In understanding Samuel Ball and how he fits into the island's history, one must know how he finished. The Will of Samuel Ball, shown at right, gives clear indication that he owned a substantial area of land and goes to show he had some success at creating a life in Nova Scotia. Property deeds show that at the time of his death, he possessed Oak Island lots 6, 7, 8, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, and 32.  We also read he employed a servant named Isaac Butler, a Negro who arrived in Nova Scotia after 1812 and speaks to Ball's weath to afford a servant.  During the time he was acquiring his Oak Island properties, they were the most expensive acre for acre lots in all of Lunenburg County as recorded in the County Book of Deeds. Samuel first deed dates to 22 September 1787 for the sum of 8 pounds money. Comparing this cost against mainland property shows he could have easily acquired 100 acres or more on the mainland.  Why would he be willing to spend so much money for an Oak Island lot, or did he? One strange fact identified in Ball's early deeds are for them to have been registered almost 20 years after the date of purchase.   One valid question after examining these deeds and spotting the irregularities is to ask, was Samuel Ball bribed with property?  If so, then why? The other obvious question would be to ask if Ball may have received a cut from anything of value which may have been found. This is a central theme which fits a pattern of wealth for several families connected to the island during the late 1780s.

1846. Will of Samuel Ball, Oak Island, Book 1, pg.37, Dated 1 Oct. 1841,   Probated 5 Jan. 1846, wit. John Barkhouse Sr., James Brewer, George Keddy and John Zwicker, Gold River.  Executors Rev. Joseph Dimock, Anthony Vaughan and wife Catherine.  After funeral expenses etc.    I Give my wife, Catherine, the furniture, wearing apparel and all Real and Personal Estate during her life. First, situated and lying between lands owned by John Berghaus and Daniel Mc Innis containing about 100 acres; also an Island called Hook Island containing 3 acres, all my farm at Oak Island containing ?? acres more or less.  All Cultivated Land during her life and then to Mrs. Best until her decease.    (admin note: this was the son of Daniel McGinnis of discovery),      Grandson, Simeon, to have the half of the 100 acre lot between John Barkhouse and Daniel Mc Innis the Ploughed Land, house and barn from John Mc Innis's line. (admin note: this was the son of Daniel McGinnis of discovery),     I give all my real estate and personal estate, the half of the 100 acre lot to my servant Isaac Butler, if he takes the name Ball, if he dies without male issue it is to go to friend Henry Joudrey's son, Alexander William, and if he dies without male issue to Isaac Parsons' son.  None shall possess same unless they take the name Ball.    Mrs. Elizabeth Best to be comfortably maintained during her life, and if she should survive his wife she is to have control of house and farm during her life.    If grandson dies without male issue the land results to Isaac Butler. After decease of wife and Mrs Best, the Executors to give cattle to the amount of £ 15 to the Bible Society. " The executor of Ball's will was Rev. Joseph Dimock, you can read about the Rev. in this book.

"His Excellency Sir George Prevost The memorial of Samuel Ball, a black man - Humbly sheweth That your memorialist was born in South Carolina, and after the war took place in America that your memorialist joined the Kings troops in that part of the country then under the command of Lord Cornwallis and soon after came to New york with General Clinton, when he was ordered to join Major Ward, who commanded the refugees at bergan Point in the woods where he continued to serve till the end of the war; when he came to Shelburne and remained there two years, when he left that place, and he came to Chester, where he has resided twenty three years. Your memorialist has no lands but, but that he has purchased, never having got any from government, and as there is a four acre lott vacant, No. 32 on Oak Island, joining a lot purchased by your memorialist. Your memorialist therefore prays your Excellency will be pleased to grant, or otherwise order him to have said lott, - your memorialist has only one son living. Chester 8th September 1809 This day, the above named Samuel Ball came before me, and made oath on the holy Evangelist that what is said in the above memorial is strictly true, which I verify to be so. I do hereby further certify that I have known said Ball, above twenty years, and I believe he is an honest, sober and industrious settler, and worthy of encouragement. Thos. Thompson, Jus’ Peace"

At left is Ball's 1809 request for lot 32 of Oak Island, joining a lot (31) which he already owned. From his memorial, we can read of Ball's early history prior to Chester and can deduce he arrived in the area in 1786. In his first deed he is noted as a "labourer", thus he was employed at this occupation for about 1 year. We can tell in his second deed that he identifies himself as a farmer. The information after 'Chester 8th September 1809', is an administrative note by Thomas Thompson, Justice of the Peace.

 Samuel is identified in the Poll Tax of 1791 , 1793, 1794, and 1795 as being a resident of Oak Island. Here is an extract of the Chester Township Records showing his marriage, birth, and death records. 

Marriages

Samuel Ball, and Mary (could also have been Maria) ______ were Legally joind in Marriage on the twenty Seventh day of April, one thousand, Seven hundred and Ninety Seven. Recorded December 4th, 1806. Ebr. Fitch, Town Clerk.

Births

Andrew Ball, Son of Samuel, and Mary Ball, was born in Chester on the thirteenth day of August, one thousand, Seven hundred and Ninety Eight. Recorded December 4th, 1806. Ebr. Fitch, T.C.

Samuel Ball, Son of Samuel, and Mary Ball, was Born in Chester on the third day of January, one thousand Eight hundred and one. Recorded December 4th, 1806. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk.

Mary Ball, Daughter of Samuel, and Mary Ball, was born in Chester on the Second day of December, one thousand, Eight hundred and five. Recorded December 4th, 1806. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk.

Deaths

Samuel Ball, Son of Samuel, and Mary Ball, departed this Life on the tenth day of September, one thousand, Eight hundred and three. Recorded December 4th, 1806. Ebr. Fitch.

Mary Ball, Daughter of Samuel, and Mary Ball, departed this Life on the fourth day of February, one thousand, Eight hundred and four. Recorded December 4th, 1806. Ebr. Fitch, Town Clerk.

Analysis

There are no further records in the Chester books for when his first wife Mary passed or when he met his second wife (mentioned in his Will). An interesting note from Judge DesBrisay's History of Lunenburg County, Second Edition, says Mary Ball was once a domestic in the house of Treasure Wallace in Halifax ⁴. 

Ball meeting Mary must have occurred in Halifax, which means Ball travelled to Halifax, if only once. What could prompt Mary to leave a job and no doubt good accommodations for life on Oak Island?


Samuel's eldest son Andrew appears to have survived to adulthood, as his son Simeon, is mentioned in the 1846 Will and is mentioned as still living on the Western shore in 1870. History does not record what became of Andrew, his grandson Simeon, or his wife.

At the time of Samuel Ball's death, it was noted he died on 14th December 1845; he was 81 years of age, thus Samuel Ball must have been born in 1764. This would have placed him at about 19 years of age when he travelled to Shelburne, thus explains why he was not listed in many of the records as they tended to list adults of 21 years of age or older.

When cross referencing against a listing of Lunenburg County Cemeteries ⁵, one cannot find a single entry for Samuel, either of his children who died young, or his wife Mary. Could they all be buried on Oak Island? This is not so strange when we consider the period and neither would it be unique to the Ball family. You will come to read that Donald McGinnis was reported as buried on Oak Island and many of the Smith members who died on Oak Island are not in mainland cemetaries.


After providing all of this information, one must wonder why Samuel Ball was not, and was never mentioned in any account told by the Truro Company or Oak Island Association. He was on Oak Island at some point in 1787, before McGinnis and before Smith, and he was a resident from 1791 (verified via 1791 Poll Tax), perhaps even to 1787. Neither his servant Isaac Butler nor his grandson Simeon's testimony was ever provided. 

Did those folks from Truro intentionally leave out information about Ball?

Further reading relating to Samuel Ball's general experience can be found in any of these excellent books.