Person:William Ball (168)

Overview

Wiliam Ball, son of Jasper Ball of Frederick County was married twice; his first marriage is said to have been to a Judith Throckmorton [sources needed], who was the mother of the following children -

Elizabeth 'Betsy' Ball (who married a Mr. Henry prior to May 1796)

Judith Throckmorton Ball, (who was likely named after her mother and married James Singleton in 1797)

William Payne Ball (who married Elizabeth Singleton in 1808)

Thomas Kemp Ball (who married Jane Graves in 1805)

Nancy Ann Ball (who married Martin Cartmell in 1808.

William's first wife likely died before he married again on 18 May 1790 in Frederick County, Virginia to Drucilla Singleton. Drucilla is listed as "Mrs. Drucilla Ball" as a buyer in William Ball's Estate Sale [listed below] and is listed as William's "present wife" [but not by name] in his will written in May 1796. She was the mother of Jasper Ball [obviously named after his grandfather], and one other un-identified child listed in William's Will, who may have died young, as Jasper is lised in a related court case in Augusta County as William's "only child" [perhaps because his older siblings had all reached adulthood].

- Note: some internet genealogies claim that this William Ball married a Ruth Tracy in Frederick County, Virginia, 1792. Based upon William's Estate records listed below, listing "Mrs. Drucilla Ball", whom he had married in 1790, this claim appears to be unfounded. Based upon this discrepaancy, it is likely a different William Ball that likely married Ruth Tracy in Frederick County.

Will Abstract

Will of William BALL dated 14 May 1796; proved 6 Sep 1796.

Wife not named; only refers to "present wife"

Children: William Payne BALL, Thomas Kemp BALL, Nancy, Judith THROCKMORTON, Betsy HENRY.

Trustee: Samuel Pittinger, indenture dated 12 Jul 1790 on part of plantion in trust for wife during her life in lieu of dower, reversion to sons when wife dies; residue of land and rent to be divided when Thomas becomes 21. Whole tract may be sold upon reversion.

To son Thomas, daughters Judith, Betsy and Nancy, named slaves.

Residue to be divided among children, of which the "two younger children are by my present wife."

William and Thomas to be bound out to trade; also negroes given to them.

Wit: F. HARRISON, Robert PAGE

Exrs and guardians; Francis WHITING of FAUQUIER CO., Thomas PARKER, Laurence BUTLER.

[Frederick County, Virginia Will Book 6, page 207 208]

BALL, WILLIAM

Division of negroes. 2 Jan 1798

Statement of payments to equaliz division.

To William BALL, Nancy BALL, Betsey BALL, Mrs. Judith SINGLETON, Thomas BALL.

[Note: Judith BALL married James SINGLETON; 26 Oct 1797; Frederick County, VA].

BALL, CAPTAIN WILLIAM

Sale Account. 19 Dec 1796/6Jul 1801

Exrs: Thomas PARKER, L. BUTLER

Among buyers; Mrs. Drucilla BALL, Miss Judith BALL

BALL, WILLIAM

Memo of valuation of property. 16 Dec 1796/15 Aug 1801

Appraisers: George ECKRIDGE, John HIERONIMUS, William COOK

(P. 635-637)

Records in Augusta County, VA

From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records:

• Vol. 2 - Edward Ball vs. Jasper Ball's heirs--O. S. 131; N. S. 45--Bill, March, 1808. From Frederick. In August, 1802, Jasper Ball, orator's father, conveyed to orator certain lands in Frederick in consideration that orator should support him for life; another portion he directed to be laid off for orator's brother, William Ball, since deceased. Jasper died intestate (leaving children, viz: Orator, Sarah Conner, wife of Samuel Conner; Elizabeth wife of George Smith; Catherine, wife of William Foley, and Jasper Ball, infant, the only child of William Ball, deceased, who was son of Jasper, deceased.

- it is clear from other records, including the will and estate records of William Ball that Jasper Ball was not his only child [but likely his youngest], this may have been either written or transcribed incorrectly or put simply to mean that Jasper was William's only "child" that had not reached adulthood.

1.   Cartmell, Thomas Kemp, 1838-1920. Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: a history of Frederick County, Virginia. (Berryville, Virginia: Chesapeake Book, 1909, 1963).

   The first appearance of this family in the county was in 1772, when Jasper Ball came from Loudoun County, and purchased a tract of 86 acres. The following year he purchased an adjoining tract on Morgan's Marsh. He doubtless was the father of William Ball who died in 1796, who by his will disposed of his estate between his children: viz: Wm. Payne, Thomas Kemp, Judith Throckmorton, Betsy, Henry and Nancy Ball. The latter was the wife of Martin Cartmell, of Homespun, 1808. Judith T. was the wife of Genl. Singleton, 1797. Betsy married Geo. Smith, 1790. Other marriages appear, evidentely of the same family, and are mentioned for the benefit of some descendants: Sally Ball married Samuel Connor, 1789; Wm. Ball married Drucilla Singleton, 1790. Phebe Ball married Wm. Morgan, 1795; Frances married M. Fauntleroy, 1809; Lavinia Ball married Josiah Massie, whose daughter married Mr. Gamble Baker.