Who (really) were the wives of William Ball Jr of Virginia (and then mother of his children)?

+8 votes
2.5k views

UPDATE: 

Proof that Wm Ball-173 married Margaret Downman:

  • Downman bible (see French p 134 for a transcript). Note that this bible's records were not recorded at the time of the event. French determined they could not have been entered prior to 1769 almost 100 years after such a marriage.
  • Anything else?

Proof that Wm Ball-173 married "Mrs. Harris"

  • A letter written to Hayden 19 May 1890 by Thomas Ball Esq (direct descendant of William) said: "William Ball, son of Col. William of 1650, m.(I) Miss Harris, and not Miss Williamson. She was an orphan, an only child, and very wealthy for that day. By this marriage a large quantity of land came into the Ball family. The old homestead of the Harris family, known as 'Bay View,' became the residnce of Captain William Ball. It has passed from sire to son by inheritance or devised from then to now in our family, and belongs to us now. My mother lives there with her two daughtesr. The place where the Harris residence was has been pointed out through succeeding generations, and a fig bush stands there to mark the spot. You will observe in the will of Mrs. Grace Ball (10) the mention of her daughter, Harris Downman. Of all this there is no doubt. My grandmother, wife of Dr. Thomas Ball, b 1787, d 1870, told me she got these facts from Capt. David Ball and members of the family. She was in full possession of her facultires up to her death, and knew the entire history of the family... The clerk's office of this county was burned 1710 and many of the records were lost then..." A Capt. William Harris was Burgess of Herico Co. 1652, 53, 57, 58; one Harris was shot to death, a valiant loyalist prisoner for ye late Rebellion, 1676-7.

Proof that Wm Ball-173 married Margaret Williamson

  • 1789 Letter of James Ball to Burgess Ball calls his wife -- Williamson [no first name, no date]
  • The name "Williamson" is continued in the family of his sons
  • Deed dated 2 Nov 1675 (in 1891 in possession of the Downman family) recites that Major William Underwood, of Rapp'k Co., Va., dec'd gave to Margaret and Mary Williamson, daughters of Mr. James Williamson, of same county, dec'd a track of land in the freshes of Rapp'k River north side thereof. The widow of Major William Underwood, being in 1675 Elizabeth Combe, wife of rchdale Combe, of Rapp'k Co., claimed her dower or third part of said tract. This third part, for a valuable consideration, the said Archdale Combe and Elizabeth Combe, his wife, conveyed to Capt. William Ball, of Lancaster Co., on the day above stated, the deed being recorded the following day, Nov. 3, 1675. 
  • Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock & Essex Co, VA, page 15. Library of Congress number F232.E7 W5 1983x is the following information: “1673, Capt. Wm Ball Lancaster Co married Margaret, dau of James Williamson, Book D, no 5, page 289 [ actual dated is 26 March 1673]. [But then why isn't she called Mrs. Marg. Ball in the 1676 land deed from Underwood?]
  • Margaret, widow of Capt. James Ball left a will dated 1697 mentioning all the children of Captain William Ball and herself ( the said Margaret Williamson) and designating herself the sister of Mary Rozier, both daughters of James Williamson and Ann Underwood. [Lancaster County 
    Virginia Court Records, Will Book No. 10 - Pt. 1, p. 53]

Current conclusion: Capt. William Ball m 26 Mar 1673 Margaret Williamson, dau of James Williamson. There appears to be no contemporaneous proof that he was ever married to a Margaret Downman OR a Mrs. Harris.

---------

As we work on the mess of profiles that have been William Ball-189 Sr of Millenbeck, Virginia, we are slowly working our way through his children, including his second son, William Ball-173 Jr. There appears to be conflicting information about his spouses and the mother(s) of his children. Hayne in Virginia Genealogies (1885/1891, pp 53-54) says: 

"It is not certainly known that Capt. [William] Ball was thrice married; but it is impossible to ignore traditions that have any shadow of support. His marriage with Margaret Downman is beyond doubt. [But he doesn't say why.] The other marriages have the authority of long tradition. The letter of Col. James Ball (p. 31) and a number of the Ball charts give the name of the first [not third] wife as "Williamson." This Col. James was the great-grandson of Capt. William, and is entitled to some credit in the matter. However, I find no proof of the marriage of capt. Ball with Miss Williamson, but the name Williamson is continued in the family of his sons... The tradition receives further coloring form an original deed still in the possession of the Downman family [as of 1890], descendants of William. The deed, dated Nov. 2, 1675, recites that Major William Underwood, of Rapp'k Co., Va., dec'd, gave to Margaret and Mary Williamson, dughtesr of Mr. James Williamson, of same county, dec'd, a tract of land in the freshes of Rapp'k River... The widow of Major William Underwood, being in 1675 Elizabeth Combe, wife of Archdale Combe, of Rapp'k claimed her ... third part of said tract. This third part... conveyed to Capt. William Ball, of Lanc'r Co..."

Haynes goes on to say that the Williamson marriage "is not in harmony with the traditions of another line of descent from Capt. William Ball." Hayne had a letter (1890) from Thomas Ball who wrote:

"William Ball, son of Col. William of 1650, m. (I.) Miss Harris, and not Miss Williamson. She was an orphan, an only child, and very wealthy for that day. By this marriage a large quantity of land came into the Ball family..." (and more evidence that Harris over Williamson should be true including that the county records burned in 1710...)

The listing of marriages currently on Ball-173 is confusing. What will it take to get really clear on this and assign his children the correct mother? Thanks!

WikiTree profile: William Ball
in Genealogy Help by Jillaine Smith G2G6 Pilot (896k points)
edited by Jillaine Smith
Hayne places Williamson first, Harris second, and Downman third.

Hayne appears to be following Tyler (1918):

From Tyler, Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, vol. I, p 178 (which unfortunately does not include citations):
 
Ball, Capt. William, Jr. … married (first) Mary [not Margaret as we have in the profile] Williamson, daughter of Dr. James Williamson, of Rappahannock, to whom John Hammond dedicated his tract “Leah and Rachel”; (secondly) Miss Harris, of “Bay View,” Northumberland county; (thirdly) in 1675, Margaret Downman, daughter of Rawleigh Downman.
My fingers keep wanting to type HAYNE instead of HAYDEN. My apologies.
Nice job

7 Answers

+2 votes

I have found a legitimate source on familysearch.org on a Margaret Downman Ball for a marriage.  Here is the citation.

Citing this Record

"Virginia, Historical Society Papers, 1607-2007," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KZ7L-55G : accessed 28 Jul 2014), Margaret Downman Ball, ; Marriage, citing Virginia, United States, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond.

Reference ID: 	Mss64D75961

Digital Folder Number: 004839576 , Image Number: 00632 (Its a free image, but you have to sign in to see it)

by Living Hammond G2G6 Mach 8 (83.2k points)

Thanks, Mary. Not sure what you mean by "legitimate."  The image is of an index card. It references a bible record, but that's it. Actually, if must be referring to the Downman Family Bible; French (2013) discusses this bible frequently, and in one place includes the same Mss # as the index card image on familysearch.org.

French (2013, p 17) discusses the Downman Family Bible. And later (p 36) French writes that at least some entries appear to have been written a century after Col. William Ball's death. He continues to discuss this bible questioning just how close to actual events its entries were made (and by extension how well it can be trusted).  

On page 72, under "Downman Family Bible," French includes "Virginia Historical Society, ref. Manuscripts Mss6:4 D7596:1 Downman, pp 3-4" which, according to page 134, is a transcript of said bible (but not the original). French provides a transcript of pages 3-4 in his Appendix (p 134). But again, note that he believes the information transcribed was not entered contemporaneously to the time of the events recorded. 

 

 

 

+2 votes
Margaret Downman was born 23 Nov 1751 in VA.

(Name:    Margaret Downman
Event Type:    Birth
Event Date:    23 Nov 1751
Event Place:    Virginia, United States
Reference ID:    Mss64D75961
Digital Folder Number:    004839664
Image Number:    00050
Citing this Record:
"Virginia, Historical Society Papers, 1607-2007," index and images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KZ7G-97N : accessed 28 Jul 2014), Margaret Downman, 23 Nov 1751; Birth, citing Virginia, United States, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond.)
by Living Hammond G2G6 Mach 8 (83.2k points)
This is also an index card and is referencing the Downman Family Bible (same mss# as above).
+3 votes

On Wm Ball II records in familysearch.org, there is a record signifying his death in 1694, but nothing recorded of a marriage to a Margaret Downman.

(Name: William Ball Event Type: Death Event Date: 30 Sep 1694 Event Place: Virginia, United States Reference ID: Mss64D75961 Digital Folder Number: 004839576 Image Number: 00681

Citing this Record: "Virginia, Historical Society Papers, 1607-2007," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KZ7L-5TM : accessed 28 Jul 2014), William Ball, 30 Sep 1694; Death, citing Virginia, United States, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond.)

The Downman Bible is no help as there is only a statement that the info was taken from it.

(http://maryballwashington.com/D.downman.pdf)

by Living Hammond G2G6 Mach 8 (83.2k points)
+2 votes
There is a reference given in the pdf file found at MaryBall washington.com site for the Downman Bible.

It is in England.  Would someone be able to look this up?

Downman Family Bible: Original record book of Visitation of London 1633-35 at College of Arms in London.

Any assistance is appreciated.  Thanks.
by Living Hammond G2G6 Mach 8 (83.2k points)

Mary, I'm not sure the Bible is actually in England. I think what French meant here is that the Bible's contents appear to draw from the Visitation of London entry. In fact, if you look at the transcription of the pertinent bible pages on French, 134, it actually opens with:

"History of the Ball family of Barkham Com Berks taken from the visitation book of 

London marked C 24 in the College of Arms"
 
The pertinent part of the bible entry (still on page 134 of French 2013) says this about William, son of William Ball of Millenbeck:
 
(Capt) William Ball married Margaret daughter of Rawleigh Downman & resided at Millenbeck. 
 
(By the way, the same bible also is the source for the two marriages of Joseph, son of William Ball of Millenbeck: "Joseph Ball, second son of Sol. Wm Ball of Millenbeck, lived at Eppng Forrest in Lancaster county Va. He was married twice, first to - Romney of London by whom he had one son Joseph and second to Mrs Mary Johnson, by whom he had and four 5 daughters, Hannah, who married Mr Rawleigh Travers of Stafford, Anne, mararied Col Edward Conway, Esther married Mr Rawleigh hinn, Elizabeth Married Rev: Mr. Canogie & second Mrs Mary Johnson by whom he had one daguther Mary who married Mr Washington & was the mother of Gen. George Washington...")
Unfortunately there are no dates. It's interesting that the bible contains nothing about any additional wives of William(2) Ball.
Actually, it wouldn't be surprising for a DOWNMAN bible to exclude any previous wives of a man who married INTO the Downman family.
ok, stupid question,,,,,Why?
So I have a Smith bible (and I'm not a genealogist). My sister marries John Jones.  I record the marriage in the bible. The bible records Smith marriages, births and deaths. John jones is only in there because he married my Smith sister.  I might record his birth and death but I'm not likely to record non-Smith previous marriages. Make sense?
ah, now I see what you're saying........Busy day yesterday and it still hasn't stopped.

Thanks for the update.
+3 votes

I found this on the genforum message boards on genealogy.com:

Rappahannock Co. VA, dated 11 Nov 1662:

Abstract:
"William BALL, JR., who married Margaret Williamson, and John Rozier who had married Mary Williamson. The said Margaret and Mary are not yet willing for the above land, which was given to them by Coll. William Underwood and confirmed unto them by patent, to be sold or divided so their husbands sign a quit claim to it. Witnessed by William Mosely and John Hull." Source: Rappahannock Co. VA Deeds 1672-1676, p. 131

There's an error in there somewhere, though, because the opening line says it's from 1662, but the Source indicates this is from a book of deeds 1672-1676. 

 

by Jillaine Smith G2G6 Pilot (896k points)
edited by Jillaine Smith

I'm thinking that the correct date on the above deed should be 1672, not 1662, but we'd need to see the original land deed book to confirm. Note that it's making reference to another deed that Hayden 1891 p 54 mentioned as being in the possession of the Downman family:

The deed, dated Nov. 2, 1675, recites that Major William Underwood, of Rapp'k Co., Va., dec'd, gave to Margaret and Mary Williamson, dughtesr of Mr. James Williamson, of same county, dec'd, a tract of land in the freshes of Rapp'k River... The widow of Major William Underwood, being in 1675 Elizabeth Combe, wife of Archdale Combe, of Rapp'k claimed her ... third part of said tract. This third part... conveyed to Capt. William Ball, of Lanc'r Co..."

With this combined data, plus the Downman family bible, it SEEMS like Capt. William Ball Jr married 1) Margaret Williamson before 1672; married 2) Margaret Downman by 1680. And that the "Mrs. Harris" as another wife, in between the two, cannot be at this time supported.

It also suggests that, based on the estimated dates of William's children's births, Margaret Downman was their mother.

That's my current working theory. Anyone else want to jump in? :-)

 

 

I found some more sources:

Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock & Essex Co, VA, page 15. Library of Congress number F232.E7 W5 1983x is the following information: “1673, Capt. Wm Ball Lancaster Co married Margaret, dau of James Williamson, Book D, no 5, page 289 [ actual dated is 26 March 1673]. This is further proven by her Will and also an article in William & Mary Quarterly on the Williamson & Rossier Families. Will was written on 6 Feb 1697 and she died 9 Feb 1708/9.

awesome! thanks.
+3 votes

I'm going through the sources that Larry C cites in his narrative. Here's 

Stella Pickett Hardy, Colonial Families of the Southern States of America: A History and Genealogy of Colonial Families who Settled in the Colonies Prior to the RevolutionWright, 1911, p 30-31
 
Capt. William Ball, Jr. ... m. (first) Mary or Margaret Williamson, dau. of James Williamson, of Rappahannock Co., Va.; (second) Miss Harris, of Bay View, Northumberland Co., Va.; (third) Margaret Downman, dau. of Rawleigh Downman. (It is not positively known that Capt. Ball married thrice, but it is positively known that he married Margaret Downman, and the other marriages have the authority of long tradition.) Issue by third marriage:
 
then she lists of all William's children, in essence claiming that Margaret Downman was the mother of all his children.
 
Unfortunately, Ms. Hardy did not include any source information so we do not know where she got this information from.
 
by Jillaine Smith G2G6 Pilot (896k points)

Wow. This is really great to see all these Millenbeck Balls getting straightened out a little bit more. Thanks for all these sources listed.

I have no conclusions at this point in the game with the evidence.

Maggie, if you're working in this space with this particular family, I strongly (STRONGLY) recommend reviewing J.L French's 2013 manuscript that is an amazing analysis of the various sources. That will really familiarize you with them. It's length-- almost 300 pages, I think-- but VERY well done.

It's here:

http://maryballwashington.com/2013monograph2.pdf

I just downloaded it , thanks for your link smiley

+1 vote

It may be that Margaret Williamson was the only wife of William Ball.  Here are two records I found:

item #1

Margaret Williamson b. 1644 m. William Ball II
Tyler's Quarterly Magazine
Genealogists seem in the past to have all conceding that he [William Ball] was married several times but until recently it was uncertain by which wife he had the various children. It has now been proved by records that his third and last wife was Margaret Williamson who died and left a will dated 1697 mentioning all the children of Captain William Ball and herself ( the said Margaret Williamson) and designating herself the sister of Mary Rozier, both daughters of James Williamson and Ann Underwood. Colonial record has been established for Margaret Williamson for an original land grant in Rappahannock County, Virginia, Book 4, page 57, March 11, 1662.
Item #2  The will of Margaret Wiliamson Ball.
Margaret Williamson
Lancaster County
Virginia Court Records
Will Book No. 10 - Pt. 1, p. 53
In the name of God, Amen - I Margaret Ball of the County of Lancaster in Virginia Widow being Sick and weak in body but of Sound and Perfect Memory, Praised be ye Almighty God for ye same and considering the frailty of this Life being but a blast I do make This my last will and Testament in manner and form following hereby revoking all former wills formerly by me made.
Imp' I bequeath my Soul to God that gave it to me, Commending my body To ye Earth to be buried in decent ord' at ye descretion of my Exect' hereafter named in hopes and true Confidence that I shall have a Joyful Resurrection at ye Last Day Through the mercies of my most dear and precious Redeemeer ye Lord Jesus Christ.
Item - I give to my Loving Son William Ball and his heirs forever one Negro woman named Mary and her future increase forever.
Item - I give to my Loving Son Richard Ball and his heirs forever one Negro man named Sambo.
Item - I give to my Loving Son James Ball and his heirs forever one Negro man named Tom.
Item - I give to my Loving daughter Margaret Ball Soe much money as will buy her a Negro woman to her and her heirs forever.
Item - I give to my two sons Joseph and George Ball and their heirs for Ever all my Right Title of that Divident of Land Situate in Richmond County at the head of Perpetua Creek as is expressed in my deceased husband's will to my two sons Jos. and Geo. Ball.
Item - I give to my loving sister Mary Rosier one Stuff gowne and Peticoat one Shift one pr worsted Stockens and one p' of Shoes.
It is my will therefore that my Loving daughter Margaret Ball have all my wearing (clothes viz) Silk Stuf Linen and Lace Except what I have already bequeathed and given by word of mouth. I give to my Daughter Margaret one Silver Tankard w'ch was Given me by my husband.
Item - It is my will Therefore that my Sons, Wm. Richard and James Ball purchase out of ye produce of ye Cropps of Tobb of ye above Negroes Given my sons one Negro apiece for my Sons Jos., George, David and Samuel Ball to them and their heirs forever.
Item - I give to my Son James Ball my Silver cup which was given me by husband. I doe make and ordaine my two Sons Will' Ball and Richard Ball the Executors of This my Last Will and Testam' in Witness whereof I have here unto Set my hand and Seal this 8th day of February, 1697.
Signed Cleared and Delivered in Presence of ye mark of Margaret Ball, Ye Seale
Edward Cox, Mary x Gracie At a Court held for Lancaster County ye 9th of Febr. 1709 at ye request of Mr. George Ball this will was admitted to Record and is Recorded.
This was certified to by C. T. Peirce, Jr. Drp. Clerk, Mar. 1, 1939.)
I have the documented source.
Mary
by Living Hammond G2G6 Mach 8 (83.2k points)

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