What May Have Been The True Story of...Who Were The Discovers of the "Money Pit"
Para Phrased from an article published 2011 by Bluchar:
John Smith's family originally came from Dumbarton Scotland, via a period of time in Boston, then to Nova Scotia. John was born in Boston on 20 Aug 1775. John's father was Duncan Smith and his mother was Margaret (nee McLean)
According to the Ward Chipman Papers MG 23 D 1, Series 1, Volume 24 1, the Smith family arrived in Nova Scotia during 1776. According to the Smith family records, the family first went to Halifax where Duncan applied his blacksmith trade.
In 1784 the Smith family is part of five family memorial (grant request) for land, this is when they arrive in the area. As part of Duncan's grant, he was permitted to draw for an Oak Island lot. The Island Shares document covering the post Loyalists period and dating to 1784 indicates Duncan to own lot 24 . Duncan sold this lot to Ambrose Allen on 24 Feb 1785 for 10 pounds Halifax money.
Duncan dies at some point between the sale of this property and 1788.
John Smith's mother Margaret was not long in seeking a new husband. She and Neil McMullen were legal published at some point between 27 Apr 1788 and 26 Oct 1788 2. The Smith family papers tell us that after Neil and Margaret were married, they moved to Oak Island. Neil purchased lot 11 on 6 Oct 1789 from Daniel Vaughn, then lots 9 and 10 on 17 Jun 1793 from Martin Marshall. Considering John was only 13 years of age when his mother married, it stands to reason that he too moved to Oak Island.
The 1791 Poll Tax returns for Chester records Neil McMullen as a farmer on Oak Island.
On 26 Jun 1795, John Smith of Chester, Yeoman 3 purchased lot 18 from Casper Wollenhaupt for seven pounds ten shillings currency.
The Smith family papers say John and Anne Floyd married on 2 May 1799. Their first child, Neal McMullen Smith, was born on 11 Nov 1800. John and Anne would go on to have eleven more children, with the last being Elizabeth born in 1829. The family papers record all of these children being born on Oak Island with seven also dying on Oak Island.
There was a letter dated 1854 from John Smith Jr. in which he speaks of the diggers, and a letter from Mr. George Cooke of the Oak Island Association dated 27 Jan 1864. In this letter Mr. Cooke tells of the inscribed stone and John Smith's second house where he placed the stone in his fireplace.
The facts tell of a much different story to John Smith and illuminates a much different history of the island than was supposedly passed by Anthony Vaughan Jr. to Robert Creelman in 1849, from that information the legend took form. While points of discovery may have elements of truth, it clearly could not have occurred in 1795 as the way it was supposedly described. One must wonder what, if any, participation Smith may had in discovery. Considering the testimony of Judge DesBrisay, this would exclude Smith and Anthony Vaughan Jr. from discovery; however, they are the folks who are alive in 1849 with Ball dying in 1846 and McGinnis in 1826.
First residing on lot 11, then after Neil McMullen purchased lots 9 and 10 from Martin Marshall, Neil would now own two houses on Oak Island. Did John Smith take residence in Martin Marshall's previous dwelling? Either way, John was residing on either lot 9, 10, or 11 until he built his second house in about 1810 on lot 18. This can be important as we know from a few descriptions of discovery that smaller carved rocks were found shallow in the pit. As with the inscribed stone, these smaller stones were most likely taken away, but to where? McGinnis's and Ball's foundations are clear of any such small carved beach stones, but until now, we didn't know the aforementioned information of John Smith; thus those stones might be located in or around an old foundation on lot 9, 10, or 11.
Additional
A note for all those R.V. Harris readers, he identified the wrong John Smith as there were two John Smiths in Chester with the other marrying Sarah Floyd, thus R.V. also got the wrong marriage date.
An additional note is for Mary Smith to have lived in the house of Judge DesBrisay while he was a boy. He claims to have visited Oak Island as a boy and obviously gained his knowledge from her. In his 1870 History of Lunenburg County, the Judge does not include John Smith in discovery.
Property Owners of Oak Island to 1795
Jacob Hatt
Jacob Hatt owned lot 31 and came into possession of the property by marrying Mary Hovey. He would sell this lot in 1802 to John Jacques Bezanson. Jacob?s family settled Lunenburg and had deep roots in the area. He would remain in Chester without much information on him.
James Sharp
James Sharp was granted lot 28 in 1785 as part of a 12,400 general land grant to settlers. He sold this property to Donald McGinnis on 3 Mar 1788 and identified himself as a mason of Chester. This would put him in fine company with Alexander Pattillo who was also a mason in Chester, and who also sold his lots to Donald McGinnis. Records show he remained in the area.
James Anderson
James Anderson is listed in many Loyalist documents and appears to have been listed as an Armed Boatman on the Muster Roll of Captain William Luce's company. He appears to have been in the 74th Regiment which was the same as Duncan Smith. James was granted lot 26 at some point in 1784 and sold this property to Samuel Ball on 10 Nov 1788.
Ambrose Allen
Ambrose Allen bought lot 24 from Duncan Smith on 24 Feb 1785. Ambrose was identified as a fisherman on this deed. Ambrose sold this property on 20 Oct 1791 along with Plumb Island and March Island. In the deed of sale a road is mentioned on Oak Island. Ambrose was from Manchester Massachusetts. Born 17 Mar 1749, died 22 Mar 1840 at Chester. He was a resident of Yarmouth during the American Revolution where two of his children were baptized. His second wife, Mary Compton Vaughn, was a granddaughter of Anthony Vaughn Sr. and a niece of Anthony Jr.
Edward James
Edward James bought lot 20 on 20 Oct 1791 and would keep lot 20 to well after 1795. Edward was a ? pay officer with extensive service in the King?s Navy and the King?s Orange Rangers during the Revolution and for a period commanded troops at Liverpool. He was a very colorful individual who preferred to turn to the sword or pistol during arguments or even when approached to pay the Poll Tax. He married a daughter of Phillip Knaut who was the most powerful politician in all of Lunenburg County, and entered into politics himself in 1793 as a representative for Lunenburg County.
Neil McMullen
Neil McMullen bought lot 11 on 6 Oct 1789, he paid 8 pounds. We know from the township records that he and Margaret Smith (nee McLean and mother of our John Smith) were married in the summer of 1788. From the family records at PANS, they moved to Oak Island. Neil further purchased lots 9 and 10 on 17 June 1793 and he paid 22 pounds. Neil is listed on the 1791 Poll Tax as a farmer on Oak Island. There is a Neil McMullen listed on a muster roll of Annapolis County for 1784. Not much is known of him; however, his wife Margaret died in 1812 and Neal remarried in 1814. Neil possessed his Oak Island lots to well after 1795.
Hector McLean
Hector McLean was the brother -in-law to Duncan Smith, and biological uncle to John Smith. Hector bought lot 23 in 1784 from William Bowie. Buildings were mentioned in the deed of sale. Hector sold this lot to Donald McGinnis in 1790.
Duncan Smith
Duncan Smith owned lot 24 in 1784. He was a blacksmith from Dumbarton Scotland and joined a Scottish Regiment, the 74th, which fought in the Revolution. His wife was Margaret McLean, the bother of Hector McLean (below). At some point the family was in Boston where John was born. By 1784 the family arrived in Halifax, then off to Chester as part of a 31, 150 acre land grant to disbanded soldiers. Duncan died in 1785.
Nathaniel Melvin
Nathaniel Melvin was the son of Robert Melvin and is the prime candidate to the son involved in discovery as mentioned by DeMille. Born at Chester in 1765 and married in 1795. While he was not a true Planter, he would be the only one of that generation to show a continued interest in Oak Island after the arrival of the Loyalists. After his father died in 1787, Nathaniel would acquire lot # 17 from Anthony Vaughn Sr. on 25 June 1790, then lot number 13 and 14 on 9 Oct 1790. By this date Nathaniel and family would own the largest number of Oak Island lots at 13, which included lots 17 and 19.
Martin Marshall
Martin Marshall came to Nova Scotia in 1784 and owned land at Shelburne. His previous activities are unclear; however, I think he may have come from the south as he will return to Georgia before 1800. The 1786 tax rolls of Shelburne list Martin Marshall as a Millwright; however, he is noted as ?privately gone?. Martin would marry Ann Vaughn, daughter of John Vaughn in 1788. During the same year, Martin would buy lots 9 and 10 from Anthony Vaughn Sr. The Poll Tax of 1791 shows Martin as living on Oak Island and he self-identified as a wheelwright. Martin would sell both of these properties in 1792 to Neal McMullen, step father of John Smith. Martin and his wife would remove themselves from the area. Records do show a Martin Marshall to be seeking land in Burke-Screven Georgia. A book called ?Family Bibles of Gasper County Georgia? includes a reference to Martin Marshall?s family bible. We know it to be him as Ann (Vaughn) from Chester is his wife, etc. Of all the follow-up books to find, obtaining Martin?s family bible is most important. Martin was most likely attracted by the Vaughn brothers to Chester for his millwright skills and stands to reason he may have been an employee of the Vaughn brothers for their lumber and grist mill on Vaughn Creek.
Richard Cunningham
Richard Cunningham owned lot 32 during the Revolution. Richard was part of the merchant class from Halifax and in 1779 was appointed to represent Yarmouth in the NS Assembly during the later part of the Revolution. History does show these folks of Yarmouth to have actively traded with the Americans and helped on numerous occasions to repatriate American prisoners who escaped Halifax. This was appreciated to such a degree, that Massachusetts based Privateers were eventually forbidden hostilities along the coast from Yarmouth to Barrington. Additionally, many folks of the Yarmouth to Barrington area were provided with passes to enter and exit Massachusetts and Rhode Island ports.
Casper Wollenhaupt
Casper Wollenhaupt owned lot 18 of Oak Island; he was a wealthy business man with political ambitions. His business was diversified into fishing, logging, retail sales, and mortgages. He would eventually become elected to represent Lunenburg.
There is no record of how he came to possess lot 18 of Oak Island, and there is absolutely no record of anyone being connected to lot 18 prior to the deed of sale to John Smith. This is most unusual because Wollenhaupt was very meticulous in all of his land transactions, with the books of Lunenburg County deeds contain very comprehensive sales records for Oak Island properties. The various Island shares documents maintained by the clerk of Chester provides a highly detailed record of who possessed what lots on OI and when they came into possession of these lots. Wollenhaupt never appears on any record as coming into possession of lot 18.
Casper Wollenhaupt would be a central figure in the Sacking of Lunenburg, 1 July 1782.
Robert Melvin
Robert Melvin was from Concord Massachusetts. He possessed the largest number of Oak Island lots during the Revolution and is without a doubt, the person who was described by author James DeMille as originally starting the operation. Robert was in the 4th Massachusetts militia and appears to have been with the element sent to Lunenburg during the French and Indian Wars. Robert?s first lot, #7, was purchased in Nov of 1767 and is actually the first record of sale for a lot on Oak Island. His second lot, #6, was given to him by Phillip Payzant out of friendship! Phillip was a surviving son of the Payzant Island massacre. I think their friendship may have started before the massacre or immediately after the massacre. There were soldiers sent to Payzant Island to protect the family; however, they were not present on that day. Based upon the gift from Payzant to Melvin of lot #6, I think the connection between the two dates to this period. This connection might have significance, as author James DeMille tells us the original discoverer was told of the pit by the French. Aside from his other properties on Oak Island, the other lot of any sort of significance was lot #2. Deeds show Robert trading his town lot to Edward Smith for his Oak Island property within 30 days of Timothy Houghton?s death. Family records state he built his house on lot 7. At the time of his death in 1787, he would own 9 of 32 Oak island lots including lot 19. His son would acquire further lots, including lot 17 during 1790. With this 1790 purchase, the Melvin family would now own the lots on either side of the Money Pit.
Daniel Vaughn
Daniel Vaughn originated from Scituate, Providence, Rhode Island (via New Dublin NS, 1764). Daniel was in the King?s Navy out of Rhode Island. Documents show him to have engaged as a privateer against the French during the French and Indian Wars of the late 1750s. For his servitude, he and his brothers were privately granted 900 acres within Shoreham. During the American Revolution, they bought Rafuse Island, possessed the second largest number of Oak Island lots, and operated a lumber and grist mill at the mouth of Vaughn Creek. This creek is the modern day dividing line between the Western shore and Martin?s Point. The mill would have been in clear view from the western end of Oak Island. The Vaughn bothers were also granted the majority of the western shore area, which spanned from the Gold River to Martin?s point. While Vaughn Creek would not be a very good choice for a mill due to the low volume of water flow, it would provide an ideal and legitimate cover for a ship being anchored off Oak Island. Daniel would quickly depart the Chester area for Horton in 1791, then by 1793 for New Brunswick. This was part of nothing less than an exodus from Chester by many old Planter generation families. They would depart Chester in such haste that they did not bother to sell their properties. Daniel and family, along with his brother-in-laws from Newport would go on to build the largest wooden ship building business in Canada.
Dr. Jonathan Prescott
Dr. Jonathan Prescott was from Massachusetts via Halifax and Louisburg, a surgeon and Captain of the Engineers during the 1745 siege of Louisburg. He died in Chester on 11 January 1807 from cancer of the lip. There is no single person or family connected to Oak Island that is more interesting than Jonathan Prescott. Volumes of information have been previously written on his life; however, no authors have connected him to owning Oak Island lots 8 and 22. For the purpose of this article, I will briefly cover some of the more important information.
Prescott came from Louisburg during the founding of Halifax and was a very wealthy businessman. He owned much property in Halifax, distilled rum (accepted as currency), owned a fleet of fishing boats and was able to set the price for fish. His neighbors in Halifax were the most wealthy and influential people of the city who spanned from businessmen to government officials and tax collectors.
I will insert here more information about Prescott detailing the founding of Shoreham.
During the American Revolution, many of his closest friends would be arrested for sedition; however, Prescott maintained the political clout and friendships to keep his name out of it. On the founding of Shoreham, he operated lumber mills and a lime quarry that supplied Halifax with building materials. As you will come to read, he will assume the Justice of the Peace duties from Houghton and will play a critical role in Chester?s history towards the end of the Revolution for his participation in the Sacking of Lunenburg. While the American Revolution tore many families apart, Prescott?s family was in full support of it.
The family of Dr. Jonathan Prescott is one of the most interesting families connected to Oak Island with deep roots maintained in Massachusetts.
Joseph Prescott b.1762, second son from Jonathan?s second marriage, was sent to Massachusetts at a young age for the purpose of gaining an education. He would pursue medical training under the guidance of Jonathan?s only nephew a Dr. Samuel Prescott. By 1775, Samuel was already regarded as a high son of liberty. Samuel was in fact the fellow who finished the ride of Paul Revere to warn Concord the British were coming. Specifically the warning was passed to Amos Melvin who was first cousin to Robert Melvin listed below. Joseph and Samuel were recorded as serving together at Ft. Ticonderoga in 1776. Dr. Samuel Prescott would be captured later in 1776 on an American Privateer. He would be taken to Halifax where he would die a prisoner in 1777. History records Joseph as being a Doctor in the Rebel Army with close connections to George Washington via the Order of Cincinnati. Another of Dr. Jonathan Prescott?s sons was at the battle of Lexington Green and is known as the famous shot heard around the world. Yet another son, Charles Rampage Prescott, would become very wealthy at a very young age from smuggling, blockade running, and dabble as a privateer during 1812. He would retire young, and become the father of Nova Scotia?s apple orchards in the Annapolis Valley.
Reverend Seccombe
Reverend Seccombe was from Harvard. He was the spiritual leader in Chester and a prominent clergyman in Halifax. He owned lot #7 and quickly sold it to Robert Melvin in 1767. Rev. Seccombe and some of his congregation in Halifax would be charged with sedition during the Revolution. As you will come to read, this single event and those also arrested will play a prominent part of smuggling manufactured good between NS and Mass during the later part of the Revolution. Reverend Seccombe maintained a diary/journal of his early efforts in Chester and recorded much important information. His daughter Mercy also kept a diary which is thought to be the earliest diary by a woman and is held in high regard. Mercy was also an avid watcher of the night sky and was well versed in astronomy. She recorded several astronomical observations.
Donald McGinnis
Background
A few things we do know from the Chester records is for his surname to have been spelled McGinnis, McInnis, McInnes, and McKinnis. Of all the Oak Island participants associated with the legend, Donald McGinnis appears as the most elusive to trace.
Some have suggested his roots were from Scotland via South Carolina or Georgia when he joined the British Army during the Revolution. Muster Rolls of this Regiment do not appear to have survived, thus we may never know when or where exactly where Donald joined the Regiment. On 1 Nov 1783 Corporal Donald McInnis is discharged from the 76th Regiment at Shelburne NS.
On 4 Feb 1784 Donald McGinnas purchased a town lot in Shelburne. In 1784 a McEnnis, Donagh was part of the Chester Grant. In 1785 he was listed in the Port Hebert grant in Shelburne County. This was not uncommon for ex-soldiers to request land in various locations of NS. Recall the government was really just giving it away. These discharged soldiers would pick a final location to settle and either sell the other properties or the unsettled grant would revert back to the crown. This could explain the multiple grants in Chester and Shelburne.
Obviously our man settled in Chester but why?
On 3 Mar 1788 Purchases Oak Island lot #27 from James Sharpe, paid 7 pounds 15. On 4 May 1790 bought lot 23 from Hector McLean (uncle of John Smith) paid 7 pounds. In May 1791 he bought lot 27 from Alexander Pattillo, paid 6 pounds. In 1791 he is listed as a farmer on Oak Island for the Poll Tax. On 9 Sep 1794 he bought lot 1 from Alexander Pattillo, paid 6 pound.
During Sep 1795 he married (Barbara) (Maria) (Anna) Sawler (Siler, Seiler, Sellars, Zellars) of Western Shore NS. These are the variations of her surname and do show she came from German stock. This also shows the Sellar's family attachment to the island dating back to this period and NOT originating almost 100 years later and after the time of Smith.
The Chester papers record the following births:
John McKinnis, Son of Donald, and Barbara McKinnis, was born in Chester on the twenty Eighth day of Febuary, one thousand, Seven hundred and Ninety Seven. Recorded March 3d, 1806. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk.
Catherine McKinnis, Daughter of Donald, and Barbara McKinnis, was born in Chester on the twenty third day of Febuary, one thousand, Eight hundred and one. Recorded March 3d, 1806. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk.
Mary McKinnis, Daughter of Donald, and Barbara McKinnis, was born in Chester on the fifteenth day of Febuary, one thousand, Eight hundred and two. Recorded March 3d, 1806. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk.
Donald McKinnis, Son of Donald, and Barbara McKinnis, was born in Chester on the Eighteenth day of December, one thousand, Eight hundred and four. Recorded March 3d, 1806. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk.
Henry McKinnis, Son of Donald, and Barbara McKinnis, was born in Chester on the fifteenth day of April, one thousand, Eight hundred and Seven. Recorded October 22nd, 1807. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk
On 4 Jan 1827, Donald makes his last will and testament stating he is very sick of body but sound of mind. While there is no record of his death or even a tombstone marker found in any of the local cemeteries, we know probate for his estate was executed by James Smith on this 27 Feb 1827.
James McGinnis, Donald's great grandson tells us that he was buried on Oak Island.
Samuel Ball
Background
Samuel Ball is mentioned in the History of Lunenburg County (First Edition) as being one of the persons who McGinnis fetched after discovering the circular depression1. Samuel is one of the more interesting characters associated with the island.
Here is the story of a black slave from South Carolina, born in about 1764, and who escaped slavery by joining the King's Army under General Clinton2. We know from an 1808 Petition for Oak Island's lot 32, that he fought under a Major Ward as a wood cutter at Bergen Point New Jersey, in efforts to supply New York with firewood. Samuel Ball came to Shelburne Nova Scotia in 1783 and remained there for 2 years. There are many S. Ball listed in the Book of Negros for Shelburne and Birchtown.
You can further read on Samuel and his friends in the book shown to the left. Our Samuel Ball is specifically mentioned on page 385.
Further reading can be found here Black Loyalists in Nova Scotia
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
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.
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?
