Captain John Ball's Grave Marked by the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter

14 Apr 2018    Ball-Shumate Cemetery, Warrenton, VA

   Today, April 14th, 2018, the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter placed an SAR Patriot Marker on the grave of John Ball, a soldier and patriot of the Revolution.  This was the culmination of a six month long effort to research the patriot, locate the owners of the property, secure access through another property, cleanup the cemetery, install the marker and plan and execute the dedication ceremony.  This was done with significant participation by Rick Jenkins, owner of the adjacent property, who has now submitted his SAR application.  Ric maintains a park-like appearance on his property adjoining the woods where the cemetery is located, and not only granted us access across his property for the cleanup and ceremony he actively participated in every work party at the site.  Also helping in this effort was the Fauquier Court House Chapter of the DAR, who were participants in all activities, and were heavily involved in the cleanup.  Both Rick Jenkins and the Fauquier Court House Chapter, DAR, were presented Certificates of Appreciation as part of the ceremony.

     CMM Past President Jerry Hubbard was the Master of Ceremonies, President Tom Hamill presented the keynote address, Virginia SAR 2nd VP Bill Schwetke represented the Virginia SAR, and all members present participated in the program in one way or another as shown in the pictures below.

Captain John Ball
1742-1806

John Ball was born October 2, 1742, son of William Ball and Martha Brumfield.  William Ball was a first cousin of Mary Ball Washington, thus John was a second cousin, of George Washington.
 
We know little of John Ball’s early life, but we know he married Sarah Ellen Payne on November 6, 1767
 
In 1769 John Ball hired on to work George Washington’s mill as a millwright.
 
Early in our struggle for independence, in February 1776, he was commissioned an ensign in the 6th Virginia Regiment.
 
It is believed that he served at some time on George Washington’s staff
 
The 6th Virginia fought at Trenton, Princeton, and Brandywine, where John Ball was wounded on September 11th, 1777.
 
He apparently returned to Fauquier County Virginia to recover.  There he ran an iron works and contributed significant material to the Revolution.
 
While in Fauquier County he was appointed ensign of militia in March of 1779, and Captain of militia in October of 1779.  In July of 1781 Captain Ball marched with the militia to join the forces responding to Cornwallis’ arrival in Virginia.
 
After the Revolution John Ball retired to Fauquier County where he died in 1806.  He and Sarah had at least 8 children.  Sarah died in 1826, and probably lies in one of the graves next to John Ball.

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The Color Guard presents the colors, left to right: Michael Dennis, Charles Jameson, Tom Hamill, Bill Schwetke.

Wreaths presented, left to right: CMM Chapter wreath, President Tom Hamill; Virginia SAR wreath, 2nd VP Bill Schwetke; Fauquier Court House Chapter DAR wreath, Regent Cat Schwetke.

CMM President Tom Hamill delivers the Keynote Address.

Virginia SAR 2nd VP Bill Schwetke presents greetings from the Virginia SAR.

"Hymn for All Saints", sung by, left to right: Aaron Hamill, Tom Hamill, and Don Hollar.

CMM President Tom Hamill presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Ric Jenkins.

CMM President Tom Hamill presents a Certificate of Appreciation to the Fauquier Court House Chapter, DAR, received by the chapter regent, Cat Schwetke.

Left to right: Charles Jameson, Cat Schwetke, CMM President Tom Hamill, Michael Dennis, Aaron Hamill, Don Hollar, Ric Jenkins, Larry Alexander, Jerry Hubbard, Beverly Alexander, Bill Mutziger, Lea Hamill, Susan Hamill, Len Cowherd. picture by Bill Schwetke.

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Before and after the cleanup pictures of Ball-Shumate Cemetery.

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Information for your Grave Marking Medal Reporting Form

Obtain a blank Grave Marking Medal Reporting Form here.

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