14 Apr 2018 near Warrenton, VA
Past President Jerry Hubbard was the Master of Ceremonies, President Tom Hamill presented the keynote address, Virginia SAR 2nd VP Bill Schwetke represented the Virginia SAR, and all members present participated in the program in one way or another as shown in the pictures below.
Captain John Ball 1742-1806 John Ball was born October 2, 1742, son of William Ball and Martha Brumfield. William Ball was a first cousin of Mary Ball Washington, thus John was a second cousin, of George Washington. We know little of John Ball’s early life, but we know he married Sarah Ellen Payne on November 6, 1767 In 1769 John Ball hired on to work George Washington’s mill as a millwright. Early in our struggle for independence, in February 1776, he was commissioned an ensign in the 6th Virginia Regiment. It is believed that he served at some time on George Washington’s staff The 6th Virginia fought at Trenton, Princeton, and Brandywine, where John Ball was wounded on September 11th, 1777. He apparently returned to Fauquier County Virginia to recover. There he ran an iron works and contributed significant material to the Revolution. While in Fauquier County he was appointed ensign of militia in March of 1779, and Captain of militia in October of 1779. In July of 1781 Captain Ball marched with the militia to join the forces responding to Cornwallis’ arrival in Virginia. After the Revolution John Ball retired to Fauquier County where he died in 1806. He and Sarah had at least 8 children. Sarah died in 1826, and probably lies in one of the graves next to John Ball. |