The Border Reiver

Volume 25, Number 3 Voice of Clan Hall Society September 2018 Happy Silver Anniversary Clan Hall Society On August 14, 1993, Clan Hall Society was born. In this edition we will learn of its history from the late founder and first President Atlas D. Hall, FSA Scot.

Through Difficulties to Heaven Interview with Atlas D. Hall FSA Scot,– Summer 2006 Grand Father Mountain of Clan Hall Collingwood Crispin In July, 2006, . I had become dissatisfied with the Grandfa- after I had done a large De Aula ther Mountain amount of research and a number of Fitz Williams Highland other people had done similar re- Ha Hal Games, North search, and we were finding that the Hale Halle Carolina, were Halls being from the Borders while Harle(y) Haul(e) held from the Clan Skene was in the Highlands, the 6th through the connection must be wrong of what Haugh Haw Atlas D. Hall, FSA Scot—2006 9th. Clan Hall we’ve been told. Through further re- Mac Hall Society had been participating at these search we were finding that there Games for many years since CHS’s were very Inside this issue: inception in 1993. During the course few Halls of that weekend I had the opportunity in the Ab- President’s Message 2 to video record an interview with erdeen

Wisdom from an old Scotsman 3 CHS President, Atlas Hall. He along area that with his mother Goshen had been the is approx- Recollections of CHS History 4 key founders of Clan Hall Society. imately Clan Hall Society AGBM 5 Atlas was the first President and 200 miles served until his passing from a heart north of the Borders. We discovered President Appointments 6 attack in November of that same year. there were a large number of people Clan Hall Society Contacts 7 The following is that interview. in the Borders that were Halls and that Membership Dues Reminder 7 they resided on both sides of the Eng- TBR: What prompted you to organ- lish Border. Continued historical 2018 Budget for Clan Hall 7 ize and establish Clan Hall Society? searching showed that the some Scot- Welcome New Members 7 tish Halls married English Halls Editor’s Notes 8 Atlas: The Clan Skene Association which resulted in duel allegiances. had been saying we (Halls) were a See Atlas Interview Page 3

Sept— A surname associated with a Clan either through marriage or under the protection of and/or were dependents of the Clan . 1 The Border Reiver The President’s Report

of history needs to be based on the culture and needs Greetings to my fellow mem- of the people living in that era. Our ancestors from bers of Clan Hall Society. the Borders were hardened by the society they lived in. They developed skills that allowed them to sur- I recently received a comment vive. Though at times ruthless, character traits of from an individual who had tenacity, loyalty, and steadfastness have been passed viewed the “History of Clan down through the generations. A passion for living Hall” video on Youtube. This and a passion of life are also traits that have been person stated that they were not foundation stones that have enabled descendants of proud of their Border Hall ancestry because the the Border Reiver families to be contributors to the Border Halls were nothing but thieves. I cannot history and advancement of mankind. fault this person for their feelings. At Highland With tongue in cheek, we and other Border Clans, Games I have often quipped about our ancestors celebrate our Reiver ancestors for their notorious being cattle rustlers, horse thieves, blackmailers, ways. However, I also celebrate the brave men and and extortionist. In return I get a smile with the re- women who have impacted history because of the sponse “Sounds about right.” So let’s face it, reiv- foundations built into them by their ancestors from ers were thieves, but not in the sense of a common the Borders. burglar or robber. The era of the Border Reiving families were turbu- lent times. The prospect of war between Skip Hall and was ever present. The prime farming John A. Hall, Jr. lands in the eastern borders were the easiest points President, Clan Hall Society of invasion for attacking armies to cross as they sought to conquer their foe. This made the poten- tial for good harvests always questionable. Thus, to provide for one’s family came by conducting raids across the border. If any one of us lived in that re- gion during the 14th thru the 16th centuries we Clan Hall “Now Available” through USA- would most likely have participated in reiving raids and thought nothing of it. elow is a direct link to the woven wool Hall tartan selection The Scottish and English governments never en- B at USAKilts. This is actually the correct tartan even though the dorsed the reiving ways of their Border families, color appears off slightly, due to email transmission, but it is the but they did view it as a way of antagonizing the correct tartan as listed. neighboring country. However, Border families http://www.usakilts.com/gallery/13-16-oz-wool/hall-modern- 7742/view would not have cared of their respective govern- ments’ concerns on this matter anyway. Their alle- Contact: “Rocky” Roeger at USAKilts [http://www.usakilts.com/ or (800) 368-8633] who also lists items that can be made from giances were family first, the Borders second, the the tartan and the prices - ties, sashes, kilts, kilted skirts, plaids, Crown a distant third. Until the uniting of the etc. This is an effort to move the tartan we have purchased soon- crowns in 1603, the Borders were an unofficial au- er, as he may get calls from people not members of Clan Hall Society. tonomous region. Earlier year, USAKilts placed an order for Hall Modern #2092 We need to remember that we cannot judge cultures Tartan. “Rocky” has been taking orders and there may be some of the past with contemporary values. The reiving centuries were hard times. Evaluating that period

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Atlas Hall Interview, continued from page 1. TBR: After conducting all this re- tion that Hall was a shortened ver- the king of Scotland had invited search what did you do next? sion of Halliard didn’t meet the some Halls to migrate northward. muster. They settled in the Otterburn and Atlas: We made a call and con- On August 14, 1993, Clan Hall So- areas of England and in versed with several others and we ciety was officially organized with the areas of Teviotdale, Liddlesdale, thought it would be advantageous 23 Charter members. The cutoff of and , in Scotland. for us to form our own society. being a charter member was Janu- The Halls being a Border Clan had Making this decision was further ary 1, 1994. many allegiances and alliances on influenced because we were also both sides of the border. getting flak from some of the Scot- TBR: From you research what did tish community as to why you are you discover as an origin for the TBR: Do you have a final message claiming yourselves as Skene, Hall Hall Surname? for the Clan Hall members. is a Border Clan. Atlas: The Halls originally came by Atlas: Be personable. When you We sent invitations to a number of Normandy. One of the members of go out to the Games and festivals people and we met in Pikeville, lo- William the Conqueror’s group that and when you meet the Scottish cated in Eastern Kentucky. came to England, specifically into community or meeting people in Lincolnshire, was Earl Wentworth general be as friendly as you can be. Fitzwilliam. He had a younger There are more people with Scot’s brother by the name of Arthur who blood than they would realize, so in 1070 was given the name of Hall. encourage them to be interested in Arthur had amassed a large fortune their culture, research their families, and prestige in the community to document it, and be proud of the Pikeville, Kentucky the point that he and Earl Went- fact that you are a Scot. worth were just about the same in There is something my grandfather importance so as to distinguish the taught me years ago, “if you want At this time, with the guidance of two brothers Arthur was given the friends show yourself friendly.” C.O.S.C.A., (Council of Scottish surname of Hall. We have demonstrated that to the Clans and Associations) we pre- Scottish community. Over the sented our evidence obtained TBR: How did the Halls end up in years we have been known as one through historical research. We the Borders? of the most friendly Clans you will then contacted the Lord Lyon Court meet. Be more involved in what in Scotland and stated we were a Atlas: We found out that in 1090 you are doing and keep on working Border Clan and Skene’s assump-

Wisdom from an old Scotsman

www.wow4u.com/scottish-proverbs/index.html

3 The Border Reiver

Personal Recollections of the History of Clan Hall Society by: John Hall, President – Clan Hall Society

My wife Debbie and I have been mem- the United States, England, Australia, and via our PayPal link. I have used this con- bers of Clan Hall Society since early Germany. venience since it was established and so 1999. In April, 1999, we attended our Modifications - Organizational have many current and new members first Clan Hall Clan Hall alike. Annual General Society’s Business Meet- organiza- Modifications - Crest ing, AGBM. tional struc- The original crest featured a dog known This was held ture has as a Talbot with the motto “Vive Ut Vi- near Charlotte, changed vas” (Live that you may live). This crest NC, at the Loch only mar- was in public domain and though it is Norman High- ginally over attributed to Hall it was not unique to land Games. We the years. Clan Hall Society. In 2016 David Hall sat with about 25 The original and I created a other members Constitution crest and Coat of who were very and By- Arms that will be serious and en- laws have unique to CHS thusiastic about Loch Norman Games 1999 been modi- with a motto “Per continuing the growth fied, but only to Ardua Ad Alta”, and development of Clan Hall Society. better structuralize the organization with- (Through difficul- So how has CHS grown and developed out modifying its intent of being. The ties to heaven). over the last two and a half decades? one area where this is most evident was The new designs What has it grown from and where is it at in the changes needed so that CHS would were approved at today? be compliant with IRS language specifi- the 2017 AGBM. After the approval I .Atlas D. Hall was the founder and first cations. In 2009 we filed for and re- filed them with the US Copyright Office. President of Clan Hall Society which was ceived a 501 (c) (3) charitable organiza- Clan Hall Society now has copyright established in 1993. It was the research tion classification. All donations and ownership of our Crest and Coat of of Atlas along with others that revealed contributions are now tax deductible. Arms. I am hoping they will be available the uniqueness of the Border Halls and soon on T-shirts for our members. their participation in Border Reiver socie- Modifications - Communications ty and history. In addition to the creation Communication is an area that has Clan Hall Society in Scotland of CHS Atlas also designed and regis- changed dramatically over the last 25 One of tered the Hall Tartan with the Tartan Ed- years. In those early years CHS reached the truly ucation and Cultural Association. out to people through representation at big events There were 23 original charter members. Highland Games, Clan Hall listings in Clan Hall The earliest membership was centered in several publications, and the quarterly Society Eastern Kentucky, North Carolina, and newsletter, The Border Reiver. We now participat- Tennessee, along with a few other states utilize Facebook, and our website, ed was in like Ohio and Texas. Membership grew www.clanhallsociety.org. CHS has not July, because of the enthusiasm of those char- yet entered the land of Twitter and Insta- 2009, at ter members and their participation in gram. It is my hope as more youthful Scot- several major Highland Games. These members become active in Clan Hall, David Hall & John Hall land’s events brought exposure to Clan Hall and they will bring their knowledge of social Gathering 2009 as a result more Halls discovered their media with them and incorporate it to Scottish Border roots and identity. Be- CHS. “Gathering 2009.” This event took place cause of the efforts of the CHS Commis- The CHS website has become beneficial in , Scotland and was the larg- sioners we are represented at events in for Clan Hall members. A person can est gathering of Scottish Clans and asso- nine and soon to be eleven States. We join or renew their membership online. ciations in several hundred years. The now have members scattered throughout Payments are processed from the website (Continued on page 5)

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Personal Recollections Cont. (Continued from page 4) open windows and on roof tops cheering creased growth; contributing to the histo- CHS Executive V.P. at that time, David as if we were a victorious army returning ry and pride of being a Hall. Hall, his wife Pam, my wife Debbie and I home. In a sense we were. We were rep- were there hosting the Clan Hall tent. resenting the thousands upon thousands of During this time we met a number of Scots who left Scotland over a span of Halls who never realized they were once many centuries to establish residences all considered a Border Clan, though Halls over the world. Now we were home to are listed in Border history. say thank you for the heritage Scotland had given us. My hope is that the passage of time will not cause a reduction in re- search and interest of our ancestral roots. It is in our past that we dis- cover the foundations of who we are Looking back behind Clan Hall as we waited for the as a people. Clan Hall Society does start of the Parade of Clans not so much celebrate the activities of Halls as , but to Clan Tent Area—Gathering 2009 celebrate the tenacious spirit and personal independence of a people who were able The grandest experience of the Gathering to survive through very trying and dan- 2009 was the Parade of Clans. An event gerous times. The Border Halls never had unlike any other I had experienced or ever a Clan Chief or dominate headman. I will again. We four joined the approxi- tend to view them as an independent lot mately 8,500 other Gathering 2009 partic- who maintained their own identity within ipants and marched up the Royal Mile to the Borders, contributing to its history. Edinburgh Castle. Lining the street were As we complete 25 years as Clan Hall about 10,000 spectators standing along Society, I hope the next 25 will bring in- the parade route, on balconies, through

Gail cutting slice of Clan Hall Society 2018 AGBM anniversary cake for Steve

our Kentucky provided two cakes to celebrate the 25th Commissioners Anniversary of Clan Hall Society. and Clan tent hosts, Gail Kil- The basic highlights of the meeting: burn and her sis- ter, Sandra Huff. The US Copyright Office has granted They also Gail Kilburn & Sandra Huff Clan Hall Society copyright ownership of our Clan Crest, Coat of Arms, Clan Clan Hall 2018 AGBM Attendees seal, and the hound head. The retaining of the New Member Re- Clan Hall Society held its 2018 Annual cruitment offer, if a member gets a min- General Business meeting on June 2nd, imum of three new members to join that at the Glasgow Highland Games. member will receive a 1 year free mem- These Games are take place at the Bar- bership. ren River Lake State Park near Glas- gow Ky. Prior to the meeting we were treated to a lunch that was provided by (Continued on page 6)

5 The Border Reiver

Clan Hall AGBM 2018 cont.

(Continued from page 5) our website. This will be a great way to The extra $2.00 membership fee for inter- show your association with Clan Hall national members has been removed. Society.

The 2019 AGBM is tentatively scheduled President Appointments to take place at the Mid Atlantic Celtic Festival in Fredrick, Maryland. Membership Secretary: Greg Hall Election of Officers [email protected] John Hall, President Regional Commissioner Arizona AGBM—A gathering of friends and family Steven R. Hall, Executive Vice President Jay Hampton Lee Hall, Vice President, Eastern Region [email protected] Ken Hall, Vice President, Western Region Regional Commissioner, Kentucky: Regional Commissioner, Tennessee: Kelly Hall, Treasurer Sandra Huff / Gail Kilburn Steve H. Hall / Josh L. Hall Debbie Hall, Secretary [email protected] [email protected] / [email protected] David J Hall, England, Board Member Regional Commissioner, New York: Regional Commissioner, Virginia: 3 year term. Lee Hall Greg & Kelly Hall [email protected] [email protected] Due to David and Pam Hall stepping Regional Commissioner, Ohio: Regional Commissioner, Washington: down from their positions Greg Hall is John (Skip) & Debbie Hall John & Yvonne Hall replacing Pam as Membership Secretary [email protected] [email protected] and I, John Hall, am replacing David as Regional Commissioner, Oklahoma: Commissioners-at-Large: Border Reiver editor. Ken Hall Joey Hall & Shawn Hall [email protected] [email protected] Another item to add is a fund raising pro- Regional Commissioner, Pacific Region: Clan Pipers: ject will soon be started. Official Clan David & Pam Hall Joey Hall & Shawn Hall Hall Society t-shirts will soon be made [email protected] DNA Project: available. A minimum donation level has Regional Commissioner, Pennsylvania: David J. Hall, Warwickshire, England not yet been set. Once everything is es- Steve R. & Teresa Hall [email protected] tablished, an announcement will be made [email protected] Newsletter Editor: & Web Master: on the Clan Hall Facebook page and on John A. (Skip) Hall [email protected] Facebook: Steve R. Hall [email protected]

CHS Officers 2018—2019 L-R Debbie Hall, John Hall, Greg Hall, Kelly Hall, Steve R. Hall, Lee Hall

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Clan Hall Society Contacts MEMBERSHIP DUES Annual dues for 2018-19 President John A. "Skip” Hall Tel: (330) 270-0387 Were due by 5695 Cider Mill Crossing Youngstown, OH 44515 E-mail: [email protected] July 1, 2018 Our new Membership Secretary, Greg Hall, Executive Vice-President will be looking forward to receiving your renewal: Steve R. Hall Tel: 570-265-4210 992 McNeal Road - Please mail in your renewal to - Towanda, PA 18848 Email: [email protected] Greg Hall 9301 Lakeland Terrace Secretary Debbie Hall Tel: (330) 270-0387 Henrico, VA 23229 5695 Cider Mill Crossing Or you can renew online Youngstown, OH 44515 E-mail: [email protected] An Individual Membership is $15.00; Family Membership is $20.00. Make checks payable to Clan Hall Society or by PayPal at Treasurer Kelly Hall Tel: 636-390-0641 Clan Hall Society website: 9301 Lakeland Terrace www.clanhallsociety.org Henrico, VA 23229

E-mail: [email protected]

Thank you! Vice President Western Region Ken Hall Tel: 405-209-9559 9100 Lakeaire Drive Oklahoma City, OK 14512 Email: [email protected]

Vice President Eastern Region Lee Hall Tel: 585-374-5678 6961 Sumac Drive Naples, NY 14512 Email: [email protected] Diana Hesser of Illinois & James Hall of New York Membership Secretary Thank you for becoming Greg Hall Tel: 717-309-7662 9301 Lakeland Terrace members of Henrico, VA 23229 Clan Hall Society Email: [email protected]

2018 Budget for Clan Hall Society [Summary]

Balance forward Hall Tartan (12/31/17) $ 1694.99 Projected Membership receipts Now Available $ 950.00 For more information Projected Total $ 2644.99 go to page 2 Projected Expenses $ 2020.00

Balance $ 624.99

7 The Border Reiver 5695 Cider Mill Crossing Youngstown, OH 44515 Postage Stamp

The Border Reiver Voice of Clan Hall Society

Clan Hall Society is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization

Visit us on the Web at: www.ClanHallSociety.org

Editor’s Notes NEW - from Spoonflower - Hall Tartan

Printed (not woven) Hall tartan is now available in 21 differ- Becoming the editor for The Border Reiver ent fabrics. Affordable Hall tartan can be used for table & is a new challenge for me. napkin cloths, window curtains, quilts, pillows, kids and pets David Hall, our previous editor, set a stand- clothes, banners, etc.

ard for the quality of publication http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/4251305-hall- that will be hard to emulate. However, I will tartan-by-weavingmajor do my best. What I would appreciate is some input from you the CHS membership. I would like to hear your stories relating to your Hall ancestry especially if it has con- Clan Hall Society Video nections with the Borders or you or they have Be sure to get the video documentary contributed to historical events. “The Clan Hall Society, Our History Past and Present.”

TBR Editor This is your newsletter so please feel free in sub- This 16 minute video on DVD looks at the Halls as a Skip Hall mitting articles for consideration. Please under- Border family and the formation of the Clan Hall Society stand that any article submitted will be evaluated in 1993. and edited. A submission is no guarantee of in- Cost $15.00 plus $3.00 shipping. clusion but each will receive an honest review. Pictures are also encouraged. Make check payable to: Send all submissions by email: Forerunner Multimedia Films LLC [email protected] P.O.Box 4060 Youngstown, OH 44515

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