In the name of God Amen. The six and twentieth day of September one thousand six hundred and fifty three. I Edward Ballard of Southwell in the County of Notting being of whole mind and in good and perfect remembrance thanks and praise be unto Almighty God do make and ordain this my present Testament and last will in manner and form following. That is to say first I commend my soul unto Almighty god my maker and redeemer and my body to be buried in the Collegiate Church of Southwell[i] near my father where he lyeth[ii]. Item I will that such debts as I owe of right or of conscience to any person or persons be well and truly contented and <out> of my goods only the money that I owe upon the mortgage of some of my lands to be paid as hereafter is nominated and set down, and after my debts paid I will that all my lands goods and chattels shall be divided as followeth. Item it is my will and I do bequeath that Ellin Ballard my wife[iii] shall have all my lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever so <?????> appurtenances set lying and being in the town country and territories of Southwell the burgage of Southwell Easthorpe Westhorpe and Upton & Hallam[iv] in the county of Nottingham during her natural life And after her decease I bequeath my dwelling house I now live in situate in the burgage the orchard adjoining unto it and one Close called by the name of Dovecoate Close and also one Close called by the name of Dove Close with the appurtenances to Edward Ballard my eldest son[v] his heirs and assigns for ever. Item I give and bequeath all the rest of my lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever with their appurtenances set lying and being in the <Towns> <fields> Territories of Southwell the Burgage of Southwell Easthorpe Westhorpe Upton and Hallam in the County of Nottingham to <several> of my younger children to them and their heirs for ever to be equally divided amongst them. That is to say to Thomas Ballard, Jervase Ballard and Robert Ballard Elizabeth Ballard Flora Ballard Alice Ballard and Katherine Ballard[vi] provided that whereas the most part of the land is mortgaged to one Francis Leeke and William Roscoe gent it is my will that Thomas Ballard my second son shall sell so much of the said land as shall pay and redeem the said mortgage and then the rest of the said land to be divided as aforesaid. Item I give unto Charles Ballard my youngest son[vii] the some of twenty pounds to be paid out of my goods and chattels by my executrix hereafter named when he shall accomplish the age of twenty four years of age. Item I give unto the poor of Southwell twenty shillings All the rest of my goods and chattels whatsoever my debts funeral <?????> legacies paid and discharged I give and bequeath to Ellin my wife to be at her disposing in good hope that she will be a good mother to all my children Whereof I institute and make Ellin Ballard my wife sole executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof to this <????> being written with my own hand I have published my name and put to my seal the day and year above written Edward Ballard In the presence of these Martyn Ballard, <Magister> James <????> his mark.

Probate Westminster 28^th August 1654 granted to Ellin Ballard