Person:Rebecca Ball (1)

ORANGE COUNTY, NC - MISC - Journal of Rev. David Irving Craig File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Nat Blackwood bperrone@ix.netcom.com

"I have in my possession two little wooden comb-cases, with the date 1747 cut into them. But these relics belonged to Mrs. "Rebecca Ball" whose name is also inscribed on them, and who became the mother in law of the above James Craig. I do not doubt that these ancient trinkets which "came over the sea", and which so carefully present the date and name of the owner, was intended to mark and preserve the time of the emigration of the "Ball" family; and they being so early and intimately connected with the Craig's might naturally raise the presumption that they came over together in 1747. I think I have been told that the coming of the "Ball's" to this Country and possibly the Craig's too, was the immediate result of the disastrous battle of Collodon in 1746. It is possible that both families came over together in 1747, and it is certain that both families landed and lived for a time on Pennsylvania soil. All that I know of the early history of the "Ball's" is that they were the members of some Church of which the Rev. James Campbell was the Minister. I suppose this Church was in Pennsylvania. Mr. Campbell's ministry was in Pennsylvania and in North Carolina. He came to N.C. in 1757 - See Footes Sketches of N.C. I have in my possession the original Church Certificate of James Ball and his wife Rebecca Ball, given under Mr. Campbell's own hand and signature, and dated, July 26, 1756. I prize this paper very much, but the heading or place where it was issued is wanting, for which I am so sorry. "Here is a copy of it: "That James Ball, his wife, Rebeckah, are free, together with their family, from any scandull known to us, only sayd James hath not supported the Gospel while among us, but sayd Rebeckah hath enjoyed full communion with us, and may be admitted to Christian Privilege where God may order their lot." Attested this 26th July, 1756, by James Campbell, V. D. M. So, it is evident that the Ball family lived in Pennsylvania prior to 1756 and so did the Craig family. I have a vague recollection of being told that the Ball's lived a short time in Virginia before coming to N.C. This name still abounds in Va. The mother of George Washington was a Miss Ball. The above named "Rebecca Ball" was the owner of the comb cases marked 1747, and her daughter "Rebecca", also was married to James Craig, the son of William above mentioned, my Great-Grandfather, April 26, 1763. I cannot say positively whether there was any intimacy or connection between these two families prior to this marriage in 1763 or not, but from this time forth the history and traditions of the two families are very much mixed in my mind. The influence of the Ball blood on the Craig's must have been very great, and seems to have left a lasting impression, both for good and bad. It is said of "Granny Ball" - the owner of the comb cases, that she was an "Irish woman", and somewhat of a "terror", possessing a violent temper; while it was said of her daughter - Rebecca, the wife of James Craig, that she was a most lovely and sweet tempered woman, and of noted and devout piety. I have heard her son, Isaac Craig, who was born in 1779, say that in his young and wild days, in the late night hours, he had often heard his Mother earnestly praying for him. "These points concerning the Ball family do not settle the question - When did the Craig's come to America? but at the same time they do help to approximate the time. "