[1] He was a member of Clan Hall, a Border Reiver clan of Norman descent and owned the Otterburn Tower in Redesdale, Northumberland;[2] his initials are still carved over a doorway today.
John "Mad Jack" Hall's wife was Alderman Hutchison's daughter, Mary.
[1] While awaiting trial in prison, Hall remarked to a fellow prisoner "Our fathers gained land in Cromwell's time as sequestrators of rebels, now we are going to lose them for being rebels."
He was described as a "violent, passionate and indiscreet man" but who was highly generous and beloved by his men.
[1][5] It was his fiery and energetic temper which procured him the name of "Mad Jack Hall of Otterburn".