George Hall

George Hall was a Master Mariner (Captain of Merchant ships) and an elder brethren of Trinity House Hull. As was his father, John Hall (1742 – 1816).

George went to sea in January 1795 as a cabin boy aged 12. His early career was during the Napoleonic Wars. He was captured in 1809 and imprisoned in France for six years. During this time, he mastered the French language and had the rare success of escaping back to England due to being able to pass himself off as a Frenchman. Following from this experience, he thought it vital that his children speak continental languages. After their early schooling in England, they were all educated in Switzerland, France and Germany.

George Hall’s two eldest sons, George Williamson 1818 – 1896 and Thomas Williamson 1819 – 1895 followed in the family tradition. They went to sea aged 15 and worked their way to becoming sea captains. George and Thomas captained ships carrying cargo round the world, with Thomas owning his own ship prior to immigrating to New Zealand. The third son, John 1824 – 1907, it seems was not expected to follow the family tradition. The youngest in the family was Grace 1826 – 1920 who was an important part of their lives. After the brothers had immigrated to New Zealand, George, John and their families went back to England from time to time and stayed with her. Agnes Mildred, daughter of George W and Agnes Emma lived with her aunt Grace in England for seven years for her education.

References

Hall family background, Kingston on Hull, Yorkshire by Kate Foster, great great grand-daughter.

Autobiography

Autobiography of a little sailor boy Author: George Hall Publisher: Christchurch, N.Z. : Christchurch Press Co., [1907] Edition/Format: Print book : Biography : English

Subjects Hall, George, -- 1782-1865 -- Childhood and youth. Hall, George, -- 1782-1865 -- Journeys. Cabin boys -- Great Britain -- Biography.

Copy held at the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.

Autobiography of a little sailor boy
List Hull Family & Hull Yorkshire

Sailors, Settlers & Sinners: The Hall family in Hull and New Zealand, 1795-1907 by Moira Taylor, published March 12, 2020