In the name of God Amen I John Ballard now of Midhurst in the county of Sussex Inn Keeper being infirm of body though of sound mind and memory thanks be to God do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say I commend my soul into the hands of my only Redeemer Jesus Christ hoping through the merits of his death and passion to obtain full pardon of all my sins my body I commit to the grave to be decently buried as my executrix hereafter mentioned shall think proper. And as for such worldly goods as it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and dispose thereof as follows. Imprimis I give to Catherine Ballard my beloved wife all the personal effects I may die possessed of for her use and the support of my son Thomas Ballard now at infant subject nevertheless to the payment of all my debts that may be owing at the time of my decease. Item I give to Mary Ballard my daughter by my first wife Mary my estate at Crosby held by lease of <Lives> under the Hon <Blank> Mollineux Esquire to her the said Mary and her heirs forever and to this my last will and testament I constitute and appoint the aforesaid Catherine Ballard my whole and sole executrix revoking all other wills heretofore made in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of October in the year of our Lord 1749. John Ballard -- signed sealed published and declared as the last will and testament of John Ballard in the presence of us underwritten. John Stoppard Christopher Croucher.

This will was proved at London on the first day of December in the year of our Lord 1749 before the worshipful Robert Chapman Doctor of laws surrogate of the right worshipful John Bettesworth also doctor of laws Master keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Catherine Ballard widow the relict of the deceased and sole executrix named in the said will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credit of the said deceased being first sworn duly to administer.