Thomas Ballard (Colonel)

Colonel Thomas Ballard (March 1631 - March 24 1687) was a member of the upper class of the Virginia Colony and founder of the Ballard family in America.

Early Life

Little is known of Thomas's early life. What is known though is that when he was young he was brought over with his parents to the New World. After settling in Virginia Ballard would learn key skills that would help him to survive and to make it to the top of the social ladder.

Later Life and Political Life

[ [http://personal.linkline.com/xymox/roh/ballard.htm Thomas Ballard Information] ] Thomas resided in York County, Virginia for a good portion of his young life. He patented land in Gloucester County, Virginia along with some in the Propotank and Mattaponi rivers. He was also involved in many land transactions including one property that he sold that would become the land in which the College of William and Mary was founded. Thomas would later become a member of the Governor's Council. In this position he was firstly a Naval officer and secondly a customs collector. He would also become a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, the Burgesses' Speaker, and Colonel of the local militia. His luck did not last though at the peak of his political career Nathaniel Bacon during the Bacon's Rebellion raided Middle Plantation and took many of the wifes of leading politicians including Anne Thomas, Ballard's wife. Though Anne was later returned it lead to her sudden death one year later.

ee Also

*Virginia Colony
*Bacon's Rebellion
*Nathaniel Bacon
*Virginia House of Burgesses
*College of William and Mary
*Middle Plantation

References