Robert Troy Hall (b. 1823), the son of William and Anne Troy Hall, was born in Wadesboro, NC, but after his mother became a widow, the family moved to Chapel Hill, NC. Robert entered the University in 1841, joined the Philanthropic Society, and graduated in 1844. He became a farmer and worked in "turpentine production" (Grant 247). He also served as a clerk of the Superior Court.