1085

WILLIAM BALL
Born about 1615, William Ball emigrated to Virginia and became a prosperous landowner in Lancaster County, Virginia. He served as a justice, a colonel of the militia, and as a delegate to the House of Burgesses. He fathered four children, including William Ball (1641-1694). This William Ball had nine children, including William Ball (ca. 1674-1744). He married Hannah Heale (d. ca. 1744) and they had 6 children, including William Ball (ca. 1700-1741). He married his cousin Margaret Ball (ca. 1702-1783), the daughter of his uncle Richard Ball (ca. 1675-1726) 17 February 1723/4. They had 6 children, including William Ball (d. 1760), who had 2 children, including Dr. William Ball (d. 1785).

A Guide to the Ball Family Papers, 1680-1785

http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/published/lva/vi00137.xml.frame

Ball Family Papers, 1680-1785. Accession 23554. Personal Papers Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

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Little was definitely known of the English anscestry of the Balls of Virginia prior to Colonel William Ball coming to this country in 1650. He is spoken of in the "Cheshire Visitation" as a soldier under FairFax. There are some reasons for believing that he was the younger brother of John Ball, of Kent, who was extolled for his piety and learning by Fuller, anoted writer and preacher, who lived in Northampton shire, England in the middle and latter part of the 17th century.

Colonel Ball is said to have reluctantly served in the Royal Army and to have vein in the battles of Naseby and Marston Moor. His estate, which was considerable, was much injured in the Civil Wars. After the death of King Charles I, Colonel Ball came to Virginia in company with other Royalist and churchmen. That he was a churchman, and a zealous supporter of the Church of England in Virginia, is shown by the fact that he was a member of the committee appointed to arrange for the government and support of the church in Virginia. Company with his friend and neighbor, John Washington, the grandfather of General George Washington.

In the records, William Ball is first spoken of as a "merchant" as were many of the gentlemen settlers who came to Virginia. There is a Land grant in Maryland to William & Richard Ball in 1659. The son Richard Ball settled and died in Baltimore County, Maryland. His father, William Ball of Lancaster County, Virginia administered his estate. Col. Wm. Ball settled in the lower end of Lancaster County, Virginia on the Rappahannock River, in what later became St. Mary's White Chapel Parish. Here he built his beautiful Georgian mansion and called his estate "Millenbeck." This estate was in the hands of the Ball family for nearly 200 years, six generations of William Ball's lived there. Nothing now remains of the old home.

In 1698 "Millenback" was made a Port of Entry, Col. Ball having sold 54 acres of his estate as a town site. He was a planter, and at the time of his death owned nearly 2000 acres of land in Lancaster and Rappahannock Counties, VA.

On March 28, 1675-76, Colonel Ball and Lt. Col. John Carter were empowered by the General Assembly of VA to mobilize men and horses in defense of the colony against Indian depredations, to be led by Nathaniel Bacon.

On Aug. 14. 1677 Col. William Ball and his neighbor, John Washington, were present at a meeting to impress upon the citizens the necessity of making immediate payment of a tax imposed upon the General Assembly to put down Bacon's Rebellion, which had lately arisen. He was a member of various courts held in Lancaster County, VA.

Col. William Ball brought with him from England a handsomely illuminated copy, on parchment, of the Coat of arms granted his family, the Balls of Northamptonshire, Cheshire and Kent in 1613. In 1908 this copy was in the possession of a member of the Lancaster County, VA, branch of the familay. This coat of arms is assigned in the College of Arms London to Rev. Richard Ball D. D., son of Laurence Ball, of Northamptonshire, 1613. A description follows:

Arms: Argent a lion passant sable, on a chief of the second, three mullets of the first Crest: Out of the clouds proper a demi lion rampant sable powdered with estoiles argent, holding a globe Motto: Coeum qui tueri -- Freely translated this means: "Look upward and seek the things which are above:The will of Colonel is published in "Tyler"---volumne 30 page 260. Ut us dated 10-5-1680 proven 11-2-1680 in Lancaster County VA. Among children he leaves to "my son William Ball" is published in "Tyler" volume 30 page 261(will book 8 page 102 Lancaster County VA; dated 6-25-1695 proven in 1695.

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Born in England and educated in or about London. Evidence shows that he was married July 2, 1638, to Miss Hannah Atherall or 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. He 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 when the Stuarts 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, 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 is 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 Councillor resided, some other person was appointed with rank of Major." (Introduction to Vo. I. Calendar Papers, by Palmer)

It is probable that Colonel was not a member of the General Court, since his name does not appear as a member of the General Court, but, was a Colonel of Foot or Horse and not County Lieutenant. He was doubtless Presiding Magistrate and Colonel Commander of the County. He served on various committees in Lancaster County from 1675-7. He was presiding member of various courts held in Lancaster County.

On March 28, 1675-6 he and Lieutenant-Colonel John Carter were empowered by the General Assembly of Virginia to mobilize men and horses to defend the colony against Indians. Their leader was Nathaniel Bacon.

On August 14, 16777, he was present at a meeting to discuss taxes being imposed by the General Assembly to put down Bacon's rebellion.

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 Narrrow Neck Creek in Lancaster County. Four years (apparently after promotion to Major) 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 (at the mouth of the Corotoman River in Lancaster County, according to Ball), which he named Millenbeck, probably after some place in Warwickshire or Northamptonshire. The estate was held for four successive generations by William Balls and played a prominent part in Virginia history.

Colonel Ball was a zealous supporter of the Virginia branch of the Church of England. He and John Washington were wardens of Christ Church, Lancaster County. (Taken from Heck's book)

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WILL OF WILLIAM BALL
Wills 5 Page 70, Lancaster Court Records

In the name of God, Amen, I William Ball of ye County of Lancaster in Rapp. being, Praised be God, in good & pfect health both of Body and Minde doe make & Ordaine this my Last will and Testament in Manner and form following (Viz) Imp'et I bequeath my Soule to God almighty my maker and Creator in his Assurance of ye pardon and Remission of all my sins through ye death & merits of Jesus Christ my only savior & Redeemer and my body to ye Earth from which it Came to be Decently Intered and for my Worldly Estate my just Debts & final Rights first is Charged I give & dispose as foll:

Item, I give and Devise my Land & Plantation whereon I Live, Express in two pattents containing 540 acres to my Son William Ball and his heirs forever never ye less it is my will & Pleasure yt my Loving wife Hannah Ball be & Remaine in Full possession thereof together with all householde goods & Servants both Christians & Negrowes with ye ..... of Cattle of all Kinds excepting what is pticularly bequesthed out of weh never ye less not to be Delievered till ye ..... of her rights for & during her natural Life provided she soe long Remaine a Widdow and therefore it is my will and pleasure that what shall remain in her possession be Inventoryed & Valued by her Selfe & my two Sons between them themselves to go together and if She Should Marry againe She may Enjoy on her porionable parts according to Law.

Item, For ye Other part of my Estate Consisting Chiefly in Merchandiseing goods & Debts it is my will and Pleasure ye same alsoe be Inventoryed & Valued as before and that she my s'd wife Likewise enjoy 1/3 part thereafter and that ye Remainder, together with what shall be Over and above her 3rd part of household goods, servants & Cattle of all Kinds & not hereby pticularly bequeathed bee soone After ye termination of her Right thereby lymitted Divided into five parts, thereee whereof I give and bequeath my son William Ball and his heirs forever & ye other two parts to my son Joseph Ball & his heirs forever their part of Marchantdizeing goods & debts to be forthwith Delivered.

Item, I give and Devise my land in ye freshes of Rappk. Cont'y by patent 1600 acres to my two sons William and Joseph and to each to their heirs forever to be equally Divided between them without any Advantage of Survivorship if either of them should decese before Remission.

Item, I give and Bequeath to my son William and his heirs my two negroes Called Tame & Katie and his Wife & to my sone Joseph and his heirs my negro Tony & Dinah his wife, the Negro Girle & her negro boy James to my wife to dispose of between my two sons of their Children & noe other wise when her Rights shall Determine Either by Death or Marryage.

Item, I give unto my wons William and Joseph Whatsoever Either of them stands indebted to me upon Acco. in my book.

Item, I hereby nominate & Appointe my two sons William & 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 Several Exceptions Pvisoes and Limitations therein contained hereby Renouncing all former willa & 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

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ST. MARY'S WHITE CHAPEL EPICOPAL CHUCH, LANCASTER, VA
St Mary's White Chapel is an Episcopal church in Lancaster, Virginia, founded in 1669, and located three miles south of Lively, in Lancaster County, in the Northern Neck. The parish of St Mary's Whitechapel is notable for being the birthplace of Mary Ball Washington, mother of George Washington. // History The church is built in the simple elegant style typical of colonial era churches in Seventeenth Century Virginia. It is thought to have been named after Whitechapel parish in the East End of London. Construction of the building was begun in around 1675. Originally rectangular in design, it was made cruciform in 1741 by adding two wings on the North and South sides of the existing building. During the Disestablishment Era the church became dormant and was abandoned. Along with numerous other parish properties, the church and its property were seized under an act of 1802. It fell into disuse for twenty years, and during this period the east and west sections of the church deteriorated beyond repair. Around 1830 the North and South wings were repaired, forming the structure which can be seen today. Cemetery The church cemetery contains the graves of numerous members of local families, including many members of the Ball family, kin to Mary Ball Washington, mother of George Washington. The earliest marked grave is that of "John Stretchley, gentleman, 1698". The actress Margaret Sullavan (1909-1960) also is buried there.

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OUR CONNECTION WITH GEORGE WASHINGTON
Notes on Colonel William Ball (Great Grand father of G. Washington), was born abt. 1615. Practically nothing is known of his early life, and we can only infer that he was educated in or about London. That he studied law there is a small amount of evidence, as later he showed more than ordinary knowledge in the principles of Common Law, which he interpreted for his fellow colonists in Virginia. On the basis of a letter written by a member of the Ball family, Colonel Ball was married July 2, 1638, in London, to Miss Hannah Atherall (or Atherold], the daughter of Thomas Atherall, a barrister-at-law, who was living at Gray's Inn during1610-11. He appears to have been the son of Thomas Atherall of Burgh, Suffolk, who was born about 1590; his mother was Mary Vessey. Hannah Atherall's mother was Mary Harvey, a daughter of John Harvey of London.
Mr. W. B. Wright, who has made a careful inquiry into the antecedents of Colonel William Ball, asserts that he was spoken of in the "Cheshire Visitation" as a soldier under Fairfax. Wright also thinks there is much evidence that William Ball served in the Royal Army and to have taken part in the Civil Wars, remaining true to the royal standards and serving faithfully under the banners of the ill-fated Charles. He is commonly regarded to have been at the battles of Naseby and Marston Moor. By the defeat of the Royal Army, Colonel Ball lost the greater part of his estates, which were by no means inconsiderable. In company with other royalists he fled to Virginia, the most loyal of the king's possessions, and the last to surrender to Cromwell's authority. Ball probably left England soon after the death of Charles I, arriving in Virginia about the year 1650.
There is much truth in Hayden's supposition that Colonel Ball had an elder brother in Virginia before his arrival. He appears not to have taken a land grant at first, nor does his name figure in records of that colony until eight years after his supposed arrival. We might infer from this that he and his family lived with relatives waiting for the Stuarts to be restored to power in England; and his first plans on coming to Virginia may have been to remain there only so long as the troubled conditions existed in the Mother Country.
There is some evidence, however, that he spent these years operating a vessel between England and Virginia. He first appears in the Colonial records as a "Merchant." On December 7, 1658, he was made executor to the estate of John Edwards, which gave Ball the power to sell the Edwards' estate, his horses, cattle, and Negroes; and it made provision that Colonel Ball should receive a share in the ship "Susan" and to make returns to Spencer Pigott, of Duke's Place, London.
The culture of tobacco had by 1655 become an important industry of Virginia, and was the chief, if not the only source of income to the colonists. By 1650 Augustine Herrman, of New Amsterdam, and George Hack, of Virginia, had built up a large trade in tobacco between the Colony and London. It is, therefore, quite probable that William Ball became a tobacco merchant, carrying the produce to England and disposing of it there.
if Ball first came to Virginia with the intention of remaining only so long as the Protectorate existed in England, he son decided to cast his lot with the fortunes of the New World. After 1660 he 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. In 1661 his name still appears in the Northumberland County Records as a merchant. Later he became a planter, and on January 18,1663, received a grant of land on Narrow Neck Creek in Lancaster County. Four years later he appears in the records as Major Ball, and together with Thomas Chetwood received a grant of sixteen hundred acres in the County of Rappahannock on the north side of the river of the same name. A few months later he acquired three hundred additional acres of rich bottom land adjoining the estate of Daniel Fox, whose friendship Ball appears to have cultivated, and who later became the Colonel's son-in-law, marrying his only daughter, Hannah.
It was on the Lancaster County estate, however, where Colonel Ball built the beautiful Georgian mansion which later was to be become famous. He named it "Millenbeck," probably after someplace in Warwickshire or Northamptonshire. The estate was held for four successive generations by William Balls, and with "Epping Forest," the home of Mary Ball (Washington), played a prominent part in the annals of Virginian history.
It seems highly probable, moreover, that Ball remained something of a merchant after he became a Lancaster County planter, and he undoubtedly made frequent trips back to London, for in those days it was a common practice for one planter, skilled in business usages, to see about the marketing of his own as well as the tobacco of two or three of his closest neighbors or friends.
From 1672, Ball took an active part in the administration work of his adopted county and colony. He first received the title of "Colonel" in that year. Hayden is of the opinion that he was the County Lieutenant of Lancaster of that year, inasmuch as we find Robert Jones had to pay him on March 19th of that year over fifteen hundred pounds of tobacco. Palmer, in his introduction to Vol. I, Calendar Papers, has given us the following description of the General Court of Virginia, and with it the origin of the Virginian title of Colonel:

"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, and Lieutenants of Counties with the title of Colonel, and in counties where a councilor resided, some other person was appointed with rank of Major."

Hayden, in the light of this information, concludes that Colonel Ballmay have been a Colonel of Foot or Horse and not County Lieutenant. With this assertion, Standard agrees and believes that Ball, if not County Lieutenant, was doubtless Presiding Magistrate and Colonel Commandant of the County. "I do not think he was County Lieutenant, his name does not occur as a member of the General Court."
From 1675-77, Colonel Ball served on various committees in Lancaster County. March 28, 1675-76, he and Lieutenant-Colonel John Carter were empowered by the General Assembly of Virginia to mobilize men and horses in defense of the colony against Indiana depredations, to be lead by Nathaniel Bacon. He was presiding member of various courts held in Lancaster County, and received this honor for being the only resident Colonel in that County.
August 14, 1677, Colonel Ball and his neighbor, John Washington, were present at a meeting to impress upon the citizens the necessity of making immediate payment of a tax imposed upon the people by the General Assembly to put down Bacon's rebellion which had lately arisen. From 1670 on until his death in 1680, he was a member of the Burgesses of Lancaster County.
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per WFT 15-2288:
Born ca 1615. Prob. educated in London, Eng., and studied law there. Nothing is known of his early life. Based on a letter written by a Ball family member, Hayden believed he married 2 Jul 1638 in London. Fact 1
He was spoken as a soldier in 'Cheshire Visitation', under Fairfax.
Much evidence he served in Royal Army in Civil Wars under Charles III. He was present at the battles of Naseby and Marston Moor. In defeat he lost the greater part of his estates, and fled to Virginia ca 1650after the death of Charles III.
1650 - to Virginia
16__ - he operated vessel 'Merchant' between England and Virginia.
1658 - 7 Dec, exec. of est. of John Edwards, by whom he was given power to sell, and gave share in ship 'Susan', and to make returns to Spencer Pigott of Duke's Place, London.
16__ - He prob. was a tobacco merchant transporting it to England and selling it there.
1660 - Member of council to make treaty with the Indians and set boundary of white mans' settlement.
1661 - His name was still in Northumberland Co. (Eng.?) records as merchant.
1663 - 18 Jan grant, Narrow Neck Creek, Lancaster Co., Va.,
1667 - He was a Major. With Thomas Chetwood received grant of 1600acres in Rappahannock Co., on North side of the Rappahannock River. A few months later received grant of 300 acres adjoining Daniel Fox (this was rich cotton land).
16__ -In Lancaster Co., Va., built 'Millenbeck', which was prob. Named after some place in Warwickshire or Northhamptonshire.
16__ - He made many trips to London as was common for planters versed in business. He went to London to sell and his neighbor’s tobacco.
1672 - Col. was active in Lancaster Co., Va., and administration. 19 Mar paid as Co. Lt. for Lancaster Co., 500 lbs. of tobacco.
1675-77 - Lancaster Co., Va., was given various commissions.
1675-76 - 28 Mar, he and Lt. Col. John Carter lead defense against Nathaniel Bacon.
1677 - Presiding member of various courts.
1677 - 14 Aug, with neighbor John Washington urged people to tax to put down Bacon.
1670-80 - Member of Burgesses of Lancaster Co.
1680 - He died Nov at 'Millenbeck'.
His will dated 15 Oct 1680, proved Nov 1680. (His wife lived at 'Millenbeck' with son William, she died 1695, will was dated 25 Jun1695
He was a Warden of Christ Church, Lancaster Co., Church of England. At the time of his death he owned 2000 acres in Lancasterand Rappa. Cos. 'Millenbeck' comprised 540 acres. FACT 2

1 2 3 4
Birth: ABT 1615 in Wiltshire (London?), England 5 6 7
Death: 15 OCT 1680 in Millenbeck, Lancaster Co., VA 6 8
Burial: Millenbeck, Lancaster Co., VA
Immigration: 1657 Rappahannock River, VA 9