Posted on: Douglas County, Mo Query Forum Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/Mo/Douglas/1477 Surname: GIBSON, REYNOLDS, BALLARD, PEARCE, BRISCOE, FREEMAN, DRISKELL, CAMPBELL, BENGE, BRIDGES, MORRIS, PERKINS ------------------------- Jesse Ballard JAMES, a miller and farmer, was born circa 1803 in KY or VA) and he was married on 10 January 1821 in Monroe County, IN, to Rebecca GIBSON (born circa 1804 in KY); dau of Garret GIBSON & Rachel REYNOLDS. Jesse Ballard JAMES is believed to have received his middle name from his mother's family; and that he was the son of Joseph JAMES and Elizabeth BALLARD who were married on 13 December 1793 in Bedford County, VA. The BALLARD name appears as a middle name in his own family, as well as among names of other relatives. Following their marriage, Jesse and Rebecca (Gibson) JAMES owned land in Putnam, Carroll, and Greene Counties, IN, before moving to Ozark County, MO, in the early 1840's. Their children were all born in Indiana, except where noted: 1. Garrett JAMES, born circa 1822, died in California in a logging accident. 2. Rebecca JAMES, born circa 1824, married a PEARCE. 3. Lucinda JAMES, born circa 1826, married Ira BRISCOE about 1844 in Ozark County, MO. They lived in Douglas County, MO. They had the following known children: Joseph, Isaac, William Garrett, Elizabeth J., Thomas J., Jackson, John B., and Charity. 4. Joseph Thomas JAMES, born circa 1827, was killed in Kentucky during the Civil War (according to family lore). 5. Rachel Jane JAMES, born circa 1833, married William Jackson FREEMAN about 1848 in Ozark County, MO. They lived in Douglas County, MO. Their children were: Rebecca E., Rollins J., John W., Alsebeth "Alcie", Elizabeth, William J., Malisa J. "Lizzie", Drusilla, and a daughter, Feha. 6. John Ballard JAMES, born circa 1835 in Arkansas (according to the 1850 census), married Catherine DRISKELL, on 10 June 1858 in Rolla, MO. John died 15 Dec 1861. They had one daughter, Martha June JAMES, born 10 March 1860. Catherine (Driskell) JAMES m. (2)Hardin Malone MARCH on 12 March 1867 in Phelps County, MO. 7. Hiram Lewis JAMES, born 14 Feb 1844 in Ozark County, MO, was married on 11 September 1867 to Julia Ann FREEMAN. Hiram died on 1 Oct 1929 and he is buried at the Mt. Ararat Cemetery in Douglas County, MO. Their children were: John Monroe, Sarah Jane, Ida Mary Frances, Rebecca Elanare, Elsina Fay, Eva Elizabeth, Alice Almeda, and Jesse Clyde. Rebecca (Gibson) JAMES died sometime between 1851-1856. Jesse Ballard JAMES m. (2) Mrs. Elizabeth (Campbell) BENGE BRIDGES, the daughter of Robert CAMPBELL & Rachel MORRIS. Elizabeth was born 18 Sep 1821 in Ohio. Jesse and Elizabeth had two children: 8. James P. JAMES (b. 7 Apr 1857-d. circa 1863) 9. Nancy Ann JAMES (b. 21 Dec 1859 in West Plains, Howell County, MO) where Jesse Ballard JAMES owned one-half acre W 1/2 Lot 7, Block 3. In 1861 Nancy Ann JAMES married Jesse J. JAMES, son of William M. JAMES & Pheba Ann PERKINS. Nancy Ann died on 2 October 1946 in Kearney County, KS. Their children were Della, Homer, Maybelle, Thurlow, Roscoe, and Sulu Priscilla. Jesse Ballard JAMES build the first dam across Big North Fork on his land, (SW1/4, NE1/4, S15, T24, Rll), in Ozark County, MO, and had a grist mill. It was there that he was hanged by Confederate guerrillas, his only crime being that he was grinding corn for Union men and their families, ignoring the fact that he did the same for Confederate families. His widow rode her horse under his hanging body, cut the rope so he would fall onto the horse, and took him where he buried him in an unmarked grave. Two family traditions differ on the date, one being either February or March of 1861, and the second "sometime after Wilson Creek Battle," which was 10 August 1861. Hiram JAMES (Jesse's son)said that he enlisted after his father's death and after Wilson Creek Battle, so August or September of 1861 would seem likely. Hiram enlisted in the Union Army on 13 October 1861, with his brother, John Ballard JAMES, and their brother-in-law, John DRISKELL. Hiram served for a period of 6 months & 3 days as a Private in Company E, Phelps County, MO, Infantry. Hiram was wounded in the left thigh on 7 March 1862 in the Battle of Pea Ridge, AR. Hiram re-enlisted on 1 November 1863 as a Corporal in Company B, 16th MO Cavalry for a period of 1 year & 8 months, during which time he received an injury to his head and neck. John Ballard JAMES died on 15 Dec 1861 of measles at the camp hospital in Rolla, MO, two months after enlisting in the Union Army. Source: "A History of Ozark County 1841-1991," pg.300-301, submitted by Genelle (Feemster) STEVENS. There are also additional family articles in this book: 1. William M. & Phebea (Perkins) JAMES on pgs. 301-302; 2. George W. & Hattie M. (Sturman) JAMES on pg. 299; 3. Jesse B. & Elizabeth (Campbell) JAMES on pg. 299; and, 4. Francis "Frank" & Louisa (Snelson) JAMES on pg.297-298. Most of the above family articles I have previously posted on the Ozark County query page. I am not a descendant, just willng to share this book's article with you.