History of the Restoration Movement

Dr. Benjamin Franklin Hall

1803-1873

Gospel Preacher Of The 19th Century
Doctor, Dentist & Minister

The subject of salvation, and what is required of a person in its process, has long been a debated issue among those claiming a relationship with Christ. The significance of baptism has brought about the greatest margin of disparity, perhaps because of the plainness of its teaching. One of the earliest restoration leaders in America to express the essentiality of baptism in the process of salvation was B.F. Hall.

Benjamin Franklin Hall was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky, the 15th day of June 1803. His parents were farmers, and as a growing lad in a home with 11 boys and girls, farm life was a family enterprise. The local preacher for the church of Christ, John Rogers, introduced the call of the gospel to him at the age of 17. The following year Benjamin decided he had "the call" to preach, but had no education. His mother was sympathetic to his desires. He asked her to speak with his father, who was not a religious man, about helping him go to school so he could preach. His father gave only one condition, that he would leave and never come home, and that he would be removed from his father's will.

Young Benjamin had a sister with whom he went to live. His brother-in-law was a Presbyterian, and said that if Hall would convert to Presbyterianism that he would underwrite his whole education at one of the finest schools in the land. His desire was great for education, but not at the expense of giving up what he knew to be biblically true. In the winter, he went to a local school as long as he could afford it, and began preaching in the latter part of his 18th year.

In the early days of his preaching, the mourner's bench was considered a very important part of the process of salvation. Many would be preached to about the love of the Savior, and the doom of hell. When the invitation was extended, the people would come to the front and wail because of their sins. Then, they would pray that God would come into their hearts, and relieve them of their sins.

B.F. Hall started noticing that people were not getting relief at the mourner's bench. He was much frustrated, and moved in emotion at their plight. It was around the spring of 1826, when he was traveling from Tennessee back to his home in Kentucky. It was getting late in the day as he approached the farm of a brother Gess on Line Creek. While waiting for supper, Hall looked upon a small collection of books on a shelf in the corner of the cabin. One of the books was the Campbell/McCalla Debate. In October 1823, Alexander Campbell, then a Virginia Baptist, had debated William L. McCalla, a Presbyterian, on the subject of baptism. McCalla taught that sprinkling babies (pedo-baptism) was in keeping with the Scriptures, and was causing great difficulty among the Baptists in northern Kentucky. It was said that McCalla was like "smoke in their eyes, and thorns in their sides." Hall had heard that the debate was in print, but had not read it. His thoughts, as he read, were recorded in an unpublished autobiography years later. He wrote,

"Mr. Campbell's speech, in which he introduced the ‘design of baptism,' arrested my notice. I began to read it with fixed attention. The interest deepened as I proceeded. The light began to dawn, nay, it flashed upon my mind; and ere I had concluded the argument; I was a full convert to the teaching of baptism for remission of sins. I sprang to my feet in an ecstasy and cried out, "Eureka! Eureka!" "I have found it; I have found it. I had found the keystone in the gospel arch, which had been set aside and ignored by the builders. I had found the long-lost link in the chain of gospel obedience . . . I saw now the evidence of remission, which I had never seen before." (Autobiography, page 45)

His mind was so full of newly discovered truth that he could not wait to share it with crowds of people. He preached it everywhere with great success. People were being relieved of their sins, because they saw that they were obeying the gospel call in being baptized.

In the fall of that year, he was preaching the full gospel on Cypress Creek in Lauderdale County, Alabama to a large crowd. Many answered the invitation call. One young man in the crowd came forward to be baptized for the remission of his sins, Tolbert Fanning. Later, he would become one of the greatest preachers in the South, and be the founding editor of the Gospel Advocate.

One of the most touching stories related in his autobiography is about preaching somewhere on an occasion when a young lady responded to the invitation of Christ. As they were approaching the water, the girl's father came up to Hall. Shaking a large hickory cane in his face, with eyes like daggers, he said, "You had better not attempt to baptize her." The old man's large frame shook with rage! The young preacher looked at the daughter, who was now crying and asked once again, "Do you want to be baptized?" She said she did. The old man told her that if she were baptized she would never enter his house again while she was alive. She looked at the preacher with tears in her eyes and said, "I want to be baptized!" With it, they entered the water, where he immersed her into Christ. Someone in the crowd invited her to live in their home. Days later Hall was preaching in another place. The old man was on the front row. He preached the unsearchable riches of Christ. At the invitation, the old man with his big cane came forward in tears, and he too was baptized into Christ. The young lady had put God first, and the gospel message changed his heart!

B.F. Hall was an educated man. He studied to be a doctor, and a dentist. He supported himself through medical practice and dentistry in many places. His preaching took him to numerous locations, where he experienced great success for the cause of Christ.

Perhaps one of the reasons that B.F. Hall has for years been an unsung hero of the Restoration Movement was because of his quirky personality, and the appearance of a lack of settledness in his life. He never stayed in one location very long. Relationships did not always go well for him. His first wife died, after a little over four years of marriage. His second wife might be kindly described as difficult. He was married a third time late in life.

He traveled with Alexander Campbell, preached with Barton W. Stone, and for a time, was the co-editor of a Christian journal with John T. Johnson. His travels took him as far north at Baltimore, as far south as Cuba, and as far west as Texas. He died in Grayson County, Texas. Just shy of his 70th birthday, his body was laid to rest in the family plot of old friend, and Texas frontiersman, Collin McKinney, in Van Alstyne City Cemetery. On his grave marker is inscribed, "He was ordained to the ministry,May 1, 1823, and was the first in Ky. to preach salvation through obedience to the gospel."

-Scott Harp, 06.2011
Sources: Autobiography of Dr. B.F. Hall

Chronology Of The Life Of Dr. Benjamin F. Hall

1803
06.15
Benjamin Franklin Hall was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky. Parents had 11 children; 8 sons and 3 daughters. Autobiography, p.1,3

1820
At 17 — related an incident when he and his brother got a few neighbors drunk, though they didn't drink any. Felt so guilt about the incident that it spun him into a search for God, finally joining the church under the preaching of John Rogers. Autobiography, p.5-11

1821
At 18 — Felt "the call" to preach. But with little education BFH requested through his mother to speak to his father about helping him. Father refused, saying he needed him on farm. Only one condition, if he preached, he would be removed from his will, asked to leave with no money. Father does give him a horse to go to Flemingsburg where a brother lived. Immediately went to school under a Mr. Acres, learning Latin, etc. Autobiography, p.19ff

1821
Later in year, BFH is forced out of his brother-in-law's house when refusing his bid to have BFH convert to Presbyterianism. Thread-bear and homeless he thought he'd have to give up school A young preacher, Harrison Osborne encouraged him that he should already be preaching he felt he had "the call!" Begins preaching in area - Autobiography, p.27

1821-1822
Winter
Spent in Fleming and Mason Counties preaching - Autobiography, p.29

1822
Summer?
Ran into John Rogers traveling through Kentucky. Rogers told him he'd never amount to much as a preacher. He was so unnerved by it that he told him he was determined to be the best. - Autobiography, p.30,31

1822
Fall
Returned to Kentucky - Autobiography, p.32

1822
Early Winter
To Crawford County, Indiana to work, visiting older brother Cornelius, visited Bloomington and Indianapolis - Autobiography, p.32

1823
Early Spring
Set out on foot back to Kentucky, terrible struggles getting home on foot, boots fell apart, walked thru ice, etc. Autobiography, p.33

1823
May 1
Ordained to the ministry — noted on his grave marker in Van Alstyne City Cemetery, Texas. Autobiography, p.45 puts it closer to May, 1825.

1823
Summer
Spent evangelizing with brother Mavity. Returned to Ky in Fall - Autobiography, p.36

1823
Early Winter
Received letter from BW Stone asking him to go evangelize in the Green River area. "A circuit had been formed embracing the Counties of Casey, Adair, Russell (it is now), Wayne, Pulaski and Lincoln." He preached in the area, taking one month to complete the circuit. Continued through the summer of 1824 — Autobiography — p.36f

1824
Early Fall
Became very ill. Spent several weeks in bed at home of Bro. Jones

1824
Winter
Went to school in Carlisle, Ky — "I studied English Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric, and Algebra, and commenced the Greek." When he ran out of money he went south to Tennessee, preaching in Rutherford County. Spent part of two seasons traveling with William D. Jourdan, Levi Nichols, & Abner Hill, P.E. Harris, & W.D. Carnes, Autobiography — p.38

1825
Fall
Meeting in Meridianville where a father of a young girl who wanted to be baptized said if he baptized her, he'd kick her out of the house. He did kick her out. The old man, a former Baptist minister, later repented, accepted the Lord and took his daughter home. Touching story. Autobiography — p.38,39

1825
Fall
Hall was preaching somewhere and invited people to the mourner's bench, praying that God would pardon their sins. A man questioned his authority in doing so. Hall responded that the Bible was his authority. The man then said he could not find it in his Bible, but could find, "authority for baptizing penitents for remission of sins; but none for praying for their pardon before they are baptized," Hall confessed that it didn't phase him until about 1832, when seeing the man again, he was reminded of it. — Autobiography p.42

1825
Fall
Camp-meeting in middle Tennessee conducted by B.F. Hall and other preachers. People invited to respond found no relief. Hall claimed he was so overcome. He said, "I cried aloud, and wept like a child. My sympathies had overcome me." Autobiography — p.42

1825-1826
Winter
BFH continued in a state of perplexity over failure of people to get relief from the mourner's bench. Autobiography — p.44

1826
Spring
Heading back toward Ky, stopped at the house of a brother Gess on Line creek, on the line between Tennessee and Kentucky. Found Campbell/McCalla Debate. Saw Campbell's teachings on necessity of baptism for salvation. Said, "Eureka, Eureka, I have found it! I have found it! Autobiography — p.45

1826
Spring
Early spring while visiting Kentucky, he baptizes his brother, B.W. Hall, whom he baptizes that summer. Autobiography — p.57

1826
Summer
BFH visited B.W. Stone in Georgetown, discussed baptism for remission of sins. Stone said, "It would not do; that he had introduced it early in the present century, that it was like throwing ice water on the people; that it froze all their warmth out, and came well nigh driving vital religion out of the country, and would have done it, if he had not resisted from preaching it" Autobiography, p.47

1826
July 4
Preaches with BW Stone in Georgetown, Stone in the morning and he at night on the Parable of the Great Suppers. Recalled John A. Gano responded to the invitation. Autobiography, p.48

1826
Summer
A few days after preaching at Georgetown, he and Stone preached at Sulphur Well, some 8 miles from Georgetown. Stone requested that BFH not preach baptism for the remission of sins in his presence. He respected the older man's request. That night he was able to "persuaded to take the Lord at his word, and to be baptized for remission of sins." He took them out the following morning and baptized them. Said Samuel Rogers, who was there, did not reject it, but in a short time made it an essential part of his preaching. Autobiography — p.47

1826
Summer

"Soon after this" the events above, BFH preaches in southern Ky, Tn to a group with John Mulkey and Samuel Dewitt. Described things as dead, BFH preached, bringing many to tears. Preached baptism for remission of sins to a group who had come forward. 4 or 5 presented themselves for immersion. Went that night, rejoicing! First time Mulkey had heard the full message of the ancient gospel. Began preaching it. Autobiography — p.50

1826
Summer
Next meeting was a Crow Creek, on TN/Ala line. Preached to large crowd on Romans 10:1-10. Old man responded who had come 70 miles to attend. He responded to the invitation, spoke to the crowd that he had attended these camp meetings for years and had never been told what he needed to do to be saved. Said, had he when he was young, he would have obeyed the gospel years before. Autobiography — p.51

1826
Early Fall
Next meeting in Jackson County, Alabama — In the "Price Neighborhood" — probably Rocky Springs — James C. Anderson among the group who are baptized for the remission of sins. Autobiography — p.53,54

1826
September
Meeting on Cypress Creek, where James E. Matthews preached. Tolbert Fanning responded to invitation and was baptized for the remission of his sins. Autobiography, p.57

1826
Winter
Holds debate with Mr. A.S. Andrews, Methodist minister, on the subject and action of baptism. — BFH's first public discussion. Autobiography — p.57

1826
Early Winter
Early in winter he taught Grammar School at Cypress Meetinghouse,. Autobiography — p.57

1827
January 2
BFH married Dorinda Chisholm in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Autobiography — p.58 / She is baptized for the remission of her sins shortly after marriage - Autobiography — p.65.

1827
Spring
Continues studies of medicine under Dr. Rucker, in Lauderdale County Autobiography — p.58

1827
Spring
In the spring I took my young wife on a visit to my relations in Ky. and in the fall settled in Werner County, KY. with the view of preaching to some congregations in that county, and one in Washington Co. at Hillsborough." Autobiography p.58

1827-1828
Winter-Spring
"I continued my medical studies through the winter, and in the spring removed to Stanford, and entered into partnership with Drs. Heuff and Leoffe, in the practice of medicine." Autobiography p.58.

1828
"Shortly after settling in Stanford," BFH was invited to join the Baptist church at Rushbranch, near town. He stipulated that he would if they agreed that the Bible would be the standard for faith and practice, and that the name be changed to "Church of Christ." Agreed, he became their minister. Autobiography — p.58,59

1828
Fall
Moves to Columbia, Adair County, remained for a year, then moved to Madisonville, Hopkins County. While there, "A good deal of the time I lived in Madisonville, I occupied in the study of law with Mr. Gleenly S. Bennett, afterwards for many years Judge of a District in Miss." Begins learning dentistry here, from a Dr. John Harris / Debate with Mr. Lowry of Cumberland College. Autobiography — p.61,62

1829
July 18
Dorinda gives birth to twin girls, Martha Foster Hall (dies Sept. 1885 in McKinney, Texas) & Mary Chisholm Hall (dies in Illinois in 1864). Autobiography — p.65

1831
June 21
Wife, Dorinda, dies in the home of her father — Lauderdale Co. Al - Autobiography — p.64 (Grave marker says she died June 21, 1831). Married for 4½ years. Babies are two years old and given to be raised by her two sisters.

1831
Summer
Goes on horseback to West Tennessee practicing dentistry and preaching. Visits Purdy, Denmark, Brownsville, Covington, & Randolph. Autobiography — p.65

1831
Fall
Back to Florence to visit children for few weeks Autobiography — p.67

1831
Winter
In Pulaski preaching and practicing dentistry. Autobiography — p.67

1832
To Little Rock, Arkansas — practicing dentistry & preaching. Autobiography — p.67

1832
December 16
Third Lord's day BFH preached farewell address in Little Rock, and departed on a river boat to New Orleans then to Cuba. Autobiography — p.74

1833
Winter
Spent in Havana, Cuba - Autobiography — p.74

1833
Spring
Returns to US — entering country at port in Wilmington, N.C. Finds a Baptist church, preaches. Then To Auburn, NC, then to Washington D.C. — Meets and teaches Gen. Clark, who later moved to Jackson, Mississippi and began the church of Christ / at Edenton, Norfolk, and Washington City, preaches for Savy Ward Baptist church — then to Baltimore, then toward Bethany, WV to meet A. Cambell, Autobiography/ Gives description of A.C. at his first meeting with A. Campbell — p.76-79

1833
October 1
BFH accompanies A.C. on a preaching trip to Eastern Va., Baltimore and Philadelphia - Autobiography — p.78 — After Baltimore, of A.C., BFH stated concerning his abilities, "The half has not been told." Autobiography — p.85

1833,34
Winter
BFH related to Alexander Campbell about an Indian who had been given a Bible by a Methodist preacher, around the spring of 1825. He read it through. Some years later, he went to the preacher and asked if he'd go to the river to baptize him? Preacher asked why, saying he could take water from a tumbler and baptize him. Then the Indian said, "If that is baptism, you gave me the wrong book." — Campbell published story in the Millennial Harbinger

1834
Went and worked in Washington D.C. / frequently visited the two houses of congress - Autobiography — p.86

1834
Late Winter
Starting toward KY, visited Charlottesville, preached in Baptist Church — Visited Monticello & Univ. of Virginia. Autobiography — p.86

1834
Spring
Makes his way through VA, to Kentucky, visits mother and sister, speaks of his brothers that are members of the church of Christ. Moves to Georgetown, opens and office to practice his profession, sees BW Stone and meets J.T. Johnson. Autobiography — p.87,88a

1834
Fall
B.W. Stone moves to Illinois - Autobiography — p.88

1835
January
Begins a paper with J.T. Johnson, The Gospel Advocate (Autobiography, p.88 says they started it in Jan. 1834, but he meant 1835. Other documentation supports this).

1836
BFH moves to Lexington, was appointed one of the three evangelists for Fayette, Woodford, Scott & Jessamine counties. J. Creath, Jr. and J.P. Lancaster were the other two. Autobiography — p.88

1836
August
Marries Susan Mitchum Ball, Woodford, Ky. Widow of John Ball, who had died in 1832. She had four children with Mr. Ball, and three children with Mr. Hall. Autobiography — p.89

1836
September
Discovers a body of misdealings of property perpetrated between BFH's wife and her brother, John Mitchum. BFH claims never to have known what happened. Autobiography — p.90-95

1836
Fall
Moves to Versailles and issues Gospel Advocate from there. Johnson quit after second year, Hall taking over. He unites with a Wm. Hunter, a young preacher, who suggests changing the name to The Christian Panoplist. Autobiography — p.89

1837
Fall
Rents out Woodford house, moves to Lexington to become minister of the church of Christ there, paid $400 per year, second year increased to $600.00. / Assists R.C. Rice & G.N. Gaines to get educations - Autobiography — p.95-102

1838
Susan gives birth to son, Benjamin Warren Hall. (died in 1870 in Texas)

1840
Spring
After 3 years at Lexington, invited to meeting in Louisville, invited to come and preach full-time/ Over 100 added to Lexington while he was minister - Autobiography — p.102. — Church met on 5th St., later became 4th and Walnut - Autobiography — p.104

1840
Gives schedule of work, determined to visit ever member ever three months, resulted in 160 additiions. Autobiography — p.105

1840
While at Louisville, planted a church on Beargrass at house of brother Alfred Herr. Autobiography — p.106

1841
At ages of 12, B.F.H. baptizes his daughters into Christ, Autobiography — p.65

1841
Susan gives birth to daughter, Alice T. Hall (marries William Garnett "WG" Rainey 12.19.1871, dies in Maury County, TN, 1902, aged 61).

1843
Susan gives birth to son, James W. Hall

1843
Fall
Resigns church in Louisville, returns to Versailles to wife's home — "Shortly afterwards I engaged to preach once a month for the celebrated old Caneridge Church. I also preached at other places. All Lord's days were occupied somewhere." Autobiography — p.106,107

1843
Fall - Winter
Domestic troubles continue. Susan suggested he move out with his two older daughters, he provide and educate them. Ends up starting a dentistry practice in Lexington coming home each week, with promise she will move to Lexington. She never did. Finally he gave up his practice and begins traveling to preach and teach. Autobiography — p.107,108

1843
Early Winter
Moves to Nashville. Opens dentistry practice. Susan comes down for six weeks, and one day announces she is returning to Kentucky. She left him. Autobiography — p.108

1844
Spring
Appointed a to a professorship in a medical school in Memphis. Autobiography — p.109

1844
October
Debate in Aberdeen, Mississippi with a Universalist, the third with a Universalist / went to Marion, Alabama with T.W. Caskey, Autobiography — p.109

1848-1849
Winter
Visits Texas, Goliad, San Antonio, Guadaloupe, Autobiography — p.112

1850
January 1
In Gen. Land Office in Austin, Texas — purchases 21,700 acres of unlocated Headrights that he had surveyed in Grayson and Dallas Counties, Texas - Autobiography — p.113,114

1850
Summer
Back in Kentucky, preached in meetings in Kentucky Autobiography — p.117

1850
Fall
Sets out for Texas, through Memphis, preaches in meetings in Memphis, then to Little Rock, then to Texas Autobiography — p.119

1851
October
Meets a Methodist on Pedobaptism in Memphis, Mr. Chapman Autobiography — p.120

1853
BFH preaching in Memphis - Recollections Of Men Of Faith, W.C. Rogers, Old Paths Book Club, Rosemead, CA, c. 1960, pages 78-105 W.C. Rogers, here vears from what BFH records in his Autobiography. It is possible that either may have their dates wrong. Rogers was certain that Hall had promised him the position in Memphis in January, 1854, but upon arrival says he will not leave. However, Hall records that at that time he was living back in Kentucky.

1853
Spring
He and Susan make a trip to Texas. She travels around with him. She tells him that if he will buy land around Galveston, she will move there. He wasn't prepared to do so. Autobiography — p.122

1853
July 4
BFH writes, "On our return to Ky. the Missionary Board appointed me agent to organize District Co-operation meetings in the Louisville Congressional District. I accepted, and entered at once upon the work. My first meeting was at Eminence on the 4th day of July 1853. I next held a meeting of days at Lagrange, which resulted in thirty five accessions to the cause of Christ. My next was at the mouth of Salt river, where we gained thirteen." Autobiography — p.123

1853
October
State meeting in Harrodsburg. BFH read a paper on the subject of cooperation. Appointed agent for the orphan school in the state — {probably at Midway }, raising funds for girls school. Autobiography — p.123,124

1853
December
BFH said, "Among the first points I visited was Cynthiana, where I held a meeting of days, added several to the church, and obtained some funds for the Orphan School. Christmas week I spent in Flemingsburg, preaching and collecting funds for orphans." 10-12 baptisms Autobiography — p.124

1854
Spring
BFH Resigns office of Orphans School agent to give to John Rogers. Missionary Board hires BFH as State agent to promote cooperation. Begins in spring in Green River area — Inflammation of the throat causes him to have to resign before getting a good growth into the work. Autobiography — p.124,125

1854
As summer approached, BFH was invited to Chicago. Throat was better so he went, and was asked to help raise money for a church building. Began traveling in the state's interior. Went home to get Susan, but she was unwilling to travel. She had sold their home, and was living among her first children and left Hall "afloat." Autobiography — p.126

1854
November
Moves to take a job in Memphis, Tenn. (Had three offers for good money, but wife rejected the first two) Susan is expected by December, but does not arrive until February. Autobiography — p.126

1855
Summer
Throat problems intensified for BFH. He wanted to go to Texas, but Susan was encouraged by her children to return to Kentucky.

1855
August
BFH has to quit Memphis work. Visits widowed daughter in Florence (Mrs. Peabody), then brother Dr. B.W. Hall in Nashville, then Susan in Kentucky. She says she will move to Texas if he'll go to SW Texas, but property, build house and then she will come.

1855
October
Sets out for Texas.

1855
December 1
BFH said, "1st of December we reached Mission Valley, on the Gaudaloupe, in Victoria County. During the winter I purchased land on the Cabasa, in Galiad County" Autobiography — p.127

1856
Spring
Began building house

1856
Fall
BFH said, "By early autumn of 1856, I had the house built and forty acres of land fenced in and broken up, a cistern dug, and numerous other improvements made." Tells of the decline and end of his second marriage. Autobiography — p.128

1857
Spring
Meets Elizabeth Collins — Marries in 1863 - Autobiography — p.138

1857
Summer
BFH involved in a camp-meeting where 46 souls were added. Autobiography — p.131,132

1857
Fall
BFH sells property and moves north to Grayson County. Buys 402 acre farm, house. Preaches at McKinney, D-FW area. Autobiography — p.133

1857-1858
Preaches in Grayson County

1861
BFH said, "True, when the war came, and my neighbor young men, multitudes of whom I had immersed, solicited me, I did accept the Chaplancy in the 6th Texas Calvary, Col. Stone's first Regiment, and was nine months in the service, and tried to do my duty in all particulars—to the sick and well, the dying and the dead; in calm, on the march; on the battle field, where the cannon boomed, and blazed, and hurled missiles of death thick and fast. I prayed, and preached, and exhorted the men to do their duty to their country, and to their God." Autobiography — p.135,136

1862
May 27
BFH said, "At Corinth, I think, on the 27th day of May 1862. I resigned my position, and returned to Texas, and reached home the 14th day of June, the day before I was 59 years old." Autobiography — p.136

1863
February
BFH marries Elizabeth Palmer Collins, daughter of Thomas Palmer, of Madison County, KY. (Her 2nd marriage) — Explains that his 1st wife had abandoned him, had not seen her for seven years, didn't know if she was alive, state of Texas law fulfilled, also 1 Cor. 7:15 cited, Also cited A.C.'s thoughts on subject, MH, 1853, p.533, also his study of Matthew 19. Autobiography — p.138-143

1867
July 22
Due to financial problems, BFH sold out all goods. Started to Missouri with horses BFH had raised. Wife to parents in KY. He followed. Autobiography — p.144

1867
Winter
Spent in the home of Elizabeth's father in Ky. Also in Danville at her daughter's Mrs. Dillehay. Autobiography — p.144

1868
Spring
BFH writes, "Early in the spring, I visited Carlisle, Moorfield, where I was born and bred, and Flemingsburg, and spent several weeks with my brother Jerry, some three miles from town." Autobiography — p.144

1868
May
BFH opened a dental office in Richmond, Madison County Autobiography — p.144

1868
August 1
Visits brother in Gallatin, Tennessee. Autobiography — p.144

1868
September 22
Susan Mitchum Hall dies in Woodford, Ky. Aged 65.

1868
November
Begins for Texas to work for churches in D-FW area Autobiography — p.145

1869
January 1
Arrives in Dallas. Works for two churches. By August, 20 are added in Dallas and about that many in FW. Autobiography — p.145

1869
June 15
BFH turns 66 years old

1869
August
BFH conducts a meeting in Plaino with N.H.O. Polley — 8 added. Autobiography — p.146

1869
September
BFH returns to Grayson home, resigning from churches in Dallas and Fort Worth — Ends Autobiography with saying he is — p.146

1869
Fall
BFH writes his autobiography - Autobiography — p.87, 146

1871
May 1
Dies In Grayson County, Texas 69 years, 10 months & 18 days — Buried in cemetery in Van Alstyne in the plot of Collin McKinney.

1887
Elizabeth Palmer Hall dies (born 1813, died 1887 in Kentuckytown, Grayson County, Texas, aged 74)

-Scott Harp - Sources: Autobiography of B.F. Hall mainly, and other references

Autobiography Of B.F. Hall

Biographical Sketch Of B.F. Hall by W.C. Rogers

Directions To Grave

Head north out of Dallas, Texas on State Highway 75 about 50 miles. Look for Van Alstyne exit and turn right on FM 121 toward town. In town, turn right on Wilmeth Rd., (Hwy 5 south) and go two blocks. Turn left on E. Fulton St., then right on Preston St. Go two blocks and turn left (east) on Austin St. Cross the railroad tracks, street becomes E. Austin. The road will head straight into the Van Alstyne Cemetery. (east side of town). Head straight into the cemetery. Go until you see a Texas Historical Marker on the left. The Hall Plot is about 35 feet behind the marker (north). The grave faces west.

GPS Location of the grave of B.F. Hall
33°25'13.2"N 96°34'11.4"W
or D.d. 33.420322, -96.569830

Historical Marker Denoting The Grave of Collin McKinney, Signer of Declaration of Texas Independence
And Personal Friend of Dr. B.F. Hall