In Colonial Virginia, Thomas BALLARD was often referred to as the Honorable Thomas BALLARD, or as Colonel BALLARD. He was born in March of 1630/31 in England. Some researchers believe that he was brought to the New World as a child by his parents.

Whether or not he came as a child, it is fair to say that he was the founder of the Virginia BALLARD family.Thomas BALLARD married Anne THOMAS in 1650. Anne bore his eight children before her death in 1678.

Thomas lived in York County, Virginia, and imported at least twenty persons into Gloucester County, Virginia, under the head right system. He also patented land in Gloucester, County as well as lands on the Propotank and Mattapony rivers. Both the head right system and the land patenting practice were devised to populate the new colonies and proved to be lucrative propositions for many of the early colonists.

Thomas BALLARD was a party to a number of recorded land trading transactions. Among these was the purchase and sale of the land on which William and Mary College was founded."The College of William and Mary was originally built on a tract of 330 acres most of which has been sold off, only about 30 acres remain. The tract was the property of the Honorable Thomas LUDWELL, Secretary of State 1660-1678, who lived at 'Richneck'on the west side of Archers Hope Creek. Thomas LUDWELL sold this land March 1674-75 to Hon. Thomas BALLARD of the Council...In 1693 BALLARD sold the same tract to the Trustees of the College."

It was probably Thomas BALLARD Jr. who made the sale in 1693, since Thomas the elder died in 1689. It is of interest to note that the grandson of Colonel Thomas BALLARD, William BALLARD, married a LUDWELL.

Thomas BALLARD was a member of the Governor's Council, whose members were chosen from the wealthiest, most educated and influential citizens of the colony. In this office, of Counselor, he was both a Naval officer and a collector of customs. Members of this council constituted the Upper House of the General Assembly. In many respects, they were the New World counterpart of the English House of Lords. His many offices included Clerk of York County, Member of Council, Member of the House of Burgesses, and Speaker of the House of Burgesses. He was also a Colonel in the James City County militia.

At the height of his political career, the Bacon Rebellion had a devastating effect on his life. In a raid on Middle Plantation, the rebels kidnapped the wives of many of the Governor's highest officials. These included the wife of Thomas BALLARD, as well as the wife of Nathaniel BACON's cousin, who was also on the Governor's Counsel.

The kidnapped women were used as human shields against and retaliation of the Governor. Once the rebellion collapsed, BALLARD sat on the court martial of BACON the rebel. Still, the trauma of these events took its toll. Within a year of the court martial, BALLARD's wife died.

In the following and final decade of his life, Thomas BALLARD remarried, was promoted to the rank of Colonel of the James City County militia, was elected speaker of the House of Burgesses, and was vestryman of Bruton Parish Church. Upon his death in 1689, he was buried at Bruton Church, and his name was inscribed on a bronze tablet as well as a pew nameplate there.
Submitted by George F.Emerson

The Children of Thomas BALLARD and Anne THOMAS were.
1. Thomas b.1654 York, Co. VA. d.c.26 Sept 1706    2.John b.1659 York Co.VA.    3. Lydia b.1660 York Co. VA.    4. Martha Margaret b.1661 James City Co. VA.    5. William b1663.    6. Elizabeth b.1665 Spotslvania, VA     7. Frances b.1665 James City Co. VA.    8. Matthew b.1667 James City, Co. VA
Married 2, Alice?...no known children

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