In the name of god amen.  I Edward Ballard of Little Britain London Bookseller being weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following First I desire to be buried at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named I give devise and bequeath all that my freehold estate consisting of two messages with their appurtenances situate in Hurborne Lane London unto my beloved Sister Elizabeth Ballard to hold to her for her life and after her deceased I give and devise the same unto Mrs. Ana Castel wife of Mr. Castal of Clapham Common Gentleman their heirs and assigns for ever I give to my said sister 100 pounds to be paid to her immediately after my deceased I desire all my books copyright to books and stock in trade to be sold to the best advantage as my executors shall think proper I direct my funeral expenses and debts to be paid out of my personal estate I give to my servant Mary Portland 200 pounds to be paid her within three months next after my deceased in case she be living with me at my deceased I direct all my stock in the Bank of England to be transferred into the names of Richard Walter Nelson of Chaddlesworth in the county of Berkshire esquire and John Impey of the Inner Temple London gentlemen in trust to pay the dividends and interest thereof to my said Sister Elizabeth Ballard for and during the term of her natural life and all other personal estate I desire may be placed in the bank in the names of the said Richard Walter Nelson and John Impey upon the same trust to pay my said sister the dividends during her natural life and I give to my said sister my wearing apparel and linen household linen plate China rings and watches also I give to my said sister all my household goods for her life and after decease my will is that my said executors give the same unto the said Mary Portland for her own use and disposal (in case she has continued the servant of my said sister) and from and immediately after my sisters deceased I desire all her debts and funeral expenses be paid then I dispose of my said property as followeth that is to say I give and bequeath unto the said Elizabeth the wife of Arthur Ormesby 200 pounds 3% consolidated bank annuities for her sole use and disposal notwithstanding her a present or any future husband the same is not to be subject or liable to his debts or engagements within six months next after my sister's decease are also I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Ormesby her daughter 500 pounds 3% consolidated bank annuities to be paid to her within six months next after the decease of my said sister and unto Arthur Henry and James Ormesby sons of the said Arthur Ormesby 300 pounds each 3% consolidated bank annuities within six months next after my sisters decease I give unto Mary Ballard near Coventry the sum of £50.00 to be paid her within six months after my sister's decease and unto the said Mrs. Castel the sum of 100 pounds to be paid her within six months next after my sisters decease for her only use and disposal notwithstanding coverture and her receipt alone to be a proper discharge for the same by my executors I give to the trustees of the charity school of Saint Botolph Aldersgate for the use of the said school £20.00 to be paid six months next after my sister's decease I give to the said Richard Walter Nelson and John Impey my share and interest of and in The Daily Advertiser in trust that they or the survivor of them do and shall receive and take the profits thereof and pay the same to my said sister during the term of her natural life and from and after her deceased in trust to pay the same unto my said servant Mary Portland ( in case she lived with my said sister at the time of her decease) <?????> releasing and discharging of all <??????> sums to her which I owe unto her and unto my sister for her life and after her decease to pay the same to the said Elizabeth Ormesby the wife of the said Arthur Ormesby for her life (notwithstanding her coverture) and her receipt alone to be a proper discharge to my said executors for the amount and I desire that the same may not be subject or liable to the debts or engagements of any husband she may have and from and after her decease I give the said share and the profits thereof unto Walter John Impey the son of my said executor and his executors and administrators for ever I give to my executors Richard Walter Nelson and John Impey 20 guineas each for the trouble they may be at in the execution of these trusts reposed in them and all of the rest and residue of my estate not before disposed of after my sister’s decease I give to the said Elizabeth the wife of the said Arthur Ormesby as aforesaid and lastly I nominate and appoint my said sister and the said Richard Walter Nelson and John Impey the joint executors of this my will and hereby revoking all former wills and wills and codicils by me heretofore made and declare this only to be my last will and testament in witness where of I have here unto set my hand and seal this 28th day of April 1792 - Edward Ballard - signed sealed published and declared by the said testator as and for his last Will in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto … Frances Walsh junior -John Gearing clerk to Mr. Impey - Joseph Hanbury

A codicil

Memorandum this 28th day of April 1792 I desire the sum of £500 3 per cent consolidated annuities be transferred at my sister's decease by my executors within named unto Elizabeth Ormesby the daughter of Elizabeth Ormesby within mentioned more than I have given unto her by my will within mentioned and I desire that this codicil may be taken as part of my said will as witness my hand Edward Ballard.

A further codicil

In addition to the legacy of 200 pounds which I have given it to my house keeper within named Mary Portland I desire that she paid by my executors a further sum of 200 pounds as soon as conveniently they can from and immediately after the sale of my books and copyright which sum I desire may come from that amount and I desire that this codicil may be taken as part of my will within mentioned as witness my hand this 17th day of April 1795 Edward Ballard witness Janet Patterson & William Crouch

Appeared personally Mary Portland of Little Britain in the parish of Saint Botolph Aldersgate London spinster and William Crouch of Cloth Fair in the parish of Saint Bartholomew the Great London hairdresser and severally made oath that they knew and were well acquainted with Edward Ballard late of Little Britain in the parish of Saint Botolph Aldersgate London deceased for several years before and to the time of his death and also with his manner and character of handwriting having frequently seen him write and also write and subscribe his name and having now viewed the named Edward Ballard set and subscribed to the first codicil to the last will and testament of the said deceased the said codicil beginning thus " memorandum this 28th day of April 1792” ending thus “ I desire that this codicil may be taken as part of my said will and witness my hand” <????> <???> the deponents do verily and in their conscience believe of the said named so said and subscribed as aforesaid to be of the proper handwriting and subscription of the said deceased - Mary Portland -18 February, 1796 the said Mary Portland was duly sworn to the truth of this affidavit before me C Cook Surrogate Prov Henry Stevens NP William Crouch 19th February, 1796 the said William Crouch was sworn to the truth of this affidavit before me Thomas Charles Crispin  Surrogate Prov C Silk Not Pub.

This will was proved at London with two codicils the 20th day of February in the year of our lord 1796 before the Worshipful Samuel <????> Parsonn  doctor of laws and surrogate of the right hon. Sir William Wynne Knight also doctor of laws Master Keeper or Commissariat of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oaths of Richard Walter Nelson and a John Impey esquire two of the executors named in the will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the deceased having been first sworn duly to administer power reserved of making the like grant to Elizabeth Ballard spinster the sister of the said deceased and the other executor named in the said will her when she shall apply for the same.