Timeline story
Bland W. Ballard of Tick Creek
Born Spotsylvania County, Va., October 16, 1761, Bland Williams Ballard came to Kentucky in 1779 and scouted for George Rogers Clark on the 1780 Ohio campaign and the 1786 Wabash expedition.
With Robert Tyler he helped plant Tyler Station on Tick Creek east of Shelbyville around 1781.
In 1788 Delaware warriors killed his father and several siblings at the family cabin near the station; Ballard fought through Fallen Timbers (1794), survived capture at Frenchtown (1813), represented Shelby County in the General Assembly, and died September 5, 1853 — 173 years ago today. Ballard County and Blandville carry his name; he rests in Frankfort Cemetery.
Cite this story
Published . Last revised .
Chicago
Snowden, Shannon. "Bland W. Ballard of Tick Creek." Kentucky History Drive. Published September 12, 2026. Last revised September 12, 2026. https://kyhistorydrive.com/stories/bland-w-ballard-of-tick-creek/.
MLA
Snowden, Shannon. "Bland W. Ballard of Tick Creek." Kentucky History Drive, published 12 Sept. 2026, last revised 12 Sept. 2026, https://kyhistorydrive.com/stories/bland-w-ballard-of-tick-creek/.
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