Talk:Edward Hughes Ball Hughes

Origins

Many of the sources claim that Hughes' money came from the death of an uncle, and even name Admiral Hughes as the uncle. However, Admiral Hughes died in 1794, and Ball Hughes was born around 1798 (he is on the class lists at Eton in 1814). The Dictionary of National Biography text is confusing, but if you look at the entry for "Robert Ball Hughes", it is clearer - they think R. B-H is a step grandson of Admiral Hughes and EHBH is his brother. This is incorrect as to R. B-H; there is a biography of him online, written by his wife, which gives his parentage and does not mention "The Golden Ball" at all. However, it does clarify what the DNB thinks about the relationship between the Admiral and EHBH. And, if you look at the Chicheley Plowden link, the 1811 source quoted there seems quite definitive, especially since it predates Ball Hughes' fame.Brianyoumans (talk) 16:55, 24 February 2012 (UTC)

Henry Ball

I found one letter from Admiral Hughes in which he mentions Captain Ball and gives his first name, Henry. It also involves Hughes sending home the colors from the forts which he captured, and recommending that Ball be allowed to present them to the queen (certainly an attempt to advance his career!) This link is to a 1787 court case involving a ring stolen from a Henry Ball, and it is mentioned that the ring came from "Sir Edward Hughes' lady". The Chicheley-Plowden genealogy tells this story in more detail, but I was looking for some confirmation, as other sources tell it differently.Brianyoumans (talk) 21:16, 24 February 2012 (UTC)

• I believe I have now solved the puzzle. Here is the (slightly garbled) text from the John Preston Neale work: "In the Churchyard is the tomb of Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, K. B. late of Chigwell, in this county, ob. 17th January, 1794, xt. 77. Lady Ruth Hughes, his wife, ob. 30th Sept. 1800, set. 69. David Ball, Esq., late of Bishops Hall, in this parish, ob. 17th Aug. 1798, at. 38.Captain Henry Ball, R. N. ob. 6th Aug. 1792, aet. 38; her sons by

her first husband." This makes it all pretty clear.Brianyoumans (talk) 21:57, 24 February 2012 (UTC)

• See also the account in the Farington Diaries, Volume II. Brianyoumans (talk) 03:18, 25 February 2012 (UTC)

Sydney Mathilde

There is an article in the 11 August 1871 edition of the "Morgen Post" which has many mentions of Ball Hughes' daughter Sydney. It appears to be about a court case involving her?? Between the faded gothic typeface and my lack of German, I have no idea, but if someone could read it and glean any additional info about her life, that would be useful. Brianyoumans (talk) 23:53, 8 August 2018 (UTC)

• Never mind, I believe I have found an English language article. Sydney and her lover Garnuchot were being tried for fraud after running up debts in Vienna. Brianyoumans (talk) 21:42, 9 August 2018 (UTC)