Repository Name

Public Record Office

Repository Reference

PROB 11/171/244

 

Probate Court

Prerogative Court of Canterbury

 

Richard Ballard

London

 

Will dated

30th July 1635

 

or Administration granted

 

 

Will probated

28th May 1636

 

In the name of god Amen. I Richard Ballard of London gentleman being at this time in perfect memory praised be god, <revoking> all former wills do hereby dispose of my land and estate which god hath blessed me withal in manner and form following vizt. Imprimis I give and bequeath my soule to god that gave it and my body to the ground to be buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter named. Item I give and bequeath unto my wellbeloved brother Mr Abraham Haynes[i] Rector of St Olaves in Hart Street London all my land late left me by my father Mr Thomas Ballard deceased[ii] As likewise all those my lands which I have purchased by way of exchange from my brother William Ballard[iii] <??y?tly> lying together commonly called by the name of Lyllesden or whatsoever other name or names the same may be called by containing by estimation three score and <????> acres more or less <situated> lying and being in the parish of Goudhurst in the county of Kent[iv] together with all house <????> and buildings thereupon <created> All which premises I <????> unto him in <lieu or> satisfaction of <diverse> and sundry sums of money which I owe to my brother Abraham Haynes Item I give and bequeath him all other my personal estates goods and chattels in <?????> hands forever the same or and parts thereof <????> remain Item I give and bequeath to my wife Katherine Ballard[v] the sum of ten pounds to buy her a morning gown having formerly paid the sum of six hundred pounds for the releasing of her father out of prison and the discharging of <?????> encumbrances upon those lands called <Baldwins> <Court?>[vi] <????> ought to have enjoyed according to <covenants?> made at our marriage And which nevertheless her father Richard Baldwyn[vii] hath <?????sly> detained from me contrary to <????> <????><????> agreement[viii], Item my will and meaning is that out of the premises my brother Abraham Haynes shall pay and satisfy these debts following, Imprimis to my uncle Mr <Richard?> Ballard[ix] <forty four> pounds, Item to my brother Thomas Ballard[x] twenty pounds Item to my brother William Ballard[xi] ten pounds, Item to Thomas Sanders gent ten pounds Item to Richard Plaister thirty pounds Item to my brother White[xii] twenty pounds Item to my cousin Brocklesby[xiii] forty shillings, Item I give to my brother Haynes his three score and four pounds to be distributed as he shall see fitting Lastly I do hereby make my aforesaid loving brother Abraham Haynes sole executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal dated the 26th of July Anno Domini one thousand six hundred thirty five Richard Ballard Sealed and declared acknowledged in the presence of us Thomas Slater, John <Pudsey> Elizabeth Anderson. Memorand that Richard Ballard within named having by his last will within written disposed of certain lands within mentioned to his brother Abraham Haynes within likewise named in <?????> and satisfaction of diverse and sundry sums of money <owing> by the said Richard to his said brother did on the 30th day of July one thousand six hundred thirty five[xiv] being of perfect memory, though sick in body in the presence of us hereafter named declare that the true intent and meaning of his said will was that his foresaid brother Abraham Haynes should have and enjoy the aforesaid lands to him and his heirs forever Acknowledged by the testator as and for <???> of his will on the said 30th of July in the presence of <???> Thomas <S????old> John Haynes John Pudsey.

 

Probate granted at London on 28th May 1636 to Abraham Haynes.

 

 

Sentence – PROB 11/171/245

 

To be translated as it contains information about the disposal of the estate etc.



[i] Richard Ballard had a brother Abraham Haynes. This ties him into the family of which Martha Ballard married Abraham Haynes.

[ii] Richard’s father was Thomas Ballard and he was deceased by 1636.

[iii] Richard had a brother William who was still living in July 1635.

[iv] Richard inherited property from his father and also exchanged property with his brother William. This was all located in Lyllesden in the parish of Goudhurst, Kent.

[v] Richard was married to Katherine.

[vi] Baldwin's Gardens was east out of Gray's Inn Lane to Leather Lane (P.O. Directory) and in the parish of St. Andrew, Holborn, outside the City boundary, and within the precincts of the old Manor of Portpool, afterwards known as Gray's Inn. It is said to have been erected by Richard Baldwin in 1589, gardener to Queen Elizabeth, as recorded on a stone set into one of the houses before they were rebuilt. From: 'Baldwin's Gardens', A Dictionary of London (1918). URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=7477.

The London Metropolitan Archives: Halliday, Bernard collection has an interesting property assignment under reference: Q/HAL/076 dated 21 Mar 1665/6 wherein (1) Robert Tyrrell of St. Martin in the Fields; (2) Richard Baldwyn of St. Andrews, Holborn; Sir Clement (sic) Farnham of Grays Inn, and Katherine, his wife; (3) Edward Atkyns of Lincoln's Inn; John Buggins of Kent are cited involving 3 acres, Baldwyns Gdns., St. Andrew, Holborn. There is also a confirmation of title held under reference Q/HAL/077 dated 19 July 1684 for the same property between (1) Robert Butler of Gray's Inn; John White, merchant tailor, of London; Richard Butler of Gray's Inn; Benjamin Mercer, mercer, of London; (2) George, Marquis of Halifax, Lord Privy Seal. 3 acres called Baldwin's Gardens and messuages thereon, St. Andrews, Holborn.

[vii] Katherine’s father was Richard Baldwyn (see above).

[viii] Richard Baldwin was obviously imprisoned for debt as a result of encumbrances upon the property, which formed part of the marriage settlement. This must have happened between signing the agreement (probably on or near the date of marriage) and the date of the will, therefore between October 1633 and July 1635. It looks certain that Richard was in serious financial trouble as a result of paying the six hundred pounds.

[ix] Richard had an uncle Richard Ballard who was living in July 1635.

[x] Richard had a brother Thomas who was living in July 1635.

[xi] Richard’s brother William was living in July 1635.

[xii] Richard had a brother whose surname was White and he was living in July 1635. His half brother was John White.

[xiii] Richard had a cousin whose surname was Brocklesby and he was living in July 1635.

[xiv] Richard was already ill on 30th July 1635 when he signed the codicil. He died between then and 28th May 1636 when the will was probated.