Class of 1841
JOHN HUBBARD HALL

Mr. Hall was born October 24, 1819, in Fayetteville, N. C.  He died in Cazenovia, N.Y., February 9, 1886.  Although born and reared in a slave State, he was early influenced by anti-slavery convictions, which, during the years of his College residence in the North, deepened into an uncompromising principle. Such was his conscientious opposition to the institution of slavery, that he felt he could not preach the Gospel acceptably to the people of the South, and, accordingly, upon his graduation in 1841, united with the Oneida Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in New York, instead of returning to his native State. He continued in the regular work of the ministry until about twelve years ago, when the enfeebled condition of his health made it necessary for him to take a superannuated relation to the Conference. As early as 1868 he had fixed his residence in Cazenovia, N. Y., for the sake of the educational facilities afforded in that place; and he continued to reside there until his death.

During four or five years past his health has been very feeble, and in August of 1885, he had an attack of illness, from which he, never fully recovered.

His temper was unusually gentle and saintly, and during the last painful months of his life, its Christian patience and sweetness were shown most conspicuously. It was his frequent message to enquiring friends, “There is not a happier man in Cazenovia.”

His long term of faithful work in the ministry, and his winning and exemplary Christian life, gained for him, many friends throughout all that central part of New York in, which his lifework was done. He will be greatly missed, and remembered with respect and love, by the many who knew him.

Source:  Obituary Record of Alumni of Wesleyan University for the Academic Year Ending June 24, 1886, Middletown, Conn. 1886