Microfilm S.108.196 NC State Archives, Raleigh
Will of Joseph Ballard Sr. of Albemarle County, 21 July 1729, probated at Edenton 14 October 1729.

Abstract: In the Name of God. being sick in body. To dearly beloved wife Anne, the plantation where I now live on during her life and negro woman Mary.

To son Joseph Ballard, whom I likewise constitute executor, 2 cows & 2 yearlings & 2 heifers, a feather bed and the furniture .

To son John Ballard a tract of land containing 200 acres in Snow field, also 6 cattle, feather bed & furniture.

To daughter Martha, 5 cows & calves.
To daughter Susanne, 5 cows & calves.
To son Elisher Ballard, a gray mare
To son Elias Ballard, horse
To daughter Esther on the day of her marriage, 5 cows & calves

Witness: James Many, John Hooks, John Pervis

Note: Until 1739, what is now North Carolina was divided into two large "colonies" called Counties: Albemarle (adjoining the Virginia border) and Bath (adjoining the South Carolina line). Each "county" was divided into precincts. Chowan was a precinct of Albemarle)

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Link: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~fcharper/theory.html
Patent to Elias Ballard. 28 Apl 1711 Nansemond County 702a. 585a part thereof. Beg.g &c on the North West side of a swamp of Sumerton Creek, known by the name of the Bever dam swamp. 117a the residue Beg.g &c on the so. side of the aforesd. Sumerton creek it being a line tree of John Lees land .... William Speight's line ..... Hookes .... 14 persons to dwell within this our Colony of Virginia whose names are Jane Burk, Thomas Ross, Mary Taylor, Eliza. Reed, Anne Reed, James Fleming, Francis Cambridge, Eliza. Rod(?), Richard Rod(?), John Knowles, Saml. Woodward, William Williams, Eliza. Goodwin, & Margaret Thompson. Patents 10, p 17

Again we see the mention of Sumerton Creek. It would appear that Cabbin Branch and Beaver Dam Swamp were both branches that fed into Sumerton Creek which in turn flowed into the Chowan River.

Elias Ballard appeared on an earlier patent that might indicate other members of his family.

Joseph Ballard, Elisha Ballard, and Elias Ballard of Nansemond County Nansemond County 20 Apr 1694 550 acres being on the Southward swamp of Sumerton Creek in the Upper Parish of Nansemond County ... transportation of eleven persons ... Patents 8, p 334

28 April 1711. Elias Ballard. Patent for 702 A. in Upper Parish of Nansemond Co.; beginning on northwest side of Beaver Dam Swamp of Sumerton Creek; adjacent Hooke's land; and William Speight's line. (NugIII, p. 115)

Elias Ballard Nansemond County 24 Jan 1717 400 acres being near Sumerton in the Upper Parish of Nansemond County ... a corner tree of Elias Ballard in John Holland's line ... to a pine in John Bryant's line ... Patents 10, p 359

16 Nov 1744. John Ballard of Craven County to Thomas Price of Edgecombe, for 16 pounds VA money, 150 acres all the land the sd. John bought of William Gause near the Rainbow Banks. Wit: William Taylor, Elias Ballard, John Hooks, Sr. Reg. Edge. Co. Feb. Ct. 1744 Robert Forster C.Ct.

Elias Ballard's land was mentioned again in a 1747 patent to Luke Ralls (Rawls) for 200 acres in Nansemond on the SE side of Back Swamp adjoining John Bryan's patent, William Ralls, John Yeats, and Elias Ballard. Patents 26, p 6

The 1729 Chowan Co will of Joseph Ballard named, among others, sons Elisha Ballard, Elias Ballard, and Joseph Ballard.