This post is the revision to the original draft posted on 9 April 2015 and includes the recommended changes from the group's feedback.
Earlier in the year, on 17 February, William purchased a bounty-land
warrant for 160 acres from a man named Christopher Rian. The transaction
occurred at Winchester, Scott County, Illinois.[3] The
federal government issued bounty-land warrants for military service. They were
awarded to encourage volunteers to enlist and to reward military service. Often
the individual who received the warrant sold it. This is what occurred between
Christopher Rian and William Ballinger.
On 10 April 1849, William went to the Iowa City Land Office
and used the warrant to claim his property in Mahaska County Iowa.[4] He
also made a sworn statement that, “after
actual inspection of the said tract of land, on or about the 6th day of April
A. D. 1849, there was not at that time, an actual settlement and cultivation
upon any part of said land, nor was there any person or persons residing upon
it.”[5]
This clearly puts William in Mahaska,
Iowa in April of 1849.
He would have returned to Illinois by November in order to
marry Lucinda.
Normally the federal census is a good tool to place someone
in a particular place at a specific point in time. Unfortunately, William and
Lucinda have not been located in the 1850 census in any location. So an
analysis of the births of the oldest children along with the Iowa State census
records from the 1850s is required.
Iowa Census Analysis
The family clearly was living in Iowa by 1854. While the
1854 Iowa state census only lists heads of household by name, it also lists the
number of males and females in the household. The William Ballenger household
was listed in Adams Township, Mahaska County, Iowa and contained 2 males and 2
females.[6] These
individuals were likely William, Lucinda, and probably their two oldest
children. Adams Township is in the same location as where William made his
bounty land warrant claim.[7]
The 1856 Iowa State census lists William, Lucinda, John,
Nancy and Mary in the Ballinger household. In addition to their ages, they were
asked how many years they lived in Iowa. The answer for each person was 8 years,
except Mary who was listed as being 1 years old and living in Iowa for 0 years.[8]
This indicates the family moved to Iowa in 1848. However, Nancy was listed as
being only 7 years old so she couldn’t have been living in Iowa for 8 years.[9]
Further, when correlated with the November 1849 marriage in
Scott County, Illinois and the February 1849 military warrant purchase at
Winchester in Scott County, Illinois, an 1848 residence in Iowa seems unlikely.
Birthdates and places for the oldest children need to be
established.
John H. Ballinger
was the oldest son of William and Lucinda.[10] John
lived a short but eventful life. Since his life was short, he left few records.
But those he did cause to be created are helpful.
After the 1856 Iowa census, John next appears in records
after the family moved to Boulder County, Colorado. It was during the Civil War
and militia/troops were often needed to protect the frontier from Indian
uprisings. John H. Ballinger enlisted as a private with Company D of the 3rd
Colorado Calvary for 100 days of service on 20 August 1864. He stated he was 18
years and old born in Scott County, Illinois.[11]
His birthplace is consistent with where his parents married and the birthplace
listed in the 1856 census. If he was 18 on his enlistment date, that puts his
birthdate between 21 August 1845 and 20 August 1846. This is several years
before his parents married and seems unlikely. It is possible he lied about his
age in order to serve.
On 21 November 1865 “John H. Ballenger” settled on land next
to his father in Boulder County and filed for a homestead under the Homestead
Act of 20 May 1862.[12] That
same day at the Land Office in Denver City, John signed an affidavit stating he
was, “… a single man under the age of 21 years…”[13]
Using this statement, the oldest John could have been was 20 years. He wouldn’t
have been born before 22 November 1844.
John died 4 February 1871 in Boulder. His death was reported
in local newspapers, which listed his age as 23 years.[14]
While the informant is unknown, there is a good probability it was a family
member.
To summarize John’s potential birthdates:
Date
|
Event
|
Info
|
Est. Date of
Birth
|
|
1856
|
Iowa State Census
|
John Age 8
|
4 March 1847 to 7 July
1848
|
Census occurred from March 3 – July 7[15]
|
20 August 1864
|
Enlistment
|
Age 18
|
Between 21 August 1845 and 20 August 1846.
|
|
21 November 1865
|
Filed for Homestead
|
Under 21 years
|
Born after 22 November 1844.
|
|
4 Feb 1871
|
Death
|
Age 23
|
Between 5 Feb 1847 and 4 Feb 1848
|
Conclusion: The
evidence regarding John’s place of birth is not in conflict. It appears he was
born in Scott County, Illinois. His date of birth can only be loosely estimated
as about 1847 to 1848. There is a good possibility he was born before his
parents married. The age John gave at his enlistment is a bit of an outlier
when compared with the rest of the information about his age. John did have
motivation to lie and make himself older in order to serve.
Nancy Ballinger
is the second oldest child of William and Lucinda Ballinger. Below is an
analysis of the evidence regarding her birthplace and date.
Census Year
|
Place Born
|
Age
|
Birth Range
|
Notes
|
1856 (Iowa State)
|
Ills
|
7
|
4 March 1848 to 7 July 1849
|
Census occurred from March 3 – July 7[17]
|
1870
Census Day: June 1
Enum Day: June 23
|
Ills
|
20
|
2 June 1849 – 1 June 1850[18]
|
On 25 April Nancy Ballinger married Daniel Robinson[19]
|
1880
Census Day: June 1
Enum Day: June 9
|
Illinois
|
29
|
2 June 1850 – 1 June 1851
|
Nancy A[20]
|
1885 (CO State)
Census Day: June 1
|
Ills
|
34
|
2 June 1850 – 1 June 1851[21]
|
|
1900
Census Day: June 1
|
Illinois
|
48
|
Census states born Sept 1851
|
Nancy A[22]
|
1910
Census Day: Jan 1
|
Illinois
|
57
|
2 January 1852 - 1
January 1853
|
“Nanca A”
enumerated 23 April[23]
|
1920
Census Day: Jan 1
|
Illinois
|
67
|
2 January 1852 - 1
January 1853
|
Nancy A[24]
Census day 1-1
|
1927 Death Cert
|
Illinois
|
[25]30
Sept 1850
|
A birthplace of Illinois is consistent throughout Nancy’s
life. Most of the census records indicate a birth year in the 1850 to 1851 time
frame. Both the 1900 census and the death certificate indicate a month of birth
of September. The outliers are the 1910 and 1920 censuses in which she appears
to be a couple of years younger. Also, some of the 1856 census information is
an outlier and it’s reliability questionable. The enumerator indicated William,
Lucinda and John had been living in Iowa for 8 years. Nancy who was 7 is listed
as living in Iowa for 7 years but was born in Illinois, which does not make
sense if the older family members were living in Iowa for 8 years.
Conclusion: Nancy
A. Ballinger was born in Illinois probably in September of 1850 or 1851.
Mary Ann Ballinger is
the third child in the Ballinger family. She is listed in the 1856 Iowa census
as being one year old, born in Iowa and having lived in Iowa for zero years.[26]
There were only two unnamed females listed in the Ballinger household in 1854
(Lucinda and Nancy).[27] So
Mary Ann was born after the census was taken probably about 1855. After the
family moved to Iowa.
Conclusion:
Using this information points to a family move to Iowa
around 1850 to 1851, after Nancy’s birth. It’s possible William went to Iowa
the spring of 1849 to make his claim and returned to marry Lucinda in November.
If Lucinda was pregnant, she may have waited until after the birth of Nancy to
make the trip to Iowa.
A timeline will help visualize the information previously presented.
Date
|
Place
|
Event
|
1847-1848
|
Scott County, Illinois
|
John H. Ballinger possibly born
|
17 February 1849
|
Winchester, Scott County, Illinois
|
William Ballinger purchased a military bounty-land
warrant.
|
6 April 1849
|
Mahaska County, Iowa
|
Inspected land
|
10 April 1849
|
Iowa City Land Office
|
claim
|
29 October 1849
|
Scott County, Illinois
|
William Ballinger & Lucinda Campbell married
|
September 1850 or 1851
|
Illinois
|
Nancy A. Ballinger probably born
|
1854
|
Adams Township, Mahaska County, Iowa
|
William Ballinger household enumerated in Iowa census
|
Circa 1855
|
Iowa
|
Mary Ann Ballinger probably born
|
To cite this post:
Michelle Goodrum, "Revised Proof Argument: When did the Ballinger Family Move From Illinois to Iowa?," The Turning of Generations, 9 April 2015 (http://turning-of-generations.blogspot.com/2015/04/revised-proof-argument-when-did-william.html : [access date].
Michelle Goodrum, "Revised Proof Argument: When did the Ballinger Family Move From Illinois to Iowa?," The Turning of Generations, 9 April 2015 (http://turning-of-generations.blogspot.com/2015/04/revised-proof-argument-when-did-william.html : [access date].
[1] The Ballinger surname has several variations in
documents examined with the most common variation being Ballenger. For
readability, Ballinger is used in the body of this paper. The spelling used in
the source examined is used in the citation.
[2] Illinois, Scott County, Marriage Records, volume
unknown, page 64, #875, William Ballinger to Lucinda Campbell; Illinois
Regional Archives Depository, Springfield.
[3] Sale agreement, Christopher Rian (Pvt, Capt.
Montgomery’s Company, 1st Reg., Illinois Volunteers,
Mexican-American War 1847) to William H. Ballenger, bounty land warrant file
12389; Military Bounty Land Warrants and Related Papers; Records of the Bureau
of Land Management, Record Group 49; National Archives, Washington D.C.
[4] Receipt of warrant and location of property, Christopher
Rian (Pvt, Capt. Montgomery’s Company, 1st Reg., Illinois
Volunteers, Mexican-American War 1847) to William H. Ballenger, bounty land warrant
file 12389; Military Bounty Land Warrants and Related Papers; Records of the
Bureau of Land Management, Record Group 49; National Archives, Washington D.C.
[5] Land Warrant Certificate, Christopher Rian (Pvt,
Capt. Montgomery’s Company, 1st Reg, Illinois Volunteers,
Mexican-American War 1847) to William H. Ballenger,
bounty land warrant file 12389; Military Bounty Land Warrants and Related
Papers; Records of the Bureau of Land Management, Record Group 49; National
Archives, Washington D.C.
[6] 1854
Iowa State Census, Mahaska County, Iowa, Adams township, no page, Williard
Ballenger; digital image, Ancestry.com
(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 November 2014); citing microfilm of 1854
Iowa State Census obtained from the
State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest.
[7] Receipt of
warrant and location of property, Christopher Rian (Pvt, Capt. Montgomery’s
Company, 1st Reg., Illinois Volunteers, Mexican-American War 1847)
to William H. Ballenger, bounty land warrant file 12389.
[8] 1856 Iowa State Census, Mahaska County, Iowa,
Black Oak Township, page 742, William H. Ballinger household; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com :
accessed 3 November 2014); citing microfilm of 1856 Iowa State Census obtained
from the State Historical Society of
Iowa via Heritage Quest.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Declaration for an Original Pension of a Father
(1896); John H. Ballenger (Pvt., Co. D, 3rd Regt Colo. Cav., Civil
War), dependent father’s pension file F. O. 630,269 (Act of July 14, 1862,
amended by act June 27, 1890); Case Files of Rejected Pension Applications,
Civil War; Bureau of Pensions and Its Predecessors, 1805-1935, Department of
Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C. Also,
Declaration for Dependent Father’s Pension (1906); John H. Ballenger (Pvt., Co.
D, 3rd Regt Colo. Cav., Civil War), dependent father’s pension file
F. O. 630,269 (Act of July 14, 1862, amended by act June 27, 1890).
[11] Compiled military service record, John H. Ballanger
(Pvt., Co. D, 3rd Regt Colo. Cav., Civil War), Carded Records,
Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Records of the Adjutant General’s Office,
1762-1984, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington D.C.
[12] John H. Ballenger (Boulder County) homestead file,
Proof Required Under Homestead Acts May 20, 1862 June 21, 1866, Denver,
Colorado, Land Office: Land Entry Papers 1800-1908; Records of the Bureau of
Land Management, Record Group 49; National Archives, Washington, D. C. For
location of William Ballinger’s property see William H. Ballinger (Boulder
County) cash entry file, certificate no 244, Denver, Colorado, Land Office;
Land Entry Papers, 1800-1908; Records of the Bureau of Land Management, Record
Group 49; National Archives, Washington, D. C. Also, William H. Ballenger
(Boulder County) homestead file, final certificate no. 970, Denver, Colorado,
Land Office;
[13] John H. Ballenger (Boulder County) homestead file,
Affidavit, Denver, Colorado, Land Office: Land Entry Papers 1800-1908.
[14] “Deaths,” Boulder
County News (Boulder), 8 February 1871, p. 3, col. 3. Also, “Deaths,” Rocky Mountain News (Denver), 11
February 1871, p. 4, col. 3.
[15] “Iowa State Census Information,” Iowa GenWeb Project
(http://iagenweb.org/delaware/census/stateindex.htm : accessed 6 April 2015).
[16] 1856
Iowa State Census, Mahaska County, Iowa, Black Oak Township, page 742, William
H. Ballinger household; digital image, Ancestry.com
(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 November 2014); citing microfilm of 1856
Iowa State Census obtained from the
State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest.
[17] “Iowa State Census Information,” Iowa GenWeb Project
(http://iagenweb.org/delaware/census/stateindex.htm : accessed 6 April 2015).
[18] 1870 U.S. census, Boulder County, Colorado Territory,
population schedule, Boulder City, pg. 7, dwelling & family 45, Nancy
Robinson in household of Daniel Robinson; digital image, Ancestry.com
(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 April 2015); citing National
Archives microfilm publication M593, roll 94.
[19] Boulder
County, Colorado, marriage certificate, J:88, Daniel Robinson to Nancy
Ballenger,25 April 1870; Boulder County Clerk & Recorder, Boulder.
[20] 1880 U.S. census, Boulder County, Colorado, population
schedule, enumeration district (ED) 25, p. 21 (penned), dwelling & family
8, Nancy A. Robinson in household of Danl Robinson; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com :
accessed 9 April 2015); citing National Archives microfilm publication T9, roll 89.
[21] 1885 Colorado State Census, Boulder County, Colorado,
ED 1, p. 76 [penned], dwelling 874, family 886, Nancy Robinson in household of
Daniel Robinson; digital image, Ancestry.com
(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9
April 2015); citing National Archives
microfilm publication T158, roll 2.
[22] 1900 U.S. census, Sweet Grass County, Montana,
population schedule, Stillwater Township, Enumeration District (ED) 134, sheet
5, dwelling 116, family 116, household of Milton C. Lowe, familysearch.org (http://familysearch.org : accessed 22 May 2012), citing National Archives
microfilm publication T623.
[23] 1910 U.S. census, Yellowstone County, Montana, population
schedule, School District No. 6, Columbus Town, enumeration district (ED) 254,
sheet 5A, dwelling & family 129, Nanca A. Robinson in household of Alfred
A. Bryant; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 8
April 2015); citing National Archives microfilm publication, [publication T625,
roll # 977.
[24] 1920 U.S. census, Stillwater County, Montana, population
schedule, School District No. 33, enumeration district (ED) 128, sheet 1B,
dwelling & family 129, Nancy A. Robinson in household of Milton C. Lowe;
digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com
: accessed 8 April 2015); citing National Archives microfilm publication T624,
roll # 837.
[25] Washington Department of Health, death certificate
no. 2443, Nancy Robinson (1927); Olympia.
[26] 1856
Iowa State Census, Mahaska County, Iowa, Black Oak Township, page 742, William
H. Ballinger household.
[27] 1854
Iowa State Census, Mahaska County, Iowa, Adams township, no page, Williard
Ballenger.
URL for this post: http://turning-of-generations.blogspot.com/2015/04/revised-proof-argument-when-did-william.html
© 2015, Michelle Goodrum
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