This collection presents genealogical and historical materials relating to William F. Ball and his descendants, including family records, photographs, documents, and related research preserved by the Ball Family Association..
William F. Ball Collection
Biography of William F. Ball (1777–1837)
William F. Ball was born 31 May 1777 in Liberty County, Georgia, the son of Revolutionary War officer Edward Ball and Rebecca (Baker) Jones. Baptized at Midway Congregational Church as an infant, William grew up after the death of his father during the Revolution. He later became an attorney, landowner, and public official in Georgia and was elected a judge of the Inferior Court of Baldwin County in 1820. He later moved to Perry, Houston County, Georgia, where he died 27 January 1837.
Family and Marriages
William F. Ball married Mary Burgin in Warren County, Georgia, on 27 September 1804. Mary appears to have been a widow with a daughter, Martha Childers/Childress Burgin. William and Mary had one son, William Baker Ball, born 4 August 1805 in Liberty County. Mary died 20 January 1806.
William later married Elizabeth Gray. The main narrative gives the marriage date as 16 January 1808, while the Gray Family Bible section later in the same source gives 6 June 1806. We should leave that conflict noted until we decide which date to publish as definitive.
Children of William F. Ball
By Mary Burgin:
- William Baker Ball, born 4 August 1805, Liberty County, Georgia.
By Elizabeth Gray:
- James Gray Madison Ball, born 31 July 1809.
- Eliza Ann Ball, born 5 February 1811; died 20 May 1811.
- Edward Ball, born 3 May 1812; died 12 February 1815.
- Elizabeth Jane Ball, born 2 July 1814.
- Amanda Melvina Ball, born 16 July 1818.
- Sarah Ann Ball, born 8 December 1820.
Revolutionary War Legacy and the Estate of Edward Ball
William F. Ball was the son of Edward Ball, a Revolutionary War officer who was killed while William was still a young child. Edward Ball’s estate remained under the management of executor Andrew Walthour for many years. On 24 July 1822, Walthour formally stated that the estate property had been delivered to William Ball and Sampson E. Ball, whom he identified as the only legatees and heirs of Edward Ball.
William also acted for his brother Sampson Edward Ball in pursuing compensation for property taken during the Creek Indian raids. In 1823, William and Sampson were listed together as heirs of Edward Ball in a claim payment of $405.00.
Legal Career and Public Service
William F. Ball became an attorney at law and practiced in Milledgeville, Baldwin County, Georgia. The source states that his legal education is not known, but notes that he may have followed the common practice of reading law under an established attorney or firm.
By December 1820, William had been elected a Judge of the Inferior Court of Baldwin County. A contemporary recommendation signed by members of the Baldwin County judiciary described him as a man of integrity whose statements were entitled to full credit.
He continued to appear in public records, including jury service, estate administration, land matters, and legal representation for family members and others.
Land, Property, and Migration in Georgia
William F. Ball appears in the surviving Liberty County tax records beginning in 1800. In 1804 he received a grant of 36 acres in Liberty County. By 1809 he had established himself in Baldwin County, while also holding or managing property in Putnam, Burke, Telfair, Camden, and other Georgia counties.
For many years William lived and practiced law in Milledgeville, where he owned land adjoining the town on Tobler’s Creek as well as a town lot.
Shortly after 1830, William and his family moved from Milledgeville to Perry, Houston County, Georgia, where they lived near his eldest son, William Baker Ball.
Will and Death
William F. Ball’s will was filed for probate in Perry, Houston County, Georgia, on 16 March 1837. He provided for his wife and his four living children and appointed his sons William B. Ball and James G. M. Ball as executors of his estate.
William F. Ball died 27 January 1837 in Perry, Houston County, Georgia, in the fifty-ninth year of his life. The source states that he was buried there.
Sources and References
This biography is based on documented Georgia records, including Midway Congregational Church records, Liberty County tax digests, Georgia Indian depredation claims, Baldwin County court records, Warren County marriage records, Liberty County probate records, Houston County probate records, Georgia land records, family Bible records, and contemporary Georgia newspapers and genealogical publications. The original William F. Ball study contains 37 numbered notes and references supporting the narrative