Walter Clopton Ballard, the son of William Ballard of Halifax County, North Carolina (c. 1710-1775), married Rebecca Taylor in Southampton county, Virginia in 1786 and had issue.

Marriage Bond of Walter Ballard & Becky Taylor, 23 May 1786.  bondsmen, Walter C. Ballard, Sam. Pitmon.  Witness – J. Young Jr.  “Sir, Please to issue a marriage license for the bearer hereof Mr. Ballard and myself.  Your Sert. Becca Taylor.”  Witness — E.R. Shelton, Lucy Taylor.  May 1786.

In a state census taken 16 February 1786, Walter Clopton Ballard served as an enumerator of District 6 in Halifax County, North Carolina.  The transcribed list includes William Ballard, a household comprised of 1 white male age 21 to 60; 1 white female; 2 blacks, age 12 to 50, and 1 black, under 12 or above 50.  The next entry is the household of Wm. S. (or T.) Ballard, a household comprised of 1 male age 21-60, 4 blacks age 12 to 50, 4 blacks under 12 or above 50.  Since we are looking at a typescript and not the original, we are inclined to believe that the latter entry is a misinterpretation of that for Walter Clopton Ballard, who was then unmarried.  State Census of North Carolina, 1784-1787,  Transcribed by Mrs. Alvaretta Kenan Register (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1973), pp. 61-62.  These are the only Ballards then residing in Halifax County.

In 1790, Walter Clopton Ballard was enumerated in the US Federal Census as “Walter Bollard” in Edgecombe, Halifax, North Carolina.  The household included two males under 16, two males over 16, two females, and 13 slaves.  1790 US Federal Census, Edgecombe, Halifax, North Carolina, Series M637, Roll 7, Page 449.

The 1800 US Federal Census gives the following enumeration: 1 male, age 10 to 15; 1 male, 45 and over; three females under 10; one female, age 26 to 44, and 15 slaves.  1800 US Federal Census, Halifax, Halifax, North Carolina, Series M32, Roll 30, Page 288.  The underage male is likely his son Benjamin, who in Walter’s 1801 will is described as not yet of lawful age.

Walter Clopton Ballard’s will dated 23 January 1801 is recorded in Halifax County, North Carolina:

I Walter Clopton Ballard of Halifax County, No. Carolina, being much indisposed of body but of sound disposing mind and memory do make this my last will & Testament in manner following.

Imprimis, It is my will and desire that my gray stud Horse Clyto be put in good order and sold on a Credit of twelve months the money to be applied to the payment of my debts, but should my Executrix or Executor think ti most to the interest of my Estate to keep the said Horse the ensuing season then to sell him as aforementioned they are at liberty so to do.

Item. It is my will and desire that my wife during her widowhood have the loan and use of my plantation, negroes and other personal property together with what debts may be due me, in order and for the purpose of paying what I owe, and to Educate and maintain my Children, and it is my request that my son Benjamin may be educated in a manner that may fit and qualify him for the study of the Law, and when he is thus educated, it is my wish & desire that he may be put to the study of the Law under Judge Haywood who promised me to take him, provided the finances of my Estate will admit of his being thus educated for a lawyer.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Benjamin Ballard the whole of my Lands, and one seventh part of my personal Estate when he arrives to lawfull age, also one hundred Dollars to purchase him a Horse, provided there is not one belonging to my Estate of that Value which he may like when he comes of age. The land to be subject to my wife’s thirds during life. Should she marry again or in case she should not marry to the use thereof for the educating and maintaining of my children as aforementioned until they arrive to lawful age or marry.

Item. It is my will and desire that upon my wife’s marrying again that the remaining part of my negroes & other personal estate after taking out my son Benjamin’s seventh part, to be equally divided between her & my children (to wit) Elizabeth, Emma, Lucy Taylor, & Rebecca Taylor, share and share alike, and I request that a devision of my negroes may take place without selling any of them of practicable.

Item. It is my will and desire that in case my wife should depart this life before marrying again, & before any of my children should arrive to lawful age, in that case I desire that my Negroes and other personal property be equally divided between my Daughters above mentioned. First giving my son Benjamin his seventh part as before mentioned, and also the hundred dollars or a horse of that value.

Item. Whereas I have a mortgage from my brother William S. Ballard for a negro boy named Frank, now if my said brother shall pay or clear my estate from all matters & sums of money for which I am his security, in that case I do give all my right in and to the said negro unto my said Brother William’s son Rufus Ballard – and as for what corn meal may be charged to my brother William Ballard since my purchasing negro Bristol of him, I desire that my Executor may not demand of him any pay for it as I give him the same.

Item. I do hereby constitute & appoint my wife Rebecca Ballard, John Haywood, John Taylor and Jesse N. Faulcon Executrix & Executors of this my last will & testament. , in witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand & seal this 23rd day of January 1801

Signed sealed & pronounced by Walter Clopton Ballard to be his last will & testament before us Wm. Ballard, William A. Eaton, James Shine, Archd. Sledge [Archibald?]

 Will of Walter Clopton Ballard, dated 23 January 1801, recorded February Court 1801.  Halifax Co. N.C. Will Book 635, p. 347.

A Rebecca (“Rebekah”) Ballard was living in Halifax County when the 1810 Federal Census was taken, where she was enumerated as head of a household consisting of one female, age 10 to 15; she was age 26 to 44; and 14 slaves.  1810 US Federal Census, Halifax, North Carolina, Roll 38, Image 173.  This Rebekah would have been born between 1766 and 1784, so we are confident that this was Walter C. Ballard’s widow.

Walter Clopton Ballard and Rebecca Taylor had issue:

BENJAMIN, married Elizabeth Ann James Williams Thorn.

Elizabeth.

Emma.

Lucy, married ____________ Taylor.

Rebecca, married ______________ Taylor.