The Founding President of the South Jersey SAR
Rear Admiral Reynold Thomas Hall:
A Life of Valor and Service
Born in Philadelphia in 1858, Rear Admiral Reynold Thomas Hall was a man of exceptional courage and leadership. He was a proud native of Merchantville, a town co-founded by his father, Edward S. Hall. Reynold Hall spent his formative years there, later becoming the first president of the South Jersey chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Notably, he was the founding President of our chapter in 1923, alongside 21 other founding members.
Educated at Philadelphia’s Episcopal Academy, Hall further honed his technical skills at the Franklin Institute. His dedication and aptitude led to his appointment as an assistant engineer in the United States Navy in 1880. His rise through the naval ranks was meteoric, culminating in his appointment as Rear Admiral in 1914. He retired from active service in 1922.
Hall gained national acclaim for his role in the Spanish-American War. While commanding the USS Petrel, a 4th Rate Gunboat in the US Navy, under Commodore George Dewey, he displayed extraordinary bravery during the Battle of Manila Bay. His actions during the sinking of the Spanish fleet earned him a significant promotion, advancing him three numbers in rank. Upon his return to Merchantville, he was honored with a grand reception attended by residents from across Camden County. His community presented him with an engraved sword as a token of their admiration.
After the war, Hall continued to serve with distinction. He was appointed the industrial manager of the Navy Yard at Cavite and served as a squadron engineer in the Caribbean squadron. His exemplary conduct during the Battle of Manila Bay was publicly acknowledged, further solidifying his reputation as a war hero.
Rear Admiral Reynold T. Hall, U.S. Navy
President, South Jersey Chapter
1923 – 1927
Original Charter
South Jersey Chapter
1923
Hall was a recipient of the prestigious Dewey Medal and was an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Naval Engineers, the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, and the Franklin Institute. He was also a 33rd-degree Mason and a member of the Military Order of Foreign Wars.
In the early days of Merchantville, Hall, along with the late Henry McComb, initiated the establishment of the present Grace Episcopal Church. At the time, the town lacked a church building, so services were conducted in the parlor of the Hall family home.
In 1880, Hall married Ann Martin of Norfolk, Virginia. The couple did not have children. In 1934, Hall passed away in Wynnewood, PA, following a brief illness that led to a heart attack. He was 76 years old at the time of his passing. He is interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., leaving behind a legacy of bravery, leadership, and community service.
Gloucester Twp.18th Century Day & Fall Festival & Battle of Red Bank Memorial Service
Gloucester Twp.18th Century Day & Fall Festival & Battle of Red Bank Memorial Service
18th Century Field Day & Fall Festival – 10/18 Details Where: Red Bank Battlefield, National Park When: Sunday, October 18, 2026, 10 am to 4 pm Rain Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 10 am to
Battle of Red Bank Memorial Service
Battle of Red Bank Memorial Service
249th Commemoration of the Battle of Red Bank: A National SAR Color Guard Event 1:00 PM Save the date for Sunday, October 18th with a rain date of October 25th,
Wreaths Across America-at the Beverly National Cemetery
Wreaths Across America-at the Beverly National Cemetery
Wreaths Across America – National Day of Remembrance Honoring Our Veterans at Beverly National Cemetery Each December, Wreaths Across America coordinates a national day of remembrance to honor and remember
Gloucester Twp.18th Century Day & Fall Festival & Battle of Red Bank Memorial Service
Gloucester Twp.18th Century Day & Fall Festival & Battle of Red Bank Memorial Service
18th Century Field Day & Fall Festival – 10/18 Details Where: Red Bank Battlefield, National Park When: Sunday, October 18, 2026, 10 am to 4 pm Rain Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 10 am to
Battle of Red Bank Memorial Service
Battle of Red Bank Memorial Service
249th Commemoration of the Battle of Red Bank: A National SAR Color Guard Event 1:00 PM Save the date for Sunday, October 18th with a rain date of October 25th,
Wreaths Across America-at the Beverly National Cemetery
Wreaths Across America-at the Beverly National Cemetery
Wreaths Across America – National Day of Remembrance Honoring Our Veterans at Beverly National Cemetery Each December, Wreaths Across America coordinates a national day of remembrance to honor and remember
Chapter News
Why 2026 Matters: Presentation at the Farmstead at Medford Veterans Breakfast
On July 3, 2026, South Jersey Chapter SAR member Rich Serfass presented a special program at the Farmstead at Medford Veterans Breakfast titled “Why 2026 Matters: The American Revolution, Its Veterans, and the Legacy Around Us.” The 40-minute presentation focused on...
Pomeroy Patriot Burials Sign Received for Bethel United Methodist Church
On July 2, 2026, the South Jersey Chapter SAR received the Pomeroy “Patriot Burials” graveyard sign that will be installed at Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Sewell, Gloucester County, New Jersey. The marker recognizes the cemetery as the final resting...
South Jersey Chapter SAR Meeting – June 20, 2026
The South Jersey Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution held its June meeting on June 20, 2026, at the Camden County Library in Voorhees. The chapter welcomed New Jersey writer and historian Tony DiGerolamo as its guest speaker. DiGerolamo presented “Stories...