Thomas Ball

Birth: 1688
Death: 18 Oct 1744

Abigail Ball was born about 1669 in Newark, Essex, New Jersey, sixth child of Edward and Abigail Blatchley Ball.

In about 1710 he married Sarah Davis, daughter of Thomas Davis and Mary Ward and the cuople had twelve children; Timothy, Aaron, Nathaniel, Apphia, David, Ezekiel, Jonas, Mary, Rachel, Thomas, Amos and Moses.

He was a blacksmith by trade and he served as constable of Newark in 1715 and 1716. About 1718 he moved to a tract of land he had bought between Hilton and Jefferson Village (then called Newark Farms, now Maplewood, New Jersey.) In a will left by John Rogers of Newark:
Rogers, John, of Newark, Essex Co., yeoman; will of. Wife Elizabeth. Children--Nathaniel, Elizabeth, Sarah, Phebe, all under 18, brother Jabez, now absent. House and lot, 7 acres within the Neck Gate between Mr. Notman and ** Thomas Ball **, 6 a. in the Great Neck between Mr. Plum and Mr. Pierson, 2 1/2 a. in the Great Neck on the high-way between Benjamin Baldwin and brother Joseph Rogers, land and meadow on Tonie's Creek. Personal property. The wife sole executrix. Witnesses--Georg Harison, Nath'll Ward, John Cooper. Proved March 19, 1715-6. His will was written. Will probated.

Thomas Ball died on October 18, 1744 in Newark. Originally, Thomas Ball was buried in the Old Newark Burying Grounds but in the late 19th Century was removed to Fairmount Cemetery. A large monument has been erected there to the ones removed and to the original settlers of Newark. Thomas was a son of Edward Ball, an original signer of the Fundamental Agreement of Newark. His headstone bears this inscription: Here Lies Ye Body of Thomas Ball, Decd Octr Ye 18tth 1744 In Ye 57 year of his Age Here lies an Aged Man of 4 years old. (This refers to his late profession of religion) Beloved Wife and Children dear, Remember now I am gone. His remains were moved to Fairmount Cemetery in Newark.