Augustine Washington ran a successful iron smelting business and in his early years traveled thirty miles to work by horseback. Eventually he moved his family closer to the factory to cut down on the time away from his family. After his death his brother Lawrence Washington was important to the upbringing of young George.

Mary Ball was a blue-eyed maiden the Rose of Epping Forest, she was called and reigning belle of the Northern Neck. Not withstanding Mary Ball Washington's placid expression, she had a high temper, although under wonderful control. [records of Audrey Jones, Genforum, 22 Sep 2002 #460]

Mary Ball had a rather difficult childhood since "her mother and her father died before she was 13 years old. Although she had a large fortune, she spent all her life worrying about money. After her son George became a man, she wrote him many letter asking for money even though she did not need it. " [WBE Vol. 21, p 92]

1740 -42 - Lawrence Washington goes off to England to be education in the fashion of a gentleman. [WBE p92]

1743, 12 Apr - Augustine Washington dies. George is only eleven years old. George is raised along with younger sisters and brothers by a very insecure mother who doesn't want him to stray too far from home. Although his father had probably intended to have him educated in England this was cut short by his father's early death. George inherits the Ferry Farm near Fredricksburg, Virginia when he was to reach 21 years. He helps to operate the farm with included 20 slaves. [WBE vol 21, p92]

about 1744 - Lawrence had be part of a militia sent to Central America and came back with war stories. He encouraged George to go into the British Royal Navy. about 1747 - Mary Ball Washington, George's mother, had to give permission and asked for the advice of her brother Joseph Ball, Jr. who is a lawyer in London.

Stratford-by-Bow, 19th of May, 1747

"I understand that you are advised and have some thoughts of putting your son George to sea. I think he had better be put apprentice to a tinker, for a common sailor before the mast has by no means the common liberty of the subject; for they will press him from a ship where he has fifty shillings a month and make him take twenty-three, and cut and slash and use him like a negro, or rather like a dog. And, as to any considerable preferment in the navy, it is not to be expected, as there are always so many gaping for it here who have interest, and he has none. And if he should get to be master of a Virginia ship, (which it is very difficult to do,) a planter that has three or four hundred acres of land and three or four slaves, if he be industrious, may live more comfortably, and leave his family in better bread, than such a master of a ship can. . . . . He must not be too hasty to be rich, but go on gently and with patience, as things will naturally go. This method, without aiming at being a fine gentleman before his time, will carry a man more comfortably and surely through the world than going to sea, unless it be a great chance indeed. I pray God keep you and yours.

"Your loving brother, Joseph Ball."

To his nephew he writes thus after Braddock's defeat:-- Stratford, 5th of September, 1755.

"Good Cousin:--It is a sensible pleasure to me to hear that you have behaved yourself with such a martial spirit, in all your engagements with the French, nigh Ohio. Go on as you have begun, and God prosper you. We have heard of General Braddock's defeat. Everybody blames his rash conduct. Everybody commends the courage of the Virginians and Carolina men, which is very agreeable to me. I desire you, as you may have opportunity, to give me a short account how you proceed. I am your mother's brother. I hope you will not deny my request. I heartily wish you good success, and am

"Your loving uncle, "Joseph Ball" [records of William Meade as transcribed by Ruth Walker]

1752- Lawrence Washington died of tuberculosis. He had previously taken a trip to Bermuda with George Washington for his health. Lawrence's wife Anne inherits Mt Vernon and leases the farm back to George Washington. After she and her second husband dies George inherits the Mt Vernon.

1781 - George Washington's diary had many references to the Ball family. These are presently in the Library of Congress and have been transcribed on line. Here are a few exerpts.

September, about 1781
Page 52 
4. Mr. Burwell and Mr. Piper both went away after Breakfast. I rid to the Mill.

5. Rid by the Ferry Plantation to the Mill--from thence to Muddy hole & so home to Dinner. In the Afternoon rid to the Mill again.

6. At home all the forenoon. In the Afternoon went to Belvoir with Mrs. Washington & P. Custis, & returnd in the Evening.

7. Rid into the Neck in the Morning early & from thence to the Mill. Mr. Crawford came here in the Aftern.

8. At home all day. Mr. Crawford went away after breakfast.

9. Rid to the Mill--from thence to Doeg Run Qr. & by the River Plantation home.

10. Rid to the Mill in the Forenoon. Mr. Thoms. Triplet dind with me. In the Afternoon set of for Fredericksburg and lodgd at Colo. Harry
Lees.

The purpose of this trip was to make final arrangements for Mary Washington, now about 63 years old, to move from the Ferry Farm plantation to a house in
Fredericksburg, where she could spend her latter years in comfort, free from the cares of the plantation. GW had previously discussed the matter with her, and in May, at
her request and his expense, he had made a down payment of £75 on a house of her choice: a commodious white frame residence on Charles Street near the home of her
daughter Betty Lewis (GW to Benjamin Harrison, 21 Mar. 1781, DLC:GW; LEDGER A, 336). Now, in further preparation for his mother's move to town, GW was
ready to begin settling her affairs at Ferry Farm and at Little Falls Quarter, a tract of land about two miles farther down the Rappahannock which she had inherited from
her father in 1711 (will of Joseph Ball, 25 June 1711, Lancaster County Wills, Book-10, 88, Vi Microfilm). 

Chambless, Mary. Genforum, Sept 7, 1999, Nov. 12, 1999 email machamok@brightok.net
Jones, Audrey, records of , Genforum, 22 Sep 2002 Thompson, Vickie Beard records and website of. email - Family-Quest@msn.com The Ancestors of Vickie Beard Thompson
Mc Coy, Claudius T. "Genealogical History of the Sturgeons of North America." 1926 F# 442833, P#153, )#00956 Source LDS-IGI
Walker, Ruth. Old Church Records of Virginia as listed on Genforum http://genforum.genealogy.com/cgi-bin/pageload.cgi?ball::va::13769.html , coorespondence of 11/27/02 email - rwalker@hawkpci.net
(WBE) World Book Encyclopedia, World Book Inc., Chicago, 1988 ed.