Curtis was born about 1761. He married Esther Gaines, daughter of Humphrey Gaines and Sarah Watts, in Culpeper Co., Virginia, 23 April, 1781.

His Children are John William, Sarah, Richard, James Gaines, Julia, Jesse, Thomas, Millie, Phillip Larkin, and Bartlett.

Curtis is listed in the 1781 draft class, no. 106, for the Revolutionary War.¹ I don’t believe that Curtis was drafted. The listing shows he was available and eligible. The draft list shows John Fitzpatrick was the one drafted in to the regular army.

On 1785, Culpeper County Tax List, Sarah Gaines listed first then Curtis Ballard. White over 21 years – 1, Slaves over 16 – 2, Young slaves – 2, Horses – 3, Cattle – 6, No. of heads taxable – 5. The Sarah Gaines listed is likely the mother of Esther Gaines, Curtis’s wife. Esther’s father Humphrey Gaines died in 1779. It is believed that Curtis and wife Esther helped Sarah Gaines maintain the property. {Culpeper County Personal property tax lists, 1782-1802, image 120, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 6 April, 1787, Culpeper County Tax List, Horses – 1. {Culpeper County Personal property tax lists, 1782-1802, image 216, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 26 March, 1788, Orange County Court ordered that Curtis be paid for 1 day in attendance of court in the case of Richardson vs. Webb. Richardson was to pay it. “Richardson to pay Curtis Ballard 1 days attendance vs. Webb coming from Culpeper 7 miles”. {Orange County Court Minute Book, v.2, 1774 – 1797, pg. 456, Family Search, Virginia. County Court (Orange County), not indexed.}

On 13 April, 1788 Culpeper County Tax List, Whites over 16 – 1, Horses – 1. {Culpeper County Personal property tax lists, 1782-1802, image 243, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 2 April, 1789 Culpeper County Tax List, Whites over 16 – 1, Horses – 1. {Culpeper County Personal property tax lists, 1782-1802, image 287, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 11 March, 1791 Culpeper County Tax List, Whites over 16 – 1, Horses – 1. Brother Larkin also listed. {Culpeper County Personal property tax lists, 1782-1802, image 398, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 6 April, 1792 Culpeper County Tax List, Whites over 16 – 1, Horses – 2. {Culpeper County Personal property tax lists, 1782-1802, image 456, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 21 June, 1794 Greenbriar County, Virginia, Personal property tax lists, taken by Isaac Estill. White above 16 – 1, Horses – 2.{Personal property tax lists, 1782-1816, image 256, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 2 April, 1795, Greenbriar County, Virginia, Personal property tax lists, taken by Isaac Estill. White above 16 – 1, Horses – 2.{Personal property tax lists, 1782-1816, image 283, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 3 May, 1796 Greenbriar County, Virginia, Personal property tax lists, taken by John Henderson. White above 16 – 1, Horses – 3.{Personal property tax lists, 1782-1816, image 317, Family Search, not indexed.}

In 1796 Curtis had two survey’s conducted on land in Greenbrier Co.^*, Virginia, 160 acres from John Stodghill;

“Surveyed a Dividing line for Curtis Ballard through a survey of 800 acres made for John Stodghill Senr on Han’s Creek. Cutting off 160 acres of the East end of Sd Survey. Which Said 160 acres is bounded as followeth,…” (dated) “Feby 9^th 1796″

{Monroe County Deeds, survey records, v. 1-3, 1799-1850, database, FamilySearch, book 3, pg. 90 – 91, 1796.}

and 669 acres on Hans Creek;

“Surveyed for Curtis Ballard 669 acres of land in Greenbrier County on Hands Creek joining the lands of Benjamin Harvey W^m Hutchison & John Stodgill which he is entitled to as followeth is 500 acres by Warrant for 1000 acres N^o. 550 dated the 16th Nov 1793 being in the Exchange Warrant N^o. 545 issued in the name of W^m Prier & 100 acres by Warrant for 1000 acres N^o. 6854 as assigned of Jas. Sheen of Harvey and Vawters of Jacob Shiles & 69 acres by Warrant for 2000 acres N^o. 1962 issued in said Curtis’ own name.” (dated) “26^th Augt 1796″

{Monroe County Deeds, survey records, v. 1-3, 1799-1850, database, FamilySearch, book 3, pg. 297, 1796, image 638, not indexed.} {Virginia Land Surveys, 1779-1878 ; index, land surveys, 1779-1924, Surveys, book 37, 1799-1800, pg. 48-49, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 18 March, 1797 Greenbriar County, Virginia, Personal property tax lists, taken by John Henderson. White above 16 – 1, Horses – 2.{Personal property tax lists, 1782-1816, image 330, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 18 March, 1798 Greenbriar County, Virginia, Personal property tax lists, taken by William Vawter. White above 16 – 1, Horses – 3.{Personal property tax lists, 1782-1816, image 330, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 30 July, 1798, a survey was conducted for Johnston Ballard, believed to be William Ballard’s son, that mentions Curtis;

“Surveyed for Johnston Ballard. 100 acres of land in Greenbrier County at the mouth of the Blue Lick Run on branch of Indian Creek which is a branch of New River joining the land of Curtis Ballard which he is entitled to by part of a Land Office Treasury Warrant for 2000 acres N^o. 1962 granted to Curtis Ballard 30^th of July 1796 & is bounded as followeth…” (dated) “July 30^th 1798″

On April 5, 1799 Monroe County, Virginia Tax list. Greenbriar district, taken by William Vawter. White Tithable – 1, Horses – 1. {Personal property tax lists 1799-1834, image 13, Family Search, not indexed.}

In 1799 the grant was issued to Curtis for 669 acres at Hans Creek, Greenbrier Co.^*, Virginia. {General Index to Conveyances – Monroe County, W.Va. – Grantee 1789 – 1969, database, FamilySearch, pg. 91.}

In 1799, he was the overseer of the roads and had charge of opening a road from the Estill’s property to Hans Creek.

In Monroe County Court, June, 1800, Curtis enters a petition against Dennis Cochran. In August a new Court case begins, Dennis Cochran vs. Curtis Ballard, these are a land dispute. This case was advanced to the Chancery and was resolved March, 1801. {Monroe County Court, Caveat book, 1795-1804, FamilySearch, FHL microfilm, Image 141, New Cases to Court of quarterly Sessions 1800 – 1802}.

Another case in Monroe County Court occurred in 1802 involving Curtis, Clayborn Rucker vs. Curtis Ballard for $200 damages. This case ended by a court decision in November 1802, Curtis agreeing to pay the $200 damages.

On 19 September, 1808, Curtis and Esther from Franklin Co., Ohio, sold 400 acres of the 669 acres at Hans Creek to Robert “Robin” Cummins for one dollar. Delphia Ballard is Curtis’ sister and her husband is Robert Cummins. {Monroe County Deed Book, v. B-C, 1805-1812, pg. 251-252, FamilySearch, FHL microfilm, not indexed}.

He belonged to Old Raven Creek Baptist Church in Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Kentucky.

On 9 June, 1816 he was a witness on the Robert Frier will in Fayette Co., Kentucky. {Kentucky Probate Records, 1727-1990, Harrison Will records, 1815-1832, Vol. B, pg. 247}.

On 10 June, 1820, Curtis gave permission for daughter Milly to marry John Michael in Harrison Co., Kentucky.

{Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954, database with images, FamilySearch, 004542901 > image 97 of 770; citing multiple county clerks, county courts, and historical societies, Kentucky.}

13 October 1821, Madison County, Kentucky Land Grant, Larkin and wife Elizabeth, Curtis and wife Esther sold 50 3/4 acres on Jacks Creek to David Watts for $250. {Madison County Kentucky Deeds, Vols. P-R 1821-1828, image 168-171, Family Search, not indexed.}

He passed away in 1824.⁴ Curtis and wife Esther is buried at the Old Burial Ground of Middle Fork, Sadieville, Harrison Co., KY, which sets next to Middle Fork Raven Creek. His son Phillip administered his estate 22 October 1824 to 11 July 1825. {Kentucky Probate Records, 1727-1990, Vols. A-B 1794-1832, image 403, Family Search, not indexed.}{Kentucky Probate Records, 1727-1990, Vols. A-B 1794-1832, image 411, Family Search, not indexed.}

Current Records

Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, database, FamilySearch, Curtis Ballard and Esther Gaines, 23 Apr 1781; citing Culpeper, Virginia, reference P4; FHL microfilm 30,927.

Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, database, FamilySearch, Curtis Ballard, 1781.

Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1771-1989, database with images, FamilySearch, Curtis Ballard, 23 Apr 1781; citing Marriage, Culpeper, Virginia, United States, Circuit court clerk offices, Virginia.

Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954, database with images, FamilySearch, Curtis Ballard in entry for John Michael and Milley Ballard, 10 Jun 1820; citing Marriage, Harrison, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 216,881.

Harrison County Will records, 1815-1832, Vol. B, pg. 247.

END NOTES

1. A list of classes in Culpeper County for January 1781, for recruiting this year’s quota of troops to serve in the Continental Army, Compiled by Burk, Tennie Selby, 1971

2. Sims index of land grants in West Virginia, West Virginia Auditor’s Office, pub. 1952

3. A History of Monroe County, West Virginia, by Oren F. Morton, B. Lit., p. 396

4. Curtis Ballard (1761-1824) on Find A Grave: Memorial #113672755, Burial; Old Burial Ground of Middle Fork , Sadieville, Scott County, Kentucky, USA.

5. Kentucky pioneer and court records, abstracts of early wills, deeds and marriages from county courts, Compiled by Mrs. Harry Kennett McAdams, pub. 1929, pg. 29.

*Monroe County was created from Greenbrier County on January 14, 1799.