Better known as Jerry. Born 30 Nov., 1788 in Orange, Virginia. He married Julianna Thompson. Jeremiah’s brother Willis, married Isabell Thompson, Julianna’s sister.

Children were, Elizabeth, Margaret, Jermon, John S., Baldwin, Riley, Lewis, Mary, Benjamin Franklin and Sally Ballard.

“Monroe, West Virginia, Marriage Record Indexes,1776-1971”,image 16, pg. 5 , FamilySearch, Entry for Jeremiah Ballard and Sailey Thompson, 1810.

{“United States Census, 1810,” database with images, FamilySearch, Jeremiah Ballard, Monroe, Monroe, Virginia, United States; citing p. 593, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 70; FHL microfilm 181,430.}

The first record we have of land owned by Jeremiah is that purchased from the heirs of Daniel Jarrell on the waters of Cook’s Run, (located in present-day Monroe, West Virginia), in 1817. Willis, brother of Jeremiah was part owner. The deed is dated 22 January,1845 and recorded in Monroe Co., W. Va. {Monroe County, West Virginia, Deed book, 1789-1901; deed index, 1789-1969, Deed Book R, image 77-78, pgs. 91-92, FamilySearch, not indexed}.

Soon Willis bought Jerry’s share but Jerry continued to live there with his family until 1832 when they moved to the Swope place. On 16 June,1829 Jerry bought one hundred acres from John H. Rolison and Abigal, his wife. {Monroe County, West Virginia, Deed book, 1789-1901; deed index, 1789-1969, Deed book, v. H-I 1823-1831, Deed book I, image 510, pgs. 378-379, FamilySearch, not indexed}. This land was part of a Survey made for Benjamin Harvey the 15th day of May 1794 and conveyed by the said Harvey and wife to Patrick Hart by their Deed dated the 20th day of September 1803 and recorded in Monroe Co.

Jeremiah bought 45 acres from his uncle, Thomas Ballard of Logan Co., Virginia (now W. Va.) on Cook’s Run; the same by grant to Thomas by survey dated 18th Nov. 1803 (Survey Book 1, pg. 181). The deed is dated 17th January 1824 and is recorded in Monroe Co., W. Va. {Monroe County, West Virginia, Deed book, 1789-1901; deed index, 1789-1969, Deed book, v. H-I 1823-1831, image 84, pg. 115, FamilySearch, not indexed}.

Thomas was in Logan Co., W. Va., at this time as is proven by deposition before John Spar and Philip Ballard of Logan Co., declaring his willingness to sell the land to Jeremiah. This land was later sold to Willis Ballard. The deed is dated 3rd June 1840 and is recorded in Monroe Co. (Deed book “M” p 432). In this deed it says that John Mann and Millie, his wife owned a part of the land with Jeremiah but they are not mentioned in the original deed of 1824.

Jeremiah bought 102 acres on Hans Creek on 11 Sept.,1832. The deed is recorded in Monroe Co., W. Va. {Monroe County, West Virginia, Deed book, 1789-1901; deed index, 1789-1969, Deed book, v. K 1831-1835, image 139-140, pgs. 222-223, FamilySearch, not indexed}.

The moving is interesting in that no definite date had been set to go to the new home and two of the boys, Baldwin and Lewis (Dock) had gone to the cornfield to knock down stubble. There was a light snow on the ground and tracks were easily visible. When the boys returned to the house for the noonday meal they found their cousin, Thompson Ballard, waiting to tell them that the family had moved and they were to follow. This they did by following the wagon tracks through the snow and did not catch up until they reached the Flatwoods.

There is no mention in the deeds of any buildings on the property, but it is known that Jerry moved his family into a house on the land. This house was close to the spring where Aunt Betsy caught the fawn. At times when the field is under cultivation, pieces of crockery and china are turned up by the plow. Jeremiah left his name on the land and it has been known since his ownership as “The Jerry Place”.

{“United States Census, 1840,” database with images, FamilySearch, Jeremiah Ballard, Monroe, Virginia, United States; citing p. 166, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 567; FHL microfilm 29,689.}

Jeremiah and Willis Ballard his brother is mentioned in Robert Cummins will in 19 Dec.,1843, on 2 pages. It shows that Jerry Ballard was paid $.50 cents and Willis Ballard was paid $6.00 cash for supplying the Coffin. On the second page “Adjustment to the accounting of the will making exceptions to the pay out”. Willis is mentioned here stating “I think he should have been more explicit for what the money was paid.” His brother Jerry is mentioned on this page again.

{“United States Census, 1850”, , FamilySearch, Entry for Jeremiah Ballard and Julia Ballard, 1850}.

{“United States Census, 1860”, , FamilySearch, Entry for Jerry Ballord and Taley Ballord, 1860.}

{“United States Census, 1870”, , FamilySearch, Entry for Jeremiah Ballard and Jaley Ballard, 1870}.

Jeremiah died 1879 on his homestead at Hans Creek known as “The Jerry Place”. {West Virginia Deaths, 1804-1999,” , FamilySearch, Jerry Ballard, 15 Apr 1879; citing Monroe, W. Va., County Records, v 1 p 42, county courthouses, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 589,915}.

Jeremiah’s will is recorded in Monroe Co., W. Va. {West Virginia Will Books, 1756-1971,” database with images, FamilySearch, Monroe, Will book, v. 011 1874-1881, image 286 of 387; citing Jackson County Clerk, West Virginia}. It reads:

I Jeremiah Ballard, of the County of Monroe and State of West Virginia, by occupation a farmer, being of sound mind and disposing memory and of advanced age Knowing the certainty of death and the uncertainty of life, Do hereby make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form as follows:

1st It is my will and wish that all my just debts be paid and that I be decently buried. It is my wish and will that Jaban A. and Sarah C. Noel and their heirs who now reside with me have all the land that I now own and reside on in the County of Monroe and State of West Virginia, the reason why I do this is for the Kind treatment shown me—providing for me and taking care of and protecting my farm and property.

I appoint no Exor. (executor) to this will. Given under my hand and seal this the 1st day of April 1879.

his Jeremiah X Ballard mark
Witnesses Wm L. Swope, (a neighbor), Jas. S. Harvey
Proved in Monroe County, West Virginia, County Clerk’s Office April 21st, 1879. A. A. Nickell, Clerk.

On a hill above the location of the house rest the bodies of Jeremiah Ballard, his wife, Jalia, two of their children—Jermon and Sally. There are two other graves of adult persons but it is not known who they are. Crude stones without identification mark the graves with the exception of Jerry’s. The grave diggers reached solid limestone a few feet from the surface so a large boulder was rolled into place and the lower side of the grave built up to the proper height. Sheep keep the grass neatly trimmed and a small tree casts its shadow over the low mounds. This small burying ground is located off route VA. 219 between Rock Camp and Lindside, W. Va.

END NOTES

1. Find A Grave, database and images, memorial page for Jeremiah “Jerry” Ballard (1788–1879), Find A Grave: Memorial #26999592, citing Jerry Place Cemetery, Rock Camp, Monroe County, West Virginia, USA ; Maintained by Sally Miller (contributor 46920301).