In the name of God Amen; I Henry Ballard of Wadhurst in the county of Sussex, Yeoman, being sick in body but of sound and perfect memory the Lord be praised therefore do make and ordain this my last will and testament this tenth day of October AD 1622 for and concerning the disposing of such lands and tenements as almighty God hath blessed me withall.  First I will and devise unto Mary my well beloved wife (10) pounds by the year for and during her natural life for and in view of all dower and other right money's as to my lands whatsoever (issuing) or (going) out of all my lands in Wadhurst aforesaid commonly called Bartley, Barwood and Starling to be paid unto her at four several feasts in the year viz. at the feast of to St Michael Archangel the birth of our Lord God (?) (?) of the blessed Virgin St Mary and the birth of St John Baptist by even and equal portions. The first payment to begin at such of the said feast days as shall first happen next after my decease and for default of payment it shall be lawful for her and her assigns to all or any (?) of my said lands to enter and ( dis?) and the same to detain until there be thereof fully satisfied and paid. Item I give and devise unto Mary Steven my daughter the wife of Richard Steven of Brenchley] the sum of three pounds by the year of like lawful money of England during her natural life to be paid at the said four several feasts by even and equal portions with like (?) of distress in all my said lands as aforesaid the first payment to begin at such of the aforesaid feast days as shall first happen next after the decease of the aforesaid Mary my wife. Also I give and devise unto Francis Wood my daughter the wife of Richard Wood of Hollingbourne the like sum of three pounds by the year of good and lawful money of England issuing and going out of my said lands in Wadhurst aforesaid during her natural life to be paid at the usual feasts in the year viz. Saint Michael Archangel and the marrion of our blessed Lady St Mary the Virgin by even and equal portions the first payment to begin on such of the said to feasts as shall next first happen after the decease of the said Mary my wife with like (?) of distress in the lands aforesaid and after the decease of my said daughter Francis I give the said yearly (sum) of 3 pounds per annum to Henry the second son of my said daughter Francis and his heirs forever issuing and going out of my said lands aforesaid to be paid in manner and form aforesaid with distress for him his heirs and assigns in manner aforesaid. My will and meaning is that neither of my said daughters Mary nor Francis shall have any right unto any rent going out of my said land until after the decease of the said Mary my wife. Also my will and meaning is that if Mary my wife or Mary or Francis my daughter's shall challenge claim and demand any other right title interest or demand unto any of my said land in Wadhurst aforesaid or unto any land by me formerly bargained sold given or enfeoffed unto any person or persons whatsoever than unto them is given and devised by this my last will and testament then every of them that shall so claim challenge and demand shall be from henceforth effectively frustrated and (the roon) of any comfort by this my will given and ( debited) and the or their legacy or legacies from henceforth to cease and be of none effect. Item my will and meaning is that all the aforesaid annuities shall go out of my land and tenements in Wadhurst commonly called Bartley and Barwood and Starling and not out on any other land commonly called or known by the name of Larks (wood?). Item I give unto Alice Shepherd my daughter all my house and lands in Wadhurst commonly called Bartley Barwood Starling and Lark Wood or by whatsoever other name or names they are called or known for and during her natural life and the remainder thereof I give unto Mr Thomas Ballard of Wadhurst my nephew his executors and administrators for and during the whole term of 1 and 20 years next immediately ensuing after the decease of my said daughter Alice if the said Thomas Ballard shall so long live for and towards the maintenance and provision for such of my daughter's children as she shall leave behind then and not married?? To dispose so much of the profits thereof to any child as the said Thomas Ballard shall judge or think fit provided always that when either of my daughter's two sons Henry or Thomas shall accomplish their several age or ages of twenty four years that then for his or their part or parts so accomplishing his or their said age the said lease shall cease and that he or they then shall or may enter into his or their remainder or reminders given to them by this my said last will and testament the said lease or any other thing herein to the contrary notwithstanding the remainder of my house and all my said lands called Bartley and Starling on the south West part of the way leading from Bartley unto Cowsley Wood and the remainder of all my land  lying out against my said house called Bartley lying on the North part of the said way containing by estimation (14?) acres called Barwood I do give unto Henry Shepherd the second son of my said daughter Alice Shepherd and to his heirs forever. The remainder of all my other land line on the North East part of the said way commonly called or known by the name of Lark Wood I do give unto Thomas Shepherd the third son of my said daughter Alice to him and to his heirs for and to have (?????) And using according as before in this my will is limited and appointed. Item I give unto Anne Shepherd daughter of my said daughter Alice 40 pounds the same to be paid out unto Mr Thomas Ballard my nephew within one year next after my decease to be employed unto the benefit of the said Anne the same with the profit thereof to be paid by him unto her at the day of her marriage or the age of 20 and 1 years which shall first happen. Item I give unto Susan Shepherd one other of the daughters of my said daughter Alice all the Underwood standing growing or being in or on 20 acres or thereabouts of Wood ground whereof 1 Mr (Bronace?) bought the wood at the last felling of the said wood to be felled within six years after the date of this my last will being the 10th day of October Anno Domini 1622 and if it happens that they the said Anne or Susan die before they marry that then her portion shall go unto Martha Shepherd the youngest daughter of my said daughter Alice if she be then living if not then to children of my daughter Wood to her (only?) equally divided between them also if the said Martha happen to die afterwards before the day of her marriage that then the legacy so falling to her by the death of any of her said sisters shall be equally distributed between the children of my daughter Wood. Item I give unto the six children of my daughter Wood viz. William, Henry, Anne, Mary, Francis and Martha twenty shillings apiece to be paid unto their father to their sole (????) And all year ?? after my disease. Item I make and ordain Mary my well beloved wife the sole executrix of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I the said Henry Ballard have hereunto set my hand and seal dated the 10th day of October Anno Domini 1622 Henry Ballard signed sealed published and subscribed this tenth day of October in the year of our Lord 1622 in the presence of us Thomas Ballard Peter Powell.

 Probate granted London 14th May 1623 to Mary widow, relict of the deceased.