Biography
Edward Ball is the earliest of Henry Harold’s ancestors that we have identified. He was born circa 1686 and lived most of his adult life in Upholland.
Based on an analysis of the parish registers for St. Thomas the Martyr Church of England in Upholland, it is likely that Edward was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Ball and had at least two siblings, Jane and James Ball. The Ball family did not originate in Upholland, probably moving there in the early 1700s. Edward probably married circa 1710, as he had nine children baptized at St. Thomas between 1712 and 1736. The present day Harrison family is descended from Edward’s third child, Henry Ball (1715–?).
Edward was a man of many occupations. According to the baptism records for his children, he was a blacksmith when his first son Peter was born in 1712. Circa 1720, he was a labourer for a period of time. For the rest of the 1720s, he worked as a delfman, or quarry worker. Edward worked as an innkeeper from 1732, a job he probably took over from or held in conjunction with James Ball, presumed his brother.
Edward died in 1746 around age 60. He is buried in the churchyard at St. Thomas. We have not yet located his grave.
Source Documents
Details
- Occupation: 1713-03-22, Upholland; Blacksmith.
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Residence:
1713-03-22, Upholland;
Edward Ball family home.
Per Baptism Record for Peter Ball.
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Occupation:
1716-01-13, Upholland;
Smith.
Per Baptism Record of Henry Ball.
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Occupation:
1720-09-27, Upholland;
Blacksmith.
Per Burial Entry of Peter Ball.
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Occupation:
1724-05-01, Upholland;
Delfman.
Per Baptism Record of Peter Ball.
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Occupation:
1726-12-21, Upholland;
Delfman.
Per Baptism Record of John Ball.
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Occupation:
1730-08-02, Upholland;
Per Baptism Record of James Ball.
- Occupation: 1732-01-17, Upholland; Innkeeper.
- Burial: 1746-05-24, St. Thomas the Martyr Anglican Church, Upholland;