George Ball was Ari’s 9x great-grandfather. He was born in about 1675 in Middleton-by-Wirksworth in Derbyshire, and worked as a lead-miner.
Most of what we know about George is from his will, which is available in the collection of “Staffordshire, Dioceses Of Lichfield And Coventry Wills And Probate 1521–1860” on Findmypast.
The will was written in April 1753, just a few months before he died. In it, he bequeaths “one undivided moyety or half part of all my houses lands and tenements unto Mary my loving wife … provided she continueth Sole and Unmarryed.” The remainder is bequeathed to his son George and his daughter Parthenia and their heirs. He also gives all his “Groves Lead Mines mineral possessions and part and shares thereof with their appurtenances” to his wife and son.
We also have the inventory of the “Goods and Chatels of George Ball late of Middleton by Wirksworth in the County of Derby Yeoman deceased”, appraised on 16 Nov as worth £13 8s 6d:
All of this knowledge about George would have been lost if he hadn’t left a will.
Ari, this shows how you are related to George:
