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Addison Ball and Abigail Adeline Robbins

Addison Ball was born 18 May 1822 in North Carolina.   In his Civil War pension deposition, Joshua Ball, son of Addison and Abigail, said he had never met his grandparents who lived in Buncombe County, North Carolina, but his grandfather's name was Aamraphael Ball, who died in 1880.  Joshua didn't mention his grandmother's name but said he thought she had died about 1865.  Ball family members have told me that Addison's mother was Elizabeth Holcomb.  Addison Ball married Abigail  Adeline Robbins  Abigail discussed her marriage in a deposition she gave for her Civil War pension application on the 6th of March 1884. 

I was married by Robert Patterson, a Baptist preacher, on Little Ivy, Yancey County, August 1, 1839.  We were married by license from the county court of Yancey County, N.C. located at Burnsville.  We were married at my mother's [Mary Robbins],(my maiden name was Abagail A. Robins).  When we were married there were present my sister Mary Holt, of  Moores Creek, Jackson County, KY - also William Carter of Little Ivy and Ansil George of same place.  George Briggs and Daniel Carter and Thomas Runyons and others. I expect there were 75 or 100 people present and saw us married.  They all were my neighbors on Little Ivy, Yancey Co. N.C.

Abigail Adeline Robbins was the daughter of Jonathan Robbins and Mary Masagee/Massingail.  She was born 11 April 1823 in Randolph County, North Carolina.  In her Civil War pension application she said that she had 13 children and raised 12 of them.  [William Franklin Ball died in infancy.]  

Addison and Abigail appear on the 1840 census of Yancey County, N.C. both between 15 and 20 years of age with no children in the household.  In his Civil War deposition, Addison said the family moved from N.C.  to Goose Creek, Clay County, Kentucky in 1848, and lived in the McWhorter settlement in Clay County.  Abigail's widowed mother, Mary Masagee Robbins, was living with them in 1850. On one of his depositions for a Civil War pension, Addison said he moved to Sturgeon Creek in Jackson County in the spring of 1858 and then to Pond Creek near where William May and Minatree Turner lived. They only stayed there a little while, and then moved to Perry McWhorters in 1859. In 1860 they made a crop at Perry McWhorters and rented another place close by and made a crop in 1861. They moved then to Laurel County close to Andy Cornelius' neighborhood about 1/12 miles from Moshon's Caves Road and lived there through the year 1862.  The family was listed on the 1860 census of Clay County.

Addison Ball enlisted as a Private  in Co. G, with the 47th KY infantry at Camp Wilson, KY near Irvine in Estill County, in July 1863.  He was discharged in November 1864 as a corporal, after having served 1 year and 4 months.  

While living in Rockcastle County, Addison applied for an invalid pension in1877, describing himself as 54 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall with a fair complexion, black hair and yellow eyes.  He claimed that on the 25th of July 1864, while unloading a wagon, a box of bacon fell on his right thigh.  In a declaration filed 23 June 1879, he claimed that the injury caused fistula and diarrhea. . In one of her depositions, Abigail mentioned that Addison walked on crutches for the last seven years before he died.  

Mrs. Catherine Holcomb, wife of Solomon Holcomb (a cousin of Addison's) said in her deposition dated 8 May 1885, "I think he [Addison]  was about 50 when he went into the Army. He told me once that he should never have gone in the Army."  [Addison was actually 40 when he enlisted.]

In 1864, Addison and Abigail moved to the Dry Fork of Pond Creek and lived next to Manuel Arnold and George W. Cook.  In another deposition Addison gave this record of all the places he lived after the war:

He moved back to Clay County after his discharge 
He moved to Laurel County in 1868
He moved back to Clay County in 1870
He moved to Rockcastle County in 1872 
He moved back to Clay County in 1879

Addison Ball died 7 July 1881 in Sextons Creek, Jackson County. 

On the 3rd of October 1911, Joshua L. Ball wrote to the Commissioner of Pensions:  

Dear Sir,

   My mother Mrs. Abagail A. Ball, widow of Addison Ball who served in Corporal Co. G. 47 Regt. Kentucky Volunteers holds Pension Certificate number 227640 of twelve dollars a month has through the infirmities of old age become absolutely helpless and her condition is such that requires constant attention and as I am sixty two years of age I am unable to work and provide the additional amount necessary to employ the assistance of a nurse for her.  And as the amount of twelve dollars per month is insufficient to support my mother and pay for help in caring for her properly I write you to find out whether or not there is any provision in the law that will grant an additional amount to her present pension to cover these expenses which would justify both her case and my efforts to maintain her while she is nearly one hundred years old [Abigail was actually about 88 years old.]  I can furnish evidence to verify these facts and will thank you to promptly inform me as to the prospects for this increase and I will readily fill out any papers you may send me for this evidence.  Awaiting your reply, I am Yours Respt.  Joshua L. Ball, Orlando, Rockcastle Co. KY.

Abigail died in May of 1912 in Jackson County.  Addison and Abigail Ball are both buried in Swindling Gap Cemetery in Jackson County.

Children of Addison Ball and Abigail Robbins

1. James W. Ball was born 18 January 1841, in Yancey County, N.C. He married Polly Allen 21 March 1861, in Jackson County, at Elizabeth Allen's house with Nathaniel Holt and Angeline Allen as witnesses.  He served as a Private in Co. A, 24th Ky Vol.

2. Elender A. Ball was born 8 May 1842 in Yancey County, N.C.  She was listed as Ellen A. on the deposition she gave for her mother's CW pension application.  Elender married William C. Robinson 28 February 1858 in Clay County.  William was born 15 October 1842 in Clay County.  He was the son of Charles Robinson and Catherine Shelton.  William and Elender were living in Malcolm, Clay County at the time of their deaths.  They are both buried in Swindling Gap Cemetery in Jackson County.  William's death date is listed as 8 Feb 1915 on his tombstone, and Elender's death date is listed as 9 July 1913.  

3. Sarah Elizabeth Ball was born 8 December 1843 in Yancey County, N.C.  She married John Robinson 15 November 1863 in Clay County.  John Robinson was born about 1825 in North Carolina.  He was the son of Julius Robinson and Elizabeth Jones. John and Sarah both appeared on the 1880 census of Clay County.  On the 20th of March 1885, Mr. Jesse Lewis in a CW deposition on behalf of Abigail Ball stated that John Robinson, Sarah's husband, was deceased.  Sarah died 1 April 1928.

4. Susannah Ball was born 12 June 1845, probably in Clay County.  She married Preston Pennington on 13 May 1869 on Pond Creek, Jackson County.  She died 8 September 1925.

5. Solomon S. Ball was born 19 August 1847 in Clay County.  He married a Sarah ____ on 23 December 1870.  He was married second to Dorcus Hartness on 7 March 1886.

6. Joshua Linzy Ball was born 18 September 1849 in Clay County.  He married Nancy Jane Hazelwood of Laurel County, 23 December 1869 in Clay County.  Nancy was the daughter of Wyatt Hazelwood and Celetha Dees.  Joshua died 1 September 1920 in Orlando, Rockcastle County.  He is buried in Briar Field Cemetery in Rockcastle County.

7. Mary M. Ball was born 13 October 1851 in Clay County.  She married Samuel A. Laswell  on 19 April 1879 in Rockcastle County with John Barnett and John Ball as witnesses.  

8. Martha Jane Ball was born 5 August 1853 in Clay County.  The Vital Records of Clay County list her birth as 12 August 1853.  She married Preston Perrot on 8 March 1871 (bond)  in Jackson County.  She died 7 March 1879. 

9. John P. Ball was born 6 March 1855 in Clay County.  He married Mary Hendrix, daughter of Nancy Hendrix.  He was a widower in 1880 living with his parents and his three children in Clay County.  John died 10 April 1889 in North Carolina.

10. Buchannon Ball was born 20 October 1856 in Clay County. He married Elizabeth Baker on 5 July 1884 in Rockcastle County.  He died 14 December 1901.  

11. Margaret A. Ball was born 29 November 1858 in Jackson County.  The Vital Records of Jackson County list her birth as 30 November 1858.  She married James W. Barnett on the 12th of May, 1878 in Rockcastle County.  James was born in 1855 in Virginia according to the 1880 census.  Margaret died in about 1881, probably in Rockcastle County.

In Joshua Ball's deposition, dated 26  February 1885,  he said, "Margaret A. who is now dead, I heard my mother say that she thought the scrofula was working on her....  She was married and had one child. Her husband was James Barnett who lives on Brush Creek in Rockcastle County."  

12. William Franklin Ball was born 24 October 1862 in Clay County.  He died of flux when he was a year old.  

13. Cynthia Ann Ball was born 28 October 1867 at Sextons Creek, Clay County.  She married William Williams.

Excerpts from Civil War Depositions:

Abigail A. Ball - 24th December 1881, aged 58, living in Laurel, Kentucky.  Addison Ball, her husband died at his home in the State of Kentucky, Jackson County on or about the seventh day of July 1881 of fistula and chronic diarrhea contracted while in said service and had applied for a pension on account of said disability #237217.

    She also declares that she has remained a widow ever since the death of said Addison Ball and that she has the following named children of her deceased husband, under sixteen years of age, who are now living, the dates of whose births are, as given below, to wit:

    Polly M. born Oct 13th 1851 living at this time.

    Martha Jane born August 5th, 1853 living at March 7th, 1879

    John P. born March 6th, 1855, living at this date

    Buchanan born Oct 20th, 1856, living at this date

    Margaret A. born Nov 29th, 1858, living at this date

    Cyntha Ann born Oct 28th, 1867, living at this date

My post office is Green Maunt(?), Laurel Co. KY

Elizabeth Bailey - 29th day of December 1881.  She states that she was well acquainted with Addison Ball and his wife Abigail A. Ball and was present at the birth of their child John P. which occurred on the 6th day of March 1855.  Her post office is House's Store, Laurel County, Kentucky.

Lucinda McWhorter - 31st day of  December 1881.She states that she was well acquainted with Addison Ball and his wife Abigail A. Ball and was present at the birth of the following named children of theirs which occurred as follows, viz.

    Polly M. born on the 13th October, 1851

    John P. born on the 6th of March, 1855

    Buchanan born on the 20th of October, 1856

She also states that she lived a near neighbor to said Abigail A. Ball at the time above named and knows that the dates above given are correct.  Her post office is High Knob, Clay County, Kentucky.

Julius Spivy - 31st day of  December 1881.  He states that he was well acquainted with Addison Ball and his wife Abigail A. Ball and lived a near neighbor to them during the years 1853 and 1867 and knows that the following named children of said Addison and Abigail A. Ball were born at the time hereafter states viz:

    Martha Jane born August 5th, 1853

    Cyntha Ann was born October 28th, 1867. 

He was at his home at the time said children were born and his wife was present at the birth of said children and being such a near neighbor he knows the dates above named are correct although he was not present at the occurrence.  His post office is High Knob, Clay County, Kentucky

Nancy Pigg - 31st day of December 1881.  She states that she was well acquainted with Addison Ball and his wife Abigail A. Ball and was present at the birth of their child Buchanan which occurred on the 20th day of October 1856.  Her post office address is High Knob, Clay County, Kentucky.

Elen Roberson and Elizabeth Roberson - 31st day of December 1881.  They state  that they were well acquainted with Addison Ball and his wife Abigail A. Ball and was present at the birth of their child Margaret A. which occurred on the 29th day of November 1858.  Their post office address is High Knob, Clay County, Kentucky. [Elen Roberson is Elender A. Ball, daughter of Addison Ball and Abigail A. Robbins.  She married William C. Robinson 28 Feb. 1858 in Clay County, Kentucky. She gives a later deposition on the 17th of March, 1885.]

Mary Holt - 2nd day of January 1882.  She states that she was well acquainted with Addison Ball and his wife Abigail A. Ball and was present at the birth of the following named children of their which occurred as follows, viz:

    Martha Jane was born August 5th, 1853

    Polly M. was born October 13th, 1851

    Cyntha Ann was born October 28th, 1867

She was present when each of the children above named were born and knows that the dates of birth given is correct.  Her post office is Moore's Creek, Jackson County, Kentucky.

[Mary Robbins Holt was the wife of Nathaniel Holt and the sister of Abigail Robbins Ball.]

Susan Penington and James W. Robinson - 2nd day of January 1882.  They state that they were personally well acquainted with Martha Jane Ball who died on the 7th day of March 1879.  She was the child of Addison and Abigail A. Ball.  They were present at the time of her death and they know the date above named is correct. Their post office address is Moore's Creek, Jackson County, Kentucky.

[Susan Pennington was the daughter of Addison Ball and Abigail A. Robbins.  She married Preston Pennington 13 May 1869 in Jackson County, KY.  James W. Robinson was the grandson of Addison Ball and Abigail A. Robbins.  He was the son of Elender A. Ball and William C. Robinson who were married 28 Feb 1858 in Clay County, KY.]

Mary Holt - 27th day of January 1882.  She states that she was well acquainted with Addison Ball and his wife Abigail A. Ball whose maiden name was Abigail A. Robbins that she was present when they were married which was on the 1st day of August 1839 in Yancey County N.C.  That the rites of matrimony was solemnized by the Rev Robert Patterson.  Her post office is Moore's Creek, Jackson County, Kentucky. [See Mary Holt's later deposition on 14 May 1885.  Mary Holt was the sister Abigail A. Robbins.  She married Nathaniel Holt in about 1835 in Yancy County, North Carolina.]

Mary Holt - 14 May 1885, at Owen Holt's House: She is 62, the widow of Nathaniel Holt, deceased, P.O. Moore's Creek, Jackson, KY. She states she was present at the marriage of Addison and Abigail. She had two sisters married at the same time, by the Rev'd Robert Patterson. "They were married at my mother's house (Mary Robbins) at Little Ivy Creek in Yancey or Buncombe County. Mrs. Abigail Ball is my sister. They were married something like 42 years ago, on the 30th day of August I think, but I don't know the exact year."

Mrs. Catherine Holcomb -8 May 1885, at George Shelton's House- I am 72 years old, the wife of Solomon Holcomb of Clark Co. Washington Territory. My P.O. is Manchester, Clay County, KY. I was raised with Addison Ball from childhood, he is my husband's cousin. I was not present at the wedding, but I remember when it took place. We played as children together, he was a little younger than I, but not much. I think he was about 50 when he went into the Army. He told me once that he should never have gone in the Army.

Mrs. Matilda Robbins - 18 March 1885 at Minatree Turner's House: I am 60 years old, and the widow of J.A. Robbins. My P.O. is Moore's Creek, Jackson, KY. I have known Addison Ball from the time we were both children, we were second cousins. My husband Alex Robbins was Mrs. Abigail A. Ball's brother, we were all raised together on the waters of Little Ivy , Buncombe Co. NC. I was not present at the marriage, but I remember when they were married.

Mr. Elijah McWhorter - 9 May 1885 at Z. Robards house in Clay County: I am 42 years old. My P.O. is Binge, Clay Co. KY. I was a Corp in Co G. 47th KY Vols. I am an applicant for a pension. In 1879 at Preston Parrots house, Mrs. Ball and I were there sitting up with Mrs. Parrot (Mrs Ball's daughter Martha J.) and I asked Mrs. Ball how Add was getting along and she said he was very bad off.

Mr. Jesse Lewis - 20th of March 1885 at William Bulls House in Clay County - I am 52 years old and I am P.M. of Choice, Clay County KY. I am a farmer, blacksmith and preacher. The first time I ever saw Mr. Addison Ball was in 1864 or 1865 at John Robinson's house on Sexton's Creek in this county. Mr. Robinson was his son in law. Mr. John Robinson is deceased now.

Mr. William Robinson - 8th of April 1885 at Wm Robinson's house in Laurel County - I am 56 years old, my P.O. is Mirshon's Caves Roads? Laurel KY. I have known Addison Ball a long time. "What relation are you to Mr. Ball?" I could not tell what, I think that we was connection [sic]. [This is not the same William Robinson who married Elender Ball. This William is listed on the 1880 census of Laurel County as 51 years old born in NC and  married to a Susan Robinson 52 who was also born in NC. William and Elender Ball are listed in Clay County in 1880.]

Dr. John Ward - 27 April 1885 at A.J. Annambaugh's in Owsley County - I am 76 years old, my P.O. is Mauldin, Jackson County, KY. I am a farmer and a doctor. I have known Addison Ball since he was a boy in Buncombe Co. NC. I left N. Carolina in 1832. He was a small boy then. I don't remember how old he was, he was a younger man than I.

Joshua L. Ball - 26th of February 1885 at Chinquapin Rough, Jackson County - I am 35 years old. My P.O. is High Knob, Clay County, KY. I am a farmer and a son of Addison and Abigail A. Ball. I never saw my father's father or mother. They lived in North Carolina in Buncombe County. Grandfather died in 1880. His name was Aamraphael Ball. He died in 1880. I think my Grandmother died twenty years ago. One of my sister's now dead had what was supposed to be the scrofula when she was small. She had a swelling under the right ear, that mother supposed to be the scrofula. One of my sister's that is living did have what was supposed to be scrofula. She was afflicted with a knot, a hard knot up and down the side of her neck, which was called scrofula. Her name is Polly M. Lacefield, she lives in Rockcastle County on Brush Creek about two miles from Langford Post Office. I can't say how long but she went to Dr. McDonnells and stayed there and was doctored for it and she said it cured her. Margaret A. who is now dead, I heard my mother say that she thought the scrofula was working on her. She is the one I first mentioned. I think she was 18 or 19 when she died, maybe 20. She was married and had one child. Her husband was James Barnett who lives on Brush Creek in Rockcastle County. When she was very small she had something the matter with one of her ears and probably her neck. Her ear would swell all over her whole ear. I don't know of any other members of the family who have been troubled with scrofula.

Mrs. Sarah E. Robinson - 16th of March 1885 at Mrs. Elizabeth Robinson's house, Jackson County - I am 40 years old. My P.O. is High Knob, [Clay], Kentucky. I am the daughter of Addison and Abigail A. Ball. "Where did Addison Ball die?" He died here on my farm in one of my houses.

Mrs. Ellen A. Robinson - 17th of March, 1885 at William Robinson's house in Clay County - I am 45 years old. My P.O. is High Knob Clay County KY. I am the wife of William Robinson. I am the daughter of Addison and Abigail A. Ball.

Mrs. Susan Pennington - 23rd of April 1885, at Preston Pennington's house in Jackson County - I am 40 years old and I am the wife of Preston Pennington. I am the daughter of Addison and Abigail A. Ball. My P.O. is Moores Creek Jackson Co. KY. I am the third oldest of the children. James was the oldest, he lives near Station Camp in Jackson county. He is 45 years old. "Did any of your family have scrofula?" Yes, Polly had it, but I forget when- she is the only one that ever had it that I know of. I never knew father or mother to have it. Mother had what they called a rose cancer growing on her knee at one time. "When did you get married," May 13, 1869 on Pond Creek in Jackson County. I lived with my parents until then, except when I worked out.

Henry Hellard - 29th of September 1885, at Mershon's Road, Laurel County, states that he was a volunteer in Co. G. of the 47th Regiment of Kentucky volunteers and was at Kimbro Bridge near Cynthan and saw Addison Ball engaged in unloading a Government wagon and a box fell and struck him on the thigh from which he received a severe wound which disabled him for duty.

Abigail --  discussing her children's illnesses:

Polly's was at McDowell's in the summer and fall of 1867. Polly had holes for her ear rings made in her ears. And after that a rising in front of her left ear came and broke and run for some time. Dr. McDowell gave her medicine for it and treated her for scrofula. Her rising got well and after that she appeared to have a hacking cough. The only swelling she had was right in front of her ear on her face. She never had any swelling on her neck.

Lina had a puffed ear from birth. She was born with it. It broke and ran. At her death she ran at both ears. She died at the age of 23 of liver complaint. The doctor's called it neuralgia consumption.

"How many children have you lost?"

Three in all. My baby died of flux- William Franklin. He was a year old. Martha died of liver complaint which ran into neuralgia consumption just like Lina. She was 25 years old.

"How many children have you living?"

Ten, and 42 grandchildren and seven great grand children.

Other facts about Addison Ball

During the following years, these medical descriptions were given:

1875------Addison was 5'11", fair complexion, black hair and yellow eyes.
Oct 1877- Addison was 5'11'' 148 lbs, age 56, pulse 90, respiration 20
Dec 1877-Addison was 5'11", 150 lbs, age 56, pulse 80, respiration 17
1880 -----Addison was 5'11", 159 lbs, age 58, pulse 70, respiration 18

HELP

These relationships were mentioned in Addison Ball's pension application papers.  I would appreciate any information that would shed more light on them.

Daniel M. Ward's wife was a cousin to Addison.  Daniel Ward was born 1831, who did he marry?
Catherine Holcomb's husband, Solomon Holcomb, was a cousin to Addison most likely related through Addison's mother, Elizabeth Holcomb.  
Matilda Lucinda Goldsmith Robbins was a second cousin to Addison.
William Benge who was 49 in 1884 was in the McWhoter settlement, and knew Addison "as long as he knew anyone."  (a  phrase which usually means he is a relative)
William Robinson,  says he was not sure of the relation, but he knows they are connection [sic]
Dr. John Ward, age 76 in 1885, knew Addison when he was in Buncombe Co. NC. Addison was a small boy at the time. Dr. Ward left NC in 1832.

Some answers:

I received an email from Lynn Jones a descendant of John and Daniel Ward.  According to Lynn, Daniel Ward's wife was Mary Elmira Halcomb.  Mary was born 30 September 1831 and died 14 December 1896.  She married Daniel Ward in Clay County on 17 August 1852.  Daniel was an ordained Baptist minister.  He appeared in the Clay County census in 1860 and 1870.

Lynn also explained that John Ward was born February 19, 1809 in Kentucky but moved to North Carolina as a young boy.  He married Camilla McHone on 27 January 1827 in Buncombe, North Carolina.  John and Millie moved to Bull Skin, Clay, Kentucky in 1831, then to Double Lick Branch, Jackson, Kentucky.  He was a Missionary Baptist preacher and a doctor.  He is listed in the 1840 census of Clay County and the 1850 census of Owsley County.  In 1860 he was in Jackson County.  Lynn explained that most of her information came from her brother, Dale Sizemore.  Dale interviewed their grandfather, Everett Ward in 1976.  Most of the dates are from tombstones or records on the internet.  

With the information provided by Lynn Jones, it seems likely that Mary Elmira Halcomb is probably the same person as Almira Holcomb 18 in 1850 (Clay County) and the daughter of Wiley Holcomb and his wife Mary.  Wiley Holcomb 56, born in South Carolina (1850 Clay census) is apparently the brother of Addison Ball's mother, Elizabeth Holcomb.

ADDITIONAL CW PENSION PAPERS

I have the entire Civil War pension file for Addison Ball.  I imagine it is about 500 pages.  I didn't include the complete depositions of most individuals because of the time it would take me to transcribe the record as well as the space it would take on the site.  However, if you are interested in a more complete account by a deponent, contact me.