We do not know for certain the birth place or date for James Ballard.

note; with the asumption that James Ballard born circa 1711 was his son we can estimate his birth at about or before circa 1681.

note; with one exception, no baptisms have been found for any of James Ballard's children although he buried many at Broadmead baptist burial grounds, Redcross Street. Baptist did not baptise thier children, they were expected to do this themself if they became believers "Believers Baptism" was thier practice.

note; James Ballard lived on St Philips Marsh, close to the river across from Temple in the Bedminster district, his later family congregated in St Philip & Jacob a short distance away.

James Ballard is first recorded in Bristol with a Baptism dated 3rd December 1735 at St Philip & Jacob Church, of his son Israel Ballard age 8 years old, so being born sometime about 1727 father was of Bread Street. {BRO P/St P&J/R/1/7 ].

note; I suspect Israel Ballard may have become poorly so was baptised in case of death.

note; Bread Street, Archaeology has found evidence  of a dock used for bringing goods in and out for industry.

We find no further records of Israel Ballard after this and can only asume he was as follows;

child Ballard buried 11th Apr 1737 at Broadmead Baptist burial grounds, Redcoss Street. "Br (Brother) James Ballard(s) child was inturd, he a Member". (paid 0/0. members rates). [TNA RG 4; Piece Number: 3765].

"James Balard child was interd 3 yards and half from ye south wall and under the east wall" [TNA RG 4; Piece Number: 3765].  (child 1).

James Ballard "a Member" buried a Child Ballard 28 Dec 1728 at Broadmead Baptist burial grounds, Redcross Street. James Ballard Child was interd 3 yards and half from the south wall and under the east wall. [TNA.  RG 4; Piece Number: 3765 ]. (Child 2). no bap found.

Br (Brother) James Balard "a Member" buried a Child Ballard 17th Mar 1737 at Broadmead Baptist burial grounds, Redcross Street. James Ballard child was interd 3 yards and half from south wall and under the east wall [TNA. RG 4; Piece Number: 3765]. (Child 3). no bapt found.

Br (Brother) James Balard "a Member" buried a Child Ballard 11th April 1737 at Broadmead Baptist burial grounds, Redcross Street. James Ballard child was interd "3 yards and half from south wall and under the east wall" [TNA. RG 4; Piece Number: 3765]. (Child 4). no bapt found.

Br (Brother) James Balard "a Member" buried a Child Ballard 1st July 1739 at Broadmead Baptist burial grounds, Redcross Street. James Ballard child was interd "4 yards from south wall and under the east wall close to his other children" [TNA. RG 4; Piece Number: 3765]. (Child 5). no bapt found.

Br (Brother) James Balard "a Member" buried a Child Ballard 14th July 1740 at Broadmead Baptist burial grounds, Redcross Street. James Ballard child was inturd "4 yards from south wall and under the east [TNA. RG 4; Piece Number: 3765]. (Child 6). no bapt found.

note;  At Broadmead Baptist Church in 18th‑century Bristol, the terms “Member” and “Brother” had formal, covenantal, and disciplinary significance. 

They were not casual labels. They indicated a person who had been examined, admitted, and bound by covenant to the congregation — with rights, duties, and accountability. Membership was not automatic, not casual, and not inherited. 

“Brother” was the relational title used for male members of the church. It signified: full spiritual equality within the congregation, inclusion in the covenant community, the right to speak in meetings (within Baptist order), mutual responsibility for correction, support, and discipline, , It did not mean biological brotherhood. It meant covenant brotherhood. a public declaration of dissenting identity, a legal risk in earlier periods, a badge of belonging to a non‑Anglican community, a commitment to a disciplined life under the church’s oversight, The church kept registers of members from 1666 onward, and these were maintained into the 18th century. [The Records of a Church of Christ: Meeting in Broadmead, Bristol, 1640-1687 - Bristol (England). Broadmead Church - Google Books .

James Ballard died and was buried 16th July 1755 at Broadmead Baptist burial grounds, Redcross Street, "Mr James Ballard was Interd, A Member, under the east Wall 3 1/2 yards from south wall". (paid 0/0. members rates) [TNA. RG 4; Piece Number: 2871].

Mr Robert Chambers, Child was interd in the feet of James Ballard's grave "see July 16th 1755" TNA. RG 4; Piece Number: 2871].

note; Who was his wife and where was she burried

Possible Candidates for James Ballard's Parent's

James Ballard. baptised, 9th Jan 1675. son of James Ballard (Flaxman) & Alice at St James, Trowbridge, Wiltshire. [

James Ballard - flaxman - Birth ABT 1675

James Ballard. baptised, 14th Aug 1679. son of Richard Ballard & Anne at St Mary, Monmouth, England. [

This famliy decended form the Ballards of Worcestershire, Herefordshire & Monmouthshire and has many strong links to St Michaels in Bristol This is the strongest candidate for linking to my Bristol Ballard family. the connected Chambers family of Monmouthshire, children, are also buried in Ballard Baptists graves at Bristol and no other mentions of this James are found in any further documents in Monmouthshire, so he has left the area.

James Ballard - Birth ABT 1679

James Ballard baptised, 7 June 1682, son of Joseph Ballard (Brazier) & Elizabeth Price at St Martin-in the Fields, Westminster, London. [PRO. STM/PR/1/7].

James Ballard - Birth ABT 1682 

Old Bread Street

The Marsh Story

Know Your Place