Joseph Ball

Joseph Ball was born on May 2, 1649, in England, to William Ball (who lived from 1615 to 1680) and Hannah Atherold (1615–1695). In 1657, William Ball emigrated to Virginia, establishing himself as a trader and planter. The family eventually resided in Millenbeck, Virginia.

Joseph Ball moved to the Colony of Virginia prior to 1680 and settled at the Epping Forest plantation located in Lancaster County. During his time in the colony, he held several official positions, including justice in the Lancaster County court, vestryman for his local church parish, and lieutenant colonel in the county militia. He also served as a representative in the Virginia House of Burgesses during the sessions of 1698, 1700, and 1702.

Ball was married twice. His first marriage was to Elizabeth Julia Rogers, also recorded as Elizabeth Romney, born in 1655 and deceased in 1703. Together, they had five children: Hannah Ball (1683–1748), Elizabeth Ball (1684–1711), Esther or Easter Ball (1685–1751), Anne Ball (1686–1764), and Joseph Ball (1689–1760). Following Elizabeth's death, Joseph Ball married Mary Montague Payne Johnson (1672–1721), a widow who had two children from her previous marriages—one from each. With Mary, Joseph Ball had a daughter, Mary Ball, born in 1708.

Joseph Ball died on July 11, 1711. He is interred at Saint Mary's Whitechapel Episcopal Churchyard in Lancaster County, Virginia.

He was the father of Mary Ball Washington and the maternal grandfather of George Washington, the first President of the United States.