James Hall, 1832-1906

James Hall, 1832-1906

The Jonathan Magruder (1793-1878) home on Washington Street, as referenced in the following obituary of James Hall which appeared in the February 18, 1906 issue of the Cumberland Evening Times, was originally constructed in 1855. It was later enlarged by Magruder’s daughter, Rebecca (Magruder) Henderson, and today serves as the home of the Woman's Civic Club. A cropped in close-up of the house is depicted in the above postcard scene. It is interesting to note that the sender of this 1907 postmarked view wrote at the bottom that, "This is the most aristocratic street in Cumberland"

WELL-KNOWN COLORED CITIZEN PASSED AWAY

Mr. James Hall, a well-known and respected Colored man, died at his late residence on Greene Street early yesterday morning from cancer.

He was born in Frederick County Md. and as a slave was the property of the late Jonathan Magruder, grandfather of Judge Robert R. Henderson, from whom he purchased his freedom in 1859, four years before the late President Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation was issued. His parents Uncle Toby and Aunt Patsy Hall were also slaves of Mr. Magruder. He afterwards served as a hotel porter and filled that position in the palmy days of the old St. Nicholas Hotel, this city under both the late Col. Samuel Luman and the late Captain Charles C Hodges. He was a porter for forty years. Mr. Hall was one of the old school of polite and courteous colored men, is survived by his widow and four children. Three sons, James, Harry W. and George Hall and one daughter. He was 74 years old. The funeral will take place from his residence on Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock. Interment will be Rose Hill Cemetery.