Eliza Bonham

notes

Eliza Johnson, Joseph Ball's step daughter, is remembered in the will of Joseph Ball with a 100 acres in 1711. 

"Col. Ball gave his wife a part of his estate during her natural life, with stock, slaves, etc.; to his daughter Mary, he gave 400 acres in Richmond Co.; to Eliza Johnson, 100 acres in Lancaster Co. The Lancaster Co. records could show what dis- position she made of this land. She was probably 15 or 18 years old when Col. Ball died, born say 1695, and of suitable age to have married Thomas Lanier."

His estate has caused a considerable argument among researchers. Horance Edwin Hayden laid out the case against the Lanier family connection to George Washington's aunt in an article in ["William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine," Vol. 3, No. 1. (Jul., 1894), pp. 68-74.]

The will of Mary Johnson Ball, which was unearthed by G. W. Beale of more recent years, is dated December 17, 1721. It was made at St. Stephens parish and mentions Mary Ball, John Johnson, and her daughter, Elizabeth Bonim (Mrs. Samuel Bonim). John Johnson and George Eskridge are named as executors.

Sources

1. "MOUNT VERNON, ITS CHILDREN, ITS ROMANCES, ITS ALLIED FAMILIES AND MANSIONS" by Minnie Kendall Lowther (contributed by Marcia Hovenden)
2. Roberts, Gary Boyd. Ancestors of American Presidents. (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009), p. 1.

Links

• http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Elizabeth_Johnson_%28205%29_