[These notes are preliminary.]

David Ballard of Madison County, Kentucky, a son of John Ballard of Albemarle County, Virginia (1745-1829) left a will that was probated in 1834.

There were several David Ballards living in Virginia, Kentucky and South Carolina early in the 18th century.  The 1820 US Federal Census identifies David C. Ballard residing in Albemarle County, Virginia (five free white persons; the head of household would have been between 26 and and 44 years of age and born between 1776 and 1794), David Ballard residing in Madison County, Kentucky (four free white persons, two slaves; the head of household would also have been between 26 and 44 years of age and born between 1776 and 1794), and David Ballard in Kershaw, South Carolina (8 free white persons, seven slaves; the head of household would have been 45 years of age or older, and therefore born before 1776).

David C. Ballard is easier to trace.  He appears in the 1840 US Federal Census (male age between 40 and 49, which would put his date of birth between 1791 and 1800), residing in Fredericksville, Albemarle County, Virginia; and he makes one last appearance in the 1850 US Federal Census, age 52 (born c. 1798), but having removed to District 75, Ray Missouri.  In that last enumeration we have David C. Ballard, age 52, Elizabeth Ballard, age 44, and Richard L. Ballard, age 30, all having been born in Virginia.  He is likely a descendant of the earliest Ballards in the region, Thomas or John; his place in this pedigree (if he has one) is not yet known to this compiler.

The David Ballard of Kershaw, South Carolina in 1830 had a household of four free white persons, 10 slaves; the head of household was aged 70 to 79 (born between 1750 and 1760).  A David Ballard, Jr was also enumerated, age between 30 and 39 (born between 1791 and 1800).  This David Ballard is likely the son of John Ballard of Albemarle County, Virginia (c. 1719-1780).

David Ballard of Madison County, Kentucky is enumerated again in Madison in 1830, a household of five free white persons and four slaves; the head of household age between 40 and 49, so therefore born between 1791 and 1800.  The David Ballard who resided in Madison County is the most likely descendant of the younger John Ballard among these choices, because his will of 1834 recites the names of his children, one of which is his eldest son, Thompson R. Ballard; it is very likely that his son bears his mother’s maiden name.  His mother was believed to be his father’s second wife, Elizabeth Thompson.  Also, proximity to his brothers, sister and nephew (his brothers Edward, James Bell, John P., Nicholas; his sister Elizabeth Jarman; and nephew Austin, son of his brother Wilson) who were all living in Madison County strengthens the conclusion.

David Ballard left a will dated 10 February 1834 in Madison County, Kentucky.

In the name of God I David Ballard, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and memory (before the Almighty god for the same) do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say)

I will that ll my just debts shall be by me owing at my death and all charges touching the proving or or otherwise concerning this my will shall in the first place out my personal estate and affects be fully paid and satisfied and from and after payment thereof and subject thereunto then my will is,

First, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Ballard all of my property stocks cattle merchandise and household furniture, negroes & lands and every individual thing to have and to hold so long as she proves to be my widow.

Item, I give and bequeath to my youngest son John Rufus Ballard one hundred and fifty dollars to be equal with my other children.

Item, after the death of my widow or before is she should marry, then my will is that all of my property stocks cattle and household furniture and lands and negroes and every particle of property thereunto belong to me shall be indifferently appraised and after such appraisement made that the same shall be divided into four equal parts, one equal fourth part whereof I give and bequeath unto my oldest daughter Nancy Ballard so long as she shall live and then to her children if she should have any.

If not at her death the said part or portion and every thing shall be equally divided amongst my three other children Thompson R. Ballard & Polly Parks & John R. Ballard, share and share alike.

Item, I give and bequeath to my two sons and youngest daughter Thompson R. Ballard, Polly Parks and John R. Ballard, each of them one fourth part of my property real and personal estate his and her heirs and assigns forever.  My will is that my son Thompson R. Ballard shall live on the farm he now lives without paying rent.

My will is also that my daughter Nancy Ballard shall have the loan of a negro slave of mine she now have in possession the name of Mary.

My will is also that my daughter Polly Parks shall have the loan of a negro slave of mine she now have in possession the name of Jimmy OC. (?)

Thompson R. Ballard and Samuel Parks whom I hereby appoint sole Executrix at this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal the tenth day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-four.

David Ballard {Seal}

Witnesses: James Rice, J. P. Ballard

Recorded 7 April 1834, Madison Co. Ky. Will Book E, pp. 464-65.

It would be interesting to know the parentage of the David M. Ballard who was born 27 January 1816, and died 12 December 1840 and is buried at Bobtown, Madison County, Kentucky, in the vicinity of James Bell Ballard and several other unplaced Ballards (Findagrave.com), namely: Edward P. Ballard (29 July 1812-21 July 1848); Elizabeth Wright Ballard (3 March 1791-19 December 1842); James L. Ballard (16 October 1827-5 February 1851); Peter C. Ballard (4 March 1819-14 April 1843); Elizabeth K. (Ballard) Harris (2 October 1824-1 December 1910).  The grave of David’s sister, Elizabeth Catherine (Ballard) Jarman (27 August 1791) and her husband Pleasant C. Jarman (20 December 1787-27 July 1849) are also in this cemetery.

The children of David Ballard and Elizabeth _____________ were:

Nancy.

Thompson R.

Polly, married [probably] Samuel Parks.

John Rufus.