Person Page - 272

     Zopher Ball was born ??? 1744.¹

A Zephar Bell is listed in Captain Mier's Company of the Washington County Militia Rolls, 1782-1785. This may have been a mis-spelling for the younger Zopher Ball since Zopher Ball is also listed as an Ensign in Capt. Miar's Company in 1781 and as an Ensign in command of his own company in the 1782-1785 militia rolls.²

A Zephu Ball (thought to be Zopher Ball) is listed as one of the earliest settlers in Columbia Township (formed in 1790), Hamilton County, Ohio. Zephu Ball is also listed as one of the first members and contributors to the Columbia Baptist Church (founded 20 Jan 1790, the first church in Hamilton County) which was joined by Sarah Ball in 1793.

     Mercy Ball was born circa 1750.¹

Mercy married Benjamin Junkin ??? 1770.¹

     Benjamin Junkin was born ??? 1748.

Benjamin married Mercy Ball ??? 1770.¹

     Elizabeth Ball was born circa 1752.¹

Elizabeth married Daniel Murray ??? 1770.²

     Daniel Murray was born ??? 1750.

Daniel married Elizabeth Ball ??? 1770.¹

     Caleb Ball was born in 1755 at Frederick County, Virginia.^1,2

Caleb married Phoebe Walton on 5 April 1792 in Cumberland County, Virginia. Caleb and Phoebe had the following children:
- (Rev) Amos Ball, b. 5 May 1793, Washington County, PA. Served in War of 1812.³ Married Elizabeth Harper 14 July 1817, Mercer County, PA. Died 1 April 1881 MercerCounty.
- Sarah Ball Stokely, born 1795 PA. Married 1st William Stevenson, then 2nd Benjamin T. Stokely. Died 1876
- Jonathan Walton Ball, born 2 January 1797, Washington County, PA. Married Asenath Moore 24 February 1820. Died 22 April 1897 Marion County, PA.
- Caleb A. Ball, born 16 March 1799, Mercer County, PA. Married Catherine Deliliah Smith. Died 17 January 1873, Rush County, IN.
- Margaret Mercy Ball Sippy, born 1801 PA. Married Isaac Sippy 1822. Died 18 February 1834 Mercer County, PA.
- Henry Ball, born 10 May 1803 Mercer County, PA. Married Harriet Smith 1826. Died 29 May 1883, Rush County, IN.
- John Ball, born 1805
- Asenath Ball Stokely, born 1808 PA. Married Euclid Stokely. Died 1871.
- William F. Ball, born 1808, Mercer County, PA. Married Sarah Zahniser 1834. Died 6 Dec 1883, Venango County, PA (or maybe Mercer County, PA).
- Phebe A Ball Sippy, born 1808, died 1897

Jonathan and Henry and their wives are listed in the 1860 Census in Rush County, IN.

There are several references to Caleb's son, Caleb, in the Atlas of Mercer County. He is also mentioned as a witness to a will in Mercer County, PA in 1831.^4,5,6,7

In 1793, Caleb was shown on the West Bethlehem Twp. Tax List at Washington County, Pennsylvania.⁸

Caleb was listed as the head of household in the 26-45 age group in the 1800 Census at Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Included in the household were 1 female 26-45, presumably his wife Phoebe, and 2 females and 2 males under 10..⁹

In 1796, Caleb settled on a farm in Worth Twp., Mercer Co., PA. In 1802, he was shown on the Cool Springs Tax List at Mercer County, Pennsylvania.¹⁰

Caleb was listed as the head of household in the 26-45 age group in the 1810 Census at Sandy Lake Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Included in the household were 1 female 26-45, presumably his wife Phoebe, 1 male 16-26, 1 female and 2 males 10-16, and 2 females and 2 males under 10..¹¹

Caleb witnessed the sale of donation land on 24 March 1812 in Mercer Co., Pennsylvania.¹²

Caleb served as a private in Capt. Lawrence's Company, 22nd Regt., US Infantry in the War of 1812 from June 1812 to 19 April 1814. He served in Capt. Lawrence's Company, per Burke's American Families, fought at Lundy's Lane, and helped build Perry's fleet at Erie, PA..^6,13,7

Caleb served in the Revolution as well as the War of 1812. He received a land grant of 100 acres for his service in the Revolution, then bought an addional 100 acres, and built a cabin in the center of the land.^14,7

Caleb died of fever on his way home from the War of 1812 on 19 April 1814 in Delaware Twp, Mercer County, Pennsylvania.^15,16 Caleb's original grave in Mercer County was later half-covered by a sidewalk. In 1906 he was reburied in the Ball Cemetery on the Amos Entheus Ball farm in Delaware Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. His gravestone states "age 59. 22 US Inf 1812 Vet."^17,7

     Phoebe was born on 13 March 1775 at Frederick County, Virginia. Her parents were Amos (1750-1827) and Marcy (Lacock) Walton (1758-1838)..^1,2

Phoebe married Caleb Ball on 5 April 1792 in Cumberland County, Virginia.^3,4,5,6

Phoebe probably appeared in the census of 1800 in the household of her husband Caleb Ball at Mercer County, Pennsylvania. She was in the 26-45 age group.⁷

Phoebe probably appeared in the census of 1810 in the household of her husband Caleb Ball at Sandy Lake Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. She was in the 26-45 age group.⁸

Phoebe died on 13 September 1864 in Rush County, Indiana, at age 89. She died in the home of her son, Jonathan Walton Ball whom she had moved from Pennsylvania to live with in 1855..^9,2 Phoebe was originally buried in the Ball Chapel Cemetery, Posey Township., Rush County, IN. Subsequently she was re-interred in the Glen Cove Cemetery, Knightstown, Henry County, Indiana..²

     Isaiah Ball was born in 1764 in Frederick County, Virginia. Many Ancestry Family Trees show Isaiah as born in 1770 in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. However, this date and place seem unlikely since Marietta was not established until 1788 and Isaiah would have been only 13 when he was later listed in an Ohio Tax List..¹

Isaiah was included in the Pennsylvania Tax and Exoneration list in 1783 at Bethlehem, Washington County. He had 150 Assorted Items, 2 horses, 3 cows, and 1 sheep for a total of $79.50.²

Isaiah may have appeared in the census of 1790 in the household of his father John Arnold Zopher Ball at West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. He was in the 16 and over age group.³

Isaiah married Martha Line on 12 (Oct-Dec) 1797 in Hamilton County, Ohio. The marriage was performed by James Sutton, M.G.

Pioneer Marriage Records from Hamilton Co., OH (precursor of Butler Co.), 1789-1817, show a Isaiah Ball married Sarah Lines (Oct-Dec) 12, 1797, by the same minister, James Sutton, MG. Since Isaiah's oldest daughter was named Sarah, Sarah Lines may have died shortly after her marriage and Isaiah then married her sister. Or, perhaps, Sarah and Martha were two names for the same person..⁴

Isaiah purchased 50 acres of land in Section 15, Township 2, Range 3, in Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio, from Benjamin Line on 11 April 1803.⁵ In 1806, he was shown on the Tax List in Butler County.^6,7

Isaiah was listed as the head of household in Fairfield Township, Butler County in the Ohio Census of white males 21 years and older in 1807. Included in the census was another white male over 21, probably one of his brothers..⁸

Together with Dennis Ball, Isaiah purchased 48 acres of land in Section 21, Township 2, Range 3, in Fairfield Township, Butler County, from Zopher Ball on 25 June 1808. Dower rights were relinquished by Zopher's wife, Elizabeth. A prior deed for the same land, recorded in Book B:85, was apparently invalid because it did not include a waiver of dower rights..⁵

Isaiah married Phebe Breese on 1 September 1808 in Butler County, Ohio. Isaiah and Phebe were married by John Vennedge, JP.^9,10,11

In 1810, Isaiah was shown on the Tax List for Butler County, Ohio.^12,7 He was also shown on the 1812 Tax List at Fairfield Township, Butler County. After Isaiah's death, this land was purchased by his son, Zopher, from the rest of his heirs.¹³

On 1 April 1813 Isaiah and Dennis Ball of Butler County sold to Elizabeth Harvey for $265 48 acres at Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio, except for a small tract of 4 poles square around the graves of their mother Sarah Ball and others. Phebe, wife of Isaiah and Margaret, wife of Dennis, relinquished their dower rights. On the same date, Elizabeth Harvey signed a deed to sell the same land back to Isaiah and Dennis Ball if her purchase price was not paid. Apparently it was. The land was eventually sold by the heirs of William Harvey (Elizabeth's husband or son) on April, 1833.^14,5

Isaiah served as a private in the War of 1812 under Lieut. Joseph Stephens in Capt. Thomas Freeman's Company from September 5, 1813 to January 21, 1814 at Ohio.^15,16,17 He received a military pension communcing on 1 January 1814 at Ohio.¹⁸

Isaiah died before April 1815. Baber's Early History of Greene Co., p.75, says the father of Martha Ball was Isaiah Ball "who died in the army many years ago" (from 1875). Note that it does not say he died in the War of 1812..¹⁹ His estate was probated in April 1815 in Butler County, Ohio. Dennis Ball was appointed Administrator of the estate. Isaiah's wife, Phebe, relinquished her right to administer the estate. In April, 1816, additional time was granted to settle the estate. About September 1817 a simplified inventory of the estate was approved. However, no inventory of the estate appears in the estate papers at the Butler County, Ohio Record Center.²⁰

     Phebe was born in 1773 at Ohio. Her parents were John Breese (1738-1829) and Hannah Priscilla Gildersleeve (1750-1844). John is said to have located in the western part of Greene County (then part of Sullivan County) in 1819..^1,2

Phebe married Isaiah Ball on 1 September 1808 in Butler County, Ohio. Isaiah and Phebe were married by John Vennedge, JP.^3,4,5

On 1 April 1813Phebe relinquished her dower rights for land at Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio, when Isaiah and Dennis Ball of Butler County sold 48 acres to Elizabeth Harvey for $265.^6,7

Phebe Breese was listed as a widow on a military pension for Isaiah Ball commencing on 1 January 1814 at Ohio. The pension record indicates that she re-married on 3 August 1815.⁴

After Isaiah's death, Phebe married Enoch Morris on 3 August 1815 at Butler County, Ohio. Enoch and Phebe were married by John Vennedge, JP..^8,5

Enoch and Phebe moved to Sullivan County (subsequently split into Greene County), Indiana about 1819, taking her two daughters with them.^9,2

Phebe sold 50 acres at W 1/2, Sec 15, Twp 2. Range 3 between the Miami Rivers, Butler County, Ohio, to Zopher J. Ball on 15 June 1831. She had received this property as her dower right from her first husband, Isaiah Ball. This land had originally been purchased by Isaiah from Zopher's father (also Zopher) in 1808. On the same date a quitclaim deed to this land was executed by all of the heirs of Isaiah's first wife, Martha Line but by none of the children of his second wife, Phebe Breese, possibly because they had moved to Indiana..⁷

Phebe was mentioned in Enoch Morris's will in May 1839 in Greene County, Indiana.¹⁰

Phebe died sometime after 12 December 1844.¹¹ She was buried in the Morris Cemetery at Summit, Greene County, Indiana.^12,13

     Martha Line was born on 9 February 1776 in New Jersey.¹

Martha married Isaiah Ball on 12 (Oct-Dec) 1797 in Hamilton County, Ohio. The marriage was performed by James Sutton, M.G.

Pioneer Marriage Records from Hamilton Co., OH (precursor of Butler Co.), 1789-1817, show a Isaiah Ball married Sarah Lines (Oct-Dec) 12, 1797, by the same minister, James Sutton, MG. Since Isaiah's oldest daughter was named Sarah, Sarah Lines may have died shortly after her marriage and Isaiah then married her sister. Or, perhaps, Sarah and Martha were two names for the same person..²

Martha died about 1807.^3,1 She was buried in the Harlow Cemetery at Waynetown, Montgomery County, Indiana.⁴

     Zopher Ball was born circa 1774.

Zopher may have appeared in the census of 1790 in the household of his father John Arnold Zopher Ball at West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. He was in the 16 and over age group.¹

Zopher purchased 48 acres in Sec1 Twp2 Military Rge3, Fairfield Twp. Butler County, Ohio from Jonathan Dayton for $144 on 22 July 1805.²

Zopher married Elizabeth Hunter on 24 April 1806 in Butler County, Ohio. Zopher and Elizabeth were married by Isaac Stanley, JP.^3,4

In 1806, Zopher was shown on the Tax List at Butler County, Ohio.⁵ A census in Butler County in 1807 listed Zopher as head of household with 2 white males over 21.⁶

Zopher sold 48 acres at Section 21, Township 2, Range 3, in Fairfield Township, Butler County, to Isaiah Ball and Dennis Ball on 25 June 1808. Dower rights were relinquished by Zopher's wife, Elizabeth. A prior deed for the same land, recorded in Book B:85, was apparently invalid because it did not include a waiver of dower rights..²

Zopher was listed as the head of household in the 45 and over age group in the 1820 Census at Butler County, Ohio. Included in the household were 1 female 45 and over, presumably his wife Elizabeth; and 1 male 16-26. It is possible, but unlikely, that this census record is for Zopher's father, also named Zopher..⁷

Zopher died after 1820.⁸

     Elizabeth Hunter was born ??? 1776.¹

Elizabeth married Zopher Ball on 24 April 1806 in Butler County, Ohio. Zopher and Elizabeth were married by Isaac Stanley, JP.^2,3

Elizabeth probably appeared in the census of 1820 in the household of her husband Zopher Ball at Butler County, Ohio. She was in the 45 and over age group.⁴

Elizabeth was listed as the head of household in the 60-70 age group in the 1830 Census at Deerfield Township, Warren County, Ohio. Included in the household were 3 females (10-15, 15-20, 30-40) and 2 males (15-20, 20-30). The identification of this Elizabeth Ball as the widow of Zopher Ball is purely circumstantial..⁵

Elizabeth died after 1830.⁶

     Dennis Ball was born on 15 May 1780 in Washington County, Pennsylvania.^1,2

Dennis may have appeared in the census of 1790 in the household of his father John Arnold Zopher Ball at West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. He was in the under 16 age group.³

Dennis married Margaret Line on 12 September 1805 in Butler County, Ohio. Dennis and Margaret were married by the Reverend Stephen Gard. They had at least 9 children:
     - Martha Ball, 1808-1886. Married David Rusk 1827
     - Johanna Ball, 1809-1864. Married John Rusk 1827
     - Abigail Ball, 1811-1846. Married Edwin Quick 1830
     - Nathan Ball, 1813-1852. Married Abigail Moore 1837
     - Isaiah Ball,Apr 1814-Jul 1838. Buried in Harlow Cemetery, Montgomery County, Indiana
     - James Ball, 1817-1898. Married Catherine Hoff 1840⁴
     - Nancy Ball, 1818-1894. Married Asher Fields 1840
     - Sarah Ball, 1822-1833. Married Perry Miller 1842⁵
     - Saloma Ball, 1824-aft 1881. Married Abram Heath.⁶

Data on children from Susan Smith's Silverchat Web site, 1/7/99. She also lists one more son, Henry, with no dates..^7,8,9

A census in Butler County in 1807 listed Dennis as head of household with 1 white male over 21 at Butler Co., Ohio.¹⁰

Together with Isaiah Ball, Dennis purchased 48 acres of land in Section 21, Township 2, Range 3, in Fairfield Township, Butler County from Zopher Ball on 25 Jun 1808. Dower rights were relinquished by Zopher's wife, Elizabeth. A prior deed for the same land, recorded in Book B:85, was apparently invalid because it did not include a waiver of dower rights.¹¹

In 1810, Dennis was shown on the Tax List at Butler Co., Ohio. Dennis paid taxes on 154 acres in S14 T2 R3 and on 48 acres in S21 T2 R3..¹²

A census at Butler County in 1812 listed Dennis as head of household.¹³

On 1 April 1813 Isaiah and Dennis Ball of Butler County sold to Elizabeth Harvey for $265 48 acres at Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio, except for a small tract of 4 poles square around the graves of their mother Sarah Ball and others. Phebe, wife of Isaiah and Margaret, wife of Dennis, relinquished their dower rights. On the same date, Elizabeth Harvey signed a deed to sell the same land back to Isaiah and Dennis Ball if her purchase price was not paid. Apparently it was. The land was eventually sold by the heirs of William Harvey (Elizabeth's husband or son) on April, 1833.^14,11
Dennis was appointed executor or administrator for the estates of Solomon Line (1817), Benjamin Line (1815), and Isaiah Ball (1815). On 17 April 1815, he was appointed guardian of Nancy Ball, Margaret Ball, Solomon Ball, and Zopher Ball, minor children of his deceased brother Isaac Ball.¹⁵

Dennis was appointed the guardian of Mary Ball, a minor orphan, in August 1816. She was described as a heir of Isaiah Ball. According to the guardianship record, Polly was 7 on August 11 instant (1816) and was to remain a ward until she was 12. On 30 October, 1823, under a new law, Dennis Ball's guardianship was extended until Polly, then 14, was 18 years old. John Line provided surety for the guardianship..¹⁶

In August 1816, Dennis was appointed the guardian of John Ball until the age of 14.¹⁷

In April 1819, Dennis was appointed the guardian of Solomon Ball, succeeding James Cummins, until he reached "full age".¹⁸

Dennis was listed as the head of household in the 26-45 age group in the 1820 Census at Butler County, Ohio. Included in thehousehold were 1 female 26-45, presumably his wife Margaret; 1 feamle 16-25; 2 males and 2 females 10-16; and 3 males and 2 femailes under 10..¹⁹

Dennis was a Commissioner in Butler County in 1822.

In October, 1823, Dennisl was appointed the guardian of Esther Ball, replacing James Cummins, until the age of 18. In October, 1823, Dennis Ball's guardianship of Zopher Ball was extended until Zopher was 21.²⁰

A biography of his son, James Ball, says that Dennis settled in Montgomery County, Indiana in 1825 where he was one of first settlers in Wayne Township. The family was 14 days on their journey to this area "which was then mostly a wilderness, covered with woods and inhabited by wild beasts and Indians". Dennis entered 320 acres of land, receiving a patent signed by J. Q. Adams.²¹

Dennis was listed as the head of household in the 50-60 age group in the 1830 Census at Montgomery County, Indiana. Included in the household were 1 female 5-60, presumably his wife Margaret; 2 males and 1 female 15-20; 1 male and 1 female 10-15; and 2 females 5-10..²²

Dennis was a Montgomery County Commissioner from 1829 to 1839 and was performing that office in the courthouse at Crawfordsville when he died.²³

Dennis made a will dated on 12 November 1839 at Montgomery County, Indiana. It was recorded on 4 Dec 1839. Listed in the will were his wife Margaret; son James Ball; daughters Nancy, Saloma, Sarah, Martha, Johanna Rusk, and Abigail Quick; niece and nephew Margaret Hunter and Zopher Ball. Executors were John Rusk (husband of Johanna) and Nathan Ball (another son of Dennis Ball)..²⁴

Dennis died on 9 November 1839 in Montgomery County, Indiana, at age 59.^25,26,2 He was buried in the Harlow Cemetery at Wayne Township, Montgomery County, Indiana.²

     Margaret Line was born on 14 September 1782 at Pennsylvania.^1,2

Margaret married Dennis Ball on 12 September 1805 in Butler County, Ohio. Dennis and Margaret were married by the Reverend Stephen Gard. They had at least 9 children:
     - Martha Ball, 1808-1886. Married David Rusk 1827
     - Johanna Ball, 1809-1864. Married John Rusk 1827
     - Abigail Ball, 1811-1846. Married Edwin Quick 1830
     - Nathan Ball, 1813-1852. Married Abigail Moore 1837
     - Isaiah Ball,Apr 1814-Jul 1838. Buried in Harlow Cemetery, Montgomery County, Indiana
     - James Ball, 1817-1898. Married Catherine Hoff 1840³
     - Nancy Ball, 1818-1894. Married Asher Fields 1840
     - Sarah Ball, 1822-1833. Married Perry Miller 1842⁴
     - Saloma Ball, 1824-aft 1881. Married Abram Heath.⁵

Data on children from Susan Smith's Silverchat Web site, 1/7/99. She also lists one more son, Henry, with no dates..^6,7,8

On 1 April 1813Margaret relinquished her dower rights for land at Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio.^9,10

Margaret probably appeared in the census of 1820 in the household of her husband Dennis Ball at Butler County, Ohio. She was in the26-45 age group.¹¹

Margaret probably appeared in the census of 1830 in the household of her husband Dennis Ball at Montgomery County, Indiana. She was in the50-60 age group.¹²

Margaret died on 30 July 1866 in Indiana at age 83.^13,14 She was buried in the Harlow Cemetery at Wayne Township, Montgomery County, Indiana.¹⁵

     Abel Ball was born in 1784 in Frederick County, Virginia.¹

Abel may have appeared in the census of 1790 in the household of his father John Arnold Zopher Ball at West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. He was in the under 16 age group.²

Abel married Mary Ann Crooks on 8 October 1805 in New Discovery, Butler County, Ohio. Abel and Mary Ann were married by the Reverend Stephen Gard.. They had at least 11 children, including:
     - Abigail Ball, born 1819. Married Alvah Adams 1839, Parke County
     - James Ball, born 1808. Married 1st Dianne Smith. Married 2nd Nancy Nevins, 1842, Parke County. Married 3rd Nancy Johnson, 1857. Buried in New Discovery Cemetery
     - Dennis Ball, born 1811. Married Mary Ann Modley, 1836, Parke County. Died 1907, Wapello County., Iowa.
     - Zopher B. Ball, born 1815. Married Deborah Mortran 1835, Parke County. Died 1860. (Additional data on this Zopher Ball is available on the World Connect site for the John Nicholas Mottern Family of Sullivan Co., TN (copy in Ball noteboook)
     - Nancy Ann Ball, born 1817. Married Peter Swain, 1836, Parke County. Died 1897
     - Sarah Ball, born 1819. Married Walker Adams. Died 1853
     - Abel Ball, born 1822. Married 1st Margaret McClain; married 2nd Margaret Nevins, 1846 Parke County. Died 1852, Parke County.
     - Margaret Ball, born 1823. married ? Adams.
     - Mary Jane Ball, born 1826, Parke County.
     - William Henry Harrison Ball, born 1828. Married 1st Lydia Ann Adams, 1848, Parke County. Married 2nd Melissa Rouse, 1873.
     - Howard Ball, born 1831.
A Bill Slager e-mail, 1/12/00, lists 2 additional children, Hiram O. Ball & Lewis Ball..^3,4

A Butler County census in 1897 listed Abel as head of household with 1 white male over 21.⁵

Abel served in the War of 1812 in the Ohio Militia. Per Ann Lester, he enlisted as a private 5 Sept 1813 and was discharged 4 March 1814. He served in Capt Freeman's Company in Zumwalt's 2nd Regiment of Ohio Militia..⁶

Abel was listed as the head of household in the 26-44 age group in the 1820 Census at Reily, Butler County, Ohio, (his name is given as Able in the census). Included in the household were 1 female 26-44, presumably his wife Mary Ann; 1 male and 2 femailes 10-15; and 2 males and 2 females under 10..⁷

Abel is listed as one of the earliest settlers in Parke County, Indiana, arriving in New Discovery in the middle of summer 1823.⁸

On 20 April 1824, Abel Ball purchased 80 acres of land in W 1/2 NW 1/4, Sec 26 T15N R7W, Parke County, Indiana from the Federal Government.⁹

Abel was listed as the head of household in the 40-49 age group in the 1830 Census at Parke County, Indiana. Included in the household were 1 female 40-49, presumably his wife Mary Ann; 1 female 20-29; 2 males 15-19; 2 females 10-14; 1 male and 1 female 5-9; and 1 male and 1 female under 5..¹⁰

Abel was listed as the head of household in the 50-59 age group in the 1840 Census at Parke County, Indiana. Included in the household were a female 50-59, presumably his wife Mary Ann; 1 male 15-19; amd 1 male and 1 female 10-14..¹¹

Abel was listed as the head of household in the 1850 Census in Jackson Township, Parke County, Indiana. He was 63, born in Pennsylvania, and listed as a farmer. Included in the household was his wife Mary (62, KY); a daughter Mary J (24, IN); and a son Howard (9, IN).

Abel died on 21 June 1853 in Parke County, Indiana.^12,13 He was buried in the New Discovery Cemetery at Bellmore, Parke County, Indiana.¹³

     Mary Ann Crooks was born on 12 January 1788 in Kentucky. She was the daughter of James Crooks Jr and Nancy Blue.¹

Mary married Abel Ball on 8 October 1805 in New Discovery, Butler County, Ohio. Abel and Mary Ann were married by the Reverend Stephen Gard..^2,3

Mary Ann probably appeared in the census of 1820 in the household of her husband Abel Ball at Reily, Butler County, Ohio. She was in the 26-44 age group.⁴

Mary Ann probably appeared in the census of 1830 in the household of her husband Abel Ball at Parke County, Indiana. She was in the 40-49 age group.⁵

Mary Ann probably appeared in the census of 1840 in the household of her husband Abel Ball at Parke County, Indiana. She was in the 50-59 age group; 50-59.⁶

Mary Ann appeared in the census of 1850 in the household of her husband Abel Ball at Jackson Township, Parke County, Indiana. She was 62, born in Kentucky.

Mary was listed as the head of household in the 1860 Census in Adams Township, Parke County, Indiana. She was 74, born in Kentucky. Included in the household was Mary J Ball (34, iN), presumably her daughter.⁷

Mary was listed as the head of household in the 1870 Census in Adams Township, Parke County, Indiana. She was 84, born in Kentucky.⁸ She died on 29 January 1876 at Parke County, Indiana, at age 88.⁹ She was buried in the New Discovery Cemetery at Adams Township, Parke County, Indiana.^10,3

     Charity Ball was born ??? 1773.

     Benjamin Stafford was born on 16 December 1766 on the Monongahela River, Washington County, Pennsylvania.¹

Benjamin married Eve Caress in 1798?. Benjamin and Eve had eleven children, six boys and five girls but is not clear whether he had one wife or two. No marriage records have been found. Their children included:
- Thomas Stafford (1792 KY - 1860-1870 IL);
- Sarah Stafford (1794 - ?);
- Martha Stafford (1796 - ?);
- Nancy D Stafford (1798 - ?);
- John Stafford (1800 - ?);
- Mary Stafford (1802 - ?);
- Margaret Stafford (1804 - ?);
- Azmabeth Stafford 1806 - ?);
- Benjamin Stafford (1809 - 1884);
- David Stafford (1814 - ?); and
- Jesse Stafford (1816 - ?).
Note that there is a gravestone in Marco Cemetery for Martha, wife of Benj. Stafford, died Dec 27, 1811, aged 32Y 11M, 26D (calculated birthdate 1 Jan 1811). On this basis, most of Benjamin's children would have been hers and his marriage to Eve would have been after 1811..^2,3,4

Benjamin and Eva came to Greene County in 1819 having entered land there the year before. Stafford Township is named after him.³

Benjamin was listed as the head of household in the 45 and over age group in the 1820 Census at Sullivan County (subsequently split into Greene County), Indiana. Included in the household was another male 45 and over; 2 females 45 and over, one of them presumably his wife Eve; 2 males 10-15; 1 female 16-25; and 2 males under 10..⁵

Benjamin was listed as the head of household in the 60-69 age group in the 1830 Census at Greene County, Indiana. Included in the household was one female aged 20-29; 1 male 20-29; 1 male 15-19; and 2 males under 5..⁶

Benjamin was listed as the head of household in the 70-80 age group in the 1840 Census at Greene County, Indiana. Included in the household were 1 female 40-50, presumably his wife, Eve; 1 male 10-15 and 1 male 15-20; and 1 female 10-15 and 1 female 15-20..⁷

Benjamin made a will on 6 November 1841 in Greene County, Indiana. 18 January 1842.⁸

Benjamin died on 20 December 1841 in Stafford Township, Greene County, Indiana, at age 75.^9,10 He was buried in the Marco Cemetery at Marco, Greene County, Indiana. He is buried in Row 17..^11,3