Edward Ball (abt. 1640 - bef. 1714)

Born about 1640 in Block Island, Washington, Rhode Island

Descendants

Died before 16 Aug 1714 before about age 74 in Block Island, Newport, Rhode Island

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Disputed Origins

A previous version of this profile claimed he was son of Col. William Ball of Rappahanock, Virginia and Hannah Atherold. William Ball's 1680 will named no son Edward.

An 1891 genealogy of Edward points out that his origins are not known and no passenger list (found at that time) names him.^[1]

This same source suggests that he may have been related to John Ball, early of the Isle of Shoals, who was engaged in prosecuting the fisheries, which was in part the avocation also of Edward Ball.

The Isles of Shoals are a group of nine small islands situated approximately 16 km (10 miles) off the east coast of the United States , straddling the border of the states of New Hampshire and Maine .

Biography

need to find and re-source the numbered "footnotes" in the following text.

He was born about 1640. ^[2]

Edward Ball was on a "Freeman" list in the town records in 1684 at New Shoreham, Block Island, Newport Co., RI .5

"Edward Ball appears to have been a fishing captain, and there can be little doubt that he is identical with the Edward Ball, aged about 30 years, who was fishing at the Isles of Shoales for Stephen Ford in 1660.

In July 1661 he was before the Court at York, Maine, for living away from his wife, and he promised to bring her to Maine.

He last occurs in the York records in 1667, when he was a creditor of William Scadlock (Libby's Gen. Dic. of Me. & N.H.). If the two men are identical, Mary George must have been a second wife. The Maine man undoubtedly was a fisherman from one of the coast towns of Devonshire or Cornwall."7

Others (who?) say he died in 1714.

This is probably from the fact that his will was written 16 August 1714 and proved later the same month.

He married Mary George, daughter of Peter and Mary George, of Block Island. She was born Sept. 7, 1645, and died after 1714. ^[3]

Edward Ball was on a "Freeman" list in the town records in 1684 at New Shoreham, Block Island, Newport Co., RI . ^[4]

"Edward Ball appears to have been a fishing captain, and there can be little doubt that he is identical with the Edward Ball, aged about 30 years, who was fishing at the Isles of Shoales for Stephen Ford in 1660. In July 1661 he was before the Court at York, Maine, for living away from his wife, and he promised to bring her to Maine. He last occurs in the York records in 1667, when he was a creditor of William Scadlock (Libby's Gen. Dic. of Me. & N.H.). If the two men are identical, Mary George must have been a second wife. The Maine man undoubtedly was a fisherman from one of the coast towns of Devonshire or Cornwall."7

He left a will on 16 August 1714. Proved August 1714. "He mentioned his wife Mary, sons Peter, John and Edward, daughters Mary Hall, Elizabeth Hall, and Jane Dickens, and grand-daughter Patience Hall. His inventory showed a bull, 4 cows, 4 heifers, 3 steers, 2 calves, 20 sheep, 16 lambs, mare, colt, 8 hogs, etc.".6

"The island had been purchased in 1660 for 400 pounds by sixteen persons, many of whom became permanent settlers in 1661. Among these first settlers was Peter George, the future father-in-law of Edward Ball; and Mr. George received lots 8 and 9 with Simon Ray, in a division of lands in west part of the island, also lot 16 in north part of the island for his sole use. These grants may have decided Edward Ball as to his own location later. There was, perhaps, a white population of fifty persons when Edward Ball first came to the island, with an Indian population several times greater. The records are but meager that relate to the early history of Block Island, but we find Edward Ball was a freeman three in 1678, and in 1689, when the French privateers made a descent upon the island, it is probable that the suffered from their plundering, as did his neighbors. In 1696 he and Simon Ray were chosen trustees for funds for a harbor. In 1700 the Rev. Samuel Niles was invited to the pastorate of the church at Block Island, and Edward Ball was appointed with Joshua Raymond and Simon Ray to lay out and appraise lands which were to be given Mr. Niles for a house lot. In 1702, June 8th, he was Deputy Warden, and held the office of "Crowner," (I. e. Corner.) In 1704 he was sheriff. He made his will Aug. 16, 1714; proved in the same month. He mentioned his wife Mary, sons Peter, John and Edward, daughters Mary Hall, Elizabeth Hall, and Jane Dickens, and grand-daughter Patience Hall. His inventory showed a bull, 4 cows, 4 heifers, 3 steers, 2 calves, 20 sheep, 16 lambs, mare, colt, 8 hogs, &c. Edward and Mary (George) Ball had children as follows:

Children: ^[5]

1. Mary Ball, b abt 1666; d.aft 1714; m. ____ Hall.
2. Sybil Ball, b c1668. She was mentioned in Mary George's will.
3. Elizabeth Ball, m. ____ Hall.
4. Jane Ball, m. John Dickens.
5. Edward Ball, alive in 1714; others say he died about 1760
6. Peter Ball, b abt 1682; d abt (or after) 1755; m. June 30, 1716, Mary Harris. Large landholder, prominent in public affairs, deputy to the General Assembly 1734.
7. John Ball, b. June 10, 1687, d. 1769; m. (1st) Sept. 1st, 1710, Sarah Rathbone; m. (2nd) Dec. 2d, 1718, Sarah Dickens.

Edward Ball was born about 1641 it is unknown where he was born or who his parents were

He married Mary George, daughter of Peter George and Mary Rowning about 1673. To this union were these children:

• 1. Mary Ball, (c.1675 - ?), m. Edward Hall of Westerly, son of Henry Hall
• 2. Sybil Ball, (c. 1677 - ?), m.
• 3. Elizabeth Ball, (c.1679 - ?), m. john Hall, of Westerly, son of Henry Hall
• 4. Jane Ball, (c. 1681 - ?), m. John Dickens, Son of Nathaniel Dickens and 2nd wife Sarah _ _ _?
• 5. Edward Ball, (c.1683 - ?)
• 6. Peter Ball, (1685 - ?), m. Mary Harris
• 7. John Ball, (1687-1764), m. Sarah Rathbone, daughter of Thomas Rathbone & Mary Dickens

Edward Ball passed away about 16th of August 1714 in New Shoreham, (Block Island), Washington Co., Rhode Island. His Will was proved on the 16th of August 1714. In his Will is named these:

• Wife: Mary
• Son: Peter
• Son: John
• Overseers: Simeon Ray and John SAnds
• Daughter: Mary Hall
• Daughter: Elizabeth Hall
• Grand-daughter: Patience Hall
• Son: Edward

Sources

Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island Comprising Three Generations of Settlers Who Came Before 1690, by John Osborne Austin - John Ball's Parents: Edward Ball and Mary George, daughter of Peter George and Mary Rowning. p. 11 - See uploaded page, https://www.wikitree.com/photo/jpg/Rathbone-152-1

Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island Comprising Three Generations of Settlers Who Came Before 1690, by John Osborne Austin, p.83 "George Family", Peter George married Mrs. Mary (Rowning) Ray (wife of Simeon Ray). Those mentioned Wills

• i. Susan George, (1642 - ?), m. Joseph Kent
• 2. Mary George, (1645 - 1714), m. Edward Ball
• 3. Hannah George, (1648 - 1698), m. 1st: Tourmet Rose, 2nd: James Danielson
• 4. John George, (1650-1653) died young
• 5. Samuel George, (1651-1692), m. Sarah Rathbone
• 6. John George, (1653 - ? ) died young
• 7. Peter George, (1654 - ?) died young
• 8. Sarah George, (1658 - 1724), m. William Dodge
• See uploaded page - https://www.wikitree.com/photo/jpg/George-8635

Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island Comprising of Three Generation of Settlers who came before 1690, by John Osborne Austin, Originally Published 1887, Copyright 1969, p. 445 The American Genealogist, Whole Number 75, Volume XIX, No. 3, January 1943. p. 130 - Edward Ball's Daughter's Mary and Elizabeth's Marriages - See Uploaded page - https://www.wikitree.com/photo/jpg/Ball-16408

• Find A Grave: Memorial #16172222

1. ↑ Nicholas Ball, Edward Ball and Some of his Descendants, Newport, RI: Mercury Print (1891)
2. ↑ Edward Ball and some of his descendants, p. 5. Downloaded 1/27/2018 from: https://dcms.lds.org/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?from=fhd&dps_pid=IE4496185
3. ↑ Edward Ball and some of his descendants, p 5. Downloaded 1/27/2018 from: https://dcms.lds.org/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?from=fhd&dps_pid=IE4496185
4. ↑ Edward Ball and some of his descendants, p 5. Downloaded 1/27/2018 from: https://dcms.lds.org/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?from=fhd&dps_pid=IE4496185
5. ↑ Edward Ball and some of his descendants, pp 5-6. Downloaded 1/27/2018 from: https://dcms.lds.org/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?from=fhd&dps_pid=IE4496185

See also:

• Nicholas Ball, compiler, Edward Ball and Some of His Descendants (Newport, R.I.: Mercury Print, 1891), p. 5.
• Rhode Island Historical Cemeteries Database Index, made available on-line at www.newenglandancestors.org by New England Historic Genealogical Society (index compiled by John Sterling. "Rhode Island Historical Cemeteries Database Index," 2003), database courtesy of transcriptions by volunteers of Rhode Island Historical Cemeteries Transcription Project.
• Donna L. Autrey, Ball & Autrey Descendents of Edward Ball 1640
• http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rigenweb/ball-ri.html
• French, Miss Elizabeth. Genealogical Research in England, The New England Historical & Genealogical Register (NEHGS, Boston, Mass., 1915) Vol. 69, Page 28.
• Moriarty, G. Andrews. Early Block Island Families - The Ray Family, The New England Historical & Genealogical Register (NEHGS, Boston, Mass., 1932) Vol. 86, Page 325. See footnote.