Copy of letter written by Jabez Ballard to his nephew Frank Harmon
Garver who was living in Los Angeles, Calif. There was no date on the
letter.

My great grandfather's name was Reuben Ballard. He was a soldier in
the Revolutionary War from start to finish. He lived in Georgia.

My grandfather's name was John Ballard. He was born in Georgia and
when he got married, he settled in Kentucky and lived there til my
Uncle Philip and my father was born; also my Aunt Appy and Uncle John,
and then I think he moved to Missouri and from there he moved to
Indiana and from there to Iowa and died in Marshall County May 1,
1848. I do not know the dates of any of them but the four
oldest. Uncle Philip was born April 10, 1802, Aunt Appy was born in
1804, my father William Ballard was born May 3, 1806 and my Uncle John
was born in 1808. In the family there were ten children, five boys and
five girls and all lived to man and womanhood. Grandfather and
Grandmother lived to see them all grown and have families.

My father was born in Kentucky but lived in Indiana from boyhood days
to manhood and moved to Iowa in 1839 and settled in Des Moines County,
lived there nine years and then moved to Marshall County in the spring
of 1848. (Your mother was born in Des Moines County April 3, 1840.)

My grandfather on my mother's side was James Huston. He was born in
Maryland but I don't know the date. In his family there was two girls
and one boy John. My mother was Rebecca Huston. She was born July 28,
1807, and Dianah for who your mother was named but I don't know the
date of her birthday.

In my father's family there was seven. James the oldest was born
Sept. 15, 1829, Philip was born June 5, 1833, Margaret was born
February 14, 1836, Dianah was born April 3, 1840, Reuben was born May
22, 1842, Jabez was born September 13, 1845 and Hugh was born August
5, 1849.