In the name of God Amen. I Thomas Ballard of the parish Childerditch in the County of Essex of full remembering and perfect memory thanks be unto Almighty God therefore do <att????> being the last day of January in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred and fifty four make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following and I do by these presents <frustrate> all other wills by me formerly made either by word or writing whatsoever. Imprimis I give and bequeath my soul unto Almighty God the father, son and holy spirit three persons and one God hoping by the mercies and merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to be shrived and at the resurrection amongst the Saints of God to be saved my body to the earth decently to be buried in the Churchyard of <Purley> in the county of Essex aforesaid at the discretion of my Executrix. Item I give and bequeath unto the poor that shall be at my funeral the sum of fifty shillings one hundred poor people sixpence apiece. Item I give and bequeath unto John Adkins my sisters son and to Agnes Adkins my sisters daughter All that my house with the orchard and <????> land thereto belonging called by the name of <Barne> Hall or by any other name whatsoever lying in the parish of <Stocke> in the county aforesaid to whom and their heirs it now being in the occupation of John Adkins or his assigns. Item I give and bequeath unto John Ballard my brother John Ballard's second son all that my house and five acres of land be it more or less withal the Outhouse Orchards and Gardens thereunto belonging being Copy-hold, and held of the manor of <Fursting> Hall the which I did at the lat court holden there surrender into the hands of the Lord according to my will All which tenement and lands I give unto the said John Ballard and his heirs <???> after my wife's decease if she shall outlive me. Item I give and bequeath unto Richard Ballard my brother John Ballards third son all that my house with the orchards and outhouse and two acres of land thereunto belonging lying and being in the parish of <Raylyght> ?Rayleigh? in the county aforesaid being copy-hold to the said manor of Raylight belonging the which I did surrender into the hands of the Lord of the said manor by his steward John Atwood Steward by patent unto my Lord of Warwick. All which house orchards and gardens as aforesaid I give and bequeath unto Richard Ballard and his heirs. Item I give and bequeath unto Mary Ballard my brothers daughter the full sum of twenty pounds to be paid unto the said Mary Ballard by Thomas Ballard her brother out of the house and land in the parishes of Buttersbury and Stocke and all of the Swan and Swan Meadows within two years after my wife's decease. Item I give and bequeath unto Luke Corke the son of Luke Corke of Much <Budow> in the said County of Essex the sum of five pounds to be paid unto the said Luke Corke when he is of full age by the said Thomas Ballard. Item I give and bequeath unto Joan my wife all my house and land lying in the parishes of Buttersbury and Stocke called by the names of the Swann and Swann Meadows for two years after my death towards the payment of seven pounds that now I owe provided always that my wife trouble not my heirs upon the <nominee pence> considering the annuity payable unto her out of the said lands during the two years that she holds the whole. Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Ballard my brothers eldest son all the rest of my houses with the lands unto them belonging with the orchards and gardens both free and copy-hold paying my legacies before appointed and my wife annuity. And also I give unto him all my household stuff which was mine before I was last married after the decease of Joan my now wife And also I give unto her one half years rent of all my lands and houses besides the two years formerly mentioned of the Swann and Swann Meadow towards the <???????> of my sins. And I do hereby ordain <???> Joan my now loving wife my sole and whole executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereto I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and year above written. Thom: Ballard. Witness hereunto Jeremiah Benton <????> William Holiwell Amos Benton.

 Probate London 11^th May 1655 to Joan Ballard