Thomas Ballard (bef. 1567 - 1624)

Born before 24 Feb 1567 in Lamberhurst, Kent, England

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Leveson — married 19 Sep 1610 in St Mary Magdalene, Canterbury, Kent, England

Descendants

Died 9 Feb 1624 after age 56 in Wadhurst, Sussex, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Paul Ballard [send private message]

Biography

Thomas Ballard became a significant land owner & country gentleman in the Sussex town of Wadhurst. He appears to have inherited little from his father but land or money may well have been transferred before his father's death.

Thomas was clearly a well educated man & one with aspirations. We may conjecture that this lead almost certainly to him colluding with several people in the claims that he published concerning his family history & right to bear arms, of which more later.

Baptism

Thomas was baptised at Lamberhurst, Kent on 24th February 1567^[1]

Education

Thomas went up to Cambridge & studied at Magdalen College where he Matriculated as a Pensioner, meaning that his matriculation or admission was granted as a favour or reward, on 6th Oct 1585.^[2] He was subsequently admitted as Thomas Ballard of Lamberhurst, Sussex on 8th January 1587 to Grays Inn, London.^[2] This meant that Thomas was following a path often chosen by the younger sons of noblemen as well as the aspiring middle-classes. He did not, so far as we can tell, ever get called to the Bar but he would have received an excellent grounding in English Law as well as being exposed to a network of individuals who would be instrumental in cementing his position in society.

Marriage

Thomas' first wife was Mary the eleventh child of John Spencer, a citizen of London and Grocer, and his wife Anne Clarke. John was the third son of John Spencer of South Mills, Bedfordshire and Castle Ashby, Nottinghamshire. Mary was previously married to John White of Northiam. No marriage record has yet been found but it was probably at some time in late 1599 or early 1600.

Following Mary Spencer's death Thomas remarried to Mary Leveson in what would appear to be a strategic marriage from a number of aspects. We learn from the Inquisition Post Mortem that a Marriage Settlement was entered into on 18th September 1610 between Thomas and John Leveson knight Thomas Thompson esquire and Mary Leveson (one of the daughters of Thomas Leveson esquire deceased on the other part Thomas Ballard in consideration of the marriage between he himself and the aforesaid Mary Leveson then hereafter to be solemnised^[3] furthermore both the marriage licence and the marriage entry in the parish register of St Mary Magdalene, Canterbury on 19th September 1610^[4] still exist.

Residence

There once stood in Wadhurst a grand residence called Great Pell which was described in Thomas' IPM as one capital messuage, three barns, two gardens, two orchards and a certain parcel of land meadow and pasture and wood with appurtenances to the same capital messuage being or pertaining held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3] and it was here that the family lived. Also standing on the land was Pell Cottage "One messuage and cottage upon the parcel of premises called Pell erectly lately in the occupation of Christopher Bates, held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage"^[3]

Property

Thomas amassed a considerable estate of various properties which he inherited or purchased. What follows is a list of that property taken from various documents.

1614 Hoadley Forge, Lamberhurst, Kent, England

Location: TQ 6622 3617 �51°06?01?N 0°22?28?E? / ?51.100218°N 0.374390°E? / 51.100218; 0.374390

Hoadly Forge was built in 1548 by Alexander Collins. It was sold by Stephen Collins to Richard Filmer in 1584. In 1614 it was owned by Sir Edward Filmer and leased to Thomas Sanders and Thomas Ballard. The forge was bought by William Benge in 1694. The railings around St. Paul's Cathedral were cast here.

24 MAY 1622

Conveyance (Feoffment) for £420

John Whitfeld of Worth, esq, and his wife Elizabeth, Henry Whitfeld of Ockley, Surrey, clerk, to Thomas Ballard of Wadhurst, esq

Lands called Carters, Rownden and Rownden Meade (52 acres); messuages called Remisses, Calhill, and Gildredges (45 acres); all other lands in Wadhurst and Lamberhurst, Kent, leased by Robert and Agnes Whitfeld, grandparents of John Whitfeld, to Edward Thorpe by deed of 1 June 1580 [no details]; lands in Wadhurst and Lamberhurst leased by John Whitfeld to Richard Lander otherwise Eastland by deed of 2 Sep 1618

Covenant to levy a fine of the premises. Reserving the rent of £6 13s. 4d. from Edward Thorpe and £7 rent from Richard Launder

Witnesses: Anthony Fowle, Raphe Whitfeld, Thomas Houghton, Richard Mascall, scrivener, Thomas Russell, Richard Porter, Ralph Beard, John Rowe, the younger, William Monson, John Smith

Seals: armorial^[5]

BEF 1624 Parcel of 2.5 acres, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

Late Richard Weston^[3]

BEF 1624 Bucklingwood, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

Wooded land late of the waste land containing by estimation twenty five and a half acres separately lying in Bucklingwood, held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 The Lower Gutter, Upper Gutter & Nether Gutter, Goudhurst, Kent, England

One messuage, one barn and one piece of land adjacent called The Lower Gutter and before this called Upper Gutters and Nether Gutters situated and lying in Gowdhurst wholly situated and lying in the parish of Gowdhurst purchased of Robert Austin held of the Dean and Chapter as of their manor of Barnes in the county of Kent aforesaid in free and common soccage,

East Sussex Record Office: Archive of Paine and Brettell of Chertsey in Surrey, solicitors

Reference: PAB/164, 165

Mortgage (Lease, and Release to raise a tenant to the praecipe). Consideration £1,036 11s 9d

Creation dates: 23, 24 April 1781

Scope and Content

Richard Curteis of Tenterden, Kent, gent. Chiswell Slade of Rye, esq Daniel Slade of Southwark, Surrey, hopfactor and Robert Noakes of Wadhurst gent (surviving executors of the will of John Newington of Wadhurst, dec'd) with Thomas Redford of Hawkhurst, Kent, gent and Samuel Thompsett of Mayfield, gent, (surviving assignees of the estate and effects of Peter Cliften the elder of Lamberhurst, dealer and chapman, bankrupt, devisee for life in the will of John Noakes late of Ticehurst dec'd, himself a devisee in the will of Thomas Robbins late of Ticehurst, butcher dec'd), Peter Cliften the Younger, eldest son of Peter Cliften by Martha his wife to Thomas Abree Pickering of Pudding Lane, London, gent William Durrant of Rye, gent, Samuel Boys and William Jenkin, both of Hawkhurst Kent, esqs

Land in Goudhurst

1 Messuage, buildings, gardens and eight parcels of land arable meadow pasture and wood (44a) in the Denns of Lillesden and Turisden, abutting E: on the Highway; S W: on lands late of Robert Austen; N W: on lands late of William Beswick and late of William Austen, N: on lands late of John Austen, and W: on lands late of William Austen and John Horsmonden

2 One parcel in the Denn of Lillesden, formerly in two parcels called Crouch Croft and Pountett (6a) abutting S W: on the highway from Bedgebury Cross and Hosilford, N W: on Lillesden Down and N E: on the highway at Bedgebury Cross

3 Two parcels called the Five Acres and the Seven Acres (12a) on the den of Turisden abutting S E: on Lillesden Down and the High Street there leading to Hosilford, N W: on lands late of William Austen, and E: on lands late of [blank] Poyle, called Gutters

4 One toft on which a messuage formerly stood, garden and parcel (4a) upon the den of Lillesden, abutting E: upon the highway from Bedgebury Cross to Goudhurst Town, S: upon Lillesden Cross, W. upon lands late of Henry Pattenden, and N: on lands late of Robert Austen

5 Two tofts on which a messuage once stood, and one parcel called Lower Gutters, formerly Upper and Nether Gutters, abutting S: on Poyle's Green and on a tenement of Thomas Harding, E: on a lane called the Forestall leading from the Common to a tenement called Burr's, N: on lands late of William Austen, and W: on lands late of Thomas Ballard, then of Thomas Austen, and other lands, late of Laurence Poyle

All these above lands were late in the occupation of William Morris

Land in Lomberhurst

6 Toft on which a messuage once stood called Cock's, with garden, orchard and land

7 Two tofts on which messuages once stood, with land late two gardens, and a hopgarden and orchard, one late called Angel's (1r)

8 Two parcels formerly one, called Gatehousefield otherwise Gatewardsfield, and orchard (5a)

9 All of these are in the occupation of Peter Cliften the elder and called Kent Land, abutting E: on the highway leading through Lamberhurst town, S: on Warefield Lane, and N: and W: on lands late of John Porter

10 Messuage, barn, stables and outbuildings and 12 parcels of land arable, meadow and pasture called Tutsham, formerly thought to be 60a but upon a Survey, 53a, late in the occupation of William and Thomas Collin, and then of Peter Cliften the elder

11 Messuage now in two dwellings and 5 parcels, called Walter's (15a) late in the occupation of John Walter and since of Peter Cliften the elder, abutting E: on lands formerly of Alexander Thomas; S: on the highway from Lamberhurst Down to Peppermill; and N: and W: on lands late of Lady Hamby

Land in Westfield

12 Property as PAB/134, 135/2 and PAB/135/3, the former once thought to be 59a but upon a survey 87a 3r 16p, the latter once thought to be 60a but upon survey 92a 27p, and now in the occupation of Mary Thomas

All of which property was devised to Peter Cliften by the will of John Noakes, [PAB/163]

Recitals, 30, 31 May 1780 Lease and Release, Peter Cliften conveys to RC all his real estate in trust to sell it and raise money to pay his creditors

15 June 1780 Commission of Bankruptcy v Peter Cliften whereby his real estate was vested in Rodford + Thompsett and Samuel Munn by a Bargain and Sale Enrolled, the Lease and Release of 30, 31, May 1780 now being void because of the Bankruptcy

The land is thereupon sold to Peter Cliften for younger who then borrows £1,786 from SB and WJ with proviso for repayment by 24 October 1780

Witnesses: H Waterman, Richard Turner, Thomas Harris endorsements

26 April 1783 Receipts for £740

10 December 1783 Receipts for £1,250 15

Witnesses: James Merriott, Thomas Martin, John Frewen, Sarah Ransley, John Paine, John Chauner, Francis Bellingham^[3]

BEF 1624 Carters, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

One messuage and certain lands purchased of John Whitefield esquire and are situated lying and being in Wadhurst and Lamberhurst held of William Darrell as of his manor of Scotney in the county of Sussex aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Cottage & Garden with land & appurtenances, Wadhurst, Kent, England

In the occupation of William Wood, or his assigns held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Bennettes Meade, Wadhurst, Kent, England

In the occupation of Thomas Bate or his assigns.^[3]

BEF 1624 Mottes & Hoppers, Wadhurst, Kent, England

One messuage and certain land lying next to Fairebeech and certain land called Mottes and Hoppers in the occupation of George Meryam or his assigns.^[3]

BEF 1624 Messuage, barn, orchard & land, Wadhurst, Kent, England

In occupation of Richard Foord^[3]

BEF 1624 Eight acres lately of wasteland, Wadhurst, Kent, England

Lying on the king's highway and lane next to Pell Greene and Sparrowes Greene and held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Eight parcels of land, Mayfield, Sussex, England

Meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing by estimation fifty three acres, held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage late the land of Thomas Pococke and John Pococke^[3]

BEF 1624 Remisses, Calhill & Gildridges, Lamberhurst, Sussex, England

Purchased of John Whitfeild, held of John Carter esquire as of his manor of Lamberhurst in the county of Sussex aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage,^[3]

BEF 1624 Lyffordes, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

Purchased of John Whitefeild held of William Darrell as of his manor of Scotney in the county of Sussex aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage now lately in the occupation of Joan Bate widow and now in the occupation of John Grombridge lying in Wadhurst in Lamberhurst^[3]

BEF 1624 Rownden & Rownden Meade, Lamberhurst, Sussex, England

Purchased of John Whitfeild, held of John Carter esquire as of his manor of Lamberhurst in the county of Sussex aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Crouchecrofte & Downtotte, Goudhurst, Kent, England

Messuage garden and premises with appurtenances lying together and being upon the dens of Lyllysden and Twysden in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid, purchased of Robert Austin held of the lord King Charles as of his manor of East Fareleigh in the county of Kent aforesaid in free and common soccage by fealty and annual rent of one shilling, five pence and one half-penny and the relief for all services and not in chief nor by military service^[3]

BEF 1624 Burwell, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

One capital messuage, barn, garden and orchard, held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Fifty Seven Acres of Land, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

One messuage, barn, garden and parcel of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing fifty seven acres lately in the occupation of the aforesaid Thomas Kingewood held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Little Trottes, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

One messuage and one garden with appurtenances, situated and lying in Wadhurst near Pellbridge held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Syslies & Shephardes Wall, Lamberhurst, Sussex, England

One messuage barn and premises with appurtenances, purchased of John Whitfield, held of John Carter esquire as of his manor of Lamberhurst in the county of Sussex aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Latters, Marlinges & Aggottes, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

One messuage one garden and certain lands called Latters Marlinges and Aggottes in the occupation of Francis Challenor gentleman or his assigns^[3]

BEF 1624 Peparmyll & Grubland, Lamberhurst, Kent, England

One messuage, one barn, one watermill and certain lands called Peparmyll and Grubland with appurtenances situated lying and being in Lamberhurst aforesaid then lately in the occupation of Edward Waters deceased and now in the occupation of Elizabeth Waters widow of the said Edward purchased of John Whitfield, held of John Carter esquire as of his manor of Lamberhurst in the county of Sussex aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Haylockes, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

One messuage, two barns, two gardens, one orchard and certain land containing two and a half acres, held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Weekewood, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

One parcel of land late waste containing six acres lying in Weekewood, held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Marescrosse Crofte, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

One parcel of wooded land, held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex, by fealty in free and common soccage late the land of Thomas Pococke and John Pococke^[3]

BEF 1624 Holewell, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

Parcel of land called Holewell, held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Pelhill, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

Parcel of land lying at Pelhill aforesaid, held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Bewkes, Lamberhurst, Sussex, England

Premises called Bewkes, purchased of John Whitfield, held of John Carter esquire as of his manor of Lamberhurst in the county of Sussex aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage now lately in the occupation of Joan Bate widow and now in the occupation of John Grombridge lying in Wadhurst in Lamberhurst^[3]

BEF 1624 Latters & Holles, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

Premises called Latters and Holles with appurtenances with a cottage built upon the parcel in respect thereof, held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage Robert Mannynges then lately inhabits lying and being in Wadhurst^[3]

BEF 1624 Pellgreen & Holewell Wood, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

Premises called Pellgreene and Holewell wood with a lane adjacent, held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 The Seven Acres & The Five Acres, Goudhurst, Kent, England

Premises called The Seaven Acres and The Five Acres and one toft, garden and parcel of land containing by estimation four acres lying on the den of Lyllysden to the king's highway leading from Bedgeburie Crosse as far as the town of Gowdhurst towards the East purchased of Robert Austin held of the Dean and Chapter as of their manor of Barnes in the county of Kent aforesaid in free and common soccage, by fealty^[3]

BEF 1624 Woodland & Broadfield Wood, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

Premises called Woodland and Broadfeild wood, held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

BEF 1624 Part of Corsley Wood, Wadhurst, Sussex, England

Premises lying in Corsley wood containing by estimation forty seven and a half acres lately of the pasture land, held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage^[3]

Will

In the name of God Amen, the fourteenth day of December in the year of our Lord god 1622 I Thomas Ballard of Pell in the parish of Wadhurst in the county of Sussex gent being now sick in body <and dying> in consideration of <the uncertainty> of mans life First and principally commending my soul unto Gods mercy which by the blessed mercies and <intercessions> of Jesus Christ only I hope assuredly to obtain <?> <har??> thoughtful <?????> in perfect rememberance by my last will to <settle?> and dispose of that estate which God hath blessed me withall. First I give unto Mary my well beloved wife one hundred pounds of current English money and all the <gold> in my house at the time of my death and half my plate and <household> stuff <?> cupboards tables beddings vessels and <fr?ntlynge> only excepted which I will shall remain in the house. Item I give to my daughter Martha six hundred pounds of lawful English money to be paid unto her at the day of her marriage or at her age of 1 and 20 years which shall first happen by my executors hereafter named. <Should> she marry without consent of her mother and my executors or the more <part> of them then <living> otherwise <she> shall have but three hundred pounds. Item I give unto Elizabeth my youngest daughter the like sum of six hundred pounds to be paid unto her at her day of marriage or at her age of 1 and 20 years which shall first happen so as she marry without consent of her mother and mine executors the more <sole> of them then living otherwise she shall have but three hundred pounds. Item I will that my wife have the custody and direction of my said two daughters until the time of the payment of their said monies and to be allowed for their maintenance (viz.) for either of them £20 a year apiece to be paid (quarterly) by my said executors. My other children to be educated <c???n?l??> <???> at the discretion of my said Executors and for the raising of the said <pornd> payment of my debts, and legacies and for the <duration> of my said children I will that my Executor hereafter named shall <???????> and <????> all my lands <??????????> <????> <?????> the lands <assurted> to my wife for her jointure and given her by this my will for <the enlargement> of her jointure during her life only until my son Thomas shall accomplish the age of 4 and 20 years and shall <l?st> and sell the same and the <?on> and <so> shall profits thereof shall <so raised?> and shall <cut> down such reasonable underwoods from my said land for the raising of portions as by my executors or the more <sole> of them shall be thought fit and meet and <mor???d> my executors shall <t?roi??e> all my debts goods and chattles for and towards the <raising> of the said portions payment of my debts and funeral expenses <thother> <moytye> of my plate and household stuff before not bequeathed unto my said wife I will shall be divided between my three sons my oldest son to have the one half thereof and my two younger sons the other half. Item my will and meaning is that my wife shall have for increase of her jointure all the lands and tenaments which I brought of my kinsman Mr. John Whitfield of Worth esquire for and during her natural lifetime the woods and underwoods only excepted. Item I give unto my two younger sons Richard and William and their heirs all my houses and lands lying in Goudhurst in the county of Kent which I bought of Robert Austen my brother in law and the aforesaid lands and tenaments which I bought of my said <kinsman> Mr. John Whitfield and all the lands and tenaments in the possession of Edward Walters widow or her assigns and all the land and tenaments in the possession of Groombridge sometime devised by me unto <Joane> <Bate> widow to have and to hold all the foresaid lands to the said Richard and William my sons and their heirs forever and if any one of them die without issue of their body then the remainder to the other surviving and his heirs forever. All the residue of my lands and tenaments I give unto my son Thomas and his heirs forever to take the profit thereof when he shall attain to the age of 4 and 20 years he being allowed 50 pounds a year in the meantime for his maintenance to be paid quarterly and to have one quarter in hand And for likewise my wife for her daughters and I will that my executors <which> my <a?os???> or one of them shall take <at??e> inventory of all my said goods chattles debts and stock and the said inventory shall enter into a book and my said <ga???ood> shall make <yearly> an account to my executors or the survivor or survivors of his receipt expenses and payments by <virtue> of this my will. The <which> shall <yearly> be entered into the said book and I will that my executors shall allow such reasonable profits for the said debts goods and charges which they shall yearly also account for deducting for their own reasonable expense and I will that (after my debts funeral expenses and legacy payments) that the <o?a?rpl??s> arising of the profit of my said lands woods sales goods chattles debts and charges and the reasonable profits arising thereof shall by my executors and overseers the survivor and survivors of them paid and distributed unto such of my children or my children’s children as they or the most sole of them shall <in?ge> to be left <des???ing> and of both life and <corversacon> and they to be called by none of the rest to any account for the <part> but shall be thereof freely discharged by this my will from <?d??> make and ordain my loving brother Mr. Richard Ballard of Lamberhurst and Mr. John Hattley of Wadhurst executors of this my last will and testament and I do give them £5 apiece for their pains and I do make overseers thereof my well beloved friend Mr. Nicholas Everfield of Hollington esq Mr. John Porter of Lamberhurst esq and Mr. John Fred??nth??? of Northiam clerk and I do give every one of them for their pains £3 a piece to be <buy> out of <a finger ring> I do give unto the poor of Wadhurst £5 to be paid by my executors after my decease and I do give unto my wife £10 to be distributed unto my servants as shall think fit and I will that she shall give a dwelling in my <g??s?> and quarter of a year after my death and reasonable provision of all <things> and <servants> wages to be provided and paid by my executors and afterwards she shall have <ten> quarters <wheat> and six quarters of barley <malt> if there be <then> so <many> remaining towards <her> own <provision> and <being> it were <inconvenient> that my <will?> should be in the disposition of <strangers> therefore I will that if my <executor> die then I appoint Richard my second son executor then I do instruct my said overseers to be helpful and aiding unto him in disposing and ordering the same and that then my daughters portions shall be paid over unto my said overseers or the survivor or survivors of them and they to have the providing and employing therewith for the benefit of my said daughters and not my <son> Richard but my desire is that, <profit> all, <???vemints?ed> so same as the same <???> be paid, <feat>, I <barg??rge> of land or estate? Or <a??d?ife> at the discretion of my said executors or the greater number of them by same shall be sold? For the better premises and benefit of my said daughters and all other things <my> said son Richard to perform according to this my last will and testament the goods chattles debts charges and <osfabe?> and profits of lands and <????d?s> before mentioned not <provided> or taken by my said executors and that <published> <?r?to??> <////> <against> of <???> for and <against> nor any of them shall <this> <??ry> <f?rth??> <roc??nge> <thereof> <????> meddling <???> my will. Item my will and meaning is that my said executors shall in six months after my decease enter into such reasonable bonds with my said overseers to pay and <deliver> unto the said Mr. Porter and my son Richard within one year after my death of the survivor of them all such sums of money goods chattles <starle>, as shall be in the hands of the said survivor at the time of his death by virtue of this my will and they the said executors take the like bonds one of another Item I give unto my brother Richard for to help <place> and bring up Edward <Austen> my sister’s son the sum of ten pounds. In witness whereof to every of the three sheets I have set my hand and seal this 14th day of December 1622: Thomas Ballard <??ead>, published and sealed and subscribed the said 14th day of September 1622 and in the 20th year of the reign of our ….. in the presence of John Porter Henry Thompson Anthony Ward Thomas Bryan. Added to this my last will the 19th day of December as followeth Item my meaning is that none of my sons shall take any profit of the lands given him until he come to the age of 4 and 20 years but that my executors shall take the profit thereof in performance of my will and all <such> said several pages <moieties> out to enter into his or their profit. Also I will that if my said sons shall die without issue of their bodies then all my said lands shall go to my said two daughters and their heirs forever. Item I give unto my said brother Stephen in remembrance of my <love?> ten pounds and unto mother <Ffonole> forty shillings and her dwelling in the <h?n?fe> where that is for her lifetime: Thos Ballard this addition was made 19th December 1622 in presence of Mr. Henry Thompson Anthony Ward Thomas Bryan. Item in the 2nd page there is <strin??n> <?au?t> of this my will <???> <thing> and <fforoir> <???ole> lines and the most? Part of the fifth and after one whole line and <?> of two other lines, and in that leaf, <?> of two other lines. And I have given to my said two daughters Martha and Elizabeth six hundred pounds apiece. This alteration was made by the said Thomas Ballard the 30th January 1623 signed Thos Ballard in the presence of John Porter Anthony Ward the mark of Richard Moate the master of John Sandy. Memorand that the aforesaid testator upon the 2nd Feb 1623 <the foresaid> being of perfect memory in the presence of his executors willed unto Mr Anthony Ward schoolmaster in his house the sum of £5 and to <Death> Ward sister unto Anthony his <?> twenty shillings to be paid unto him by his executors. John Hatley Richd Ballard executors.^[6]

It was probated in London on 4th May 1624 and administration was granted to the executors Richard Ballard and John Hatley.

Inquisition Post Mortem

Margin: Was handed into court the eleventh day of November the first year of the reign of king Charles by the hand of Robert Pickering gentleman. Transcript in respect thereof sent into the Court of Wards and Exchequer by Blakwell.

SUSSEX INQUISITION indented taken at Eastgrinstede in the county aforesaid the twenty ninth day of September in the first year of the reign of our lord Charles by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland defender of the faith and so forth before Nicholas Gouldesborough gentleman Escheator of the said lord King in the county aforesaid by virtue of a writ of the said lord King de melius inquirendum to enquire after the death of Thomas Ballard of Wadhurst in the county aforesaid gentleman deceased to the same Escheator directed and to this inquisition annexed by the oath of Edward Ley Richard Kidder Robert Bowyer William Harman Henry Browne John Underhill Daniel Outred Francis Cheeseman Richard Staveley William Payne William Crouchester Abraham Bartholomew and William Freeman upright and lawful men of the county aforesaid WHO say upon their oath aforesaid that through a certain inquisition at Petworth in the county aforesaid the sixth day of April now last past before the taking of this inquisition before the aforesaid Nicholas Gouldesborough at that time Escheator of the said lord King in the county aforesaid by virtue of a writ of the said lord King de mandamus after the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard taken and in the chancery of the said lord King returned there as of record, being resident amongst other findings that the aforesaid Thomas Ballard is his life was seized in his demesne as of fee of and in one messuage two barns three gardens and a certain parcel of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing in the whole by estimation forty seven acres situated lying and being in Wadhurst in the county aforesaid then lately in the occupation of Thomas Kingewood or his assigns And also of and in one other messuage one barn and a certain parcel of land meadow pasture and wood called Syslies Shephardes wall and Burwell situated and lying in Wadhurst aforesaid and in Lamberhurst in the county aforesaid And also of and in one other messuage one barn one watermill and certain lands called Peparmyll and Grubland with appurtenances situated lying and being in Lamberhurst aforesaid then lately in the occupation of Edward Waters deceased and now in the occupation of Elizabeth Waters widow of the said Edward And also of and in one messuage one barn and certain lands called Lyffordes and Bewkes situated and lying in Wadhurst in Lamberhurst aforesaid now lately in the occupation of Joan Bate widow and now in the occupation of John Grombridge And also of and in one capital messuage three barns two gardens two orchards and a certain parcel of land meadow and pasture and wood with appurtenances to the same capital messuage being or pertaining called Pell situated lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one messuage and cottage upon the parcel of the aforesaid premises called Pell erected then lately in the occupation of Christopher Bates And also of and in a certain lands called Latters and Holles with appurtenances in cottages upon the parcel in respect thereof built in which Robert Mannynges then lately inhabits lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one messuage two barn two gardens one orchard and certain land with appurtenances called Haylocks situated lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid And of and in one messuage and one garden called Little Trottes with appurtenances situated and lying in Wadhurst aforesaid near Pellbridge And also of and in one parcel of land lying at Pelhill in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one parcel of land containing by estimation two and a half acres lying in Wadhurst aforesaid late Richard Weston And also of and in one parcel of land called Holewell lying in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in eight parcels of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing by estimation fifty three acres and one parcel of wooded land called Marecrosse Croft containing by estimation two acres lying in Wadhurst aforesaid late the land of Thomas Pococke and John Pococke And also of and in certain land called Woodland and Broadfield wood lying in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in certain land Pellgreene and Holewell Wood with a lane adjacent lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in certain lands separately lying in Corsley Wood in Wadhurst aforesaid containing in the whole by estimation forty seven and a half acres lately of the waste land of the manor of Mayfield in the county aforesaid And also of and in certain wooded land lately of the waste land of the aforesaid manor of Mayfield containing by estimation twenty five and a half acres separately lying and being in Bucklinge wood in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one other parcel of land containing by estimation six acres lately of the waste land of the aforesaid manor of Mayfield lying in Weekewood in Wadhurst aforesaid And of and in eight acres late of the waste land of the aforesaid manor of Mayfield lying on the King's highway and the lane next to Pelgreene and Sparrowes Greene in Wadhurst aforesaid And also of and in one messuage and certain lands called Carters Rownden and Rownden Meade And one other messuage and certain lands called Remisses Calhill and Gildradges Which premises above mentioned the aforesaid Thomas Ballard then lately purchased to him and his heirs of John Whitefield esquire and are situated lying and being in Wadhurst and Lamberhurst aforesaid in the county aforesaid And also of and in two messuages three gardens and certain lands with appurtenances together situated and lying upon the dens of Lyllysden and Twysden in the parish of Gowdhurst in the county of Kent And also of and in certain lands called Crouchecrofte and Downetott lying upon the den of Lyllysden aforesaid in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid And also of and in certain lands called The Seaven Acres and The Five Acres lying upon the den of Twysden aforesaid in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid And also of and in one toft one garden and one parcel of land containing by estimation four acres situated and lying upon the den of Lyllysden aforesaid in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid to the King's highway leading from Bedgeburye crosse as far as the town of Gowdhurst towards the East And also of and in one messuage one barn and one piece of land adjacent called The Lower Gutter and before this called Upper Gutters and Nether Gutters situated and lying in Gowdhurst aforesaid which certain premises are wholly situated and lying in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid the aforesaid Thomas Ballard then recently purchased to him and his heirs of Robert Austyn AND ALSO of and in rents and services and reversions diverse lands and tenements then lately held by copy of court rolls of the manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, that is to say, one messuage one garden and certain lands called Latters Marlinges and Aggottes in the occupation of Francis Challenor gentleman or his assigns And one meadow called Bennettes Meade in the occupation of Thomas Bate or his assigns And one messuage one barn one garden one orchard and two parcels of land in the occupation of Richard Foord And one messuage and certain land lying next to Fairebeech and certain land called Mottes and Hoppers in the occupation of George Meryam or his assigns And one cottage one garden and one piece of land with appurtenances in the occupation of William Wood, or his assigns Which certain premises wholly above mentioned lying and being in Wadhurst aforesaid. And that the aforesaid Thomas Ballard in the writ aforesaid named died in respect thereof seized in the manner and form just as by the inquisition aforesaid specified AND WHEN FURTHERMORE by the same inquisition it further appeared to be that the aforesaid messuage, the aforesaid barn and garden and the aforesaid parcel of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing fifty seven acres lately in the occupation of the aforesaid Thomas Kingewood the aforesaid premises called Burwell the aforesaid capital messuage aforesaid barn garden and orchard and the aforesaid parcel of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances to the same capital messuage belonging or pertaining called Pell with appurtenances, the aforesaid messuage and cottage upon the parcel of premises called Pell erectly lately in the occupation of Christopher Bates, premises aforesaid called Latters and Holles with appurtenances with a cottage built upon the parcel in respect thereof, the aforesaid messuage, the aforesaid barn garden and orchard and the aforesaid premises called Haylocks with appurtenances, the aforesaid messuage and garden called Little Trottes with appurtenances, the aforesaid parcel of land lying at Pelhill aforesaid, the aforesaid land containing two and a half acres called Haylockes, aforesaid parcel of land called Holewell, the aforesaid eight parcels of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing by estimation fifty three acres, the aforesaid parcel of wooded land called Marecrosse Crofte, the aforesaid premises called Woodland and Broadfeild wood, the aforesaid premises called Pellgreene and Holewell wood with a lane adjacent, the aforesaid premises lying in Corsley wood containing by estimation forty seven and a half acres lately of the pasture land, the aforesaid wooded land late of the waste land containing by estimation twenty five and a half acres separately lying in Bucklingwood, the aforesaid parcel of land late waste containing six acres lying in Weekewood aforesaid, the aforesaid eight acres lately of the waste land lying on the king's highway and lane near Pell Greene and Sparrowes Greene and the aforesaid rents and services and reversions aforesaid of the lands and tenements lately held by copy of the court rolls of the manor of Mayfield aforesaid at the time that the previous inquisition was taken and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named were held of John Baker esquire as of his manor of Mayfield in the county of Sussex aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors of that inquisition were wholly ignorant AND that the aforesaid messuage barn and premises with appurtenances called Syslies and Shephardes wall, the aforesaid messuage barn and water mill and premises called Peparmyll and Grubland with appurtenances, the aforesaid premises called Bewkes, the aforesaid messuage and premises called Rownden and Rownden Meade and the aforesaid messuage and premises called Remisses Calhill and Gilridges parcel of the premises aforesaid lately purchased of the aforesaid John Whitfeild, at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of John Carter esquire as of his manor of Lamberhurst in the county of Sussex aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors of that inquisition were wholly ignorant AND that the aforesaid messuage barn and premises called Lyffordes and the aforesaid premises called Carters containing by estimation thirty acres, residue of the premises lately purchased of the aforesaid John Whitefeild at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of William Darrell as of his manor of Scotney in the county of Sussex aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors of that inquisition were wholly ignorant AND the aforesaid messuage garden and premises with appurtenances lying together and being upon the dens of Lyllysden and Twysden in the parish of Gowdhurst aforesaid, and the aforesaid premises called Crouchcrofte and Downetott parcel of the premises lately purchased of the aforesaid Robert Austyn at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named were held of the lord James lately King of England and so forth and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of the said lord King Charles as of his manor of East Fareleigh in the county of Kent aforesaid in free and common soccage by fealty and annual rent of one shilling, five pence and one half-penny and the relief for all services and not in chief nor by military service AND that the aforesaid premises called The Seaven Acres and The Five Acres and the aforesaid toft garden and parcel of land containing by estimation four acres lying on the den of Lyllysden aforesaid to the king's highway leading from Bedgeburie crosse as far as the town of Gowdhurst aforesaid towards the East and the aforesaid messuage barn and premises called The Lower Gutters residue of the premises lately purchased of the aforesaid Robert Austyn at the time that the previous inquisition was taken and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named were held of the Dean and Chapter as of their manor of Barnes in the county of Kent aforesaid in free and common soccage, by fealty but by what other services the jurors of that inquisition were wholly ignorant just as by the aforesaid inquisition more fully it appears and is evident NOW the jurors by this inquisition upon their oath aforesaid say that the messuage the aforesaid barn and garden and the aforesaid parcel of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances containing forty seven acres lately in the occupation of the aforesaid Thomas Kingewood, the aforesaid premises called Burwell, the aforesaid capital messuage, the aforesaid barn, garden and orchard and the aforesaid parcel of land meadow pasture and wood with appurtenances to the same capital messuage belonging or pertaining called Pell with appurtenances, the aforesaid messuage and cottage upon the parcel of the premises called Pell lately erected in the occupation of Christopher Bates, the premises aforesaid called Latters and Holles with appurtenances with a cottage upon the parcel in respect thereof built, the aforesaid messuage, the aforesaid barn garden and orchard and the aforesaid premises called Haylockes containing by estimation fifty three acres, the aforesaid parcel of wooded land called Marecrosse Croft, the aforesaid premises called Woodland and Broadfield wood, the aforesaid premises called Pelgreene and Holewell wood with the lane adjacent, the aforesaid premises separately lying in Corsley wood containing by estimation forty seven and a half acres lately of waste land, the aforesaid wooded land lately of the waste land containing by estimation twenty five and a half acres separately lying in Bucklingewood, the aforesaid parcel of land lately waste containing by estimation six acres lying in Weekewood aforesaid, the aforesaid eight acres lately of the waste of the manor lying on the king's highway and lane near Pell Greene and Sparrowes Greene, and the aforesaid rents and services and reversions aforesaid, lands and tenements by copy of the court rolls of the manor aforesaid were held and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named and also at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of the aforesaid John Baker as of his manor of Mayfield aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors of that inquisition were wholly ignorant AND that the aforesaid messuage, barn and premises called Syslies and Shephardes wall aforesaid , the messuage born and water mill and the premises called Peparmyll and Grubland with appurtenances, the aforesaid premises called Bewkes, the aforesaid messuage and premises called Rownden and Rownden Meade, and the aforesaid messuage and premises called Remisses, Calhill and Gildridges, parcel of the premises aforesaid lately purchased of John Whitefeild were held and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of the aforesaid John Porter as of his manor of Lamberhurst aforesaid, by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors of that inquisition were wholly ignorant AND that the aforesaid messuage barn and premises called Lyffordes and the aforesaid premises called Carters containing by estimation thirty acres residue of the premises lately purchased of the aforesaid John Whitefeild were held and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of the aforesaid William Darrell as of his manor of Gowdhurst aforesaid and the aforesaid premises called Crouchecroft and Downetott parcel of the premises lately purchased of Robert Austyn at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named were held of the said lord James late King and now held and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of the said lord King Charles as of his manor of East Fareleigh in the county of Kent aforesaid in free and common soccage by fealty and annual rent of one shilling, five pence and one half-penny and the relief for all services and not in chief nor by military service AND that the aforesaid premises called The Seaven Acres and The Five Acres and the aforesaid toft garden and parcel of land containing by estimation four acres lying upon the den of Lyllysden aforesaid to the king's highway leading from Bedgeburie crosse as far as the town of Gowdhurst aforesaid towards the east and the aforesaid messuage barn and premises called The Lower Gutters residue of the premises lately purchased of the aforesaid Robert Austyn were held and at the time of the death of the aforesaid Thomas Ballard senior in the writ aforesaid named and at the time that the previous inquisition was taken were held of the Dean and Chapter of Rochester aforesaid as of their manor of Barnes aforesaid by fealty in free and common soccage, but by what other services the jurors of this inquisition are wholly ignorant IN TESTIMONY of which thing to one part of this inquisition remaining in the possession of the Escheator aforesaid both the Escheator aforesaid and the jurors aforesaid have affixed his seal To the other true part in respect thereof remaining with the jurors aforesaid the Escheator aforesaid has affixed his seal, given the day year and place aforesaid

Ni[cholas] Gouldsburgh Escheator.^[7]

Death

Thomas died before 9th February 1624 probably at Pell in Wadhurst, Sussex^[8]

Burial

Thomas was buried in the parish church of Wadhurst, Sussex on 9th February 1624 where there is an inscription to him as follows:-

“Sic moritur virtus, vivit cum corpore tumbo,

Insignis Ballarde jaces, sic sidera eoeli

Morte petis Christo

Quis morum candor ! Quae clara scienta, quaeque

Juncta fide probitas ? Quae sedula cura juvandi

Quid Potera nobis, lumen dum vita fuisti.

Nunc to Christus habet, sumus nos lumine neseii.”^[9]

Arms & Lineage

In 1619 Thomas Ballard began the process of registering his claim to the "Horton" arms. We know this from a 400 year old parchment roll that is held in the British Library & known as Stowe Manuscript 634. According to Dr Justin Clegg, Curator of Manuscripts,

This roll is described in our catalogue as 'Genealogica Descriptio Stemmatis Ballardorum' of the Ballard family, originally of Horton, Kent. It was drawn up by John Philipott, Rouge-dragon (the visiting herald), in 1619, and was augmented by him, and registered, at the Visitation of Sussex in 1634.

It entered the collection of Richard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos (died 1839). His collection was bought by the 4th Earl of Ashburnham in 1849, and was then purchased by parliament from the 5th Earl of Ashburnham in 1883. The major part of this collection, including the Ballard genealogical roll, was incorporated into the library of the British Museum, now British Library, as the Stowe collection of manuscripts.

Stowe Ms 634 has a pedigree for Thomas Ballard of Wadhurst, Sussex enhanced with blazons of arms for each member of the pedigree. The basic substance of the pedigree is identical to the copy taken at the Visitation of Sussex in 1619 and the manuscript is endorsed "Approved and registered in the time of the Visitation of Sussex Anno Dmi 1634 - Jo: Phillipott Somersett". It is a remarkable manuscript and Paul J Ballard has a full size colour photograph of the original. There is little doubt, however, that it lends as much to invention as it does to aspiration!

Thomas Ballard's mother's lineage was from the ancient & well documented family of Whitfield of Northumberland & gave Thomas a problem! Having apparently traced his line to Gregory Ballard he was two generations short of having a symmetric presentation. The answer was to invent George Ballard & ascribe him the activities of the real person Gregory Ballard & to attach Fulco Ballard whom they fortuitously discovered in was mentioned as associated with Combe Manor in Sandhurst, Kent. We now know that in fact Gregory Ballard was almost certainly the son of Thomas Ballard who was a vintner living in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire & had been MP for Buckinghamshire.

How much of Thomas' lineage can we be sure of? Well, there is evidence to support the claims back to Thomas Ballard & Alice Aynescombe but then it all becomes a little "hazy" not least because the supposed link to Gregory is via Roger Ballard who clearly did not exist. The level of detail is not what one would expect a visiting Herald to accept in fact it is not really credible that someone in Phillipott's position would have recognised a claim to the use of the Horton arms on the basis of it. If we discount the possibility of outright bribery we may still be left with a possible solution. John Phillipott was born in Folkstone & was a few years younger than Thomas Ballard. He very probably knew of the Ballards of Horton the last of whom, Nicholas Ballard, had disgraced his family name & been imprisoned from 1551 to 1594 for the rape at knifepoint of an 11 year old girl. Thomas' grandfather, as is explored in his profile, is something of a mystery man. We know that he has Culpepper connections & we know of another Thomas Ballard with Culpepper connections. We know that Thomas' father Richard becomes an Ironmaster & married into the wealthy & influential Whitfield family. Richard marries Martha Whitfield in St Saviour Southwark. There is another Richard Ballard who is associated with St Saviour Southwark & also related to a Thomas Ballard. We know that Thomas Ballard married Mary Leveson and that her brother was a close personal friend of William Lambard who purchased a significant estate from Nicholas Ballard. Thus Sir John Leveson knew in detail the history of Nicholas Ballard & no doubt broached the subject with Thomas.

Now imagine if you will that you are Thomas Ballard the grandson of Thomas Ballard who was the youngest brother of Nicholas Ballard. You have the right to the Horton arms but you do not wish to be associated with a disgraced lineage. What do you do? Well, one answer would be to transplant your descent to an imaginary but equally senior line & disguise your true origins. Thus the Wadhurst line and it's hazy past which is so easily discounted is accepted by those who are in the known with the support of some powerful & influential friends who would vouch for the true descent. Will we ever prove it? Somehow I doubt it!

Thomas Ballard actually used a quartering of Ballard and Spencer. It would seem that his father Richard bore the "Horton" arms with the crescent cadency mark to show that he was the second son, although the cadency mark was correctly dropped when he quartered his arms with Whitefield. In Harleian Manuscript 1194 the Spencer arms are shown quartered with those of John White (Mary Spencer's first husband) and in that quartering the Spencer arms are shown with a cadency mark of the third son (a mullet or five pointed star). This would confirm that John Spencer was the third son of John Spencer of Castle Ashby.

The arms of the Spencer families of Yarnton and of Offley are both Quarterly argent and gule, in the second and third quarter, a fret or; over all, a bend sable, three escalops argent. This differs from John Spencer's arms only in respect of the fleur-de-lis replacing the escalops.^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ Family Search
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Venn
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32 3.33} Escheator Rolls
4. ↑ Family Search: Mary Luson
5. ↑ Archive of the Dyke Family Page: DYK/515
6. ↑ Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills
7. ↑ Inquisition Post Mortem: C142/417 item 36
8. ↑ Inquisition Post Mortem
9. ↑ Sussex Archaeological Society
10. ↑ Harleian Manuscript: Ms1076

• Family Search formerly the International Genealogical Index Abbreviation: IGI
• Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills
• Escheator Rolls of Inquisition Post Mortem
• Harleian Manuscript, Herald's Visitation Record
• Inquisition Post Mortem
• Venn, John Archibald, Comp. Alumni Cantabrigienses (Cambridge University Press, 1922) - 54, Second Date, 1250 - 1900
• Sussex Archaeological Society. Sussex Archaeological Collections (Sussex Archaeological Society, H.Wolff, Lewes, England, 1887) Volume: 2
• Archive of the Dyke Family of Frant, Waldron and Kent and the Penkherst family of Mayfield and Buxted, Record Type: Conveyance

See also:

• Benolte, Thomas; Philipot, John; Owen, George; and Bannerman, W Bruce, ed. The Visitations of the County of Sussex: 1530 and 1633-4. London: The Harleian Society, 1905. Vol LIII, p 130, White.