William Hall

Biography

William Hall was born in Sparta, New York, and was known throughout his life as "General Hall," having served as a soldier alongside John Firth in the War of 1812. He was a partner in the New York music and piano house of Firth & Hall. When the successor firm Firth, Hall & Pond dissolved in 1847, Hall withdrew and, together with his son James F. Hall, began manufacturing at 239 Broadway under the name Hall & Son. After his son left the business to join the army, Hall continued for a few years before retiring; he died in 1873, nine years after his old partner John Firth. William Hall entered the New York musical instrument trade in 1820, beginning business on Wooster Street near Prince Street. In 1824 he joined John Firth to found the firm of Firth & Hall, which opened an extensive establishment at 358 Pearl Street and quickly became very successful. The firm went on to train a number of prominent figures in the piano trade, including James A. Gray of Boardman & Gray, who learned tuning and practical piano-making there between 1831 and 1835.

Highlights

• Entered the trade in 1820, beginning business on Wooster Street near Prince Street.
• Co-founded Firth & Hall with John Firth in 1824.
• Born in Sparta, N.Y.; known as "General Hall" throughout his life
• Served as a soldier alongside John Firth in the War of 1812
• Withdrew from Firth, Hall & Pond in 1847 and formed Hall & Son with his son James F. Hall; died in 1873

Source

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 107, 154, 155, 156.

Public domain.