Turning History into Hope
Honoring the courage of those who endured slavery and the descendants who chose collaboration. We build scholarships and preserve history—together.
When the descendants of enslaver Hugh Hall invited the descendants of Samuel Hall back to the plantation where their ancestor was held in bondage, they chose a path of collaboration—forming a foundation dedicated to scholarships, historical preservation, and healing.
Discover Our Story
Descendants gather at the Hugh Hall House, Iredell County, NC
In July 2023, an unlikely meeting occurred between the descendants of a slave master and the descendants of his enslaved people. This meeting took place on the Hall plantation in Iredell County, North Carolina, when the descendants of Hugh Hall, a slave master and educator, invited the descendants of Samuel Hall, one of the people enslaved by Hugh Hall, to a gathering on the plantation.
Samuel Hall had dictated his life story to journalist Orville Elder for his biography entitled Samuel Hall, 47 Years a Slave, in which he described his life. Because of this book and ancestry.com, the two families were able to connect with each other.
Samuel Hall's autobiography, 47 Years a Slave
After Samuel Hall gained his freedom, he dictated an autobiography to journalist Orville Elder, chronicling his extraordinary journey to freedom and the immense barriers he overcame. His story continues to inspire generations striving to overcome the obstacles they face in their own lives.
Born and raised enslaved on the Hall plantation, Samuel was separated from his first wife when he was sold in 1855 to a Tennessee-Mississippi plantation. During the Civil War, he secretly served the Union Army, and eventually freed his second family with the help of Union soldiers before relocating to Washington, Iowa.
His autobiography, dictated at the age of 94, documents his life, the names of his family members, and his remarkable experiences across slavery and freedom.
Descendants come together on the porch of the historic Hugh Hall House
This groundbreaking partnership of two families, who share a painful history, has created the Hugh Hall (enslaver) and Samuel Hall (enslaved) Foundation. They are dedicated to preserving and sharing their rich history and promoting healing, education, and empowerment.
Hugh Roddy Hall was an educator who taught at Ebenezer Academy, a preparatory school established by his uncle James Hall. Notably, he taught enslaved people literacy skills—a rare and significant act in that era. Caesar Hall, Samuel's half-brother and also enslaved on the Hall Plantation, was a founding member of Freedom Presbyterian Church, located near the original plantation.
Today, the Hall plantation remains in family ownership, held by Hugh Hall's great-great-grandson, James Hall Adams Jr., and his wife Becky, whose genealogical research helped reconnect the Hall descendants.
Inside the historic Hugh Hall House
Looking south from the Hugh Hall House across the plantation grounds
Passages from Samuel Hall’s autobiography, dictated at the age of 94.
1912
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Watch the powerful moment when the descendants of Samuel Hall returned to the historic Hall plantation for the first time.
Videography by Javis Hough
The Hugh Hall Home
Freedom Presbyterian Church
Descendants Celebrating Heritage
Test your knowledge of the Hugh Hall & Samuel Hall families. Can you earn the title of Foundation Historian?
Question 1 of 7
The Foundation has two programs dedicated to education and historical preservation.
Empowering Iredell County high school seniors to achieve their dreams of higher education and build generational wealth.
Learn More →Preserving the homes, farmsteads, and stories of the Hall plantation for future generations to learn from and reflect upon.
Learn More →
The first Samuel Hall Scholarship banquet celebration
The Samuel Hall Scholarship program honors the legacy of Samuel Hall by empowering students to achieve their goals through furthering their education. Our long-term objective is to enable recipients to contribute significantly to the local economy and establish generational wealth.
Ella Valles and Aiden Burton, 2024 scholarship recipients
The 2025 Samuel Hall Scholarship recipients
Submit your FAFSA as soon as possible at studentaid.gov to receive your Student Aid Index in time.
View Application DetailsThis scholarship complies with all applicable federal anti-discrimination laws. Winners are selected without consideration of their race, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics. The Samuel Hall Executive Board reserves the right to make final decisions concerning the award of scholarships and related matters.
Work is now underway to create a history museum on the Hall plantation that will preserve and share the remarkable stories woven into this land.
The museum will include:
These grounds hold generations of history—stories of perseverance, faith, and the enduring human spirit. The Hall Museum will ensure these stories are never forgotten, offering visitors a place to learn, reflect, and honor the lives of those who came before us.
The James Hall Adams Sr. homestead
The Hall plantation, still in family ownership
Your donation makes a difference. It will assist outstanding high school students in need of financial assistance to attain their dream of attending a college of their choice.
When you give, you can designate your gift for one of our programs: the Samuel Hall Scholarships or the Hall Museum.
Donations are processed securely through Clover. You will receive an email receipt from app@clover.com for your records.
To claim a tax deduction, please request an acknowledgement letter from the Hugh Hall and Samuel Hall Foundation. The Foundation has applied for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS.
Donate NowWe would love to hear from you. Whether you have questions about our scholarship program, the Hall Museum, or how you can support our mission, please reach out.
Read Samuel Hall's autobiography: