Nelson & His World

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Hello Francoise Welcome Aboard.
Some Details on Sir Alexander John Ball for you

He was the third son of Robert Hall, High Sheriff of Glouctershire and Mary, daughter of Marshe Dickson, Lord Mayor of London, 1756
Alexander was born on 22nd July 1756 at his fathers seat Ebworth Park and baptized in the Parish Church of Painswick. He was educated at Market School, Stroud. Joining the Navy in ? he served on HMS Egmont of 74 guns and at the age of 22 was a Lieutenant on board the Sloop, Atlantis 19 guns serving on the North American station until 1780. He later saw service on the HMS Santa Monica,36guns in the West Indies and HMS Sandwich under Rodney. Served as First Lieutenant of HMS Formidable, 98 guns and later as Commander of HMS German 17 guns until 1783. Spent time until 1785 in France, where he first met Nelson.
Returning to England he married a Mary Smith Wilson of Westminster on the 7th July 1785 and had a son William Keith Ball, born on the 27th October 1791 at Greenwich, Kent.
Ball served in home waters on board HMS Nemesis 28 guns and then HMS Cleopatra 32 guns on the Newfoundland station. Commanded HMS Alexander in the Mediterranean and at the Battle of the Nile 1798. I think this may havebeen his last ship before becoming Governor of Malta in 1803.
Sir Alexander Ball died at San Anton Palace, Balzan, Malta on Wednesday, 25th October 1809, probably of stomach cancer and was buried in the Sailent of Fort St Elmo, Valletta, Malta on the 31st October 1809.
His son Sir William Keith Ball inherited his title, marrying in old age to a Louisa Yates daughter of John Samuel Yates RN and Sarah in 1870 in Richmond, Surrey.
The 1871 Census see's them living at 84 Gloucester Terrace, Paddington with two servants. There were no children and the title became extinct.
William Keith Ball died on the 9th March 1874 at Spemall Hall, Warwickshire of apoplexy at the age of 82. He was buried on the 17th March 1874, at Poynings Holy Trinity Church, Sussex. As to what happened to Louisa she probably remarried, but as yet have not found a lead.

Would be very interested to know your connections.

Regards and Cheers,

Stephen

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Hi Francoise,
Although I had researched her before, I had not written it down properly, but Louisa Ball (Yates), had previously been married to a Charles Henry Morris in Jan,Feb,Mar, 1857 at Chertsey. Ref Vol 2a Page 43 for a referance.
As to a possible husband after William Keith Ball's death in 1874, I have either a Wiliam Drake or a Charles Francis Futroye for an 1886, marriage at Wandsworth, Jul,Aug,Sept, 1886, Vol 1d Page 992.

Cheers

Francoise,

Any connection with this , a Julie Gabrielle Autran

Born 13 th February 1825, in Napoli, Naples, Italia.

Father Pierre Andre Autran.

Mother Jeanne Jacqueline, Etienette Bry.

Hello Stephen,
everything explain Sir William keith Ball would thus have got married twice.
He thus had heirs and his title it is thus switched off when his first son was go in France.
François. :)

The 1851 Census shows William Keith Ball, a Baronet living at 40 Upper Leymouth Terrace,Marylebone, London. Unmarried.
However he did have Step children through his wife Louisa Yates first marriage to Charles Henry Morris on the 30th April 1857 at Windlesham, Surrey.
Two daughters followed, Ann D Morris, born 1858, London. Alice Louisa Morris, born 1860, Kensington, London. Then a son Alexander J Morris , born 1861 at Paddington, London.

Hello at all!

Do you know if picture about sir Alexander,sir William Keith and other limb of the family Ball exist?
And do you know where sir William Keith Ball lived in England?
François.

Hi Francois,
If you go to the National Maritime Museums Collections Online web site and enter Ball in the search engine, you will come across a fine painting of Sir Alexander John Ball painted from life and a full discription. Note the elusive ceremonial sword that I have been trying to locate.
The Fort in the background is St Elmo, Valletta, here in Malte where he is buried in very poor surroundings. Matters are in hand for a restoration of the vault where he is located which I am delighted to say.
Regarding Sir William Keith Ball as I know I am unaware of a painting, Born on the 27th October 1791 at Greenwich, then in Kent. He died of Apoplexy at Spemall Hall, Warwickshire on the 9th March, 1874. I think I have mentioned the location of his grave in another posting here.
The 1871 Census shows him living at 84 Gloucester Terrace, Paddington, Marylebone, London, along with his wife Louisa, a James Claridge, a Footman and his wife Martha the houshold Cook.

Hope that helps.

You may be interested to know that another direct relation has been in touch recently with me, he is related to Ball's elder brother Ingram and am currently researching for him.

Cheers,

Stephen

The current state of Ball's grave in Malta and not open to the public !

Thanks for posting that, Stephen.

Ball's grave seems to be in a sad state of disrepair. I am sure the 1805 Club members are aware. Is this site on their 'to do' list, I wonder?

EMP,

Are you aware of the book Sir Alexander John Ball and Malta, The Beginning of an Era, by Michael Galea. Published here in Malta by PEG Publications in 1990.
Also much much earlier, The Friend, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, London, 1890. Coleridge was of course Balls Secretary here in Malta.

Stephen

Hi Stephen,
The answer is yes to both.
I have met Michael Galea and we are in touch, albeit snail mail and my sister and myself have 3 copies of his book and he signed two for us. Many years ago I photocopied the whole of the Coleridges "The Friend".

PS
Is there any chance of having the date on the heading of this thread changed from 1748 to 1756, ie. Sir Alexander John Ball, 1756-1809.
EMP

PS
Is there any chance of having the date on the heading of this thread changed from 1748 to 1756, ie. Sir Alexander John Ball, 1756-1809.
EMP

Done!

Thanks Anna.
It's so much easier on the eye--from my point of view.
EMP