Person:John Ball (10)

Stafford County, Virginia: 14 August 1722: Will of John Ball written this date, probated 14 November 1722. His original will was destroyed among other Stafford County, Virginia records. The will was recorded in Will Book K, 1721-1730, p35. Book K is now missing from the Clerks office in Stafford County. Will location proved by the surviving Old General Index to Records of Stafford County, Virginia. There is a notarized statement by George H.S. King that the transcript is a true copy made by Thomas Gowry Strother Tyler, Clerk of Stafford County Court.

WILL OF JOHN BALL, STAFFORD COUNTY, VIRGINIA

In the name of God, Amen: I John Ball of the County of Stafford and in the Parish of Overwharton being sick and weak but blessed by God in my perfect senses Do ordain this my last Will & Testament revoking and disnulling all other Will or Wills heretofore made by me or intended to be made in manner or form as followeth, first I resign my soul to Almighty God who gave it to me, and hope through Merits Death and passion of my dear Saviour Jesus Christ hope for full pardon and remission of all my sins and hope that I shall meet my Blessed Saviour in a Joyful Resurrection at the last Day. Next I desire my Body to the earth from whence it came to be decently buried by my executrix hereafter named. Item: I give and bequeath to my well beloved son James Ball that plantation where he now dwells and as much of that tract of land joining at both ends of the said plantation as shall make the quantity of one hundred acres to him and his heirs lawfully begotten for ever, but in default of such heirs then to fall to George Ball by youngest son to him and his deirs lawfully begotten for ever if in default of such heirs then to fall to the next male heir of the kin forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Moses Ball all that Land and plantation and Water Mill that belongeth to me on the North side Great Hunting creek to him and his heirs lawfully begotten and in default of such heirs, that then to fall to the next male heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath to my son John Ball my now dwelling plantation and all the land that lyeth on the south side of Great Hunting creek belonging to me, all the said land and plantation I do give it to my son John Ball to his heirs lawfully begotten forever and in default of such heirs then to fall to his brother Moses Ball and his heirs lawfully begotten and in default of such heirs then to the next male heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Ball all that tract of land lying on the south side of Doegg's Run and adjoining on Coll.(sic) George Moses containing three hundred acres, the said land I give unto her and her heirs lawfully begotten of her Body forever and in default of such heirs then fall to her brother James Ball to him and his heirs forever. Item: I give one cow and calf, one feather bed and Iron Pott which is all I give to my daughter Mary Ball of my estate whatsoever. Item: I give and bequeath unto by daughter Dinah Ball all that tract of land lying on the south side of Doegg's Run joining on Richard Carpenters call Barneby, the said land I give to her and her heirs lawfully begotten of her body forever but in default of such heirs that then to fall to her sister Martha Ball to her and heirs forever. Item: I give to my daughter Martha Ball and my daughter Ann Ball all that tract of land lying situate and lying on both sides of Piney Branch containing Five Hundred Ninety five acres equally to be divided between my two daughters Martha and Ann and to their heirs lawfully begotten of their bodys forever but to default of such heirs that then fall to the next male heir. Item: I give and bequeath to my son James Ball one case of Pistols & Holsters it being all that design that he shall have of my estate with the land before mentioned to cutting him off from all ye rest. Item: I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife all my estate but what is already given, after all my honest and lawfull debts be paid, to which all my stock of cattle and all my stock of horses and mares and all by household stuff of what sort soever and all my Tobacco and Moneys belonging to ou appertaining to me, as witness my hand and seal this 14th day of August in the year of our Lord 1722. I do appoint my loving and dear wife Winifred Ball, my lawful and whole executrix of this my last will and testament and I do desire captain Simon Peirson to assist my wife in her Executorship.

Signed John Ball Signed Sealed in the presence of us Gabriel Adams James (X) Davis Alice (X) Boyston Margaret (X) Farroll

(BookF, No.2, p56). John patented 221 acres of land on the north branch of Hunting Creek, North Neck Land Grants 2:188. He also bought 343 acres from Robert Brent, executor of Nicholas Brent, on the north side of Hunting Creek. They lived on Four Mile Run and Little Hunting Creek near Alexandria, Fairfax County, VA. John Ball removed to Hunting Creek soon after the purchase and left a will, proved in the county court of Stafford, as shown by the index in the book in which it was recorded. This John Ball is not to be confused with a John Ball who received a land patent on the south side of Four Mile Run in 1740, and who was a neighbor fo Moses Ball. According to author Charles Stetson, their relationship is not known, but they may have been cousins, since Moses Ball was the executor of neighbor John Ball's estate. His wife was Elizabeth and they had five daughters and no sons.

John Ball was married either (1671) or 1660-1677 prob in Stafford County, Va-according to the Ball Book of the Potomac Balls.

1. ↑ One Great Family Web Site.