In the name of God Amen: The one and thirtieth day of October Anno Domini one thousand six hundred seventy nine and in the one and thirtieth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord King Charles the Second. I Arthur Ballard Citizen and Silkthrower of London being sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and remembrance praise be therefore to Almighty God considering with my self the uncertain estate of this present life the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the hour thereof do make and declare this my lat will and testament in manner following. First and principally I commit my soul into the most merciful hands of Almighty God my creator and my body I commit to the earth from whence it was taken to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named. And as touching all such worldly estate and goods which God of his mercy and goodness hath lent me to the intent that after my decease it may be disposed of without suite or contention at or in the Law I give will and bequeath the same as followeth. Imprimis I give grant and devise unto Sarah Ballard my loving wife[i] all those my two acres of meadow freehold land situate in <Sheene> or Tarring in the county of Sussex[ii] now or late in the tenure or occupation of William Chatham together with all deeds evidences and writings belonging to the same to have and to hold the said two acres of meadow lands with all and singular profits privileges and appurtenances deeds evidences and writings belonging to the same unto the said Sarah Ballard my wife her heirs and assigns immediately from and after my decease from thence forth forever. Item I give will and bequeath unto the said Sarah my wife all that my copyhold messuage or tenement Barns and thirty three acres of meadow arable and pasture land situate in the parish of Ffirle near <????> <???????> called New Elme Farm in the county of Sussex[iii] aforesaid and now or late in the tenure or occupation of John Harris with all sheep leasows bullock leasows profits privileges copies of Court Rolls writings and evidences whatsoever belonging to or concerning the same to have and to hold the said copyhold messuage or tenement thirty three acres of land and privileges with the appurtenances unto the said Sarah my wife and her assigns immediately from and after my decease from thence forth for and during the natural life of her the said Sarah my wife and immediately from and after the death of the said Sarah my wife I give grant and devise and bequeath the land copyhold messuage or tenement thirty three acres of meadows arable and pasture land with all profits privileges copies of Court Rolls deeds evidences and writings whatsoever touching or concerning the same copyhold messuage or tenement and privileges or any part thereof unto Elizabeth Ballard the daughter of me[iv] the said Arthur Ballard to have and to hold the said copyhold messuage or tenement thirty three acres of meadows arable and pasture land with all and singular copies of Court Roll Deeds evidences writings profits and privileges whatsoever belonging to or concerning the same or any part thereof unto the said Elizabeth Ballard daughter of me the said Arthur Ballard and her heirs immediately from and after the death of the said Sarah my wife from thence forth for ever. And for want of such heirs lawfully begotten of the body of the said Elizabeth my daughter then the remainder thereof to the next male heirs of my loving brother Thomas Ballard[v] and the heirs male of his body lawfully to be begotten. And for want of such issue then to the male heirs of my loving brother Nathaniel Ballard citizen and embroiderer of London[vi]. And for want of such issue to the next eldest lawful heirs of my said brothers Thomas or Nathaniel whether of the two it shall be by either of them begotten. And my mind and will is that my said wife nor any by <inheritance> shall not sell lease or dispose of the said copyhold messuage or tenament or any part thereof to hinder the full profit thereof longer than her own life. Item I do give will and bequeath unto my said daughter Elizabeth Ballard all and singular my silk mills and tools whatsoever belonging to my trade and all and every of which said mills and tools it is my mind and will shall be sold. And the whole money thereby arising to put and entrust into hands and custody of the Chamberlaine of London. And the same to paid to my said daughter Elizabeth when and so soon as she shall attain her respective age of one and twenty years or day of marriage which of these shall first happen. And the interest thereof to be secured by my executor in the <mean time> towards the maintenance of her the said Elizabeth. Item I give will and bequeath unto the said Elizabeth my daughter my silver porringer and my one large silver spoon. Item I give and bequeath unto my said loving brother Nathaniel Ballard my small pocket book of meditations in manuscript writ by my father. Item after my debts funeral charges and the aforesaid legacies shall all of them be paid and discharged All the rest and residue and remainder of my goods chattels debts credits bonds bills ready money plate rings and estate whatsoever not herein afore mentioned I wholly give will and bequeath unto the said Sarah my wife towards maintenance of her self and bringing up of my said daughter. Item I do make constitute and appoint my said loving wife Sarah Ballard and brother Nathaniel Ballard joint executors of this my last will and testament. And lastly I do revoke, break, frustrate and <utterly> make void all former wills legacies and bequests whatsoever by me at anytime heretofore made or given and do declare this only to stand and be taken for and as my last will and testament and now <????> In witness whereof I the said Arthur Ballard have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written, Arthur Ballard said testator for and as his last will and testament in the presence of us Mary Baxter <???> <???> of Divinity Arthur Broad and Thomas <Cr?????>.

Probate granted to Sarah Ballard widow and Nathaniel Ballard 25^th November 1679.