BFHA-RC-000031
Research record and source registry for Sampson Ball (son of Bartholomew). This archive entry preserves the corresponding publication section for website research review.
Publication excerpt:
SAMPSON BALL: Bartholomew, William, Sr. Sampson Ball, son of Bartholomew Ball and wife, Elizabeth Henlen 1, was born in 1750 2 in the Prince Frederick Winyaw Parish – Queensborough Township area, (present day Williamsburg – Florence – Marion Counties).3 Nothing is known of the early life and times of Sampson but in 1767, at age 17, he left home and traveled with his elder brother, Edward, to Liberty County, Georgia. Georgia, at that time, was being opened up for settlement and land was plentiful for the asking. In November of 1769, Sampson, at age 19, petitioned the governing council to grant him 200 acres of land on a branch of the St. Mary’s River within a mile of land petitioned and granted to Edward Ball. The petition was granted, provided the petitioner took possession of the land within seven months of November 1769, and to register the grant in his own name in the Registrar’s office that he, Sampson, could be entered on the tax rolls of that county and state. Sampson failed to take possession of the land and register with the Registrar’s office within the seven month’s required time, and the application was declared void. In May 1770, Sampson petitioned for 150 acres adjoining his brother Edward, because he now had five slaves and was entitled to that much acreage. The petition was granted by the council with the same stipulations that he take possession and file with the Registrar’s office within seven months. Sampson apparently complied this time.4 Sampson married in 1770, at age twenty, Sarah Elizabeth Baker, daughter of William Baker, Sr. and wife Sarah Osgood, and sister of Rebecca, who married Edward Ball.5 William Baker, Sr. was an Elder in the Congregational Church located at Midway and was involved in the movement of the Church from Dorchester, South Carolina; and may have been involved in the movement of the Church from Dorchester, Massachusetts.6 In July of 1771, Sampson applied again for the 200 acres grant, and was given two months to file with the Registrar’s office.7 This time he filed on time, September 3, 1771. No reason was given for the delay in filing in 1769.8 The Executive Council, sitting at Savannah, Georgia, in September 1773, appointed men from the parishes of Georgia as tax collectors. “And be it further enacted that the several persons herein after named shall be and they are hereby appointed collectors for the several parishes hereinafter mentioned respectively - - - - - - -, and for the Parish of St. Mary, Sampson Ball and William Armstrong. Which said Collectors respectively shall, before entering upon their office, take the oath before any Justice of the Peace.” “And be it further enacted that a public road shall be laid out from the most convenient place for a ferry on Great Satilla River to the boundary line of the Parish of St. Mary and the same shall be and continue to be called the Ninth South West Division and that the male white inhabitants, free Negros, mulattoes and all male slaves are hereby declared to be liable to work within the said Division on said roads and that Sampson Ball, William Armstrong and Jermyn Wright Esquire, shall be and they are hereby declared to be Commissioners or Surveyors of the Roads within the same and they are hereby empowered and required to lay out the said Road in manner as before directed.”9 In 1775, Sampson Ball, Jr. died in Liberty County, Georgia. His mother, Sarah, having died previously. Perhaps, as the record states that Sampson Ball, Jr., was the son of Sampson Ball, with no mention of the mother.10 The next record of Sampson Ball is 17 June 1776. On this day, he signed as a witness to the will of Abraham Lewis of St. John Parish, Liberty County. Sampson’s brother, Edward, also signed as a witness.11 The Revolutionary War came to Georgia in 1778, (and the life and changed forever.?) Sampson was from seven to ten years (old) and many moves before he was able to settle down again in peace; Edward, his brother, lost his life; and several records emerged on a William Ball who may or may not have been the alleged brother of Sampson and Edward. Sampson abandoned his home and his lands and went back to South Carolina.
[Excerpt; the full publication section is preserved in the BFHA source registry document.]