I John Ballard of Tenterden in the County of Kent Yeoman being sick and weak in Body but of sound and disposing mind and memory and understanding praise be to God for the same Do make this my last will and testament in writing in manner and form following. First and principally I yield up my soul to almighty God who gave it, hoping through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ my blessed Lord and Saviour to have ever lasting life and my body I desire may be devoutly buried at direction of my Executrix and Executors hereafter named and as touching that worldly Estate which it hath pleased Almighty God to bless me with I give and dispose thereof as follows. First I give devise and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Margaret all my lands tenements and hereditaments in the County of Kent and also all my Goods Chattels ready money and securities for money whatsoever and wheresoever the same as above mentioned to be enjoyed by her for and during the term of her natural life if she long continue my widow she paying my Debts funeral expenses and the charges of proving this my last will and testament and immediately after her my said Wifes Death or second marriage on either of which shall happen first Then I give and devise all my said Lands Tenaments and Heriditaments unto my four sons John Stephens Edward and Edmund and their heirs for ever to be equally divided between them share and share to take (????) (????) and not as joint tenants. Also I give and bequeath to my son John and my son Edward five pounds of lawful money of Great Britain both to be paid to them by my Executors within one year after the decease or second marriage of my said wife. Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jane now the wife of Thomas Stedman of Tenterden aforesaid the sum of ten pounds of like lawful money of Great Britain to be paid in ten years at twenty shillings yearly the first payment to be made within a year after the decease or second marriage of my said wife but my will is that the money above given to my said daughter Jane shall not be paid to her in money but laid out for her in wearing apparel yearly in such manner as she shall please to direct and appoint till the whole ten pounds is so laid out if she shall so long live and not otherwise and my mind and will is that my house and land in Tenterden which I purchased of Edward Spiller Gent and is now in the occupation of my son Stephens Ballard shall be engaged and to all intents and purposes answerable for the payment of the above mentioned legacies anything herein before expressed in my will notwithstanding. Also I give and bequeath to my son Edward my all my wearing apparel. Also I give and bequeath to my son Edmund my gun. Also I give and bequeath to my daughter Judith after the decease or second marriage of my said wife all my household goods and furniture but my mind and will is that if my said wife shall be visited with consumption or lameness or any other unavoidable misfortune during her widowhood by means of which the (????) or yearly rent of my house and lands will not be sufficient for her necessary subsistence in which case my said farm which I purchased of the above mentioned Edward Spiller shall be to all intents and purposes answerable for any charges or expenses so unavoidably arising anything here in before expressed in any wish notwithstanding and if any one or more of my sons do not agree to submit to this my last will and testament absolutely or be wilfully and obstinately the cause of any unnecessary expense to his or their brother or brothers etc.

Wife Margaret and sons Stephens and Edward as Executrix and executors.

Signed 6 July 1752

Probated 5 June 1753