This is the last will and testament of me John Ballard of the parish of Staplehurst in the county of Kent Farmer made and published this 18^th day of August in the year 1835. I give and bequeath to my sons William and John and to Mr William Tull of the parish of Staplehurst aforesaid grocer and Draper their heirs and assigns all the freehold messuages lands tenements and hereditaments in possession reversion remainder or expressly over which I have a disposing power to hold of the same unto the said William and John Ballard and William Tull their heirs and assigns for ever upon trust for the following uses and I give and bequeath to my executors aforesaid all and singular my goods chattels and effects monies and securities for money all upon trust as follows that is to say it is mine will and desire that as soon as conveniently may be after my decease all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be paid. And I give and bequeath my daughter Esther the sum of £250. Of the rest residue and remainder of my personal estate I desire may be put out on government or good security in the joint names of my executors aforesaid. The interest thereof together with all rents and profits arising from my said estate aforesaid I give and bequeath to my dear wife Priscilla to be paid her yearly and every year in half yearly payments during her natural life then and after to a <????>. And I give and bequeath and the death of my dear wife Priscilla aforesaid to my sons John William and Eli and to my daughter Esther and to the children of my son Richard deceased all my real estate aforesaid together with the principle of such sum or sums as shall then be placed out in government or good securities to be then and at that time equally divided that is to say to my son John I give one fifth part or share to my son William one fifth to my son Eli one fifth to my daughter Esther one fifth and the children of my son Richard deceased one fifth (as well female as male) in equal parts or divisions. And more <???> I desire and it is my will that should one or more of my children aforesaid die before their <shares> become vested in them then and in that case I give such share to their issue but if they decease leaving no issue then I give such share to be added in equal parts to each other share so that all my surviving children be equally provided for share and share alike witness my hand and seal – John Ballard – signed sealed published and declared by the said John Ballard the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us now at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have put hereto our names as witnesses – Lydia Cotton Mary Ann Tull James Carpenter all of Staplehurst.

Proved at London the third of October 1835 probate granted to William Ballard and John Ballard the sons and William Tull the executor.