History of the Association

As long as anyone can remember, The Balls of Mississippi and Louisiana have been meeting for annual reunions. These meetings are usually held near McComb, Mississippi near what was originally Balltown. However, there was no order of business, nor was there any order of a program. These meetings were “Meeting and Eating” gatherings only, and attended by descendants of Sampson Edward Ball and William Bartholomew Ball. As public roads developed and automobile transportation became more dependable, these meetings grew in number attending. An interest developed in knowing more about our Ball ancestors, as well as recording what is known of them. There were many various stories about when they originally came to Mississippi and where they came from. Some had family Bibles with records dating back many years. Others had other records of various types.

In order to record information, do research, and outline a program, it was decided by a group to organize the BARTHOLOMEW BALL FAMILY ASSOCIATION, Inc. It took approximately five years to work out all details. A committee was elected and on the 25th day of July, 1954 at Percy Quinn state Park near McComb, Miss.