In 1858 Charles Ballard of Ball & Ballard sold his share in the business to one Warren Williams, and the partnership became Ball & Williams. That partnership lasted until 1865 when when Williams sold his interest to one E. P. Halstead, and the business name changed to R. Ball & Co.

Like its predecessors and successors, Ball & Williams manufactured woodworking machinery. During the Civil War they also manufactured the Ballard rifle that was developed and patented by Charles Ballard; a few years after his stint as partner in the business, Ballard had returned as an employee. See patents 33,631 and 63,605.

Information Sources

• From 1859-1863 ads in Scientific American.
• 1859-02-05 issue of Scientific American carried the following ad: "WOODWORKING MACHINERY—Woodworth’s, Daniels’ and Gray & Woods’ planing machines. Sash molding, tenoning and mortising machines. Scroll saws, arbors, &c., made of good materials, and by experienced workmen, Worcester Mass., by BALL & WILLIAMS."
• Ad in the 1860-04-21 issue of Scientific American: "WOOD-WORKING MACHINERY.— Woodworth's, Gray & Wood’s and Daniels’ Planers, Sash Molding and Tenoning Machines; power and foot Mortising Machines; Scroll, Rip and Cut-off Sawing Machines: Saw Arbors, Shafting &c. For particulars, address BALL & WILLIAMS, Worcester, Mass. Send for a catalogue." The same ad appeared in subsequent issues.
• The 1863-02-14 issue of Scientific American had this ad: "BALL & WILLIAMS CONTINUE TO MANUFACTURE Woodworth & Daniel’s Planing Machines, with all recent improvements and of the best quality; Sash, Sticking and Tenoning Machines; Scroll Saws; Mortising Machines and most other kinds of machinery for working wood. For particulars send to us for a catalogue. BALL & WILLIAMS, Worcester, Mass."
• An ad from Merritt, Walcott & Co., in the 1865-09-09 issue of Scientific American, lists some new Ball & Williams machines for sale: a Gray & Wood planer, "40 feet long by 24 inches wide"; a large iron-frame molding machine with side cutters; a No. 1 tenoning machine; a power morsiting machine; a "splitting saw table" (i.e., a circular ripsaw).
• The 1865-10-07 issue of Scientific American contained an ad for R. Ball & Co., who were the successors to Ball & Williams. But S. C. Hills, a large New York machinery seller, had an ad that mentioned they were the distributors for Ball & Williams. This suggests that the change from Ball & Williams to R. Ball & Co. happened shortly before October 1865.
• An article in the 1864-06-11 issue of Scientific American mentions that this company custom-made an enormous planer for Steinway, capable of planing the largest piano top.
• American Foot Power and Hand Power Machineryby Kenneth L. Cope, 2001 page 14.
• 1919 book, History of Worcester and Its People, by Charles Nutt. The following is extracted from a biography of Charles A. Williams (1847-1906).

  Warren Williams, father of Charles A. Williams, was born in Woolwich, Maine, July 2, 1811, and died in this city, May 4, 1896... When a young man, Warren Williams came to Worcester, where he found employment with the firm of L. & A. G. Coes, manufacturer of woolen machinery, which business was afterward conducted by Henry Goulding. In this concern Mr. Williams advanced from journeyman to superintendent of the factory. In 1851 he became a partner in the business, under the firm name of Willard, Williams & Company, the factory being located at the corner of Union and School streets. In 1854 Mr. Williams withdrew from the firm and retired to a farm in North Worcester. In 1858 he bought the interests of Charles Ballard in the firm of Ball & Ballard, manufacturers of wood-working machinery, and the firm of Ball & Williams continued the business for some years. During the Civil War this firm was engaged in manufacturing the Ballard breech-loading rifle, invented by Charles Ballard. After the war Mr. Williams, sold his interests in the business to his partner, later becoming appraiser for the People's Savings Banks...