Our current thinking (as of May 2016) is that Richard Ballard of Essex County was not the son of Thomas Ballard of Stafford County, but was the son of William Ballard of Essex County.  We leave him here as a placeholder while we conduct additional research in that county’s records.

***

We begin our study of this particular Richard Ballard in Essex County, Virginia, where the earliest record we have found referencing a Richard Ballard is dated 9 October 1713, when a Richard Ballard appears as a witness in a lawsuit between Richard Guggy and Abner Gray.¹ The legal age in colonial Virginia to appear in a court action was 14 or older, so presumably this Richard Ballard was born circa 1692 or earlier (see this summary of “Legal Age” for additional information).

In 1715, a Richard Ballard is enumerated in the Quit Rent Roll of the Year 1715, Essex County, Virginia with 50 acres of land.²  He is the only Ballard to appear on the list, which suggests that he may be the progenitor of this particular line.

On 16 November 1722 a Richard Ballard (assuming it is the same Richard Ballard) is joined in a conveyance by his wife, Joane Martin, the daughter of Edward Martin, to complete the sale of 25 acres of land in Essex county to Patrick Kernal, the land being “the moity & half part of the land which Edward Martin, late of the county, died seized of, who was the father of Joan Ballard, wife of Richard Ballard.” Since the conveyance was for the “half part” of the land of Edward Martin, we conclude that he land was devised to or inherited by Joan, and the other half became the property of one of her siblings.³ A few days later,on 20 November 1722, Richard Ballord ackn. his deed for land & livery & seizin thereon the wife of sd. Richard relinquished her right of Dower thereto which on mocon are admitted to record.⁴

Joane Martin was the daughter of Elizabeth (Warren) Martin and Edward Martin.  She had been named as a grand-daughter in the will of Rachel Warrin, which was recorded 11 February 1706 in Essex County, Virginia.  The will mentioned her two sons, William and Thomas Warren, and four grand-daughters, Mary Parker, Jone/Jane Martin, Margarit Martin, and Ann Warrin (online record).

Additional records name Richard Ballard in Essex County:

1722. Richard Ballard married Joane, daughter of Edward Martin.⁵

16 November 1722. Richard Ballard of co. Essex & Patrick Kernal [Karnell?] of same, for 1,550 lbs tobacco & cask, a certain parcel of land on the north side of the main run of Occupacon Creek in the said co. of Essex containing 25 acres, which said land is the moiety & half part of the land which Edward Martin, late of the co., died seized of, who was father of Joan Ballard, wife of Richard Ballard.  Witnesses: Robt. Parker, Patrick Dunahoe.  Recorded 20 November 1722.⁶

20 November 1722.  Richard Ballord ackn. his deed for land & livery & seizin thereon the wife of sd. Richard relinquished her right of Dower thereto which on mocon are admitted to record.⁷

21 April 1724.  The action on ye case brot by Richd. Ballord agt Francis Gouldman is continued at Pltfs. costs.⁸

20 May 1724.  The suit of Richard Ballord agt. Francis Gouldman is dismist.⁹

Beginning in 1734, he appears in the records of Caroline County:

10 January 1733/4.  The last will and testament of David Murry was presented in Court by Jane Murry and  Richard Ballard, the executrix and executor therein named, and proved by John Young, Nicho. Guillintine & William Arthur.  Estate appraised by William Sutton, John Dudley, Richard Turner & Samuel Normon.¹⁰

9 November 1739.  Richard Ballard acknowledged his deeds of lease and release of land indented to Thomas Ballard.  Mary wife of Richard relinquished all her right to the land.¹¹

11 September 1741.  Ordered that Richard Ballard be surveyor of the road Henry Terrell was formerly surveyor of, in the room of Thomas Swiney.¹²

11 January 1744.  Richard Ballard and Mary his wife acknowledged their deeds of land indented to David Terrell.¹³

11 January 1744.  Richard Ballard, Mary Ballard, William Ballard and Sarah Ballard, Mary and Sarah first being privately examined, acknowledged their deed of land indented to Thos. Watts.¹⁴

13 December 1745.  Thomas Morriss appointed overseer of the road in room of Richard Ballard.¹⁵

13 June 1746.  On motion of Henry Wood, Richard Ballard to assist him in clearing road.¹⁶

14 August 1747. Upon petition of Joseph Suttler, it is ordered the people of Doctr. Walkers quarter, Richd. Ballard’s, Jonas Meader & Jason Meader’s assist him in clearing the road his overseer of.¹⁷

9 September 1748. Richard Ballard appointed overseer of the road from South River Bridge by John Sutton’s to the Upper Church in St. Margaret’s Parish.¹⁸

October 1753. Richard Ballard & Mary his wife acknol. deed indented to Abraham Willson.¹⁹

***

The Essex County records find other Ballards residing in the county. For example, on 19 February 1733, Joel Ballard is named administrator of the estate of a William Ballard; presumably son and father, William having died intestate (though one wonders, given that this name appears no where else, if this is a transcription error, and perhaps the name should be “John”, which could have been abrreviated “Jno,” and misinterpreted by a clerk or transcriber of the original).²⁰ Several weeks later on 7 March 1733 a William Ballard is named an appraiser for the estate of Thomas Green;²¹ this William is possibly the son of the William Ballard who died earlier that year, possibly the brother of Joel (“John”?); the deceased William being the possible husband of Philadelphia Ballard who resided in Essex and is presumed by some researchers to be the ancestor of Bland Ballard of Spotsylvania county, Virginia.

Spotsylvania county was created in 1720 from Essex, King William, and King and Queen counties, and Caroline county was created out of the same three counties in 1727. The surviving records of all of these counties should be searched for pertinent records.

The Quaker Connection

The Society of Friends (Quakers) established in Hanover County a thriving community that was the outgrowth of two movements: (1) the opening and settlement of new lands above Richmond by those of the Quaker faith; and (2) the most directly continuous of all of the Virginia Monthly Meetings, which came to be known as “The Great Awakening.”  The Great Awakening was a spiritual revival that reached Hanover, Louisa and Caroline Counties around 1738, and during that time many were converted and professed themselves “Friends.”  This resulted in the organization of many Quaker meetings in these counties.  Eventually the Monthly Meetings encompassed a great number throughout central Virginia, including Cedar Creek (established 1739, though the meeting house dates from about 1719), Camp Creek (1744), Fork Creek (before 1744), Douglas or Orange (1748), Sugar Loaf Mountain (1744), South River (1754), Halifax (1755), Genito (1744), Green Spring (before 1741), Amelia or Johnsons’ (1755).  The counties within the bounds of the Cedar Creek Monthly Meeting include Hanover, New Kent, Caroline, Louisa, Orange, Bedford, Campbell, Albemarle, Halifax, parts of Charles City, Amelia, Goochland and Henrico.²²

A note on dates prior to 1752 — we’ve fallen prey to this error.  Up to 1751 the Julian calendar was in use in England, Wales, Ireland and the British colonies.  The year in the Julian calendar began on March 25.  In 1752 the law changed the calendar to the Gregorian calendar, with the year starting on January 1.  Quakers objected to the names of days and months that derived from Pagan gods (they had no issue with September through December, which were derived from numbers), so they substituted either numbers or Roman numerals, sometimes Arabic numerals.  After 1752 all months were referred to by their number — for example, October became “10th month.”

The records of the Cedar Creek Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends (the Quakers) helps fill in the gaps of the activities and movements of this Ballard family. The key family relationship being the 1753 marriage of Susannah, daughter of Richard Ballard, who on 13, 1 [January] 1753 is “disowned for marriage out of unity to _______ Stone.”²³

Stone family researchers have identified Susannah Ballard’s husband as Eusebius Stone (b. c.1732-1798), the son of William Stone (b. c. 1700-c. 1775) and Elizabeth Ann — (b. c. 1704-?). The Stone family used several very distinctive forenames repeatedly – Eusebius, Jeremiah, Micajah, and Manoah. The appearance of Micajah Ballard, son of Richard Ballard, leads to the unproven conclusion that Richard Ballard, Sr had married a member of the Stone family, who are known to be Quakers; most likely the Mary __________ that is named in a deed recorded January 1744 in Caroline County.²⁴

However it should also be noted that the name “Micajah” also appears among descendants of Christopher Clark, whose family settled in Hanover county in a portion that became Louisa county and later, in 1744, Albemarle county.  Members of this Clark family intermarried with the Anthony, Johnson, Terrell and Moorman families, known Quakers who intermarried with the Ballard family.²⁵

The records preserved by the various Monthly Meetings provide great information.  On 12 , 1 [March] 1742/3, Richard Ballard is mentioned in the records of the Cedar Creek Monthly Meeting as being of Caroline County.²⁶  As was typical of the abuse heaped upon Quakers, on 14, 6 [August] 1742, Richard Ballard of Caroline County suffered seizure of his property for his refusal to pay priest’s wages, and a year later on 9, 5 [July] 1743, he had property seized in lieu of fines.  It happened again on 12, 6 [August] 1749, when “Richard suffered seizure of his property for church rates.”²⁷

The Quaker records make mention several times of Richard Ballard/Ballord; on 9, 5 [July] 1748, “Richard Ballord & his” signed the Monthly Meeting book as a token they were Frs (Friends) and mbr (members) of this Monthly Meeting.”²⁸ A later entry on 13, 10 [October] 1753 mentions Richard “under care” of the Monthly Meeting; “under care” is their shorthand for a “request for membership”, which indicates that the latter Richard may be a different person than the one who signed the Monthly Meeting book in 1748 (probably his son Richard).²⁹ An entry of 13, 8 [October] 1750 names Thomas Ballord, son [of] Richard of Caroline county, disowned.³⁰ One could be disowned for any number of reasons, but the principal reasons were for marrying out of the faith or owning slaves.

***

As already mentioned, in October 1753 we have one last a deed recorded in Caroline County from Richard Ballard and Mary his wife to Abraham Willson.³¹ Richard Ballard and his family appear to have removed to Bedford County, Virginia about 1755, along with his daughter Susannah (Ballard) Stone and Eusebius Stone, as demonstrated by a series of conveyances and records in that county. On 25 August 1755, Benjamin Orrick conveyed land to Richard Ballard;³² that same date he conveyed 340 acres to Thomas Ballard;³³ in 1760 this same land was conveyed by Thomas Ballard and his wife Usly to Usebius Stone.³⁴

On 27 April 1761, Richard Ballard, Senior conveyed to Richard Ballard, Jr. 200 acres of the 400 acres he acquired from Benjamin Orrick in 1755.³⁵ Since his wife did not join in the conveyance in order to release her dower interest, we assume she had died by this time (there is no mention of her among the Monthly Meeting records).

Two years later on 28 June 1763, Micajah Ballard obtained from Richard Stith, on behalf of the Executors of Richard Randolph, 240 acres in Bedford county.³⁶ On 25 July 1769, Micajah Ballard joined by his wife Joice conveyed to David Preston 50 acres, part of the 240 acres acquired in 1763.³⁷

Land dealings in the family continued: on 23 August 1769, Thomas Ballard and Ursley, his wife conveyed 100 acres of land to David Finley³⁸ (this was the land acquired from Nathan Turner on 25 June 1765); on 28 November 1769, Richard Ballard conveyed 200 acres of land to Henry Straton; a wife did not join in the conveyance; it is unclear if this was the father or son, because the legal description is very similar to that of the conveyance by Richard Sr. to Richard Jr for 200 acres of a 400 acre grant to Benjamin Orrick.³⁹ On 22 May 1770, Richard Ballard, Sr. Acquired 90 acres from Benjamin Greer, Sr and his wife, Mary; witnesses to this transaction include Thomas Preston and Micajah Ballard.⁴⁰

The relationships become clear later on 5 November 1770, when Richard Ballard, Sr. Executed two deeds in order to create a life estate for the benefit of his children. The first deed conveyed his slaves and other personal property, and the second his real property, to Thomas Preston, William Bramblet, Thomas Ballard, Eusebius Stone, Richard Ballard, Jun. And Micajah Ballard. A small sum is given to Elizabeth Orricks, likely his daughter, who was either estranged in some way or already provided for; perhaps she was a daughter from an earlier marriage. A power of attorney executed 22 November 1770 makes clear the family relationships, with Thomas Preston, William Bramblet and Eusebius Stone having married daughters of Richard Ballard, Sr.:

November 5, 1770 – Richard (x) Ballard to Thomas Preston, Bramblet, Thomas Ballard, Eusebius Stone, Richard Ballard Jun. and Micajah Ballard. Twenty pounds. The following slaves to wit, Ben: Moll, and Phoebe and all Pheleys children and the increase of them and all my stocks of horses cattle, sheep and hogs and all my house furniture and my plantation tools to have and to hold etc.⁴¹

November 5, 1770 – Richard (x) Ballard of Bedford County to Thomas Preston, and William Bramblett and Thomas Ballard and Eusebius Stone and Richard Ballard and Micajah Ballard. 50 pounds. All those messages or tenements situate lying and being in the said county of Bedford and one containing ninty five acres on Gills creek which the said Richard Ballard Ser. Purchased of Benjamin Greer the bounds of which tract or Parcel of Land will more fully appear i the deed from the said Benjamin Greer to the said Richard Ballard and other containing one hundred and forty eight acres on the same creek which the said Richard Ballard Sr. purchased of David Claeton.⁴²

November 22, 1770 – Know all men by these Presents that we Thomas Ballard of the Province of North Carolina in Roan Co. [Rowan county covered the entire western section of North Carolina until 1771] and Eusebius Stone of Pittsylvania and Colony of Virginia and Richard Ballard of Bedford Co. and Micajah Ballard of Bedford County and Colony of Virginia Each and Every one of us are held and firmly bound unto Thomas Preston and William Bramblet of Bedford Co. and Colony of Virginia in the first and full sum of one thousand Pounds Lawful money of Virginia to which payment well and truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs Executors admr. or assigns firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and Dated this 22 Day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy. The Condition of the above obligation is such that whereas Richard Ballard Sen. hath conveyed all his Estate unto Thomas Ballard, Eusebius Stone and Richard Ballard Jr. and Micajah Ballard and Thomas Preston and William Bramblett as will more fully appear in the Deeds we the above Mentioned Thomas Ballard, Richard Ballard, Eusebius Stone and Micajah Ballard we do hereby jointly and severally agree to make both Thomas Preston and William Bramblett our Certain and Lawful attorney the soul and full management and conduct of the Estate of Richard Ballard Sen. as followeth to wit to employ an Overseer to Look after the Business and Endeavor to Raise Crops as and Manage as appears. Most convenient and Improve the said Estate also to Collect all just Debts Dues and Demands of the said Estate also to Discharge all Lawful Debts & Demands that shall come against the said Estate also that they the said Thomas Preston and William Bramblett should maintain or cause to be maintained the said Richard Ballard, Senr. During his life at the Expense of fifteen Pounds per year also to do….. Thomas Preston fifteen Pounds and also William Bramblet fifteen Pounds also unto Elizabeth Orricks. Lawful heirs of her Body daughters of Richard Ballard Sen. fifteen Pounds as per Legacies out of the said Estate Lawful money of Virginia and the said Thomas Preston and William Bramblett shall Cause the Increase of the said Estate to be put to a Lawful use for the Benefit of the heirs there of and after the Decease of Richard Ballard Sr. that the said Thomas Preston and William Bramblett shall cause a sail to be made of the said Estate and an Equal Division of the Clear Estate Between Thomas Ballard, Richard Ballard and Eusebius Stone and Micajah Ballard, Thomas Preston and William Bramblett and …. to which Covenant & agreements we above bound Thomas Ballard and Richard Ballard and Eusebius Stone & Micajah Ballard doth by Virtue of the above Written Presents firmly bind ourselves heirs our executors Admrs. or assigns firmly by these Presents. Signed sealed and delivered in the presents of us: Henry Straton,. Harris Toney.⁴³

On 23 June 1772, Micajah Ballard conveyed most of his land in Bedford to his brother, Richard Ballard,⁴⁴ and on 23 January 1776 sells to Thomas Preston all his interest in his father’s estate; this conveyance states that his father, Richard Ballard, Sr., is still living.⁴⁵ In 1779 he conveyed the 50 acres he obtained from Richard Stith to Thomas Preston, and that same date conveyed to Eusebius Stone all his other worldly possessions.⁴⁶

A curious notice appears in The Virginia Gazette of 23 September 1775:

Bedford, August 15, 1775

Whereas my wife Anne hath left me, without just cause for so doing, and as she may perhaps endeavor to run me in Debt, and effect my Ruin, these are to forewarn all Persons from harboring or trusting her on my account, as I am determined to pay no Debts of her contracting from this Date. Richard Ballard, Sen.⁴⁷

Thereby proving that Richard Ballard, Sr. had re-married, albeit not happily.

On 15 January 1774, Richard Ballard (presumably Junior) is named as of Pittsylvania county and conveys his interest in the bequest of Richard Ballard, Sr. to Eucebous (Eusebius) Stone.⁴⁸ No wife conveys a dower interest; presumably he is unmarried. Another deed effectively conveying the same thing is recorded 28 June 1779.⁴⁹

Richard Ballard, Sr married (1) Joan Martin, and married (2) Mary __________ (Stone?), and had issue. He married (3) Anne__________, who was living 1775.  Their issue were:

Elizabeth, married — Orricks.

Thomas, married Ursly __________ and removed to Rowan County, North Carolina before 1770.  Probably the Thomas Ballard named in an estate settlement:⁵⁰ Item in account.  Dr. Adam Bard Exr. in Acct. with the Estate of Wm. Thomson Decd.  By pd. Thomas Mosby 5/ Joseph Richardson 16/3 This. Prather 12/6 £1.13.9.  By pd. Thos. Ballard 6/ John Turly 10/ Usabas Stone 6/ £1.1.0.  On 25 August 1755 Benjamin Orrick of Bedford Co. and Margery his wife, to Thomas Ballard of same, for thirty pounds current.  Land situate lying and being in the County of Bedford on both sides of the North Fork of Wolf Fork of Goose Creek containing three hundred and forty acres, survey made in the name of Richard Womack in the records of the Surveyor of the County of Luenburgh.⁵¹  On 29 January 1760, Thomas and his wife Usly of Bedford County conveyed this same land to Esebious Stone of same, for forty pounds current, three hundred and forth acres in the said County on both sides of the Wolf Branch.⁵²   On 25 June 1765, Nathan Turner of Bedford County conveyed to Thomas Ballard of same, for 15 pounds Current, 100 acres in Bedford County ion the North side of Brandy Camp Creek and Bounded as Followeth (to wit): Beginning at Red Oak a Corners Line thence to North Sixty Degrees West fifty six poles to his Corner Red Oak North Eighty Poles to his Corner White Oak thence of North Seventy Degrees East one Hundred and Seventy four Poles to a gum South forty five Degrees East one Hundred and two Poles to a Black Jack thence of South to the Nearest Part of the Old Rode from thence a Direct Line to the first Corner Red Oak Being the Corner of the Road afore Mentioned to the Beginning.⁵³

Susannah, who married Eusebius Stone and removed to Bedford county and circa — to Henry County, and left issue.

Richard, Jr, who removed to Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and appears to have died without issue.  Besides figuring in a number of transactions listed above, in 1780 Thomas Ballard Junr. obtained from Thomas Preston and Eusebrous Stone of Bedford County (and in this transaction described as “of Bedford County”) 147 acres for 1,250 pounds current.  “Land on both sides of Gills creek in the County of Bedford.”  Witnesses: Uriah Leftwich, Augustine Leftwich, Edward Domoho.⁵⁴

MICAJAH, born c. 1736, died 6 June 1821 Lawrence county, Ohio. Married Joice —, and had issue:

__________, who married Thomas Preston, and left issue.

Anna, who married William Bramblett, Jr.  Ann is named in the will of William Bramblett, Jr. dated 26 March 1779 and recorded 23 August 1779 in Bedford county, Virginia.⁵⁵

Our Conclusion and Working Hypothesis

Given the y-DNA evidence of this descendant, even with a single mutation, it is very likely that the Richard Ballard (born before 1699) who joined the Cedar Creek Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends in 1748 is a close relation of Bland Ballard (c.1700-1791) of Spotsylvania county and his brothers John Ballard (c.1719-1779) and Thomas Ballard (c.1716-c.1780) of Albemarle county. He is, perhaps, a nephew of Thomas Ballard of Stafford County.  This is pure speculation, but it is possible that having married into a Quaker family, Richard joined the Society of Friends and perhaps became estranged from the rest of his family.

---

 Endnotes

1. 9 October 1713 Richard Ballard, witness for Richd. Guggy vs. Abner Gray. 3 days attendance. Essex Co. Va. Order Book.

2. em>William and Mary Quarterly, Second Series, Vol. 18, No. 2 (April 1938) pp. 203-206.

3. Essex Co. Va. Loose Records: Box 105, Folder E, cited in Eva Eubank Wilkerson, Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, Virginia – 1655-1900 (Richmond: Whittet & Shepperson, 1953); 16 November 1722 Richard Ballard of co. Essex & Patrick Kernal [Karnell?] of same, for 1,550 lbs tobacco & cask, a certain parcel of land on the north side of the main run of Occupacon Creek in the said co. of Essex containing 25 acres, which said land is the moiety & half part of the land which Edward Martin, late of the co., died seized of, who was father of Joan Ballard, wife of Richard Ballard. Witnesses: Robt. Parker, Patrick Dunahoe. Recorded 20 November 1722, Essex Co. Va. Deed Book 17, pp. 108-10.

4. Essex Co. Va. Order Book 1716-1723, p. 708.

5. Essex Co. Va. Loose Records: Box 105, Folder E, cited in Eva Eubank Wilkerson, Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, Virginia – 1655-1900 (Richmond: Whittet & Shepperson, 1953).

6. Essex Co. Va. Deed Book 17, pp. 108-10.

7. Essex Co. Va. Order Book 1716-1723, p. 708.

8. Essex Co. Va. Order Book 1723-1725, p. 125.

9. Essex Co. Va. Order Book 1716-1723, p. 147.

10. Caroline Co. Va. Order Book 1732-1740, p. 111.

11. Caroline Co. Va. Order Book 1732-1740, p. 568.

12. Caroline Co. Va. Order Book 1740-1746, p. 68.

13. Caroline Co. Va. Order Book 1740-1746, p. 342.

14. Caroline Co. Va. Order Book 1740-1746, p. 342.

15. Caroline Co. Va. Order Book 1740-1746, p. 542.

16. Caroline Co. Va. Order Book 1740-1746, p. 589.

17. Caroline Co. Va. Order Book 1746-1754, p. 52.

18. Caroline Co. Va. Order Book 1746-1748, p. 117.

19. Caroline Co. Va. Order Book 1746-1754, p. 434.

20. 19 February 1733 Joel Ballard admr. of Wm. Ballard, dec’d. Bond £200.17 Essex Co. Va. Will Book 5, p. 175.

21. 7 March 1733 Ordered to inventory and appraise the estate of Thomas Green, dec’d: William Dobson, Anthony Samuell, Wm Taylor, John Hampton, Wm Ballard. At a court held for Essex Co., at Tappa., on 19 March 1733, admitted. Essex Co. Va. Will Book 5, pp. 186-87.

22. See William Wade Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol. VI (Ann Arbor, Michigan: Edwards Brothers, Inc., 1950), pp. 223-226.

23. Hinshaw, Vol. VI, p. 227.

24. Richard Ballard and Mary his wife acknowledged deed of land indebted … Jan. 1744, Caroline Co. (cited in Edward Pleasants Valentine, The Edward Pleasants Valentine papers : abstracts of records in the local and general archives of Virginia relating to the families of Allen, Bacon, Ballard, Batchelder, Blouet, Brassieur (Brashear), Cary, Crenshaw, Dabney, Exum, Ferris, Fontaine, Gray, Hardy, Isham (Henrico County), Jordan, Langston, Lyddall, Mann, Mosby, Palmer, Pasteur, Pleasants, Povall, Randolph, Satterwhite, Scott, Smith (the family of Francis Smith of Hanover County), Valentine, Waddy, Watts, Winston, Womack, Woodson. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Co., 1979)) (hereinafter The Valentine Papers), p. 122. For a sampling of information on the Stone family, see The Stone Family Association website, and an undocumented chart here.

25. See Moorman of Isle of Wight and Campbell County infra.

26. Hinshaw, Vol. VI, p.227.

27. Hinshaw, Vol. VI, p.227.

28. Hinshaw, Vol. VI, p. 227.

29. Hinshaw, Vol. VI, p. 227.

30. Hinshaw, Vol. VI, p. 227.

31. Richard & Mary his wife acknl. deed indented to Abraham Willson Oct 1753. Order Book 1746 to 1754 page 434 (cited in The Valentine Papers p. 122).

32. 25 August 1755 – Benjamin Orrick of Bedford Co. and Margery his wife, to Richard Ballard of the same Co.. Consideration – Fifty Pounds Current. Land in the County of Bedford on both sides Richhill Branch of little Otter River, Recorded Aug 25, 1755. Bedford Co. Va. Deed Book A 1, pp. 41-42.

33. August 25, 1755 – Benjamin Orrick of the County of Bedford and Margery his wife, to Thomas Ballard of the same County. Thirty Pounds Current. Land situate lying and being in the County of Bedford on both sides of the North Fork of Goose Creek Containing three hundred and forty acres, survey made in the name of Richard Womack in the records of the Surveyor of the County of Luenburgh. Recorded August 25, 1755.

34. January 29, 1760 – Thomas Ballard of the County of Bedford and Usly his wife to Usebius Stone of the same County. Forty Pounds Current. Three Hundred and forty acres in the said county on both sides of the Wolf Branch. Recorded August 25, 1760.

35. April 27, 1761 – Richard Ballard of Bedford County to Richard Ballard, Junr. of the afore said County. Five Pounds Currect. Two Hundred acres being a part of a tract of 400 acres granted unto Benjamin Orrick by Patent bearing Date 26th day of June 1755 & by the said Orrick conveyed to the said Richard Ballard Senr. by a Deed Recorded in Bedford County Court Including the Plantation of the said Richard Ballard Junr. Recorded April 27, 1761.

36. June 28th 1763 – Richard Stith of Bedford County for & in Behalf of the Executors of Richard Randolph Gent. of Henrico County Deceased to Micajah Ballard of the same County. Eight Pounds ten shillings Current Money of Virginia. Two hundred & Forty acres being part of 14000 Acres Granted unto Richard Randolph situated in the County aforesaid on the head of a Branch of Rich Hill “being part of the Land conveyed by the Executors of Richard Randoph Deceased to the said Richard Stith by a Power of Attorney dated the 7th day of November 1761 & Recorded in the General Court, Reference there to being had will at large appear) recorded June 28th 1763. Bedford Co. Va. Deed Book B 2 pages 218-219 (cited in The Valentine Papers, p. 112).

37. July 25th 1769. Micajah Ballard of Bedford County and Joice his wife to David Preston of the same County. Five pounds Current Money of Virginia. Fifty Acres, being part of 240 acres sold unto Micajah Ballard also part 14000 acres Granted unto Richard Randolph Deceased Situate in The County aforesaid on the South Branch of Little Otter, it being all the Land that Ever the Said Micajah Ballard Ever held and owned on the south side of the said Turners being part of the Land Conveyed by the Executors of Richard Randolph Dec. to the said Richard Stith by power of Attorney Dated the 7th Nov 1761, and Recorded in the General Court Reference thereunto being had Will as Large appear. Recorded July 26, 1769, Bedford Co. Va. Deed Book C. 3, pp. 326-327 (cited in The Valentine Papers, p. 112).

38. Thomas Ballard and Ursley, his wife to David Finley, for 15 pounds, 100 acres in Bedford County on the north side of Bandy Camp Creek.  Recorded 23 August 1769, Bedford Co. Va. Deed Book C.3, pp. 335-36.

39. November 28, 1769. Richard (X) Ballard of Bedford County to Henry Straton….Recorded November 28, 1769, Bedford Co. Va.

40. May 22, 1770. Benjamin (x) Greer Sr. of Bedford Co and Mary his wife to Richard Ballard Sr. of Bedford Co. 105 pounds curr. 90 acres in the county of Bedford on both sides of Gells Creek. Wit: John Starkey Sr., Thomas Preston, Mijah (x) Ballard Recorded May 22 1770, Bedford Co. Va. Deed Book C 3.

41. Recorded 27 November 1770, Bedford Co. Va. Deed Book C3, pp. 503-504.

42. Recorded 27 November 1770, Bedford Co. Va. Deed Book C3, pp. 504-506.

43. Recorded 27 November 1770, Bedford Co. Va. Deed Book C3, pp. 507-508.

44. 23 June 1772. Micajah – (X) Ballard of Bedford County and Joice, his wife, to Richard Ballard Junr. of Bedford County and Colony of Virginia. “For and in Consideration of a Certain Exchange of Land to the Value of 75 pound Current money hath Bargained Sold and Exchanged for Plantation with all the Improvements & Appurtenances there unto belonging it being part of the tract of Land Conveyed by Richard Stith to Micajah Ballard 50 acres of which was conveyed to David Preston as will appear on Record by deed Ballard to Preston; two hundred acres of Land of the Said tract which is part of 14000 acres Granted unto Richard Randolph Situate in the County of Bedford on the head of a Branch of Rich Hill, it being part of the Land Conveyed by the Executors of Richard Randolph deceast to Said Richard Stith by a Power of Attorney Dated the 7th day of November 1764…and recorded in the General Court Reference there unto being had will at Large Appear. Recorded June 23, 1772, Bedford Co. Va. Deed Book D4, pp. 308-309 9 (cited in The Valentine Papers, p. 116).

45. 13 January 1776. “This is to Certify from under my hand that I Micajah Ballard of Bedford County and Colony of Virginia hath this day Bargained and Sould until Thomas Preston of the Same County and Colony aforesaid all my wright of Gills Creek Land and also all the Remaining profits and incoms of my Fathers Estate whatsoever that might hereafter belong to me or my heirs forever I do here by Virtue of these presents Sel and make over unto the above said Thomas Preston his heirs or assings forever for the Consideration yt. of 4 pounds 2 shillings Current Money the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and the said Preston is to pay unto Richard Ballard Sens. too pouns 10 shillings per year during the sd. Ballards Sens. life and after my Fathers death I do hereby Warrent and forever defend all the Remaining Profits of the said Estate unto Thomas Preston his heirs or assigns firmly by these presents, as Witness my hand and Seal this 13th Day of January 1776.” Teste – Walter (X) Addy, Henry (h) Petten, Micajah (B) Ballard (L.S.) Recorded January 22, 1776.

46. 24 May 1779. Micajah (X) Ballard to Thomas Preston of Bedford County. One Hundred Pounds Current. Fifty acres (being part of a tract of Land Containing fourteen thousands acres of Land Granted to Richard Randolph Deceased to the sd. Richard Stith by a power of Attorney dated the 7th day of November 1761. and recorded in the General Court in Bedford County on the head branches of South fork of Little Otter River beginning on Rich Hill Branch on Thomas Preston line. Recorded 24 May 1779, Bedford Co. Va. Deed Book F6, pp. 204-205

47. The Virginia Gazette, 23 September 1775, page 3, column 2.

48. 15 January 1774. Richard Ballard of Pittsylvania County to Eucebous Stone of Bedford County…Recorded April 25, 1774. “This is to Certify that I have Bargained and Sold unto Eusebous Stone all my write and title of the Estate that was made over by Richard Ballard Junior by Deed of Gift to me which Deed was Recorded in Bedford Court for the Consideration of ten Pounds Current money of Virginia which said Estate at least my part as well as the Lands and every other Article which was lent the Said Richard Ballard Senr. I do Warrent and forever Defend the said Lands and other Articles as will come to my Part unto the said Stone and his Heirs and assigns forever, that is to say all the Estate that is not Settled for by Mr. Thomas Preston and Mr. Wm. Bramblet as Witness my hand and Seal this 22 August day 1775. Richard Ballard (L.S.) Test – Thomas Preston, John Phelps, Stephen Preston, Robert Alexander, Guy Smith. Memorandum, Agreeable to the withing there is 230 Acres of land one Negro Wench, one Mare, one Cow, Bed and Furniture and other things to tedious now to mention, which I claim theSixth part of. Witness my hand this 22 Day of August 1775. Richard Ballard. Recorded October 23, 1775.

49. Know all men by these presents that I Richard Ballard of Bedford County do give and make over unto Eusebous Stone of the sd County all my Personal Estate that I am now Possess with to have and to hold free from any person Laying any Claim Right or title there unto as Witness my hand this Eight day of January one thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Nine. Test. Chrispin Hunt, John (X) Cannaday, Richard (X) Ballard. Recorded 28 June 1779.

50. Recorded in Bedford Co. Va. Will Book A. 1, p. 54.

51. Recorded 25 August 1755, Bedford Co. Va. Deed Book A. 1, pp. 46-57.

52. Recorded 25 August 1760, Bedford Co. Deed Book A. 1, pp. 288-289.

53. Recorded 23 [? scrivener error?] June 1765, Bedford Co. Va. Deed Book B.2, pp. 566-67.

54. Recorded 28 May 1781, Bedford Co. Va. Deed Book G.7, pp. 55-56.

55. Dated 26 Mar 1779, recorded 23 Aug 1779, Bedford Co. Va. Will Book 1, p. 351.

Will of William Bramblett.

In the name of God Amen I William Bramblett of Bedford County being in health and perfect memory of mind do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. First I do give my soul to God and my body to the Earth, and as for my Estate — I do give and dispose of it as followeth Viz — I will and order unto my son James Bramlitt, one young horse two years old next Spring called Ranter. Item I will and positively order that at my decese my the remainder of my whole Estate, both personal and Royal, be appraised at the Old rate, all which I do lend and Bequeath to my loving wife Anna during the term of life or widowhood, Excepting each of my children to have young horse or mare as they shall come of age and what else their mother may think proper Spare at such of their coming each one to age and after the death of my said wife. I do give and Dismiss my whole Estate to be Equally divided amongst all my Children according to the aforesaid appraisement at the old value in money. And Lastly I do Constitute and appoint my loving friends William Callaway and William Buford Executors of this my last Will and Testament and Trustees for my wife and children whom I do desire and Charge see that my Children has such a portion of learning paid for out of my estate as shall be convenient for business. In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 26th of Feb 1779. Declared to be my last will..

William Bramblett

In presence of us Sam Shrewsbury Charles Tate John Shrewsbury.

At a Court held for Bedford County the 23rd day of August 1779 This last Will and Testament of William Bramblett deceased was proved by the oaths of Charles Tate and John Shrewsbury witnesses thereto. Subscribed and ordered to be recorded at a Court held for the said County the 27th day of September, 1779. On the motion of William Callaway and William Buford the Executors therein named who made oath thereto Certificate is granted them for obtaining probate in due form giving security whereupon they together with John Callaway Robert Alexander and Jacob Early their securities entered into and acknowledged their Bond Bond in the penalty of Ten Thousand pounds for the said Executors due and faithful administration of the said Decedents Estate and performance of his wife.  Teste J Steptoe CBC