This theory will no doubt cause some consternation among Ballard family researchers who are settled in their often repeated conclusion that the progenitor of the Lineage Group I Ballards (and Lineage Group III (being unrelated genetically), which in and of itself raises doubts about the veracity of those lines) is the William Ballard who married Philadelphia _________ and resided in Essex County, Virginia, and that William in turn (according to some researchers) being the son of the illustrious Thomas Ballard of James City County, Virginia (1630-1690).  Thomas Ballard of James City County did have a son William, but we believe William lived (and died) in Charles City County.  We are indebted to researcher Dennis Stewart for bringing many of these records — and this compelling theory — to our attention.

Our candidate for the founder of this line is a Thomas Ballard who resided in Stafford County, Virginia, c. 1700 to c. 1722.  But first, some notes (and thoughts) on William Ballard of Essex County, Virginia, who is generally accepted to be the founder of this line.

The number of William Ballards appearing in the records in this region defy accurate accounting, and this is complicated by the Ballards that joined the Quaker faith, who were notoriously peripatetic.  For example, one such William Ballard is named in an action for debt brought by James Booth and Thomas Davis against Stephen Chenault and William Ballord on 15 September 1724.¹  (Stephen Chenault was the father of Howlett Chenault, whose widow Mary Byum married another William Ballard and removed to Bedford County, Virginia).  William Ballard of Essex County is believed to have died between 1741, when he last appeared in a court record,² and 1753, when his widow, Philadelphia, conveyed her dower interest in a tract of land in Essex County.³

William Ballard of Essex County is believed to have married Philadelphia ___________, who was living about 1751⁴ and as late as 2 October 1754 in St. Anne’s Parish, Essex County, Virginia, when an indenture was recorded on 2 October 1754 conveying Philadelphia’s dower interest in land to John Lee of Essex county, her son John Ballard having sold the land to John Noell on 19 January 1747,⁵ who had in turn sold the land to John Lee.⁶

This indenture made this second day of October in the year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and fifty four between Philidelphia Ballard of the parish of Saint Ann and the Co. of Essex of the one part and John Lee of the same parish and Co. of the other part, witnessesth that the said Philidelphia Ballard for and consideration of two thousand pounds of merchantable (tob(acco) in hand paid her by the said John Lee, hath now granted Bargained, assured, sold, engrosed atuned, assigned transferred and conveyed unto the said John Lee her Right and claime that she has now hath or my for every hereafter have unto the Land and premises whereon she now lives being the land sold by her son John Ballard unto John Noell and by the said John Noell sold and conveyed unto the said John Lee. Reference being had to the several deeds and conveyances on the records concerning the same to have and to hold the said Bargined and sold Land, premises and Appurtenances thereon to him the said John Lee his Executors and admistrators and together with all houses out houses, gardens, orchards ways water and water courses thereon, woods, timber trees and trees likely to become Timber and further the said Philidelphia Ballard doth by Virtue hereof Deliver the same up to the said John Lee Quietly and peaceably freely and clearly discharged from the litigation suit trouble, molestation or incumbrance of her or any pretending any Right or Claim thereby. In testimony hereof the said Philidelphia Ballard hath the day and year above written signed sealed published and declared the same. Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of us James Samuel, Mark (his x mark) Samuel, Catharine (her x mark) Owens, Richard Hipkins, Ann (her x mark) Mascall, Thomas Faulconer. Philidelphia (her x mark) Ballard.  Essex Co. Va. Deed Book 27, p. 63.

1754 – Memo that on the 2nd day of October anno Dom. 1754 Quiet and peaceable possession was given and Delivered by the within named Philidelphia Ballard to the within named John Lee by Delivery of the Dwelling house in the name of the whole bargained and sold land etc. To have and to hold the said Land and premises according to the said conveyance to him the said John Lee and to his heirs for ever. Test. James Samuel, Mark (his x mark) Samuel, Catherine (her x mark) Owens, Ann (x) Mascall, Richard Hipkins, Thomas Faulconer. Philidelphia (her x mark) Ballard

October 2d 1754, then received of John Lee the within Two thousand pounds of Tob(acco) in full consideration of the within Bargained and sold land premises and appurtenances etc. Test. James Samuel, Mark (his x mark) Samuel, Catharine (his x mark) Owens. Ann (her x mark) Mascall, Rich Hipkins, Thomas Faulconer.  Philidelphia (her x mark) Ballard.

At a court held for Essex Co. at Tappa(hannoack) on the 19th day of November anno dom. 1754. This deed of tenttment indented with the livery of Seizen and receipt hereon indorsed from Philidiphia Ballard to John Lee was proven by the oaths of James Samuel, Mark Samuel and Thomas Faulconer three of the witnesses hereto and thereupon the same is admitted to record and is truly recorded.

So here we have simply a release of dower interest in property that once belonged to her husband, inherited by the son, and sold by him to John Noell, who in turn sold it to John Lee.  This does not prove — or even suggest — a connection between the Ballard and Lee families (as some researchers claim).  There is an earlier deed dated 19 January 1747⁷ that referenced “the line of old William Ballard,” which likely refers to the property then owned by Philadelphia’s husband, William.  The John who conveyed the property to John Noell would have inherited it from his father William by right of primogeniture.  In 1752 the John listed below was of age and living in Louisa County, so it is possible that this William is the progenitor of this line, but we are not yet convinced.  Perhaps studying the background of Philadelphia’s witnesses might provide a clue.

It should be noted, however, that the Samuel family had connections with the Martin family; Richard Ballard of Essex County had married Joane, the daughter of Edward Martin, as proven in a deed dated 16 November 1722.  An alternate theory worth exploring is the possibility that the elder William Ballard, husband of Philadelphia, could have been a brother of Thomas Ballard of Stafford County, which could explain the slight distance — genetically — between the Lineage Group I descendants of Richard Ballard compared with the yDNA results of Bland, Thomas and John Ballard.  This is something we are currently researching, but for now, we’ll keep Richard as a son of Thomas Ballard of Stafford County.

***

To appreciate the difficulty of tracing families in this part of Virginia, it is helpful to understand the evolution of the counties:

Prior to 1634 – Indian country.

1634 – Part of Charles River; name changed to York.

1648 – Formation of Chickacoan, later Northumberland County. Lands along the Pumunkey and Mattapony remained in York, lands along both sides of the Rappahannock went to Northumberland.

1652 – Lancaster (along the Rappahannock) cut from Northumberland.

1654 – New Kent created out of York, with boundaries extending from Scimino Creek on the east to the headwaters of the Pamunkey and Mattapony on the west.

1656 – Lancaster split along the north/south line which now divides Lancaster from Richmond and Middlesex from Essex. The area to the east remained Lancaster, the area to the west became (Old) Rappahannock until 1692, when that county became extinct (see below).

1691 – New Kent split along the Pamunkey to establish King and Queen north of the river.

1692 — Rappahannock is extinguished, and the land once part of it north of the Rappahannock became Richmond, and lands south of the River became Essex.

1700 – King William created out of King and Queen.

1720 — Spotsylvania created out of the headwaters of Essex, King and Queen and King William.

1727 – Caroline created out of Essex, King and Queen and King William.

1734 — Orange created out of Spotsylvania.

Therefore, anyone wanting to fully understand Caroline (or Spotsylvania, for that matter) prior to 1727 must study the records of Old Rappahannock, New Kent, Essex, King and Queen and King William. This is no easy task, given that Caroline, New Kent, King and Queen and King William have all suffered catastrophic record losses.

***

This Thomas Ballard (c. 1679-c. 1722) appears among the records of Stafford county, Virginia as a witness of the will of Simon Thomasin of Stafford county on 9 June 1700, which was recorded 9 April 1701.⁸  The will names Simon’s wife Patience, his son John, and his daughters Isabel and Margaret.  We know that Isabel Thomasin married Thomas Elzey of Stafford County, Mr Thomasin’s likely neighbor identified in the will, and Margaret Thomasin married Thomas’ brother William Elzey.  Their father, Thomas Elzey (c. 1627-1698) married a Jane Greg (1636-1720), who may have been a relation of the two Greggs named in the will as witnesses with Thomas Ballard — Thomas Gregg and Jane Gregg.

On 28 October 1700, Thomas Ballard witnessed a deed from Samuel Simpson to Francis Waddington.⁹  On 6 August 1703, he provided an oath in support of a power of attorney by Richard Bellasis of Gloucester county who appointed John Waugh, Jr his attorney-in-fact.¹⁰  On 14 February 1703/4, he appraised a horse as part of a lawsuit by Gerrard Newton.¹¹  On 13 March 1705 he was an appraiser of the estate of Dennis Murfee.¹²  He witnessed a deed on 3 April 1705,¹³  and was security for the estate of William Bell.¹⁴

On 12 September 1705, Thomas Ballard appears in the records with his wife Mary _______ (Mann) Ballard, who was the widow of James Mann (as proven by the record, which was an inventory of James’ belongings; Mary Ballard was the Executrix).¹⁵  Mary Ballard appears in one other transaction in Stafford on 6 March 1706, when she and Thomas Ballard witness a deed from Joseph Hinson to Thomas Ellzie of Stafford county.¹⁶

Their marriage is confirmed by additional records in Richmond County, Virginia.  Richmond County Court 3d of April 1706.

– The action brought by Thomas Ballard and Mary his Wife, Exrx. of James Man, late of Stafford County, deced, vs. Danll. McCarty is dismist the Plts. not prosecuting

– The sumons by Scire Facias brought by Thomas Ballard and Mary his Wife, Exrx. of James Man, late of Stafford County, deced., vs. Danll. McCarty is dismist, the Plts. not prosecuting.

1705-1706 Richmond Co. Va. Order Book 4 (The Antient Press, p. 151).

In 1707 and 1708, Thomas Ballard witnessed additional transactions involving leading planters in the community, namely Joseph Waugh, Thomas Gregg,¹⁷ Nathaniel Pope, William Fitzhugh, and William Heaberd, among others.¹⁸  These are the last surviving transactions naming Thomas Ballard until a grant of land to William Champ of Stafford county recites boundaries naming “Thomas Ballard, deceased”, so we know he was dead, at the latest, by 15 July 1724.¹⁹

That grant recites that the neighboring land was sold to Mr Thomas Ballard by John Wallace, who may (or may not) be a relation of the Reverend James Wallace who married Matthew’s wife’s mother; further, Matthew and Thomas’ cousin Francis, son of Francis Ballard, married a daughter of James Wallace.

Could this Thomas Ballard have been a brother of Matthew Ballard of York County, the eldest son of Thomas Ballard of York County (c. 1655-c. 1710)?  Not likely, since a Thomas Ballard of York County obtained a patent of 330 acres of New Land in Spotsylvania County on 28 September 1728 (Land Office Patents No. 13, 1725-1730 (v.1 & 2 p. 1-540), p. 452 (Reel 12)), while the subject of this sketch was dead by 1722.  If we assume that this Thomas Ballard was the brother of Matthew Ballard, he could have been dead by 1719 when Matthew made his will, which named only two of his brothers, Robert and John, suggesting that their brother Thomas had pre-deceased him.²⁰ But note that Matthew failed to name his younger brother William (William died later, about 21 September 1719), so that in itself is not sufficient to constitute proof (perhaps because he was legally an infant).  See Thomas Ballard, Jr of York County, Virginia.  Other evidence points to this Thomas not being close relative of the descendants of Thomas Ballard of James City, which we will get to momentarily.

There are a series of records preserved in John Mercer’s Land Book, now housed at the Library of Virginia in Richmond.  John Mercer, a lawyer and merchant in Stafford county, Virginia had purchased the lot and house in Marlborough that was once owned by Thomas Ballard.   Because of the confusion in the records of how Marlborough was founded, Mr Mercer researched the title of all his lands and kept meticulous records, and included in his records a note that on 13 Apr 1708, George Mason and William Fitzhugh, Gentlemen, as feoffees for the town of Marlboro sold to Thomas Ballard a half acre lot.²¹

The town of Marlborough was established with the passage of an Act of Ports, introduced by Robert Beverley, in 1705.  The towns listed under the act were the same as an earlier act, but this time each was given an official name, the town for Stafford county being called Marlborough in honor of the hero of the recent victory at Blenheim.  George Mason and William Fitzhugh, Jr (son of William Fitzhugh of Stafford county) were appointed feoffees in 1707, and a new survey was made by Thomas Gregg.²²

In 1710 the Act of Ports was rescinded, for London authorities acknowledged the Act was “designed to Encourage by great Privileges the settling in Townships.”  These settlements would encourage manufactures, which, in turn, would promote “further Improvement of the said manufactures, And take them off from the Planting of Tobacco, which would be of Very Ill consequence,” thus lessening the colony’s dependence on the Kingdom, affecting the import of tobacco, and prejudicing shipping.”²³  A few of these towns survived to the present, most notably Norfolk, Hampton, Yorktown, and Tappahannock.  Marlborough lasted as a town until about 1720, but in about 1718 the courthouse and several dwellings were destroyed by fire.²⁴

The town of Marlborough was essentially abandoned by 1726, when the sole structure still standing was the house built by Thomas Ballard.  When Mercer arrived at Marlborough in 1726, having married Catherine Mason, the sister of George Mason and the niece of David Waugh (Mercer’s godson), he leased the house from David Waugh, who had inherited Thomas Ballard’s house from his father, James Waugh.²⁵

Mercer developed an ambitious plan to consolidate Marlborough and establish a plantation there.  In order to assure clear title of the lot (among others) in Marlborough, Mercer on 13 Oct 1730 obtained a release from James Waugh that recited some of the terms of the last will and testament of Thomas Ballard of Stafford county.  This document is most interesting for linking the Ballard family to possible relations in England:

Indenture between James Waugh of the Parish of Overwharton in the County, of Stafford, Gent., of the one part, and John Mercer of the same parish and County, of the one part, and John Mercer of the same parish and County, Gent., of the other part; whereas Thomas Ballard, late of the same parish and County, deceased, by his last will and testament in writing inter alia devised all his lots and houses in Marlborough which were granted to him by deed from the feoffees, and Lot 19 in the town Plat to Thomas Kendall son of Benjamin Kendall of the parish of Saint Mary Magdalen Bermondsey in Great Brittain to Thomas and his heirs forever with proviso that Thomas Kendall should within seven years at farthest after the decease of Thomas Ballard appear to claim or demand the same willed; that if no appearance of heirs, the lots, housing, edifices and gardens where Thomas Ballard lived should be devised to Ballards Godson James Waugh and his heirs; whereas seven years and more are elapsed and expired since the decease of Thomas Ballard and no one appeared to claim the lots and premises by virtue of Ballards last will and testament (now remaining on the records of Stafford County), the lots and premises descended to James Waugh (party of these presents) this indenture that James Waugh for fourteen hundred pounds of tobacco to James in hand paid by John, James Waugh releases to John Mercer and in Mercers possession now being by virtue of a bargain and sale to him made by Waugh for one whole year by indenture dated the day before the date hereof, in consideration of five shillings Sterling, and by force of the statute for transferring uses into possession and to his heirs all lots in the Town whereof Ballard died seized and by his will devised by James Waugh, with all houses, outhouses, improvements, gardens conveys to Mercer according to the true intail and meaning of these presents who is discharged of and warranted from former gifts, grants, estates in law or equity, titles, trusts, joyntures, dowers, judgments, statutes, executions mortgages or encumbrances ; that James Waugh and his heirs shall at any time hereafter upon the request and at the costs and charges of John Mercer make and perfect to him any further assurances of the premises dated as above written, [signed] James Waugh.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of [Mercer notes words crossed out in the original] Henry Connyers and John Grant.  Received of John Mercer the sum of fourteen hundred pounds of tobacco, being the consideration within mentioned to be paid by him to me on perfection of the within deed. Witness my hand and seal the 13 October 1730. [signed] James Waugh; Witnesses: Henry Connyers and John Grant.

At a court continued and held for Stafford County the 15 Oct 1730, James Waugh acknowledged this release together with the receipt thereon endorsed to John Mercer, and the same on his motion was admitted to record. Test Catesby Cocke, C.C. ²⁶

Mercer’s Land Book includes this excerpt from the Will of Thomas Ballard:

Will of Thomas Ballard of Stafford County, Item: I give and Devise all my Lotts and Houses in Marlborough Town in the county of Stafford which was granted me by deed or pattent from the feoffees and the other Lott Number Nineteen in the Town Platt taken and Surveyed by the pattent not as yet taken out unto Thomas Kendall son of Benjamin Kendall of the parish of Saint Mary Magdalen Bermondsey in Great Brittain to him and his Heirs for ever.  In case and with that provisoe that the said Thomas Kendall or his Heirs shall within seven years at furthest after my decease appear to claim or demand the same then it is my Will and desire that if no such Man as Thomas Kendall shall appear or any of his heirs within the time aforesaid I give and devise the said Lotts and Housing, Edifices and Gardens whereon I now live unto my Godson James Waugh and his Heirs and assigns forever.²⁷

Our friend Paul Ballard, keeper of the Ballard Genealogy & Heraldry website, in a comment on this site provided some insight into Thomas’ devisee, Benjamin Kendall:

Well now, I can shed a little light but regretfully not enough. It would seem likely that the Benjamin Kendall referred to is the one that married a Mary Ballard at St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey [Benjamin Kendall Batch: in Jacob Street a Waterman & Mary Ballard Spinst: both of this parish were married by banns on the 20th October 1698]. Mary died and was buried at St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey [Mary the wife of Benjamin Kendall in Water Lane Waterman buried at St Mary Magdalen, 4th October 1705] and she was followed by her son Thomas who was buried on 8 Sep 1715 at St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey [Thomas son of Benjamin Kendal]. It looks as if Benjamin Kendall remarried as there are subsequent baptisms of children of Benjamin Kendall a Waterman of Water Lane. No sign of the second marriage though.

This would explain the failure to claim the lands etc since Thomas died in 1715 and may also indicate that Thomas Ballard did not get much correspondence from family members as he likely made his will after Thomas Kendall had died. All very interesting but who was Mary Ballard and how is she related to Thomas? I would say a sister and probably born around 1675 +/- 5 years. There is a cluster of three baptisms all with a father Thomas but no guarantee that they are all the same Thomas! They are:-
Mary the daughter of Thomas Ballard christened 9 March 1670/1 at St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey
Sarah the daughter of Thomas Ballard christened 10 May 1673 at St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey
Thomas son of Thomas & Sarah Ballard, Brewer’s Clerk, baptised 29 April 1679 at St Olave, Bermondsey

The Thomas baptism looks like a potential fit and would give Thomas jnr the social standing for literacy & numeracy along with capability to travel to “the Colonies” where he no doubt went to seek his fortune.  No obvious Thomas Ballard & Sarah marriage so the trail goes cold there.

The will fragment naming relatives in England strongly suggests a relatively recent landing on these shores, as opposed to the James City/Charles City/York County Ballards who by this time are going on their third generation.

It’s a tragedy that only a fragment of that will survives.  Assuming for the sake of conjecture that Mary _______ Mann’s maiden name was Bland, this makes this family the likely ancestor of Bland Ballard of Spotsylvania County and his brothers John, Thomas and Richard.  In the next section we will examine the scant evidence that supports this possibility.

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Who was James Mann, Mary Ballard’s first husband?  What connections did he have in Maryland and Virginia?

Mary, the wife of Thomas Ballard of Stafford County, Virginia, was the widow of James Mann.  What we know of him appears below.

Mann Immigrants in Maryland

A list of Mann (Man) immigrants can easily be viewed using a database maintained by the Archives of Maryland that lists individual settlers named in the Maryland land patent volumes from 1633 to 1683, and a land warrant volume from 1681 to 1685.  It combines Gust Skordas’ Early Settlers of Maryland and Dr. Carson Gibb’s The New Early Settlers of Maryland (references are omitted; please consult the database).

Edward Man (Mann) of Talbot County, by 1676 transported himself, Jno., his son, & Jno. Shanck, Jno. Sharpe,* Jno. Roberts, Jno. Tossall; & by 1679 transported Luce, his wife, Elizabeth, his daughter and Jane Whitle.

Ann Mann, transported by Capt. Ford, in 1663

Jno. Mann, by 1676 transported by Edward Mann of Talbott County, his father.

John Mann, of Talbot County, transported himself and John, his son, in 1676

*Note that a Sharpe family was an allied family with the Ballards in King George County, Virginia, and Sharpe families in Bermondey. [add]

Mann Immigrants in Virginia

A Henry Man appears in a certificate filed 12 June 1665, who may have been the father of James Mann.  This may be more than a coincidence, because James named a son Henry (which we will get to in due course). We do not know if this Henry was related to James Mann.

Lancaster County Court 12th of June 1665

– Certificate accordinge to Acte is granted unto William Neasum for the transportacon of Margery, his Wife. Michaell Willington, Richard Stephens, Will: Parr. Susan Furnell, Edward Tisoo, Roger Sidwell, Robert Scissen, Will: Percifull, Jo: Ashford, Hen: Man, Eliz: Killinghorne, Susan Loatt & Philip Sutton into this Country.  Lancaster County Deeds & Wills 1661-1666; Antient Press; Page 345.

We have much more research to do here.

James Mann of Stafford County, Virginia

James Mann was born c. 1649, according to a deposition recorded in Stafford County on 12 February 1691/2.

The Deposition of James Mann aged about forty & two yeares in a Suite depen dinge between Mr, John Waugh Executr. to ye Estate of Henry Thompson deced and Capa. William Downinge in an action of Debt due by Accompt from ye said Capa. Downinge to ye Estate of ye said Henry Thompson who deposeth & saith that not longe before ye death of ye said Henry Thompson yor Depont beinge an his house when hee desired to come to Accompt wth Mr. Downinge and there did appeare to bee due to him upon ye ballance from ye said summe of foure thousand four hundred & eight pounds of Tobacco wch ye said Mr. Downinge did then not disowne and further saith not as Wittness my hande.  Juratt in Curia Febry 12th 1691/2 James Mann

then recorded further:

the Depont deposeth that Capa. Downinge went away immediately because that Henry Thompson would not allow him for a year accommodacion.  Stafford County Va Deed & Will Book 1689 – 1693; The Antient Press, p. 227a

He is believed to have been the owner of a plantation in Charles County, Maryland (in what is now Prince George’s County, which was organized 1696) called Fortune, acquired by patent dated 2 April 1685, Recorded Liber 22, folio 266.  Additional work is needed to determine if we can find a record of its sale.

If this is the same James Mann, he appears to have first settled in Maryland then crossed the Chesapeake into Virginia.  He may have been living in Stafford County by 1690, when on 13 November 1690 he was ordered to pay eighty pounds of Tobacco to John Toney and Eleanor Fletcher for two days attendance for a lawsuit between him and John Mathews.

Court held 13th November 1690. Ordered that James Mann shall make payment of the sum of eighty pounds of Tobacco to John Toney and Eleanor Fletcher the wife of James Fletcher the sum of eighty pounds of Tobacco per peece for their attendance two days at Court in a suit depending between him and John Mathews with costs.  Stafford County, Virginia Order Book, Page 111.

We know James had three children: Henry, Margaret and Ursula.  We know of Henry from the 23 October 1691 will of Henry Thompson leaves a bequest to Henry Man (Mann), son of James Mann.   Margaret and Ursula are named in James Mann’s will dated 11 April 1705; since Henry is not named, presumably Henry was dead by that date.  Note that the will of Henry Thompson names Thomas Elzey, Snr and Thomas Elzey, Jr, who are close associates of Thomas Ballard of Stafford County.

Will of Henry Thompson

In the name of God Amen. I Henry Thompson of Stafford County Gentl, beinge sicke of body but of sounde & pfect memory the Lord & praise be to Allmighty God doe make & nominate this my last Will and Testament in manner & forme followinge

Impmis. I committ my body to ye Earth to be buried in a decent Christian manner & my Soull to God Allmighty who gave it in certaine hope of a joy-full resurreccon to eternall life, first of all my worldly Estate be it whatsoever may bee found I hereby appoint my trustie friende John Waugh Clarke, my whole & sole Executor to this my last Will and Testament

Imprimis I devise & bequeath three hundred acres of land lyeinge & beinge upon Pohicke Creeke to bee equallie divided between Rich: & Alexr. Waugh, Sons of John Waugh abovesaid to them and their heires for ever.

Also I give bequeath that plantacon & tract of land at Cock Pitt Poynt to Ann Waugh Daughter to John Waugh abovesaid & to ye heires of her body begott & for want of such to Richd. & Alexr.  Waugh abovesaid & to ye heires of their bodies, I alsoe give & bequeath that tract & Evident of land Iyeinge upon Powells Run containinge about three hundred acres unto ye three Eldest Sonns now liveinge of John Simpson in Ocouia [Aquia] Creeke Scotchman to them & their heires for ever.

I Will and bequeath two Rings a Mourninge Ringeh wth ye posie (prepare as follow), & ye other wth ye posie (My love to ye shall Endless bee) these two abovesaid I devise and give to Eliza, Wife of John Waugh abovesaid, Likewise I will and Bequeath to Mary Williams now resideinge upon this Plantacon my horse Turk wth bridle & Saddle & two thousand poundes of good Tobacco to bee instantley & conveniently paid her after my decease.

I give & Will to Henry Man Son of James Man two young Heifers two yeares old

Item l give to Mr. Robert Colle one barren Cow and what Sows 1 have now pastureinge upon this Plaantacon.

Item I give to Mr, Colles one Cow Mare & one Steal- of three yeares old runninge on Edward Holmes Plantacon next Springe

Item I give & bequeath to William Hurdy my gunne & small chest

Item 1 give will & devise to ye Church of Stafford Church ten £1 pounds Sterl to bee by ye Minister & Church Wardens laid out in plate for ye Blessed Sacramt & other necessaries for ye Service of God & ornament of ye abovesaid Church att ye head of Potomack Creeke

Item l give and bequeath to Thomas Kemp what Tobacco he is indebted to me & one pott & one fryinge pan

Item I give & bequeath to Patrick Hume my Horse named Tobie branded “DM”

Item I give and devise to John Gowry one beaver hatt light colored stuffe mans coate & pr of plush breeches

Item unto John Simpson Scotchman abovesaid one Broad Cloth co ate darke coloured, one pair of frieze breeches

Item I give to Thomas Elzey Junr one halfe of my bookes and ye other halfe I give to ye Wife of Mr. Robert Colles,

Item I give to WM. (blank) one serge Coate, one prof leather drawers, one prof shoes, one prof stockings seven yards of blew linnen.

I further give to John Simpson above sd one Horse named Spete branded wth ye figure upon ye shoulder

Item I will & bequeath to Joseph Henson one Semiter with a black hilt

Item I give & bequeath to Thomas Elzey Senr. one case of Pistolls & holsters & one semiter wth a place hilt & heft belongings to it wth plate buckles

Item I give & Will to Capa. George Mason my Cane with a Silver head

Item I will & desire that one large Seale ringe off twentie shillings price be delivered to Joseph ye Son of John Waugh abovesaid

Item I give to Richard Martyne one Mare wch I bought of James Gallaway branded with three brands

In Wittness whereof I sett my hande & Seale this twenty third day of October 1691 In presence of Robert Colles, Hen. Thompson, John Gowry, Mary Williams

The above said Will of ye aforesaid Henry Thompson was sufficiently proved in Court by Mr John Waugh Clerke Exror appointed & nominated in ye said Will on ye oathes of Robert Colles, John Gowry & Mary Williams Wittnesses to ye said Will Subscribed on ye 13th day of November 1691 and was then recorded.  Stafford Co. Va. Deed & Will Book 1689-1693; The Antient Press, pp. 219A-220

James Mann obtained a land grant of 203 acres between the lines of Col. William Fitzhugh, David Anderson (dec’d), and Mr. Motts on 4 March 1699/1700.  Northern Neck Grants No. 2, 1694-1700, p. 310-311 (Reel 288).  James Mann acquired 150 acres at the head of Potomac Creek on 10 December 1703, and on his death he devised this 150 acres to his two daughters, Margaret and Ursula.  We learn of its disposition years later, when in 1741 his daughter Ursula is joined by her husband William Gregsby to sell her 75 acres to John Foley, Jr., who was married to Ursula’s sister Margaret.  In 1741 the land had fallen into Prince William County.

To all Christian People .. this 10th day Decr. 1703 .. Now Know ye I George Monk of St.. Pauls Parish in Stafford County for consideration of 10,000 pounds of everyway well conditioned Tobo. in cask in hand paid by James Mann of Overwharton Parish in the county aforesaid .. do sell unto James Mann a parcel of land contd. 150 acres lying the head of Potomack Creek & being one half of 300 acres George Lilles {Lyles} purchased of Mr. Robert Alexander Son & heir of John Alexander & by my Father James Monk purchased of said Lilies by deed dated 1683 and acknowledged in Stafford Court the 30th day October 1683 & descending unto me by being Son & heir to my Father .. Presence Joseph Sumner, George Monk, Joshua Davis.  At a Court held 14th Decr 1704, George Monk in person acknowledged this safe of land to James Mann and the same ordered to be recorded & truly recorded.  Stafford County Va Deed & Will Book 1699 – 1709; The Antient Press pp. 251-252

This Indenture made the tenth and eleventh day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred & forty between William Gregsby of the Parish of Overwharton in the County of Stafford Planter & Ursley his Wife of one part and John Foley Junr. of the same Parish & County Planter of other part Witnesseth that the said William Gregsby & Ursley his Wife for sum of Ten pound:, of Current money have sold unto the said John Foley in his actual possession now being by vertue of Bargain & Sale to him made for one year and by force of the Statute for transferring uses into possession all that parcel of land being upon the Branches of Neapsco in the County of Prince William containing in the whole seventy five acres of land being part of a Patent of one hundred & fifty acres of land granted unto John Wallis bearing date the ninth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred ninety & eight and by the said John Wallis sold unto James Mann by an Assignment endorsed on the back of the said Patent bearing date the eleventh day of November 1695, as in & by the same duly Recorded on the Records of Stafford County which said one hundred & fifty acres of land the said James Mann by his last Will & Testament in Writing did give & bequeath unto his Daughters Margaret & Ursley Mann which said Ursley is now wife of the said William Gregsby party to these presents as in & by the said Will now remaining amongst the Records of Stafford County, Beginning at a white Oak on a Ridge in Thomas Gregs line & so runing along according to the several courses of the said Patent, Together with all houses & privileges To Have and To Hold the said land and premises aforsd unto said John Foley his heirs and assignes for ever In Witness whereof the said William Grigsby and Ursley his Wife have set their hands & Seals, in presence of Val, Peyton, William Grigsby, John Peyton Ursley V. Grigsby.  At a Court held for Prince William County May the 25th 1741, William Gregsby & Ursley his Wife, she being first privately Examined. acknowledged this Lease and Release to be their act and deed and it was admitted to Record.  Prince William County, Virginia Deeds, The Antient Press: Liber E; 1740 – 1741; pp 263-267

James Mann left a will dated 2 April 1705 and recorded 11 April 1705 in Stafford County, Virginia (Stafford Co. Va. Will Book 1699-1709, pp. 260-61) in which he devises his estate to his children Margaret and Ursula and his wife Mary, who was appointed his sole Executrix.  It appears his son Henry pre-deceased him.

Will of James Mann.

I James Mann of Overwharton Parish of Stafford County in the Colony of Virga. being sick & weak of body .. do hereby devise and bequeath all and singular my Estate to be equally divided between my wife & children & to the heirs of Margaret and Urusula Mann and to the performauce of that devise touching all my lands Tenements & hereditament.

I freely devise & bequeath the same to them to the only proper use benefit & behoof of the said Margt. & Ursula Mann in as full large & ample manner as Joint Tenants by the Laws of England ought to have hold & enjoy the some and 1 do hereby make my loving wife Mary my sole Executrx. .. this 2d day April 1705.  Presence Jos. Sumner, Arthur Jackson, John Waugh Junr., Edward Turberville, James Mann John Waugh.  At a Court held 11th April 1705 This Will was proved and order for pro-bate thereof granted to Mary Mann Executrix mentioned in said will & the will ordered to be recorded & was recorded.

James Mann was dead by 11 April 1705, and Mary was married to Thomas Ballard within six months, for she signed the Inventory of her late husband’s estate on 12 September 1705.  The appraisers were their friends and neighbors John Gowry (Gowery), Thomas Elzie and Joseph Waugh. [reference?].  James’ son Henry likely died before 1705, and was probably the son of a first wife (perhaps an unknown daughter of Henry Thompson, Henry being a namesake), and not Mary.

James Mann and Mary Bland had issue:

Margaret, who is believed to have married John Foley (based on the records above) and had issue: 1. Catherine; 2. James; 3. John; 4. Mary.

Ursula, who married (1) John Allen and (2) William Grigsby, and had issue (Grigsby): 1. John; 2. Richard; 3. Alice; 4. William; 5. Margaret Ursula; 6. Letitia; 7. Anne.

Know all men .. I Ursula Allen wife of John Allen of county Stafford have assigned & in my stead constituted my trusty and well beloved friend Nathl. Pope Clerk of Stafford County to be my true & lawfull attorney to acknowledge in Stafford County Court a certain tract of land granted by sale by my Husband to Lewis Renoe of same county 9th day March 1705 .. to acknowledge in Court my right of dower of said land 7th day June 1707.  Presence John Harr, Wm. Allen Ursula x Allen  At a Court held 11th day June 1707 The within power of attorney was proved .. ordered to be recorded is recorded.  Stafford County Va Deed & Will Book 1699 – 1709; The Antient Press pp. 372-373.  An Inventory of the Estate of John Allen March the 30th 1709 .. items listed valued and totalled 6420 .. signed by Ursula Allen .. appraised by George Mason Junr., James X Butler his mark.  This was Exhibited into Court the 13th day of April 1709 .. by oath of Ursula Allen wch is ordered to be recorded and is recorded.  Stafford Co. Va. Deed & Will Book 1699 – 1709; The Antient Press pp. 464-465

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Who was the Thomas Elzey who witnessed several transactions with Thomas and Mary Ballard, and was an associate of James Mann?

Elzey is a name closely associated with the Ballard family in Somerset County, Maryland. Thomas Elzey was an associate of Thomas Ballard of Stafford; he may have been no more than a neighbor, and we do not know if he is a relation of the Maryland Elzeys.

That Elzey family is believed to descend from a John Ellzey who left a will dated 23 September 1633 and proven 12 November 1633 in Southampton County, England.  The will names his wife Joan, his sons Arnold, Thomas and the “undutiful and ungracious son Henrie”; his daughter Elizabeth Bennett, and his grandchildren John and Arnold, the sons of his son Arnold.  Curiously, though stated to be underage, his grandson John is named the executor.

Will of John Ellzey, 23 September 1633, Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 12 November 1633, PROB 11/164/568.

In the name of God Amen I John Ellzey of the towne and countie of Southampton merchant being at this present through infirmities not well in my bodie but sound and perfect in my understanding senses and mynd doe first and chiefly bequeath my soule unto Allmyghty God beseeching his divine mercy to be mercifull unto mee for all my offenses committed in my whole life tyme which I trust assured he to obtaynee onelie by the death and passion of my Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ wholly relying upon his merritts and ———- all deeds or thoughts that in all my sinfull life may clayme any interest towards my salvation ffurther renouncing all other interssions or Advocates but onely by Jesus Christ the righteous acknowledgeing before God and the world that I am fully and absolutely settled in the religion now professed within the kingdome of England and France by the Saviour in good order established in the church within the said kingdome If it shall please God in this my sicknes to take mee out of this case of misery I committ my bodie unto the earth to be interred within the Chancell or Church of Holy Crosse and for personall Estate I doe bequeath in manner and forme following

To pay my funerall and debts Imprimis my ffunerall and debts being paid and defrayed to by a note left and Sealed up together with this my last will and Testament I doe find that by my estimate and envalued by my self my said personall estate to amount unto sixteene hundred fortie two pounds eleaven shillings all debts and charges being paid defussed and I doe ordayne constitute and appoint my welbeloved and deere grandchild John Ellzey now the younger to bee absolutely and intirely my Executor and if it ——- the said child to dye during his minority then I doe ordaine and Constitue Arnold Ellzey his ffather and Arnold Ellzey his sonne to bee I—- Executors or the Survivor of the elder of them to see this my last Will and Testament performed

Item I doe bequeath unto my wife Joane the sume of three score and six pounds thirteene shillings and fourteen pence and to have her maintenance of dress lodgeing and house—ing during her naturall life and for apparell I think shee hath inough during her life provided shee give a just and true inventorie of all her household stuffe to which are under her charge To say —— plate bedding ——- woolings rings and other small things of gold brasse copper pewter and all other utensills whatsoever which I have truly rated in grosse and undervalued at two hundred and ffourtie seven pounds or thereabouts

Item I bequeath unto my sonne Thomas Ellzey who although hee hath beene disobedient and —— and other ———- in marrying without my consent and s—- the ——ing of this my last will and by a peremptory letter of threatening especially of a certayne house or tenement which I sould and which paid for the same passing it in a legall manner by –aye and recovery before Sir Thomas ffleming knight and Richard Dryton gent being nominated and appoynted for that purpose notwithstanding I give him the some of ffortie pounds and also a lycence for keeping of a taverne within the towne and countie of Southampton which legacy in money to bee paid him soe soone as my debts to Treble that value shall be recovered in

Item I bequeath unto my undutifull and ungracious sonne henrie the some of tenne pounds.

I bequeath unto my sonne Arnold Ellzey the some of one hundred pounds and unto his sonne the child Arnold the some of ffiftie pounds if neither of them prove Executors within the terme of two years after my death.

Item I bequeath unto Elizabeth Benett daughter unto Elizabeth Bennett my daughter a diamond ring cutt Lo-ingay wise

And to my sonne Thomas Ellzey a great —— ring.

And unto my wife a paire of Brace letts of gold which are in my said wifes custodie.

Item and bequeath unto the poore of Hollinwood parish the someof fortie shillings. And unto the poore of St. Lawerence where I was borne the some of twentie shillings. Item I bequeath unto the four ministers within this township some of twentie shillings apeece and unto the preacher that shall make my funerall Sermon the some of twentie shillings. Item my intent and desire is that if it shall please Allmightie God to take mee to his mercy in this my languishing desease that the merchandise remayning now in my warehouse and sellers that they bee forthwith or be speedily as may bee sould unto some goodmen that will give most for them with the consent of my Executors in trust they affording reasonable and rather than —— to give three five moneths for the payment and that the debts now oweing unto mee whych where for the most part allready due bee called in if possible without suites of law.

Item that all the legacies comprehended in this my will bee with and duely paid & performed the debts oweing by mee be not first paid and discharged and the debts oweing unto mee being recovered or soe much as will discharge the said legacies except such particulars as are formerly mentioned as that of my sonne Thomas my sonne Henrie the poore of Hollinwood and St Lawerence parish and the Ministers All which are most convenient to bee presently paid

And in the interim my desire is that my poore family vizt my wife if shee live unmaryed my sonne Arnold his wife and two children with a servant or two ———— to attend remayne and keepe together att a proportionable expenses according unto their legacies every one abateing his charge in the recoverery of the said legacies which principally the highest burdhen will light upon my Executors it is meant that this contynuance shall remayne until the childs minority bee expired and that my sonne Arnold become guardian unto his children provyded they give good security that all such monies as by reason thereof shall come unto his hands bee lett forth either to the towne and Corporation of Southampton at the rate of six per centum or unto such men as the Executors in trust shall find to bee sufficient men and that my said sonne Arnold give such sufficient sureties into the Court of Arches where the will must bee saved that the Executor when hee shall come to age may find his right

And further that if any of the Legaties shall repine threaten or not give a generall acquittance in full satisfaction of such legacies as are hereby given by the Testator for pleasing of the Executors from ——- and all suites of law That then the said legacies soe given shall remayne in the Executors hands And if my expense shall wrise and afterwards the partie conform himself notwithstanding it shall be deducted out of his portion. Item I doe earnestly intreate my worthie good ffriends Mr George Gallop and Mr Edward Exton to undertake the Executorship in trust for performance of this my last will and Testament being a matter of Charity and may hereafter have occaision to make use of thyer friends in the like case

And in token of a remembrance of of my love I doe give unto each of them a peece of Twentie shillings to make them a ring.John Ellzey now whose names are underwritten doe testifie that the twenty third day of September Anno one thousand six hundred thirtie three wee were present at the signing and sealing of this my will. Jas Courtney Mr ? King.

A Maryland Elzey Family

The Elzey genealogy contained in Delmarva Genealogies begins with the John Ellzey who left the will transcribed above.  We’ll provide the first few generations to put them in context.  To see the descent of Charles Ballard, see this link..  The genealogy below presents only the first three generations in America.

1 JOHN ELZEY, merchant of Southampton, England, died 1633, married Joan, widow of _________ Barlow.  She died after 1653, Accomack County, Virginia.  John and Joan were the parents of Arnold.  British Roots of Maryland Families 1799, Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore (OSES): 444.

Second Generation

2 ARNOLD ELZEY, son of John (1) Elzey.  Arnold was father of the following children: 3 JOHN; 4 PETER, born c. 1640.

Third Generation

3 JOHN ELZEY, son of Arnold (2) Elzey, settled in Somerset Co., Md. sometime between 1658 and 1663, died in Somerset Co. May 1663; married Sarah ___________.  Sarah married 1st John Elzey; married 2nd Thomas Jordan, married 3rd Charles Ballard; married 4th Stephen Lufte.  OSES, citing deeds of Somerset Co. 03:192, 07: 121, 08:77.

In 1653 Ralph Barlowe of Accomack Co. Va. Left his plantation to an unborn child but if the child did not live, it was to go to his kinsman John Ellsey.  He also mentioned his mother Joane Ellsey.  Whitelaw, Virginia’s Eastern Shore: 655.

In 1658 John and Sarah Elzey sold his inheritance in Accomack Co. Va. To William Waters and not long after the Elzey family moved up to Somerset Co. Md.  Whitelaw: 657.  In 1660 1,200 acres in Accomack was patented by John Ellsey which he and his wife Sarah assigned to Thomas Leatherbury three years later.  Whitelaw: 831.

Erlindy was patented on 20 May 1663 by John Elzey for 350 acres.  In 1693 John Elzey gave it to his wife Sarah Elzey.  In 1704 Sarah Elzey sold it to Charles Ballard and Eleanor Ballard.  Land Records of Somerset County, Maryland (SOLR): 151.

John Elzey died at Monakin and was buried at his plantation here May 1663.  Somerset County Land Records, Liber IKL.  John Elzey, Jr., son of John Elzie died and was buried at Manokin 1667.  IKL.

Almodington was patented on 10 November 1663 by John Elzie for 1,000 acres.  It was re-surveyed in 1672 and found to be 1,200 acres.  In 1667 John Elzey devised it to his son Arnold Elzey.  The 1666-1723 rent rolls show it possessed by Capt Arnold Elzey, 1000 acres.  On 17 June 1681 Arnold Elzey sold to Sarah Ballard 300 acres.  On 6 February 1705 Arnold Elzey deeded for the use of Somerset Parish 1 acre.  In 1729/33 will of Arnold Elzey he devised to son John Elzey all lands, and to daughters Sarah Elzey and Elizabeth Elzey, land on Manokin River.  Sarah Elzey died unmarried in 1747.  Elizabeth died without issue 1777/81.  John Elzey died 1777.  Plantation to wife Ann Elzey and son Robert Elzey.  On 3 October 1734 John Elzey sold to Jarvis Ballard or 5 shillings, 300 acres now called Exchange.  On 3 October 1734 Jarvis Ballard sold to John Elzey 300 acres that Arnold Elzey deeded on 17 June 1681 to his mother Sarah Ballard.  After her death land to Jarvis Ballard called Recovery, 300 acres on Goose Creek, being part of a 1,000 acre patent to John Elzey.  SOLR:16

At a court held in Somerset Co. on 3 July 1666, it was determined that there was due unto Peter Elzey by Jno. Elzey, dece’d, 2 cows with calves and one heifer from Charles Ballard, now husband of Sarah the relict and admix. of John Elzey.  Archives of Maryland (ARMD) LIV:625.

At Chancery Court, 12 February 1720/21, Arnold Elzey, age c. 60, stated that before his mother, Sarah Ballard, would give consent that her daughter Sarah Ballard should be married to Randall Revell, Jr., Randall Revell (his father) should alienate and make over to the said Randall, his son, and Sarah Ballard, and their heirs, 500 acres of land which Revell’s father promised to do.  Maryland Chancery Court Records (MCHR) CL:590.

John and Sarah had issue: ARNOLD, born c. 1661; John, died without issue 1667.

4 PETER ELZEY, born c. 1640, died 1716, son of Arnold (2) Elzey, married Mary Bell.  OSES:444.

Peter Elzey and Mary Bell were married by Robert Maddock Clarke 11 November 1672.  IKL.

Arnold Elzey, son of Peter and Mary Elzey, born at Manokin 7 December 1674, died and buried 10 January 1674.  IKL.

Arnold Elzey, the second of that name, son of Peter and Mary Elzey, born at Manokin 2 April 1676.  IKL.

Peter Elzey, son of Peter and Mary Elzey, born 14 February 1678.  IKL.

St. Peters Neck was patented on 2 May 1663 by Peter Elzey for 400 acres.  The rent rolls, 1666-1723, show Peter Elzey owning 750 aces with resurvey lines.  In 1715 Peter Elzey willed to daughters Frances Elzey and Elizabeth Elzey.  On 18 January 1721 William Wallace sold to William Stoughton.  SOLR:359.

Peter Elzey recorded his cattle marks in Somerset Co. in 1666.  Citizens of the Eastern Shore of Maryland (COES): 34.

Chance was patented in 1683 by Peter Elzey for 50 acres.  In 1715 Peter Elzey willed to friend William Wallace.  On 11 September 1779 John Elzey of Sussex Co., Delaware sold to Samuel Smith 50 acres.  SOLR:74.

On 17 September 1687 Peter Elsie patented 150 acres in Somerset Co. called Gladstones’ Adventure and 150 acres called Gladstones’ Choice.  Maryland Land Patents (MPL) 25:300, 301; 33:599, 601.

At Chancery Court, 29 November 1710, Peter Elzey, age c. 71, made a deposition regarding the tract called Almodington.  MCHR PC:699.

Peter Elzey died leaving a will dated 8 October 1715, proved 26 September 1716.  To friend Wm. Wallis of Manokin, Somerset Co., 50 acres, Chance, on Jenkins Creek and tract joining the said 50 acres.  To 2 daughters Frances and Elizabeth, remainder of land in St. Peter’s Neck and 150 acres on Nanticoke River.  Witnessed by John Bosman, Sr., John Talbot, Geo. Feabus, Wm. Merer.  Maryland Will Book (MWB) 14:293.

The inventory of the estate was approved on 28 November 1716.  Signed as next of kin: Arnold Elzey, Charles Ballard.  Maryland Inventories (MINV) 37B:204.

Levin Gale, Judge of the Land Office patented 300 acres in Somerset Co., called Elzey’s Care.  It was surveyed in 1716 by Levin Denwood who conveyed the tract to Frances and Elizabeth Elzey who married respectively Francis Crowder and Lewis Rigby who assigned the same in 1734 to the said Levin Gale.  MPL E13:308.

Peter and Mary were parents of the following children (OSES:444): John; Arnold, died 1674; Arnold, born 1676, died 1716 (left issue); Peter, born 1678; Frances, married Francis Crowder; Elizabeth, married Lewis Rigby (left issue)

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The Archives of Maryland Early Settler database lists the following members of the Elzey family.  Some entries appear to refer to the same person(s).

Arnold Elzey, son of John and Sarah Elzey, a minor in 1671

John Elzey, transported by 1665.

John Elzey, son of John and Sarah Elzey, died in 1671

Mr. John Elzey, in Maryland by 1662

Peter Elzey, brother of John, in Maryland by 1671, when he was 30 years old

Sarah Elzey, by 1664 relict, first of John Elzey and second of Thomas Jordain; by 1671 wife of Charles Ballard of Somerset County.

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A Virginia Elzey Family

Given that the Thomas Elzey named in the 1633 will of John Ellzey was married at the time of its writing, and assuming he was at least 21 years of age when married, that would put his birthdate circa 1612 – more than 100 years prior to a patent taken by Thomas Elzey in Essex County on 22 January 1717 for 484 acres “on the South side of a branch of the Mattapony River against the head of the hunting run in St. Mary’s Parish.”  Land Office Patents No. 10, 1710-1719, p. 353 (Reel 10).

We need to research the family in Stafford, Essex, Richmond, King George to develop a fuller picture of Thomas Elzey’s activities and relationships.  We have already identified those transactions in Stafford that involve his connection with Thomas Ballard, and they appear here.  In each instance where Mary Ballard appears in a record, so too does Thomas Elzey/Ellzie.

Thomas Elzey left a will dated 19 May 1698, proved 11 November 1698, printed in Tyler’s Quarterly, Vol. 24, pp. 275-276.  Online sources fail to transcribe it; an abstract found online states that it names his wife Jane, sons Thomas, Jr., William and John; daughter Sarah Elzey.

The will of his son Thomas Elzey Jr. dated 10 March 1719/20, proved 10 May 1721 also appears in Tyler’s Quarterly, Vol. 24, pp. 276-77.  Thomas married Isabelle Thomasin, the daughter of Simon Thomasin and Patience ________.  Thomas’ brother William is said to have married Isabelle’s sister Margaret Thomasin.

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What evidence supports the assumption that Mary _______ (Mann) Ballard’s surname was Bland?

Connections with members of the Bland family in Maryland are, at best, tenuous – but compelling.  Our correspondent noted that James Mann and Mary Ballard named their daughters Margaret and Ursula, which corresponds with a stunning coincidence – that a Margaret Bland arrived in Maryland circa 1671, and an Ursula Bland arrived in Maryland in 1674.

Henry Bland, transported by 1665.

Susan Bland, transported 1661

Thomas Bland, of Calvert County, Gent., transported himself 1672

Thomas Bland, of Anne Arundel County, rights 1680

Ursulah Bland, transported 1674

Margaret Bland (Blan), transported by 1671.

This observation is compounded by a pedigree of the Bland family found in Familiae Minorum Gentium, Vol. II (London: Harleian Society, 1895).  At the top is the following note:

This fine pedigree is compiled from three sources : —

1. Dale’s pedigree inserted in the ‘ Duc. Leod.,’ p. 208 & 584.

2. A pedigree compiled on the basis of Dale with additions to the year 1759. Supposed to be the work of Richard Bland of Scarborough.

3. The information of Mrs. Anna Bland of Sion Hill, by which I was enabled to continue the English part of the family to the year 1820.

The pedigree begins with “Roger Bland of Orton, co. Westmorland, temp. Hen. VIII” and a few pages in includes the Virginia lines, including “Theodorick, eldest son, b. at Westover in Feb. 1663; d. there in Nov. 1700” who married: “Margaret, relict of …. Man.”  Two sons are listed: John, who in turn had two sons, but both died without issue, and Theodorick, who died young.  The father of the Theodorick born at Westover was also Theodorick, died 1671, and married Anna Bennett; her second husband was St. Leger Codd; they removed to Cecil County, Maryland c. 1688.

Pedigrees like these are, at times, notoriously inaccurate.  Given the sources, it is conceivable that children have been left out.  It’s entirely possible that Theodorick Bland (1663-1700) and Margaret _______ Man had a daughter Mary, who married (1) James Mann (a cousin by marriage?), then (2) Thomas Ballard of Stafford County, but if this theory is correct, the compiler of that pedigree across the sea in England did not know anything about her, or didn’t care enough to include her.  Clearly women gained short shrift; all that they knew of Margaret, for example, was that she was the widow (relict) of ________ Man.

Two compelling wills recently came to our attention that were published in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. XLVIII (January 1894) pp. 111-14.

Thomas Bland, died 1674.

Thomas Bland of London, gent’ 26 August 1674, with a codicil dated 30 October, 1674, proved 29 January 1674. To my grand children Jane and Sarah Moyser two hundred and fifty pounds apiece, to be employed at interest or laid out in buying of several annuities for them. To my grand son Joseph Day fifty pounds, to be employed to put him out to some decent calling when he shall attain to fifteen years of age. To my daughter Sarah Day the wife of Joseph Day one annuity or yearly rent charge of ten pounds by the year during her natural life, issuable and payable out of my lands and tenements at Mildenhall in Suffolk. I give to my son in law Joseph Day and Sarah his wife ten pounds apiece to buy them mourning. I appoint my son Richard Bland and my son in law Joseph Day and Sarah his wife to be executors and do appoint them to give all my linen to my grandchildren. In the codicil he speaks of his grandson Joseph Day as ” now deceased.” Dycer, 2.

Thomas Bland, died 1700.

Thomas Bland, of London, merchant, 25 November 1700, proved 13 January 1700. To my sister Sarah Day ten pounds every year during her natural life, she was living with my executors. Ten pounds to Mary Keemish if she shall live to be lawfully married. Ten pounds to Keenish, my sister’s grandson, at one and twenty. Twenty pounds each to Sarah and Margaret Bland, my brother’s two daughters if they live to be lawfully married. My cousin Lawrance Pendrill. To Ann the servant in my cousin Pendrill’s house forty shillings. To my said sister Sarah Day ten pounds for her mourning cloths at my funeral. To every person whose name is inserted on the back of this will one gold ring of the value about ten shillings. To my cousin Sarah Pindrell the wife of Mr. Lawrance Pindrell all my lands, plantations mortgages, houses, tobacco houses &c, in Ann Arundell County in the Province of Maryland, and also (after the payment or other accomplishment of the said contingent legacies) all my negroes, cattle, horses, mares, household stuff, debts in money and tobacco, ready money, plate, goods and chattels whatsoever, either in England or Maryland or elsewhere. And I make my cousin Lawrance Pindrell and Sarah his wife my sole executors. Dyer, 2. July 1652.

It’s clear from the second will that this Thomas is the son of the elder Thomas Bland, who was probably omitted from the will because he was living overseas in Anne Arundel county, Maryland.  It’s possible, though not proven, that the Margaret and Ursula who came to Maryland in the 1670s are relations.

James Bland of Stafford County

James Bland (1661-1709), who, according to Bland researchers, was of Penrith, moved to London and to East Jersey in 1684, was in Virginia by 1687, and died in Stafford county in 1709.  Dr. Lois Green Carr’s notes in the Men’s Career Files in the Archives of Maryland recite that he first appears in records in Maryland in 1694 where he resided in Newtown Hundred, and moved to Virginia in 1701.  but removed to Virginia.  He may have married twice; his wife at the time of his death was Margaret _____.   Their children were: William, James, John, Robert, Alice, Ellen, Patience, and Hannah, and are identified in his will dated 22 December 1708:

“James Bland of Stafford Co., VA made his will. (2) Sons William and James were adults. Gave to son James 125 acres of land near Powell’s Creek on the Occoquan River.  Called himself sick of body. “My will and mind is that my loving wife Margt. shall peaceably possess my now dwelling plantation & the land from the mouth of the creek to the first branch above the said plantation during her natural life & after her decease to fall to my loving son Robert Bland and his heirs lawfully begot give and bequeath to my loving son William Bland 150 acres of land beginning at the upper side of the abovesaid branch and so running up the creek the full complement of 150 acres. Give to my two sons James and John Bland all the reversion of my land the said tract beginning where my son William leaves off and so running to the head of my line and to be equally divided between them when my son shall arrive to the age of 21 years. My will and mind is that my loving son Wm. Bland may have the tuition and bringing up of my Eldest Daughter Alice and my youngest Daughter Hannah. Desire my loving son James Bland to have the tuition and bringing up of my Daughter Patience and my Daughter Ellin and my youngest son Robert my daughters till they come to 18 or marryed and my son until he is 21 years old. After my debts are paid what is left to be equally divided between my loving wife Margaret & my eight children everyone to have an equal share alike when they shall come to age as afsd. I make my two sons William Bland and James Bland to be my sole executors. Signed James x Bland. Wits. John x Williams his mark, Saml. Kent Junr.

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Is there any other evidence of connections between Thomas Ballard of Stafford County and Bland Ballard?

It should be noted that the land owned by Bland Ballard of Spotsylvania County, Virginia adjoined land owned by Benjamin Cave (1691-1762).  Benjamin Cave was the son of John Cave (c.1660-1721), who was a neighbor of John Gowry, Thomas Gregg and John Waugh.  It goes without saying that allied families tended to move into the frontier together.

Jerrilyn Eby, author of They Called Stafford Home (Baltimore: Heritage Books, 1997, p. 210) noted that:

On August 5, 1707, John Cave (16??-1721) a carpenter from King and Queen County, had bought 300 acres from Sampson Darrell all that 300 acres of land lying on the South side of Potomack Creek in Stafford county bounded.. Northerly with Potomac creek Easterly with the lands of John Gowry, Thomas Gregg & Mr Waugh southerly and westerly with the land of Giles Travers the 300 acres being one half of 600 acres formerly sold by Capt William Heaberd to Capt John Norgrove by deed dated 6th day of Mar 1667 all which premises are now in the possession of John Cave by Virture of one Indenture of Bargain and sale to him there of made for the term of one year 12 sterling.

John married Elizabeth Travers. In all likelihood the William Cave mentioned by the 1742 House of Burgesses was the son of John Cave.

Our knowledge of William is sketchy at best. He married Anne Travers, daughter of his neighbor, Giles Travers (16??-1717) their daughter, Elizabeth married Keene Withers. William Cave is mentioned in the 1724 tax record as owning one negro and 1,882 tobacco plants, making him a minor planter. On September 14, 1742, the will of William Cave was presented to the Stafford County, leaving all his land to his son James. The 1742 land tax records indicate that his executors paid tax on 800 acres of land.

In 1758 Andrew Edwards had married Elizabeth (Cave) Withers, daughter of John Cave.

Stafford County, Virginia Will Book M page 338-339 William Cave of Overwharton Parish,, Son James; Daughter Elizabeth Cave, wife Anne. Mr John Waugh executor of Will written 17 July 1742 will proved 14 Sep 1742.

Its also worth noting that John Cave, the father of Benjamin Cave, owned lots 8, 9 and 11 in Marlborough Town, which he sold to John Mercer 27 July 1737 … “which were made over and conveyed by Matthew Thompson and John Withers gent. Feoffees of the said town to George Andrews grandfather of the said John Cave whose heir the said John Cave is …” Recorded 27 July 1737.

Could the Thomas Ballard of Stafford County who married the widow Mary Mann be the son of the Thomas Ballard who arrived in Maryland in 1676?  Yes, though we would prefer to have additional data that supports this conclusion.  What we can infer from all of the above is that:

• The will fragment of Thomas Ballard of Stafford County allows us to identify where he came from in England — St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Bermondsey, Surrey (now part of London).
• That he married Mary, the widow of James Mann.  James Mann and Mary named daughters Margaret and Ursula.  A Margaret Bland (“Blan”) arrived in Maryland in 1671, and an Ursulah Bland arrived in Maryland in 1674.  We have no proof of a connection between these Bland women and Mary, or even a connection between the two.  The names, however, are more than coincidental, and supports the working assumption that her surname was Bland.

Besides documentary proof of the above, we lack an explanation of the whereabouts of the family from about 1722 (the approximate year Thomas died), to when the likely sons start leaving records.  For example, William and Thomas are both described in early records as “of Caroline County;” we do not know when or how they came to live in that county, while records show that this Thomas, in addition to the lots in Marlborough,  had land in that part of Stafford County that eventually became Prince William County.  Was he married at the time of his death?  Did Mary pre-decease him, and did he leave a widow?  If he had a widow, perhaps she re-married and removed to Caroline.  Or Thomas could have had land in Caroline; we are still trying to sort this out.  There was a Thomas Ballard and his wife Sarah in Essex County in the early part of the 1700s, but several records concerning them appear c. 1724, so we know it is not him, but yet another Thomas.

The most problematic aspect of this scenario, however, is the fact that Thomas devised “the land he then lived on” to his nephew (and likely namesake) Thomas Kendall, and for failure of the bequest, to his godson James Waugh, which begs the question — if he had other sons, what property did he leave them?  We know that he owned at least one other plantation, but what became of it after his death is unclear, given the loss of records in Stafford and Prince William County.

For now, our working hypothesis is that this Thomas Ballard married Mary Bland, and their issue were:

WILLIAM, of Essex and Caroline Counties, Virginia.  A William Ballard appears in the Essex county Order Book repeatedly impaneled a juror on 23 November 1727; 20 June 1728; and 19 November 1728.²⁸ He is likely the William Ballard described as “of Caroline county,” who purchased 400 acres from John Red of Louisa County on 8 August 1743,²⁹ and probably the William Ballard who witnessed a deed dated 1 June 1750 and recorded in Albemarle County between John Bostick of Cumberland county and William Johns of Chesterfield County.³⁰  A bewildering number of William Ballard’s appear in the records, making it extremely difficult to distinguish one from the other.

Two William Ballards appear on a Poll List for the Election of Burgesses in Essex Co. On 20 November 1741; they may have been father and son.³¹  A William Ballard is named in a Caroline county road order of 13 June 1765,³² and a William Ballard is listed among “poor debtors who surrendered their property & took the pauper’s oath in Caroline Court” in 1767.³³  Father and son were still living in May 1773 when James Bowie obtained a judgment against William Ballard, Junior.³⁴  Another judgment was obtained by Ed. Dixon against “Wm. Ballard” in June 1774.³⁵

We can distinguish the activities of another William Ballard who was born 1715, joined the Society of Friends and became a member of the Camp Creek Monthly Meeting in Hanover County, Virginia on 16 May 1748 (where vital statistics for the family are documented), and later removed to Bedford county in the Blue Ridge Mountains (suggesting a relationship with a Richard Ballard of Caroline County who also removed to Bedford County),³⁶ where he left a will dated 12 June 1792, probated 29 April 1794 (in that will he recites that he is 77 years of age).³⁷  Some researchers claim this William Ballard married 1734 (1) Mary Byrom (born 1710 in Yorkshire, England, died 1765 in Bedford county, Virginia), the daughter of Henry Byrom and Frances Mills; however, we have found no documentation to support this.  Other researchers name her as Mary Moorman, the daughter of Charles Moorman and Elizabeth Reynolds and the brother of Thomas Moorman, whose widow William married 25 August 1768 at the South River Meeting House in Bedford County, Virginia (2) Rachel Clark (born 1714 in Louisa county, Virginia, died 10 June 1792 in Bedford county, Virginia), the daughter of Christopher Clark and Penelope Johnston.

BLAND, married Mary Deering.

THOMAS, married Susannah Hesson.

JOHN, married _____.

Some researchers name a Philip, who married Ann Johnson, as a likely son, but individuals participating in the Ballard DNA Project who claim descent from him are in Lineage Group III — genetically, a different family, unrelated by blood.

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 Endnotes

1. 15 September 1724. In action of Debt brought by James Booth & Thomas Davis against Stephen Chenault & William Ballord, judgment granted plaintiffs for 212 pounds of tobo in cask & costs. Essex Co. Va. Order Book 1723-25 (Part II) p. 193. Stephen Chenault is the father of Howlett Chenault, who was the first husband of Mary Byrum, who later married William Ballard Jr. The following day on 16 September 1724 appears “Suit brought by Andrew Scrimshaw against Thomas Ballard being agreed is dismissed.” Ibid. The identity of this Thomas Ballard is not known, although he is likely the Thomas Ballard named with Sarah, his wife, in the complaint by Andrew Scrimshaw recorded 19 June 1722 in Essex Co. Va. Order Book 1716-23, Part IV, p. 654.

2. 20 November 1741. “A True and Exact Poll of the Election of Burgesses Taken for the County of Essex at the Court House of the sd County the 20th day of November 1741 – For William Beverley … No. 12, Wm. Ballard. For James Garnett … No. 9, Wm. Ballard [presumably father and son]. Essex Co. Va. Deed Book 22, 1738-1742 pp. 309-14.

3. The records of James City county were destroyed during the War Between the States; tracing land ownership in that county is impossible. To briefly summarize the descent of the counties in this area: New Kent was created from York in 1654, and Old Rappahannock was split from Lancaster in 1656. King and Queen was cut off from New Kent in 1692; also in 1692, Richmond and Essex were created from Old Rappahannock, which was abolished that year. In 1702, King and Queen and King William were split in two. In 1721, Spotsylvania was formed from parts of three counties – King William, King & Queen, and Essex, and in 1728 Caroline was cut from the same three counties.

4. “A Merchants Account Book, King & Queen County, 1750-1751, p. 218 lists the purchase of household items by Philadelphia Ballard. Cited in Robert Haydon, William Haydon, Kentucky Adventurer 1740-1819 (Little Rock, Ark., 2000) (privately published) p. 11.

5. Deed dated 19 January 1747, recorded 21 June 1748, Essex Co. Va. Deed Book 24, 1745-49, pp. 270-74. An instrument dated 18 January 1747 recorded simultaneously with this one recites in the legal description that this is land purchased of John Hord and Ann his wife, containing 150 acres, and that the conveyance is of 112 acres; the description includes “the line of old William Ballard,” referring to land neighboring this conveyance to John Lee.

6. Essex Co. Va. Deed Book 27, pp. 162-163.

7. Essex Co. Va. Deed Book 24, pp. 272-73.

8. 9 June 1700. Will of Simon Thomasin of Stafford Co. To son John Thomasin, land bought of Dan Mackarty; to daughters Isabell Thomasin & Margaret Thomasin, land bought of Dr Richard Bryant taken out of the Motes Land on Branches of Rappahannock & joining the land of Thomas Ellzey which is of same patent; to daughter Isabel, one down bed; rest of estate equally divided between three children & wife. Executor: wife Patience Thomasin. Witnesses: Thomas Ballard, Thomas Gregg, Jane Gregg. Recorded 9 April 1701, Stafford Co. Va. Deeds & Wills, 1699-1709, p. 75.

9.  28 October 1700. Deed from Samuel Simpson of Stafford to Francis Waddington, assign all right to “within mentioned land”. Witnesses: James Tompson, Thos. Ballard. Recorded 12 March 1700/1, Stafford Co. Va. Deed & Will Abstracts, 1699-1709, pp. 63-65.

10.  August 1703. Power of Attorney, Richard Bellasis of Gloster Co. Appoints Mr John Waugh Junr of Stafford as true & lawful attorney, proved by oaths of Thomas Ballard & Leonard Tarent. Recorded 11 August 1703, Stafford Co. Va. Will Book Liber Z, 1699-1709, p. 180.

11.  14 February 1703/4. Gerrard Newton made complaint that Edward Tudman owed 520 lbs tobo. Precept served upon horse of Edward Tudman; horse appraised by Thomas Ballard & Giles Davis at 400 lbs tobo Stafford Co. Va. Will Book Liber Z, 1699-1709, p. 221.

12.  13 March 1705. Estate of Dennis Murfee appraised by Joseph Waugh, Will Herbert, Thos. Ballard. Inventory returned 13 March 1705 by Thomas Ballard. Recorded 14 February 1705, Stafford Co. Va. Will Book Liber Z, 1699-1709, p. 310.

13.  3 April 1705. Wm. Page to Robert Bent of Richmond co., 100 acres near Acquia, Stafford co. …[description irrelevant]. Witnessed by Thos. Ballard, Thos. Norman. Stafford Co. Va. Will Book Liber Z, 1699-1709, pp. 268-69.

14.  8 August 1705. Estate of William Bell, upon the petition of John Waugh, Jr, administration granted. Edward Mountjoy, Gent. & Thomas Ballard became security. Ordered that Wm. Barber, Thos. James, Richd.. Martin & Danl. Beech first sworn before Edward Mountjoy make report. Recorded 21 August 1705, Stafford Co. Va. Will Book Liber Z, 1699-1709, pp. 291-92.

15.  12 September 1705. Appraisal of the estate of James Mann, by John Gowry, Joseph Waugh, Thos. Elzey; sworn before Joseph Sumner. “Jurat in curia. Thos Ballard, Mary Ballard.” Stafford Co. Va. Will Book Liber Z, 1699-1709, pp. 284-85.  Richmond County Court 3d of April 1706, .The action brought by Thomas Ballard and Mary his Wife, Exrx. of James Man, late of Stafford County, deced, vs. Danll. McCarty is dismist the Plts. not prosecuting.  The sumons by Scire Facias brought by Thomas Ballard and Mary his Wife, Exrx. of James Man, late of Stafford County, deced., vs. Danll. McCarty is dismist, the Plts. not prosecuting.  1705-1706 Richmond Co. Va. Order Book No. 4, in The Antient Press, p. 151.

16.  6 March 1706. Deed between Joseph Hinson of Overwharton Parish, Stafford, to Thomas Ellzie of same, for 300 acres on N. Side Potowmack Creek, bing the lowermost part of a parcel containing 600 acres formerly granted Edwd. Rogers by patent dated 14 October 1665, adjoining land of Charles Wood & extending up the said creek side to land of Mathews & so into main woods …Witnesses: Mary Ballard, Thos. Ballard. Margaret Hinson relinquishes dower. Recorded 12 March 1706, Stafford Co. Va. Will Book Liber Z, 1699-1709, pp. 362-63.

17.  The Gregg family appears to be allied with the Heabard/Hubbard/Hubard, Mansell and Blagrave families, and could provide a clue of the interrelationship of these early generations. See notes on the Gregg Family of Stafford County appearing in Allied Families.

18.  June 1707. Indenture between Joseph Waugh of Overwharton Parish, Stafford Co. and George Mason of same, for £10, 1,200 acres in same parish, nigh the head of Potomack Creek & part of patent granted John Waugh, Clk, dec’d for 6,300 acres, descending unto Joseph as son and heir, the land to be equally divided into 5 equal parts. Witnesses: Thos. Ballard, Natl. Pope, Will. Fitzhugh. Livery & seizen in presence of N. Pope, Thos. Ballard. Recorded 11 June 1707, Stafford Co. Va. Will Book Liber Z, 1699-1709, pp. 369-70.

18 July 1707. Deed from Joseph Waugh to Thomas Gregg, Gent., for 3,500 pounds tobo, 20 acres … southerly & easterly with Whipsowarsom Creek or get northerly upon Potomack Creek westerly with the land of the sd. 20 acres, being a point of land included on the upper side of Wippowarsam by patent for 1,000 acres granted to Col. Thos. Pettis dated 10 February 1652, after renewed by order, 15 March 1658, after renewed by Mr Henry Mese by patent, 20 October 1665, conveyed to my father John Waugh, dec’d, then to me Joseph Waugh & John Waugh my brother. Witnesses: Thos. Ballard, Wm. Heaberd. Livery & seizen 9 July 1707, witnessed by John Waugh, Abraham Farrow; Rachel Waugh relinquished dower. Recorded 9 July 1707, Stafford Co. Va. Will Book Liber Z, 1699-1709, pp. 375-76.

8 July 1707. Deed from John Simmons of Stafford to Francis Waddington of same, for 2,200 lbs tobo. 100 acres on N. Side of Potomack Creek beginning at Hickory corner tree of the land of Colo. Yoe at the Mills End from sd. creek & extends E. To the lands of Mr Giles Traverse then along the Traverse line S 252 poles … being part of parcel of 300 acres formerly sold by Wm. Withers late of this county, dec’d to Mr John Simmons on 6 October 1699. Witnesses: Thos. Gregg, Thos. Ballard, Wm. Heaberd. Sarah Simmons relinquishes dower. Livery & seizen 9 July 1707, witnessed by Francis Waddington, Hen. Fitzhugh, Thos. Ballard. Recorded 9 July 1707, Stafford Co. Va. Will Book Liber Z, 1699-1709, pp. 377-79.

9 March 1708. Deed between Joseph Waugh of Stafford & John Waugh of same, Joseph in consideration of 12,000 lbs tobo, sold all that parcel (1,200 acres) part of 6,000 acres granted to John Waugh, Clerk, my father by deed from Proprietor’s Office dated 22 March 1691. Witnesses: Thos. Ballard, Will. Barbour. Recorded 8 March 1708(?), Stafford Co. Va. Will Book Liber Z, 1699-1709, pp. 456-57.

13 April 1708. Deed between George Mason & Wm. Fitzhugh, Gentl., & Thomas Ballard. George Mason & Wm. Fitzhugh feoffees of townland of Marlbro in Stafford Co sold one lot or half acre bordering easterly with a lot surveyed for Mr John Waugh, westerly with a narrow street, northerly by a lot not yet surveyed, southerly with first main street which is parallel with Potomack Creek (No. 19 on town plat). Witnesses: Nathl Pope, Hen. Parry. Recorded 11 June 1708, Stafford Co. Va. Will Book Liber Z, 1699-1709, p. 431.

24 July 1708. Deed from William Chaplin of Stafford Co., Overwharton Parish, Carpenter, to Richard Webb, for 4,000 lbs tobo, shipright. All right, title & interest in one tract of land lying on S. Side of Aquia Creek, bought from Dan’l Beach, which D. Beach bought from Mrs Ann Owsley, widow & relict of Majr Thoms. Owsley of Stafford, dec’d. Witnesses: John Trammill, Thos. Ballard. Recorded 11 August 1708, Stafford Co. Va. Will Book Liber Z, 1699-1709, pp. 416-17.

19.  15 July 1724. Grant to William Champ of Stafford Co., 288 acres. [Grant A-42]. On Hooe’s Creek & branches of Napascoe Run, in Stafford Co.. Adjacent road from Peter Cornwall & Abraham Farrow, Jr., to Occoquan, land John Wallace sold Mr. Thomas Ballard, deceased, Mr. Thos. Gregg, deceased, Wm. Freakland [Feakland]. Surveyor: Thomas Hooper. Warrant dated 22 December 1722; Survey dated 4 April 1723; Grant dated 15 July 1724. Gertrude E. Gray, Virginia Northern Neck Grants, 1694-1742(Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1987), p. 75.  The likely grant to John Wallace is for 334 acres between the branches of Morumscoe Creek, and the branches of the Little Creek that was sold to Thomas Ballard has a Warrant dated 19 November 1722, Survey bearing the same date of 4 April 1723 (by the same Surveyor, Thomas Hooper), and the grant of 334 acres is dated 23 July 1724, one week later.  Northern Neck Grants A, 1722-1726, p. 49, folio (Reel 290).  Could Wallace have sold the grant before finalizing the transaction with the Lord Proprietor?  Or was it some other parcel that Wallace purchased from someone else?

20.  See Will of Matthew Ballard. Matthew Ballard’s will was dated 10 May 1719, and recorded 13 May 1719, York Co. Va. Records, Book 15, p. 429. On the other hand, the will fails to mention Matthew’s brother William, who died four months later, as shown by the opening of his estate by his brother Robert on 21 September 1719.

21.  13 April 1708. George Mason & Wm. Fitzhugh, Gentl., to Thomas Ballard. George Mason & Wm. Fitzhugh, feoffees of townland of Marlbro in Stafford Co. sold one lot or half acre bordering easterly with a lot surveyed for Mr John Waugh, westerly with a narrow street, northerly by a lot not yet surveyed, southerly with the first main street which is parallel with Potomack Creek (No. 19 on town plat). Sig: Geo. Mason, Wm. Fitzhugh Wit: Nathl. Pope, Hen. Parry. Livery & Seizen, 11 June 1708. Recorded 11 June 1708, Stafford Co. Va. D & W, 1699-1709, p. 431. Note: Deed to John Waugh, p. 437: “According to the survey from under the hand of Mr. Thomas Gregg, dated 2 Sept 1707 … being lot No. 20” (same witnesses). Livery & Seizin occurred, & deed recorded 10 June 1708.

22.  C. Malcolm Watkins, The Cultural History of Marlborough, Virginia(Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1968) pp. 8-9.

23.  Ibid, p. 9.

24.  Ibid.

25.  Ibid, p. 17.

26.  John Mercer’s Land Record Book, 1654-1667 (pp. 32-35), Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 172-73.

27.  John Mercer’s Land Record Book, 1654-1667 (p. 35), Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 173-74.

28. 21 June 1738. William Ballard & Mary Ballard, his wife, administrators of the estate of Howlett Chenault, dec’d. Bond £100: Sterling. Essex Co. Va. Will Book 6, 1735-1743, pp. 133-34. 20 February 1738. Distribution from the Estate of Howlett Chenault by William Ballard, Jr and Mary Ballard. Recorded Essex Co. Va. Will Book 6, 1735-1743 pp. 156-57.

29. The panel on the last date included Benjamin Rennolds; Richard Jones, Planter; Stephen Chenault; Richard Beall. Essex Co. Va. Order Book 1725-1729, Part 2, 21 November 1727 – 20 March 1728/9, pp. 200-203, 233-34, 269a.

30. Deed recorded 8 August 1743, between John Red of Louisa Co. to William Ballard of Caroline Co., for £25, 400 acres on both sides of Naked Creek … to John Rogers’ corner … Maj. Henry’s line. Wife Mary relinquished dower. Recorded Louisa Co. Va. Deed Book A, pp. 97-98.

31. Recorded 1 March 1752, Albemarle Co. Va. Deed Book 1, p. 487.

32. Poll List for Election of Burgesses, 20 November 1741: For William Beverley: Wm. Ballard (No. 12 on the list); For James Garnett: Wm. Ballard (No. 9 on the list). Essex Co. Va. Deed Book 22, pp. 309-14.

33. Ordered that Richard Edmundson serve as overseer of the new road from the main road by Capt Dixon’s Quarter into the road by Mr John Taylor’s Quarter & that he have besides his own people those at Colo. Baylor’s Mill Quarter, Mr John Taylor’s Quarter, Capt Dixon’s Quarters, Humphry Burdett’s, William Ballard’s, Fridler’s, William Newell’s, Thomas Brown’s, Francis Hale’s, & James Johnson’s to assist in keeping the same in repair & they are discharged from working on other roads … further ordered that said road be cleared & kept up where it formerly went from Mr Pendleton’s plantation to Francis Haille’s & not as it hath been lately cleared. Caroline Co. Va. Order Book 1765-67, Part 1 (1765) p. 3.

34. Thomas Elliott Campbell, Colonial Caroline (Richmond: Dietz Press, 1954) p. 409.

35. May 1773, Caroline Co. Va. Order Book 1772-76, p. 244.

36. June 1774, Caroline Co. Va. Order Book 1741-46, p. 342.

37. Closely allied with this Quaker family, however, is that of Richard Ballard of Caroline County who also removed to Bedford county, suggesting that either (1) this Quaker William was not a descendant of Thomas Ballard, or (2) Richard Ballard is a descendant not otherwise accounted for. The author is inclined to believe that the Quaker branches do not descend from Thomas Ballard of James City County.