Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 463, James Ballard, Va.
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VA and 1786-1794  Ballard, James R.463
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James Ballard
Declaration for Pension
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Deposition of Major Bland W. Ballard taken at the house of B. Ballard in Shelby County Kentucky on the 17th day of September 1832
The deponent being about 70 years of age and first duly sworn before Robert T. Nobb a justice of the peace for Shelby County deposith and saith that he knew his brother James Ballard in 1780 Louisville as a Militia Soldier and rendered devices then under the control of Gen. George R. Clark until the fall 1782 then went under Captain Aquillo Whitaker against the Indians at Shawnee Town and the Miami under the command of Gen. George R. Clark and in 1786 went against the Wabosh Indians and frequently services rendered  at intirvells as scouting ranging and spying in 1788 he acted as a guard and spie for about and month on Brasheers Creek then Jefferson County Ky under the Command of Capt. Aquella Whitake | in 1789 he went under Capt Bland W. Ballard Command by Col. John Hardin against the Wabosh Indians also Capt Paine Cain an also by Gen Charles Scott against the Wabosh Indians also he went in 1790 Capt William Stills Company Commanded by Gen. Charles Scott and joined Waynes Compain. I believe James Ballard is about 66 years of age and further the deponent sath not.          Blan W Ballard
State of Ky  Shelby County Set
Subscribed and Sworn to before me Robert T. Robb
a Justice of the Peace for said this day and date
above written Robert T. Robb J.T.S.C
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State of Kentucky
Shelby County Sct

     I James S. Whitaker Clerk of the County
Court for said County do Certify that Robert T. Robb is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be by his is Genuine In testimony Whereof I have hereto Subscribed My hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 1st day of March 1838.
    Ja. S. Whitaker clerk
    Shelby County Court
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  The Declaration of James Ballard of 
Shelby County Ky made on this day of Feby 1838
to receive the benefits of the provisions of the 
Act of Congrefs paper the 2nd day of June 1832.
  He states that he is now in his 76th year of his age. That he rendered Service in the War of 
the Revolution as follows. That in the month of
May 1780 Blan Ballard the father of said James ~
landed at the falls of Ohio, Ky. that in June following he volunteers as a militia soldier in Capt. Jacob Piatts companys and was hunting securing and killing provisions for the Army under the command under Captain Piatts untill Spring following. Captain Piatts was an officer under George R. Clark that during the term aforsaid he was employed and engaged as an Indian spy and ranger and hunting for the army.  And was in numerous skirmishes and engagements with small parties of the Indians.
That in the Spring 1781 he again joined the Company of Capt George Owen's Company as a spy and ranger.  That he continues to act as a spy in said Owens Company all the Summer and untill [strickout 'the']  September of that year having to do continued service as a spy and having numerous skirmishes with the Indians. That it was about this time that an engagement took place between the Indians and Col Floyd. in which Col Floyd was defeted and
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and that he was among the defeated on that 
day and fled for safety. That at Floyds defeat
he recollects Col Saml Wills was one of the conf agements.
   That in August or September 1782 he volunteers as a soldier in Capt Whitaker Company for 3 months or upwards ~
and marched under said Capt Whitaker and under Genl Clarke to Miami. Return to Shawnee Town from thence to McKees Towns on the Sciota River having taken the towns
and destroyed them. and also took prisoners~ and returned home to the Station, in the month of Dec. following~ Giving the Commander in Chief all the information they could procure relative to the movement of the army of Indians and depradations of the settlements, and spplying the army with all the provisions they could kill & pack in. that the Army under the command of Genl Clarke had to be supplied with provisions almost entirely by hunting which was done mostly by spys
That he acted at sometimes under Special 
directions of Genl Clarke as a spy and hunter 
and at others as in a company regularly raised for the purpose.  That in the Spring of 1783 he continue to render similar service. In a detached party under special directions of Genl Clarke as a spy not having any Special Commander only to return and give Such information as he had in poseesen to Genl Clark and securing the army provisions which was killed and packed in
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that he continued in service untill the fall of 1783. And that he was in all clarkes expellations [illegible] after 1782. Lowit at Alabash River under Col John Hardin 1786. Has in 1788 he acted as a spy on Brasheases craft for 8 months. that he was in all other campaigns from 1788 untill 1793 under Genl Scott Hasner & Alayn's untill all the difficulties were fully settled with the Indians in 1794 or thereabouts.

That in the service aforesaid he knew in 1781 or thereabouts. Genl Clarke Col George Slaughter. Col Crockells Capt Roberts. Capt Rogers Capt Mark Thomas Capt George Capt Benj Frito Lt Sanders. Col Todd Col Floyd Col Wells Major Harlan, and nearly all the inferior officers of the Regiment under the command of Genl Clark & Montgomery which were on State establishment and numerous others of the militia of the State of Va. That he never had received any pension for the aforesaid services and hereby relinquishes all others but the present.

James Ballard

All citizens and neighbours of James Ballard who have long been acquainted with him and have all ways understood and do believe him to have served as an Indian spy about the close of the Revolution.

Subscribed by Me
Mark Readin ss16

James Ford
James Bradthau
John Younger
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State of Kentucky
Shelby County Set    February Term 1838
  The declaration of James Ballard this day made in Open Court with the Certificate Thereunder Mithew Subscribed by Janus Ford James Bradshaw and John Younger was provided to the court and being read in the presence of the Court was sworn to by aciro [illegible] Ballard, Floyd, Bradshaw and Younger and Ordered to be Certified And tho the Court give it as their opinion that the said Ballard is a Man of Veracity and talents [? illegible] that served Stated in his declaration  Which declaration is Subscribed by the Presiding Justice and the Original papers delivered said Ballard.
  I James S. Whitaker clerk of the Aurrly [?] Court for the County aforesaid do certify that this foregoing Order is Opicted [?] from the Record in my Office   In Testimony Whereof  I Have Thereto Subscribed My Name and affixed the seal of said County this 13th day of January 1838.
               Ja. S. Whitaker Clerk
               Shelby County Court

                                                   V34.386
                                               James Ballard
                                               Testimony
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                                   Louisville March 26, 1838
William H. Todd~
                            Dr Fir
                                       I ommited in the 
businefs I intrusted to you, the state that 
my father, mother, two brothers and a sister
were killed in my father's house
and the house burned all my father's 
papers as well as my own were then 
destroyed by fire.  For reference in rela-
tion to this matter you may corresfond
with the Hon John Popet Henry Clay
members ofI Congrefs from Kentucky ~
I am not intimately acquainted with Mr  Graves
but I would also refer you to him.
    This letter is written in Louisville.
I will soon return to Shelbyville, where
I will expect frequent letters from 
you.
                      Yours with respect
                           James Ballard

P.S. Refer also to Col. R. M. Johnston
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                              War Department Penn Officer
                                     April 5 1838
Sir
                                   The papers in the case
of James Ballard have been
examined.  The claims for alleged
services which consisted principally
in watching against the hostile attacks 
of the Indians. In the early settle-
=ment of our western frontiers it was
indispensably neceping* in many instan-
=ces to the safety of the inhabitants that
the able bodied man of every age 
arm themselves in self defense against 
the savages of the wildernefs.  This descrip=
=tion of predatory warfare, however,
was never considered of such a 
character as to place the persons engaged
in it on the posting of soldiers drafted or
enlisted for the general defenses of the
country; and such persons therefore
are not provided for by the pension
laws. The applicant for such service
can of course have no lawful
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claim to a pension.  The claim has
accordingly been rejected and the papers
filed in this office. 



Along the side, numbers partly cut off:

                                        NV.
                                        Apr. 5 1838
                                        Mlen

William H. Todd Esq
          Washington Cnty        Kinecass
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                                          March 16, 1931.

                                    Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
Mr. Frank B. Morris      ILL

La Grange, Kentucky

Dear Sir:

    You are advised that under date of August 23, 1928, you 
were furnished the history of James Ballard, S. 6584, of Spottysyl-
vania County, Virginia.

    You are furnished herewith the history of James Ballard who served in General George Rogers Clark's western campaign:

   From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 463, it appears that James Ballard went with his father, Bland Ballard, in May 1780, and served as spy, hunter and ranger under Captain Jacob Piatt and General George R. Clark until the following
spring; he then served as scout and spy in 
 Captain George Owen's Company and was with Colonel Floyd when his forces retreated, and in several skirmishes with the Indians.  
In August, 1782, he marched with Captain Aquilla Witaker to Shawnee Town on the  Miami and to McKees Town on the Sciota River when these towns were destroyed and 
prisoners were taken, and served until December.  He continued to act as 
scout and spy until the fall of 1783.

    James Ballard served as spy, hunter and scout in all General George R. Clark's Expeditions against the Indians: in 1786 under
Captain Bland W. Ballard and Colonel John Hardin against the Wabash Indians; in 1786, eight months in Captain Aquilla Whitaker's Company: and in 1783, under Generals Scott and Wayne, and served until all hostilities had been settled.
     
     While a resident of Shelby County, Kentucky, he applied February 3, 1838 for pension on account of his services in the Revo-
lutionary War.  His claim was not allowed as the Act of Congress under which he applied did not provide for service rendered  in the 
capacity of spy, ranger, scout an hunter on the frontiers.
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Soldier stated that his father. mother. two sisters  and a brother were killed when their home with all of their belongings
was burned, date not stated.

In 1832, Bland W. Ballard, brother of James Ballard, made affidavit in behalf of said brother, and gave his age as about seventy years.

                            Very truly yours,


                             E. W. MORGAN,
                             Acting Commissioner.

Handwritten notes:
This went out this way, 
but is incorrect as 
found when I was 
reading ltr
S. Caleweist May 26, 1938
                  MSLG


                                 James Ballard, the soldier, 
            stated in 1838, that his father,
            mother, two brothers and a sister
            were killed in his (James') father's 
            house and the house burned.
            He didn't state when the tragedy
            occurred.
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Left Side:
1838
Nov 24 - L. C. Draper - history PVRST
1931 - Mar. 16 - Hist to Frank B Morris.
SLL

Right Side:
Ex'R 463 INVALID
No. 1161 (? Illegible)
Stamped REJECTED
James Ballard

The printed list of 1852 
show reasons for rejection -
"not military service -
not under military 
organization"
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James Ballard
Kentucky
   _____

Rejected
    __
Pel Cel  5 April
1838 W. M. Todds
      
    463
did not serve in 
a regular organize confs
L in a vitalities capacity
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                        Washington, April 2nd 1838

Dear Sir
        I herewith enclose the declara=
=tion of James for a pension
James Ballard has often applied to me
Some years just to give collabortaion to his 
claims but I never had time
until late. I must mention this as
an excuse for not presenting this 
case before.  No man of his age  in Ky
Stands higher as a citizen than Mr. Ballard [name underlined]

                                       Yours truly
                                                 Wm H Todd
To: Commsn of 
                   Pensions
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                                        La Grange, Ky
                                          Feb 16, 1931

Records  War Pensions Office
War Dept.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir, 
    Please send me the war records of
James Ballard 1st & James Ballard 2nd of Spottyvania Co Va. They were of the VA regiment sent to aid, Gen George Rogers Clark in his western campaign.    
    Thanking you, I remain,

                                 Frank B. Morris,
                                 La Grange, Ky



                                      Stamped received
                                       20 Feb 1931




Date stamped 
24 Feb 1931
by Revolutionary & Indian Wars Section
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8 smudged/illegible line 
James Ballard in Feby 1838 in his six years of age
   In May 1780 Bland Ballard his father landed at the falls of Ohio Ky & in June James vol d under Capt Jacob Piatt in the comd of George R Clark as an Indian spy, ranger & hunter, 
June James vol d under Capt Jacob Piatt in the comd of George R Clark as an Indian spy, ranger & hunter, to procure provisions for the army until the following Spring & while so engaged he had numerous skirmishes & engagements with small parties of Indians   In the spring of 1781 he joined with Capt Geo Owens as a spy & ranger having with Sept Sept several skirmishes with the Indians when about 
about that time when he is in the defeat of Colo Floyd & fled for safety.   Colo 
Hills was in the fight also.    In Augt 1782 he vol d for 3 months with Cap Aquilla Whitaker, March 
under Genl (strikeout) Clarke to Miami Shawnee towns McKees town on the Sciota river
having destroyed the towns, Captured honora & returned to the Station in Docit but 
had acted under special directions of Gen Clarke he continued to act as spy until the spring of 1783 in collecting information of the movement 
of the Indians and with the depradation on the settlement which was reported 
to the Comdr in Chief besides supplying the army with all the food he could kill & 
pack - He was after the Spring of the Spring of 1780   Simularly employed under no 
Sp. Cmd  but by hard instructions from Ghst [?] in detached parts & in all Gen west expeditions
by Genl Clarke after 1782.  Viz to Wabash town in Jefferson Co under Capt Bland W. Ballard  Colo John Harden in 1786 Spring
1780 for 8 months as a Spy on Brasheamot Creek & in all the campaigns under Genl Scott
Harmon U Wayne [?] until 1793 until all the difficulties were settled in 1794 or
thereabouts  He knew all the movements of officer Clarke Geor Todd Wills Floyd, Capt lls Fileynd He know offer Clark, Colo Geon Slaughter Crookhill Todd, Wills Floyd Capt
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Roberts, Roger, Mark, Thomas, George, Bejmn Field Major Harlan, Lt Sander & nearly 
all the inferior [?] officers of the regmt in the Cmd of Clarke & Montgomery.  His father, mother, two brothers & a sister in his father's house & the house with all his father’s besides his work [illegible] were then destroyed by fire. 
He was living in Shelbyville, Ky 
Bland W. Ballard of Shelby, Ky in Sept 1832 aged about 70 years & bother 
to James who in 1780 was in Louisville who rendered Services under Genl Clarke until 
1782 then went under Capt Aguilla Whitaker against the Indians at Shawnee town 
on the Whamce [? illegible] in Cmd Genl Clarke & 1786 against Wabash Indians, with intervals of service of scouting & ranging. In 1787 as spy & guard for about 8 mos on Brasban Creek
under Capt A. Whitaker  1789 he went under Capt Bland W Ballard & Col John Harden 
against Wabash [?] Indians also with Capt Pine & Gen Chas Scott against Wabash Indians
Also in 1793 with Capt Wm Stack [?] & Genl Chas Scott he joined Gen Wayne’s Army 
He believed in 1832 that Jas Ballard was about 66 years old
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Letter in pen cl. 
Bland W. Ballard 
W.20655 
                                                                                                       
                                                     May 27. 1938 
                                                xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  Mr. R.C. Ballard Thrust on                    BA/EEL 
118 West Street 
Louisville, Kentucky              
                                                                                                                                     
Dear Sir:

     Reference is made to your letter in which you request a copy of the affidavit of Bland W. Ballard which is on file in support of the claim for pension, R.463. which was made by his brother, James, based upon Revolutionary War service and ser-
vice subsequent thereto. 

     It is inferred from your request that you are interested primarily in the record of Bland W. Ballard, and in researching 
the records for that of James to locate the affidavit 
cited by you, the application for pension was found based upon 
service of Bland W. Ballard.  His affidavit pertains to the service of his brother, James, which service is shown in the report to Mr. Morris, cited by you. 

    As the claims for pension of Bland W. Ballard for service
in the Revolutionary War and for disability incurred in service
in the War of 1812 and his widow's claims for pension and land, 
based upon the service in the Revolutionary War contain so much 
more information in regard to him, then does his affidavit in the 
claim of James, all papers in the claims, based upon his service 
have been examined carefully and the data found therein incorpora- 
ted in a report for you which is enclosed. 

                                       Very truly yours 

                                        A.	D. HILLER
                                        Executive Assistant 
                                        to the Administrator.