There is still a good deal of debate about the father of William Ball. Joseph Ball Jr., (son of Joseph, grandson of William) apparently did some research on his family while living in England and tracked down a line through available material to a Ball of Barkham and Wokingham in Berkshire, England. The Records that he was using were compromised by the Great Fire of London in 1666 that burned almost 2/3 of the city and many many earlier records. We still have problems filling in the gaps due to this loss. This is line is being challenged by several researchers who say that the correct ancestor of William of Mellenbeck should be a Dr. Richard Ball of London. See the article of Peter Walne under Richard Ball.
There is no mention in any of the colonial records of Hannah's maiden name.  Most of the lineage is based on Hayden's research that leaped to the marriage record of a William Ball to Hannah Atherold, although the ages at the time of marriage would seem unlikely, if correct.  Hannah would have been ten.  There are other issues with the English ancestors that may be impossible to prove due to the loss of records over time. I've given here a number of researchers stories over the years.  The stories may add to the aura of the times but details need more supporting evidence. 

Col. William Ball (1615) is one of the 'founding fathers" of Jamestowne, VA (1607-1670)
[ "Genealogies of Va. Families, Vol 1" : "William & Mary Quarterly] I find this particular statement to be in conflict with his dates of birth. he certainly was not in Jamestown in 1607 and probably didn't arrive here until after 1650. He certainly was an early settler of Virginia on the Rappahannock River in St Mary's Parish.

" The following biography of Col. William Ball comes from the books: "COLONEL WILLIAM BALL of VIRGINA, the Great Grandfather of George Washington", by Earl L. W. Beck, published and sold by Sydney Wm. Dutton. Also, "Colonial Virginians and Their Maryland Relatives", by Norma Tucker.
Colonel William Ball (1615) was born in England and educated in or about London. Evidence shows that he was married July 2, 1638 to Miss Hannah Atherold, the daughter of Thomas Atherold. He probably left England soon after the death of King Charles I, about 1650. He had studied law in England, and later interpreted the principles of Common Law for fellow Virginia Colonists.

He was a soldier "under Fairfax" and served in the Royal Army and took part in the (English) Civil Wars, remaining true to the Royal standards and serving faithfully under the banners of the ill-fated King Charles. He was probably present at the battles of Naseby and Marston Moor. When the Royal Army was defeated, Colonel Ball lost the greater part of his considerable estates. In company with other Royalists, he fled to Virginia, the most loyal of the king's possessions, and last to surrender to Cromwell's authority.

Colonel William Ball probably had a brother in Virginia. Col. Ball did not apply for a land grant until at least 8 years after arriving in 1650. It is thought that he was waiting out the bad times at home and planned to return with the Stuarts when they were returned to the Throne. He seems, however, to have operated a vessel between England and Virginia during this time. He first appears in the Colonial records as a Merchant, probably a tobacco merchant.

After 1660, Col. William Ball took an active part in the religious, political and social life of Virginia. In 1660, he was a member of a court to make a treaty with the Indians and to establish a boundary for the occupation of land by the white men. He first received the title of Colonel in 1672, the year he was the County Lieutenant of Lancaster. If you held such a rank, you may have earned it as a member of the General Court of Virginia.

This august and aristocratic body was always composed of the class known at that time as 'gentlemen,' men of wealth, family and influence, and whose official station added much to their influence. They, with the Governor, formed the executive council, who dispensed the entire patronage of the colony in the way of official appointment, at the same time that each individual himself was himself commissioned 'Colonel' by Royal authority...The Governor was Lieutenant-General, the Councilors, Lieutenants of Counties with the title of Colonel, and in counties where a Concillor resided, some other person was appointed with rank of Major.

From 1670 until his death in 1680 he was a member of the Burgesses of Lancaster County. He eventually became a planter and on January 18, 1663, received a grant of land on Narrow Neck Creek in Lancaster County. Four years later, he received a joint grant of 1600 acres in the County of Rappahannock on the north side of the river of the same name together with Thomas Chetwood. A few months later he acquired 300 acres of rich bottom land adjoining the estate of Daniel Fox. who later became the Colonel's son-in-law.

He built a beautiful Georgian mansion on his Lancaster County estate, which he named Millenbeck, probably after some place in Warwickshire or Northamptonshire in England. The estate was held for four successive generations by the William Balls and played a prominent part in Virginia's history. "

1657 - William Ball came to the colonies with his family in 1657. He settled on the Rappahannock River in St Mary's Parish. The "Millenbeck Plantation" was located near the mouth of the Corotoman River in what is now Lancaster County, VA.[Diane Curko, VANY - http://www.vanygenealogy.com/ball.htm]

1650 - There is a rather long and detail history written by Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis Neale about the St. Mary's White Chapel in Lancaster County, Virginia.  Some of the names connected to this church include David Fox, Ralaigh Downman, John Washington of Westmoreland County, as well as a good deal of information on the Ball family.  The Downman Bible is the most important piece of evidence for the family but it is largely lacking information of the originating ancestors. It is now in the Virginia Historical Society. 

"The Old Bible was given by Rawleigh Downman, of Belle Isle, in 1838.  The  beautiful circular Communion railing remains as in olden days, but the brick aisles have been planked and carpeted, as has the chancel, and fitted up with modern furniture.  The old Communion table is still in the vestry room. It once stood in the chancel, and was covered with a green velvet cover with a gilt fringe, and in the center was the Ball coat-of-arms in bas-relief and done in gilt.  This was sold years ago to one of the Downmans, whose maternal ancestor was a Ball. "

"In the churchyard are a number of old tombs of massive marble, bearing dates in the sixteenth and seventeenth  centuries.  Nearly all of the oldes are inscribed with the name of Ball. The first is David Ball, seventh son of William Ball, Mary Ann Ball, daughter of Rev. John Betrand, Jesse Ball, Mary Ball, daughter of Edwin Conway, and James Ball, her husband; Fanny, daughter of Rawleigh Downman, of Lettuce, third wife of James Ball and daughter of Richard Lee, of Ditchley.

These names show that this church counted among her numbers names of old Virginia Aristocrates of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.  Among the Churchmen of the eighteenth century we will mention, Chinn, Downman, Carter, Ball, Mitchell, Lee, Lewis, Ewell, McCarty, Towles, Chowning, Sneads, Pierce, Robinson and Chilton.  ...

In the corner of the churchyard ... Col. William Ball, who came to this county from England in 1650, settled at the mouth of Corrotoman River,  bringing his family. He died in 1669, leaving two sons and one daughter, Hannah, who married Daniel Fox.  William left eight sons.  Joseph left no male issue, but General George Washington is his grandson by his youngest daughter, Mary.  Mary Ball, grandmother of Washington, lies buried at "Epping Forest," five miles from the church, and a handsome oil picture of her adorns the walls of the court-room at Lancaster, county seat.  None of Col. William Ball's children are buried at the church, but his grandchildren and their descendants.  Joseph Ball married a Miss Ravenscroft, of England, and settled in London.  He was brother of Mary Ball, who was the mother of Washington.  His only daughter, Fannie married Raleigh Downman, of Morattico; Fannie, who married Col. James Ball, of Beaudley, and Mr. Raleigh Downman, of Belle Isle.  "   [Lewis pp. 308-312]

1639 - There are opposing theories as to whether Richard born to Wm and Hannah survived.  Some have found records of an infant death. Some have found records of Richard marrying.   It could be that both are true.  I have other families where a child of the same name died as and infant and a later birth was named the same.   Not being named in a will as is indicated in the 1680 will does not necessarily mean that Richard was not his son and provided for in some other way or at an earlier time and still living. 

1670- 1740 - Various Ball family members served as Burgess of Lancaster County, VA

Williamson Ball, 1670, 1671, 1672, 1673, 1674, 1677.
Capt. Ball 1682-'3 (2 sessions).
William Ball, 1686.
Capt. William Ball, 1688 (32 days), 1690 (43 days), 1692.
Capt. Joseph Ball, 1694 (44 days), 1698.
Col. Jos. Ball, 1701.
Lt. Coll. Joseph Ball, 1702.
Capt. Wm. Ball, 1704.
Capt. Ball, 1705.
Capt. William Ball 1706.
Wm. Ball, 1711.
Major Wm. Ball, 1712, 1713, 1715.
Mr. James Ball, 1715, 1718, 1719.
Capt. James Ball, 1734, 1740.

1680 , Oct 25 - William Ball (Sr) writes his last will and testimony.

Will of William Ball

In the name of God, Amen, I William Ball of ye County of Lancastr in Rapp being Praised be god in good & pfect health both of Body and minde doe make and Ordaine this my Last Will and Testament in Manner and form following (vis) Imp"et I bequeath my Soule to god Almighty my maker and Creator in full Assurance of ye pardon and Remission of all my sins Through ye heath & merits of Jesus Christ my only Savior and Redeemer and my body to ye Earth from Whence it Came to be Decently Intered and for my Worldly Estate my Just Debts and funerall Rights first is Charged I giev and Dispose as foll: Item I giev and Devise my Land and Plantation whereon I Lived Expresst in two pattents Containing five hundred & forty Acres to my Sone William Ball and his heirs forever never ye les it is my Will and Pleasure yt my Loving Wife Hannah Ball be and Remaine in Full possession thereof together with all housefolde goods and Servants both Christians and Negrowes wth ye  +++ of Cattle of all kinds Excepting What is pticularly bequeathed out of it wch never ye less is not to be Delivered till ye +++ of her rights for and During her natural Life pvided she soe long Remained A Widdow and therefore it is my Will and pleasure that what shall remain in her possession be Inventoryed and Vallued by her Selfe and my two Sons Between them them selves to ge (together) and if She Should Marry againe She may then Enjow on +++ her pporconable parte according to Law.  Item, for he Other part of my Estate Consisting Cheifly in Marchantdiseing goods and Debts it is my will and pleasure ye same alsoe be Inventoried and Vallued as before and she my s'd Wife Likewise Enjoy one third part thereof and that ye Remainder togeather with what shall be Over and Above her third part of household goods servants and Cattle of all Kinds & not hereby pticularly bequeathed bee Soone After ye termination of her Right herebby lymitted Devide into five parts three Whereof I give and Bequeath to my Son Willam Ball & his heirs forever lymitted Devided into five parts to my Son Joseph Ball & his heirs forever their part of Marchantdiseing goods & Debts to be forthwth Delivered.  Item, I give and Devise my land in ye freshes of Rappk Cont'g by pattent 1600 Acres to my two Sons William and Joseph and to each of there heires forever to be equally Divided between them without any Advantage of Survivorshiipp if either of them should decese before Demission,  Item, I give and Bequeath to my Son William and his heires my two Negroes Called Tame and Katie his Wife and to my son Joseph and his heires my Negro Tony and Dinah his wife, the Negro Girle Bess and ye negro boy James to my wife to Dispose of between my two sons or their Children, and noe other Wise When her Rights shall Determine Either by Death or Marryage.  Item I givenunto my two Sons William and Joseph Whatsoever Either of them stands Indepted to me upon Acco in my book.  Item, I give unto my Daughter Hannah now ye Wife of Capt David ffox only five shillings Sterling Which is an Overplus both of her portion and Deserts.  Item, I hereby nominate & Appointe my two sons William and Joseph Executors of this my Last Will and testament to act together in all things in ye Ordering and Disposing of ye Estate According to the true Intent and meaning thereof by a due pformance of ye Severall Exceptions pvisoes and Limitations therein contained hereby Renouncing all former Wills & declare this to be my last Will and testament by Witnessing the same wh, my hand Seale this 5th day of Octr. 1680, and in the 2 and thirtieth year of our Sovereigne Lord King Charles ye Second.
                           William Ball (L.)
Sealed and Delivered in presence of us Thomas Everewet, John Mottby, per signo Probat Fuit Humoi Testmt in Cur Com Lancast Decimo Die Novembris Ao Domi 1680 pr Saemt Thomas Everest et John Mottby Jur in Cur. Test John Stretchly Clk. True copy test. Jno Stretchly.   [Hayden p. 53-54]

In the name of God, Amen, I Capt Wm Ball of ye Paarish of ST. Mary's White Almighty God for the same and considering the  frailty of this life being but a blast I doe make this my Last will and Testament in Manner and form following hereby revoking and making Void all other will or Wills Formerly by me made sealed or Published.  First I give my soule to God That gave it me and Commit my body to the Earth to be buried in decent order at the Discreation of my Executors hereafet named I hope and true confidence that I shall have a joyful Resurrection at the Last day through the merrits of my most dear and Precious Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ.  I give unto my Dr. Wife all and every part of this two hundred seven acres of land whereon I now Live will all the housing and appurtenances  thereunto belonging and also my mill hereon standing during her Natural life and also full Power to plant make and manure for her own use a Plantation if she Please on every other Paarcel of Land hereafter by me hereby given and then they be under the tuition ofmy sons William and richar, and that whenever the siad mill be out of repaire my will is that my asaid sons William Ball and Richard Ball giev their assistance to mend repaire or new build her and that they be paid for their paines as the mill earnes it.  I give unto my said sons William Ball and Richard Ball all my tract of Land Lyeing in this Next to Richard Cundiffs being about nine hundred and Fifty acres to Equally divided between them Provided they aquit all their right which they or either of them may Possibly have of in and to that Divident of Land in Richmond County next above perpetua Creek being about one thousand acres on which my Quarter Plantation now is unto their two brother Joseph Ball and George Ball then I doe give unto my said sons William Ball and Richard Ball to them their heirs forever all and every part of the above said Nine hundred and fifty acres of Land Lying in this neck next Richard Cundiffs as aforesaid but if my said two sons William Ball and Richard Ball molest their two said Brothers Joseph Ball and George Ball in their Quiet Possession at any time or times hereafter either them or their heirs in the said one thousand acres of Land at Perpetua Creek where my Quarter now is that I then do hereby give my said two sons Joseph Ball and George Ball and their heirs all and every part and Parcel of that nine Hundred and Fifty acres before hereby given unto my said two sons William Ball and Richard Ball as aforesaid.  I give unto my two sons Joseph Ball and George Ball to them and their heirs all and every part and parcel of Devident of land in Richmond whereon my quarter now is neqr the had of Perpetua Creek to be Equally Divided between them.  I give unto my four sons (viz) James Ball, David Ball, Stretchley Ball and Samuel Ball to them and their heirs forever all and every part of my uper Devident of Land being sixteen hundred Acres more or less Lying in Richmond County above Mr James Harrisons to be equally divided Between them.  I give unto my dear Daughter Margaret Ball to her and her heirs forever all that and every part and parcell of that Devident whereupn m mother Lives at the mouth of Corratomon being about three hundred acres and fifty Acres more to bee laid out of my ajoyning Devident next to the plantation that James Wood lives on only reserving to my dear one third part of all the sider made thereon clear of all charge making cask.  I give unot my said son William Ball a man servt named Luke Dickson and a negro man named Robin and a negro woman named Dyner and my silver Tumbler and a Punch cup at mother's when he is dead. I give to my son Richard Ball a man servt called Thomas Alderton and a negro woman called Daoe and Silver Mustard pott.  I give to my dear wife three negroes call Sambo, Tom and Mary and three English or white servants at my Quarter i Richmond County Called Robin +++ James Canady and Sarah and a silver salt siller, Tankard and Drinking Cup of Silver and which of my Cups she shall make Choice of.  I give to my son James Ball Two slaves called Dominy and Kate and a boy a girle.  I give to my son Joseph a Girle slave call Nany.  I give to my Daughter Margaret Ball two slave called Sarah.  I give unto my son Samuell Ball a Girle slave called Dolf.  The rest of my white servants and slaves not before hereby given-being Cox Scotch, Tom Betty and her molatto Child, three negro women called Dolf and Betty and Bess at Mothers.  I give unto my three eldest sons viz William Ball Richard Ball and James Ball in Consideration that they be at the charge of bringing up and maintaining their dear Mother.  And the residue of all my Estate whereon had found or being not before hereby given I give to be equally Devided between my dear children here named James, Joseph, David, George, Margaret, Stretchley and Samuel after their mothers Decease but my will is that my dear wife have the use of it all During her Natural Life.  I doe make and ordaine my son William Ball and my son Richard Ball the Executrs of this my Last will and Testament and my loving Brothers Capt David Fox and my loving friens Mr. George Heale and Mr Edwin Conway the overseers of this my last will and Testament.  In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand andd Seale this 28th day of September Ao 1694. William Ball, (Seale) Signed Sealed and Published in Presence of Abraham Taylor, George Hinch, Edwin Conway.  Probat fuit &c Quarto Die No bris Ao Domi 1694, pr Sacrament Abraham Taylor &c &c Test John Stretchley           Cop: Test Thos Edwards C L C    [Hayden p. 53-54]

In the name of God, Amen, I, Hannah Ball, widow and relict of Coll. William Ball late of the County of Lancaster, do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament.

2. I give and bequeath to my loving daughter Hannah, one negro or Mulatto girl named ................, being increase of a negro woman named Bess given unto me by husband, Coll. William Ball.

3. I give and bequeath unto my grandson William Ball one negro woman named Bess.

4. My grandson James Ball.

5. My daughter Hannah Fox and Grandson William Ball executors.

I set my seal in the year of our Lord 1695-June 25.

1698 July to Aug - William Ball, as executor of Capt. Wm. Ball, deceased for a debt, files suit against the estate of Henry Bell and the executor Richard Bell(this sometimes spelled Ball).

Lancaster Co. Judgement is granted to Wm Ball of Richard Ball estate of Capt Wm Ball, deceased against ffran ffrerzel for 488 pounds of tobacco unless he shows reason at next court [Lancaster Co., VA probate records OB 4 p 44 as copied by Billie Jones on GenWEB archives ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/lancaster/bios/bell1.txt]

Elizabeth 2d Dauter was Bornd 4h day of Feby 1680 about Sunrise & weighd 11 lbs. Baptzd at St Marys Sunday 15 May Mrs Margaret Ball, Mrs Elizabeth Rogers & Captain Ball standing for her.

Joseph Youngest son born Friday 28 Novr 1690 & Christnd at home on 10th Decr Mr Robt Carter & Mr Joseph Ball Godfathrs & Mrs Judith Carter Godmother.

William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Papers, Vol.
1, No. 3. (Jan., 1893), pp. 156-157.
LANCASTER COUNTY RECORDS.

__________

Lancaster County, Virginia Court Records - 1671
     "Att a court helde for ye County of Lancaster Nov. ye 8th
Ano Dni 1671 at ye Cort house there
     Mr Will Ball Sen            Mr Bryan Stott
     Mr George Wale              Mr Robt Beckenham
     Mr Tho. Hayne               Mr Will Ball, Jun.
     Mr Robt Griggs              Mr Tho. Marshall
                  Mr Dan: Harrison
Itt manifestly appearinge to yis Cort severale of its members

Ball Library correspondence. Dorothy Helmut 12/01/02, email - mbwlibrary.rivnet.net. Cukro, Diane, Virginia Surnames website. http://www.vanygenealogy.com/
Hayden, Rev. Horace Edwin. Virginia Genealogies, A Genealogy the Glassell Families of Scotland and Virginia..., Wilkes-Barre, Penn. 1891.
Jones, Audrey records of and correspondence on Genforum. Sep. 22. 2001, #4598
Mc Coy, Claudius T. "Genealogical History of the Sturgeons of North America." 1926 F# 442833, P#153, )#00956 Source LDS-IGI
Meade, William. Old Churches, Ministers, and Families of Virginia, Volume II. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott, 1857
Lewis, Mrs. Elizabeth. Colonial Churches in the Original Colony of Virginia - A Series of Sketches by Especially Qualified Writers.  Richmond Southern Churchman Co., 1908
Walne, Peter. "The English Ancestry of Colonel William Ball of Millenbeck," Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, 67, No. 4, Oct 1959: 399-405, pp 16-22. reprinted in Genealogies of Virginia Families from the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 1981, Genealogical Pub. Co., Baltimore, Maryland. http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/4246576?uid=3739960&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21101500567331
Walker, Ruth. Old Church Records of Virginia as listed on Genforum http://genforum.genealogy.com/cgi-bin/pageload.cgi?ball::va::13769.html , correspondence of 11/27/02 email - rwalker@hawkpci.net
Wright, William Ball. Ball family records : genealogical memoirs of some Ball families of Great Britain, Ireland, and America. York: Printed for the author by the Yorkshire Print. Co., 1908, 315 pgs.

Cheryl's Family Index | email to Cheryl Grubb

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