William is probably the most researched individual in the Philip Ballard family line. The most popular publication on him is the genealogy book by Margaret Byrnside Ballard which was published in 1957.¹ There are two documents that referred to him as “Billy.”

William was born about 1732 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Orange County had not formed until 1749.

He married Elizabeth Steppe (c. 1730- c. 1830) in 1772 in Orange Co., Virginia.

His children are Johnson, William, Mary, Susanna, Lucrecia, James, Emeliah, Nancy, Jeremiah, and Willis.

During the American Revolutionary War, he, along with his brothers Thomas and Philip Jr., enlisted on July, 1775, in the Culpeper Minutemen Service under the command of Captain Spencer. The regiment, led by Colonel George Taliaferro, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Stevens, and Major Thomas Marshall, participated in the Skirmish at the Great Bridge on December 9, 1775, in Great Bridge, Virginia. The colonial Virginia militia’s victory in this engagement resulted in the removal of Royal Governor Lord Dunmore and the elimination of British influence over the Colony of Virginia during the early stages of the conflict. The Culpeper Minutemen disbanded in January 1776.

He enlisted in the regular army on April 4, 1779, serving as a private for two months in Captain James Burton’s Company, Colonel Francis Taylor’s Regiment of Guards. From January to February 1780, he was assigned to Captain May Burton’s Company, which was responsible for guarding the barracks in Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Virginia. After the barracks were disbanded, he accompanied the prisoners first to Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, and then to Fredericktown, Maryland, where he guarded them throughout the winter. His enlistment concluded in February 1780, and he returned home to Orange County, Virginia.

Contrary to popular belief, it must be noted that William Ballard, despite being associated with the Ballard family who served in the 2nd Virginia, was not personally present to witness the surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. During that time, Yorktown was commonly referred to as “Little York.” The Ballard brothers, Thomas and Philip Jr., indeed served in the 2nd Virginia, but they were discharged in June 1781 in Williamsburg, Virginia, well before the surrender took place on October 17, 1781.

The potential source of confusion may arise from a statement made by Philip Ballard Jr. in his pension application, where he mentioned marching to “Little York.” This actually indicates his regiment’s movement to rendezvous with General Nelson’s army, which was based in Yorktown. It is important to understand that General Nelson hailed from Yorktown and rallied his forces there, hence the mention of “Little York.”

Based on the available historical records, it is highly improbable that the individual under discussion, William Ballard, was in attendance during the surrender of Cornwallis. It is more likely that this account pertains to another Virginia resident named William who did, in fact, witness General Cornwallis’ surrender.

On April, 1782 Orange County Tax list. Taken by Thomas Barbour. Free Males – 1, Horses – 1, Neat Cattle – 7. {Personal property tax lists, 1782-1850, Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, Image 11, Family Search, not indexed.}

On April, 1783 Orange County Tax list. Taken by William Bell. Free Males – 1, Horses – 1, Neat Cattle – 5, Tithables – 1. {Personal property tax lists, 1782-1850, Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, Image 44, Family Search, not indexed.} 

On 1784 Orange County Tax list. Taken by William Bell. Free Males – 1, Horses – 1, Neat Cattle – 6, Tithables – 1. {Personal property tax lists, 1782-1850, Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, Image 61, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 1785 Orange County Tax list. Taken by William Bell. Free Males – 1, Horses – 1, Tithables – 1. {Personal property tax lists, 1782-1850, Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, Image 44, Family Search, not indexed.} 

On 1786 Orange County Tax list. Taken by Jerimiah White. Wt. Tithes above 21 – 1, Tithes for County & Parish Levy – 1, Horses – 2, Cattle – 6. {Personal property tax lists, 1782-1850, Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, Image 113, Family Search, not indexed.} 

On 24 March, 1787 Orange County Tax list. Taken by Jerimiah White. Wt. Tithes above 21 – 1, Horses – 2, Cattle – 4. {Personal property tax lists, 1782-1850, Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, Image 135, Family Search, not indexed.} 

In 1787 he purchased 100 Acres of land from his mother and father for 50 pounds. The property is located in modern day Greene County, Virginia, which was formed from part of Orange County in 1838. {Orange County, General index to deeds, 1734-1892; deeds, 1734-1865; court records, 1734-1760; marriage and birth records, 1751-1778, Deeds Vols. 19-20 1786-1795, pg. 125-127, image 82,83,84 of 585; County Courthouse, Orange, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 20 May, 1788 Orange County, Va., Tax list. Taken by Francis Cowherd. White Tithes – 3, Horses – 3. {Personal property tax lists, 1782-1850, Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, Image 146, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 27 April, 1789 Orange County, Va., Tax list. Taken by Francis Cowherd. White Tithes – 2, Horses – 4. {Personal property tax lists, 1782-1850, Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, Image 183, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 26 April, 1790 Orange County, Va., Tax list. Taken by Francis Cowherd. {Personal property tax lists, 1782-1850, Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, Image 193, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 26 March, 1791 Orange County Tax list. Taken by Francis Cowherd. White Tithes – 2, Horses – 3. {Personal property tax lists, 1782-1850, Personal property tax lists 1782-1800, Image 232, Family Search, not indexed.}

On 31 March, 1792 Albemarle County personal property tax lists taken by Thomas Garth. Number of White males above 16 – 2, Horses – 3. {Albemarle County Personal property tax lists, personal property tax lists, 1782-1851, Personal property tax lists, 1782-1799, image 353, Family Search, not indexed.}

From the book A history of Monroe County, West Virginia;³

“With several of his brothers he served in the American Army of the Revolution. Shortly after that event he left his home on the Rapidan and after a short stay in Albemarle he journeyed to Indian Creek with two horses, one cow, and a few household goods, arriving at Benjamin Harvey’s on Christmas night, 1793. He acquired no realty.”

The statement of William moving a short time after the war to Albemarle Co., would mean that he stayed with his son Johnson Ballard, where he had property. He continued his move to Monroe County, Virginia arriving 25 December, 1793, at night, living for a short time with his sister Susanna and wife of Benjamin Harvey on their farm on Blue Lick Run, Monroe Co., Virginia. He would have been 62 yrs. old at the time.

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 – 1. {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 – 1. {Personal property tax lists, 1782-1816, image 317, Family Search, not indexed.}

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

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 a survey was done for William Vawter and William Ballard for 600 acres. The treasury warrant was granted in 1798. In William Sr.’s 1799 will it states to sell the land, “that my part of this survey made between me and William Vawter lying on the waters of Indian creek and Back creek, are to be sold”. William Vawter and William Ballard divided the property equally. William Vawter was the husband of Anne Ballard, William’s sister. {Monroe County Deeds, Survey Records, v. 1-3, book 3, 1799-1850, Family Search, not indexed.}

William Ballard died on 14th Sept. 1799. “He had gone to visit his daughter Mollie who had married Michael Kessinger and lived on a farm adjoining the Old Billy Ballard place on Indian Creek. William became ill and died there within a short time. William and his wife Elizabeth are buried in a small cemetery on the side of the hill just above Robin Cummings house. Williams coffin was made out of walnut boards sawed with a whip saw. The old folks have said it took three days to make it. The coffin was tied to a sled to haul it to the hillside burial.”⁴

“There was no cemetery in the county when William died so he as buried alongside a stranger who died a short time before. Abe Smith said that he was buried alongside of Humphrey Ballard, a young son of Larkin Ballard. The family waited for Curtis to return before the estate could be settled”, according to the book by Morton on Monroe County, Virginia.³

Curtis in this statement is William’s brother. Larkin’s son Humphrey died when he was 7 years old. {West Virginia Will Books, 1756-1971,” database with images, FamilySearch, William Ballard, 1799; citing Monroe, West Virginia, United States, Will book, v. 001 1799-1817, page 14, Jackson County Clerk, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 589,680.}

William Ballard is in the National Society Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR), Patriot Research System (PRS). Patriot # P-108020 and the Daughters of the American Revolution Research System (DARRS), DAR #: A005555.

Current Records

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

1782 Orange County Census, The number of people taken in Orange County by Thomas Barbour.

List of Inhabitants (Virginia), 1782 -1785, Orange County

Heads of families at the first census of the United States taken in the year 1790. : records of the state enumerations, 1782 to 1786.

U.S. House of Representative Private Claims, Vol. 1.

United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783,” database with images, FamilySearch, (15 March 2018), William Ballard, 01 Jan 1780; citing 01 Jan 1780, Virginia, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,393.

United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783,” database with images, FamilySearch, (15 March 2018), William Ballar, May 1778; citing May 1778, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C..

United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783,” database with images, FamilySearch, (15 March 2018), William Ballard, Nov 1778; citing Nov 1778, Virginia, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,379.

United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783,” database with images, FamilySearch, (15 March 2018), Wm Ballard, May 1779; citing May 1779, Virginia, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,393.

U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, Source number: 3537.060; Source type: Family group sheet, FGSE, listed as parents; Number of Pages: 1.

END NOTES

1. William Ballard, A Genealogical Record of His Descendants in Monroe County by Margaret Byrnside Ballard, pub. 1957.

3. A History of Monroe County, West Virginia by Oren F. Morton, B. Lit., pub. 1916. Starting pg. 304

4. Find a Grave, database and images, memorial page for William Ballard (1742–14 Sep 1799), Find a Grave Memorial ID 5019106, citing Cummings Cemetery, Assurance, Monroe County, West Virginia, USA ; Maintained by BoatieMac (contributor 49125714) .

Godfrey Memorial Library, comp., American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI).