George Ballard, Immediate Past President, Saratoga Battle Chapter, SAR

The Saratoga Battle Chapter members regret the loss of Immediate Past President George H. Ballard Sr., 68, who passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. George was born Jan. 9, 1941, in Mt. Kisco, and was admitted into the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution on December 30, 2002.

George's sons George, Jr. and Stephen as well as his Grandson George C. and his brother James all joined off his applications. George was very involved in genealogy and had proven the following nine ancestors in the SAR:

• Gilbert Carrigan, Pvt., NY, Capt. Luddington's Co., Dutchess Co. Militia (Primary)
• Joshua Shaw, Pvt., NY, 6th & 7th Rgmts., Dutchess Co. Militia; Weissenfels Levies
• David Horton, Pvt., NY, 2nd Rgmt., Ulster Co. Militia
• Jacob Tompkins/Tomkins, Pvt., NY, 7th Rgmt., Dutchess Co. Militia Land Bounty Rights
• Pelig Wixon, Pvt., NY, 7th Rgmt. Dutchess Co. Militia
• John Wixon, Pvt., NY, 7th Rgmt. Dutchess Co. Militia
• Isaac Barrett, Pvt., NY, 7th Rgmt. Dutchess Co. Militia
• John Williams, Pvt., NY, Dutchess Co., Militia (Associated Exempts)
• William Hunt, Pvt., Dutchess County Militia Jabobus Swartwout's Rgmt - Capt. Mead's Co.

George held the following Saratoga Battle Chapter Offices:

• 2nd Vice President from Feb.19, 2005 to Feb. 17, 2007
• President from Feb. 17, 2007 to Sept. 21, 2008

George also held the following Empire State Society positions:

• ESS Board of Managers from May 2005 to May 2007
• ESS Committee Chair - Knight Essay Contest from 2005 to 2008

George was honored at the October 4, 2008 "Return of the Captive" National Park Service cannon ceremony for his dedication in ensuring that the Chapter continued to work with Park staff to hold and participate in events at the Saratoga National Historical Park. It was noted by Superintendent Joe Finan that George had been very helpful in the continued success of the annual July 4th Citizenship Ceremony.

Please join with us in remembering George through these photos, provided by Chapter member Duane Booth. Click on any picture for a larger image.

Duane Booth, Nancy Ballard, and George Ballard, Sr. - Feb. 19, 2005

George Ballard, Sr. with Chapter officers - May 13, 2006

Duane Booth and George Ballard, Sr. - July, 2006

George Ballard, Sr. - August 6, 2006

George Ballard, Sr. - Feb. 17, 2007

Nancy and George Ballard, Sr. - Feb. 17, 2007

George Ballard, Sr. - August, 2007

George with big brother Jim - July 4, 2008

Nancy and George Ballard, Sr. - October, 2008

Click here to the obituary published in "The Saratogian" March 18, 2009.

George Ballard, Sr. at center - September, 2006