Ball, Robert
Birth
Robert Ball was born on January 9, 1809, probably on his father's, and grandfather's farm on Switzkill Road three miles south of the Hamlet of Berne on Lot 539 of the 1787 survey map. Robert's parents were John Peter Ball (Aug. 2, 1775 - Jan. 1862) and Elisabeth Bogardus who was baptized at the Reformed Dutch Church at Coxsackie, N.Y. His grandparents were George Ball and Elisabetha Dietz.
Occupation
He was a farmer and a carpenter. Deeds show that on May 9, 1850 he bought the southern 95 acres farm on lot 539 from his father-in law, Johannes Bellinger Deitz for the sum of five thousand and six hundred dollars.
Marriage & Children
Robert was married on September 5, 1833 to Anna Barbara Dietz of Switzkill Valley. The births of their children from the family Bible are:
- John P. Ball (Dec.24,1834)
- Amber Velia Ball (Dec. 23,1836)
- Sylvanes M. Ball (Dec.15, 1838)
- Mary E. Ball (Mar.14,1841)
- Lucius E. Ball (Mar.14, 1843). He died at the Battle of Cold Harbor in the Civil War on June 6, 1864.
- Henry Arthur Ball (Dec.9,1844)
- Seneca S. Ball (Oct.22,1846)
- Winford E. Ball (Aug. Aug.10, 1848)
- Jerome D. Ball (Jan.1,1850)
- Eve Ann Ball (May &, 1852)
- Rachel E. Ball (Nov.9,1853)
- Charles E. Ball (Jan. 11, 1856)
- Wilford Wallace Ball (Feb. 13, 1859)
- Cora A. Ball (Jan.6, 1863).
Death
He died at home on September 11, 1893. He was buried at Berne and Beaverdam Cemetery next to his wife Anna Barbara.
Additional Media
Gallery
Robert Ball's Home, known as "Maple Ridge Farm" Robert Ball on far right 
Maple Ridge Farm in 1913 
The Ball Brothers 
Home of Charles and Minnie Bell Onderdonk Ball located near the present Altamont Resevoir. L-R Charles, Clyde , Hazel(little girl), Minnie and Maggie Onderdonk Ball, Mrs. C. Griffin. Spark is the dog in front. Photo taken in 1898. Photo courtesy of Allan Deitz 
Interior of the Ball home prior to 1898. L-R Lena Ayers (Teacher), Charles, Clyde, Hazel (baby) Minnie Bell Onderdonk Ball. Photo courtesy of Allan Deitz
