John Hale was born about 1768, in Franklin County, Virginia. He had seven sons and three daughters with Sarah "Sally" between the years of 1805 and 1830. He died about 1834, in Floyd County, Kentucky, at the age of 66. One of those sons was Smith Hale, my 2nd great-grandfather.

Birth

John Hale was born about 1768, in Franklin County, Virginia to Rachel and Joseph Hale, age 26.

The Boston Tea Party

John Hale lived in one of the original American colonies inspired by the successful uprising by a group of fiery Bostonians.

The Declaration of Independence

John Hale was living in the 13 colonies at one of the most important turning points in American history—the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

John Hale

Son of Joseph and Rachel Hale, Patrick Co. Virginia, 1804 chancery case. (See Photo) From Virginia Archives.

Residence: John Hale lived in Franklin County, Virginia, in 1810.

Lawsuit: Between Hiram Spurlock's Heirs and John Hale - abt 1819 • Floyd Co. Kentucky

Residence: John Hale lived in Floyd County, Kentucky, in 1820.

Residence: John Hale lived in Floyd County, Kentucky, in 1830.

Death: John Hale died about 1834, in Floyd County, Kentucky, when he was 66 years old.

It is possible that John may have been married before his marriage to Sarah "Sally" - last name unknown.

His first two sons were James and William, born around 1805. My second great-grandfather was not born until 1818 (Smith Hale) a gap of 18 years. If so, that would put the marriage of John Hale and Sarah around 1815-16.

Not much is known about this couple except that Sarah outlived John Hale and lived next door to her son, John Hale (no doubt named after his father) in the 1850 census, Floyd Co. Kentucky. Living with her are her two sons, Claiborn (Clayborn) Hale and Thomas Hale.

I have yet to uncover a photo of Smith Hale or John Hale, his father but if I do, you will no doubt hear me yelling from the back woods of Oak Hill, Ohio!