In the name of God Amen. The five and twentieth day of July Anno Domini 1649, by John Ballard of the parish of Saviour Southwark in the county of Surrey Flaxman being of good sound and perfect memory thanks be unto God therefore though somewhat weakened in body by the blessed Lord’s <?????> who I trust hath laid upon me to put me in mind of my mortality and to bring my soul unto that <unspeakable> <bliss> which never shall have <end> And I most humbly thank my Lord and my God that he hath so gently layed it upon me that it put me not beside my memory nor will to lay all even with the world wherein whilst I lived I acknowledge myself most bound unto God for his tender mercies bestowed upon me in providing for me much more than ever I could hope or expect for, therefore seeing it hath pleased his divine providence and goodwill to endow me with some temporal blessings which he hath lent me for the maintenance of myself my good wife and children I humbly praise his name therefore and do now hereby dispose of them as my last will and testament which I do in the manner and form following first I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it hoping that it shall <arise> in that heavenly paradise which my Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ hath purchased for all true believers in him by the shedding of his most innocent and precious blood. And my body to the earth from whence it came desiring that it may have decent and Christian burial. Item I give and bequeath to my son John Ballard which I had by a former wife the sum of ten shillings in money to be paid unto him by mine executrix hereafter mentioned to be paid unto him within six months next after my decease as also I give and bequeath unto my said son John Ballard collared suit and cloak of cloth to be delivered unto him within one month next after my decease and I do hereby charge him that he be not anywise troublesome or <moli??atious> to my wife after my decease but that he rest satisfied and contented with this my bequest to him. Item I give and bequeath to my son William Ballard by whom I had by Elizabeth my now wife the sum of £30 of lawful money of England to be paid unto him by mine executrix at the age of one and twenty years out of the bond of £130 wherein John Atkinson of Islington formerly stood bound to Thomas Ballard my father deceased and which is yet unpaid and of right belongs to me as administrator for Joan Ballard my late mother who was executrix to my said father which money my will and meaning is so soon as my executrix shall recover that the same £30 be put out for the sole use and benefit of my said son William Ballard. And if it chance my son William to depart this life before he attain to his said age of one and twenty years that then my will and meaning is that such moneys as £30 so remaining in my wife’s hands shall descend and <????> and my will and meaning is that mine executrix shall have and receive to her own use £30 so bequeath as aforesaid for ever. All the rest of my goods and chattels my debts being paid and my funeral discharged which I desire may be moderate I give unto my dear and loving wife Elizabeth Ballard whom I make my full and whole executrix of this my last will and testament. And I do hereby revoke disannul and make void all former wills and bequeaths whatsoever by me heretofore made or to be made in anyways or kind whatsoever. In witness whereof I the said John Ballard have hereunto put my hand and seal to this my last will and testament the day and year first above written. John Ballard – sealed published and declared to be the last will and testament of the said John Ballard in the presence of Magdalen Jones and of Jervase Jones.

Probate granted in London 8^th of March 1649/50 to Elizabeth Ballard relict.