Frances Ravenscroft Ball1
F, b. 2 November 1720, d. 5 February 1782
| Father | Joseph Ball1 b. 11 Mar 1689, d. 10 Jan 1760 |
| Mother | Frances Ravenscroft1 b. 1693, d. 8 May 1762 |
Frances Ravenscroft Ball was born on 2 November 1720 at Westham Parish, Essex County, England.1,2 Frances Ravenscroft Ball was also known as Fanny Ball.3
Frances married Raleigh Downman on 23 October 1750 Frances and Raleigh had at least 3 children, including:
- Joseph Ball Downman of Moratico;
- Fanny, who married Colonel James Ball of Bewdley; and
- Raleigh W. Downman of Belle-Isle..4,2
Frances died on 5 February 1782 in Richmond County, Virginia, at age 61.1,2
Frances married Raleigh Downman on 23 October 1750 Frances and Raleigh had at least 3 children, including:
- Joseph Ball Downman of Moratico;
- Fanny, who married Colonel James Ball of Bewdley; and
- Raleigh W. Downman of Belle-Isle..4,2
Frances died on 5 February 1782 in Richmond County, Virginia, at age 61.1,2
Family | Raleigh Downman |
Citations
- [S1269] Ball Family Genealogy by Martha Cross Mordecai, maintained by Martha Mordecai NOTE: Web site no longer available on 2/23/16. All data taken from printout of site in 2006.
- [S1491] Ball, William.Colonial Families of the USA, 1607-1775 [database on-line],Vol. 2, Ball Family.
- [S1274] Bishop William Meade, Old Churches, Ministers, and Families of Virginia, Vol. II, p.128.
- [S1274] Bishop William Meade, Old Churches, Ministers, and Families of Virginia, p.128.
Raleigh Downman1
M
Raleigh married Frances Ravenscroft Ball on 23 October 1750 Frances and Raleigh had at least 3 children, including:
- Joseph Ball Downman of Moratico;
- Fanny, who married Colonel James Ball of Bewdley; and
- Raleigh W. Downman of Belle-Isle..2,3
- Joseph Ball Downman of Moratico;
- Fanny, who married Colonel James Ball of Bewdley; and
- Raleigh W. Downman of Belle-Isle..2,3
Family | Frances Ravenscroft Ball b. 2 Nov 1720, d. 5 Feb 1782 |
Joseph Ball1
M, b. before 1717
| Father | Joseph Ball1 b. 11 Mar 1689, d. 10 Jan 1760 |
| Mother | Frances Ravenscroft1 b. 1693, d. 8 May 1762 |
Charles Ball1
M, b. 17 May 1717, d. 28 July 1719
| Father | Joseph Ball1 b. 11 Mar 1689, d. 10 Jan 1760 |
| Mother | Frances Ravenscroft1 b. 1693, d. 8 May 1762 |
Hetty Betty Ball1
F, b. 2 November 1719, d. 7 October 1720
| Father | Joseph Ball1 b. 11 Mar 1689, d. 10 Jan 1760 |
| Mother | Frances Ravenscroft1 b. 1693, d. 8 May 1762 |
John Arnold Zopher Ball
M, b. 1724, d. 6 July 1803
| Father | Joseph Ball b. 11 Mar 1689, d. 10 Jan 1760 |
| Mother | Frances Ravenscroft1 b. 1693, d. 8 May 1762 |
John Arnold Zopher Ball was born in 1724 at Frederick, Louisa (then Hanover) County, Virginia.2,3,4 John Arnold Zopher Ball was also known as Zopher.
There is considerable uncertainty about the genealogy of John Arnold Zopher Ball and his family. According to a FindaGrave contribution, DNA evidence from John’s sons, Caleb and Isaiah, have shown that he is NOT a relative of George Washington through his mother, Mary Ball Washington's, family. The DNA evidence strongly suggests that John Arnold is related to Edward Ball, one of the founders and first settlers of Newark, New Jersey. However, his connection to Edward Ball is not known at this time.
Many Ancestry Family Trees list John Arnold’s wife’s name as Elizabeth Mercy Hunter; some show her only as Elizabeth; and still others identify her as Sarah. Unfortunately, there is very little documentation for these statements. The few relevent “facts” now available include:
- John Arnold apparently had at least 10 children. For the most part, their birth dates are well established. Remarkably, his last child was born when John Arnold was 72 years old which suggests that his wife may have been considerably younger. There is also a significant gap of 9 years (from 1755 to 1764) in the children’s birth years;
- Three SAR membership applications identify John Arnold’s wife as Elizabeth (no middle name). Presumably these applications are based on family records;
- Isaiah and Dennis Ball, John Arnold’s children, specifically identify their mother as Sarah in an 1813 deed. This is undoubtedly the best evidence now available. John Arnold’s wife is also identified as Sarah in the extensive Ball genealogies published by Cheseboro and Gordon Lane, although without attribution. It is noteworthy that both Isaiah and Dennis were born after the 9-year gap in children’s births;
- There is some published information on Elizabeth Mercy Hunter, including her parents as well as birth and death dates. But no source is given for her presumed marriage to John Arnold. There is a recorded marriage between John Arnold’s son, also named Zopher, and an Elizabeth Hunter in 1806 which may have led to some confusion with the similar names.
At this point, with the information now available, it seems most likely that John Arnold actually married twice; first to an Elizabeth some time before 1750 when the first child was born. Elizabeth must have died some time after 1755 when Caleb was born; whereupon John Arniold re-married a Sarah some time before 1764 when Isaiah was born.
Hopefully this situation can be clarified with further research.3
John married Elizabeth Unknown circa 1748 It is theorized that Zopher had more than one wife, due to the length of time over which the children attributed to him were born. His first wive's name was given as Mercy Ball in a letter from Amos Ball cited in a SAR Membership Application by Bard Arnold Logan, His second wife was probably named Sarah..5,6,3
John married Sarah Unknown circa 1762.7
John and Sarah may have had a son, John Ball, born 1765 in Frederick County, Virginia.8
In Dunmore's War of 1774 against the Indians, Zopher served as a sergeant in Capt. Joseph Mitchell's Company of the southwest Virginia militia. These soldiers were on the payrolls at Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia and Romney, Hampshire County, Virginia (now West Virginia). He also served in Lt. David Enoch's Company whose soldiers were on the payrolls at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. This latter company also included an Elisha Ball.9 John served from 9 Sept to 10 Dec 1776 as a sergeant in Capt. Thomas Gaddis' Company of the Virginia Militia.10,11
During the Revolution, the area in which Zopher lived was claimed by both Virginia (Augusta County) and Pennsylvania (Westmoreland County). The area officially became part of Pennsylvania in June 1780 as a result of the "Baltimore Agreement".
Washington County was formed from a portion of Westmoreland County in March, 1781. Reportedly, Zopher moved to Washington County after the Revolution (or he may have lived in the part incorporated in Washington County.)
In 1781, John was shown on the County Supply Tax List at Bethlehem Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Zopher is listed with 100 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows, 4 sheep, with a value of $706.12
A Zopher Ball is listed in numerous military records in and around the Revolutionary War. It seems likely that these records pertain to more than one individual but which ones relate to John Arnold Zopher Ball is uncertain. A Zopher Ball active in the frontier militia from 1778 to 1785. In the Militia Rolls for 1778-1782, he is listed as a Private in Capt. Craig Ritchie's Company of the Westmoreland Rangers under Col. David Williamson and as a Private in Capt. George Myer's Company, Washington Co. Rangers. He is also listed 3 times as an Ensign in Capt. Ezekiel Rose's Company in the Washington County Rangers.
A Zopher Ball is also listed in a list of Veterans Burials cards as an Ensign in the US Navy during the revolution. No dates are given but he is listed as buried in the Ball Cemetery. However, it seems unlikely that John Arnold Zopher Ball served in both the Navy and the frontier militia during the Revolution so this person is probably a different Zopher Ball.13,14
On 2 Oct 1781, Zopher was listed as an Ensign in Capt. George Miars' Company of the Washington County militia.15,4 In 1782, he served as an Ensign in Capt. Ezekiel Ross' Company under Col. William Crawford, probably in the Washington Co. militia, on the disasterous Sandusky Expedition.16,3 The Sandusky Expedition was intended to deal a final blow to the western tribes of Indians following a massacre of Christian Indians at Gnadenhutten by 160 men from Washington County under Col. Williamson. Popular opinion was such that Brigadier William Irvine, commander at Fort Pitt, granted permission for an all-volunteer force under Col. William Crawford to undertake this mission. About 2/3 of the men were from Washington County; most of the rest were from Westmoreland County. Col. Crawford was a regular army officer from Westmoreland County.
Crawford's men left Washington County on May 23, 1782 and arrived on Sandusky plain on June 4 where they skirmished with the Indians. On the following day, the Indians were reinforced by a British detachment from Fort Detroit, causing a general retreat of the Crawford party toward the Ohio River. The retreat over a 2-day period became a rout, and 25 men were captured and tortured to death. This victory emboldened the Indians and led to many alarms until January 1783 when peace was declared.17
In 1783, Zopher was shown on the Pennsylvania Tax and Exoneration Tax List Tax List for Bethlehem, Washington County. He had 100 Assorted Items, 2 horses, 3 cows, and 4 sheep for a total of $53.10.18
Zopher is listed as an Ensign in command of his own company in the Washington County militia in several records covering the period 1778-1783. He may have served in the Stockley Rangers under the command of Capt. Timothy Downing and under Capt. Thomas Rankin. (A Zephar Bell is also shown as a private in Capt George Mier's Company. Possibly this is Zopher 1744, son of Zopher 1724. A Zopher Bell is also shown in Stockley rangers (Ser 3, vol.23, p.212) which may be a misspelling of Ball).19
In 1785, John was shown on the Tax List for Washington County, Pennsylvania.20
John was listed as the head of household in the 1786 Pennsylvania Septennial Census in Bethlehem Township, Washington County.21
John was listed as the head of household in the 16 and over age group in the 1790 Census at West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Included in the household were 3 males 16 and up (John Arnold, Isaiah, Zopher), 3 males under 16 (Dennis, Abel, Henry) , and 3 females (Sarah, ?, ?)..22
John died on 6 July 1803 in Washington County, Pennsylvania.23,24,25 He is buried in the Ball Cemetery at Delaware Township., Mercer County. Zopher was originally buried in Washington County but his body was moved by Amos Entheus Ball in 1907 to the cemetery on the old Ball farm. His original stone is backed by another stone marked, ENSIGN ZOPHER BALL, PA. MIL. REV. WAR. Bronze DAR marker reads: REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER, ZOPHER BALL, 1775-1783..26,3
There is considerable uncertainty about the genealogy of John Arnold Zopher Ball and his family. According to a FindaGrave contribution, DNA evidence from John’s sons, Caleb and Isaiah, have shown that he is NOT a relative of George Washington through his mother, Mary Ball Washington's, family. The DNA evidence strongly suggests that John Arnold is related to Edward Ball, one of the founders and first settlers of Newark, New Jersey. However, his connection to Edward Ball is not known at this time.
Many Ancestry Family Trees list John Arnold’s wife’s name as Elizabeth Mercy Hunter; some show her only as Elizabeth; and still others identify her as Sarah. Unfortunately, there is very little documentation for these statements. The few relevent “facts” now available include:
- John Arnold apparently had at least 10 children. For the most part, their birth dates are well established. Remarkably, his last child was born when John Arnold was 72 years old which suggests that his wife may have been considerably younger. There is also a significant gap of 9 years (from 1755 to 1764) in the children’s birth years;
- Three SAR membership applications identify John Arnold’s wife as Elizabeth (no middle name). Presumably these applications are based on family records;
- Isaiah and Dennis Ball, John Arnold’s children, specifically identify their mother as Sarah in an 1813 deed. This is undoubtedly the best evidence now available. John Arnold’s wife is also identified as Sarah in the extensive Ball genealogies published by Cheseboro and Gordon Lane, although without attribution. It is noteworthy that both Isaiah and Dennis were born after the 9-year gap in children’s births;
- There is some published information on Elizabeth Mercy Hunter, including her parents as well as birth and death dates. But no source is given for her presumed marriage to John Arnold. There is a recorded marriage between John Arnold’s son, also named Zopher, and an Elizabeth Hunter in 1806 which may have led to some confusion with the similar names.
At this point, with the information now available, it seems most likely that John Arnold actually married twice; first to an Elizabeth some time before 1750 when the first child was born. Elizabeth must have died some time after 1755 when Caleb was born; whereupon John Arniold re-married a Sarah some time before 1764 when Isaiah was born.
Hopefully this situation can be clarified with further research.3
John married Elizabeth Unknown circa 1748 It is theorized that Zopher had more than one wife, due to the length of time over which the children attributed to him were born. His first wive's name was given as Mercy Ball in a letter from Amos Ball cited in a SAR Membership Application by Bard Arnold Logan, His second wife was probably named Sarah..5,6,3
John married Sarah Unknown circa 1762.7
John and Sarah may have had a son, John Ball, born 1765 in Frederick County, Virginia.8
In Dunmore's War of 1774 against the Indians, Zopher served as a sergeant in Capt. Joseph Mitchell's Company of the southwest Virginia militia. These soldiers were on the payrolls at Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia and Romney, Hampshire County, Virginia (now West Virginia). He also served in Lt. David Enoch's Company whose soldiers were on the payrolls at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. This latter company also included an Elisha Ball.9 John served from 9 Sept to 10 Dec 1776 as a sergeant in Capt. Thomas Gaddis' Company of the Virginia Militia.10,11
During the Revolution, the area in which Zopher lived was claimed by both Virginia (Augusta County) and Pennsylvania (Westmoreland County). The area officially became part of Pennsylvania in June 1780 as a result of the "Baltimore Agreement".
Washington County was formed from a portion of Westmoreland County in March, 1781. Reportedly, Zopher moved to Washington County after the Revolution (or he may have lived in the part incorporated in Washington County.)
In 1781, John was shown on the County Supply Tax List at Bethlehem Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Zopher is listed with 100 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows, 4 sheep, with a value of $706.12
A Zopher Ball is listed in numerous military records in and around the Revolutionary War. It seems likely that these records pertain to more than one individual but which ones relate to John Arnold Zopher Ball is uncertain. A Zopher Ball active in the frontier militia from 1778 to 1785. In the Militia Rolls for 1778-1782, he is listed as a Private in Capt. Craig Ritchie's Company of the Westmoreland Rangers under Col. David Williamson and as a Private in Capt. George Myer's Company, Washington Co. Rangers. He is also listed 3 times as an Ensign in Capt. Ezekiel Rose's Company in the Washington County Rangers.
A Zopher Ball is also listed in a list of Veterans Burials cards as an Ensign in the US Navy during the revolution. No dates are given but he is listed as buried in the Ball Cemetery. However, it seems unlikely that John Arnold Zopher Ball served in both the Navy and the frontier militia during the Revolution so this person is probably a different Zopher Ball.13,14
On 2 Oct 1781, Zopher was listed as an Ensign in Capt. George Miars' Company of the Washington County militia.15,4 In 1782, he served as an Ensign in Capt. Ezekiel Ross' Company under Col. William Crawford, probably in the Washington Co. militia, on the disasterous Sandusky Expedition.16,3 The Sandusky Expedition was intended to deal a final blow to the western tribes of Indians following a massacre of Christian Indians at Gnadenhutten by 160 men from Washington County under Col. Williamson. Popular opinion was such that Brigadier William Irvine, commander at Fort Pitt, granted permission for an all-volunteer force under Col. William Crawford to undertake this mission. About 2/3 of the men were from Washington County; most of the rest were from Westmoreland County. Col. Crawford was a regular army officer from Westmoreland County.
Crawford's men left Washington County on May 23, 1782 and arrived on Sandusky plain on June 4 where they skirmished with the Indians. On the following day, the Indians were reinforced by a British detachment from Fort Detroit, causing a general retreat of the Crawford party toward the Ohio River. The retreat over a 2-day period became a rout, and 25 men were captured and tortured to death. This victory emboldened the Indians and led to many alarms until January 1783 when peace was declared.17
In 1783, Zopher was shown on the Pennsylvania Tax and Exoneration Tax List Tax List for Bethlehem, Washington County. He had 100 Assorted Items, 2 horses, 3 cows, and 4 sheep for a total of $53.10.18
Zopher is listed as an Ensign in command of his own company in the Washington County militia in several records covering the period 1778-1783. He may have served in the Stockley Rangers under the command of Capt. Timothy Downing and under Capt. Thomas Rankin. (A Zephar Bell is also shown as a private in Capt George Mier's Company. Possibly this is Zopher 1744, son of Zopher 1724. A Zopher Bell is also shown in Stockley rangers (Ser 3, vol.23, p.212) which may be a misspelling of Ball).19
In 1785, John was shown on the Tax List for Washington County, Pennsylvania.20
John was listed as the head of household in the 1786 Pennsylvania Septennial Census in Bethlehem Township, Washington County.21
John was listed as the head of household in the 16 and over age group in the 1790 Census at West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Included in the household were 3 males 16 and up (John Arnold, Isaiah, Zopher), 3 males under 16 (Dennis, Abel, Henry) , and 3 females (Sarah, ?, ?)..22
John died on 6 July 1803 in Washington County, Pennsylvania.23,24,25 He is buried in the Ball Cemetery at Delaware Township., Mercer County. Zopher was originally buried in Washington County but his body was moved by Amos Entheus Ball in 1907 to the cemetery on the old Ball farm. His original stone is backed by another stone marked, ENSIGN ZOPHER BALL, PA. MIL. REV. WAR. Bronze DAR marker reads: REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER, ZOPHER BALL, 1775-1783..26,3
Family 1 | Elizabeth Unknown b. ??? 1726, d. c 1756 |
| Children |
|
Family 2 | Sarah Unknown b. 1730, d. b 1813 |
| Children |
|
Citations
- [S1263] Larson, George Arthur, Pedigree Resource File DVD #126.
- [S269] Sally G. Dufford, Mercer Co., PA Cemetery Inscriptions, p.35. Ball Cemetery, Delaware Twp. (copied 8 May 1980 by Sally Dufford & Loretta DeSantis). Date of birth on gravestone. Place of birth per Bill Slager e-mail 11/30/99. George Larsen's Pedigree Resource File #126 has birthplace as Lancaster Co., VA.
- [S1362] Ball, Zopher. Source: Find A Grave Index 1854-2012 (www.findagrave.com). Cemetery: Ball Cemetery, Delaware Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
- [S1414] Roster of Revolutionary Ancestors of Indiana DAR, Ancestry.com (online database), Ball, John Arnold Zopher.
- [S1141] Personal Conclusion by Bill Stanley. Date of marriage guessed from birth date of presumed first child, Mercy, in 1750. Maiden name of bride is uncertain.Ancestry Family tree says John married Elizabeth Mercy Hunter on 22 April 1747 but the source cited - New Jersey Marriage Records - actually list John Ball of Chester, PA marrying Sarah Thomas of Philadelphia on that date.
- [S1416] Ball, Zopher,Sons of American Revolution Membership Applications, Online publication maintained by: Ancestry.com (online database). Membership Application submitted by: 27 Dec 2017.
- [S1141] Personal Conclusion by Bill Stanley. Date of marriage assumed from birth date of presumed son, Isaiah. Vicky Burrell Ancestry Tree identifies wife as Elizabeth Sara Nin without attribution.
- [S1419] Ancestors of Isaiah Ball from Gordon Lane,11 generation family tree for ancestors of Isaiah Ball compiled by Gordon Lane. Printed copy received on March 30, 2000. In personal files.
- [S273] Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, Virginia's Colonial Soldiers, p.139 & p.147.
- [S258] Revolutionary War records, National Archives, (Cited in Bill Slager e-mail 11/30/99). Same data (without dates) in Virgil White's Index to Rev War Service Records, Vol A-D (IGL.
- [S272] John H. Gwathmey, Historical Record of Virginians in the Revolution, 1775-1783, p.35. Date of service from National Archives Revolutionary War Veterans Records cited by Bill Slager e-mail 11/30/99.
- [S274] State of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Archives, Series 3, Vol.22, p.706. Washington County Supply Tax - 1781, Bethlehen Twp. Shown as Gopher Ball in list.
- [S274] State of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XXIII (edited by William Egle, M.D.), pp.206, 208, 212, 311.
- [S1406] Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 177-2012, Record for Zopher Ball on p. 772 of 2726 in Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, Series 4, Carton 05. Record provided by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Accessed on Ancestry.com, J1n 21, 2016.
- [S274] State of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Vol. II (edited by Thomas Montgomery), p.167.
- [S274] State of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XIV (edited by William H. Egle, M.D.), p.703. Although Zopher's home is not specified about 2/3 of the troops were from Washington Co.; most of the rest from Westmoreland Co.
- [S277] Paul W. Myers, Washington County, PA Frontier Rangers, 1781-1782.
- [S1407] Ball, Zopher1863 Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801.
- [S274] State of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XIV (edited by William Egle, M.D.), p.734 and in Sixth Series, Vol.II (edited by Thomas Montgomery), p.236.
- [S255] Raymond M. Bell, Washington Co., PA Tax Lists for 1781-85 and 1793 (includes Census for 1790), Bethlehem Township.
- [S1415] Pennsylvania Septennial Census 1779-1863,Ball, John Arnold.
- [S1133] U. S. Census,1790,West Bethlehem Twp., Washuington Cty, PA, p.257 (AN).
- [S269] Sally G. Dufford, Mercer Co., PA Cemetery Inscriptions, p.35. Ball Cemetery, Delaware Twp. (copied 8 May 1980). Bill Slager says he died in Washington Co, PA. Grave may have been moved at a later date. In his 11/30/99 e-mail, Slager shows date of death as 6 July 1803, citing Dufford's book on Mercer Co. Cemetery Inscriptions. However, book only has the year 1803 not the date. In his 2/21/00 e-mail, Slager only shows 1803.
- [S1267] Paul W. Myers, Mercer County, PA. Soldiers - Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War, Gives date of death.
- [S1406] Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 177-2012, John Arnold Zopher Ball, Accessed on Ancestry.com on Feb 18, 2016. Identified as Zopher Ball.
- [S269] Sally G. Dufford, Mercer Co., PA Cemetery Inscriptions, Vol. XI, p.35. Ball Cemetery, Delaware Twp. Grave marked PA Militia Rev Vet.