that Aaron managed all this with the labor of 12 slaves.

The Hall family suffered significant losses during the Civil War. Three of Aaron’s sons—Andrew, John, and Postel—served in the conflict, as did his son-in-law Hudson Arnold Berry, the husband of Florilla. Tragically, both Andrew and Hudson were killed. Aaron Holland wrote that Alvin Hall died in Virginia before the Civil War. Unfortunately, I have been unable to locate any records to confirm or deny this.

At the age of 23, Andrew enlisted as a private in Captain W. W. Humphrey’s Company B, 4th Regiment South Carolina Infantry Volunteers at Anderson Courthouse on April 14, 1861, committing to serve South Carolina for one year. He was wounded in the Battle of Manassas in Virginia, on July 21, 1861. Andrew spent September and October 1861 in General Hospital and returned to action in November. On January 17, 1862, he was admitted to Moore Hospital at General Hospital No. 1 in Danville, Virginia, due to debility. The next day, he was transferred to C.S.A. General Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he was diagnosed with jaundice (referred to as icterus). Andrew returned to duty on February 11, 1862, and re-enlisted for the war at Richmond, Virginia, on April 16, 1862. Following the reorganization of the 4th Regiment at the end of 1861, Andrew served in Company C of the Palmetto Regiment South Carolina Sharpshooters and was promoted to sergeant on August 1, 1862. He re-enlisted for a third time in Morristown, Tennessee, on January 15, 1864. Tragically, he was killed in action in Bratton’s Brigade during the Siege of Petersburg in Petersburg, Virginia, on June 17, 1864.

At the age of 27, John enlisted in Anderson as a sergeant in Company G, 2nd Regiment South Carolina Rifles on January 11, 1862. He received a $50 bounty payment on February 26, 1862 for enlisting. John was wounded at the Second Battle of Manassas in Virginia on August 30, 1862. According to Aaron Holland, John was shot in the cheeks, with the bullet passing through his jaw. He spent time in a hospital in Warrenton, Virginia, and was then sent home on furlough from September to December 1862. In mid-July 1863, John suffered from acute diarrhea and spent two days at Chimborazo Hospital No. 5 in Richmond, Virginia. He was promoted to 1st Sergeant on October 3, 1863. John later suffered from chronic diarrhea during September and October 1864 and spent time at Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. He was paroled at Appomattox Court House in Virginia on April 9, 1865.

At the age of 19, Postel enlisted as a private in Company B, 4th Regiment South Carolina Infantry Volunteers at Anderson Courthouse on April 14, 1861, for a period of one year. When the regiment was reorganized at the end of 1861, Postel, like his brother Andrew, re-enlisted in Richmond, Virginia, on April 16, 1862, serving in Company C, Jenkins Regiment, 1st Palmetto Sharpshooters. He received a $50 bounty for re-enlisting. Postel was wounded in action during the Battle of Seven Pines (also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks) in Virginia on May 31, 1862. He suffered from dysentery and was admitted to Floyd House and Ocmulgee Hospitals in Macon, Georgia, on October 2, 1863. He remained sick in the hospital from September to December 1863. Postel re-enlisted for a third time in Morristown, Tennessee, on January 15, 1864. He was paroled at Appomattox Court House in Virginia on April 9, 1865.

Aaron’s son-in-law, Hudson Berry Arnold (aged 33), husband of Florilla, enlisted as a sergeant in Company L, Col. James L. Orr’s Regiment, South Carolina Rifles (Orr’s Rifles) at Camp Pickens in Sandy Springs, Anderson County, South Carolina, on July 20, 1861, for a period of three years or the duration of the war. He was recorded as absent on sick furlough from January to April 1862. Hudson received a gunshot wound to his neck on December 13, 1862, during the Battle of Fredericksburg in Virginia. He was taken to Richmond and admitted to Chimborazo Hospital No. 5, where he died on either December 16 or 17, 1862. A letter written on December 17 by E. M. Seabrook, Surgeon in Charge at Chimborazo Hospital, states: “You are hereby notified that Sergeant H. B. Arnold, Co. L Orr’s Rifle Regiment, SC Vols., died in this hospital last night of a gunshot wound to the neck.” The phrase “last night” could refer to any time during the night, including up to midnight (December 16) or after (December 17), which explains the confusion regarding the exact date of death. The doctor did not include a specific time of death.

In May 1868, citizens in the neighborhood of Flat Rock Church in Anderson organized a Democratic Club, and Aaron was elected to serve as treasurer.

By June 14, 1870, the Hall family was living in Varennes Township of Anderson County. Aaron, aged 66, continued to work as a farmer. The Civil War had taken a heavy toll on him, not only in the loss of his son and son-in-law but also in the significant reduction of his real estate, now valued at $1,000, and his personal estate, now valued at $300. His wife Clementina managed the household, assisted by their daughter Amanda (enumerated as C. D. A. Hall). Their son Lawrence, aged 21, remained at home and had a personal estate valued at $100. Aaron’s son John and his family lived four houses away.

On February 28, 1873, Aaron filed a petition with the U.S. Southern Claims Commission in Washington, D.C., requesting reimbursement of $320 for three horses (valued at $100 each), three saddles ($15 each), and one blanket ($5) taken by soldiers of the United States Army under the command of General Brown during Brown’s Raid on May 2, 1865. In the petition, Aaron swore that he did not voluntarily serve in the Confederate Army or Navy, either as an officer, soldier, sailor, or in any other capacity at any time during the late rebellion. He also swore that he never voluntarily furnished any stores, supplies, or other material aid to the Confederate Army or Navy, the Confederate government, or any officer, department, or adherent thereof, and that he never voluntarily accepted or exercised the functions of any office under, or yielded voluntary support to, the Confederate government. His father-in-law, Andrew O. Norris, was one of the witnesses to the petition. This petition corroborates a piece of information shared by Aaron Holland in his 1964 letter—that his grandparents were robbed by Civil War soldiers.

On December 23, 1874, Carra E. Arnold, the daughter of Aaron’s daughter Florilla and Hudson Arnold, and Aaron’s granddaughter, married Pinckney L. Tate at Aaron’s home in Anderson County.

In February 1877, Aaron was listed in The Intelligencer as one of the many people paying the 10 percent contribution on account of taxes to support the Hampton government. Aaron’s will was filed in Anderson County on April 7, 1877.

On March 8, 1878, Aaron was finally brought in to submit a witness statement for his petition for reimbursement of the horses, saddles, and blanket. In his statement, Aaron declared that he was 74 years old, born in Anderson County, and had lived at his present residence for about 40 years. He identified himself as a farmer and stated that he had opposed secession and supported the Union cause from the beginning to the end of the war. He expressed relief when the Confederacy surrendered. Although he had three sons in the Confederate Army, all of age, he was opposed to their service but could not prevent them from enlisting. He did not recall voting in any election.

The property for which he was requesting reimbursement was taken from his 570-acre farm (plantation) in Anderson County. His farm included 50–60 acres of cultivated land, about 300 acres of woodlands, and the remainder in old fields. While he did not witness the horses and saddles being taken, he did see the blankets, which were worth $20 in U.S. currency at the time. Aaron stated that Brown’s men, a squad of eight men or officers in U.S. uniforms, forcibly entered his house. He believed the command appeared to be destitute of blankets and horses, with many of their horses broken down. The command was mounted, and without replacement horses, some of their men would have had to walk, which could have been fatal.

His daughter Amanda also filed a witness statement on the same day. She declared that she was 30 years old, had lived with her father all her life, and had no interest in the claim except for his benefit. Amanda confirmed her father’s opposition to the war, stating that he was known to be a Union man. She mentioned that she had little opinion regarding the war herself. Amanda was present when the property was taken and noted that she and her father did not complain because they were all badly frightened. She confirmed that the horses were in fine condition, as were the saddles and blanket.

Three other long-time acquaintances of Aaron confirmed his opposition to the war. Although they did not witness the property being taken, they were aware of it and believed it had happened. One witness stated, “This man loved the Union, but when discerned, his sympathies went with his sons. However, he still hoped for the restoration of the Union. His sympathies for his sons were more for their individual safety and comfort than for the success of their cause.”

His claim was disallowed in that he aligned himself with the Confederacy, although he opposed succession, and did not support or follow the Union’s side during the Civil War.

Amanda, Aaron’s daughter, married Leroy Thomas Holland at Aaron’s home in Anderson on August 3, 1879. The ceremony was performed by Rev. W. P. Martin. This was Leroy’s second marriage, and he had seven children from his first marriage.

After purchasing a wagon, Aaron and at least 160 other community members had their names printed in The Intelligencer. These names were used as testimonials by John Watson, Com. Agency P.G., to endorse the wagon as the best and cheapest available.

On June 18, 1880, Aaron and Clementina continued to live in Varennes Township of Anderson County. Aaron, aged 76, was still working as a farmer, while Clementina managed the household. Their 40-year-old widowed daughter, Florilla, along with her two daughters, Mattie and Lara, also resided in the home, all working as laborers on the farm.

Aaron’s daughter Harriett lived next door with her 10-year-old son, Edwin. Although Harriett was enumerated as married, her husband was not present in the home. Harriett worked as a school teacher, while Edwin, listed as a farm laborer, likely helped his grandfather Aaron on the farm. Aaron’s son, Postel, lived five houses away.

Aaron’s farm was thriving. It comprised 110 acres of improved (tilled) land, 50 acres of woodlands, and 10 acres of other unimproved land, with the farm valued at $1,000. His farming equipment and machinery were valued at $25, and his livestock at $125. In 1879, he spent $30 on fertilizers and paid $141 for farm labor. The estimated value of all farm productions for 1879 was $273. Aaron owned one horse, one mule, two milch cows, and two other cows, having purchased two cows in 1879. The farm produced 75 pounds of cheese, 3 swine, 20 barnyard chickens, and 11 other chickens, yielding 40 dozen eggs in 1879. Aaron planted 15 acres of Indian corn, producing 40 bushels, 5 acres of wheat, producing eight bushels, and 12 acres of cotton, producing 3 bales.

Aaron passed away at his old home place in Anderson County on February 5, 1883, just 11 days before his 79th birthday. He was laid to rest at Flat Rock Baptist Church Cemetery in Anderson. Aaron had been a devoted member of Flat Rock Baptist Church for 40 years.

Image used with permission of Robert Barbi,
Find A Grave member 46889958

Aaron Hall Holland, Aaron’s grandson, wrote that the “old home place” likely referred to the old log house that stood on the hill by the big rocks and sycamore trees. This log cabin was constructed from hand-hewn logs, with bedrooms on the side built from hand-hewn planks. Water was carried from a spring, possibly about one-fifth of a mile away. At this spring, a small house was built where milk was placed in the branch to keep it from spoiling during the summer. During the early settlement of his grandparents, the Cherokee Indians would camp at this spring, causing no trouble to anyone.

Aaron’s will was filed in Anderson County probate court on May 31, 1883 with Thaddeus and Postel named as executors. Aaron left all his estate to his wife Clementina. Upon her death, it was to be equally divided among his children: Florilla, John, Harriet, Postel, Amanda, Thaddeus, and Lawrence.

At the time of his death, Aaron’s property consisted of 159.5 acres of land valued at just under $2,000, household and kitchen furniture and equipment, tools, corn, fodder, one horse, one blind mule, one horse wagon, and plow gearing. Various items, such as chairs, a table, a chest, books, bedclothes, feather beds, pillows, bottles and jugs, a bookcase, and a wagon, were sold. The final settlement of the estate took place in March 1898.

Aaron’s wife, Clementina, lived for another 14 years, passing away in Anderson on October 1, 1897, at the age of 89. She was laid to rest at Flat Rock Cemetery in Anderson.

References

• A Short History of Flat Rock, The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, May 26, 1892.
• A. O. N. Hall, U.S., Confederate Army Casualty Lists and Reports, 1861–1865.
• A. O. N. Hall, US, Civil War Service Records (CMSR) - Confederate - South Carolina, 1861–1865.
• Aaron Hall, U.S., Southern Claims Commission, Disallowed and Barred Claims, 1871-1880.
• Another History of Flat Rock, The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, June 30, 1892.
• Death of Mrs. Clementine Hall, The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, October 6, 1897.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53554717/aaron-hall: accessed July 19, 2024), memorial page for Aaron Hall (16 Feb 1804–5 Feb 1883), Find a Grave Memorial ID 53554717, citing Flat Rock Baptist Church Cemetery, Anderson, Anderson County, South Carolina, USA; maintained by T.V.F.T.H. (contributor 46496806).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32469084/joseph_sanford-hall: accessed July 20, 2024), memorial page for Joseph Sanford Hall (22 Jan 1775–25 Feb 1851), Find a Grave Memorial ID 32469084, citing Flat Rock Baptist Church Cemetery, Anderson, Anderson County, South Carolina, USA; maintained by Lagan (contributor 47127814).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32469013/hannah_hulda-hall: accessed July 20, 2024), memorial page for Hannah Hulda Davis HALL (1772–1850), Find a Grave Memorial ID 32469013, citing Flat Rock Baptist Church Cemetery, Anderson, Anderson County, South Carolina, USA; maintained by Lagan (contributor 47127814).
• Flat Rock Democratic Club, The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, May 20, 1868.
• History of Aaron Hall and Clementina Ann (Norris) Hall, letter written by Aaron Hall Holland to Samuel Jackson Holland, May 15, 1964.
• Hudson Berry Arnold, US, Civil War Service Records (CMSR) - Confederate - South Carolina, 1861–1865.
• Hymeneal, The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, August 7, 1879.
• Hymeneal, The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, January 14, 1875.
• Jaundice; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaundice. 
• More Facts About Flat Rock, The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, July 20, 1892.
• Mrs. Amanda Holland, Standard Certificate of Death 2023, Houston, Harris County Texas, 1914.
• Mrs. Clementine Hall Dead, The Weekly Tribune, Tampa, Florida, October 6, 1897.
• P.O.H., The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, January 1, 1880.
• Palmetto Sharpshooters; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmetto_Sharpshooters. 
• Postel Cater Hall, U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861–1865.
• The Hampton Tax-payers, The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, February 15, 1877.
• U.S. Federal Census slave schedule, Regiment 4, Anderson County, South Carolina, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census slave schedule, Western Division, Anderson County, South Carolina, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Anderson County, South Carolina, 1830, 1840.
• U.S. Federal Census, Regiment 4, Anderson County, South Carolina, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Varennes, Anderson County, South Carolina, 1870, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Western Division, Anderson County, South Carolina, 1850.
• U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, Agriculture, Regiment 4, Anderson County, South Carolina, 1860.
• U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, Agriculture, Varennes, Anderson County, South Carolina, 1880.