Notes
Ref#102:
Some family records state that he was George Washington's uncle. However,
this is doubtful. It is likely that George Washington stayed in Timothy's
home during his several visits to New Jersey, but no definite link could
be made by the two men as to their possible common ancestry, nor has one
been established since despite considerable research.
Jefferson Village is now called Maplewood, NJ, and was my home town. The
original village was located near the current intersection of Jefferson
and Maplewood Avenues. The village was situated in a valley formed on the
west by the Orange mountain, and to the east by the opposite ridge of
high ground declining towards Newark. These are the first hills
encountered northwest of Newark. Jefferson Village is significant to our
group because it was first occupied by several of the offspring of Edward
Ball. At that time, all of the land laying between the Passaic River
where the first beginnings of Newark sprang up and the top of the Orange
Mountain (then called Newark Mountain) was held to belong to Newark, and
it was not difficult for the Ball family to get a patent to a tract of
land within that area. Edward's son Thomas settled on such a tract
between North Farms and Jefferson Village. The most impressive Ball home
is that of Thomas's son, Timothy. I have a history and photos of the
Timothy Ball House, which is now called the Washington Inn because George
Washington stayed there during the battle of Springfield. I would be
happy to share these if anyone is interested. Other grandsons of Edward
Ball also built homes in the Jefferson Village area.
By 1796, Jefferson Village was considered part of Springfield Township,
yet the only public building was a school. Because Jefferson Village was
several miles from the toll road connecting the two "large" towns of
Morristown and Newark (which at that time had 250 and 1000 inhabitants
respectively), it was considered remote and had no business district. By
1815 it had over thirty families and applied for its own post office.
About that time a land speculator bestowed the name of Maplewood on a
railway station built at his own expense in Jefferson Village, and the
name took hold, eventually replacing Jefferson Village.
There is an enormous amout of information about Jefferson Village and
Maplewood in the book "Maplewood, Past and Present", prepared by the
Friends of the Maplewood Library in 1948 and published by the Princeton
University Press. I have a copy if anyone is interested.
Ref#124:
Farmer, on the mountainside, west of Maplewood Station, near South
Orange, NJ.
Ref#176:
The oldest {son of Thomas}, Timothy, built a house for his family in
1743, on what is now Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, which is still standing.
Additions have been made through the years and it has been restored
beautifully. It is kept by the present owners in much the style of
Timothy's era. General Washington, a third cousin to Timothy, {No proof
of this} is reported to have visited him there many times during the
winter when his army was quartered in Morristown, a few miles away.
An area west of Millburn, between Maplewood and Morristown, is still
known as "Ball's Bluff." It was. presumably, a look-out toward New York,
where the British were encamped.
THE TIMOTHY BALL HOUSE - 1779
source: "The Historical Murals of Maplewood", by Joseph V. Noble;
Maplewood, New Jersey, 1961
The first white explorer to see the area that is now New Jersey was the
Italian, Giovanni da Verrazano, while he was in the service of France in
1524. Then, under the Dutch flag in 1609, Henry Hudson sailed his ship,
the Half Moon, into New York harbor and sent exploring parties into
Newark Bay. As a result of these explorations the Dutch laid claim to
this entire region. In 1618 they established a trading post at Bergen,
the first settlement in New Jersey, now known as Jersey City. England was
not unmindful of Holland's territorial ambitions and engaged her in
series of conflicts resulting in all of the Dutch possessions in America
being taken by England in 1664. At first New Jersey was administered as
two separate areas, East Jersey and West Jersey, but in 1702 they were
united as a crown colony.
In 1666 a group of Englishmen under the leadership of Robert Treat moved
from Connecticut and established Newark. Among the group was Edward Ball
whose son, Thomas, applied for a patent to a tract of land belonging to
Newark along the Orange Mountain. He settled on a farm, part of which he
ultimately gave to one of his sons, Timothy. For some years Timothy and
his wife, Esther, lived in a small house where several of their children
were born. Eventually he decided to build a large one in keeping with his
prosperity and the needs of his expanding family. It was built of local
red sandstone and hewn timbers, and was under construction for nearly a
year. The stones were hauled on sleds drawn by oxen from green oak
saplings and were secured by hand wrought nails. Great oak beams for the
house were fastened together by wooden pegs. It was not the custom to use
a cornerstone but in the chimney a stone was laid, cut with their
initials and date: T. & E. B. 1743.
Timothy Ball died of smallpox in the epidemic of 1758 and bequeathed to
"my beloved wife Esther the use of all Lands Tenements and Hereditaments
during the time she shall remain my widow and no longer." She did remain
his widow for the rest of her long life and with her two older daughters
she raised her three younger sons. At the time of the Revolutionary War
three of her sons joined the New Jersey Militia.
In the winter of 1779 General George Washington and his troops were
stationed near Morristown. At that time the British held New York City
and both sides maneuvered their troops in New Jersey seeking possible
advantages. The Ball family was strongly in support of the Revolutionary
cause and offered their hospitality to Washington and his men when he was
in the vicinity. It is said that on more than one occasion he spent the
night at the Ball house.
The mural illustrates such an occasion in 1779, with the glow of a winter
sunset filtering through the trees. Inside, the cheery candlelight offset
the chill of the evening and the discouragement of the protracted
revolutionary conflict. It is reported that General Washington slept in
the small room over the kitchen, the one with the tiny square window in
the red sandstone wall at the left side of the house. The kitchen, on the
ground floor, with its huge open hearth fireplace eleven feet wide, is
said to have been used to stable the General's horse on his visits.
Washington's mother's name was Mary Ball and apparently there were some
discussions as to a possible relationship between the families. In any
event, Washington is said to have referred to the Balls as "cousins",
perhaps as much from friendship as from kinship.
The Timothy Ball House still stands today on Ridgewood Road as the most
important historical house in Maplewood. In 1919, having passed through
various ownerships and fallen into disrepair, it was restored and a long
porch with columns was added together with six dormer windows in the
roof. But the kitchen still has the large fireplace fitted with cranes
and kettles.
Source: History of the Oranges, Vol 3 pg. 511-513
HISTORY OF THE ORANGES - SOUTH ORANGE
Rev. George W. Clark, great-grandson of Timothy Ball, compiled
interesting data relating to the house which he built in the early part of
the Eighteenth Century, and which is still standing, and known as Ye Old
Washington Inn. The clergyman noted:
The house is on the Ridge-wood or mountainside road, between
Orange and Springfield, about three miles from either place and a short
distance from either the South Orange or the Maplewood railroad station.
In the front chimney, above the peak of the roof, is a stone inscribed "T.
& E. B. 1743" (Timothy and Esther Hall), the date of the building. An-
other interesting feature is a small square aperture in the front wall of
the house which leads to an old fashioned built-in bed which for purposes
of warmth adjoins the huge chimney.
Timothy Ball, grandson of Edward Ball, of Newark, and son of
Thomas Ball, near "Tuscan Hall," was born In 1711, was married to
Esther Bruen about 1743. They are said to have lived in a house (log.
probably) a few rods to the northeast, just over the brook that divided
Orange from Springfield. Wishing to dig a well, a diviner came along
and by use of sticks pointed out where water could easily be found on the
southwest side of the brook. This located the more permanent house,
which Mr. Ball was about to build, on that side of the brook.
The new house was built largely of stone, and required much time
and labor in quarrying and preparing the stone. It was a commodious
and substantial house for those days, but Mr. Ball enjoyed it only four-
teen years. In the winter of 1757-1758 the smallpox was prevalent in
New Jersey, and Mr. Ball died of the disease in 1758. The house and
farm were left to be managed by the wife and two daughters. Five chil-
dren had been born in the new house, all then under twelve years of age,
three of them boys, John, Uzal and David. The latter was the grand-
father of the writer, and in due time located about fifty rods away, tow-
ards South Orange. John settled near Boonton and Usal{Uzal} occupied the
homestead. Edward, grandfather of Timothy Ball, was one of the orig-
inal settlers of Newark and was born about the year 1642 or 1643. He
married Abigail Blatchley, of Connecticut, about the year 1664 and re-
moved to Newark in the year 1667 and probably died there (the. exact
date of his death being unknown). He was a prominent man in New-
ark's affairs--Sheriff, Committeeman on boundaries in matter of settle-
ment with Lord Proprietors, Indians, etc. Is supposed to have had six
children, among whom was a son named Thomas.
Thomas Ball was born about 1687-1688 and died on or about Decem-
ber 18, 1744. Married Sarah Davis about the year 1710. Was a black-
smith and constable of Newark between 1715-1716 and removed, between
1718-1720, to a tract between Hilton and Jefferson Village, New Jersey,
where he died near the site of "Tuscan Hall," built by his son Ezekiel.
Thomas Ball is said to have had twelve children, among whom was a son
named Timothy.
Timothy Ball was born October 26, 1711, and died January 9, 1758.
Was a farmer on the mountainside, west of Maplewood Station, near
South Orange, N.J. Married Esther Bruen, December, 1734, and is said
to have had eleven children, among whom was a son named Uzal Ball.
Uzal Ball was born March 20, 1748, and died April 9,1799. Was a
farmer, his homestead being situate near South Orange, N.J. Married
Abigail Burnet and died leaving seven children.
There is a tradition in the Ball family that Edward Ball (grand-
father of Timothy) was related to Mary, the mother of Washington; his
father perhaps being the grandfather of Mary Washington. During the
Revolutionary War, while Washington had his troops stationed at Mor-
ristown, he frequently came to the top of the mountain to witness the
movements of the British troops near Elizabethtown and Staten Island,
which could be seen in the distance. On these occasions he used to visit
Usal{Uzal} Ball who lived on the homestead of Timothy Ball, his father.
There
he passed nights, and on more than one occasion, as a precaution, stabled
his horse in their kitchen. Washington recognized the Balls as distant
relatives, calling them cousins. John, David and Usal{Uzal} Ball, sons of
Tim-
othy, served with the New Jersey troops in the Revolution.
Timothy Ball made his will in 1752, and which was recorded Febru-
ary 8, 1758, as follows:
In the name of God Amen the first day of June 1752 I Timothy Ball
of Newark in the County of Essex and Province of New Jersey being in
good health in Body and perfect mind & memory thanks be given to
Almighty God therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my Body and
knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain
this my last will & Testament that is to say Principally and first of all
I
give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave
it and my Body I recommend to the Earth to be Buried in decent Chris-
tian Burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the
General resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Power of God
and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to
bless me with in this life I Give Demise and dispose of the same in the
following manner and form My will is that all my just Debts as shall
hapen at my decease shall be paid by my Executors hereafter named and
appointed out of my moveable Estate.
Item I Give and bequeath unto my loving and beloved wife Esther
the use of all my lands Tenements and Hereditaments during the time
she shall remain my widow and no longer my will also is that my sd wife
shall have fifty Pounds out of my moveables such things as she shall chuse
out of the Invitary at her disposal forever.
Item I Give and bequeath unto my beloved sons namely John & Uzal
and all other sons that my said wife shall have within nine months after
my decease all my Lands or meadows eqaly to be Divided amongst them
except I shold be in Debt at my Deceas so that there should not be move-
ables anough to pay them and the Legacies before & hereafter mentioned
then my will is that my Executors shall have power to sell Land at any
time when they see fit and pay my debts and my will is that my Executors
or any Persons under or from or by them or their orders or by my sons
orders at any time may Devide my Land equaly amongs my sons, and my
will is that if my Executors hereafter appointed shall see that I have
land inconveniant for my Sons and that there is Land more conveniant
for them and for ther benefit that then they may sell some & buy others
for my sons and my will is that if I should have any Land in pardonship
with any Body that then my Executors may Devide it at any time and my
will is that if there should be any more moveables then to pay the Legacys
that my sons should have it.
Item I Give & bequeath unto my beloved Daughters Sarah Charity
Rachel and to all other daughters as shall be Born of my said wife within
nine months after my Decease they shall have fifty pounds apeace to be
paid by my Executors when they are eighteen years old or before if they
are married.
Item I do make ordain constitute and appoint my beloved wife Esther
and My beloved Brother Aaron Ball and Nathaniel Ball the Sole Execu-
trix and Execrs of this my last will and Testament and I do revoke
nullifie
and make void all former wills & Testaments by me in any manner of
ways heretofore maid & declared hereby ratifying & confirming this to
be my last will & testament and none other In Testimony whereof I have
to this my last will & Testament set my hand and affixed seal the day and
year above written.
Signed sealed published TIMOTHY BALL (Seal)
and declared by the
Testator to be his last will
and Testament in presence of
witnesses
Jonatha{n} Tompkins,
Jedidiah Hedden,
William Green
Be it remembered that on the third day of February in the year of Our
lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty eight Jonathan Thompklns
and Jedidiah Hedden two of the witnesses personally appeared before me
Uzal Ogden duly authorized to Prove wills & qualify Executors in the
Eastern Division of New Jersey & they being duly sworn on the Holy
Evangelists did Depose that they were present and saw Timothy Ball the
Testator within named sign & seal the within written Instrument and
heard him publish pronounce & declare the same to be his last will and
testament and that at the doing thereof the said Testator was of sound
mind & memory to the best of their knowledge & understanding and at
the same time William Green was present and signed as did they each
sign as a witness in the Teatators presence.
UZAL OGDEN
Be it also Remembered that at the same time Esther Ball & Nathaniel
Ball two of the Executors within named personally came before me and
were sworn to the due execution and performance of the within will &
testament according to Law. UZAL OGDEN
Probate Granted by John Reading Esqr President &c in the usual form
Dated the same 3d feby 1758
Recorded in Liber F of wills page 487 &c.
Ref#214:
Timothy Ball's last will and testament is reprinted here in full.
Timothy was Uzal's father and at the time of writing, the family home was
still standing and was known as " Ye Old Washington Inn." ..."The house
is on the Ridgewood or mountainside road, between Orange and Springfield,
about three miles from either place and a short distance from either, the
South Orange or the Maplewood railroad station. In the front chimney,
above the peak of the roof, is a stone inscribed 'T. & E.B. 1743'
(Timothy and Esther Ball), the date of the building."... It was this
house in which Gen. Washington was said to have stabled his horse in the
kitchen! I wish I had a copy of this book!
Ref#224:
"Struggles and Triumphs of a Long Life" published by The Griffith &
Rowland Press in Philadelphia. Under the title it says "Personal Life
Sketches and Autobiography". I believe she found it in an LDS library
near her where she does alot of her work, however it is stamped Eastern
Baptist Theological Seminary Library. The book also has pictures of The
Timothy Ball House circa 1743.
From: "kl" / LEE425@aol.com
Subect: Timothy Ball House, Maplewood, New Jersey
Date: 96-09-29
You're welcome to see it if I am still here in March: address is 425
Ridgewood Road Maplewood NJ 07040. If you check you the Maplewood home
page there is a set of murals in Town Hall, one of which shows George
Washington visiting the Balls at the house during the winter he was
encamped in Jockey Hollow (probably a local legend because the winter
Washington was in Morristown was the worst of the 18th century and there
would have been four feet of unplowed snow). Along with the mural --
which prints out beautifully if you have a color printer -- is an essay
about the house by the Joe Noble who is a retired curator at the Met
Museum of Art, and who can be trusted I think to be historically reliable.
Ref#257:
Old Burying Ground at the First Presbyterian Church in Orange, Essex
County, at the corner of Scotland Road and Northfield Av/Main St.
The Big GEDCOM / Revision 2.0 - created on
Wed Jul 23 22:17:40 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)