Welcome to the family lineage portal. As the primary curator of our family’s genealogical records, my goal is to not only preserve names and dates but to highlight the formally verified history of our ancestors. While I personally manage these records as a "member by marriage," the lineages documented below represent the direct heritage of my wife and sons.
The organizations listed on this page—such as the DAR, SAR, and UDC—require rigorous primary-source documentation for membership. By cataloging the relatives who have successfully joined these societies, we provide a "proven roadmap" for future generations. These entries serve as a bridge between our private family research and the official historical record, ensuring that the service and sacrifices of our ancestors are never forgotten.
Revolutionary War Patriot
SAR Patriot #: P-155100
Common Ancestor
Moses Epps
c. 1756 — 1827
SERVICE: Private, Virginia Militia
William Epps
Branch A
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Elma Burneson Wood
SAR Member #86644
Daniel Epps
Branch B
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The [Surname] Line
Collateral Descent
The service of Moses Epps is formally established via SAR records. This shared ancestry confirms the "Patriot" status for all direct descendants of Moses Epps through both the William and Daniel branches.
Revolutionary War Patriot
DAR Ancestor #: A040850
Patriot Ancestor
Major John Finley
SERVICE: Major, Pennsylvania State Troops
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Betsy Ann Finley Faris
Daughter of John Finley
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Common Ancestor: Mariah Jane Faris Lee
Isora Lee Ball
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Ada Dandridge Ball
DAR Member #245862
Ada Lee Davidson
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Thomas A. Davidson
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Joseph W. Davidson
Wife's Grandfather
Family History: The Ball Connection
Collateral Lineage & Society Research
Ada "Sweet" Ball was a devoted family historian. Her research proved the Major John Finley line for the DAR (Member #245862) and documented the service of her father, Augustus W. Ball, for the UDC. This latter membership eventually allowed her to move into the Home for Confederate Women in Richmond, VA.
Collateral Relative
Augustus W. Ball
Altay's Battery, 13th Battalion, VA Artillery
"Enlisted at age 15 (1861)... served until the evening before the surrender of Gen. Robt. E. Lee at Appomattox... experienced extreme hunger, exposure to all weather with insufficient clothing... slept in mud and water."
A Note on Historical Context
The lineages documented on this page represent the historical reality of our ancestors' lives. As a family historian, I seek to preserve these records in their full context—acknowledging the complexities of the era, from military service to the impact of slavery—to provide a complete and honest history for the generations that follow. By documenting these truths without decoration, we provide a complete, honest, and transparent history for the generations that follow.