Thomas Ballard

Colonel Thomas Ballard (1630/31 – March 24, 1689/90) was a landowner and politician in the Colony of Virginia. He played a role in Bacon's Rebellion. He served on the Governor's Council 1670–79 and was Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses 1680–82.

Early life and family Thomas was born in about March 1630/1. In 1650, he married Anna Thomas, daughter of William and Anne Thomas of Warwickshire, England.

His children included Sarah Ballard, Jane Ballard, John Ballard, Thomas Ballard, Lydia M. Harwood, Martha Margaret Collier, William Ballard, Elizabeth Ladd, Francis Ballard, Matthew Ballard, and one other child that can not be identified (possibly an infant). He also had a brother named John Ballard.

Early career From about July 1652–March 1663 he was clerk of York County, where he owned land. He also patented land in Gloucester County along the Mattaponi River and Propotank Creek. He actively bought and sold land throughout the colony for most of his adult life.

By 1666 Ballard had moved to James City County, which first elected him to the House of Burgesses that year. He became a close associate of Governor Sir William Berkeley, and was appointed to the Council in June 1670, together with James Bray and Joseph Bridger, who also became important figures in Bacon's Rebellion discussed below. Like Bray, Ballard was a lawyer and active in local courts. He also served as High Sheriff of James City County in 1674, and as a customs collector. In 1675 Ballard bought a farm in Middle Plantation, the future site of Williamsburg, Virginia.

Aftermath Ballard's oldest son and heir, Thomas Ballard, Jr., sold the Middle Plantation estate shortly after his father's death. Most of it went to form the campus of the College of William and Mary.