February 2021
Celebrating Black History Matters
Samuel Ball
Samuel Ball’s story is one of patience, determination, unimaginable courage and heartbreak. His journey to Nova Scotia took him several years and countless miles and not only are we fortunate to know so much about his story, but we know exactly where he lived, which is a rare thing. The archaeology of the Samuel Ball site allows us a unique opportunity to get an insight into who he was and how his family lived. Archaeology is especially important when studying marginalized people like the Black Loyalists, who grew up being property with no opportunity to record their history in any conventional way. Their story now lies in what a famous archaeologist called “the small things forgotten”- those insignificant things that accumulate in the ground to create a lifetime in which the essence of our existence is captured.
Nova Scotia's heritage belongs to all Nova Scotians who also share a responsibility to protect it, Archaeology is one way to not only protect heritage but to study and interpret it for presentation to the public. Nova Scotia supports the preservation, regulation and study of archaeological and historical sites deemed to be important parts of our cultural heritage. The Special Places Protection Act enables the government to designate outstanding heritage sites as protected sites. It also ensures that quality research is carried out through the Heritage Research Permit system. Protected sites may include land in either public or private ownership as well as underwater sites. The Samuel Ball Site, designated BdDb-06, is one of two sites on Oak Island that is protected under the Special Place Protection Act.
Celebrating Black History Matters
Samuel Ball
Samuel Ball’s story is one of patience, determination, unimaginable courage and heartbreak. His journey to Nova Scotia took him several years and countless miles and not only are we fortunate to know so much about his story, but we know exactly where he lived, which is a rare thing. The archaeology of the Samuel Ball site allows us a unique opportunity to get an insight into who he was and how his family lived. Archaeology is especially important when studying marginalized people like the Black Loyalists, who grew up being property with no opportunity to record their history in any conventional way. Their story now lies in what a famous archaeologist called “the small things forgotten”- those insignificant things that accumulate in the ground to create a lifetime in which the essence of our existence is captured.
Nova Scotia's heritage belongs to all Nova Scotians who also share a responsibility to protect it, Archaeology is one way to not only protect heritage but to study and interpret it for presentation to the public. Nova Scotia supports the preservation, regulation and study of archaeological and historical sites deemed to be important parts of our cultural heritage. The Special Places Protection Act enables the government to designate outstanding heritage sites as protected sites. It also ensures that quality research is carried out through the Heritage Research Permit system. Protected sites may include land in either public or private ownership as well as underwater sites. The Samuel Ball Site, designated BdDb-06, is one of two sites on Oak Island that is protected under the Special Place Protection Act.
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Samuel Ball's FamilySamuel's marriage certificate states that he wed Sarah Johnson on April 26, 1797. On December 4, 1806, the Chester Town Clerk received vital statistics (Chester Township Records) from local residents. Samuel re-registered his April 26, 1797 marriage to "Mary__". It is unclear why her name changed. However, there is speculation that Sarah may have changed or added names if she had been baptized at the local Baptist Church. Samuel's 1841 last will and testament refers to his beloved wife "Catherine”. It is possible that Mary died and he remarried, or his first wife had several name changes during her lifetime.
Samuel and Mary registered having three children: Andrew, Samuel, and Mary. Children Samuel and Mary were born after 1800 and registered as passing in infancy. The Chester town records state that Andrew was born on August 13, 1798. However later records would suggest he was born in 1808. Samuel gave Andrew his 100 acre mainland lot, which Andrew sold in 1841. The 1861 census has an Andrew Ball household with two females and two males. The 1868-1869 McAlpine’s Register lists Andrew Ball, farmer, in Oakville Settlement, Lunenburg Co. The 1871 census has Andrew Ball, labourer, living with 45 year old spinster Mary Ball. Mary was a teacher and would have been Andrew’s daughter. They listed were members of the Baptist church. Birth and Death records from the period were not kept by the province. The local churches were mostly responsible for this. We can piece together that Andrew Ball may had a son named Simeon, as mentioned in his father's last will and testament. We are not sure who Andrew’s wife was or what happened to Simeon. There were several Mary Balls living in Nova Scotia at the time, and we are unsure if Andrew's daughter had children. If she had children, it would have been out of wedlock prior to the 1871 census, when she was 45 years old. No Children were listed in the household for that census. Samuel Ball died in 1846. February 1st marks the beginning of African Heritage Month and its theme Black History Matters. Oak Island is proud to play a very small role in that history. Samuel Ball, a Black Loyalist, made his way to the Chester area in the latter part of the 18th century and became a vibrant part of the community. During this month we will highlight a few things we have discovered about his journey and life and share links to other important sites in Nova Scotia. Important Links African Nova Scotia Affairs Black Loyalist Heritage Centre 1791 - Poll tax record show Oak Island was inhabited and being farmed. In 1870, Mather Desbrisay's book, "The History of Lunenburg County", also included Samuel Ball, a Black Loyalist, oak island resident and farmer, as a co-discover of the Money Pit. |