BFHA-RC-000001
Robert Ball was identified in the cited publication as a yeoman living in Stanford, Lincolnshire, England. He entered into an agreement with Catherine Colleton, daughter and executrix of Sir Peter Colleton, to manage Colleton property in Carolina. The agreement was dated Nov 13, 1694.
The agreement directed Robert Ball to take possession of the Carolina estate, prepare inventories of plantations, buildings, and acreage, maintain annual accounts, and report to Catherine Colleton in London. His compensation was stated as 30 pounds sterling per year.
Robert reportedly traveled alone to South Carolina in 1696. His authority was later revoked after Sir John Colleton reached adulthood and assumed control of his inheritance. The revocation was dated Sep 21, 1702 and was recorded Sep 20, 1703.
Robert later appears in Prince Frederick Winyaw Parish records with his wife, Mercy, and two known children. Elizabeth Ball was baptized Dec 14, 1741, at approximately eighteen years of age. She married Alexander Davidson on Dec 3, 1742. Stephen Ball married Lydia Sanders on Jan 1, 1745; the original register reportedly uses the double-year form 1744/45.