BALLEWs In LETTERS

1.    27 Feb 1929: Letter from Miss Mattie Mae Ballew to Mr. Marvin Franks
       Re: William Ballew & Elizabeth Connelly Ballew & descendants
2.   1978 Letter from Marie Chambers Ballew to Jean Jorgensen
      Re: Thomas Jefferson Ballew & descendants
3.   1978-79: Letter from Marie Chambers to Jean Jorgensen
      Re: Robert Lee Ballew, Zeb Blake Ballew & descendants
4.   Letter to Lorenzo Dow Ballew, Smith County, TN from  J.W. Ballow 1853 or 1855
5.   24 Mar 1977 letter from Velma Capps, Canyon, TX to Jean Jorgensen
      Re: John E. Ballow, William Ballow, Lydia B. Ballow & descendants
6.   1 Nov 1976 Letter from Ben & Jean Strickland to Jean Jorgensen
      Re: Page Ballew and descendants
7.   Letters from Mary Hall to Jean Jorgensen
      Re: Page Ballew and descendants
8.   Letter from Mary Hall to Jean Jorgensen
      Re: Lockhart, Caldwell County, TX Cemetery and Albert Ballew descendants
 BALLEWs In America

Excerpt of letter written by Miss Mattie Mae Ballew to Mr. Marvin Franks dated February 27, 1929:
Mattie Mae's Great-Grandparents:
Birthdates of children of William Ballew, b. ca 1750 in Bedford Co. VA married ca 1773 Elizabeth
Connelley (of Virginia and Burke Co. NC)
Children:
Absalom Ballew born Nov 21, 1774
John Ballew born Sept 5, 1776
William Ballew born Sept 5, 1776
David Ballew born Apr 20, 1778
Hiram Ballew born May 18, 1780
Joshua Ballew born July 1, 1782
Mary Ballew born May 30, 1784
Barnabas Ballew born Nov 9, 1786
Joseph Ballew born May 11, 1788
Peter Ballew born Jan 15, 1790
Elizabeth Ballew born 1791
Cyrus Ballew born 1793
James Ballew born 1795
Thomas Ballew born Aug 16, 1797
Harvey Ballew born Aug 16, 1797    7

Mattie Mae's Grandparents:
Col. Peter Ballew  b. 1790  m. Rebecca Fleming  Had 8 children:
William A. Ballew  b. 14 Aug 1816
Washington L. Ballew  b. 18 Aug 1818
James Gibbs Ballew  b. 20 Jan 1820
Frances Caroline Ballew  b. 15 Mar 1822
E. Adelaide Ballew  b. 26 Apr 1824  m. ____ Sargent
Peter Milton Ballew  b. 20 Sep 1826
R. Louisa Ballew  b. 30 Dec 1829  m. ____ Wakefield
Joseph R. Ballew  b. 20 Apr 1832    2

Mattie Mae's Father was married twice:

James Gibbs Ballew  m. 7 Jun 1853 Mary Ann Moore  Their children:
Annie A. Ballew  b. 7 Oct 1855
William Moore Ballew  b. 15 Nov 1857
Mary Lou Ballew  b. 26 Jul 1859
John Walter Ballew  b. 17 Sep 1862
Frances A. Ballew  b. 23 Apr 1866

James Gibbs Ballew m 10 Oct 1876 Frances Rousseau  Their children:
James Gordon Ballew  b. 13 Jul 1877
Julius Rousseau Ballew  b. 14 Feb 1880
Mattie Mae Ballew  b. 21 Apr 1882   2
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Excerpt from letter dated Apr 1, 1978, from Marie Chambers Ballew of Moulton, IA, to Jean Jorgensen:
Page 2- Our Thomas Jefferson Ballew b. 1820/1  Jefferson KY abt 1848  he m. Permelia Barnett.  In 1850 they had James Ballew.  Learned that frm Uncle Jim's obit which read he was b 1850 in Boone Co. MO (Columbia) at age 3 he came to IA with his pts settling on the IA MO line - He d 1916.  Now T.J. had abt 7 children while living in this log house not too far east of here - After James was a son Silas who had a Jesse Ballew abt 1888 - the only Jesse in the family.  My father in law was George Woodson Ballew 1861 - 1946 - the last child John b 1867.

Thomas Jefferson and Permelia separated.  I know T.J. ran a Hotel in Kirksville MO and in east Kville.  Then in 1940 we learned he was in KY m Lily Osborne the dt of Squire Osborne and wife Mary.  T.J. d in 1903 Apr 5 and bur in the Cedar Grove Cem abt 4 miles SE of Shepherdville Bullitt Co KY.  A Mrs. H.H. Combs cashier of the Bullitt Co Bank knew him.  he had a grave stone T.J. is buried in the Osborne plot with Squire d 1902 & Mry d 1903.

Page 5- Thomas Jefferson Ballew b KY 11 Sept 1830 - to Boone Co. MO 1835 - to Iowa 1850.  Married Permelia Barnett 1848, d KY 1903 - Ret to KY in the early 1890's.  She born 1832.  She remarried in Davis Co. IA (We're on Alpanoose & Davis Line, 6 miles from MO)
Children aren't in order of birth
James Lafayette Bellew  b 1850 Boone Co. MO to IA 1854 - died 1916  Stockraiser (sheep)
Silas b 1855 m ___Lasey (had a Jesse)
Mary Elizabeth  b Apr 6, 1857 d 6/29 1924  m Charles Gerhold, Memphis, MO - I knew them
George Woodson Ballew - b 5/20 1861, d 2/3 1946, m 1886 Carrie Scott Case (Dr. Scott in Ohio)
John (Jack) b 1867, d 1893 - I'm sure he was the baby.
Irene m Clarence Aten (Lincoln, Neb.) She could be the baby. d since 1940 - I never saw her.
Tobe ? Surely a nickname or he was Thomas

Papa Ballew talked a lot about Tobe - and when small boys they went to Princeton MO to see relatives. children played in the Indian caves so perhaps William's bro lived there - perhaps it was his children

George Woodson Ballew 4/20 1861 d 2/3 1946 m Carrie Scott Case b 7/13 1865 d 12/28 1942  They were large stock farmers had a lg home & barn on it
1. Blanche Emma b 2/3 1888  d 1969 m 1906 J. Christean Figge a banker - 3 dts - 1 living
2. Howard Samuel b 2/19 1892 d 1962 m Iva Richardson 1917 - both decease
3. Hazle Fern b 11/23 1895 m 1919 Paul L Wertz b 1894 d 1/1/1978 in Fla
4. Richard Lee b 11/16/1899 d 5/20/1971 m 1919 Marie Chambers b 12/17/1898

Uncle Jim had a Leonard Thomas & they had Thomas & William
The William had a William
Then Richard and myself had John, Betty (Betty named after old Aunt Betty m Cousin Charles Ballew of Thomas Woodson & Jane Lackey) George & Jim.   7
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Excerpt of letter from Marie Chambers Ballew to Jean Jorgensen - Undated (1978-79):
My latest find of Bellews was R.R. (Dick) Ballew Little Rock AR.  He tells this story
Robert Lee Ballew b by 1848 m by 1868 to Alice Berry.  An educated man.  They had
1. George Ralph
2. Lee Ballew Cooper
3. Mabel Ballew Reed
4. Zeb Blake Ballew b Sept 16, 1876 - d Sept 19, 1948  b near Clinton MO
5. Maude Ballew Hanks
6. Effie Ballew Tyler
When Zeb Blake was age 3 his mother d the father had moved to or near Ashville NC.  When Zeb was age 5 his father remarried.  When Zeb was 16 his father moved the family again to AR.
Zeb Blake Ballew 1876 m about 1903 to Pearl McIntyre b 1881.
There follows a list of 9 children, some of whom might be living, so I have chosen not to publish them at this time. gve
The last 8 chr of Zeb and Pearl Ballew b & raised in a large home at Jonesboro AR where Pearl lived for over 60 years until 90 she lived with dt.....  Now at 97 she is in a Rest Home.  To all who knew her, she is truly a "Rare Jewel Pearl".  Pearl the last living Charter Member of her Methodist Church.   7

A letter written to Lorenzo Dow Ballow,  Smith Co. TN. I believe it to be written by his brother J.W. Ballow.  Letter found in Julia Fugitt Morgan's (grandaughter of  Julia Elizabeth Ballow) effects, now in possession of her son, Don L. Morgan of Severn, MD. (If anyone wishes a photocopy of the original letter, please contact me. gve) - Submitted to this site by Vickie Ballow Slagle

Hillsboro, Miss.  March 26, 1855 (or may be 1853)

L. D. Ballow Esq.
Pleasant Shade

Dear Dow

I recd yours two days ago and was truly glad to hear from you.  We are in as good health as common, that is I am well and Susan as well as common.  Mother and all of Will's family were well when I heard from them last about a week ago. I have no news that can be much interesting to you.  Times are too hard to talk about.  We have nothing to brag on here now but good health.  There is but very little sickness in the country. Will is gone to Texas, though I think he wrote you before he
started.  He went with Silas McCabe who started to move to western Texas on the 17th inst(?).  I am not able to tell you anything about how much money he carried with him for he kept all his movements a secret from me as he ever did anything from you.  I only know that he was swapping and trading considerably before he started, but how he wound up I do not know.  I don't know Dow whether I did right or not, but I rather encouraged him to go.  I learned from him some time back that his calculations were to rent some land from John Chambers to make a crop and go to Texas next fall.  I told him that I thought as he would have to go in debt for a house and corn and farming utensils and run the risk of loosing on them next fall when he wanted (to) leave.  It was a bad arrangement and if he wanted to go or intended to go he had better go with McCabe. That as he was doing nothing here, he had nothing to risk for could do nothing in Texas as cheap as he could here.  He finally concluded to go and did so.  But I am of the opinion if he could have had any encouragement from E____, he would not have gone. We parted friendly but to tell you the truth Dow (and I am sorry to say it) I had bore(?) with him about as long as I possibly could, and if he had not gone I would have been compelled to have put him upon his own resourses for a living.  McCabe told me that he would when he got to Texas if he thought there could be anything made at it put him to pedling(?) on clocks. Dow I am making my arrangements to move to western Texas next winter.  I want to go for several reasons.  One is I think Susan can have better health and I know it is a better country than this is.  I have sold the place where I lived when you was here for $375.  And my 40 acres of land for $200.  I have got this place and an interest in some land and my cattle and hogs to sell and then I am ready to go and try an other country.  Dow I have got 4 of the prettiest colors(?) you ever saw in a town. We had a very severe storm through the country some two weeks ago.  It passed about five miles south of this place.  It blew a great deal of timber down and carried houses and fences whereever it went.  It did Will but little damage but it gave some of his neighbors particular.  Killed several horses &c. Dow what say you to going to Texas?  Suppose we all go.  There is room enough for us all.  All I regret is leaving Mother and Will here.  I  have never seen the country but I have had it described to me by men who I know cannot be mistaken and am satisfied it will do me.  And I think I can make a fortune there and if I live in health I intend to do it.  (If I can.)  I would like the best in the world to visit you this summer but I can't promise to do so.  Give our respts to all the children and connections and write soon and often.

Yours truly,
J.W. Ballow

March 28th.  All well today.  Nothing new since writing the above. J.W.B.


24 March 1977  Letter from Velma Capps to Jean Jorgensen:
In 1880, one John E. Ballow was in Denison, TX.  His father William, aged 85, with him. In 1870, they were in Columbus, GA. William was father to my great-grandmother, Lydia B. who married John Pool in Russell Co. AL....Beginning with about 1820, I have them through 1880 - from SC, to GA, to AL, back to GA, and finally to TX. 7

1 Nov 1976 Letter from Ben & Jean Strickland to Jean Jorgensen
     We are looking for ancestors of Page Ballew. His will is in Harris(burg) County, Republic of Texas, Book B, page 172-174. Have also found him in the Territorial Papers of Orlean's Territory. He is somehow related to our Stricklands as are the Tungates and Yoachams who married Ballews in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi.
     The Atascosita Census of 1826 shows: daughter of Page - Lovice (Vicy) Ballew, age 16, b LA, wife of William Bloodgood.  Page Ballou, age 54, widower born in VA. Occupation Saddler; came to Texas from Louisiana.  I have heard also that he was born in Kentucky, but don't put much stock in heresay.  I am wondering if Page's father could have been Thomas of Amherst County, VA in 1790 census since Page's only son was named Thomas.  Page also had a daughter Delila who married Enoch Brinson.
     Have you ever had any contact with a Mrs. S. Roy White of Anahuac, TX who wants an authentic birth record of Page Ballew and his wife Mary Stout and birthplace of Levicy Ballew who married William Bloodgood.  Her query was in the June NC Gen Magazine 1959. 7 

Excerpts from Letters from Mary Hall to Jean Jorgensen ca1970s
Children of Page Ballew-Ballow:
Thomas of Louisiana
Louisa (Lovicy) married to Wm. Bloodgood of Texas
Delilah married to Enoch Brinson of Texas

Page Ballew was b. in VA ca 1772. Married - one source says Mary Stout, another says Mary Stuart.  He drifted quite a bit, like to KY, TN, AL, LA, MS and into Texas with (we think) Stephen F. Austin, in 1821.  He died a "citizen of Texas, one of the original families who first settled in the country under the Mexican government, died on Cedar Bayou, which is now in this county (Harris) sometime in the year 1827, intestate.   7



Letter from Mary Hall to Jean Jorgensen
Caldwell County, TX Lockhart City Cemetery (see Tombstone Inscriptions for complete info)
Albert Ballew, Anna Helena Ballew, Fred W. Ballew, Ida L. Ballew.....
Albert's wife was Anna Helena Bluhm, dau of Frederick & Catherina Bluhm who were b. in Prussia.
Albert not listed in 1860 census but is in 1870, hh #997:
Harriett Ballew - 47 b. Miss
Mattie Gibson - 3 b. TX
Albert Ballew - 18 b. LA
and in 1880:
Albert Ballew, 27, b LA  fb TN, mb MS
Anna H,. 23, wife, b TX  fb Prussia, mb Octenburg
Harriett,  56, mother, b MS, fb GA, mb MS
Albert and Anna's children were: Martha Kate, Hattie, Frederick, Thomas Hurd, and Delores Helena, b 189_, died 1971. Married Patton   7

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