Civil War Records of Delette H. Hall

Service

Pension

Grand Army of the Republic

Recorded as member no. 9 in the membership roster of Isaac Davis Post No. 138 G.A.R., Acton, Massachusetts. Served as Post Commander, 1891 and 1917-19 (Acton Memorial Library archives, 92.2.1). 

Personal War Sketch

Death

Additional Information

Born March 20, 1843 in Bolton, Mass. to parents Enoch and Emeline Hall (source: pension file).

Delette Hall was the brother of Eugene Hall and cousin of Henry Hapgood. His mother, Emeline (Hosmer) Hall was the sister of Mary Ann (Hosmer) Hapgood, Henry Hapgood's mother. The collection of Hapgood family letters at the Acton Historical Society include two from Delette Hall to Henry Hapgood (The Letters of Henry Hapgood's Family: pp. vi, 20, 50, 57).

D.H. Hall, age 17, is recorded as an inhabitant of West Acton in the 1860 federal census, in household (dwelling 188) with Enoch Hall, age 50, a farmer; Emeline Hall, age 40; Eugene L. Hall, age 15; and siblings ("1860 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com).

Delette Haynes Hall, a  22 year old blacksmith, is recorded in the 1865 Massachusetts State Census for Acton, in household (dwelling no. 181) of Enoch and Emeline Hall  (Lainhart, 1855 and 1865 Massachusetts State Census for Acton: 62.)

Delette H. Hall, age 24, a blacksmith; and Susie A. Wetherbee, age 22, born in Boxborough to John and Susannah (Fairbanks) Wetherbee, were married June 20, 1867 in West Acton (Acton marriage record, "Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1910," AmericanAncestors.org).

Delette H. Hall is recorded in the 1890 special veterans census as a resident of Acton ("1890 Veterans Schedules," Ancestry.com).

The name Delete H. Hall is included on the Acton Memorial Library Soldiers' Tablet, "The Men of Acton Who Fought For The Union."

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Delette Hall was one of the original corporate trustees of the Acton Memorial Library ("An Act to Incorporate the Acton Memorial Library," in Acts and Resolves Passed by the General Court of Massachusetts in the Year 1890: 51-52.)

The 1920 Annual Report of the Trustees of the Acton Memorial Library included the following tribute to Delette Hall, written by Luther Conant, President of the Trustees:

It becomes my sad duty to refer to another break in the membership of the charter members of the corporate body named by Mr. Wilde, brought about by the death of Mr. Delette H. Hall. The writer is now the only surviving charter member of the board and believes it appropriate at this time and place to incorporate in the report of the trustees a testimonial of one who during his life was so familiar to the townspeople and whose personality, pleasant smile and kind words will be long remembered by those who came in contact with him.

Although born in Bolton in 1844, he had been a resident of Acton since his early youth, becoming a prosperous and successful business man and prominent in social and church work. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted from Acton at the age of eighteen, and served his country well and faithfully for four years. He was attached to the Twenty-Sixth Regiment for three years, after which he re-enlisted and was with Sheridan during the latter part of his service. Not only did he serve his country and his town in time of war, but he likewise served his townspeople by being honored to represent them in the State Legislature and in holding other honorable positions of trust, not the least being selected by the donor of our library to aid in its management throughout his life. He served as commander of Post 138 of the G. A. R., and as president and treasurer of the old Twenty-Sixth Regiment Association. His devout interest in the church is shown by the fact that he served twenty-one years as superintendent of the Sunday school. A most fitting tribute to him who has departed is found in the Scriptures and expressed in these few words: "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." (1920 Annual Report for the Town of Acton: 53-54.)

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See also:

Hosmer, The Town of Acton in the Civil War: 37, 39.

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