In the name of God Amen. The 8^th day of December in the year of our Lord God one thousand five hundred ninety six. I William Ballard of Southwell in the county of Nottingham gent being as it pleases god sicke in bodie but in his goodness and mercy of sound mind and memory for which I render most humble and hearty thanks unto him do make and ordain this my present testament containing herein my last will in manner and form following. First I recommend my soul to Almighty God and my body to the earth from whence it came trusting through the merit and passion of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus and by no worldly means or help that it shall be raised again to life everlasting in the kingdom of heaven. And for those worldly blessings which the Lord in merit hath bestowed upon me I will and give and bequeath to my son William Ballard in full satisfaction and discharge of his filial and child's part of my goods the sum of 100 pounds and I will and bequeath and devise to my nephew William Ballard some <???>? all those my land tenements hereditaments left <????> and being within the >< fields and territories of Nottingham <????> of Nottingham amounting to <?the yearly?> value of 16 pounds or thereabouts be it more or less which land tenements and hereditaments I first purchased of Edward <Samon> esquire as by my deeds of my first purchase made of and from the said Edward it doth and may appear to have and to hold all the said land tenements and hereditaments with the appurtenances to the said William Ballard the <?son?> and his heirs forever and I will that with the profits and issues of the said lands and premises my said nephew be brought up in good learning. Also I bequeath to <outwit> of the younger children of my said son William Ballard 10 pounds and I do ordain and make my son Henry Ballard the sole and lawful executor of this my testament or last will and for his pains to be taken in the execution of the same I give and bequeath unto him all the residue of my goods and chattels <???> <???> and <???> legacies paid up and discharged and I remit and forgive to Henry Robertson of <Oxf??> in the county of Nottingham all <???????> <?????> all I have here put my hand and seal these being witnessed John Martiall, Edmund Robert farmer, William Ballard.

 Probate granted London, to Henry Ballard son of the deceased 8 October 1605