Elisha Ballard, the earliest (if scantily) documented member of this line, is commonly identified as the father of Elisha Lawrence Ballard of Isle of Wight County, Virginia. He is possibly the son of Joseph Ballard of Albemarle County, North Carolina (c.1652-1729). We know of him from two sources: the last will and testament of his father-in-law, John Lawrence recorded among the records of Isle of Wight County, Virginia, and the processioning records contained in The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish, Nansemond County, 1743-1793 (Wilmer L. Hall, ed. ) (Richmond: Library of Virginia, 1949).
Since we know from other records that his son Elisha Lawrence Ballard was born about 1756 (and could not do this sort of work until about 1777 when he attained legal age), we are fairly confident that the one reference to an Elisha Ballard in Isle of Wight County wills is actually Elisha Lawrence Ballard, given that the latter record is an estate account of Henry Vaughan examined by Mills Lawrence and Elisha Ballard (Isle of Wight Co. Va. Will Book 10, p. 47); Elisha Lawrence Ballard served in this capacity — either appraising estates or examining accounts — with Mills Lawrence on seven other occasions.
Elisha Lawrence Ballard was devised considerable property by his maternal grandfather, John Lawrence of Isle of Wight County, Virginia in his will of 2 March 1757. This bequest included the “home plantation” and two parcels of land in Southampton County, Virginia. The John Lawrence will names his grandson Elisha Lawrence Ballard (“land in Southampton County”), his nephew John Lawrence, his brother’s son (“land in Southampton County”), his granddaughters Honour Ballard and Ann Ballard, and his daughter Ann Ballard. His son-in-law Elisha Ballard is named executor. Recorded 5 January 1758, Isle of Wight Co. Va. Will Book 6, p. 313.
Apart from John Lawrence’s will, we find no mention of Elisha Ballard among the records of Isle of Wight County for the period that we’ve examined (1720-1736; 1741-1782) which leads us to the conclusion that he most likely resided in Nansemond County, which has suffered catastrophic record losses. For information on him, we turn to the Upper Parish Vestry Book.
The Vestry Book’s processioning records allow us to place individuals geographically within the county. The processioning records describe districts, which are then assigned to pairs of men to complete the processioning, which occurred every four years. A genealogist created a map in the 1970s that roughly showed the location of each district.
The records excerpted below show that Elisha Ballard, an Abraham Ballard and a John Ballard were assigned to procession or are mentioned as landowners in Districts 6, 7, 8 and 23 in the northeast portion of the county. We know from the land patents that much of the land patented by John, Elias and Elijah Ballard was in the vicinity of Summerton Creek on the southernmost section of the map, and would have been below District 18. Further, the Elisha Ballard whose Virginia patent landed in North Carolina following the boundary adjustment of 1728 was dead by 1745, according to tax records we have examined. This leads to the conclusion that there was another Elisha Ballard living in northern Nansemond County, whose lineage we have yet to fully appreciate. There is also mention in the Vestry Books of an Abraham Ballard and a John Ballard within the same Districts, but the Vestry Book does not provide sufficient information to make a conclusion regarding their relationship with Elisha Ballard. Abraham was active between 1747 and 1784 (and given the great length of time, they could have been two different people), while John was active between 1752 and 1775, sometimes John and Abraham processioning together. The name Abraham, of course, suggests that these Ballards are related to each other and to the Elisha Ballard and Abraham Ballard that resided in Perquimans County, North Carolina during the first half of the 18th century.
Below are excerpts from the Upper Parish Vestry Book. Page numbers precede each entry and refer to the printed version, not the original Vestry Book.
Records Mentioning Elisha Ballard
pp. 67-68
At a Vestry held in Suffolk Town March the 31st 1752 for the Upper Parish of Nansemond County …
By order of the Vestry we have processioned …. the line between Elisha Ballard & Forset & also between Elisha Ballard & Jno. Marsh, Present Francis Forset Elisha Ballard and James Marsh [signed] Elisha Washburn, John Gwin [No. 6]
p. 82
By virtue of an Order of Vestry Pass’d, that we the Subscribers have Procession’d the following Lands, one Line done Between Wm King and Elisha Ballard, William King and Elisha Ballard & Jesse King Present, one Line Done Between William King & Michael King William King & Michael King & Jesse King Present …[No. 7, 1752]
p. 100
At a Vestry held in The Courthouse In Suffolk Town September the 13th 1755 For the Upr Parrish of Nansemond County … The Following Persons Are appointed to Procession the Bounds of Land in this Parrish as Followeth to Witt … No. 6 – Elisha Balard, Benjamin Forset
p. 108
In Obedience to an Order of Vestry in Suffolk Town dated Sept the 13 1755 We have procesioned all the Land in our Bounds Beginning of Wm Waters & Michael Kings & Hening Tembteys and Wm Kings And Elisha Ballards the Land of John and Henry Butler And Wm Kings & Tho Pierce present … [No. 23]
pp. 119-120
At a Vestry Held In the Court House For the Upr Parrish of Nanosecond Munday the 16 may 1757 … Benjamin Forset & Elisha Ballard provisioners Returned there Acct Which is ordered to be Registered also a Return of James Rawls and Arthur Jones
pp. 130-131
At a Vestry Held in Suffolk Town September the 17th 1759 for the Uper Parrish of Nanosecond County … Ordered that Jesse Battle & Elisha Ballard Procession all the Bounds of Land in No: 6 According to Law … Ordered that John Ballard and Joseph Skiner Procession All the Land as Bounds No. 23 according to Law
pp. 147-148
Pursuant to an Order of Vestry to us Directed we have Processioned & renewed The Marks of the following Lands Viz A Line Between Jesse Battle & Elisha Ballard A Line Between Hening Tembtey & Elisha Ballard Present Nathaniel Pruden Richard Hynes & Wm Wright A Line Between Between Henry Wright & Hening Tembtey & Nathaniel Bruden And a Line Between Henry Wright & Nathaniel Pruden present … Two Lines between Ashburns Orphan and James March down to March & Ballard’s Corner present Hening Tebtey Josiah Gwin & Wim Moore …A Line between Benjamin Forset & Jesse Battle & Between Benjamin Forset & Elisha Ballard & between Benjamin Forset Frances Forset and between Benjamin Forset & Jas March Also Between James March & Frances Forset present James Retort and James March. Ballard & Battles return Processioning [Pursuant to an order of Vestry Held September 17th 1759] [No. 6]
pp. 159-160
At a Vestry held in Suffolk Town Tuesday the 25th Octr 1763 for Appointing Processioners for the Different Districts in the upper Parish of Nansemond … Ordered that Benja. Forest & Elisha Ballad procession all the Bounds of Land No. 6 according to Law … Ordered that John Ballard & Willm Red procession all the Bounds of Land No. 23 according to Law …
p. 163
In Obedience to an Order of Vestry Bearing Date October the 25th 1763 Beginning at waters Old Field …1 Between Michael King & Elisha Balard [No. 7]
p. 173
In Obedience to An Order of Vestry October the 25th 1763 … The Line between Elisha Ballard and Hening Tembrey The Line between Elisha Ballard & Jessey Battle the line Between Jessey Battle and Benja forest in presence of Jessey Battle and Daniel March the Line between Mrs Meade and Josiah Vaughan Prsst Josiah Gwin [signed] Benjamin Forsett, Elisha Ballard [No. 6]
p. 210
In pursuance to an Order Vestry Dated for the Year 1772 We the Subscribers have process the Lines as followeth with the owners present The Line done betwixt Wm King & Francis power & betwixt Wm king & Elisha ashbourn & betwixt Wm king & Elisha Ballard & betwixt Saml Cohoon & Elisha Balard the Line done betwixt Wm king & Joshua king the Line done betwixt Joshua king & James Newline …[No. 7]
p. 212
By an Order Dated December 23d 1771 We the Subscribers have processioned all the Lines in our bounds peaceably & Quietly without any Objection Vizt a Line between Jesse Battle & Elisha Ballard in presence of Jethro pruden a line between Benja forest & Elisha Ballard present Jethro pruden a line between Benja forest & Danl March in presence of Jessey Battle also a line between Danl March & Ann Forset also a line between Ann Forset & Ben Forset also a line between Elisha Balard & Elisha Ashbourne present John Best …[No. 6]
Records Mentioning Abraham Ballard
p. 24
At a vestry held for the upper parish of Nansemond County (at Suffolk Town) August 31. 1747.
Ordered that Abraham Ballard & Elisha Ashbury procession all the Lands in the bounds No. 7 According to Law.
p. 30
In obedience to an Order of Vestry Dated August the 31: 1747 …the line of William Battle and Abrm Ballard. [signed] Abram Ballard, Elisha Ashburn
pp. 205; 209
At a vestry held at Samuel Swans in Suffolk Town December 23d 1771 for the Ups Parish of Nansemond,
No. 23 Abraham Ballard & Edwd Norfleet process all the bounds Land do [ditto]
pp. 215-216
By submission to yr Vestry & Church Wardens of the Upr Parish Nansemd County Virginia be it known that we Abraham Ballard & Edward Norfleet have processioned in the year of our Lord Christ 1772 first the Line between Joseph Perritt & Wm Burlington the sd Jos Perritt press Next between the said Perritt & Abraham Ballard each party press and agreed then between the Said Jos Perritt & Jos Skiner the Said Jos perrit pres only …[No. 23]
pp. 215-216
By submission to yr Vestry & Church Wardens of the Upr Parish Nansemd County Virginia be it known that we Abraham Ballard & Edward Norfleet have processioned in the year of our Lord Christ 1772 first the Line between Joseph Perritt & Wm Burlington the sd Jos Perritt press Next between the said Perritt & Abraham Ballard each party press and agreed then between the Said Jos Perritt & Jos Skiner the Said Jos perrit pres only …[No. 23]
then between David Gwin & Sarah Jones Henry Gwin & John Rawls present. then between Wm Turlington & Jas Adams Wm Turlington & Jos Sketor present then between David Meade & Mansfield Burlington Wm Turlington present only. then between Abraham Balard & Wm Turlington Wm Turlington present to show the Line then between Jos Skiner & Christo Norfleet each present then betweenSd Skiner & Acey Duke each party present … then between Edwd Norfleet & Abraham ballard Each party present and satisfied. [No. 23]
p. 231
At a vestry held at Suffolk December 19th 1775 for the Upper Parish of Nansemond, that John Ballard & Abram Ballard procession No. 23
p. 232
“We the subscribers have processions all the lands within our bounds peaceably and quietly. ‘ [signed] John Ballard, Abraham Ballard
p. 242
At a Vestry held at Suffo. Dec 30th [17]79, Twas ordered procession No. 7 — Absolom Beamon & Abram Ballard
p. 252
At a Vestry held in the Suffolk, for the Upper Parish of Nansemond April 14th 1784.
Abram Ballard & John James no. 8.
Records Mentioning John Ballard
[A John Ballard is mentioned in a contemporaneous estate record as witness to the will of Joseph Wiles of Newport Parish in Isle of Wight County; it is not clear if it is the same person. Joseph Wiles’ will names his wife Lucy, daughter Martha, son Joseph, daughter Mary and John Frizzell. Executor is John Frizzell, “who is to have the care of my son Joseph Wiles.” Witnesses: John Driver, John Ballard. Dated 17 August 1741, recorded 28 December 1741 Isle of Wight Co. Va. Will Book 4, p 381.]
pp. 68-69
Pursuant to an Order of the Vestry …Thence a Line between John Porter & John Ballard Present the said Porter & John Harrison Senr …a Line between John Ballard and John Butler present the said John Butler and Jno. Harrison Junr [No. 8]
p. 76
Pursuant to an Order of Vestry … a line between Bryant Daughtry and John Ballard Processioned Present William Daughtry Jas. Howard and Thomas Howard a line between John Ballard and Joseph Holland processioned Present James Eley and Peter Howard … March the 4th 1752 [signed] Thomas Jones, Henry Jones
p. 114
Pursuant to an Order of Vestry Dated September 13th 1755 We the Subscribers Have Processioned all the Bounds of Land in the said Order Beginning at Between John Rawles and James Copelan present John porter & Abraham Copelan & David Rawls Thence a Line Between John porter & John Ballard in presence of the Same a line between John porter and James Windburn present the same a line Between John Harrison & Olive Wirel present John Ballard and Henry Butler a line Between Moses Johnson and Jos Baker present the Said Baker and Christopher Norfleet a line Between the a Fore Said Norfleet and Joseph Baker in Presence of the Same a Line between peter Watkinson And Ephraim Hunter present John Ballard & Henry Butler A line Between John Ballard and peter Watkinson present the Same A Line Between John Skiner and Moses Johnson present the a fore Said John Siner a line Between Oliver Wirrel & Ephraim hunter present the Same a line between Henry Butler & John Ballard present John Harrison a line Between Wlm Harrison & John Harrison present John Ballard & Jesse Rawls a line Between James Copelan & James Windburn present Jas Windburn & Tho s Windburn a line between Tho Windburn & James Windburn in presence of the a fore Said A line Between _____ and Wlm Harrison Junr present as a fore Said a line Between Wlm Harrison Senr & Wm Harrison Junr present the a fore Said Incudeling all the Bounds of Land peaceably & Quietly processioned And no Objection Made [signed] William Harrison, Thomas Winbourn [No. 8]
pp. 130-131
At a Vestry Held in Suffolk Town September the 17th 1759 for the Uper Parrish of Nanosecond County … Ordered that Jesse Battle & Elisha Ballard Procession all the Bounds of Land in No: 6 According to Law … Ordered that John Ballard and Joseph Skiner Procession All the Land as Bounds No. 23 according to Law
p. 143
In Obedience to An order of Vestry Bearing Date September the 17th 1759 We have Processioned all the Lands in our Bounds between the following Persons … A Line Between John Ballard & Jos Skiner present both parties … [signed] John Ballard, Joseph Skiner [No. 23]
pp. 159-160
At a Vestry held in Suffolk Town Tuesday the 25th Octr 1763 for Appointing Processioners for the Different Districts in the upper Parish of Nansemond … Ordered that Benja. Forest & Elisha Ballad procession all the Bounds of Land No. 6 according to Law … Ordered that John Ballard & Willm Red procession all the Bounds of Land No. 23 according to Law …
p. 164
Pursuant to an Order of Vestry Dated the 25th of October 1763 We the Subscribers have Processiond all the bounds of Land Containd in the order … John Ballads Line in the presence of the Same Joseph Bakers Line & Jessey Skiners in the presence of Jos Baker & Jesse Skiner John Giles Line … [No. 8]
pp. 170-171
In Obedience to an Order of Vestry Bearing date of 25 October 1763 We the Subscribers have processioned all the Land Within our district … A Line between Joshep Skiner & John Ballard press both parties A Line between John Ballard & Jos Perry presst both parties … A Line between Whitaker Redd & Abraham Carnal res t Whitaker Redd & John Ballard A Line between Jos perry & Wm Burlington press[en]t both parties A Line between John Ballard & Wilm Burlington press[en]t both parties [signed] John Ballard, William Redd [No. 23]
p. 231
At a vestry held at Suffolk December 19th 1775 for the Upper Parish of Nansemond, that John Ballard & Abram Ballard procession No. 23
p. 232
“We the subscribers have processions all the lands within our bounds peaceably and quietly. ‘ [signed] John Ballard, Abraham Ballard
Elisha Ballard and Ann Lawrence had issue:
Honor
Ann
[possibly] Abraham
[possibly] John
Ballard of Virginia 