Thomas Ballard, the son of John Ballard of Albemarle County, was born 7 March 1751, and removed to South Carolina with his brothers David, John and Bland before the American Revolution.  The bulk of what we know of his life is from his Revolutionary War Pension Application, which is quoted below in full.¹

He enlisted in the Revolutionary Army from the Kershaw District in 1779 and was in active service for 366 days, until some time in 1782.  He went on numerous scouting parties and fought at the battles of Ridgeway’s Fort, Hobkirk’s Hill and Bigham Church.  His officers were Captain William Nettle, and Colonels Marshall and Frederick Kimball.  After the Revolution, he was commissioned a Major of Militia in 1794 and on 29 November 1804, a Lt. Col. Of the 25^th Regiment.

He secured a number of patents in the 1780s and in 1792: 200 acres on Beaver Creek in Camden District (21 July 1784); another 200 acres on a branch of Beaver Creek in Camden District (29 December 1785); 245 acres on a branch of Beaver Creek in Camden District (26 May 1788); and 1,000 acres on branches of Cedar and Singletons Creeks, Camden District (10 January 1792).  The first patent appears below; the remainder appear at the end of this post.

The the bulk of the land subject to the plat taken in 1788 for 245 acres was conveyed to John Graham in 1790; Graham’s plantation adjoined it, as shown in the plat.

Lancaster Co. South Carolina Conveyance Book C&E, pp. 121-122.

(April Court 1790)

THIS INDENTURE made this nineteenth of April one thousand seven hundred and ninety and fourteenth of American Independence Between Thomas Ballard of the State of South Carolina Lancaster County of the one part and John Graham of the State of South Carolina and County aforesaid of the other part.

Witnesseth that the said Thomas Ballard for and in consideration of the sum of twenty pounds to him the said Ballard in hand paid the receipt of which he doth acknowledge have bargained sold aliened confirmed and by these presents do bargains ell alien enfeoff and confirm unto the said John Graham a certain tract or parcel of land containing two hundred and fifty more acres and half being a part of a tract originally surveyed for sd. Thomas Ballard lying on the waters of Beaver Creek in the county of Lancaster aforesaid bounded as follows S:W on said Ballard’s land NW on George Millers land NE on Charles Barbers land SE on said Graham’s land John Lakes land and south by David Russsells land

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the aforesaid tracts or parcel of land unto the said John Graham and to his heirs and assigns forever, except a school house that was formerly erected on said tracts and the benefit of the spring near to said house also one and acre of land joining thereunto for the benefit of a gardian (?).  The rest and the remainder of said tract vis two hundred & thirty-three & half the said John Graham to enter occupy & enjoy the same or his heirs Executors Adm. Or assigns and to hold the same in free and common socage & the said Thomas Ballard doth for himself heir he warrants and forever defend the titles to the land aforesaid unto the said John Graham and to his heirs Executors Admins or assigns agains the lawful claims of any person or persons whatsoever.

In witness whereof the said Thomas Ballard hath give his hand & seal the year above written.  Signed sealed & delivered in the presence of us.  J. J. Boutin, A.O. Fleming, Peter Thomson.

Thos. Ballard {Seal}

In 1790, we find Thomas Ballard as head of household in Lancaster District, South Carolina; the enumeration reports one free white male under age 16 (i.e., born between 1774 and 1789), one male over age 16 (born before 1774), two white females, and one slave.  Presumably this is Thomas, his wife Elizabeth, one son and one daughter.  We have not ascertained the date of death of his first wife, Elizabeth Graham, however one secondary source gives 10 October 1796 as the date of his marriage to Mary Parks (this needs to be verified).

In 1800 we find a much larger household in Kershaw District, with four males under age 10, one male age 10 to 15, one male age 16 to 25, one male age 26 to 44, one male age 45 and over (obviously Thomas); of white females, there are three females under age 10; 2 females aged 10 to 15; and two females aged 26 to 44.  Compared to 1790 and given the ages listed here (particularly the two females aged 26 to 44), it appears that a second family had joined Thomas’ household, making it impossible to be certain whether all of the children listed are his issue.

The 1810 US Federal Census (in Kershaw, South Carolina) shows Thomas’ household consisted of three males under 10, one age 16 to 25, one age 26 to 44, and one age 45 and over; females include one age 10 to 15, one age 45 and over, and 16 slaves.  The 1820 US Federal Census (in Kershaw) shows a single male age 16 to 25 (born between 1795 and 1804), a single male over age 45 (Thomas), one female age 16 to 25, one female age 26 to 44, one female over age 45 (Mary Parks), and 17 slaves.

In 1830, Thomas appears in the US Federal Census for Gwinnett, Georgia — one male age 70 to 79, one female age 30 to 39, one female age 70 to 79, and three slaves.  The last census in which he appears in 1840 in Lancaster, South Carolina, he is the sole male aged between 80 and 89 (“Col. Thomas Ballard”).  He reportedly died at his daughter Susannah Caston’s plantation on 28 December 1843.

The Chancery case Wm. Aikin, Adm’r of Wm. Aikin, v. Thos. P. Ballard (14 S.C. Eq. 13, 1 Rice Eq. 13 (1838) provides valuable information about him.  The case was an appeal from a decree of the county chancellor, which stated:

“On the 13th of November, 1820, William Aikin, deceased, obtained a judgment in Kershaw District, against Col. Thomas Ballard, sen’r, for $580.74, and a judgment against David G. Ballard, and Thos. Ballard, sen’r. for $1421.19.  In both cases a fi. fa.* was lodged, 5th December, 1820.  There was evidence that these were the oldest unsatisfied liens against the property of Thomas Ballard, sen’r.

“The object of the bill was to compel the defendant to surrender certain negroes, which he held under alleged fictitious transfers from Thomas Ballard, sen’r.

“It appears from the testimony, that in 1821, Thomas Ballard, sen’r, removed to Georgia, leaving in the possession of his son-in-law, Samuel Caston, seven negroes, which had been transferred to him as an indemnity for his suretyship on a debt to Col. Peay.  I infer from the testimony that he carried with him to Georgia, Mary and her children.  In February, 1830, Thomas Ballard returned for a short time to this State, induced the negroes left with Caston, to leave his possession, and then transferred them to the defendant for $1000.  It is very clear that the defendant at that time was aware of Aikin’s lien on the negroes, but in the language of the witness, he was willing to take the risk of that claim.

“The object evidently was to defeat Caston …

“In 1830 or 1831, the complainant’s intestate caused a suite to be instituted in Georgia, against Thomas Ballard, founded on the judgments already mentioned.  Col. Ballard, having then in his possession Mary and her children, and fearing they would be taken to satisfy this debt, removed them back to Carolina in April, 1832, and placed them in the possession of the defendant, where they have ever since remained.

“Col. Ballard was examined for the defendant, who is his son.– He stated that he sold Mary and her children, to the defendant, in February 1830, when he sold the other negroes, but that they were to remain in his possession until his son sent for them.  No bill of sale or other written evidence of title was produced.  Col. Ballard was aged, and as I thought, infirm both in body and mind, and testified indistinctly.  If there had been ever any bona fide transfer of Mary and her children, (of which I was by no means satisfied,) I do not doubt that the account of John Ballard was the true statement of the transaction.  He was in Georgia in 1830, when Aikin’s suit against his father was pending.  The woman and her three children were then in his father’s possession.  “He understood both from his father and the defendant, that the defendant was to give $500 or $550, for the woman and her three children.  The negroes were to remain in the possession of Thomas Ballard, sen’r during his lifetime — he was to have them as long as he lived.”  Col. Ballard testified that Aikin obtained judgment against him in Georgia — that he sent Mary and her children to this State shortly afterwards, as he thought he might be levied on, and his son be put to trouble.”

Aikin v. Ballard, 14 S.C. Eq. 13, 1 Rice Eq. 13 (1838)

*Fi. Fa. — Writ of Fiere Facias, an order to record a lien on a judgement debtor’s property.

The suit names Samuel Caston as his son-in-law, who married Thomas Ballard’s daughter Susannah; also mentioned are sons John Ballard and Thomas P. Ballard; and there is one mention of David G. Ballard, who is most likely another son (though his relationship to Thomas isn’t entirely clear).  Most genealogies only name the children mentioned in his Revolutionary War Pension record — Mary, Susannah and Thomas Parks Ballard.

Thomas Ballard married, first, Elizabeth Graham, the daughter of Francis Graham and Mary ________.  We know the name of his first wife from the following deed recorded in Kershaw County, South Carolina: Thomas Ballard of Kershaw District, for $139, to Andrew Graham and James Trantham of Kershaw District, the undivided 1/7 part of land of Francis Graham, dec’d, by my wife Elizabeth, now deceased.  — Thomas Ballard.  Witness: R.L. Champion, James Ballard.  6 January 1804, recorded Kershaw Co. SC Deed Book D, p. 241.  The James Ballard who witnessed the deed is most likely his son James, who died c. 1821.

His second wife was Mary, daughter of Samuel Parks.  His children were:

Mary, who married William Russell of Lancaster County, South Carolina.  Mr. Russell was a planter and a prominent member of the Beaver Creek Presbyterian Church; he founded the first girl’s boarding school in the district, according to John Bennett Boddie, Southside Virginia Families (Redwood City: Pacific Coast Publishers, 1955), p. 23.  Issue: (1) Mary Elizabeth Russell, born 12 October 1799, married Thomas Stover; (2) Millie Russell, married Reuben Bailey; (3) Martha.

Susannah, born 1788, died 4 April 1862; , married Samuel Caston;

John, named in the suit cited above, Aikin v. Ballard (1838).

David G., also named in the suit Aikin v. Ballard (1838).  Thomas Ballard conveyed the 200 acres on the branch of Beaver Creek in Kershaw County, for 38 pounds, to (perhaps this) David Ballard by deed dated 10 March 1794, but not recorded until 12 October 1807 in Kershaw Co. SC Deed Book E, p. 401.  The witnesses included William Miller, John Ballard and William Ballard (William’s signature is indicated to be “his mark.”  Preserved at the Archives of Georgia are records from a civil suit in Jones County, Georgia Superior Court dated November 1826 concerning an unpaid promissory note executed 25 July 1820 by David G. Ballard (the jury found for the plaintiff) (“Jones County – Petition – David G. Ballard for the use of Catlett Atkins – Elijah Nash.”  Hargrett Library.  1826, https://dig.usg.edu/record/guan_4401_002-061#item.)  A David G. Ballard acquired property in the 1827 Georgia Land Lottery in Carroll County, Georgia (Fortunate Draw No. 142, District 14), but lost it in a sheriff’s sale to satisfy a debt,  for the Macon Telegraph of 24 December 1827, page 4, included this announcement: “On the first Tuesday in JANUARY next, Will be sold, at the Court-house in Carroll county, between the lawful hours of sale, the following property, to wit: — One lot of LAND, No 142, in the 14th district; taken as the property of David G. Ballard, to satisfy two executions of John P. Winn — levied on and returned to me by a constable.  JAMES WEST, Sheriff.”  A “G. Ballard” appears in Laurens County, Georgia in the badly mangled 1820 US Federal Census (parts of the Georgia enumeration were lost to fire during the War of 1812), heading a household with one male less than 10 years old (1810-1820); one male age 26 to 44 1776-1794), two females less than 10 years old (1810-1820), two females age 16 to 25 (1795-1904), and one female over age 45 (before 1775).  The 1830 US Federal Census for Laurens County, Georgia enumerates a David G. Ballard (the only David Ballard enumerated in Georgia) with one male younger than age 5 (1825-1830), one male age 30 to 39 (1791-1800), one female age 5 to 9 (1821-1825)and one female age 20 to 29 (1801-1810).  We’ve found no later record for David G. Ballard, nor have we been able to identify his wife and children.

James, who died before 5 January 1821, as evidenced by a record of the probate court of Kershaw District.

South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes 1671-1977, Kershaw County Wills, 1782-1868, p. 41

State of South Carolina, Kershaw District }  By Thomas Salmond Esquire Ordinary of Kershaw District.

Whereas Jincey Ballard has applied to me for Letters of Administration, on all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits of James Ballard late of the District aforesaid, deceased.  These and therefore to cite and admonish all and secular, the kindred and creditors of the said deceased, to be and appear before me at our next Ordinary Court for the said district, to be holden at my office in Camden on Friday the twenty-sixth day of January next, to shew cause, if any, why the said administration should not be granted.

Given under my hands and Seal, this fifth day of January in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty one and in the forty fifth year of American Independence.

Thos: Salmond {Seal}

This citation read by me to the congregation at Beaver Church on Sunday the 21st January 1821.  Charles Ingram, Pastor

[p. 416]  State of South Carolina, Kershaw District.  In the Court of Ordinary Monday 16th April 1821.

I do solemnly swear that James Ballard, deceased, died without any will, as far as I know or believe; and that I will well and truly administer all and singular the goods and chattels rights and credits of the said deceased, and pay all his just debts, as far as the same will extend and the law require me; and that I will make a true and proper inventory of all the said goods and chattels rights and credits, and return a just account thereof when thereunto required.  So help me God.  

— Jincey Ballard

Sworn to before me Tho: Salmond, May the 11th 1821, Inventory of the goods & chattels of James Ballard Dec’d 

[list of households goods, livestock; no slaves]

We the appraisers do certify the above to be just and true.  Filed 17 May 1821.  Signed: John Bell, John Summervill, Hugh Summervill, David Ballard.

James Ballard obtained a loan from Samuel Caston of Lancaster County, South Carolina for $1,635.00, secured by assorted property, including “two negroes, viz, one negro woman named Sylvey about twenty-two years of age, one woman named Julett about eighteen years old with future increase of the females … The return of the property conditioned on the payment of $1,817.50.  Dated 7 July 1809, recorded 20 July 1809, Kershaw Co. SC Deed Book F, p. 90.

Jincey Ballard, acting as Administratrix for the estate of James Ballard, filed suit in the Court of Equity in June 1823 in an attempt to recover Sylvia and her five children from Samuel Caston, asserting that the slaves belonged to her husband’s estate and claiming that multiple payments were made to Caston for the slaves; Caston maintained that Ballard never discharged the complete purchase agreement, and prevailed.  Records of the Equity Court, Petitions 1820-1827, Document No. 231.  See Ex Parte Jincy Ballard 27 April 1824.

James Ballard appeared in the US Federal Census for Kershaw District in 1810 and 1820, just a few places away from Thomas Ballard, indicating that he and his family occupied a plantation nearby.  We have not found a record of his descendants, but the 1810 census shows a household with two males under age 10, one male age 26 to 44, one male over age 45, and a single female age 16 to 25.  James is likely the male born between 1766 and 1784 (with Jincey the female born between 1785 and 1794), but who is the male over age 45?  It could be Jincey’s father, though we know nothing of her ancestry.  In 1820 James and Thomas are on adjacent lines; James’ household has three males under 10 (1810-1820), two males age 10 to 15 (1805-1810), one male age 26 to 44 (1781-1794), two females under age 10 (1810-1820), and one female age 26 to 44 (1781-1794).

Thomas Parks, who married Margaret Truesdale.  Thomas Parks Ballard was born in Lancaster county, South Carolina on 17 November 1799, and died in Desha, Arkansas on 22 September 1866.  On 5 February 1829 he married Margaret Truesdale, the daughter of John Truesdale and Nancy McDonald.  Margaret was born 15 October 1808 in Kershaw District, South Carolina, and died there 20 August 1844.  Their children were: (1) Mary Caroline Ballard, born 19 September 1830, married James A.M. Lanier; (2) Christopher Columbus Ballard, born 9 June 1832; (3) Nancy Emily Ballard, born 13 April 1834, on 4 March 1852 married Dr Robert Simpson McDow, son of Nancy Anna McIlwaine and Taylor McDow, who was born in Lancaster county, South Carolina 18 November 1825, and died there 29 December 1891; she died 25 November 1885.  (4) Thomas M. Ballard, born 27 August 1836.² 

The 1850 US Federal Census shows Thos. P. Ballard as head of a household in Lancaster County, South Carolina, age 51; C. C. Ballard (M), age 16, a student; E. Ballard (F), age 16; J.A.M. Lanier (M), age 31; M. C. Lanier (F), age 20; Thos. F. Lanier (M), age 1; also Thos. M. McDow (M), a Physician, age 30; and D.M. Creighton (M), 26, an Overseer. There is no mention of Thomas M. Ballard; the 1840 US Federal Census for the family shows one male born between 1831 and 1835; this would have been Christopher Columbus, which suggests that Thomas M. died young. 1850 US Federal Census, Lancaster, South Carolina, Roll M432_854, Page 198A, Image 398.

In 1860 Thomas Parks Ballard is living alone, though possessed of 46 slaves. 1860 US Federal Census, Lancaster, South Carolina, Roll M653_1221, Page 172, Image 347; 1860 US Federal Census-Slave Schedules.

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Endnotes

1. National Archives File S.20283, Pension Application of Thomas Ballard, dated 10 December 1832, while a resident of Gwinnett Co., Georgia; he gave his place of birth as Albemarle Co., Virginia, March 1751.

2. John Bennett Boddie, Southside Virginia Families, Vol. 1 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1966), p. 21. There are numerous descendants in South Carolina.

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Pension Application of Thomas Ballard, File No. S20283

Georgia, Gwinnett County: Inferior Court December Term 1832

Personally appeared in open court it being a court of record, now sitting, Thomas Ballard a resident of said County of Gwinnett and State aforesaid aged Eighty years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to attain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, to wit: That he entered the service in the State of South Carolina the part which is now called Kershaw District. That he was then Captain of a militia company and that he together with his Company was called into service by Colonel Kimbrel [Frederick Kimball] as volunteers. That he was then by Colonel Kimbrel brevetted Captain of said Company that he was in Major Thompson’s Battalion & Colonel Kimbrel’s Regiment that during this service he was with General Marion [Francis Marion] six weeks when his company was relieved and allowed to return home. That this service was during the year 1780 & 1781. That this was a three months Tour but that he was relieved & allowed to return home a few days before the Term of service expired. That afterwards in the year 1781 the Company which he commanded was again called into Service under the Command of Major Thompson in General Henderson’s [William Henderson’s] division for a three months Service. That he was stationed at Captain Young’s house in the State of South Carolina in the fork of edisto River [Edisto River] and was engaged during this Service in skirmishes with the Tories and at the end of the Service he returned home. That he did not receive a written discharge in either of the above mentioned Services because he did not concede them at that time necessary. That his brevet has been lost or mislaid. That the two several tours of duty were served in the State of South Carolina and that he has no documentary Evidence nor does he know of anyone now living except Michael Branham, who can establish the same. That since the revolutionary war he has resided first in South Carolina Kershaw District from thence he removed to Gwinnett County in Georgia where he now resides that he was born in the State of Virginia in March 1751. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Old of the agency of any State.

Sworn to & subscribed this tenth day December 1832 in open Court.
Attest: S/ Wm Maltbie, Clk

S/ Thos. Ballard

[p 40: Hosea Camp, a clergyman, and John F Martin gave the standard supporting affidavit.]

[p 41]
Georgia Gwinnett County:

Before me, a Justice of the Peace for said County came in person Michael Branham and being sworn on oath saith that he served six months under the command of Thomas Ballard in the revolutionary war – who was a Captain of the Militia of Kershaw District in the State of South Carolina – and further states that said six months service is mentioned and correctly stated in the within declaration.

Sworn to & subscribed before me this 10th December 1832
S/ John Clower, JP S/ Michael Branham, X his mark

[p 44]
State of South Carolina Fairfield District

Personally appeared before me Henry Moore of the State & District aforesaid and being sworn as the Law Directs says on oath that he was introduced to a Captain Ballard either before or shortly after the fall of Charleston but it is so long since that he cannot fully identify him at this late period. Further that he thinks the forgoing certificate of Mr. John Clanton entitled to undoubted credit this 9th September 1838

S/ William Moore, QU S/ Henry Moore1 Capt Lt. of Artillery
Regt. So. Carolina

[p 43]
State of South Carolina Kershaw District:

Before me appeared John Clanton of said District after being Duly Sworn as the Law Directs made oath that he became acquainted [with] Thomas Ballard in the year 1780 and in the year 1781 we served together a tower [tour] in the service in behalf of the Liberty of the State and US we joined the whigs at a place called the foreholes [Four Holes] in South Carolina. Thomas Ballard was a Captain and Commanded the Company called the Bever Creek Company of said District. I Father [further] state that I was his Cook for his mess. I believe him to be as good a whig as the State had at that time according to the opportunities he had to show it.

Sworn to before me this 3 July 1839
S/ Elijah Sill, J. Q. S/ John Clanton, X his mark
[p 47]
South Carolina Lancaster District

Personally came before me John Trousdale aged seventy-one years last March & after being duly sworn, maketh oath & saith that in & about the year 1781 the fall of the year he became acquainted with Colonel Thomas Ballard, who was then Thomas Ballard, & had the character of a good & valiant Whig in the revolutionary Army, in & about the neighborhood of Hangrock [?] & Beaver Creek Kershaw District South Carolina in which neighborhood & place both deponent & Thomas Ballard resided – shortly afterwards Thomas Ballard was called Captain of the Beaver Creek Militia Company Kershaw District South Carolina & generally received opinion of that time & up to this day was that Thomas Ballard was an officer a Captain in the revolutionary war & bore the character at that day & since of a brave & courageous defender of the liberties of his country – deponent has known Colonel Ballard from about 1781 2 [“to”] 1821 at which last period he removed to Georgia where he remained until 1838 & at this time is living in Lancaster District South Carolina.

Sworn to & subscribed before me 5 November 1839
S/ J. H. Witherspoon, Junior Q.W. E. Off. S/ John Trusdel

[p 48]
South Carolina Lancaster district

Personally came before me Thomas Mackey Senior age 77 years last February & maketh oath & saith that during the revolutionary war he this deponent was a private in Colonel Kimbrell Regiment, previous Colonel Marshall, & that he knew Thomas Ballard, that he was attached to said Regiment & commanded as Captain in the Beaver Creek Company Kershaw District South Carolina, deponent can’t say positively how long Thomas Ballard & this deponent remained in the same Regiment, his impression is that the Company Thomas Ballard commanded was sent out on a scouting party & this deponent & the company he was attached to was ordered to Purysburg, deponent served three months & is satisfied that Thomas Ballard was also out during that tour of three months, he verily believes that Thomas Ballard served much longer, he was always regarded a true & Brave Whig, & rendered [indecipherable word] services to his Country during the revolutionary struggle.

Sworn to & subscribed before me 6 November 1839
S/ J. W. Witherspoon, Junior, Q. W. E. Off S/ Thos. Macke

[p 10]
South Carolina, Lancaster District

On this Sixth day of November A.D. 1839 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of General Sessions & Common Pleas now sitting, Thomas Ballard, a resident of the State & District aforesaid aged eighty-nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832. — viz. That he entered the service as a militia man (Volunteer) in Captain William Nettles company (militia) in Colonel John Marshall’s Regiment (militia) in the year 1780 about six or eight months before Gates defeat near Camden [Battle of Camden, August 15-16, 1780], at the time of Gates defeat he was with General Sumter [Thomas Sumter] as a Volunteer afterwards in the spring of 1781 he received a commission to Command the Beaver Creek Company Kershaw District South Carolina from Colonel Kimbrell who then had the Command of Colonel Marshall’s Regiment Colonel Marshall having gone to Virginia served under Colonel Kimbrell & General Marion three months as Captain in Santee Swamp near McCord’s ferry South Carolina was in pursuit of the British & caused them to evacuate Bigham [sic, Biggin] Church [July 16-17, 1781] & fire the same was at the Battle of Hobkirk Hill [April 25, 1781] near Camden South Carolina between General Greene & Lord Rawdon, he afterwards returned with his company & remained at home for about three months, he then as Captain & with his Company returned to the service and Joined the Whigs at the “Fore Holes” [sic, Four Holes] thinks a Colonel Henderson had Command & continued with him three months in the fork of Edisto River watching the movements of certain forces in that neighborhood he & his Company then returned home, don’t recollect what has become of his discharge, or whether he received one, his Commission has been mislaid it was signed by Colonel Kimbrell.

Sworn to open Court the day & date above mentioned
S/ S/ Beckham, Clk S/ Thos. Ballard
[J. P. Thompson, a clergyman, and Samuel B. Hammond gave the standard supporting affidavit.]

[p 13]
Interrogatories

1. Where & in what year were you borned?
Answer 1751

2. Have you any record of your age, if so where is it?
Answer – Have none

3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war, & where do you now live?
Answer – When called into service lived in Kershaw District South Carolina moved to Georgia in 1821 – returned to South Carolina Lancaster District in April 1838

4 – How were you called into service, were you drafted did you Volunteer or were you a substitute, if a substitute for whom?
Answer – Called into service as a militia man

5th State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental & militia Regiments age you can recollect, & the General circumstances of your Service.
Answer – Was in Colonel Kimbles Regiment Nettles Company, was at Bingham Church [sic] when it was fired by the British – was at a Battle at Hobkirk Hill near Camden South Carolina

6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, if so, by whom was it given & what has become of it?
Answer – don’t recollect that he received a discharge.

7th did you ever receive a Commission, if so, by whom was it signed & what has become of it?
Answer – had a Commission Received it from Colonel Kimbrel don’t know what became of it

S/ Thos. Ballard

[p 15]
State of South Carolina, Lancaster District

Personally appeared before me James H. Witherspoon Jr Judge of the Court of Ordinary Lancaster District Colonel Thomas Ballard Senior of the said District & State, aged ninety years, 7 March next, who being duly sworn maketh oath & saith, that he was born in the County of Albemarle & State of Virginia 7 March 1751 & resided there until the year 1789 [sic, 1779?], when he removed to South Carolina, Craven County now the district of Kershaw where he resided & lived until the year 1818, when he removed to Georgia when at County & resided & built there until the year 1838, when he removed back to South Carolina Lancaster District, where he now resides. This deponent further states that shortly after he removed to South Carolina to wit in the fall & winter of 1779 & 1780 he entered the service of his country under Captain William who was attached to Colonel Marshall’s Regiment, the deponent was out & engaged in said service at various times, principally in scouting & routing certain Tories who were then lurking in Kershaw district, he was then residing in Captain William’ beat, and as a militia man was called out sometime in December 1779 & was engaged & out in service until May 1780, whenever the Company was on duty, the duty of this Company at that time was principally the routing & keeping in check the Tories in the district — deponent further saith that sometime in August or September 1780 he went on a visit to Virginia, that while there, he heard that a great many Tories had assembled near the Brushy Mountains in North Carolina he then volunteered under Colonel Bryce Martin in Henry County Virginia to march against them after marching several days under him the Regiment was dismissed by Colonel Martin upon learning that the Tories had left & abandoned that place. This deponent then returned to South Carolina Kershaw District where his family were still residing. He was there afterwards engaged in various services, but not regularly — until he was present & assisted in taking Rudgeleys [Rugeley’s] Fort [December 4, 1780]. In March or April 1781 this deponent received a Captain’s Commission from Colonel Kimbrell to command the Beaver Creek Company in Kershaw District. He then marched his Company to Camden & was at the Battle of Hobkirk Hill near Camden, he then afterwards with his Company under Colonel Kimbrell marched & joined general Marion near Biggin Church, deponent as Captain served under General Marion three months — in this State — and afterwards marched his Company to Edisto & there remained three months to the best of his recollection — deponent has either lost or misplaced his commission, he cannot now find it — deponent in conclusion states, that to the best of his recollection, he served six months as a militia man under Captain Nettles, ready to perform duty whenever called upon – – is perfectly satisfied that as Captain he was three months under General Marion in active service — and also three months in the fork of Edisto & was upon duty as Captain — altogether six months — besides other duties & services — deponent further saith that he has never received any compensation for said services either from the State or the United States.

Sworn to & subscribed Before me 19 January 1841
S/ James H. Witherspoon, Jr., Judge of Court Ordinary

Lancaster District S/ Thos. Ballard

[p 34: Original of a bill of sale dated April 5, 1820 by which Thomas Ballard conveyed to Elizabeth Thompson for $800 one Negro woman by the name of Rody aged 19 or 20 and her child Charrity [sic, Charity].]

[p 18: On February 25, 1847, Col. Thomas P. Ballard, 47, son of Capt. Thomas Ballard on behalf and the other children of Capt. Thomas Ballard, to wit, Susanna Caston & Mary Russell sought to recover the pension he said was due his father.

[p 51]
Comptroller General’s Office Columbia South Carolina October 30th 1846

Book W
Indent 165 Issued 9th of August 1785 to Captain Thomas Ballard for 156 pounds 17 shillings
1 ½ D 4 366 days duty in 1780, 1781 & 1782 as per account audited
Principal £156.17.1 ½D Annl. Int. £10.19.7D

Book W
Account 165 Captain Thomas Ballard
For 288 days duty under Colonel Frederick Kimball in General Sumter’s Brigade at 60 shillings per day – 40 days under Colonel Frederick Kimball at 60 shillings per day – 38 days under Colonel Kimbrell at 60 shillings per day in all 366 days
Sterling £156.17.1 ½ D.

I certify the above to be a true copy from the Records in this office
For Comptroller General
S/ J. Aug. Black

[Veteran died at the residence of Mrs. Susanna Caston in Lancaster District SC on December 28, 1843]

[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $240.66 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831 and terminating December 28, 1843 upon his death. His pension was granted for 12 months and one day service as a Captain in the South Carolina service.]