HALL, Francis, journalist, born in Taunton, Somerset, England, 12 March, 1785; died in New York city, 11 August, 1866. He came to the United States when fourteen years of age, and was apprenticed to a printer. In 1811 he entered the office of the New York " Commercial Advertiser," and two years afterward became part owner and co-editor of that journal, with which he remained connected for fifty-three years. He was identified with most of the religious and charitable societies of the city, and was an officer of the Methodist missionary society, the Young men's Bible society, the American Bible society, the American tract society, the deaf and dumb institution, and the New York state colonization society. Mr. Hall was for thirty years recording secretary of the Methodist missionary society, and was deputed to visit the Indian missions of Upper Canada in behalf of that body. About 1833 he united with Messrs. Suckley, Innis, and others in organizing the first "pewed" Methodist church in New York. It was called the "First Wesleyan Chapel," and stood in Vestry street. In 1854 Mr. Hall received the degree of LL.D. from Wesleyan university.