Glencarlyn in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Ball-Carlin Cemetery

Photographed by Kevin Vincent, April 21, 2012

1. The Ball-Carlin Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Here between 1766 and 1908 were buried members of the Ball and Carlin families. In 1742 John Ball was granted 166 acres in this area and in 1748 his brother Moses Ball was granted 91 adjoining acres, now the site of Doctor’s Hospital. They were cousins of George Washington who acquired an adjoining tract along Four Mile Run in 1785. After John Ball’s death in 1766, his estate was sold to William Carlin who was one of Washington’s tailors. Fragments of the original Ball-Carlin log house are within the walls of the house at 5620 3rd Street South. About 1800 Carlin built a log house that still stands at 5512 North Carlin Springs Road. In present Glencarlyn Park his descendants operated “Carlin Springs,” a popular resort during 1872-1884.

Erected by Arlington County, Virginia.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1766.

Location. 38° 51.79′ N, 77° 7.55′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Glencarlyn. It is on 4th Street South. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5711 4th St S, Arlington VA 22204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Carlin Community Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); John Ball House (within shouting distance of this marker); Enslaved Here (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Moses Ball Grant (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carlin Springs (approx. ¼ mile away); Glencarlyn Station (approx. ¼ mile away); Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, Southwest 7 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mary Carlin House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.

Additional commentary.
1.
There is no documentary proof for the statement on the marker that John and Moses Ball were cousins of George Washington.

— Submitted February 18, 2026, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia.

Gravestones in the Ball-Carlin Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Vincent, July 7, 2012

2. Gravestones in the Ball-Carlin Cemetery

These gravestones in the corner of the Ball-Carlin Cemetery are not located at the actual grave sites but were moved to the corner of the cemetery.

Corner of Ball-Carlin Cemetery next to library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Vincent, July 7, 2012

3. Corner of Ball-Carlin Cemetery next to library

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, March 14, 2016

4. The Ball-Carlin Cemetery Marker

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, March 14, 2016

5. The Ball-Carlin Cemetery Marker

An updated view of the few remaining gravestones in the northwest corner of the cemetery.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2012, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,489 times since then and 89 times this year. Last updated on February 17, 2026, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on May 15, 2012, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2013, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on March 15, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.