Children of Joseph & Sarah Ballenger

20 Apr 1763: Reuben Tarrant was born in Virginia, the son of Leonard and Mary Tanksersly Tarrant.[1] They were reportedly near neighbors of the Ballengers near Beaver Creek and the Tobacco Row Mountains. We've also seen the Tankersley surname in association with the Johnstons of Charlotte and Henry Counties.

Although the Patriot Index lists only Patriotic Service, he's supposed to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving under Col. Holt Richardson at Malvern Hills.

February 1782: In court, Reuben Tarrant presented a certificate from Capt. Peter Hairston testifying that Hairston had impressed one horse worth £12 from him.[3]

1782 Tax List, Henry County, VA: 1 tithable, 0 blacks, 2 horses, 3 cattle.[4]

21 May 1782: Charity received two slaves, Greece and Delilah, one mare named Starling, and one feather bed and furniture as a deed of gift from her father Joseph.[5]

5 Apr 1788: Reuben Tarrant purchased slave Benjamin, age 18, from John Collier in Henry County for 1,000 lbs of tobacco. The witnesses were [Charity's brother] Achillis Ballinger, John Wells, and John Minn.[6] A John Wells was the father of Joice Wells Johnston.

The family moved to the Greenville and Pendleton Districts, SC by 1790; later to Madison and Jefferson Counties, AL; and finally to Garrard County, KY.[7]

1800 Census, Pendleton District, SC: 1 male 10-16, 1 26-45; 1 female 10-16, 1 16-26, 1 26-45; 0 slaves.[8]

23 Aug 1841: Reuben died in Garrard County, KY. His will was proved September 1841[9] Achilles Ballenger's family had also moved to Garrard County, KY.

21 Aug 1850 Census, Garrard County, KY: Charity C. Tarrant 85, born VA, with property valued at $3,760; farmer Achilles, age 48, born SC; Richard 10, born KY; Achilles 8, born KY.

Reuben and Charity's family bible is preserved in the D.A.R. headquarters in Washington, DC.

20 Apr 1802: Richard Ballenger of Knox County, KY and [brother] Achilles Ballenger of Garrard County, KY sold "land lately left them in their deceased father's will" to [brother] James Ballenger.[13] Joseph had died in Amherst County, VA in February.

26 Apr 1802: Along with Achilles and James Ballinger, Richard waived any and all claims against Tabitha Ballinger arising from the will of Joseph Ballinger.[14]

31 Jan 1803: A Richard Ballinger posted a construction bond in Amherst County. Fellow bondsmen were Henry Ballenger and Henry Hicks. Who was this Richard?[15]

1810 Census, Knox County, KY: Richard Ballinger was listed with 1 male under 10, 1 10-16, 1 16-26, 1 26-45; 3 females under 10, 2 10-16, 2 16-26.[16] Mildred was 28, but may have been counted as one of the 16-26 year old females on the census. The official enumeration date was 6 Aug 1810.

James was a Lieutenant Colonel, 75th Regiment, KY Militia, and an aide de camp to General St. Clair.[17]

1820 Census, Barbourville, Knox County, KY (Richland Creek): Ricard Ballinger was enumerated with 1 male under 10, 1 over 45; 3 females under 10, 1 10-16, 1 26-45.[18]

1830 Census, Knox County, KY: 1 male 15-20, 1 60-70; 1 10-15, 1 40-50; 16 slaves.[19]

1840 Census, Knox County, KY: Richard Ballinger was listed with 1 male 70-80; 1 female 50-60; 8 slaves.[20]

1 Oct 1850 Census, Knox County, KY: Richard Ballinger 81, born VA, was residing in the household of Joseph and Margaret Ballinger.[21]

27 Jul 1850: Richard died in Knox County. Why does he appear on the census? The official enumerated day was 1 Jun 1850, thus all questions were supposed to replicate the situation on that day.

James Franklin Ballenger (1795 - 10 Aug 1875; m. 1st Oliva Adams, m. 2nd Elizabeth J. _______)

John Herndon Ballenger (11 Feb 1812 - ; m. 1st Nancy Ballenger, m. 2nd Elizabeth Toggle)

23 Nov 1770: Mildred "Milley" Hudson, the daughter of Joshua Hudson and Mary Terrell, was born.

4 Jun 1784: Killis Ballinger witnessed a deed from John Shields to [brother-in-law] Samuel Johnston on Turkey Cock Creek in Henry County, VA.[23]

5 May 1787: Achelus Ballinger married Milley Hudson in Amherst County, permission being given by both fathers, Joseph Ballinger and Joshua Hudson. Witnesses: Samuel Ballinger, John Talioferro, Sam Franklin, Joshua Hudson Junior and William Smith.[24] Samuel Franklin was his uncle; but who was Samuel Ballinger? Could they have meant Samuel Johnston, his brother-in-law?

5 Apr 1788: Achilles witnessed the sale, along with John Wells and John Minn, of young slave Benjamin from John Collier to [brother-in-law] Reubin Tarrant in Henry County, VA.[25]

29 Jan 1789: He purchased 425 acres on Turkey Cock in Henry County from Edward Smith and Joseph Martin for £170. Witnesses: Samuel Johnston, Andrew Ford, John Oliver, and Elijah Smith.[26] James Johnston bought land on Turkey Cock that same day. Samuel and Elizabeth Ballenger Johnston already owned land along that creek.

18 Apr 1789: Along with [Samuel's brother] James Johnston, he witnessed two deeds from Samuel Johnston to Henry and William Lawrence.[27]

1789: Achillis Ballinger witnessed a deed from John Burch to George Phillips for land on Leatherwood Creek.[28] As we've seen, Samuel Johnston also owned land on Leatherwood Creek.

1789: Achillis witnessed, along with Joseph Gravely, a deed from John Booth to John Burch on Leatherwood.[29]

7 Apr 1789: He mortgaged 325 acres and one slave to the merchants Calland and Smith for £75. The witnesses included Samuel Johnston.[30]

1790: Archellus Ballinger was declared insolvent in Henry County. The list of insolvent property returned by the Sheriff included "1 Do and 1 Negro".[31]

He apparently moved back to Amherst County after this declaration of insolvency. Reeves has daughter Charity being born in Garrard County, KY in 1792, but the family apparently didn't move to KY until 1796. Daughter Charity did claim KY as her birth place in the 1860 Census, but claimed VA in the 1850. More importantly, the deed of 5 Nov 1794 describes Achilles as "of the County of Amherst".

6 Aug 1791: Achilles was a witness at the marriage of [sister] Phoebe Ballenger and Robert Tucker in Amherst County.

5 Nov 1794: In a deed selling 275 acres of his "land and plantation" on Turkey Cock to assorted Bayleses for £120, Achilles was described as "of the County of Amherst".[32]

1 Apr 1795: Milley Ballenger, wife of "Archellus Ballenger" released her right of dower to 425 acres in Henry County sold to William Bayles.[33]

24 Apr 1797: Achilles Ballinger purchased 100 acres in Lincoln County, KY from Rane McKinney.[35]

20 Apr 1802: Achilles Ballinger of Garrard County, KY and [brother] Richard Ballenger of Knox County, KY sold "land lately left them in their deceased father's will" to [brother] James Ballenger.[36]

26 Apr 1802: Achilles Ballinger, along with [brothers] Richard and James Ballinger, waived all claims against [their father's widow] Tabitha Balowe Ballinger which might result from the will of Joseph Ballinger.[37]

1810 Census, Garrard County, KY (Lancaster Township): Achelles Ballenger was enumerated with 1 male under 10, 1 10-16, 2 26-45; 2 females under 10, 1 10-16, 1 16-26. Millie was actually 40. Listed next to Achelles was the family of [son] Henry Ballenger.[38]

Although Achilles was reportedly a farmer; he was also the sheriff of Garrard County in 1818 and a tobacco inspector.[39]

1820 Census, Garrard County, KY: Achl Ballinger was listed with 2 males 16-26, 1 over 45; 1 female 10-16, 1 26-45.[40] The marks for slaves are almost impossible to read, but there may have been more than 10.

1830 Census, Garrard County, KY; Achillis Ballinger was listed with 1 male 20-30, 1 60-70; 2 females 15-20, 1 40-50; 5 slaves.[41]

c. 1830: Achilles moved to Marion County, MO, along with at least three of his children, Charity, Elizabeth, and Eastham.[42]

1840 Census: Marion County, MO (Union Township): Achilles Ballenger was listed with 1 male 70-80;1 female 30-40; and 7 slaves. Four persons were engaged in agriculture. The 30-40 female was daughter Elizabeth.[43]

8 Nov 1850 Census, Marion County, MO: Achilles Ballinger 84, born VA, with property worth $240; Elizabeth 43, born KY.[44]

24 Aug 1854: Achilles died in Marion County, MO.[45] According to Reeves, his death date was 27 Jul 1850. His burial place isn't known.

Charity Cox Ballenger (18 Feb 1792 – 9 Nov 1868; m. Thomas Turpin 2 Aug 1810)

Sarah "Sally" Ballenger (16 Sep 1794 – 1827; m. Solomon Carter 23 Feb 1813)

Eastham Ballenger (5 Feb 1801 – 3 Feb 1875; m. 1st Leviticia Smith 15 Apr 1830, m. 2nd Belinda Sanford)

If you have material about any individuals included in Nancy's Dead Relatives, can add well-documented family lines, have corrections and/or comments, or wish to establish a link to or from this site, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadrelatives.com. However, the decision whether or not to include any submitted material is the webmaster's (mine) alone.

Any information is only as reliable as its source. Evaluate the following sources accordingly.

[1] Reeves, Three Centuries of Ballengers in America, p. 23

[2] Austin, Georgia Bible Records, p. 121; Reeves, p. 23

[3] Hill, A History of Henry County, Virginia, p. 321

[4] Web site: New River Valley Notes

[5] Pittsylvania County Deed Book 6, p. 331

[6] Book 3, p. 413

[7] Reeves, p. 23

[8] Stewart, 1800 Census of Pendleton District, South Carolina, p. 19, from original p. 514

[9] Reeves, p. 23

[10] Reeves, p. 23

[11] Austin, p. 121; Reeves, p. 26

[12] Reeves, p. 26

[13] Reeves, p. 23, from Deed Book 1, p. 373

[14] Davis, Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills, Vol. 1, p.5, from Deed Book 1, p. 419

[15] Davis, p. 5, from Book 5, p. 203

[16] Knox County 1810 Census

[17] Reeves, p. 26

[18] Knox County 1820 Census, p. 278

[19] Knox County 1830 Census, p. 234

[20] Knox County 1840 Census

[21] Knox County 1850 Census

[22] Reeves, p. 23

[23] Adams, Abstracts of Deed Books 3 & 4 of Henry County, Virginia 1784-1792, p. 4, from p. 20

[24] Marriage Record, p. 36; Sweeny, Marriage Bonds and Other Marriage Records of Amherst County, Virginia 1763-1800, p. 7, 397; Reeves, p. 23

[25] Book 3, p. 413

[26] Abstracts of Deed Books 3 & 4 of Henry County, Virginia 1784-1792, p. 96, from Book 4, p. 20

[27] Abstracts of Deed Books 3 & 4 of Henry County, Virginia 1784-1792, p. 82

[28] Abstracts of Deed Books 3 & 4 of Henry County, Virginia 1784-1792, p. 85

[29] Adams, Abstracts of Deed Books 5 & 6 of Henry County, Virginia 1792 -1805, p. 81. This deed must have been proved after 1792, or my source citation is incorrect.

[30] Abstracts of Deed Books 3 & 4 of Henry County, Virginia 1784-1792, p. 103

[31] Abstracts of Deed Books 3 & 4 of Henry County, Virginia 1784-1792, p. ___

[32] Reeves, p. 54; Abstracts of Deed Books 5 & 6 of Henry County, Virginia 1792 -1805, p. 91, from Book 6, p. 160

[33] Abstracts of Deed Books 5 & 6 of Henry County, Virginia 1792 -1805, p. 38

[34] Reeves, p. 23

[35] Dee Reynolds, from Book C, p. 264-265

[36] Reeves, p. 23, from Deed Book 1, p. 373

[37] Davis, Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills, Vol. 1, p.5; Reeves, p. 23; from Deed Book 1, p. 419

[38] Garrard County 1810 Census, p. 150

[39] Reeves, p. 23

[40] Garrard County 1820 Census, p. 540

[41] Garrard County 1830 Census, p. 209

[42] Reeves, p. 23

[43] Marion County 1840 Census, p. 55

[44] Marion County 1850 Census, p. 360/719

[45] Mike Flanagan

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