Archibald McCullum Ball and Sarah A. Curtis Papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 30-006

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The genealogy fills 12 three-ring notebooks, with an accompanying volume that contains an introduction and an index. In addition to the genealogical information, the notebooks include letters and documents of family members, plus historical and biographical sketches. The collection includes letters by Irene Ball (Allen), 1836-1842, describing life as a student in early Oberlin and as the wife of an abolitionist minister in Illinois; an eight-page typescript of a notebook written by Elizabeth Curtis covering the four years before to her marriage to Orrin Safford in 1839 and containing poems to friends and writings on education, Catherine Beecher, and the Bible; several letters between the sisters Sarah, Elizabeth, and Salome Curtis and information on Sophia Smith’s ancestors, some of whom were related to the Ball family. Also included are early family photographs and Sarah Bedell Ball’s own reminiscences.

Additional materials for Archibald McCullum Ball include an Oberlin College diploma, certificates of membership in various societies, and an appointment certificate as a census taker in Erie County, New York.

Dates

Creation: 1819-1962
Other: Date acquired: 11/02/1967

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted.

Biographical or Historical Information

Sarah A. Curtis (1819-1888), from Genesee, Michigan, was born to Elisha (1774-1859) and Resign Clary Curtis (1776-1843). She had many siblings: Daniel (1803-1859), Henry "Harvey" (1806-1862), Salome (1808-1902), Elisha E. "Eli" (1813-1823), and Elizabeth (1826-1841);. Sarah was a student at Oberlin, in the literary course, from 1840 to 1843. Her husband and classmate, Archibald McCullum Ball (1819-1903), received the A.B. degree in 1844 before they were married by President Asa Mahan (1799-1889). He was born to Jonathan (1783-1833) and Lucinda Ballard Ball (1786-1856). He had two brother - Alonzo Gibbs (1808-1879) and John Ballard (1811-1903). Ball then continued studying in the Oberlin Seminary through 1847. Archibald’s brother, Alonzo Gibb Ball attended Oberlin’s Preparatory Academy from 1842-1843. Sarah Curtis’s sister Elizabeth was also being educated during those years (1835-1838) at the Middlebury female Seminary in Connecticut. Sarah Bedell Ball (1880-1962, daughter of Franklin, was a granddaughter of the Ball-Curtis family.

Note written by William E. Bigglestone.

Extent

3.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Method of Acquisition

This twelve volume genealogy with index was created by Sarah Bedell Ball, granddaughter of A.M. Ball and Sarah Curtis, and daughter of Frank H. Ball. It was given to the Secretary’s Office in 1960 [see folder containing correspondence of the Office of the Secretary (RG 5), mainly D. M. Love, with Sarah Bedell Ball, 1944-62].