In the name of God Amen. I William Ballard of the parish of Beddingham in the county of Sussex labourer do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. Item I bequeath my soul into the hands of God who hath created and redeemed me through Jesus Christ my body to Christian burial. Item I give to my mother Ann Ballard ten shillings to be paid to her by my executors. Item I give unto Thomas Ballard my brother ten shillings to be paid as aforesaid. Item I give to my sister Anne Ballard ten shillings to be paid as aforesaid. Item I give to my sister Joan Ballard ten shillings. Item I give to my sister Jane Ballard ten shillings. All which before mentioned legacies I do desire my executors to pay within a month after my decease. Item I give to Elizabeth <Usborn> five pounds to be paid unto her by my executors on the day of her marriage. All the rest of my goods and chattels and my household stuff I give to my son William Ballard my legacies paid and my funeral expenses discharged and I do desire my two loving friends Richard <Blank> of Denton and William Hollick of <Varnscombe> whom I make my executors in trust to receive my money and pay my legacies and place out the remainder to the best use they can to <bring> and maintained my child but if it should please God that my son do die before he accomplish the age of one and twenty years my will and desire is that the remainder of my estate should be equally distributed betwixt my mother my brother my sister or the survivors of them to this my last will and testament I have hereunto set my hand – William Ballard his mark in the presence of Thomas Huwson Elizabeth Usband her mark.

This will was proved at Westminster the sixteenth day of March in the year of our Lord 1653 before the judges for probate of wills and granting f administrations lawfully authorised by the oaths of Richard <Blank> and William Hollick the executors in trust named in the said will to whom administration was committed of all and singular the goods chattels and debts of the said deceased they being first sworn by virtue of a special commission well and truly to administer the same.