Person:Joseph Ballinger (4)

Joseph Ballinger began life as a Quaker, but later became a member of the Church of England. He was a minister in that church and performed many marriages. He also owned slaves, which was against the teachings of the Friends (Quakers). He left New Jersey and went to Maryland and then on to Virginia with his brothers Henry and Josiah.

Virginia, Goochland County, "Will Book 4, 1741-1745", as printed in Reeves, Emma Barrett. "Three Centuries of Ballingers in America", 1977, pages 396, 397.

Will of Joseph Ballenger.

In the name of God Amen I Joseph Ballenger of the parish and county of Henrico being weak in Body but in perfect sense and memory and considering the frailty of this mortal life do make and Institute this my last will and Testament as followeth Viz. First I bequeath my soul to God that gave it and my body to be decently buried in a Christian manner and all my worldly debts to be justly paid and after my worldly debts and funeral charges paid the Remainder of my Estate I give and bequeath in manner and form following Viz. Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Mary Wade a negro boy named Tobey to her her heirs and assigns forever and a cow and a calf. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Charity Wade a negro girl named Phillis to her her heirs and assigns forever. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Abigail a negro girl named Moll and a side saddle of five pound price and a cow and a calf to her her heirs and assigns forever. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Susannah a negro girl named Hannah and a side saddle of five pound price and a cow and a calf to her her heirs and assigns forever. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth a negro boy named Guy and a side saddle of five pound price and a cow and a calf to her her heirs and assigns forever. Item I give and bequeath to my son Joseph fifty pounds current money to be paid to him at the age of twenty one years. Item I give and bequeath to my son Richard fifty pounds current money to be paid to him at the age of twenty one years. Item I give and bequeath my tract of land bying in Goochland County on the Bird to be sold by my Executors hereafter mentioned and the money to be equally divided among my seven children before mentioned. Item I give and bequeath my tract of land lying at the mountains to be equally divided between my two sons Joseph and Richard to them their heirs and assigns forever. Item I give and bequeath to my loving and well beloved wife Charity Ballenger five negros named Jack, Dred?, Hall, Bess and Bridgett I say to to my aforesaid wife during her natural life or widowhood and afterwards to be given by her to my children at her discretion and all the rest of my estate in what manner and form soever it be I give to my aforesaid wife and I do appoint my two sons in law Jeremiah Wade and Pearce Wade and my loving friend Thomas Cawthon and my loving wife Charity Ballinger all Joynt Executors of this my last will and testament. Signed with my hand and sealed with my seal this fifth day of June Anno Domini 1744. The will was proved February 18, 1744.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Reeves, Emma Barrett. Three Centuries of Ballingers in America, 1977, pages 2, 3.