MR notes how Beddome had married 17 year old Elizabeth when 32. He says there must have been at least 10 children, though many died young. He says the first-born John aged 15 adn notes how William Snooke comments in 1774 on the funeral of the one-year old Joseph Beddome, “the third of that name to die”. Benjamin died at 25, Foskett at 26, of course. Both trained as medical doctors. Elizabeth had died aged 51 in 1784, the same year as Foskett who drowned boarding a ship at Deptford. At least four children outlived the father and their descendants were still living at Bourton in the 1920s. A note of Hall's says “1798 Sept 28th - agreed to let our tenement to Mrs. S Beddome for 6 months for 3 Guineas – or at 5 Guineas a year if they continue a twelve month. If any taxes are charged to it they are to pay. Delivered the keys to Mr S Palmer Oct 3rd 1798.”
MR pictures Hall in old age as slightly more relaxed, spending time with younger children and grandchildren, walking his dog, recounting tales to the kids about going to see the King, or what it was like at the Tower of London, or how there used to be highwaymen and robbers. Slowly a rather more avuncular figure emerges – “even if he appeared a pious old prig to the rest world!” Visits to London appear to have been twice-yearly. On one of these, on June 17, 1801 the 72 year old set out for London with his wife and Mrs Snooke. They got as far as Witney when he was taken ill and the party was forced to return. His son Benjamin takes up the story “My father continuing to get worse, Dr Cheston, a Physician from Gloucester, was sent for who came on the 23rd. Dr Cox also came on 26th and Mr. and Mrs. Griffith from Bath. My brothers in law” (ie step-brothers) “William and Francis with my cousin Eliza came on the 30th. July 2nd, a little before 6 o’clock in the morning my dear father departed. Mr. Davidson an esteemed friend of my father and one of his executors came on Monday 6th. On Sunday 7th my father’s remains were interred in the Meeting Yard at Bourton – the Revd. Thos Smith of Shipston-on-Stour officiated. On the following day Mr. Davidson and Mr. Francis Hall left for London and Mr. Griffith & Mr. William Hall for Bath."
MR pictures Hall in old age as slightly more relaxed, spending time with younger children and grandchildren, walking his dog, recounting tales to the kids about going to see the King, or what it was like at the Tower of London, or how there used to be highwaymen and robbers. Slowly a rather more avuncular figure emerges – “even if he appeared a pious old prig to the rest world!” Visits to London appear to have been twice-yearly. On one of these, on June 17, 1801 the 72 year old set out for London with his wife and Mrs Snooke. They got as far as Witney when he was taken ill and the party was forced to return. His son Benjamin takes up the story “My father continuing to get worse, Dr Cheston, a Physician from Gloucester, was sent for who came on the 23rd. Dr Cox also came on 26th and Mr. and Mrs. Griffith from Bath. My brothers in law” (ie step-brothers) “William and Francis with my cousin Eliza came on the 30th. July 2nd, a little before 6 o’clock in the morning my dear father departed. Mr. Davidson an esteemed friend of my father and one of his executors came on Monday 6th. On Sunday 7th my father’s remains were interred in the Meeting Yard at Bourton – the Revd. Thos Smith of Shipston-on-Stour officiated. On the following day Mr. Davidson and Mr. Francis Hall left for London and Mr. Griffith & Mr. William Hall for Bath."
He records the brief Memoir of his father inserted in Dr. Rippon’s register:
“July 2nd 1801 Died Mr Rd Hall of Bourton on the Water Gloucestershire in the seventy third year of his age. He was for many years a member of the church of Christ in Carter Lane Southwark in the time of Dr Gill. His illness was sudden and he was in great pain for several days, but it pleased the Lord to afford him consolation. His mind was much occupied by the Holy Scriptures and with great patience and resignation he bore the afflicting hand of God, acknowledging that the ways of the Lord were just and equal. He expressed warm emotions of tenderness to his family, especially the younger branches of it whose concerns appeared very much to interest his heart. He spoke of the importance of early instruction in Divine things and the benefit of having the mind stored with the treasure of God’s word, the advantage of which he had experienced, and hoped his youngest son would be a follower of those who walk in the ways of the Lord.”
As already mentioned, Rippon ended with the words “Mr Hall was certainly not distinguished among his religious connections for the felicity of his disposition but we are given to understand that he has left behind him the testimony of an affectionate husband a kind father and a sincere friend”. The family were outraged by this, and according to son Benjamin wrote to tell Rippon what they thought of him but no trace of the letter remains.
As already mentioned, Rippon ended with the words “Mr Hall was certainly not distinguished among his religious connections for the felicity of his disposition but we are given to understand that he has left behind him the testimony of an affectionate husband a kind father and a sincere friend”. The family were outraged by this, and according to son Benjamin wrote to tell Rippon what they thought of him but no trace of the letter remains.
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