James Hatton Hall

James Hatton Hall (14 March 1866 – 27 March 1945) was a planter and soldier who played a pivotal role in the development of agriculture in Borneo. As the founder of "James Hatton Hall and Company," he operated a general merchant business and proudly referred to himself as "a pioneer in Brunei and North Borneo." His journey into chartered company territory began at the turn of the 20th century, leading to his long tenure as the manager of the expansive 8,000-acre (3,200 ha) Woodford Estate in Beaufort, situated along the Padas River. In 1910, Hall established a private estate at Berakas in neighbouring Brunei, fully dedicating himself to its development after departing North Borneo in 1917, a year marked by significant global upheaval, including the Russian Revolution.