Ball, Burgess, 1749-1800

Scope and Contents A.L.S. 2 pages. Can write oftener now--post leaves regularly--everyone sick--Miss Butler Thornton died of sore throat--Fanny's health improved by nursing George--sending Betsy to Fredericksburg for education--[Fanny is his wife and G.A.W.'s sister]--house not finished--has partnership in store at Germana--hopes to complete mills by winter next year--advises G.A.W. to build store or warehouses on his land--" ... anythg. is preferable to an Estate in Land and negroes, which are not only...

Scope and Contents A.L.S. 3 pages. Fox Neck. Letter by Maj. Jones--read in paper account of arrival in Charleston and health is restored--he should go to Sweet Springs in June - Oct.--"A Virginia Estate is attended with such care, anxiety, and trouble, that it will in some measure prevent our Ease and Happiness ..."--has rented out "Traveller's Rest" with stock, etc. to Mr. Young, an English farmer--lays off farm in equal lots of 40 A. with ditches and fencing--"From this I shall get somethg. certin, and my...

Scope and Contents A.L.S. 3 pages. Spotsylvania City. His letter not received--death of his baby [George] of the humour in his head--" ... the old Lady (Mrs. Washington [Mary]) not long ago had a violent fall from her steps wch had nearly broke her arm. It is now getting so yd. she has some little use of it."--Col. Jno. Thronton will let G.A.W. have horse on good terms--rents--Capt. Callender expects him to draw upon him and his friends--goes to Sweet Springs if he can raise money--hopes to complete his race,...

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George Washington writes to Burgess Ball, regarding Ball's interest in the federal government purchasing some of his land for the construction of an arsenal. Washington indicates that he will leave the matter to the Secretary of War, Timothy Pickering, and not discuss it further, lest their family connection lend an appearance of impropriety. Ball was married to Frances Washington, the daughter of George's brother Charles. Autograph letter, signed. 3 pages.

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Timothy Pickering, Secretary of War and signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to Burgess Ball to inform him that the president has not selected his Potomac land for the location of a federal arsenal. Autograph letter, signed. 1 page.

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed, two pages plus cover page with Washington's presidential frank. Washington writes Ball regarding a shipment of goods that he expects will soon depart Philadelphia after some delay. The shipment includes clover seeds and cocoa bean shells, latter intended as a gift from Martha Washington to Ball's wife, Francis (Fanny) Washington Ball, the daughter of George's brother Charles. Finally, Washington encloses an advertisement for the stud services of his prized livestock,...

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Impossible to arrange an exchange of property with Ball, who wishes to have land held by George Washington in Berkeley County. Not possible because property leased to tenants and value greater than Ball believes it to be. Would be willing to work an exchange, however, for some of his land west of the Alleghany River.

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D.S. 1 page. Appoints Burgess Ball attorney in his own behalf for division of estate of his mother, Mary Washington. Poor condition. Document signed, fragment, laminated, badly charred by fire, docketed Chs. Washi[ngton] Powe[r of Attorney]. Signed by Chas. Washington. Witnessed by M. Frame and Fielding Augusting Lewis.