John Ball, of Stafford & Fairfax

For more pictures and documents, go to the Media section.

Stiofan C Perkins PRO - 9/21/2014 update: "It looks like someone has taken the information from a Ball Genealogy written in the 1800s and entered it as if it were true. John Ball of Stafford and Fairfax was NOT related to Richard Ball and Elizabeth Linton. They came from Norfolk or Lower Norfolk to Stafford county. John Ball of Stafford and Fairfax is NOT related to Mary Ball Washington. See the works of Bonnie Ball and The Ball Family of the Potomac, http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Ball_family_of_the_Potomac_... Regards, Steven C. Perkins"

Reply to Steven C. Perkins' post: Erica Isabel Howton - "Disconnected Richard Ball & Elizabeth Linton as parents, thank you. Been a while since I looked at the profile. We "do" follow "The Ball Family of the Potomac" but when this was last reviewed in 2012, was not sure if the case was sufficiently strong enough to represent Dr James Ball as parent. I am happy to look at that again; otherwise we may need "parent unknown" placeholder profiles."

Joseph Ball and Mary Montague were the parents of Mary Ball (1707-1789) the mother of President George Washington. There is no evidence that they were also the parents of John Ball, I (who is also called "John Ball of the Potomac") by some researchers. A great deal of research has been done on the Joseph and Mary side, and the only possible connection might be through a Richard Ball (1644), the son of Richard Ball (1603) who might have been a brother of Col William Ball, the father of Joseph.

Find A Grave Memorial # 40686061 gives the father of John Ball, I (1670-1722) as James Ball, Ref: Ball Family of the Potomac, 1654-2004, by Dr Doris LeClere Ball, PhD and George L. Ball M.S. From this memorial: "James Ball (1620 England- ? VA) immigrated to Westmoreland-Stafford County, VA on 23 Nov 1654 with 19 other immigrants. He was Catholic and was transported by John Drayton. This was a time of great discrimination against Catholics in Maryland and Virginia, and oppressed Catholics tended to rely on each other. James chose immigrate to the most religiously tolerant area of Virginia which had been founded by an espoused Catholic, Giles Brent. Brent was recruiting Catholic colonists for his settlement in Virginia which, Brent hoped, would provide refuge from most of the religious persecution rampant in both England and colonial America at that time. Since most colonists emigrated from the port nearest their place of origin, it is likely that the original English home of immigrant James Ball was in the Severn River Valley area near Bristol, England. In 1676, James Ball evacuated to the Brent Settlement in Aquia Creek, Stafford County, due to increasing tension with Native Americans. It is approximately six miles southwest of the area where John Ball acquired his second land grant in 1699/1700, on Dogue Run in present-day Fairfax County." Is this person the same as the John Ball, I of this profile?

• Sources: http://www.ronulrich.com/rfuged/nti05584.htm,
•  "The Ball Family of the Potomac (1654-2004)" by Doris LeClerc Ball, PH.D. and George L. Ball, M.S.  Links
•  http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=40686061
•  http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/p/r/i/James-A-Price/GENE...
•  http://www.ronulrich.com/rfuged/nti05584.htm
•  http://www.silverchat.com/BallGenealogy/lancaster/chart5.htm

John & Sinah (LNU) Ball, I were married circa 1694, and she is thought to have died circa 1708-1709. John later remarried to Winifred Williams (from "A Forgotten Member of the Ball Family" by Christopher Johnston serialized in The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, vol. VII, pp. 440-441 and vol. VIII, pp. 80-83 (1900), reprinted in Genealogies of Virginia Families, 1981, vol. 1, pp. 23-27). John & Winifred (Williams) Ball married on March 9, 1710.

Notes for JOHN BALL, I: In the mid 18th century, yeoman farmer John Ball built a one room log cabin with a loft in what is now Arlington, VA at 5620 South 3rd street. Later he added a lean - to and covered the structure with clapbord. Amazingly this primitive cabin survives today (go to the Media section for pictures). The house is a rare example of the dwelling of the ordinary person c. 1700, plus it is the oldest house in Arlington. John Ball obtained a 166 acre land grant along Four Mile Run from Lord Fairfax in 1742. To construct his cabin, he fell trees and hewed logs he notched the logs and chinked the cracks with mud daubings. John his wife Elizabeth and five daughters lived in this little house. An inventory of John's estate indicates they lived a simple life, they farmed raising wheat and corn and kept sheep, cows, pigs and bees. John also had a mill on Four Mile Run and part of his mill stones remain on the property today. Following John's death in 1766 William Carlin purchased the house. Later the house was given to Arlington Historical Society in 1975. The Ball house is on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places in America. John is the brother of Moses Ball Sr, and is also the cousin of President George Washington, per record of the Historical Society of Arlington, VA. John & his wife owned 1,745 acres of land in the 1690s. One piece of his land is now a tourist attraction known as George Washington's Grist Mill, near Mt. Vernon (Dogue's Run property). George Washington inherited the mill with Mt. Vernon in 1754.

The following is written by researcher Carol Ball (cball@twc.com): Much of the genealogy of the Ball family was written by my father-in-law, William Henry Ball, in the 1970's, and was given to me by my mother-in-law Lois (Byrd) Ball. It is from his handwritten genealogy that I have gathered much of the information I have recorded in my Geni family tree. Mr. Ball had given sources for his work including: a book entitled "The Ball Family of Southwest Virginia", by Palmer Ray Ball, 1933; other family researchers in Whitley & McCreary Counties, KY which included Norman V. Ball of Pine Knot, McCreary Co., KY; Luther Ball of Sandy Flats, Whitley Co., KY; Francis Ball of Whitley Co., KY; Melt Ball & John Ball of Whitley Co., KY; Gorman Jones of Whitley Co., KY; Mary (Ball) Lay of Williamsburg, Whitley Co., KY; Dr. C. A. Moss of Whitley Co., KY; and Mollie Kie (Bird) Ball of Whitley Co., KY. It was thought that the earliest of the Ball ancestors came from England to Fairfax Co., VA. I obtained the following information from online files and source documents quoted in the Sources and Links sections above:

•Book F, No.2, pg. 56, 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 Virginia. John Ball removed to Hunting Creek soon after the purchase and left a will, proved in the County Court of Stafford. After John's death his widow Winifred married Benjamin Lawrence and produced one daughter, her name was Priscylla. The Will of John Ball, I (nickname John Ball of the Potomac) was proven 14 Nov 1722 in Fairfax Co VA. John's Will showed the following heirs:

Children of John Ball & Sinah: •1. Lt James Ball 1695-1783 m. Catherine LNU (inherited 100 acres of old plantation) •2. Mary Ball 1698-1788 m. John Jackson (she inherited 300 acres on Dogues Run next to George Mason) •3. Dinah (Sinah) Ball 1704-after 1722 (she inherited tract of land on the south side of Dogues Run adjoining Richard Carpenters) •4. Martha Ball 1708-after 1722 (inherited 590 acres, with her sister Ann, on both sides of Piney Branch).

Children of John & Winifred: Ann Ball 1712-after 1722 (inherited 590 acres, with her sister Martha, on both sides of Piney Branch) • John Ball, II 1714-1766 m. Elizabeth Payne, Margaret Williams (inherited his father's dwelling plantation and all his land on south side of Great Hunting Creek)

• Moses Ball 1717-1792 m. Nancy Ann Brashears (inherited all the land, plantation and water mill on the north side of Great Hunting Creek) •George Ball 1720-1801 m. Keziah Ann Hanson (inherited the remainder of the tract, including 2 plantations, that James Ball was living on), moved to Ewing, Lee Co VA.

Probably the single most important document in the Ball family history is the will of John Ball, I. In his will John mentioned his wife, Winifred, and his eight children – James, Moses, John, Mary, Sinah (misread and transcribed as "Dinah"), Martha, Ann, and George. This will was written on August 14, 1722, and proven on November 14 1722, The surviving Old General Index to Records of Stafford County, Virginia, indicates that the original will of John Ball I was recorded in Will Book K (1721-1730), p. 35. Unfortunately, this Will Book has been missing for many years. George H. S. King discovered a copy of the will in the Lloyd W. Smith Manuscript Collection, miscellaneous microfilm reel No. 315, Virginia State Library, Archives Division. He chose to reprint it for the article, "John Ball of Stafford County, Virginia," in the "Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly" pages 53-57.

Transcription of the 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 and Testament revoking and disnulling all other Will or Wills here to fore made by me or intended to be made in matter 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 Crist hope for a 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 track of land joining at both ends of said plantation as shall make the quantity of one hundred acres to him and his heirs lawfully begotton for ever, but in default of such heirs then to fall to George Ball my youngest son to him and his heirs lawfully begotten for ever if in default of such heirs then to fall to the next male heir of the kin forever. I give and bequeath to my youngest son George Ball all the reversion of that tract of land situate lying and being the remaining part of that tract of land that James Ball hath one hundred acres with the old plantation the remainder of the said tract lying eastward from the said plantation which I give to George Ball all that remaining part as aforesaid with the two plantations that is upon the land to him the said George Ball and to his heirs lawfully begotten by him for ever and in default of such heirs than to the next male heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Moses Ball all the land and plantation and Water Mill that belongeth to me on the north side Great Hunting Creek to him and his heirs lawfully brgotten 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 my said son John Ball to his heirs lawfully begotten for ever 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. George Masons containing three hundred acres, the said land I give unto her and her heirs lawfully [begotten] of her Body for ever but if in default of such heirs then to fall to her brother James Ball to him and his heirs for ever. Item: I give one cow and calf one feather bed and Iron Pott which is all I give unto my daughter Mary Ball of my estate whatsoever. Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Dinah [Sinah] Ball all that tract of land lying on the south side of Doegg's Run joining on Richard Carpenters called Barneby, the said land I give to her and her heirs lawfully begotten of her body for ever but in default of such heirs that then to fall to her sister Martha Ball to her and her heirs forever. Item: I give to my daughter Martha Ball and my daughter Ann Ball that Tract of land lying situate and being on both sides of Piney Branch containing Five Hundred Ninety five acres equally to be divided between my two daughters Martha & Ann and to their heirs lawfully begotten of their bodys for ever but in default of such heirs that then to 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 I 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 lawful debts be paid, to which all my stock of cattle and all my stock of horses and mares and all my household stuff of what sort soever and all my Tobacco both at home and abroad and all my debts both of Tobacco and Moneys belonging to or appertaining to me, as witness my hand and seal this 14th day of August in the year of our Lord 1722. I doe 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.

John Ball *SEAL*

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

At a Court held for Stafford County, the 14th day of November, A.D., 1722: "The last will and Testament of John Ball, deceased, was presented into Court by Winifred Ball his Relict and Executrix thereto who made oath to the said Will and was also proved by the oaths of James Davis, Margaret Ferrell and Gabriel Adams witnesses to the same and is admitted to record. And on the moetion of the said Winifred Ball and her performing what is usual in such cases, Certificate is so granted her for obtaining a Probate thereof in Due Form."

From the Record A true Copy Thos. G.S. Tyler, ClC.

Source: "The Ball Family of the Potomac (1654-2004)" by Doris LeClerc Ball, PH.D. and George L. Ball, M.S. pages 21-23. (The Will of John Ball I was typed verbatim and submitted by F.A.G. member Debra Polly from the above named source). Stafford Co., Virginia: 14 August, 1722: Will of John Ball written this date, probated 14 November, 1722." Note: His original will was destroyed among other Stafford Co., Virginia records. The will was recorded in Will Book K, 1721-1730, p. 35. 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 Co., 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.

Comments In arriving at a marriage date for John Ball (1670-1722) and Winifred Williams, keep in mind that the often used date "9 March 1714" , the citation is often made to Maryland records. The record cited: Book F, No. 2, pages 56-57 is actually a reference to a transfer of land on 9 march 1714 from "John Ball, "Planter", and Winifred, his wife, of Stafford County in the Colony of Virginia conveyed to Richard Edelen, carpenter, of Charles County in the Province of Maryland, 200 acres of land in Charles Co., "commonly known by the name of Lanternam". This was the land left to Winifred by her father William Williams. Note that they refer to both John and Winifred as being from Stafford County. Everything seeems to point to a much earlier marriage than 1714. Especially since some of the children were born much earlier. Even John Ball, Jr. was born in 1714, George in 1709, etc to mention James 1695). Someone has confused a land deal with a marriage date (Note: Winifred was John's 2nd wife, possible marriage date March 9, 1710).

Will proved 14 Nov 1722 in Fairfax Co VA

Parent: Immigrant James Ball

Ref: Ball Family of the Potomac, 1654-2004, by Dr Doris Ball PhD and George Ball MS

Wife #1: Sinah (maiden name unknown) (married John Ball about 1694) She died between 1708 and 1710.

Wife #2: Winifred Williams (married John Ball 9 Mar 1710) Winifred Ball married Benjamin Lawrence after John Ball died. Their daughter: Pryscilla Lawrence was born 27 Dec 1728 (from the Bible record of Moses Ball) In 1723, Winifred Ball (widow) conveyed 106 acres on Dogue Run to George Mason. This was land she had inherited from her father, William Williams. In 1741, Winifred Lawrence and Moses Ball (son of John Ball I) of Truro Parish, Prince William Co (later Fairfax Co) leased 30 acres of land to John West

Will proved 14 Nov 1722 in Fairfax Co VA with the following heirs:

Children of John Ball & Sinah: 1. Lt James Ball 1695-1783 m. Catherine unk. (inherited 100 acres of old plantation)

2. Mary Ball 1698-1788 m. John Jackson (she inherited 300 acres on Dogues Run next to George Mason)

3. Dinah (Sinah) Ball 1704-after 1722 (she inherited tract of land on the south side of Dogues Run adjoining Richard Carpenters)

4. Martha Ball 1708-after 1722 (inherited 590 acres, with her sister Ann, on both sides of Piney Branch)

Children of John Ball & Winifred: 5. Ann Ball 1712-after 1722 (inherited 590 acres, with her sister Martha, on both sides of Piney Branch)

6. John Ball II 1714-1766 m. Elizabeth Payne, Margaret Williams (inherited his father's dwelling plantation and all his land on south side of Great Hunting Creek)

7. Moses Ball 1717-1792 m. Nancy Ann Brashears (inherited all the land, plantation and water mill on the north side of Great Hunting Creek)

8. George Ball 1720-1801 m. Keziah Ann Hanson (inherited the remainder of the tract, including 2 plantations, that James Ball was living on) Moved to Ewing, Lee Co VA.

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Land records: John & Winifred Ball owned 1745 acres of land in the 1690s.

One piece of land is now George Washington's Grist Mill near Mt Vernon (Dogue's Run property). G.W. inherited the mill with Mt Vernon in 1754.

Grant of 140 acres 4 Dec 1742 between the heads of some of the drains of Holmes Run & Dogue Run next to Matthew West, John West & Michael Reagan excluding Royal Mines.

Land patent of 221 acres on 9 Aug 1695 in Stafford Co on the north branch of Little Hunting Creek. Land was adjacent to Capt George Brent, Thomas Stafford (Standiford), William Pence (Spence), Jonathan Mothershead.

In 1694 Jonathan Mothershead owned 301 acres on Little Hunting Creek adjacent to Giles Vandegasteel & Royal Mines.

1699/1700 grant for 300 acres on Doegs (Dogues?) Run next to Capt George Mason.

John Ball also bought 343 acres in 1703/04 on the north side of Hunting Creek from Robert Brent, executor for Nicholas Brent.

1703/04 Thomas Sandiford owned 598 acres next to John Ball & Capt John West & Royal Mines (white oak to Potomack), 1/3 part of all lead, copper, coke, tin, & iron mines.

In 1706 William Harrison owned 266 acres on Dogues Run adjacent to John Ball & Capt John West.

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• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Sep 1 2017, 13:00:40 UTC

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John Ball married Winifred Williams March 9, 1713/4 in Charles Co., Maryland (Colony).