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1. SUBJECT:

James M. Hall Home.

2. LOCATION:

Northwest corner Main and Bruce Streets, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

3. DATE:

Prior to 1835.

4. OWNERS:

• James M. Hall until his death in 1835.
• Mrs. James M. Hall during her lifetime, by will.
• Phillip Liggett, by deed dated October 20, 1846, from Mary Kyle.
• M. Harvey Effinger, by deed dated April 6, 2024 from P. Liggett.
• W.S. Gurnee, by deed dated June 5, 1877, from M. Harvey Effinger.
• John E. Roller, by deed dated October 1, 1884, from W.S. Gurnee.
• Present owner Mrs. George G. Grattan, daughter of John E. Roller, deceased.

1. DESCRIPTION:

This is a two-story Colonial home with a four- columned portico. It is brick, fronts on Main Street, the L extended west on Bruce Street, and joining the old Thomas stone house which was used as John E. Roller’s law office.

The exact date of the building of this old home is not known, but the records show that it was built by James M. Hall long before his death, which occurred in 1835, and by his will left to his wife during her natural lifetime. Mr. Hall was a prominent lawyer of his day, and built a brick law office just north of his residence, which has long since disappeared.

The house now has eleven rooms, but had originally only eight, the principle ones being large and airy with high carved mantelpieces.

Three rooms were added by General Roller during his residence here, the dining room being changed from the south side to the north side of the house.

2. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The house shows the early, substantial and rapid growth of the community and the intelligent and sturdy character of its people. At no time since, has Rugged Individualism of which we hear so much, been so well and so perfectly illustrated as in those early days in the Shenandoah Valley as well as in other parts of the united States of America.

This fine old house was one of the earlier ones built probably shortly after 1800, being at the time outside the limits of the town, which was in its infancy. This house was recently the Old Mill Stone Antique Ship, but is now used for offices, and has a business school on the second floor, Mrs. George G. Grattan being the owner of the property.

John S. Roller was one of the V.M.I. Cadets, taking part in the Battle of New Market, in which engagement they so distinguished themselves. He was a man of fine intelligence and after the War Between the States, he engaged in the practice of law, being one of the prominent members of the bar. He had also other interests and was truly a man of affairs.

 

 

James. M. Hall Home

Page 2

3. ART:

Photograph.

 

4. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: