One of the more distinguished ancestors of Grover and Harrison Shepherd was their great grandfather Owen Meredith Ballou. Meredith was an entrepeneur who amassed large land holdings and mineral rights, established the forging of iron in Ashe County, and contributed significantly to the industrialization and development of the County during its earliest formative years.

Meredith Ballou Homeplace This photograph was taken about 1915. The house was located on the New River about 1/4 mile north of the current Crumpler Post Office. It was significantly damaged by the great flood of 1940, and subsequently torn down. At the time, it was owned by Shube V. Alexander, husband of Myrtle Ballou, a great granddaughter of Meredith Ballou. Pictured in front of the house are (l-r): Shube Alexander, wife Myrtle holding son Hoke, Faye Ballou? (Myrtle's sister), and daughter Delphyne. Note: Hoke Alexander died at age two after an ailing vistor departed the home leaving Hoke and Shube Alexander with Scarlet Fever.

Meredith was born September 29, 1766 in the James River Valley of Amherst County, Virginia as the third son of Leonard Ballou and Ms. Boliew (first name unknown).

He was the first of the Virginia Ballous to come to Ashe County. At the time Meredith arrived, Ashe County had not yet been formed. Ashe County was established in 1799. Prior to that, it was part of Wilkes County. Most sources list Meredith Ballou as coming to Ashe County in 1800. This is based on the first Ashe County census of 1800. Eleanor Baker Reeves, a Ballou researcher, author and historian, feels there is “ample evidence that Meredith came some time between 1790 and 1795, the latter date having been the year of his marriage.” [1]

Meredith’s name appears regularly in works concerning early Ashe County history. He served various terms as county surveyor and many times as a member of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions.

The following biography of Meredith Ballou appears in An Elaborate History and Genealogy of the Ballous in America by Adin Ballou:

“Merideth Ballou spent his adult life in two several sections of Ashe Co., N.C. He was a man of distinction-wealthy in lands, mines, negroes and all the concomitants of an old fashioned Southern planter-an influential magistrate of his County-and an eminent member of the Regular Baptist denomination. Mrs. Mary, the wife of his youth, a pious Baptist, and the mother of the above named chn., d. June 12, 1831, a. 51 yrs. 1 mo. And 9ds. At the age of 70, Merideth m. his 2d wife, but had no further issue. He d. Mar. 17, 1847, a. 80 yrs. 5 mos. And 18ds. He left a large estate to his chn. He owned, at one time, 10,000 acres of land, rich in mineral ores.” (sic) [2]

Arthur Fletcher in his Ashe County: A History, provides a list of men who were developing all parts of Ashe County in the early days. He pays tribute particularly to Henry Poe, Martin Gambill, Thomas Sutherland, Timothy Perkins, John Cox, Henry Hardin, Canada Richardson, James Douglas, Daniel Dickerson, Elijah Calloway, Meredith Ballou, and Thomas Harbard. [3]

Married Mary (Polly )Baker

Meredith Ballou married Mary (Polly) Baker, a local resident of Wilkes County (later Ashe). She was the daughter of Morris Baker, one of the leading men responsible for the formation of the County of Ashe, and the granddaughter of James Baker, the first man to hold title to land in this area.

In regards to early setters of Ashe County, Fletcher said,

“The question, ‘Who came first?’ to Ashe County will probably never be answered to the satisfaction of anybody. Bill Sharpe in his Geography of Ashe notes that Bishop Spangenberg and his explorers were there in 1752, but he also states that history records that Peter Jefferson and his surveying party, engaged in establishing the line between North Carolina and Virginia, were on Pond Mountain in 1749. Sharpe says that so far as his research goes, the first white man to acquire title to land in Ashe County was James Baker, in 1773.” [4]

Iron Mine Entrance to one of the old iron mines on the former Ballou property in Crumpler, NC.

This makes James Baker a great, great, great grandfather of Grover and Harrison Shepherd. A quick view of this line follows. The direct descendent of the previous generation is in bold:

James Baker
Morris Baker
Mary (Polly) Baker married Meredith Ballou
John Rice Ballou married Sarah Porter
Sarah Ballou married John Calvin Shepherd
Sons: Grover and Harrison Shepherd

Acquired Much Land

Meredith Ballou came from a mining family and embarked on Ashe County in search of iron ore. He found outcroppings of iron ore in the areas of the North Fork New River and Big Helton Creek. Meredith built a spacious home on the banks of the North Fork about 1/4 mile north of the current Crumpler Post Office and set about building his fortune. Through state land grants and purchases from individuals, Meredith eventually acquired about 10,000 acres of land in Ashe County. Fletcher includes Meredith Ballou in a list of about 30 men who could be considered “big real estate men” in Ashe County between 1799 and 1820. [5]

Old Iron Forge This is a photograph of an early American iron forge. The forges operated by Meredith Ballou were probably similar to this one.

Mining and Iron Forging

Aside from his other accomplishments, Meredith’s legacy is in iron. His acquistion of mineral rights, mining, and subsequent forging of iron earned him the designation of “pioneer iron man.”

For about 80 years, the manufacture of iron was an important industry in Ashe, and was one of the cornerstones of the Industrial Revolution. As the county developed, there was great need for iron products such as plows, hoes, wagon wheels, axes, mattocks, scythe-blades, shovels, and other tools and equipment.

With Helton Creek as its iron-making center, Ashe County’s six or seven forges turned out sufficient iron for local needs and provided a surplus to ship by wagon to Fayetteville and other points in eastern North Carolina, and to Charleston, South Carolina.

To encourage ironmaking in North Carolina, a legislative act of 1788 offered to everyone who erected a set of ironworks and produced 5,000 pounds of iron, a bounty grant of 3,000 acres of vacant land certified by the county court as unfit for cultivation.

One person to receive such a grant was Daniel Dougherty, who later sold 2,725 of his 3,000-acre grant to Meredith in 1814. Others to receive these grants were Thomas Calloway, a close business associate of Meredith Ballou, and Jesse Ray. Fletcher says,

“That there were similar grants to Meredith Ballou, William Harbard, and others is certain, but the only grant appearing in the County Court records was to Jesse Ray…” [6]

Harbord Forge Site This is the probable site of the Harbard Bloomery Forge on Helton Creek. It was first operated by William Harbard, and later purchased by Meredith Ballou. This site is known as the "Creek Lot" and is on the lower end of property owned by John Ballou, and later Grover Shepherd.

Ballou’s Iron Forges

The first iron forge to operate in Ashe County was the Harbard Bloomery Forge, built about ¼ mile up from the mouth of Big Helton Creek in 1807 by William Harbard. The Harbard Bloomery Forge was sold to Meredith Ballou in 1813. It washed away in 1817.

Meredith Ballou set up his second forge in 1817. It was called “Ballou’s Bloomery Forge”, and was situated 12 miles northeast of Jefferson at the falls of North Fork of the New River. It was washed away by an ice feshet in 1832.

After Meredith’s death in 1847, his son John Rice Ballou (grandfather of brothers Grover and Harrison Shepherd) set up a forge near the mouth of Big Helton Creek in 1848. This forge was reported to have been rebuilt in 1871 by Jefferson Paisley, and later abandoned. The reason this forge had to be rebuilt is not known. It could have also suffered from flood waters, or it could have possibly been destroyed by Union Raiders during the Civil War. The site of this forge would later be the site of Ballou’s Grist Mill.

Ore Knob Copper Mine

Among the many land purchases of Meredith Ballou was about 300 acres that later came to be known as Ore Knob. Meredith was in search of iron, but found that this site “was so badly adulterated with copper that it was useless.”

Meredith and his sons neglected this tract of land and never paid the taxes due. Eventually, the sheriff sold the tract for taxes in 1848. It brought enough to pay the taxes and cost of sale, leaving a balance of $11, which was divided among Meredith's heirs. Later, the Ore Knob Copper Mine was opened and became successful.

Dr. Elisha Mitchell Dr. Elisha Mitchell was one of two outstanding men of science who did pioneer work in geological studies in Western North Carolina's mountains. He measured the top of several peaks. He fell to his death in 1857 while attempting to re-measure Mt. Mitchell, which was named in his honor.

Interesting Notes

In James Larkin Ballou Physician and Surgeon, Reeves records some interesting diary entries about Meredith Ballou by Rev. Elisha Mitchell, D.D. bearing the date of July 1828. Dr. Mitchell, for whom Mount Mitchell, the highest point East of the Mississippi is named, spent some time with Meredith Ballou and recorded the following:

“Mounted my horse and rode to the North of Helton ten miles and fording the stream thirty-two times in the distance and then down North Fork to Col. Meredith Ballou’s.”

“Col. Meredith Ballou, at whose house I put up on Thursday, is of French extraction, a native of Amherst County, Virginia. He owns a forge, is a busy active little man still, though sixty-one years of age and the father of eleven sons and two daughters, but a wife thirteen years younger than himself and looks as if she might bear a number of children more. Between the ages of his oldest and youngest daughters there is a difference of thirty years.”

“He tells me that the first forge in this county was built on Helton Creek a little above where he lives, about twenty years ago by one Harbert. Shortly after another was built a little higher up the same creek, fourteen years ago; that on Little River, four or six years ago.”

“----- After dinner Ballou rode with us two or three miles to see his ore banks, which are numerous and rich. Indeed, I judge the range of greios heretofore spoken of to be full of ore.” [7]

While about the business of building his fortune, Meredith and his wife Mary, also propagated a large family. Their 11 children and grandchildren were: [8]

1. Tamzon (Tamsy) Ballou, born December 5, 1797; died April 4, 1862; married Edward Weaver (b. Oct. 1, 1791, d. June 18, 1868), abt 1817; Had seven known children:
   • Matilda Weaver, born abt 1817; died abt 1864; married Greenberry Phipps (b. Dec. 10, 1815, d. Feb. 25, 1889), abt. 1840; The entire family (husband, wife and six children) were together in 1860 according to census records. Before 1870, Greenberry had lost his wife, Matilda, and all of the children except Fieldan. The children died of diphtheria which was prevalent at that time. Had six known children:
     1. Edward Wesley Phipps, born ca. 1841; died before 1870
     2. Tamsey Fanny Phipps, born ca. 1843; died before 1870
     3. Jordan Phipps, born ca. 1846; died before 1870

        Fielden Phipps photo 1898 Son of Greenberry Phipps & Matilda Weaver, and grandson of Tamson Ballou

     4. Fielden Phipps, born Mar. 5, 1848; died Aug. 17, 1918; married Mary Salena Weaver (b. Mar. 14, 1854, d. Sept. 25, 1937), Oct. 17, 1871; Fielden and Mary are buried at the New River Baptist Church Cemetery. Had 13 known children:
        • Eunice Victoria Phipps, born Oct. 5, 1872; died Jan. 1, 1873

        • Minnie Matilda Phipps, born Oct. 10, 1873; died Aug. 8, 1939; married John Madison Sawyer (b. ca. 1870), Oct. 20, 1895.

        • Theodore Asa Phipps, born Oct. 20, 1875; died Dec. 21, 1952; married Lelia Hash (b. Mar. 24, 1875, d. Sept. 6, 1949), Jan. 11, 1905

        • Mary Gertrude Phipps, born Dec. 15, 1877; died Mar. 19, 1900; married Thomas Luther (b. ca. 1875).

        • Bertha Rebecca Phipps, born Feb. 3, 1879; died Feb. 17, 1952

        • Zura Luna Phipps, born Jan. 31, 1881; died Nov. 9, 1956; married Ken Dixon (b. ca. 1880)

          Charles & Bertie Gaultney Phipps

        • Charlie Green Phipps, born April 12, 1883; died Aug. 3, 1940; married Bertie Lee Gaultney (b. Nov. 24, 1887, d. Dec. 19, 1976).

        • Chester Columbus Phipps, born Feb. 25, 1885; died April 24, 1955; married Madeline Cox (b. June 1, 1900, d. Feb. 4, 1986), April 12, 1919; Had nine known children:
          • Burl Chester, born Aug. 1, 1923 - twin to Earl; died April 24, 1972.
          • Earl Phipps, born Aug. 1, 1923 - twin to Burl
          • Myrtle Phipps
          • Jack Phipps
          • Lorraine Phipps
          • Cleta Phipps
          • Hazel Phipps
          • Mary Phipps
          • Joe Phipps

        • Mary Ann Phipps, born April 8, 1886; died ca. 1958; married W. Perry Samson (b. ca. 1885)

        • John Fielden Phipps, born June 7, 1888; died ca. 1951; married Edith Fuqua (b. ca. 1890)

        • Carrie Belle Phipps, born Jan. 14, 1891; died Oct. 27, 1974; married Troy Curtis Handy (b. Dec. 31, 1879, d. Dec. 15, 1962)

        • Tina Loudeemy Phipps, born Dec. 31, 1892; died Dec. 3, 1954; married Glen Davis (b. July 9, 1893, d. April 1, 1953)

        • Fred Lee Phipps, born Nov. 9, 1895; died June 30, 1967

     5. Rosie Phipps, born ca. 1851; died before 1870
     6. Clevis Phipps, born ca. 1857; died before 1870

   • William Weaver, born 1819
   • Blake Meredith Weaver, born December 21, 1820; died 1884; married Elizabeth Poe; Had at least one known child:
     1. Baker Lee Weaver, born 1861; died Aug. 19, 1905; married Ida Lorena Witherspoon (b. 1867, d. 1945); Had 10 known children:

        James Ross and Lou Ella Weaver (ca. 1911) with children Mabel and Mae.

        • Lou Ella Weaver, born Jan. 13, 1885; married Ross Weaver, Nov. 14, 1908; The marriage of Lou Ella and Ross reunited the North Fork New River Weavers and the South Fork New River Weavers. Ross and Ella were the great-great-grandchildren of Ashe County, NC pioneers William (b. 1750, d. 1836) and Mary Ashley Weaver. Ross and Ella lived on a 44-acre farm on Teaberry Road in Ashe Co., NC; Had nine known children:
          • Mabel Ida Weaver, born 1909; married Carter Dickson; Had three known children: David C. (b. 1931), Gwynn (b. 1934), and Lorna Lou (b. 1939).

          • Mary Etta (Mae) Weaver, born 1910; died 1982; married Worth Young; Had four known children: Mary Sue (b. 1930), Elizabeth Ann (b. 1931), John W. (b. 1934), and Phillip (b. 1940).

          • Maxine Weldon Weaver, born 1912; married Rev. John Johnson; Had three known children: Barbara (b. 1946), Lydia (b. 1948), and John (b. 1953).

          • Charles Baker Weaver, born 1914; died 1966; married Hazel Dority; Had two known children: Charles Blacknall (Sonny) (b. 1935), and William Norris (b. 1940).

          • William Elihu Weaver, born 1917; married Marie Testerman; Had three known children: Nancy Ruth (b. 1937), Linda Lee (b. 1940), and Teresa Ann (b. 1947).

          • Walter Ross Weaver, born 1918; died 1951; married Kathleen Tucker; Had three known children: Kay (b. 1940, d. 1935), Judy (b. 1943), and Mary Ann (b. 1946).

          • Myrtle A. Weaver, born 1920; married Price Baker; Had five known children: Carolyn (b. 1941), Joyce Camille (b. 1947), Michael Price (b. 1952), Walter T. (b. 1954), and Vickie Sharon (b. 1958).

          • Joseph Edward Weaver, born 1924; died 1993; married Nell Dancy; Had three known children: Wanda Jo (b. 1944, d. 1951), Danny (b. 1951), and Edward (b. 1953).

          • Roby Jones Weaver, born 1926; married Elizabeth Oliver; Had one known child: Sarah Lynn (b. 1954).

        • Alva Jane Weaver, born 1886; died 1910; married Henry Wells

          John Andrew & Clyde Faw Weaver with children (l-r): Dorene, Thomas, and John, Jr.

        • John Andrew Weaver, born April 6, 1889 in Ashe Co., NC; died June 2, 1979 in Ashe Co., NC; married Clyde Mae Faw (b. 1890, d. 1963), June 11, 1916; When John was 16 years old, his father was killed by a falling tree. As the oldest boy in a large family, young John felt responsible for the support of his brothers and sisters. While doing various odd jobs to support his family, he attended Jefferson High SChool in his twenties and in 1914 received the first diploma in the first class to graduate from that school, in recognition of his class standing.

          As a youth, John worked in the offices of Jefferson lawyers, where he had access to their libraries, and he later worked with j. Lester Segraves in the First National Bank. These experiences gave him an understanding of legal procedures and financial matters that served him well in his business career. He began by borrowing money and setting up a combination restaurant, soda fountain, barber shop, pressing shop and "jitney" service.

          Quick to see a need, he started various business enterprises that he would often sell once they were underway. In the early days, he operated a rock crusher and dredged sand from the river to furnish gravel and sand for building and road construction. The curiosity of the townspeople was aroused by the odd shape of the cement building he was erecting on the former site of the B.C. Faw & Son livery stable, after the automobile had replaced the horse and buggy. It turned out to be the county's first "filling station" with a sheltered driveway. He later demolished this building, with much difficulty, and replaced it with a series of business buildings that are still in use on Main Street.

          During the early years of West Jefferson history, John served on the Board of Aldermen and was the Town Clerk. Over the years, John accumulated land throughout Ashe County, and during the Depression of the 1930s began growing pole beans on his Beaver Creek land and hauling them to the coast to market, much to the surprise of farmers who had not realized there was a ready market for that product. He later built a bean market in West Jefferson, attracting buyers there from throughout the state and establishing an outlet for farm products. On see that farmers were often left with quantities of unsold beans, he canvassed for subscriptions to set up a corporation and build a cannery at Beaver Creek, where growers could process their surplus products.

          John also contrived many inventions, some of which he took to the Patent Office in Washtington, D.C., only to find that they had already been patented. Among these were his safety belt for linesmen working on poles and his computing cash register for gasoline sales, for which he created the model, using parts from an automobile odometer. Had six known children:

          • Nealie Dorene Weaver, born April 6, 1917; married 1st Walter Carson Lewis; married 2nd Felipe Angeles.

          • Thomas Bynum Weaver, born Mar. 23, 1918; married Gertrude Jenkins.

            John Jr. and Imajean Hoppers Weaver

          • John Weaver, Jr., born Aug. 27, 1920; married Imajean (Jeannie) Hoppers, June 5, 1940; John volunteered for the Air Force in 1940 and served during World War II. When he returned to civilian life, he came back home to help his father in the lumber and construction business. Later he accepted part time work with Sears-Roebuck Company in High Point, NC and continued his education at King's Business College in Greensboro, NC. John later served as a mail carrier in West Jefferson, NC for 24 years, where he was presented the "Million Mile Award" for his outstanding performance in dring a million miles, or twenty-five thousand hours, without a preventable accident. Had two known children:
            • Shonean Weaver, born Nov. 6, 1951; married John R. Shatley, June 17, 1972; Had two known children:
              1. Sanjo Shane Shatley, born Aug. 18, 1973
              2. Stacy Marie Shatley, born July 4, 1975

              John Andrew III and Jackie Miller Weaver with children (l-r): Jacklyn, John A. IV, and Joy Cherie

            • John Andrew Weaver, III, born Mar. 21, 1955; married Jackie Lee Miller, Nov. 7, 1975; Had three known children:
              1. John Andrew Weaver, IV, born Mar. 6, 1978
              2. Jacklyn Renee Weaver, born Feb. 28, 1981
              3. Joy Cherie Weaver, born April 12, 1984

          • Edwin Truett Weaver, born Mar. 5, 1922; married Irene Jones.

          • Sylvia Juanita Weaver, born Oct. 11, 1927; married 1st Talmadge Hodgson; married 2nd L.C. Granger.

          • Wanda Lee Weaver, born ca. 1927; died 1983

        • Mary Virginia (Molly) Weaver, born 1891; died June 20, 1963; married 1st Edward Weaver; married 2nd Dallas Smith; Had three known children by Edward Weaver:

          Donald Baker & Iola Mae Walker Weaver

          • Ella Maude Weaver, born ca. 1912
          • John Paul Weaver, born ca. 1914

          • Donald Baker Weaver, Sr., born Jan. 13, 1916; died July 5, 1994; married Iola Mae Walker (b. May 9, 1911, d. Nov. 3, 2003), Dec. 1, 1934; Had two known children:
            • Hope Ophelia Weaver, born Nov. 11, 1938; married Joseph Terrence Quinn, Sr. (b. Sept. 13, 1940), Jan. 30, 1960; Four known children:
              1. Joseph Terrence Quinn, Jr., born Aug. 24, 1960; married Katherine Lynne MacEwen (b. Oct. 1, 1960), Sept. 20, 1986; Two known children:
                 • Allison MacEwen Quinn, born June 29, 1990.
                 • Steven MacEwen Quinn, born Sept. 30, 1993.

              2. Barry Gene Quinn, born Sept. 15, 1961; married Cynthia Elizabeth Coen (b. Sept. 3, 1961), Mar. 28, 1981; Two known children:
                 • Angela Rose Quinn, born June 16, 1983.
                 • Amy Marie Quinn, born Dec. 24, 1984.

              3. Allen Ray Quinn, born Dec. 16, 1963; married Marianne Jean Wanushek (b. Nov. 21, 1965), Oct. 15, 1988; Two known children:
                 • Nichalus Allen Quinn, born June 23, 1991.
                 • Brianne Alexis Quinn, born June 29, 1997.

              4. Christopher Brian Quinn, born Oct. 10, 1967; married Carle Ann Elstad (b. Sept. 20, 1975), Mar. 31, 2001; One known child:
                 • Erin Rebecca Quinn, born Aug. 29, 2001.

              Donald Weaver, Jr

            • Donald Baker Weaver, Jr., born Dec. 14, 1935; married Stella Coriene Peake (b. Jan. 13, 1934), Dec. 26, 1954; divorced June 15, 1959; married 2nd Careta Joan Bearden (b. Oct. 2, 1934), Dec., 1960; divorced June, 1966; married 3rd Melanie Honeycutt (b. Nov. 17, 1942), Dec. 19, 1966.
              One known child by Stella Coriene Peake:
              1. Pamela Rae Weaver, born Dec. 8, 1955.

                 Three known children by Careta Joan Bearden:

              2. Robert Paul Weaver
              3. Tammy Jo Weaver
              4. Candy Weaver

                 Three known children by Melanie Honeycutt:

              5. Mark Ellington Weaver
              6. Wendy Rebecca Weaver
              7. Renee Elizabeth Weaver

          Walter & Dora Dixon Weaver

        • Walter R. Weaver, born May 24, 1894; died Nov. 23, 1976; married Dora Dickson; As one of ten children, Walter was forced to drop out of school at an early age to help support the family due to his father's death in a logging accident. He was self educated and worked most of his adult life in the building business. Walter served in World War I with the 321st Infantry in France with the rank of Sergeant. During the 1930s, Walter worked at Roaring Gap, NC as a building contractor on some of the summer homes at the resort area. He was also a contractor on much of the stonework when the Blue Ridge Parkway was being built near the North Carolina and Virginia line. At the age of 82, Walter died of a heart attack while speaking to a group of senior citizens at the Ashe County, NC Courthouse. Had one known child:
          • Verna Lucille Weaver, born April 18, 1921; married Clifford Sturdivant, Oct. 29, 1937 in Independence, VA where Clifford worked for Reins_Sturdivant Funeral Home. They later lived in Memphis, TN, and were last known living in Pearland, TX; Had four known children: Lee, Barry, Kay, and Van.

        • Cessie Ann Weaver, born 1896; married George Coldiron

        • Robert Lee Weaver, born 1898; died 1970; married Millie Stamper

        • Wiley J. Weaver, born 1900; died 1961; married Faye Burkett

        • William Weaver, born ca. 1902; died 1903

          Pearl Loriene Weaver Burkett 100th Birthday

        • Pearl Loriene Weaver, born Aug. 15, 1904; died Jan. 17, 2005; married Brantley Monroe Burkett (d. April 2, 1989), April 2, 1926; Known as "Granny Pearl" in her neighborhood, Pearl was a homemaker and at one time a cafeteria supervisor at Ashe Central High School. Also see the Obituary for Pearl Weaver Burkett. Had four known children:
          • Dairliene Burkett, married John Ray Fields (d. Nov., 1986); lives in Lexington, NC; Had two known children: Richard Ray and William Charles.

          • Harold Burkett, married Mary Jo Little; lives in Florida; Had three known children: Randall Lee, Donald Harold, and Kitiz Jo.

          • Charles Burkett, married Betty Ann Baugess; lives in Jefferson, NC; Had four known children:
            • Gregory Charles Burkett, married Mary __?__; Had one known child: Jacob.
            • Pamela Jean Burkett, married Mark Miller; Had one known child: Myra.
            • Lisa Diane Burkett, married Iva Lambert; Had one known child: Evan.
            • Jeff Neal Burkett

          • Patricia Burkett, married James Franklin Stanley; lives in Cary, NC; Had two known children:
            • James Edward Stanley, married Karen Klein; Had one known child: Hannah Pearl.
            • Burketta Loriene Stanley, married Joseph Louis Slobodzian.

   • Polly Weaver, born abt 1822
   • Asa Weaver, born May 18, 1823
   • John Weaver, born 1829; died abt. 1849
   • Noah Weaver, born abt 1832.

2. Rev. James Ballou, born December 12, 1799; died 1863 in Boone, Indiana; married 1st Nancy Lewis abt 1821 ; married 2nd Frances Jones; Had 15 known children by Nancy Lewis:
   • Meredith Ballou, born Jan. 15, 1822; married Paulina J. Rose (b. ca. 1830), abt. 1848; Had 10 known children:
     1. Robert Bradley Ballou, born 1850; married Emeline Morgan, April 9, 1874
     2. Luke More Ballou, born May 24, 1853
     3. John Ballou, born Jan. 17, 1854
     4. James Ballou, born Jan. 27, 1856
     5. Malinda Ballou, born June 24, 1858; married William Harrison Helton, July 20, 1884
     6. Jacob Ballou, born Jan. 2, 1861
     7. Calvin Ballou, born April 9, 1863
     8. Frances Ballou, born Oct. 28, 1865
     9. Andrew Ballou, born May 9, 1868
     10. Susannah Ballou, born April 4, 1872

   • Levi Ballou, born Mar. 9, 1823; married Polly Ann Lewis (b. ca. 1823), Dec. 5, 1849; Had 12 known children:
     1. James Ballou, born ca. 1850
     2. John Ballou, born ca. 1851
     3. Thomas Ballou, born Feb., 1854
     4. Maria E. Ballou, born Dec. 11, 1855
     5. Joseph Ballou, born ca. 1857
     6. Nannie Ballou, born Nov. 3, 1858; died Dec. 11, 1859
     7. William Ballou, born ca. 1859
     8. Andrew J. Ballou, born ca. 1863
     9. Margaret Amy Ballou, born July 23, 1864; died Jan. 31, 1917; married Cornealius Hoskins Boyer (b. June 12, 1863, d. Sept. 19, 1926); Had one known child:
        • Cora Lee Boyer, born Jan.2, 1887; died 1983; married Ivory Webster Griffith (b. 1887, d. 1966); Had one known child:
          • Benny Furman Griffith, born July 10, 1925; died Jan. 7, 1961; married Virginia Lee Stanley (b. Oct. 25, 1925, d. July 9, 1983)

     10. Rhoda S. Ballou, born ca. 1865
     11. Harriet Ballou, born ca. 1867
     12. Sarah Ballou, born ca. 1869

   • Elizabeth Ballou, born Aug. 28, 1824; died after 1876; married Joel Barnett, abt. 1847; Had four known children:
     1. Nancy Jane Barnett, born ca. 1849
     2. Elijah S.A. Barnett, born ca. 1851
     3. Franklin Barnett, born ca. 1853; died 1872
     4. Frances Barnett, born ca. 1855

   • Leonard Ballou, born Oct. 25, 1825; died abt. 1865; married Elizabeth Godby, abt. 1846; Had one known child: Mary Lincoln, born abt. 1850.

   • Thomas Ballou, born Sept. 25, 1827; married Frances Powell, abt. 1848; Had five known children:
     1. Sigel Bascom Ballou, born ca. 1850
     2. Amanda Esther Ballou, born ca. 1852
     3. Edward Roscoe Ballou, born ca. 1856; married Matilda Hart
     4. Florence Ballou, born ca. 1858
     5. Elizabeth J. Ballou, born ca. 1873

   • Mary (Polly) Ballou, born Dec. 6, 1831; died Feb. 6, 1912; married William Swink (b. June 27, 1829; died Oct. 22, 1906), Feb. 6, 1851; Had four known children:
     1. William Thomas Swink, born 1851; died 1926
     2. John Milton Swink, born Jan. 18, 1853; died Dec. 5, 1939
     3. Jim Swink, born ca. 1855
     4. Mary Elizabeth Swink, born Nov. 9, 1857; died Oct. 16, 1928

   • Tamzon (Tempsey) Ballou, born Feb. 10, 1833; married Hardin Coffey, abt. 1850; Had three known children:
     1. Thomas F. Coffey, born July 10, 1854
     2. Sarah F. Coffey, born Feb. 22, 1856
     3. Carter T. Coffey, born Dec. 31, 1858

   • Andrew Jackson Ballou, born Jan. 6, 1835; married Martha Gaba, Feb. 22, 1868.

   • Joseph Ballou, born June 6, 1837; married Phebe C. Smith, Oct., 1856; Had five known children:
     1. Humphrey Marshall Ballou, born October, 1857
     2. Joseph Halleck Ballou, born ca. 1861
     3. Ellen Ballou, born ca. 1863
     4. Angeline Ballou, born ca. 1865
     5. Flora Ballou, born ca. 1867

   • Allen Ballou, born 1839; married Nancy (Nanny) Lewis, abt. 1858; Had five known children:
     1. Nancy Jane Ballou, born ca. 1859
     2. Daniel Webster Ballou, born ca. 1861
     3. Robert Milton Ballou, born ca. 1863
     4. William Tibbs Ballou, born ca. 1865
     5. Emma Perkins Ballou, born ca. 1867

   • Emarine Ballou, born Jan. 6, 1841; married Isaac Newton Baldwin (b. June 18, 1842, d. April 2, 1922), Aug. 7, 1864.

   • Esther Ballou, born April 3, 1843; married Robert Hardwick, abt. 1860.

   • Watson Ballou, born ca. 1845; married Drucilla Disk, abt. 1868.

   • Enock Ballou, born 1846; married __?__ Bibler, abt. 1866.

   • James K. Polk Ballou, born 1849; died abt. 1850.

3. Rev. Leonard Ballou, born September 16, 1802: died Nov 4, 1870 in Pulaski, Kentucky; married 1st Nancy Gambill, abt 1825; married 2nd Susan Weaver, 1848; Had eight known children by Nancy Gambill:
   • James Ballou, born abt 1827
   • Narcissa Ballou, born abt 1831
   • Andrew Baker Ballou, born Feb. 1, 1829
   • John Leonard Ballou, born April 19, 1836
   • Anderson Harvey Ballou, born May 26, 1834
   • William George Ballou, born August 3, 1838
   • Jesse Ballou, born August 19, 1831
   • Nancy Carolina Ballou, born Sept. 11, 1840

4. Jesse Ballou, born May 3, 1804; died November 15, 1816; No known children.

5. Blake Ballou, born August 27, 1806; died July 26, 1880; married Pacy Urnest, December 24, 1828; Had nine known children:
   • Tamzon Ballou, born Oct, 26, 1829; married Eli C. Barker (b. ca. 1827), abt. 1847.
   • Meredith Ballou, born abt 1831
   • David Ballou, born abt 1833
   • John Ballou, born abt 1835
   • Esther Ballou, born abt 1837
   • Hugh Ballou, born abt 1839
   • Caroline Ballou, born abt 1843
   • Lee Martin Ballou, born abt 1845/1846; died Aug. 5, 1875
   • Mary Jane Ballou, born abt 1846; married Wiley Meggs McClatchy (b. ca. 1840), Aug. 10, 1865; Had four known children:
     1. Robert Lee McClatchy, born ca. 1871
     2. Olive Ray McClatchy, born ca. 1876
     3. Adolphus Hugh McClatchy, born ca. 1876
     4. Mary Mamie Lee McClatchy, born before 1880

   Jerome Uriah Ballou Son of Napoleon Bonaparte Ballou, and grandson of Owen Meredith Ballou

   Robert Lucien Ballou Robert Lucien Ballou (son of Jerome Uriah Ballou), wife Jennie Maxwell Ballou, and daughter Virginia Ballou

   Shube & Myrtle Ballou Alexander Myrtle was a daughter of Jerome Uriah Ballou

6. Baker Ballou, born October 22, 1811; died Dec. 25, 1884; married Lucy Maxwell, December 29, 1831; Had nine known children:
   • James M. Ballou, born abt. 1832/1833
   • Alexander Ballou, born abt 1836
   • Napoleon Ballou, born abt 1838; David Ballou, born abt 1842
   • Baker Ballou, born abt 1842
   • Eli Ballou, born abt 1844
   • Macena Ballou, born abt. 1846
   • Susannah Ballou, born abt 1851
   • Louise Ballou, born 1846
   • William Ballou, born Feb. 5, 1839

7. Thomas Ballou, born April 17, 1813; died 1861 in Maryland; married Polly Maxwell abt 1839; Had six known children:
   • Matilda Ballou, born 1841
   • Eveline, born 1843
   • Eli C. Ballou, born 1845
   • Blake Ballou, born 1847
   • Lucy M. Ballow, born 1847
   • B. Ballow, born 1850

8. Napoleon Bonaparte Ballou, born February 3, 1817; died Jan. 8, 1897; married 1st Elizabeth "Bettie" Jones (b. April 15, 1812, d. Aug. 2, 1862) August 27, 1840; married 2nd Martha Wallis (b. Nov. 17, 1837, d. Feb. 10, 1917) May 7, 1866. According to family tradition, N.B. Ballou once refused an offer of $50,000.00 (a huge amount in his day) for his holdings.
   Three known children by Elizabeth Jones:
   • Nancy Ballou, born June 11, 1841; died Feb. 9, 1917

   • Ellen Caroline Ballou, born November 16, 1842; married 1st Sidney Witherspoon, abt. 1859; married 2nd George Davis, abt. 1868.

   • Jerome Uriah Ballou, born December 14, 1845; died July 8, 1932; married Mary Jane Witherspoon (b. Sept. 23, 1849, d. June 5, 1939), April 28, 1868; Had 13 known children:
     1. William Nepolean Ballou, born July 10, 1869; died July 3, 1964; married 1st Mary Phillips (b. Feb. 28, 1873, d. April 1, 1928); married 2nd Dorinda Brinegar Phipps, August, 1933; Had one known child: William Meredith.

     2. John Meredith Ballou, born July 25, 1871; died April 9, 1949; married Catherine Baker; Had five known children:
        • Lora Ennis Ballou
        • Fannie Pearl Ballou
        • Lyda Clinton Ballou
        • Elmer Ward Ballou
        • Stuart Wayne Ballou

     3. Dr. James Larkin Ballou, born April 11, 1873; died Jan. 6, 1966; married Iona Mae Shurgard (b. April 3, 1881, d. Mar. 5, 1968), April 12, 1910; No children.

     4. Robert Lucian Ballou, born Aug. 2, 1875; died July 7, 1957; married Virginia "Jennie" Maxwell (b. Nov. 11, 1879, d. Feb. 12, 1968), Jan. 19, 1910; Had one known child:

        • Virginia Maxwell Ballou, born June 14, 1914; died Aug. 16, 2000; married Ward Ray, April 11, 1936; Virgina is buried at the Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery in Ashe Co., NC.

     5. George Newton Ballou, born Mar. 19, 1878; died Sept. 4, 1970; married Etta Blanche Tate (b. Oct. 12, 1881); Settled in California; Had four known children: Byron Oaks, Lois Marie, George Tate, and James Kenneth.

     6. Nancy Elizabeth Ballou, born April 15, 1880; died April 16, 1880

     7. Lieu Ellen Ballou, born April 17, 1881; died April 18, 1881

     8. Victor Eugene Ballou, born May 12, 1882; died Feb. 4, 1966; married Annie Morton Cowles (b. April 24, 1882); Had five known children:
        • Tracy Cowles Ballou
        • Leonard Eugene Ballou
        • Lionel Uriah Ballou
        • Wendell Witherspoon Ballou
        • Mary Amelia Ballou

     9. Mary Jane "Mamie" Ballou, born Jan. 5, 1885; died Oct. 10, 1968; married Grantham Dunlap (b. Oct. 4, 1885); Had three known children: Mary Jane, James Grantham, and Anita Gertrude.

     10. Ella May Ballou, born Mar. 25, 1888 (twin to Etta); died Feb. 9, 1970; married Joh Herbert Alexander (b. Jan. 2, 1892); lived in Wilkes Co., NC; Had eight known children:
         • Helen Josephine Alexander
         • Herbert Hyson Alexander
         • Alma Ruth Alexander
         • John Curtis Alexander
         • Katie Mae Alexander
         • Thomas Finley Alexander
         • Emma Sue Alexander
         • Mary Virginia Alexander

     11. Etta Alma Ballou, born Mar. 25, 1888 (twin to Ella); died Sept. 4, 1976; married Melville Rutherford (b. June 18, 1879; d. June 12, 1961); Had five known children:
         • Porter Payne Rutherford
         • Melville Wayne Rutherford
         • Mary Helen Rutherford
         • Ethel Lee Rutherford
         • George Blen Rutherford

     12. Myrtle Maxine Ballou, born June 22, 1890; died Aug. 16, 1981; married Shubal Vance Alexander (b. Sept. 2, 1888, d. July 26, 1971); Had six known children:
         • Myrtle Dephyne Alexander
         • Hoke Allen Alexander, died at age two
         • Sallie Grace Alexander
         • Dorothy Mae Alexander, born Feb. 23, 1919; died Aug. 21, 2006; married Franklin Dale Blevins (d. Mar. 30, 1997); Dorothy is buried at Ashelawn Memorial Gardens in Jefferson, NC; Had three known children:
           • Martin Blevins, lives in Deep Gap, NC
           • Gary Blevins, married Jo __?__; currently live in Semora, NC.
           • Jan Blevins, married Bob Bare; currently live in Jefferson, NC.

         • Edith Couell Alexander
         • Iona Maxine Alexander, married __?__ Miller.

     13. Homer Horatio Ballou, born Nov. 11, 1896; died Mar. 9, 1899

     Five known children by Martha Wallis:

   • Martha Ballou, born abt 1876; married Clinton Blevins (b. ca. 1873), abt. 1840
   • Thomas Eugene Ballou, born April 25, 1872; died April 4, 1947
   • Mary Josephine Ballou, born July 25, 1869
   • Joseph Bonaparte Ballou, born Dec, 22, 1874; died Sept. 3, 1927

   • Napoleon Franklin Ballou, born Mar. 1, 1882 in Ashe Co., NC; died Jan. 28, 1956 in Garden Grove, CA; married 1st Cora Lewis Price, April 9, 1906 in Ashe Co., NC; married 2nd Rose Kearney; Had two known children by Cora Lewis Price:
     1. Della Faye Ballou, born Feb. 15, 1907 in Crumpler, NC; died Dec. 14, 1984 in Santa Barbara, CA; married 1st Lewis Withington Howard, Nov. 23, 1926 in Santa Ana, CA; married 2nd Ramon Montano; Had three known children by Lewis Withington Howard:
        • Patrick John Howard, born Oct. 31, 1937; died Dec. 8, 1968 in Santa Barbara, CA; married Donna Lee Plumb, May 12, 1961; Had two known children:
          • Julie Ann Howard, born Aug. 14, 1963; married Stephen Edward Everett, Dec. 30, 1989; Had six known children:
            • Bryan Patrick Everett, born Mar. 10, 1983
            • Brittney Faye Everett, born July 22, 1989; died July 23, 1989
            • Cherilyn Mae Everett, born July 22, 1989; died July 23, 1989
            • Cassandra Mae Everett, born Jan. 26, 1995
            • Casey Stephen Gordon Everett, born July 25, 1996
            • Stephen Cooper Everett, born Oct. 2, 1998

          • David Brian Howard, born Jan. 9, 1966; married Alexis __?__; Had one known child: Emily.

        • Gerald Lewis Howard, born June 12, 1928; died August, 1976 in Santa Barbara, CA; married four times.
        • Suzan Ballou Howard, born Dec. 21, 1930; died unknown by suicide; married Hugh Mead, Nov. 23, 1948 in Eureka, CA.

     2. Floy Josephine Ballou, born May 27, 1913 in Crumpler, NC; married Woodrow Cornelius Cooper, Jan. 17, 1936 in Yuma, AZ.

9. John Rice Ballou, born August 17, 1819; died November 24, 1908; married Sarah (Sallie) Porter (b. Oct. 7, 1823, d. Feb. 25, 1903), about 1938; Had five known children. For more information on John Rice Ballou and family, see the article John Rice Ballou - A Third Generation Iron Man.

10. Hugh S. Ballou, born January 7, 1822; died Oct. 30, 1900; married 1st Terresa Smith (b. ca. 1827), December 25, 1845; married 2nd Hannah Owens May 31, 1872.
    Had 12 known children by Terresa Smith:
    • William Gray Ballou, born Abt. 1862
    • Martha Emeline Ballou, born January 2, 1853; died Mar. 17, 1922; married David McGrady (b. ca. 1850), abt. 1871.
    • Wiley Hugh Ballou, born October 12, 1863; died Jan. 22, 1885
    • James Meredith Ballou, born October 29, 1846; died Sept. 30, 1862
    • Albert Lee Ballou, born February 14, 1869; died Aug. 6, 1937
    • Amanda Marcella Ballou, born March 20, 1855; died April 16, 1935
    • Elizabeth Ballou, born March 25, 1851; died July 13, 1893
    • David Smith Ballou, born March 25, 1851; died July 1, 1916; married Mary Elizabeth Senter (b. Dec. 13, 1855, d. Sept. 12, 1936), July 26, 1873; Had nine known children:
      1. Ellen Myrtle Ballou, born mar. 11, 1875; died Aug. 21, 1876
      2. James Calvin Ballou, born Dec. 1, 1876; died Jan. 9, 1877
      3. Laura Belle Ballou, born Dec. 8, 1877; married Andrew O. Bacus (b. ca. 1878); Had one known child: Roland Leo, born Aug. 11, 1900.
      4. Emory Hallock Ballou, born Jan. 14, 1880; died Jan. 28, 1920
      5. Mary Virginia Ballou, born Oct. 10, 1881; married John Morrison (b. ca. 1880), June 14, 1905
      6. Jasper Archer Ballou, born June 26, 1883; died Aug. 1, 1946; married Beulah medaris (b. ca. 1891), abt. 1910.
      7. George Matson Ballou, born mar. 8, 1885; died Mar. 20, 1951; married Verdia Moore (b. ca. 1890), abt. 1909
      8. Ancil Gilbert Ballou, born July 26, 1890; died Aug. 28, 1891
      9. Pearl Siler Poss Ballou, born Feb. 6, 1892; died Sept., 1892

    • Tamzon Susan Ballou, born April 14, 1860; died Aug. 13, 1879; married Jesse F. Adams (b. ca. 1857), Feb. 29, 1876.
    • Mary Ballou, born May 8, 1848; died May 10, 1848
    • William Riley Ballou, born May 10, 1866; died Mar., 1930; married Sarah Mahan (b. ca. 1868, d. Sept. 3, 1929), abt. 1886.
    • Eli Newton Ballou, born August 8, 1857; died Sept. 11, 1886; married Jennie Worley (b. ca. 1859), abt. 1876; Had five known children:
      1. William Ballou, born ca. 1877
      2. Mary Ballou, born ca. 1879
      3. Samuel David Ballou, born ca. 1881
      4. Robert Lee Ballou, born ca. 1883
      5. Nancy Ballou, born ca. 1885

      Had one known child by Hannah Owens:

    • William Frances Ballou, born August 9, 1873

11. Ester Ballou,born April 25, 1826; died June 7, 1893; married David Smith abt 1844; Had four known children:
    • Louisa Smith, born abt 1846
    • Susannah Smith, born abt 1848
    • Ellen Cynthia Smith, born abt 1850
    • John Smith, born abt 1852

After Death

Mary Baker died June 12, 1831 at the age of 51. Meredith remarried five years later at the age of 70 to his second wife, Nancy, whose last name is not known. There were no children by this marriage. Meredith Ballou died March 17, 1847, at the age of 80 years. He is buried in the Owen Meredith Ballou Family Cemetery in Crumpler, North Carolina. After Meredith Ballou’s death, his children fought over the settlement of his estate in the following years. Napaloean B. Ballou and John R. Ballou continued in Meredith’s footsteps concerning iron minining and forging. (See separate John Ballou article coming soon).

Ashe County Land Purchases by Meredith Ballou

It is reported that Meredith Ballou owned as much as 10,000 acres in Ashe County. A survey of deeds recorded at the Ashe County Court House shows that Meredith Ballou made 41 purchases totaling 10,146 acres. There may have been more land purchases that were not recorded, or that I overlooked.

Apparently, Meredith Ballou received a land grant(s) from the State of North Carolina. However, it appears he did not receive a grant of 3,000 acres for setting up an iron forge. Reeves reports that Meredith received a State Grant, but does not indicate the acreage. Reeves says,

"The first State Grant to Meredith Ballou was for son to be drawn up he is said to have been asked Morris Baker's corner. Morris Baker was his father-in-law. It was entered 28th of November 1826 and registered the 8th of January 1827." (sic) [8]

I have not yet discovered an entry in the Ashe County records for this grant, or any other state grants to Meredith Ballou.

1. Eleanor Baker Reeves, James Larkin Ballou Physician and Surgeon, 1969, page 81. Return
2. Adin Ballou, An Elaborate History and Genealogy of the Ballous in America, (Proprietary Publishers, 1888), page 1225. Return
3. Arthur L. Fletcher, Ashe County: A History, (Jefferson NC., Ashe County Research Association, Inc. 1963), page 116. Return
4. Arthur L. Fletcher, Ashe County: A History, (Jefferson NC., Ashe County Research Association, Inc. 1963), page 39. Return
5. Arthur L. Fletcher, Ashe County: A History, (Jefferson NC., Ashe County Research Association, Inc. 1963), page 48. Return
6. Arthur L. Fletcher, Ashe County: A History, (Jefferson NC., Ashe County Research Association, Inc. 1963), page 86. Return
7. Eleanor Baker Reeves, James Larkin Ballou Physician and Surgeon, 1969, pages 87, 88 Return
8. Lists comprising the children of Merdith and Mary Ballou list the aforementioned 11 children. Other sources report 13 children, but names of the other two children are not given. Return
9. Eleanor Baker Reeves, James Larkin Ballou Physician and Surgeon, 1969, page 84. Return