Notes
May have been born in East Haven, Connecticut.
Supposed to be son of Alling Ball who came from England abt 1624.
See record of Ball genealogy at Keauka College, New York.
New England Historical Genealogical Register, Vol 9, p. 158 shows his
death.
Will dated 31 Aug 1696, will proved 20 Sep 1696 Col. Dames Register of
NJ, pg. 207; also records of Beulah E. Cole possession of Patsy Putnam.
Ref#232:
"Immigrants to America before 1750" Virkis, p. 141 '...perhaps the son of
Alling Ball'
Ref#133:
Came to America from Wiltshire, England 1643-44 (DAR Chart).
Edward Ball's Timeline. Entries to this timeline are "referenced" to
show the source of the information. See reference list below.
1642/43 - Edward Ball born in New Haven, some say to Alling and Susan
Ball Note:159 {No proof}
1644 - Susan Ball, first wife of Alling Ball,.dies Note:159
Abt 1648 - Alling Ball marries Dorothy Tuttle Note:159
abt 1664 - Edward Ball married Abigail Blatchley, daughter of Thomas
and Susan (BALL) Blatcheley
-- this Susan BALL has been speculated to be the sister of Alling
Ball (above) Note:159 {Documented by Dr. Druse}
abt 1665 - Son Caleb born to Edward & Abigail Ball Note:159
30 Oct 1666 - Edward Ball signed an agreement with people of Branford
who were about to move to
Newark, NJ, the most noticeable article of which was not to admit any
but church members Note:159
20 Jan 1667 - Appears in a New Plantation and Church Covenant of
Branford, Connecticut with other
inhabitants Note:159
1667 - Moved from Branford, Connecticut to Newark, NJ Note:47, pg. 23
1667 - Was assessed in the first list of Newark, NJ taxables,
assigned 6 acres between Broad and
Washington Sts. Note:159
1667 - Messenger of the Newark town courts.
1669-1680-1686 - Appointed town Attorney
9 Jan 1674/75 - Letters of administration on estate of John Cox of
New Barbados. Also on bond as
administrator Note:159
30 Sep 1675 - Patent granted for 78 acres of land Note:159
14 Mar 1676 - Made inventory of estate of John Harrison Note:159
Mar 1678 - Surveyor appointed to run a boundary line of an Indian
purchase Note:159
1683 - Served on Committee to settle certain differences between the
settlers and the Proprietors.
Continued on committee for several years Note:159
1683, 1689 - Newark town constable Note:159
1683 - Appointed attorney to prosecute offenders against the town
ordinances Note:159
1692 - Overseer of the poor in Newark Note:159
1693 - Appointed High Sheriff of Essex County Note:48, pg. 31 Note:159
30 Sep 1700 - Served on grand jury at Court of Sessions Note:159
1709 - Grand juror in Newark Note:108
1715 - Signed land agreement Note:159
1724 - Boundary agreement with Azariah Crane "to prevent any
difference hereafter" Note:108
After 1724 - Died Note:108
Reference Note 47 - Genealogical Guide to the Early Settlers of America,
Henry Whittemore, 1967
Reference Note 48 - First Settlers of Passaic Valley, NJ, by John
Littell, 1852
Reference Note 108 - History of Essex and Hudson Counties, NJ, William H.
Shaw, 1884
Reference Note 159 - Mrs. J.H. Frossard, Box 696, Madisonville, TX 77864
Ref#51:
9-20-52 S.H. Conger combed Branford records & the first mention of Edward
Ball is 1665 when Ed. Frisbie complained of him about a swine, but Ball
won the trial. In 1669 he branded a horse at Branford.{?}
Ref#170:
Edward surfaced in Branford, Conn, when he appeard in three court cases.
Twice being sued - one for running a wagon over a pig.
Taken from Genealogies of Connecticut Families, From the New England
Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol I, selected and introduced by
Gary Boyd Roberts with an index by Judith McGhan, published by
Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc, 1983 of Baltimore.:
Edward Ball, the subject of this sketch, was at Branford, CT, Oct 30,
1666; on which day the heads of families, designing to remove to Newark,
NJ signed an agreement, the most noticeable article of which, was not to
admit as freemen &c., any but church members.
In 1667, he was at Newark, NJ and was assessed in the first list of
taxables. Jan 1, 1767, he first appears in public life, as messenger of
the town Courts. In Mar 1678, he was one of the Surveyors appointed to
run a boundary line of an Indian purchase. In 1683, he was appointed on a
Committee to settle certain differences between the settlers and the
Lords Proprietors; and was continued on this very important committee,
from year to year, for several years, while all his associates were
changed., About this time he was appointed Attorney to prosecute
offenders against the town ordinances; and in 1693, he received the
appointment of High Sheriff of the County. The date of his birth and
death is not certainly known, the most reliable information places the
former at 1642, and the latter at 1722.
His children were I. Caleb; II. Abigail; III. Joseph; IV. Lydia; V.
Moses; and VI. Thomas.
The History of the City of Newark, New Jersey
THE NEW HAVEN THEOCRACY
From the History of the City of Newark, NJ, published in 1913 by the
Lewis Historical Publishing Co., NY: The Pilgrim Fathers, the first of
the Puritans to migrate, had left England and first went to Holland. They
did not want to loose their identity as English and Puritans. For these
reasons, the Pilgrim Fathers came to America. The Pilgrims never
proposed, however, to separate themselves completely from England and
they intended to support the laws of the mother country, actively when
they believed in them and passively when they did not. In the New Haven
Colony, however, the founders asked for nothing from England. They were
to get their laws and ordinances, their whole theory and practical
working scheme of government, from the Bible. They chose seven men who,
besides having supreme charge of the affairs of the church, had also the
highest civic functions. These "seven Pillars" chose the first governor
and four deputies to assist him, while they themselves acted as
magistrates. There were no juries, because the mosaic law made no mention
of any.
Ref#111:
{This Edward?}
Settled at Stamford, Connecticut
Ref#102:
According to the family history of Dorothy Vanderveer Des Brisay James,
"Edward Ball signed an agreement of people of Bradford, CT, who were
about to move to Newark, Oct. 30, 1666. Removed to Newark 1667. Was a
prominent man in its affairs; Sherriff, Committeeman on boundaries, on
settlement with the Lord Proprietors, Indians and etc. Was assigned as
his home lot six acres between Broad and Washington streets, the sight
of, or near to, Park street Newark, NJ, probably died there. Dates of
death on Edward and Abigail Ball unknown. The last record of him alive is
1724; age 81 or 82 years.
Ref#168:
pg. xxxvi
"The Last will and testement of mee Sarah Davis in hope of Eternal Life
throw Jesus Christ my Lord," dated March 27, 1691; was proved May 16,
1691, by the oaths of Stephen Davis and ** Edward Ball **, before Thomas
Johnson, Justice.
pg. 36
1703 Nov. 16. Berry, Richard. Bond of Thomas Davis, of New Barbados, as
administrator of his estate. John Gardiner and ** Edward Ball **, of
Newark, yeomen, fellow bondsmen.
Lib. 1, p. 81, and Bergen Wills
pg. 112-113
1674-5 Jan. 9. Cox, John, of New Barbados. Administration on the estate
of, granted to ** Edward Ball **
N.J. Archives, XXI., p. 33
1674-5 Feb. 17. Cox John, of Essex Co. Inventory of the estate of
(£2.15.6, all personal), made at the request of ** Edward Ball **,
administrator, by Wm. Sanford and Emma Mandeuell. The estate owes to
said Ball £14.17.6 for payments to Cattlyn, Wheeler and Baldwyn and for
other expenses.
pg. 301
1694 Nov. 21. Lyon, Thomas, of Essex Co. Inventory of the estate of,
£43.3.9, all personal; made by ** Edward Ba[ll?] **, and Joseph
Johnson.
1694-5 Jan. 29. Administration on the estate granted to his widow
Elisabeth.
N.J. Archives, XXI, p. 221
pg. 369
1703-4 Jan. 10. Plum, Samuel, of Newark; will of. Children--Mary
Harison, John Plum, Sarah Medles; grandchildren--Jemima Ogden, Joseph
Plum; children of son Samuel Plum, vis: Joanna and Dority. Real and
personal estate. Executors--sons John Plum and John Medles with **
Edward Ball ** as assistant. Witnesses--Edward Ball and Mordecai
Burnatt. Presented but not proved May 29, 1704, the evidences not being
ready; Proved February 21, 1706-7, and the executors sworn in.
Lib. 1, p. 169, and Essex Wills
pg. 437
1694 Sept. 27. Stagg, Stage, Thomas, of New Barbados. Inventory of the
estate of (£47.17.-, all personal), made by Thomas Johnson and Edward **
Batt {Ball} **.
1694-5 Jan. 14. Administration on the estate granted to his widow
Margaret.
N.J. Archives, XXI., p. 221
On October 30, 1666, the following residents of Branford and Milford of
the New Haven Colony signed the agreement to form a common township at
New-Ark on Pesayack (the number shown is the order in which they signed
the document):
{M=Milford, B=Branford}
ALBERS, Hauns (31/M)
** BALL, Ed. (15/B) **
BALDWIN, John Jr. (19/M)
BALDWIN, John Sr. (18/M)
BLATCHLEY, Aaron (20/B)
BLATCHLEY, Thomas (5/B)
BOND, Stephen (41/M)
BROOKS, J.B. (14/his mark/M)
BROWNE, John (9/M)
BROWNE, John Jr. (36/M)
BRUEN, Obadiah (2/M)
BURWELL, Ephraim (24/M)
BURWELL, Zachariah (27/M)
CAMFIELD, Ebenezer (13/B)
CAMFIELD, Matthew (3/M)
CAMPE, William (28/M)
CATLING, John (11/B)
CRANE, Azariah (38/M)
CRANE, Delivered (19/B)
CRANE, Jasper (1/B)
CRANE, John (17/B)
CURTIS, John (23/M)
DALGLESH, Robert (30/M)
DAVIS, Stephen (11/M)
DAY, George (21/M)
DENNISON, Robert R. (25/his mark/M)
FREEMAN, Stephen (7/M)
HARRISON, John (16/B)
HARRISON, Richard (12/B)(?)
HUNTINGTON, Thomas (18/B)
JOHNSON, John (22/B)
JOHNSON, Thom. (22/M)
KITCHELL, Robert (13/M)
KITCHELL, Samuel (4/M)
LAWRENCE, Richard (21/B)
LINLE, Francis F. (16/his mark/M)
LYMENS, Robert V. (15/his mark/M) Returned to england (#108)
LYON, Henry (8/M)
LYON, Samuel (39/M)
LYON, Thomas L. (23/his mark/B)
MORRIS, Thomas (32/M)
PECKE, Jeremiah (5/M)
PIERSON, Abra (2/B)
PIERSON, Thomas (9/B)
PENNINGTON, Eph'm (34/M)
PLUM, Samuel (6/B)
RIGGS, Joseph (40/M)
RIGGS, Edward (12/M)
ROBERTS, Hugh (33/M)
ROGERS, John (10/M)
ROSE, Samuel (8/B)
SARGEANT, Jona. (37/M)
SWAINE, Samuel (3/B)(?)
TICHENOR, Daniel (17/M)
TICHENOR, Martin (35/M)
TOMPKINS, Jona. (20/M)
TOMPKINS, Michael (6/M)
TREAT, Robert (1/M)
WALTERS, Joseph (29/M)
WARD, John, Sr. (14/B)
WARD, Josiah (7/B)
WARD, Lawrence (4/B)
WARD, John (10/B)
WHEELER, Nathaniel (26/M)
Signers of the Horseneck Purchase
In 1701, 13,500 acres west of Newark was purchased for $325 (or about
2.5-cents an acre) from Loantique, Taphow, Manshum and others. The
original deed burned in a house fire in 1745. Descendants of the signers
of the original deed promptly signed a new document. These deeds were
challenged as being unlawful. According to a survey in 1746, only 35
families lived in the area. When Samuel Baldwin was arrested in 1745 for
trespassing on his own land, his neighbors armed themselves with clubs,
axes and crow-bars and descended on the jail to liberate him. The
struggle against the Proprietors continued until 1755. Daniel Lamson and
John Condict acted as agents for the Landowner's Committee and pleaded
the settlers case to the King in England.
ALLING, Sam'll (1 Lot)
BALDWIN, Ben (1 Lot)
BALDWIN, Daniel (1 Lot)
BALDWIN, John Sr. (2 Lot)
BALDWIN, Sam'll (1 Lot)
BALL, Caleb (1 Lot)
** BALL, Edward (1 Lot) **
BALL, Joseph (1 Lot)
BECH, Zophar (1 Lot)
BRANT, William (3 Lot)
BROADBERRY, John (1 Lot)
BROWN, Daniel (1 Lot)
BROWN, Joseph (1 Lot)
BROWN, Thomas (1 Lot)
BROWN, Thomas Jr. (1 Lot)
BROWNE, Stephen (1 Lot)
BRUEN, Ele. (1 Lot)
BURWELL, John (1 Lot)
CAMBEL, Robert (1 Lot)
CAMP, Sam'll (1 Lot)
CANFIELD, Joseph (2 Lot)
CANFIELD, Matthew (1 Lot)
CLARK, John (3 Lot)
CLIZBE, James (1 Lot)
COOPER, John (1 Lot)
COOPER, Sam'll (1 Lot)
CRANE, Azariah (3 Lot)
CRANE, Daniel (1 Lot)
CRANE, Jasper (3 Lot)
CRANE, Jasper Jr. (1 Lot)
CRANE, John (1 Lot)
CRANE, Joseph (1 Lot)
CRISPIN, Squire (1 Lot)
CUNDICT, John (1 Lot)
CUNDICT, Peter (1 Lot)
DAVISS, John (2 Lot)
DAY, Paul (1 Lot)
DELGLISH, John (1 Lot)
DOD, Daniel (1 Lot)
DOD, Daniel Jr. (1 Lot)
DOD, Sam'll (2 Lot)
FREEMAN, Sam'll (1 Lot)
GARDNER, John (1 Lot)
HAND, Anthony (1 Lot)
HARRISON, Benjamin (1 Lot)
HARRISON, Daniel (1 Lot)
HARRISON, Georg (1 Lot)
HARRISON, Joseph (1 Lot)
HARRISON, Sam'll (1 Lot)
HAYES, Thomas (1 Lot)
JOHNSON, Eliphalet (1 Lot)
JOHNSON, John (1 Lot)
JOHNSON, Joseph (1 Lot)
JOHNSON, Tunis (1 Lot)
KITCHEL, Sam'll (1 Lot)
KITCHELL, Abraham (1 Lot)
LAMSON, Elezar (1 Lot)
LEE, John (1 Lot)
LINDSLEY, Ebenezer (1 Lot)
LINSLEY, John (1 Lot)
LINSLEY, Jonathan (1 Lot)
LINSLEY, Joseph (1 Lot)
LUDINGTON, Tho. (1 Lot)
LYON, Sam'll (1 Lot)
MEDLIS, John (1 Lot)
MORRIS, John (2 Lot)
MUIR, Wm. (1 Lot)
OGDEN, David (1 Lot)
OGDEN, Elizabeth (1 Lot)
OGDEN, John (1 Lot)
OGDEN, Josiah (1 Lot)
OLIVE, Antonie (1 Lot)
PECK, Joseph (1 Lot)
PENINGTON, Judah (1 Lot)
PIERSON, Mr. (1 Lot)
PLUMB, John (1 Lot)
PLUMB, Jose. (1 Lot)
PROVOST, Cobus (1 Lot)
PRUDEN, Mr. John (2 Lot)
ROBERTS, Hugh (1 Lot)
ROBERTS, Sam'll (1 Lot)
ROGERS, James (1 Lot)
ROGERS, John (1 Lot)
SARGENT, Daniel (1 Lot)
SARGINT, Jonathan (1 Lot)
SAYERS, Jonathan (1 Lot)
SMITH, James (1 Lot)
TIKENOR, Daniel (1 Lot)
TOMKINS, Elezar (1 Lot)
TOMKINS, Seth (1 Lot)
TREAT, John (1 Lot)
VANGESON (1 Lot)
WAKEMAN, Mr. (1 Lot)
WARD, Nathaniel, Sr. (1 Lot)
WARD, Sam'll (1 Lot)
WHELAR, Nath. Jr. (2 Lot)
WILLIAMS, Amos (1 Lot)
WILLIAMS, Matthew (1 Lot)
WILSON, William (1 Lot)
WOOD, Joseph (1 Lot)
YOUNG, Robert (2 Lot)
The bill of sale was not signed until Jul 11, 1667, when practically all
of those who are of right called the founders were on the ground. The
original owners of the soil received goods valued at about $700.00 for
the greater part of what is now Essex County. The deed of sale was not
signed until the following year. The purchase price was assessed upon
each family, not only those who first came, but all who arrived in the
next year who were entitled to be considered among the "associates", or
makers of the original settlement. It is reckoned that the 30 families in
the first group of settlers from Milford and neighboring plantations had
a combined wealth (real and personal) of about $64,000, an average of
over $2,000 for each family, no mean sum indeed for the time.
From "Historic Newark: A Collection of Facts & Traditions" - published in
1916 by the Fidelity Trust Co., NJ:
The little band, directed by Robert Treat, gathered that May day with
ever intention and favorable prospect of settling at once to work in the
laying out of land which had been granted them by Philip Carteret.
Whatever progress, however, they may have made was peremptorily stopped
by the appearance of Hackensack Indians, who virtually said: "You
trespass on our land. These shores belong to us. From the Pesayak to
Watchung they are ours. In the forests are our game; in the streams, our
fish. Our feet for untold moons have trod yonder trails that you behold.
No one shall sell this land, the domain of the Hackensacks."
Negotiations were opened with the Indians, and a title purchased from
them July 11, 1667. Territory extending from the summit of Watchung
Mountain, now Orange Mountain, "about seven or eight miles from Pesayak
Town," was purchased for "fifty double hands of powder, one hundred barrs
of lead, twenty Axes, twenty Coates, ten Guns, twenty pistolls, ten
kettles, ten Swords, four blankets, four barrells of beere, ten paire of
breeches, fifty knives, twenty bowes, eight hundred and fifty fathem of
wampem, two Ankors of Licquers, or something equivalent and three
troopers Coates." Tradition says that an illuminated miniature of an
English queen played an important part in the purchase. This miniature
was sent by the daughter of Micah Tompkins, one of the first settlers, to
the squaw of an Indian chief, and it influenced Perro, the Indian, to
transfer his land, so rich in game, to the settlers. Other tracts were
later bought by the settlers from the Indians. One of these, owned by
Winnocksop and Shenoctos, ran west to the foot of the Watchung Mountain.
The Indian sold this for "two guns, three coats, and thirteen kans of
rum."
Excerpts from Sylvestor's History of Ulster Co., New York, published in
the late1800s.
{Note from JTR: There are some questions this article raises. Was Edward
BALL actually from Wales and not the son of Alling Ball of New Haven by
his first wife Susan as most researchers believe?
Edward Ball, who was born about 1640, came to this country from Wales in
the year 1664 and located at Branford, Connecticut, where he married
Abigail, daughter of Thomas Blachley. On October 25th of the following
year, in company with twenty-five persons, he settled on the site of the
present prosperous city of Newark, New Jersey, where he remained, and
where some of his descendants are still honored and useful citizens.
Others live in different parts of New Jersey and theUnited States. He was
a man of influence and prominence, and occupied positions of trust and
responsibility among his fellows. He was high-sheriff of Essex Co., New
Jersey, in 1692 and 1693, and filled many minor offices. His last
appearance in public life was as a member of the grand jury of Essex
County in February, 1709-10. He was living in June, 1724, being then at
an advanced age.
QUESTIONS AND (some) ANSWERS)
WHO WERE THE PARENTS OF EDWARD BALL? WAS HE ENGLISH?
E-Mail from RAY PHAIR to JTR (Fidonet 11/94): RP: Edward-1 BALL, b. abt
1640-1644, possibly in England or Ireland, d. aft 2 Jun 1724, prob. at
his farm on Watchung mountain in Newark township, Essex Co, NJ (now in
Montclair township). He first appears in the Branford, CT, records in
1665. He moved to Newark in 2nd half of 1667, or soon afterwards. No
record has been found which stated Edward's age. He served on a grand
jury in Feb 1709/10. At that time the maximum age for jury service was
70, suggesting he was born no earlier than 1640. He was the defendant in
a law suit in Branford in 1665, hence probably at least 21, indicating he
was born no later than 1644. This estimation of Edward's age was given by
John R. Burnet in 1850 [B205, B345, J. R. Burnet ms., NJHS]. He was NOT a
s/o Alling (or Allen) BALL of New Haven, CT, s/o Allen BALL of London -
see Donald Line Jacobus, TAG 10:208-212 (1933), also NEHGR 54:96. Edward
might have been the s/o William BALL who was in New Haven by 1643 and who
died there in 1648, but no records have been found to suggest he had, or
didn't have, children. The notorious Gustave Anjou, perpetrator of many
fraudulent genealogies, gave an Irish ancestry to Edward; however, the
record which links Edward to Ireland appears to be a fake created by
Anjou. He m. abt 1662, prob in Branford, Abigail BLATCHLEY (see Thomas
Blatchley message), who was b. abt 164-, prob. in Branford, d. aft 31 May
1698, prob. in Newark twp. Besides their 7 children listed below, there
may have been others judging from the large gaps between births. All the
children, with the possible exception of their first, were prob. b. in
Newark.
George Washington "wintered" the army near Montclair, New Jersey. In
fact, his headquarters were in the house of one of my Crane ancestors. I
had remembered hearing about the winters of despair that our army spent
"in the mountains" near Newark. That is "our mountain" they are talking
about. Our BALL ancestors were among the original signers of the
"Horseneck Purchase" .... they, in essence, bought the land for a few
trinkets from the local Indians. Later, there was a legal battle over
this purchase. Again, our BALL ancestors were right in the thick of it...
they called their struggle the "Horseneck Riots" and you can read about
it in many History books. But back to George Washington... I have heard
that while he was in New Jersey that he called our Ball family his
"cousins". Many theorize that George Washington was just being friendly
(the consummate politian), others really believe the 5 Ball Bros. theory.
I personally don't know what to believe. Also, he was such a great man
that many have stretched the truth to claim that he was indeed a member
of their family. Geo. Washington no doubt rode by their homes on
horseneck. Many of our family served in the Revolution. My ancestor was a
Capt., for instance. They used the church where he is buried as a
military hospital during the war.
Edward Ball was born probably abt 1642-3. Married, probably abt 1664
Abigail Blatchly, of Conn. Edward Ball signed of agreement of people of
Bradford, CT who were about to move to Newark Oct 30, 1666. Removed to
Newark 1667. Was a prominent man in its affairs: Sheriff, Committeeman on
boundaries, on settle ment with the Lord Proprietors, Indians, Etc. Was
assigned as his home lot six acres between Broad and Washington Sts, the
site of, or near to, Park St, Newark, NJ; probably died there. Date of
deaths of Edward and Abigail Ball unknown. The last record of him alive
is 1724, age 81 or 82. This information from a chart received from
Marion S. Craig, Jr., M.D. in Sept 1994. The chart was compiled by
Joseph Harrison Vance, Erie PA Feb 13, 1888.
In "Collections of the New Jersey Historical Society", Vol VI, 1864 is
reference to the Town Meeting of October 30, 1666: At a meeting Touching
the Intended design of many of the inhabitants of Branford, the following
was subscribed: lst. That none shall be admitted freemen or free
Burgesses within our Town upon Passaick River in the Province of New
Jersey, but such Planters as are members of some or other of the
Congregational Churches nor shall any but such be chosen to Magistracy or
to Carry on any part of Civil Judicature, or as deputies or assistants,
to have power to Vote In establishing Lws, and making or Repealing them
or to any Chief Military Trust or Office. Nor shall any But such Church
Member have any Vote in any such elections;..... 2nd. We shall with Care
and Diligence provide for the maintenance of the purity of Religion
professed in the Congregational Churches. Whereunto subscribed the
Inhabitants from Branford." Signed by 23 persons including Ed. Ball.
p.80 in Genealogies of Connecticut Families from the New England
Historical and Genealogical Register, vol I 1983 indicates he was a
Branford CT 30 Oct 1666; on which day the heads of families, designing to
reove to Newark, NJ signed an agreement, the most noticeable article of
which was not to admit as freemen etc, any but church members. In 1667
he was at Newark NJ and was assessed in the first list of taxables. Jan
1, 1667 he first appears in public life as messenger of the town Courts.
In march 1678 he was one of the Surveyors appointed to run a boundary
line of an Indian purchase. In 1683 he was appointed on a Committee to
settle certain differences between the settlers and the Lords
Proprietors and was continued on this very important committee from year
to year, for several years, while all his associates were changed. About
this time he was appinted Attorney to prosecute offenders against the
town ordinances and in 1693 he received the appointment of High sheriff
of the County. This text places his birth at 1642 and latter at 1722 but
indicates uncertainty.
NOTE: Coat of Arms granted Alling Ball 1613 in England. He was father
of George Washington's mother {Wrong}. Taken from a letter dated 24 May
1942 by Mrs. Charles A. Greenlees (Henrie Etta Ball). Information
through Mrs. Greenlees of Pomona CA and she is uncertain if this
information proves Alling Ball and Dorothy Fugill/Fogal are parents.
Ref#176:
William Ball of Wiltshlre. England had six sons who came to America:
Alling, Francis, John, Samuel, Richard and William. Alling and most of
his sons were members of a church which came, in a body, on the ship
"Planter" in 1635.
In seventeenth century England, a church was more then a group of people
who worshipped together once a week. It was a municipal entity
comprising ruling officials, voters, craftsmen and dependents. When a
church changed its location, it was as though all the inhabitants of a
town, with the governmental structure intact, moved to another place.
Alling and his wife Dorothy arrived in Boston with their church.
Alling's brother William emigrated to a different part of the New World
in 1657; he went to Virginia where he became the great-grandfather of
George Washington, who was born seventy-five years later.
Alling and Dorothy, along with their friends the Tuttles and other
families of their church, stayed in Boston about two years, then went to
New Haven, Connecticut, still as an intact church body, where each family
bought adjoining property. Yale University now owns these tracts.
Alling was manager of the East New Haven farm of the Rev. John Davenport
from 1640 to 1650. His children were born there. One of his sons was
Edward Ball, who was the ancestor of all the Ball family that has
flourished in New Jersey from the 1660s onward. {No proof of this}
East New Haven and Branford were regarded as one settlement with one
Independent or Congregational church, under one pastor, the Rev, Abraham
Pierson. About 1665 the colonies of Connecticut and New Haven were
united by royal charter. which allowed non-church members the privilege
of voting and holding office. Rev. Pierson, along with his congregation
and a congregation in nearby Milford, were Puritans who insisted that no
one but church members could participate in government. They were
alarmed at what they considered the worldliness of allowing others to
participate. The Rev. Pierson learned that Governor Clinton and the
proprietors of Caeserea, as New Jersey was sometimes called at that time,
were eagerly offering concessions of land to attract settlers to the
colony. Scouts that they sent to investigate this part of the country
returned with favorable reports.
The Rev. Pierson led the emigration of "Friends from Milford and
Neighboring Plantations," as they called themselves. They agreed that
"the aforesaid persons from Milford, Guilford and Branford, together with
their associates.. do make one township; that through God's blessing
with one hand, they may endeavor the carrying on of spiritual
concernments and also of civil and town affairs, according to God and a
godly government there to be settled by them and their associates; to
provide with all care and diligence for the maintenance of the purity of
religion." All civil power was carefully restricted to members of the
Congregational Church. These articles were called the "Fundamental
Agreement," and it was signed October 20, 1666. Edward Ball was one of
the signers and his family was one of the thirty families who left
Connecticut that year for New Jersey.
They traveled by ship from Boston to the Passaic River under the guidance
of Captain Robert Treat, one of the agents who had influenced the choice
of the place where they were to settle. The Hackensack and Sagamore
Indians
at first impeded their progress when they landed. A sale agreement was
nego-
tiated with the aged chief Oraton, however, and they disembarked to
explore
their new homeland,
The original boundaries of the Township of Newark, named by the Rev. Pier-
son after Newark in England where he had been a pastor, included all the
territory that is now Springfield, Livingston, the Oranges, Bloomfield and
Caldwell, as well as present-day Newark. For this land the settlers paid
Oraton one hundred thirty pounds in New England currency, twelve blankets
and twelve guns.
Edward Ball was about twenty-five years old in May of 1667 when he set-
tled there with his wife, Abigail Blatchley, a three-year-old son and a
two-year-old daughter. The territory selected for the City of Newark was
laid out in sections. A lot of six acres was assigned to Edward; it is
now in the heart of the city, between Broad and Washington Streets.
Edward was a vigorous and influential member of the new settlement and an
active church member. In a few years he became high sheriff of Essex
County; in 1693 he is mentioned as holding several public positions such
as Commissioner of Important Trusts -- a respected and prosperous citizen.
The last record of him is in 1724 when he was eighty-two years of age.
It is not known in what year he died.
His children are Caleb (born about 1663, died after 1716, married Sarah
____), Abigail (born about 1664, married David Harrison), Joseph (born
1673,
died 1711, married first Hannah Harrison, second Elizabeth ____), Lydia
(born 1677, died 1742, married Joseph Peck), Moses (born 1685, died 1747,
married Mary Tichenor) and Thomas (born 1687, died 1744, married Sarah
Davis).
The Congregational church which Edward and his fellow settlers from Con-
necticut founded became afterward a Presbyterian church and is now the
First Presbyterian Church at Newark -- "Old First Church" on the east side
of Broad Street. It is spacious, beautiful and beautifully cared for --
a gracious welcoming oasis in a noisy commercial area of a large city,
proud of its heritage, ministering to the needs of present-day Newark
residents. Nearly two centuries after the beginnings of this church in
Newark, the keeper of the clock in its tower was Archibald Ball, Edward's
great-great-great grandson.
My great-grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Ball, lived at 486 Washington Street
on land owned five generations back by her husband's family.
The Big GEDCOM / Revision 2.0 - created on
Wed Jul 23 22:16:48 1997
/ Copyright ©1996-1997 Descendants of Edward Ball of New Jersey Interest Group.
If you have a connection, correction or question, please email: The Big gEDcom@bigfoot.com /
GED2HTML v2.5b (4/12/96)