BIOGRAPHY: Charles Henry Hall; New York co., NY
surname: Hall

submitted by Elizabeth Burns (burns at asu.edu) 
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Submitted Date: June 3,2005
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Author: Walter Barrett

Charles Henry Hall
Page 104
Old Merchants, 
Walter Barrett, 
Thomas R. Knox, 1885

Charles Henry Hall, the old book-keeper of Thomas H. Smith and Son, became of 
great note.  In 1822 he kept at 44 John Street and in 1824 he lived at 576 
Broadway.  This simple number, standing by itself, would not attract 
attention. It conveys the idea of a dwelling house on Broadway--nothing more. 
But in 1823 it meant an entire block far up-town, bounded by Prince, Crosby, 
Houston and Broadway, now occupied by the Metropolitan Hotel, Niblo's Theatre, 
Smithsonian Hotel, and half a dozen other places.  Standing alone in the 
center was a two story double house, No. 576.  I see it now as it was then. In 
the rear were the most superb stables ever erected. The building was very 
large. Over the stall of each horse was his name painted.  The property 
belonged to the Van Rensellaers of Albany, who had leased it to Mr. Hall.  
Here he resided until 1829, when in the spring of that year; Charles Henry 
Hall moved himself, his family and his magnificent horses to Harlem. His 
business office he kept at 20 Nassau Street.

The house and grounds were rented by William Niblo, who up to that time had 
kept the Bank Coffee House, corner of Pine and William Streets, in the rear of 
the Bank of New York.  It was a famous place. At the principle people of 
business dined and gave dinner parties there. Niblo opened it during the War 
in 1814 and made it very popular.

I think Mr. Niblo had once been in the employ of Daniel King. At any rate, he 
married his daughter.  King was a noted publican of his day. As early as 1799 
he kept a tavern at No. 9 Wall Street; he kept in the same spot as late as 
1811. In 1815 he moved his tavern up Broadway, near Prince Street.  In 1816 he 
moved down to 6 Slote Lane near Hanover Square. He kept there several years, 
or as late as 1820 when he moved up to Varick Street, where he kept a  
boarding house. I think he died about 1825.

When Mr. Niblo leased the Hall house up at 576, he intended to keep a branch 
of his downtown hotel. His customers were among the very first class of 
citizens.  He was not disappointed. Within a week after the upper townhouse 
was opened, it was filled with eminent merchants and their families, who 
preferred such a residence to housekeeping.  Among this class was Archibald 
Gracie who had recently married Miss Elizabeth Bethune (1828) of Charleston, 
S.C.

Niblo pursued a modest career for a few years, when someone suggested that he 
should open a sort of garden for the higher classes.  Niblo adopted the idea 
and small alcoves with tables inside and plenty of flower pots were introduced 
as a feature.  The next improvement was to move Hall's old stable building 
around to a more central part of the garden and then it was altered into a 
theatre, almost open at the sides.

The first performance of note was Herr Clines.  He was a brother of F.S. 
Cline, the actor.  He is now living somewhere in this city; I believe and have 
long been forgotten, except his name.

To return to Charles Henry Hall.  He was brought up by Murray and Mumford. I 
have his writing before me of 1805, large, clear and distinct. This house was 
started before 1786, as Murray, Mumford and Bowen, at Crane Wharf, foot of 
Beekman Street.  They did an immense business in 1791. Bowen went out, and 
Murray and Mumford continued the business at 73 Stone Street. Old John B. 
Murray was the head of this house. John P. Mumford was the other partner.  
They were the heaviest merchants of the period and dealt heavily in teas.  
Robert Aldrich was a clerk with them in 1797.  They bought up many young men.  
James Watson was with them in 1805 and was a fellow clerk with C.H. Hall. At 
the close of this year, the house was dissolved and in 1806 John P. Mumford, 
one of the partners carried on the business in his own name. He was assisted 
by his son Peter J. Mumford.  The store was at 42 John Street.