C3/347/22

Ecclestone v. Ballard

Bill of Complaint of Henry Ecclestone, aged 11 years, Alice Ecclestone, aged 9 years, children of Henry Ecclestone, by the same Henry Ecclestone, being their father, their guardian.

19 November 1621,

Henry married Alice, daughter of Thomas Ballard of Wansworth, Co. Surrey, Gent., with the consent of Thomas and had children, Thomas, since deceased, Henry and Alice, in the life time of Thomas Ballard, who stated in ‘his fatherly love for Alice and her children’ that he would give them yearly, during the continuation of certain leases, the sum of 13 pounds, 6 shillings and 8 pence. Made his will on 5 April 1614, intending his son, Thomas should pay to Alice and the children, this sum. Thomas Ballard, the son, inherited the lease of Stickney Grange, worth, above all charges, 40 pounds per annum and lease of a farm at Barnake, being worth, per annum, above all charges, 40 pounds per annum, upon condition that he paid 6 - 13 - 4d yearly to Alice and, after her death, to the children, during the term of the Barnacke lease and the other 6-13-4d during the term of the Stickney lease. To be paid firstly at the feast of St Michael and All Angels last past. Thomas to be executor. Shortly afterwards Thomas Snr. dies, Alice and her son, Thomas, are also dead.

Has paid 6-13-4d from the Barnake lease for the past 3 years but now Thomas Ballard has the leases in his hand. He has sold the Stickney lease for 400 pounds and intends to sell the Barnake lease. He has tried to stop paying the legacy, even although he has sufficient funds. Henry Ecclestone, as their father, is acting on their behalf and asks that Thomas Ballard be subpoenaed to appear to answers the charges.