Questions left unanswered about William Ballard (1788-1875) and his wife Sarah Jarman (1790-1870), the parents of John Powers Ballard (1816-1878) from our last post led to a closer look at Albemarle County, Virginia deed records and, of course, what mysteries Ancestry might be able to help uncover. In order to delve deeper into the lineage of John Powers Ballard, the owner of the Ballard House Hotel. You can refer to the following blog post: Ancestors of John Powers Ballard (c. 1816-1878), Owner of the Ballard House Hotel. This post provides insight into that family’s history and may help shed light on the unanswered questions surrounding William Ballard, Sarah Jarman, and their descendants.

This approach is a bit of a departure for us, because the focus of this blog is yDNA, but the problems posed (and answered) about the daughters of William Ballard (that is, the sisters of John Powers Ballard) were too interesting to pass up.

The earliest Albemarle County deeds we examined from the 1790s concern another William Ballard (1760-1842), a son of the earliest John Ballard (1719-1780) in Albemarle County. In several transactions he is joined by his wife Fanny, and in the last recorded 8 April 1806 (Albemarle Co. Va. Deed Book 15, p. 259) is witnessed by their son, Anderson Ballard (1789-1855). We have not established Fanny’s maiden name; one online source gives it as “Via,” with no citation to a source. This William removed to Pickaway County, Ohio; his connection to Albemarle is proven by statements included in his Revolutionary War Pension Application (W25220). More research about this family is needed in Ohio records, so we leave his story for another time.

Our William’s first appearance in the Albemarle County deed records in 1809, when he purchases 231 1/2 acres from Thomas Maupin and Margret his wife, a tract of land “adjoining the lands of Wm. Maupin senr.” Albemarle Co. Va. Deed Book 17, p. 36. He appers to have sold the land 1815, when he conveys 232 1/2 acres to William C. Maupin “a cetain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Albemarle and state of Virginia on both sides of the wolf pit branch and on the waters of Spring Creek & adjoining the lands of the estate of William Maupin senr., dec’d, Chapman Williamson, Meriwether Brown, John Ward and Thomas Maupin.” Albemarle Co. Va. Deed Book 19, p. 320. William’s wife Sally (Sarah) joined in the transaction to relinquish her dower rights.

This is followed by a series of deeds showing economic distress — mortgages on land and on personal property. The next transaction of genealogical interest is a conveyance dated 1 September 1839 from William Ballard to John P. Ballard where he sells John sixty acres for one thousand dollars — a considerable sum for such a small parcel — which suggests John may have been helping his father out with such an inflated value. Albemarle Co. Va. Deed Book 37, p. 520. Several years later (on 1 March 1842) William Ballard, Sarah, his wife, John P. Ballard and Jane Frances, his wife sell to James Woods “for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar current money of Virginia … a certain tract or parcel of land containing fifty four and 3/4 acres.” Albemarle Co. Va. Deed Book 39, p. 402. This appears to be the same parcel William sold to John, but it doesn’t make much sense that William and Sarah joined in the transaction, unless William remained in possession and the attorneys involved wanted William and Sarah to join to make sure clear title was conveyed. Nor can we explain the nominal consideration of one dollar.

Next is a curious loan dated 26 February 1858 joined by all of William and Sarah’s daughters and their husbands. This document helped confirm the whereabouts and status of his daughters — Sarah Catherine had married her first cousin Miletus Brown Jarman (1803-1874), who was the son of James Dabney Jarman (1773-1847), the brother of Sarah Jarman). Mary Ballard had married William W. Tompkins in 1857; however, William Tompkins married again 25 January 1860 Mary J. Durrett, so Mary Ballard must have died about 1858, which explains why she is not mentioned in her father’s will. Mildred Ann Ballard had married Reuben S. Powers in 1854; and Fannie Elizabeth Bigelow had married Archibald N. Bigelow on 5 May 1846, which explains why she does not appear with the family in the 1850 census, having established a household with her husband. In 1850 Archibald and Fanny resided in St. Louis, Missouri, but by 1858 they had returned to Virginia and were living in the city of Richmond, as evidenced by the document below. Their brother John P. Ballard of Richmond is identified as acting as trustee for his sister Fanny; Fanny’s husband Archibald had transferred his interest in his wife’s property be a separate, earlier deed, so he does not join in this instrument.

The instrument describes a family of slaves who are the subject of the “loan”, which in and of itself is somewhat disturbing, but given that the proper names of all of the slaves is included, this may be of interest of descendants of these individuals. We include the acknowledgements because they prove where each person was living at the time of the instrument’s execution.

Whereas in the year 1844 or thereabouts a certain Miletus B. Jarman of Albemarle bought of William Ballard of said county a woman by name Rachel & her child Warner & whereas the said Jarman some years thereafter transferred these said negroes and their increase to the wife of said Ballard & their four daughters, namely Sarah, Mary, Fanny, and Mildred to be held jointly by the mother and the four children; and whereas the said Archibald N. Bigelow, by deed dated the 30th of October 1857 and of record in the Albemarle Clerk’s Office, transferred his interest in said negroes & their increase (they at the time being Rachel and her six children, namely Warner, Milly, William, Charlotte, Nelson & Alice) in right of his wife the said Fanny Ballard, to John P. Ballard of Richmond in trust for his wife’s sole separate use — and whereas the said four daughters and their husbands (they having all married and since their interest in the slaves was required) are desirous to let their father the said William Ballard the use of the said negroes viz. Rachel & her six children and the increase of the females. Now therefore this deed made the 26th day of February 1858 between the said Mary his wife, R. S. Powers & the said Mildred his wife, and the said Fanny E. Bigelow & her trustee John P. Ballard (who writes herein so as to signify his consent to the loan hereinafter made) of the first part & the said William Ballard of the second part, Witnesseth, that in consideration of the natural love and affection of the said daughters and their husbands for and toward the said William Ballard, they the said parties of the first part do loan the slaves aforesaid & their increase as aforesaid, that is to say, Rachel & her six children and the future increase of the females, to the extent of their interest in the same, to the said William Ballard, but the duration of said loan is to depend solely upon the will & pleasure of the said parties making the loan, that is to say, the said loan is to cease and terminate whenever the said parties of the first part shall think proper o put an end to it; & besides the loan shall cease to the extent of the interest of any one of the said parties of the first part, whensoever such an one shall choose to put an end to it — but in that event the other parties of the first part may still permit their interest in the negroes to remain on loan just as before, but this permission shall in no way tend to abridge the rights of property or the part of those who see fit to end the loan so far as their interests are concerned. As witness the following signatures and seals.

M. B. Jarman {Seal}
S. C. Jarman {Seal}
Wm. Tompkins {Seal}
Mary S. Tompkins {Seal}
R. S. Powers {Seal}
M.A. Powers {Seal}
Fannie E. Bigelow (Seal)

Albemarle County, to wit;

I, Thomas F. Lewis, a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid in the State of Virginia, do certify that Miletus B. Jarman, whose name is signed to the writing above, bearing date the 26th day of February 1858, has acknowledged the same before me in my County aforesaid. Given under my hand the 14th day of August 1858.

Thomas F. Lewis J.P.

State of Virginia, Albemarle County, to wit;

We Thos. F. Lewis & Geo. B. Brown, Justices of the Peace for the County of Albemarle in the state of Virginia, do certify that Sarah C. Jarman, the wife of Miletus B. Jarman, whose names are signed to the writing above, bearing date on the 26th day of February 1858, personally appeared before us in the county aforesaid, and being examined by us privy and apart from her husband, and having the writing aforesaid fully explained to her, she the said Sarah C. Jarman acknowledged the said writing to be her act & declared that she had willingly executed the same, & does not wish to retract it. Given under our hands the 14th day of August 1858.

Thomas F. Lewis J.P.
Geo. B. Brown J.P.

Corporation of the City of Richmond, to wit;

I, R. Milton Cary, a Notary Public for the corporation aforesaid in the State of Virginia, do certify that Fanny E. Bigelow, William W. Tompkins, & R. S. Powers whose names are signed to the writing above, bearing date the 26th day of February, 1858, have acknowledged the same before me in my corporation aforesaid. Given under my hand this 27th day of February 1858.

R. Milton Cary

State of Virginia, Corporation of the City of Richmond, to wit;

I, R. Milton Cary a Notary Public for the Corporation of the City of Richmond in the State of Virginia, do verity that Mary Tompkins, the wife of W. W. Tompkins, & Midred Powers, the wife of R. S. Powers, all of whose names are signed to the writing love, bearing date the 26th day of February 1858, personally appeared before me in the Corporation aforesaid, and being respectively examined by me privily and apart from their respective husbands, & having the writing aforesaid fully explained to them, the said Mary Tompkins & the said Mildred Powers respectively acknowledged the said writing to be her act respectively and declared that they had willingly executed the same & do not wish to retract it. Given under my hand the 27th day of February 1858.

R. Milton Cary.

At a Court held for Albemarle County September 6th 1858.

This Deed of Loan was this day produced into Court and being duly certified was thereupon ordered to be recorded.

Teste, Ira Garrett, C.C.

Albemarle Co. Va. Deed Book 57, p. 192

The instrument following this in the record is a bit curious, for in it William expressly disclaims the authority of the parties in the loan instrument, then makes a gift of the slaves to his surviving daughters (Mary had since died, apparently without issue).

Whereas by deed bearing date the 26th day of February 1858, and recorded in the Clerk’s Office of Albemarle County, M. B. Jarman and S.C. Jarman his wife, W. W. Tompkins and Mary J. Tompkins his wife, R. S. Powers and M. A. Powers his wife, and Fannie E. Bigelow — undertook to lend to the undersigned Wm. Ballard, a negro woman named Rachael and her six children, namely Warner, Milly, William, Charlotte, Nelson and Alice, and the increase of the females among them — at the will and pleasure of the grantors.  And whereas the existence of this deed did not come to my knowledge until very recently.  Now know all men by these presents that I, William Ballard, of the County of Albemarle, do hereby renounce and disclaim all benefit of and intent under said deed — for the reason that I claim to be the fee simple owner of said slaves (or the survivors of them, for one of them, Alice, is dead) and do not recognize the right of the grantors or of any other person to make any disposition of said slaves, as I think proper.  I the said William Ballard, in consideration of the love and affection which I bear to my three daughters, namely Sarah C. Jarman, the wife of M. B. Jarman, Mildred A. Powers, the wife of R. S. Powers, and Fannie E. Bigelow, wife of Archibald N. Bigelow — do hereby give to my said three daughters jointly and equally the said slaves Rachael, Warner, Milly, William, Charlotte and Nelson, and the future increase of the females among them, in manner following, that is to say, I give one equal third part of said slaves to my daughter Mrs. Jarman for and during her natural life, with remainder to such child or children of hers as may be living at her death, including also the issue (living at her death) of any one or more of her children who may die in her life time — such issue to take per stripes.  But if the said Sarah C. Jarman shall leave no issue at the time of her death, then the third part of said slaves which are given to her for life shall descend and pass to her sisters Mrs. Powers and Mrs. Bigelow or their descendants respectively, living at her death.  Such descendants to take per stripe if Mrs. Jarman shall die leaving no issue at her death, and either Mrs. Powers or Mrs. Bigelow shall have died in her life time.  And there shall be no issue of such decedent living at the death of Mrs. Jarman, then her share of said slaves shall devolve wholly upon the receiving sister — or upon the issue of such one of them as may have died leaving issue.  And if at the death of Mrs. Jarman without issue surviving her, their shall be living neither one of the said sisters, nor any issue of either, then her said shall of the slaves aforesaid, is to descend and pass, according to the law of descents and distributions to my next of kin.  One equal third part of said slaves and of their future increase, I give to my said daughter Mrs. Powers for her live, with like remainder and limitations, to her sisters Mrs. Jarman and Mrs. Bigelow or their descendants respectively — and finally to my next of kin as are prescribed in the case of Mrs. Jarman — and the remaining third part of said slaves and their increase, I give to my daughter Mrs. Bigelow for her life — with the same remainder and limitations to her sisters Mrs. Jarman and Mrs. Powers and their issue, and finally my next of kin, as are provided for in the case of Mrs. Jarman.

But this deed and conveyance is made subject to the reservation to myself and my wife Sarah Ballard of a life estate in all of said slaves and their increase: and the said reservation is not only made to both of us as long as we both live.  But to the survivor of us, during his or her life,   Witness my hand and seal this 18th day of June 1861.

William Ballard {Seal}

In the Clerk’s Office of Albemarle County 18th June 1861.

This deed was presented to me and being acknowledged by the parties thereto was thereupon admitted to record.

Teste, Ira Garrett C.C.

Albemarle Co, Va. Deed Book 59, p. 496.

And finally, after William had died, in April 1875 the daughters are joined by their brother Thomas E. Ballard as security (in the only mention of him in connection with the rest of the family) when they file a bond and refund expenditures made by W. R. Burnley as administrator of William’s estate. Melitus Brown Jarman died in 1874, and Reuben S. Powers died in 1864; Fannie E. Bigelow’s husband Archibald N. Bigelow, still living, joined in the instrument.

Know all men by these present that we, Sarah Catherine Jarman, Fanny E. Bigelow, Mildred Ann Powers and Thos. E. Ballard, Security, are held an firmly bound unto W.R. Burnley, S.A.C. and as such, Admr. C.T.A. of William Ballard, deceased, in the just and full sum of one hundred dollars, to the payment whereof well & truly to be made to the same W.R. Burnley, Admr. as aforesaid, his executors, administrators or assigns, we lend ourselves, our heirs, executors & administrators jointly & severally firmly by these proceeds, sealed with our seals and dated this day of April 1875.

Whereas William Ballard late of Albemarle County Va., deceased, did by his last will and testament bearing date the 5th day of September, 1868 give and bequeath unto the said Sarah Catherine Jarman, Fanny E. Bigelow and Mildred Ann Powers all his property of which he was possessed the time of his death, as by reference to said Will, recorded in the Clerk’s office of Albemarle County Court in Will Book No. 29 page 3, will more fully appear: And the said Sarah Catherine Jarman, Fanny E. Bigelow & Mildred Ann Powers now desire said property to be turned over to them, and W.R. Burnley S.A.C. Admr. C.T.A. of said William Ballard having agreed to turn the same over to them with the exception of an amount not over $50 to cover costs of administration etc. and has turned the same with such exception over to them contemporaneously with them the said Sarah Catherine Jarman, Fanny E. Bigelow and Mildred Ann Powers executing this refunding bond as required by law, and the said Sarah Catherine Jarman, Fannie E. Bigelow and Mildred Ann Powers execute this their refunding bond with the said Thos. E. Ballard their security.Now Therefore of the said Sarah Catherine Jarman, Fanny E. Bigelow and Mildred Ann Powers shall refund a due proportion of any debts or demands which may hereafter appear against the decedent William Ballard & of the costs attending their recovery then the above obligation shall be void, otherwise to remain in full force & value.

S. C. Jarman {Seal}
A. N. Bigelow {Seal}
Fannie E. Bigelow {Seal}
M. A. Powers {Seal}
Thos. E. Ballard {Seal}

Attest: Wm. W. White, D.L. Smith

State of Virginia, County of Albemarle,

Wm. W. White whose name appears as witness to the above writing personally came before me in my County aforesaid & acknowledged the same as such witness.  Given under my hand this 12th day of August 1875.

D.L. Smith, J.P.

In the clerks office of Albemarle County Court, Aug. 6, 1875

The above refunding bond was presented & proved by the affidavit of Wm. A. White & the oath before me of D.L. Smith witnesses thereto & was admitted to record.

Teste, Jno. W. Goss D.C.

Albemarle Co. Va. Deed Book 69, p. 767

However, this leaves us with one other loose end. Many famly trees on Ancestry and elsewhere name a William J. Ballard (1811-1884) as the eldest son of William Ballard and Sarah Jarman. While it is a reasonable assumption, we have found no evidence linking the younger William with this family. They very well could be related, but were estranged for whatever reason. The 1840 census recording “W.J. Ballard” followed by “W. Ballard” in Fredericksville Parish in Albemarle offers no help, because the enumerator copied his list alphabetically, thereby destroying any context that might be gleaned from the order households were visited. In 1850 the two families were in entirely different districts; had they been neighbors, an inference could be drawn from that.

This younger William married Sarah C. Blackwell on 27 November 1837; it appears the recorder of deeds took pains to use middle initials to distinguish the two families, because in each instance they are identified as “William J. Ballard” and “Sarah C. Ballard” (see Deed Book 52, p. 407 (1854), Deed Book 57, p. 321 (1858), and Deed Book 60, p. 305 (1863)). One could assume that the middle initial “J” stands for “Jarman,” but that just isn’t sufficient evidence. On the other hand, we find no other family in Albemarle where he possibly “fits.” For now he remains a placeholder in this spot on our Lineage Group I tree in Ancestry. Anyone who wishes to see this tree may do so here.