Thomas Ballard Wadhurst 1625

Margin: Was handed into court the eleventh day of November the first year of the reign of king Charles[1] by the hand of Robert Pickering gentleman.

Transcript in respect thereof sent into the Court of Wards and Exchequer by Blakwell.

INQUISITION indented taken at Eastgrinstede in the county aforesaid the twenty ninth day of September in the first year of the reign of our lord Charles[2] by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland defender of the faith and so forth before Nicholas Gouldesborough gentleman Escheator of the said lord King in the county aforesaid by virtue of a writ of the said lord King de melius inquirendum to enquire after the death of Thomas Ballard of Wadhurst in the county aforesaid gentleman deceased to the same Escheator directed and to this inquisition annexed by the oath of Edward Ley Richard Kidder Robert Bowyer William Harman Henry Browne John Underhill Daniel Outred Francis Cheeseman Richard Staveley William Payne William Crouchester Abraham Bartholomew and William Freeman upright and lawful men of the county aforesaid WHO say upon their oath aforesaid that through a certain inquisition at Petworth in the county aforesaid the sixth day of April now last past before the taking of this inquisition before the aforesaid Nicholas Gouldesborough at that time Escheator of the said lord King in the county aforesaid by virtue of a writ of the said lord King de mandamus after the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard taken and in the chancery of the said lord King returned there as of record, being resident amongst other findings that the aforesaid Thomas Ballard is his life was seized in his demesne as of fee of and in one messuage two barns three gardens and a certain parcel of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing in the whole by estimation forty seven acres situated lying and being in Wadhurst in the county aforesaid then lately in the occupation of Thomas Kingewood or his assigns And also of and in one other messuage one barn and a certain parcel of land meadow pasture and wood called Syslies Shephardes wall and Burwell situated and lying in Wadhurst aforesaid and in Lamberhurst in the county aforesaid And also of and in one other messuage one barn one watermill and certain lands called Peparmyll and Grubland with appurtenances situated lying and being in Lamberhurst aforesaid then lately in the occupation of Edward Waters deceased and now in the occupation of Elizabeth Waters widow of the said Edward And also of and in one messuage one barn and certain lands called Lyffordes and Bewkes situated and lying in Wadhurst in Lamberhurst aforesaid now lately in the occupation of Joan Bate widow and now in the occupation of John Grombridge And also of and in one capital messuage three barns two gardens two orchards and a certain parcel of land meadow and pasture and wood with appurtenances to the same capital messuage being or pertaining called Pell situated lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one messuage and cottage upon the parcel of the aforesaid premises called Pell erected then lately in the occupation of Christopher Bates And also of and in a certain lands called Latters and Holles with appurtenances in cottages upon the parcel in respect thereof built in which Robert Mannynges then lately inhabits lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one messuage two barn two gardens one orchard and certain land with appurtenances called Haylocks situated lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid And of and in one messuage and one garden called Little Trottes with appurtenances situated and lying in Wadhurst aforesaid near Pellbridge And also of and in one parcel of land lying at Pelhill in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one parcel of land containing by estimation two and a half acres lying in Wadhurst aforesaid late Richard Weston And also of and in one parcel of land called Holewell lying in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in eight parcels of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing by estimation fifty three acres and one parcel of wooded land called Marecrosse Croft containing by estimation two acres lying in Wadhurst aforesaid late the land of Thomas Pococke and John Pococke And also of and in certain land called Woodland and Broadfield wood lying in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in certain land Pellgreene and Holewell Wood with a lane adjacent lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in certain lands separately lying in Corsley Wood in Wadhurst aforesaid containing in the whole by estimation forty seven and a half acres lately of the waste land of the manor of Mayfield in the county aforesaid And also of and in certain wooded land lately of the waste land of the aforesaid manor of Mayfield containing by estimation twenty five and a half acres separately lying and being in Bucklinge wood in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one other parcel of land containing by estimation six acres lately of the waste land of the aforesaid manor of Mayfield lying in Weekewood in Wadhurst aforesaid And of and in eight acres late of the waste land of the aforesaid manor of Mayfield lying on the King's highway and the lane next to Pelgreene and Sparrowes Greene in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one messuage and certain lands called Carters Rownden and Rownden Meade And one other messuage and certain lands called Remisses Calhill and Gildradges Which premises above mentioned the aforesaid Thomas Ballard then lately purchased to him and his heirs of John Whitefield esquire and are situated lying and being in Wadhurst and Lamberhurst aforesaid in the county aforesaid And also of and in two messuages three gardens and certain lands with appurtenances together situated and lying upon the dens of Lyllysden and Twysden in the parish of Gowdhurst in the county of Kent And also of and in certain lands called Crouchecrofte and Downetott lying upon the den of Lyllysden aforesaid in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid And also of and in certain lands called The Seaven Acres and The Five Acres lying upon the den of Twysden aforesaid in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid And also of and in one toft one garden and one parcel of land containing by estimation four acres situated and lying upon the den of Lyllysden aforesaid in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid to the King's highway leading from Bedgeburye crosse as far as the town of Gowdhurst towards the East And also of and in one messuage one barn and one piece of land adjacent called The Lower Gutter and before this called Upper Gutters and Nether Gutters situated and lying in Gowdhurst aforesaid which certain premises are wholly situated and lying in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid the aforesaid Thomas Ballard then recently purchased to him and his heirs of Robert Austyn AND ALSO of and in rents and services and reversions diverse lands and tenements then lately held by copy of court rolls of the manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, that is to say, one messuage one garden and certain lands called Latters Marlinges and Aggottes in the occupation of Francis Challenor gentleman or his assigns And one meadow called Bennettes Meade in the occupation of Thomas Bate or his assigns And one messuage one barn one garden one orchard and two parcels of land in the occupation of Richard Foord And one messuage and certain land lying next to Fairebeech and certain land called Mottes and Hoppers in the occupation of George Meryam or his assigns And one cottage one garden and one piece of land with appurtenances in the occupation of William Wood, or his assigns Which certain premises wholly above mentioned lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid. And that the aforesaid Thomas Ballard in the writ aforesaid named died in respect thereof seized in the manner and form just as by the inquisition aforesaid specified AND WHEN FURTHERMORE by the same inquisition it further appeared to be that the aforesaid messuage, the aforesaid barn and garden and the aforesaid parcel of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing fifty seven acres lately in the occupation of the aforesaid Thomas Kingewood the aforesaid premises called Burwell the aforesaid capital messuage aforesaid barn garden and orchard and the aforesaid parcel of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances to the same capital messuage belonging or pertaining called Pell with appurtenances, the aforesaid messuage and cottage upon the parcel of premises called Pell erectly lately in the occupation of Christopher Bates, premises aforesaid called Latters and Holles with appurtenances with a cottage built upon the parcel in respect thereof, the aforesaid messuage, the aforesaid barn garden and orchard and the aforesaid premises called Haylocks with appurtenances, the aforesaid messuage and garden called Little Trottes with appurtenances, the aforesaid parcel of land lying at Pelhill aforesaid, the aforesaid land containing two and a half acres called Haylockes, aforesaid parcel of land called Holewell, the aforesaid eight parcels of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing by estimation fifty three acres, the aforesaid parcel of wooded land called Marecrosse Crofte, the aforesaid premises called Woodland and Broadfeild wood, the aforesaid premises called Pellgreene and Holewell wood with a lane adjacent, the aforesaid premises lying in Corsley wood containing by estimation forty seven and a half acres lately of the pasture land, the aforesaid wooded land late of the waste land containing by estimation twenty five and a half acres separately lying in Bucklingwood, the aforesaid parcel of land late waste containing six acres lying in Weekewood aforesaid, the aforesaid eight acres lately of the waste land lying on the king's highway and lane near Pell Greene and Sparrowes Greene and the aforesaid rents and services and reversions aforesaid of the lands and tenements lately held by copy of the court rolls of the manor of Mayfield aforesaid at the time that the previous inquisition was taken and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named were held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors of that inquisition were wholly ignorant AND that the aforesaid messuage barn and premises with appurtenances called Syslies and Shephardes wall, the aforesaid messuage barn and water mill and premises called Peparmyll and Grubland with appurtenances, the aforesaid premises called Bewkes, the aforesaid messuage and premises called Rownden and Rownden Meade and the aforesaid messuage and premises called Remisses Calhill and Gilridges parcel of the premises aforesaid lately purchased of the aforesaid John Whitfeild, at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of John Carter esquire as of his manor of Lamberhurst in the county of Sussex aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors of that inquisition were wholly ignorant AND that the aforesaid messuage barn and premises called Lyffordes and the aforesaid premises called Carters containing by estimation thirty acres, residue of the premises lately purchased of the aforesaid John Whitefeild at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of William Darrell as of his manor of Scotney in the county of Sussex aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors of that inquisition were wholly ignorant AND the aforesaid messuage garden and premises with appurtenances lying together and being upon the dens of Lyllysden and Twysden in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid, and the aforesaid premises called Crouchcrofte and Downetott parcel of the premises lately purchased of the aforesaid Robert Austyn at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named were held of the lord James lately King of England and so forth and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of the said lord King Charles as of his manor of East Fareleigh in the county of Kent aforesaid in free and common soccage by fealty and annual rent of one shilling, five pence and one half-penny and the relief for all services and not in chief nor by military service AND that the aforesaid premises called The Seaven Acres and The Five Acres and the aforesaid toft garden and parcel of land containing by estimation four acres lying on the den of Lyllysden aforesaid to the king's highway leading from Bedgeburie crosse as far as the town of Gowdhurst aforesaid towards the East and the aforesaid messuage barn and premises called The Lower Gutters residue of the premises lately purchased of the aforesaid Robert Austyn at the time that the previous inquisition was taken and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named were held of the Dean and Chapter as of their manor of Barnes in the county of Kent aforesaid in free and common soccage, by fealty but by what other services the jurors of that inquisition were wholly ignorant just as by the aforesaid inquisition more fully it appears and is evident NOW the jurors by this inquisition upon their oath aforesaid say that the messuage the aforesaid barn and garden and the aforesaid parcel of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing forty seven acres lately in the occupation of the aforesaid Thomas Kingewood, the aforesaid premises called Burwell, the aforesaid capital messuage, the aforesaid barn, garden and orchard and the aforesaid parcel of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances to the same capital messuage belonging or pertaining called Pell with appurtenances, the aforesaid messuage and cottage upon the parcel of the premises called Pell lately erected in the occupation of Christopher Bates, the premises aforesaid called Latters and Holles with appurtenances with a cottage upon the parcel in respect thereof built, the aforesaid messuage, the aforesaid barn garden and orchard and the aforesaid premises called Haylockes containing by estimation fifty three acres, the aforesaid parcel of wooded land called Marecrosse Croft, the aforesaid premises called Woodland and Broadfield wood, the aforesaid premises called Pelgreene and Holewell wood with the lane adjacent, the aforesaid premises separately lying in Corsley wood containing by estimation forty seven and a half acres lately of waste land, the aforesaid wooded land lately of the waste land containing by estimation twenty five and a half acres separately lying in Bucklingewood, the aforesaid parcel of land lately waste containing by estimation six acres lying in Weekewood aforesaid, the aforesaid eight acres lately of the waste of the manor lying on the king's highway and lane near Pell Greene and Sparrowes Greene, and the aforesaid rents and services and reversions aforesaid, lands and tenements by copy of the court rolls of the manor aforesaid were held and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named and also at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of the aforesaid John Baker as of his manor of Mayfield aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors of that inquisition were wholly ignorant AND that the aforesaid messuage, barn and premises called Syslies and Shephardes wall aforesaid , the messuage born and water mill and the premises called Peparmyll and Grubland with appurtenances, the aforesaid premises called Bewkes, the aforesaid messuage and premises called Rownden and Rownden Meade, and the aforesaid messuage and premises called Remisses, Calhill and Gildridges, parcel of the premises aforesaid lately purchased of John Whitefeild were held and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of the aforesaid John Porter as of his manor of Lamberhurst aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors of that inquisition were wholly ignorant AND that the aforesaid messuage barn and premises called Lyffordes and the aforesaid premises called Carters containing by estimation thirty acres residue of the premises lately purchased of the aforesaid John Whitefeild were held and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of the aforesaid William Darrell as of his manor of Gowdhurst aforesaid and the aforesaid premises called Crouchecroft and Downetott parcel of the premises lately purchased of Robert Austyn at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named were held of the said lord James late King and now held and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of the said lord King Charles as of his manor of East Fareleigh in the county of Kent aforesaid in free and common soccage by fealty and annual rent of one shilling, five pence and one half-penny and the relief for all services and not in chief nor by military service AND that the aforesaid premises called The Seaven Acres and The Five Acres and the aforesaid toft garden and parcel of land containing by estimation four acres lying upon the den of Lyllysden aforesaid to the king's highway leading from Bedgeburie crosse as far as the town of Gowdhurst aforesaid towards the east and the aforesaid messuage barn and premises called The Lower Gutters residue of the premises lately purchased of the aforesaid Robert Austyn were held and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of the Dean and Chapter of Rochester aforesaid as of their manor of Barnes aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors of this inquisition are wholly ignorant IN TESTIMONY of which thing to one part of this inquisition remaining in the possession of the Escheator aforesaid both the Escheator aforesaid and the jurors aforesaid have affixed his seal To the other true part in respect thereof remaining with the jurors aforesaid the Escheator aforesaid has affixed his seal, given the day year and place aforesaid

The left and right margins of the document were badly soiled and creased with the result that the text was in places hardly visible even under ultra-violet light.

Margin: It was delivered into Court the twenty eighth day of May in the first year of the reign of King Charles[3] by the hand of Thomas Houghton gentleman.

SUSSEX:
INQUISITION INDENTED taken at Petworth in the county aforesaid the sixth day of April in the first year of the reign of our lord Charles by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King, defender of the faith and so forth. Before Nicholas Gouldesborough gentleman Escheator of the same lord King in the county aforesaid by virtue of the said lord King de Mandamus to the same Escheator directed and to this inquisition annexed to enquire after the death of Thomas Ballard of Wadhurst in the county aforesaid gentleman deceased by the [oaths of William Levett senior Richard Aylwyn Thomas Barnard Henry Goble Thomas Westbrooke Richard Launder Edward Peachye Daniel Morris Joshua[4] Morris William Morris Robert Sadler Aaron Smythe William Levett junior Nicholas Turgis Jeremy Smith upright and lawful men of the county aforesaid WHO say upon their oath that the aforesaid Thomas Ballard in the writ aforesaid named for a long time before his death was seized in his demesne as of fee of and in one messuage two barns three gardens a certain parcel of land meadow pasture and wood with the appurtenances containing in the whole by estimation forty seven acres situated lying and being in Wadhurst in the county aforesaid lately in the occupation of Thomas Kingewood or his assigns And also of and in one other messuage one barn and certain parcel of land meadow pasture and wood called Syslies Shephardes wall and Burwell situates and being in Wadhurst aforesaid and in Lamberhurst in the county aforesaid And also of and in one other messuage one barn one water mill and certain lands called Peparmyll and Grubland with appurtenances situated lying and being in Lamberhurst aforesaid lately in the occupation of Edward Waters deceased and now in the occupation of Elizabeth Waters widow of the said Edward And also of and in one messuage one barn and certain lands called Lyffordes and Bewkes situated and lying in Wadhurst in Lamberhurst aforesaid lately in the occupation of Joan Bate widow and now in the occupation of John Gromebridge And thus in respect thereof being seized by indenture bearing date the eighteenth day of September in the year of the reign of James our late King of England the eighth and of Scotland the forty-fourth between the aforesaid Thomas Ballard in the writ aforesaid named on the one part and John Leveson knight Thomas Thompson esquire and Mary Leveson (one of the daughters of Thomas Leveson esquire deceased on the other part Thomas Ballard in consideration of the marriage between he himself and the aforesaid Mary Leveson then hereafter to be solemnised and to have made a jointure for the same Mary in satisfaction agreed a dowry to the same Mary, and granted for her, her heirs executors and administrators through John Leveson and Thomas Thomson their executors and administrators that he the same Thomas Ballard and his heirs immediately after the sealing and delivery of the indenture aforesaid to remain and be seized of and in all and singular the premises aforesaid with their appurtenances and of and in the reversion and remainder in respect there of and [? to hold .... ] and annual profits reserved upon any demises in respect thereof or any parcel therefrom (except all woods and under-woods growing and being in and upon the premises aforesaid with liberty at all times to coppice[5] to make into charcoal[6] in English 'to coale' and to carry away the same to the use of Mary [Leveson] for and during her natural life in satisfaction of her dowry just as by the aforesaid indenture to the jurors aforesaid upon taking this inquisition were shown in evidence between other items it fully appears And afterwards Thomas Ballard was married to the aforesaid Mary By virtue of which same indenture and also by the force of a certain Act of Parliament held in the parliament of lord Henry the eighth late king of England at Westminster in the county of Westminster the fourth day of February in the twenty seventh year of his reign of uses in transferring possession enacted and provided the aforesaid Mary Leveson of all and singular the premises aforesaid was seized as in her demesne as of a free tenant for the term of her life reversion in respect thereof being to the aforesaid Thomas Ballard and his heirs AND furthermore the jurors aforesaid upon his oath aforesaid say that the aforesaid Thomas Ballard in the writ aforesaid named a long time before his death was similarly seized in his demesne as of fee of and in one capital messuage three barns two gardens two orchards and a certain parcel of land meadow and pasture and wood with appurtenances to the same capital messuage belonging or pertaining called Pell situated lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one messuage and cottage upon the parcel of the aforesaid premises called Pell erected lately in the occupation of Christopher Bates And also of and in a certain lands called Latters and Holles with the appurtenances with a cottage upon the parcel in respect thereof built in which Robert Mannynges lately inhabited lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one messuage two barns two gardens one orchard and certain land with appurtenances called Haylockes situated lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid And of and in one messuage and one garden called Little Trottes with appurtenances situated and lying in Wadhurst aforesaid near Pellbridge And also of and in one parcel of land lying at Pelhill in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one parcel of land containing by estimation two and a half acres called Haylockes lying in Wadhurst aforesaid late Richard Weston And also of and in one parcel of land called Holewell lying in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in eight parcels of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing by estimation fifty three acres And one parcel of wooded land called Marecrosse Croft containing by estimation two acres lying in Wadhurst aforesaid late the land of Thomas Pococke and John Pococke And also of and in certain land called Woodland and Brodefeild wood lying in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in certain land called Pellgreene and Holewell wood with a lane adjacent lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in certain lands separately lying in Corsley Wood in Wadhurst aforesaid containing in the whole by estimation forty seven and a half acres lately of the waste land of the manor of Mayfield in the county aforesaid And also of and in certain wooded land lately of the waste land of the aforesaid manor of Mayfield containing by estimation twenty five and a half acres separately lying and being in Bucklinge wood in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one other parcel of land containing by estimation six acres lately of the waste land of the aforesaid manor of Mayfield lying in Weekes wood in Wadhurst aforesaid And of and in eight acres late of the waste land of the aforesaid manor of Mayfield lying on the King's highway and the lane next to Pelgreene and Sparrowes Greene in Wadhurst aforesaid AND ALSO of and in one messuage and certain lands called Carters Rownden and Rownden Meade And one other messuage and certain lands called Remisses Calhill and Gildridges which premises last mentioned the aforesaid Thomas Ballard lately purchased to him and his heirs of John Whitefeild esquire and are situated lying and being in Wadhurst and Lamberhurst aforesaid in the county aforesaid And also of and in two messuages three gardens and certain lands with appurtenances together situated and lying upon the dens of Lyllysden and Twysden in the parish of Gowdhurst in the county of Kent And also of and in certain lands called Crowchecrofte and Downetott lying upon the den of Lyllysden aforesaid in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid And also of and in certain lands called The Seaven Acres and The Fyve Acres lying upon the den of Twysden aforesaid in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid And also of and in one toft one garden and one parcel of land containing by estimation four acres situated and lying upon the den of Lyllysden aforesaid in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid to the King's highway leading from Bedgeburye crosse as far as the town of Gowdhurst towards the East And also of and in one messuage one barn and one piece of land adjacent called The Lower Gutters and before that called Upper Gutters and Nether Gutters situated and lying in Gowdhurst aforesaid which certain premises are wholly situated and lying in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid The aforesaid Thomas Ballard lately purchased to him and his heirs of Robert Austyn AND ALSO of and in rents and services and reversions diverse lands and tenements then lately held by copy of court rolls of the manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, that is to say, one messuage one garden and certain lands called Latters Marlinges and Aggottes in the occupation of Francis Challenor gentleman or his assigns And one meadow called Bennettes Meade in the occupation of Thomas Bate or his assigns And one messuage one barn one garden one orchard and two parcels of land in the occupation of Richard Foorde And one messuage and certain land lying next to Fairebeech and certain land called Mottes and Hoppers in the occupation of George Meryam or his assigns And one cottage one garden and one piece of land with appurtenances in the occupation of William Wood or his assigns Which certain premises wholly above mentioned lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid. AND FURTHERMORE the jurors aforesaid upon their oath say that Thomas Ballard in the writ aforesaid named so as aforesaid being seized of all and singular made his last will and testament in writing bearing date the fourteenth day of December in the year of the Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty two and by the same his testament and will wished and bequeathed that his executor (in the same testament nominated) have and possess all his lands whatsoever (Except the aforesaid lands conveyed to his wife for jointure and by the will aforesaid he bequeathed an increase in her said jointure during her life only) to the use of Thomas Ballard his son shall attain his age of twenty four years and that they shall demise the same lands and rents and the profits of the same to be received and by lopping and felling such underwood as his overseers (or most of them) as shall seem best towards for raising money for the payment of portions and his bequests by the same will and testament bequeathed and to pay his debts and maintain his children And also by the same his testament and will he wished and bequeathed to the aforesaid Mary his wife (by the increase of her jointure) the aforesaid messuage and lands called Carters Rownden and Rownden Meade and the aforesaid messuage and lands called Remisses Calhill and Gildridges by the name of all his lands and rents which he himself purchased from his cousin John Whitefeild of Worthey esquire for and during the natural life of the said Mary (woods and underwoods only excepted) And also he wished and bequeathed to Richard Ballard and William Ballard his younger sons and his heirs the aforesaid two messuages three gardens and lands with their appurtenances situated and lying upon the dens of Lyllysden and Twysden in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid and the aforesaid land called Crowchcrofte and Downetott and the aforesaid land called The Seaven Acres and The Fyve Acres and the aforesaid toft garden and parcel of land containing four acres lying upon the den of Lyllysden aforesaid in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid and the aforesaid messuage barn and piece of land called The Lower Gutters by the name of all his demesne and lands lying in Gowdhurst in the county aforesaid which he purchased of Robert Austyn And also he wishes and bequeathed to the same Richard and William his sons the aforesaid messuage and land called Carters Rownden and Rownden Meade and the aforesaid lands called Remisses Calhill and Gildridges by the name of his aforesaid lands and tenements which he purchased from his cousin John Whitefeild And he wished and bequeathed to the same Richard and William Ballard his sons the aforesaid messuage barn watermill and land with appurtenances called Peparmill and Grubland and the aforesaid messuage barn and land with appurtenances called Lyffordes and Bewkes by the name of all the lands and tenements in the occupation of the widow of Edward Waters deceased or their assigns and of all lands and tenements in the occupation of [blank] Gromebridge at sometime demised by him to the widow Joan Bate To have and to hold all the premises aforesaid to the aforesaid Richard and William Ballard and their heirs for ever And if either of them dies without issue of his body then to remain to the other of them surviving and his heirs for ever And the residue of all and singular the lands and tenements before in this inquisition mentioned he wished and bequeathed to the aforesaid Thomas Ballard his son and his heir for ever (by the name of all the residue of his lands and tenements) profits in respect thereof being taken until he himself attain his age of twenty four years ( he meanwhile to be allocated fifty pounds by the year to be paid quarterly for his maintenance And furthermore he wished that none of his sons take any profit of the lands to him bequeathed until he attain his age of twenty four years but his executors to receive the profits in respect thereof to the performance of his testament aforesaid And that he coming to his separate age to enter into his separate part And furthermore he wished that if all of his sons died without issue of their bodies that then all his lands aforesaid to remain to his two daughters Martha and Elizabeth and their heirs And he made and declared Richard Ballard gentleman and John Hatley [clerk[7]] executors of his testament aforesaid just as by the testament and will aforesaid to the jurors aforesaid upon this inquisition shown in evidence it is fully apparent And afterwards the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named of all and singular the premises aforesaid so as aforesaid being seized the ninth day of February and the twenty first year of the reign of the said lord James late king of England[8] and so forth and Scotland the fifty seventh at Wadhurst aforesaid died And the aforesaid Mary his wife survived and at this time being in full life namely at Wadhurst aforesaid And that the aforesaid Thomas Ballard junior is eldest son and next heir of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named and was at the time of the death of the said Thomas Ballard in the writ aforesaid named within age, that is to say, aged twenty years eight months and six days AND FURTHERMORE the jurors aforesaid upon their oaths say that the aforesaid messuage the aforesaid the aforesaid barn and garden and the aforesaid parcels of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing forty seven acres lately in the occupation of the aforesaid Thomas Kingewood; the aforesaid premises called Burwell; the aforesaid capital messuage; the aforesaid barn garden and orchard and the aforesaid parcels of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances to the same capital messuage belonging or appertaining called Pell with appurtenances; the aforesaid messuage and cottage upon the parcel of premises called Pell erectly lately in the occupation of Christopher Bates; the aforesaid premises called Latters and Holles with appurtenances with a cottage built upon the parcel in respect thereof; the aforesaid messuage, the aforesaid barn garden and orchard and the aforesaid premises called Haylocks with appurtenances; the aforesaid messuage and garden called Little Trottes with appurtenances; the aforesaid parcel of land lying at Pelhill aforesaid; the aforesaid parcel of land containing two and a half acres called Haylockes; the aforesaid parcel of land called Holewell; the aforesaid eight parcels of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing by estimation fifty three acres; the aforesaid parcel of wooded land called Marecrosse Crofte; the aforesaid premises called Woodland and Broadfeild wood; the aforesaid premises called Pellgreene and Holewell wood with a lane adjacent; the aforesaid premises separately lying in Corsley wood containing by estimation forty seven and a half acres late of the land of the waste; the aforesaid wooded land late of the land of the waste containing by estimation twenty five and a half acres separately lying in Buckling wood; the aforesaid parcel of land late waste containing six acres lying in Weeke wood aforesaid; the aforesaid eight acres lately of the land of the waste lying on the king's highway and lane near Pell Greene and Sparrowes Greene; and the aforesaid rents and services and reversions aforesaid of the lands and tenements lately held by copy of the court rolls of the manor of Mayfield aforesaid and at the time of the making of the will aforesaid and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named were held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage; but by what other services the jurors aforesaid are wholly ignorant And the value by the year in all issues above the deductions from profit forty shillings AND that the aforesaid messuage barn and premises with appurtenances called Syslies and Shephardes wall; the aforesaid messuage barn and water mill and premises called Peparmyll and Grubland with appurtenances; the aforesaid premises called Bewkes; the aforesaid messuage and premises called Rownden and Rownden Meade; and the aforesaid messuage and premises called Remisses Calhill and Gilridges parcel of the premises aforesaid lately purchased of the aforesaid John Whitfeild were held and at the time of making the will aforesaid and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named were held of John Porter esquire as of his manor of Lamberhurst in the county of Sussex aforesaid; by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors are wholly ignorant And the value by the year in all issues above the deductions from profit twenty shillings AND that the aforesaid messuage barn and premises called Lyffordes and the aforesaid premises called Carters containing by estimation thirty acres, residue of the premises lately purchased of the aforesaid John Whitefeild were held and at the time of making the will aforesaid at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named were held of William Darrell as of his manor of Scotney in the county of Sussex aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors aforesaid are wholly ignorant And the value by the year in all issues above the deductions from profit six shillings and eight pence AND the aforesaid messuage garden and premises with appurtenances lying together and being upon the dens of Lyllysden and Twysden in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid; and the aforesaid premises called Crowchcrofte and Downetott parcel of the premises lately purchased of the aforesaid Robert Austyn at the time of making the will aforesaid and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named were held of the lord James late King and now of the said lord King Charles as of his manor of East Fareleighe in the county of Kent aforesaid in free and common soccage by fealty and annual rent of one shilling, five pence and one half-penny and the relief for all services and not in chief nor by military service And the value by the year in all issues above the deductions from profit six shillings and eight pence AND that the aforesaid premises called The Seaven Acres and The Five Acres and the aforesaid toft garden and parcel of land containing by estimation four acres lying on the den of Lyllysden aforesaid to the king's highway leading from Bedgeburie crosse as far as the town of Gowdhurst aforesaid towards the East; and the aforesaid messuage barn and premises called The Lower Gutters (residue of the premises lately purchased of the aforesaid Robert Austyn) were held and at the time of making the will aforesaid and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named were held of the Dean and Chapter as of their manor of Barnes in the county of Kent aforesaid in free and common soccage, by fealty but by what other services the jurors are wholly ignorant And the value by the year in all issues above the deductions from profit ten shillings AND that the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ named at the time of his death no other or more messuages lands tenements or hereditaments had or held of the said lord James late King nor of the said now lord King or of any other or by any other person or persons in demesne service reversion or remainder within the county aforesaid or elsewhere to the knowledge of the jurors aforesaid But by whom or who all and singular the premises or any parcel in respect thereof at the time of the death of the said Thomas Ballard senior in the writ named until this time are occupied or have been occupied and the issues and profits in respect thereof received or to be received the jurors aforesaid are wholly ignorant IN TESTIMONY of which thing to one part of this inquisition remaining in the possession of the Escheator aforesaid both the Escheator aforesaid and the jurors aforesaid have affixed his seal To the other true part in respect thereof remaining with the jurors aforesaid the Escheator aforesaid has affixed his seal, given the day year and place aforesaid

[1] 11^th November 1625

[2] 9^th September 1625

[3] 28^th May 1625

[4] Latin: Josue.

[5] Latin: abscindere: to cut short.

[6] Latin: carbonare.

[7] entry interlined and difficult to read.

[8] 9^th February 1624