Born about 1769 in Orange Co., Virginia. Married Elizabeth Eastham (1st), 22 Dec 1791, Culpeper Co., Virginia, where also were recorded the marriages of the two youngest sons of Philip Ballard, Curtis, (married 1781), and Larkin, (married 1786), his uncles, and Isabella Sparks (2nd), after 1815 in Kentucky.

The children of Johnson Ballard Jr. and Elizabeth Eastham: William, Lucy Gwen, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Wyatt, James.
The children of Johnson Ballard Jr. and Isabella Sparks: Johnson Jr., Mildred, Anna, Francis, and B. (only an initial given).

About a year or so after their 1791 marriage, Johnson Ballard Jr. and Elizabeth Eastham, followed members of their Baptist Church congregation to Woodford, Virginia, now Kentucky, where their first child William Ballard was born about 1795. All subsequent children of Johnson were born in Kentucky.

Interestingly, Reverend George Eve, who married Johnson Ballard Jr. and Elizabeth “Bettie” Eastham in Culpeper, Virginia, along with two brethren, was appointed as a messenger of the church to the August associational meeting at the Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church in Lexington, Virginia, now Kentucky. Reverend Eve eventually moved to the area that is now Kentucky.

The newlyweds, Johnson Ballard Jr. and Elizabeth Eastham Ballard, both Baptists, moved about 1791, from Orange, Virginia to Woodford, Kentucky. Records from “Forks of Elkhorn” Baptist Church in Kentucky, Kentucky tax records and Kentucky census records for Woodford and Owen Counties support Johnson Ballard Jr.’s residence and the residence of sons, William, Wyatt, James and John (Johnson Jr), first in Woodford county and later in close-by Owen county, Kentucky.

The book, “Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church (Kentucky),” listed the names of Johnson Ballard Jr.’s first wife, Elizabeth “Bettie” Eastham, his second wife, Isabella Sparks, and his 11 children by both wives.

1784, Johnson listed with Philip Ballard. Free Males – 1, Slaves – 2, Horses – 2, Neat Cattle – 5, Tithables – 4. {Orange Co., Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, image 61, Family Search, not indexed.}

1785, Johnson listed with Philip Ballard. Free Males – 1, Slaves – 2, Horses – 4, Neat Cattle -4, Tithables – 3.{Orange Co., Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, image 82, Family Search, not indexed.}

1786, Johnson listed with Philip Ballard. Columns left blank. {Orange Co., Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, image 113, Family Search, not indexed.}

1787, Johnson listed with Philip Ballard. Name of White Male Tithables above 21; Philip Ballard, Johnson Ballard. No. White Male Tithables above 16 under 21 – 1, Blacks above 16 – 1, Horses – 3, Cattle – 4. {Orange Co., Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, image 135, Family Search, not indexed.}

Listed in 1810 Woodford County, Kentucky Heads of Families. Number of persons in family – 7. {1810 Woodford County, Kentucky Heads of Families, County of Woodford Exclusive of Town of Versailles, Register of Kentucky State Historical Society, pub. 1916, pg. 44.}

1815, listed on Woodford Co., tax list. White males – 1, Horses – 4. {1815 Woodford County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 8, Family Search, not indexed}

1816, listed on Woodford Co., tax list. White males – 1, Horses – 4. {1816 Woodford County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 55, Family Search, not indexed}

1817, listed on Woodford Co., tax list. White males – 1, Horses – 4. {1817 Woodford County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 108, Family Search, not indexed}

1819, listed on Woodford Co., tax list. White males – 1, Horses – 5. {1819 Woodford County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 159, Family Search, not indexed}

1820, listed on Woodford Co., tax list. White males – 2, Blacks age 16 – 1, Total Blacks, Horses – 2. {1820 Woodford County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 211, Family Search, not indexed}

{“United States Census, 1820,” database with images, FamilySearch, Johnson Ballard, Woodford, Kentucky, United States; citing p. , NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm.}

1821, listed on Woodford Co., tax list. White males – 1, Horses – 5. {1821 Woodford County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 273, Family Search, not indexed}

1822, listed on Woodford Co., tax list. White males – 1, Horses – 5, No. Carriages – 3. {1822 Woodford County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 322, Family Search, not indexed}

1823, listed on Woodford Co., tax list. White males – 1, Horses – 5, No. Carriages – 3. {1823 Woodford County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 378, Family Search, not indexed}

1824, listed on Woodford Co., tax list. White males – 1, Horses – 5, No. Carriages – 3. {1824 Woodford County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 138, Family Search, not indexed}

1825, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males – 1, Horses – 3. {1825 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 181, Family Search, not indexed}

15 July, 1825, Johnson and wife Isabella sold 60 acres of land to John R. Morris for $720.75 in Woodford Co., Kentucky, on Glenns creek at Versailles. {United States, Kentucky, Woodford – Land and property, Vols. K-L, 1823-1829, image 225-226, Family Search, not indexed}

1826, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males – 1, Horses – 1. {1826 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 250, Family Search, not indexed}

18 July, 1826, Johnson entered on three marriage documents of daughter Lucy Gwen Ballard to Samuel Hughs. {“Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954,” database with images, FamilySearch, Johnson Ballard in entry for Samuel Hughs and Lucy Gwen Ballard, 18 Jul 1826; citing Marriage, Owen, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 1,534,144.} – {“Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954,” database with images, FamilySearch, Johnson Ballard in entry for Samuel Hughs and Lucy, 18 Jul 1826; citing Marriage, Owen, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 1,943,447.} – {“Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954,” database with images, FamilySearch, Johnson Ballard in entry for W Samuel Hughs and Leucy, 18 Jul 1826; citing Marriage, Owen, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 1,943,447}.

1827, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males – 1, Total Blacks – 1, Horses – 1.{1827 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 275, Family Search, not indexed}

1828, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males – 1, Total Blacks – 1, Horses – 1.{1828 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 314, Family Search, not indexed}

1830, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males – 1, Total Blacks – 3, Horses – 1. {1830 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 345, Family Search, not indexed}

1831, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males – 1, Mares and Mules – 1. {1831 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 383, Family Search, not indexed}

1835, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males – 1, Horses – 1. {1835 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 459, Family Search, not indexed}

1835, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males – 1, Horses – 3. {1836 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 495, Family Search, not indexed}

1837, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males over 21 – 1, Horses – 1. {1837 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 529, Family Search, not indexed}

25 May, 1837, Johnson buys 200 acres in Owen Co., on Kentucky river for $1100 from Eros Hardin and wife Elizabeth. {Owen Kentucky Deeds, 1819-1961, Vols. E-F, 1834-1839, image 370, Family Search, not indexed}

1839, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males over 21 – 1, Horses – 1. {1839 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 569, Family Search, not indexed}

1840, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males over 21 – 1. {1840 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 616, Family Search, not indexed}

1841, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males over 21 – 1, Horses and Mares – 1. {1841 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 653, Family Search, not indexed}

1842, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males over 21 – 1, Horses and Mares – 1. {1842 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 694, Family Search, not indexed}

2 August, 1842, Johnson and Isabella sold 20 acres on Kentucky river to G. C. Brauham for $100. {Owen County, Kentucky Deeds, 1819-1902; indexes 1819-1961, Vols. G-H 1839-1843, image 416, Family Search, not indexed}

1843, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males over 21 – 1, Horses and Mares – 2. {1843 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 741, Family Search, not indexed}

1844, listed on Owen Co., tax list. White males over 21 – 1. {1844 Owen County, Kentucky Tax books 1815-1817, 1819-1830, 1833-1838, image 809, Family Search, not indexed}

The name Johnson Ballard disappeared from the Kentucky Personal Property Tax list and censuses after 1844, the sale of his land estate by sons James and Johnson place his death between about 1849 and before the 1850 census in Owen County, Kentucky.

In the General Index to deeds, Owen County, Kentucky, Grantees index book. Sons James W. and Johnson Jr. began selling property of the Johnson Ballard estate. The deed between James W. Ballard and Moses Hamrod reads:

This Indenture made and entered into this 27th day of March 1850 between Moses Hamrod and Mildred Hamrod his wife of the one part and James W Ballard of the second part all of the county of Owen and State of Kentucky, Witnesseth that the parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars in hand paid the Receipt of which is hereby Acknowledged hath granted bargained and sold and by the presents doth grant bargain and sell unto the said James W Ballard his heirs and assigns forever all the right tith interest and claim of the said Moses Hamrod and Mildred Hamrod his wife in and to a tract of land buying in Owen County Ky. About three miles about the mouth of Cedar Creek on the Kentucky River, formerly the property of Johnson Ballard, Dec’d, and contained Originally about one hundred and forty acres, Out of which however, about one half has been Sold by the decision of the Owen Circuit Court, the Remainder belonging to the children of Said Johnson Ballard Deceased being Eight Surviving Heirs in all this convey and therefore is intended and hereby does convey to the said James W. Ballard on undivided Eight part of the Remainder of the said tract, be the Same more on left. To have and to hold on Eight part of the Said tract be the same more or less to him that Said James W. Ballard his heirs and assigns forever against the claim of claims of the Grantors and every person of persons whatsoever in Testimony whenof the Said Hamrod and wife have hereunto Set their hand and Seals the date above written.

The deed of Johnson Jr.’s sale to Samuel and Lucy Hughs uses similar language as the James W. Ballard deed. His occurred on the same day as James. However, there is more information in this document concerning Johnson Ballard’s estate. Half the property was sold by the Owen County Court in order to satisfy debts owed to creditors. The remaining property was divided up into 1/8th parcels for each surviving heir.