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Mathews-Williams Family Genealogy
Notes
William Selwyn Ball served in Rosser's Brigade, C.S.A., (Civil War). He was severely wounded at Battle of Cedar Creek.
After learning of Lee's surrender and being mustered out of service, 19 year old William Selwyn Ball rode home from the Shenandoah Valley to the Potomac estate in northern Fairfax County where he had grown up. There he found his brother Mottrom and several cousins, just returned from Appomattox, "sprawled out on the lawn... dazed and unable to realize that actually all was lost." "Elmwood" their "dear old home" (he wrote many years later), "had been pulled down and its fine timbers used for other purposes. Nothing left save the foundations of the buildings to show that it ever had been a home. The splendid trees all gone."
Though Mottrom, older than Selwyn and one of the most capable young men in the county, soon developed a thriving law practice, Selwyn felt utterly lost. For him, "the world seemed to .... come to an end with the losing of the war." Nothing appeared worthwhile; he had "no ambition left." He went to work for a time on the family farm, but spent much of his time "getting into every kind of devilment." "Penniless, with no education, bashful as a girl", he thought the future was hopeless and "gave way to drink". Though he got "gloriously drunk" on one occasion, he wa usually more circumspect; he "rarely... took too much, just enough to feel lively and full of fun." "Why not go to the Devil?" he felt. "We are only ten miles from Washington and Alexandria, an easy walk, every dance and tournament within that fadius saw us." (see Ball, "Reminiscences of an Old Rebel", pp. 57-64.
William Waring Ball, of "Langley", Fairfax Co., VA. The first five of William Waring Ball's sons all served in the C.S.A. with the 11th Virginia Cavalry. One of the sons, John Henry Ball died from wounds received at Jefferton, VA.
Summerfield Ball was killed in battle during the Civil War, while serving with the 11th Virginia Cavalry, C.S.A.
John Henry Ball died of wounds suffered in battle during the Civil War at Jefferton, VA. He was a member of Co. I, 11th Virginia Cavalry. "In every engagement of his regiment, and there were many, when present he displayed the most conspicuous gallantry, an was twice specially mentioned therefor. In the last fierce action in which he fell, his cool daring was the subject of remark even by his enemies, one of whom he captured and brought out after receiving his fatal wound. He lived to make his peace with God, and gave up his life calmly and cheerfully to his country and the cause in which he served so zealously and gloried to die". (Obit.) (Hayden, p. 141).
William Waring Ball never married.
Isaac Lauck Ball and his wife Freces Cecelia (Hedgeman) had two children.
Catesby Henry Ball had one child and moved from Virginia to Indiana.
Lettice Catesby Ball never married.
Henry Waring Ball was the City Surveyor for the city of Washington, DC.
Charles Edward Ball never married.
Obituary for John T. Ball, as found in "The Evening Star", April 24, 1855:
"Death of the City Surveyor. Henry W. Ball, the city surveyor died last night at his residence of pneumonia after a few days illness. Within the last fortnight, his brother, John T. Ball, a clerk in the Patent Office, died of the same disease".
Landon Carter, lived at "Cleve", King George Co., VA.