Wills of the Ball Family

In the name of God Amen.

I Robert Ball of Dolphin Lee in Bulk in the County Palatine of Lancaster Yeoman do make this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made: that is to say I order my executor herinafter mentioned to pay or see paid all my debts and funeral expenses: and as to the worldly goods which God in his goodness has bestowed upon me I give and bequeath as follows:

• to my dearly loved wife Winefred (sic) Ball ten pounds a year, to be paid to quarterly during her natural life out of my tenement in Bulk with the privilege of the Kitchen Chamber, little Tyle Room, the Room next the Closet, the Closet with the Books and the Chapel when wanted as also the kitchen below stairs, the old Barn and old shippon and in the Garden the flower bed with all beyond it and that half of the orchard lying next to Bulks Croft.
• Item I give the lawful interest of fifty pounds to my Daughter Elizabeth Nutcher during her life and I would have and order fifty pound after her death to be paid unto and equally divided amongst her children.
• Item I give to my daughter Jennet 40 pounds only, she having received during my life time Bond for sixty,
• to my daughter Hanna one shilling, her fortune being already paid,
• to my son Robert 40 pound,
• to my son George 10 pound
• and to my son John twenty pounds all which several sums or portions I would have paid one half at the end of the first year, the other half at the end of the second year after my decease.
• Item I give to Mr Nicholas Skelton of Lancaster one guinea
• and as for my household goods I give them to my dear wife aforesaid.
• But the rest of the Personal Estate together with my Tenement situate and lying in Bulk or elsewhere in the County Palatine of Lancaster I give to my son William Ball and the heirs of his body, charging him with the payment of the legacies and portions as above.
• But in case my son William should die not leaving issue then my will is that the tenement of Dolphin Lee descend to my son Robert and his Jane.

And I do constitute and Appoint my son(s) George and Robert joint trustees to the execution of this my last will and testament, empowering them upon non-payment of legacies or any infringements of this my last will and testament to enter upon the premises of Dolphin Lee Tenement to receive the profits of the estate or dispose of it in any manner as shall seem to them meet or necessary for the execution of this my will; and I allow them all charges and expenses they shall bear as usual upon such occasions.

In writing this my Last Will and Testament I here set my hand and seal May the 12th 1742

Robert Ball

Signed sealed and delivered
by the said Testator in
the presence of us
Thomas Davis
Edmund Lawson
Richard Gibson X his mark

Footnote - 12th January 1767
William Ball, son of the Testator above - named and residuary legatee name in the will above written, appeared personally and was sworn well and truly to administer the Goods and personal Estate of the said testator pursuant to the Directions of the said Will and so forth, no Executor being appointed thereof.

before me,
Franc. Lee Surrogate

The Last Will and Testament of me, Thomas Ball of Lancaster in the County Palatine of Lancaster, now very sick and feeble of body but of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, is as follows. As I am formed of the opinion that man was formed out of the dust of the eath by an All-wise Being invisible to my mortal eye I do therefore most humbly submit myself to that Great Creator who in his dispensing mercies has bestowed upon me in this life very convenient temporal blessings, and knowing the uncertainty of these earthly enjoyments when it shall please that good governor for to separate me from them, I do, by the laws of this kingdom, order and dispose of the same, to wit:

• I order that all my debts be paid, satisfied and discharged, and next to these my funeral expences to be paid.
• I give and bequeath to my dear and loving wife, Agnes, all my Goods, Chattels, Moneys, Moneys due or to become due and payable to me upon notes, bills or bonds and all my other personal estate of what kind or denomination, whatsoever the same may be distinguished or called.
• To hold the same unto my said wife, her Executors, Administrators, and Assigns for ever subject nevertheless to the payment of fifteen pounds, to wit,:
  • five pounds part thereof to the daughter of my eldest brother, George Ball, deceased
  • five pounds other part thereof to Thomas Ball the son of my brother William Ball
  • and the remaining five pounds the remainder thereof to James Sharples the son of my wife's brother in law James Sharples
  to be paid to them respectively by the Executor or Administrator of my said wife at her decease or shall be then living, but not otherwise on condition that they behave well towards her during my lifetime as my only Relict, this being the sole intention of this my bequest to each of them as a remembrance of me which I devise that they may comply with it being my will that they shall always while she lives shew a respect for her for my sake.
• And I hereby appoint my said wife sole executrix of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other wills by me at any time heretofore made.

In witness whereof I have to this my same last Will and Testament put my hand and seal the twenty-sixth day of April in the sixth year of the reign of King George the Third and in the year of our lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and sixty six.

Signed sealed published and declared by the above testator, Thomas Ball in the presence of us and for his last will and Testament, who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto (the word 'my' being first underlined)		His ThomasTBall Mark
witness	{Alice Harsnap {Bryan Shaw	10th April 1769 Agnes Ball Sole Executrix named in this will appeared personally and was sworn well and truly to execute the same and so forth before me Franc. Lee Surrogate

I, William Ball of Dolphinlee within Bulk in the County of Lancaster, Yeoman, being in perfect health of body and sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding do make, publish and declare this is my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say. In the first place I do order that

• all my just debts, legacies and funeral expenses shall be paid and discharged and with the payment thereof I charge both my real and personal estate.
• I give, devise and bequeath unto my son Robert Ball, his heirs, Executors, Administrators and Assigns all that my messuage and tenement at Dolphin Lee aforesaid with the appurtenances which I hold by lease under Robert Dalton Esquire for all Estate, form and interest therein.
• I also give and bequeath unto my sons Robert Ball, William Ball, George Ball, my house, cattle sheds, Hay, Corn, Household Goods, Husbandry Gear and Implements of Household and Husbandry whatsoever to be divided among them, share and share alike.
• I also give and bequeath unto Thomas Mason of Heysham in the said county, gentleman, and my said two sons, Robert Ball and William Ball all that my fee simple estate situated at Highfield near Lancaster with all and every appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaining and also all that my leasehold, messuage and tenement situated at Bulk's Bottom within Bulk aforesaid with all and every the appurtenances thereunto belonging and also Ducket's Barn and Garden situate in Bulk aforesaid, being also leasehold and held under the said Mr Dalton to hold the fee simnple estate at Highfield and the said messuage and tenement at Bulk's Bottom and also Ducket's Barn and Garden being leasehold unto the said Thomas Mason, Robert Ball and William Ball their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns for all my Estate, Form and Interest upon the trusts and for the use, intents and purposes hereinafter mention, expressed and declared of and concerning the same.
• I also give and bequeath unto the said Thomas Mason, Robert Ball and William Ball all the money due to me upon Bonds, Bill and other securities, my interest in the lease of Greaves Estate in Scotforth and all other of my personal estate whatsoever not hereinafter disposed of upon the trusts hereinafter mentioned that way upon special trust and confidence that the said Thomas Mason, Robert Ball and William Ball and the survivors and survivor of them and their executors and administrators of such survivor, shall and do various issues and profits of my said personal estate and shall and do pay and apply such rents, issues, interests, proceeds and profits of my said various personal estates for the maintenance and education of all my younger children until the youngest of them shall attain the age of twenty-one years at which time it is my will and mind that the said Thomas Mason, Robert Ball and William Ball and the survivors and survivor of them, and the heirs, executors and administrators of such survivor shall and do sell and absolutely dispose of the fee simple estate at Highfield aforesaid and also the said Tenement at Bulk's Bottom and Ducket's Barn and Garden being leasehold for the above price and most money that can be reasonably had or got for the same and shall
• and do pay and apply the money to be thereby raised, and also the residue of my said personal Estate unto and equally amongst my children, William, George, Winifred, now the wife of Robert Croskell, Alice, Cicely, Ann and Mary, share and share alike, except the said Winifred Croskell to whom I have already paid the sum of one hundred pounds which is to go in part of the fortune intended her by this my will. And if my said trustees and executors shall find that the rents, issues, interest, proceeds and profits of my said real and personal estate shall not be sufficient to support and educate and bring up my said children, then they are hereby impowered [sic] to take part of the principal to make up that deficiency
• And I hereby impower my said trustees and Executors to take out of the said Principal money if the rents, issues, interest, proceeds and profits of my said real and personal estate shall not be sufficient, any sum or sums of money they shall think proper to give with my son George on his being put out apprentice or as will be sufficient to pay such of my daughters as shall marry with the approbation of my said trustees, the sum of one hundred pounds each as soon as conveniently may after such respective marriages but what sum or sums of money shall be taken out of the said principal to pay the apprentice ship fee for my said son George, or for marriage portions with any of my daughters, the same shall be reckoned as part of his, her and their fortune
• And in case any of my children shall happen to die before his, her or their legacy or legacies shall become payable without leaving lawfull [sic] Issue, then I give and bequeath the share, shares, or him, her or them so dying without issue, then I give and bequeath the legacy or legacies of him, her, or them equally among the survivors of them...

And so I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint the said Thomas Mason, Robert Ball and William Ball Joint Executors of this my will and appoint my brother, John Ball and my son-in-law, the said Robert Croskell supervisor of this my will to see the same duly and truly performed. Provided and it is hereby declared and agreed that my said Executors and Trustees shall not nor shall any of them be chargeable with any sum or sums other than shall actually come to his or their stands respectively of any of them with the receipts, payments, acts, or defaults of the other of them, but each of them for and with his or their own receipts, payments, acts and wilful defaults only and not otherwise.

And lastly I do hereby revoke all former will and wills by me at any time heretoforeunto and declare this alone to be my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I, the said William Ball, the said testator, have hereunto set my hand and seal the eighteenth day of November in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty eight.

William Ball

Signed, sealed, published and declared the said testator William Ball and for his last will and testament In the presence of us who have thereunto subscribed our names in the presence of the testator at their request and in the presence of each other.

Ann Atkinson Anthony Atkinson John Hankinson

The final document relating to this, dated 1771, will be added as soon as possible.

I Robert Ball of Dolphin Lee near
Lancaster, gentleman, do make
publish and declare this my
last will and Testament as follows,
that is to say -

In the first place I order and direct all my just Debts, funeral and Testamentary Charges and Expences to be paid and satisfied and I desire that I may have a plain decent funeral, and wish it to be conducted in the same manner as my late wife's -

Whereas a Settlement was made between me and my present wife Agnes immediately preceding our marriage, which settlement I herby confirm in every respect, and I invest my said wife with the power and liberty of removing and taking away from my Dwelling House every Article and thing she brought there on our marriage, and that peaceably and without molestation -

I Give and bequeath all my Household Goods and Furniture, ready money, Debts, Securities for money and all my Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever (except as hereinafter is excepted) unto my Son in law Randal Phonswick [Randolph Penswick] of Ashton in the said County, Manufacturer, and my Daughter Sarah their Executors, Administrators and Assigns, upon Trust that they or the Survivor of them his or her Executors or Administrators shall and do as soon as conveniently may be after my decease make public Sale of all my said Household Goods, furniture and Effects or such parts thereof as are saleable and also to collect in all outstanding Debts and reduce the whole of my Estate and Effects into ready Money, and the Money arising therefrom I order and direct to be paid applied and disposed of as follows viz.;

unto my said present wife the sum of Five Guineas only, -
Unto my Daughter Mary the sum of One Hundred Pounds,
Unto my Daughter Agnes Fifty Pounds,
Unto my daughter Alice Forty Pounds
and unto my man and maid Servant each their full years wages altho' the current year of their service may not be expired,
which said several Legacies I direct shall be paid at the end of the twelve Calendar months next after my decease

And with respect to all the rest residue and remainder of my Effects not otherwise disposed of by this my will I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto the said Randal Phonswick and my Daughter Sarah equally between them share and share alike -

And whereas I am possessed of several pieces of Silver Plate, which I am desirous should go amongst my children agreeable to the Tickets I intend to put on each, with the name of such of my Children as each piece of Plate is designed for, now I hereby Give and bequeath the same Plate unto such of my Children as shall be specified on the said Tickets in my own handwriting

And Lastly I appoint the said Randal Phonswick and my Daughter Sarah Executor and Executrix of this my will, hereby revoking all others by me at any time made.

In witness whereof I the said Robert Ball the Testator have hereunto set my hand and seal the Fourth day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven -
Signed, sealed, published
and declared by the said as and for
his last Will and Testament
in our presence -
"the words 'Sixty', 'Forty' being first altered."
Ann Ball
Eph.m Atkinson

4th June 1807
Mr Robert Ball's will

On this Eighth Day of February one thousand eight hundred and Eight. This will was proved in common form and Sarah Ball one of the Executors therein named was Sworn well and faithfully to execute and perform the same, and that to the best of her knowledge and belief the whole of the Personal Estate and Effects of which the within named Testator died Possessed within the Archdeaconry of Richmond and Diocese of Chester did not in real value amount to the sum of One Thousand Pounds -

Before me

Joseph Rowley

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5. Thomas Ball 1738-1821, Husbandman

Will made 20 Apr 1816, proved 2 May 1821

This is the last will and Testament of me Thomas Ball of Lancaster in the county of Lancaster, Husbandman, made the twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen….

I give and bequeath unto my wife Ellen one pair of Bedstocks and a feather bed, one pair of sheets, one blanket and a quilt thereunto belonging, one clock, one pair of Chest of Drawers and one armed Chair
and whereas I am possessed of certain premises at Bulk in the said County, which are held for the Lives of myself and my Sons Richard and John Ball,
and am also possessed of certain Dwelling houses and premises in Penny Street in Lancaster aforesaid for the residue of a term of eleven years or thereabouts
Now it is my Will and Mind and I give and bequeath the said Messuages, Dwellinghouses and premises situate in Bulk and Lancaster respectively unto

• my Son John Ball of Rossall in the said County, Husbandman, and Thomas Ball of Rossall aforesaid my Grandson, Son of the said John Ball, To hold to them, the said John Ball and Thomas Ball, their Heirs, Executors, Administrators and Assigns for and during all my Term and Interest therein respectively upon trust, nevertheless that they, my said Trustees, and the Survivor of them, their or his Executors, Administrators or Assigns shall and do let and set all the said premises for the best Rents that can begotten for the same, for and during the terms therein respectively, and receive such Rents annually and after paying all Taxes, repairs and Lords Rents,
• to pay unto my said Wife the yearly annuity or Sum of four Pounds, until the Term and my Interest in the Penney Street premises shall expire, and on my Interest ceasing in the said premises in Penney Street, then it is my Will that the yearly Sum of two Pounds only shall be paid to my said Wife for and during the Term of her natural Life or Widowhood, or for and during my Interest in the Bulk premises, but no longer,
• and after the payments aforesaid then it is my Will that my said Trustees shall divide the residue of the money into four parts -
  One fourth part thereof I direct shall be paid by them or the Survivor of them unto my Son William Ball of Preston,
• One other fourth part unto my Grandson, Thomas, Son of my late Son James Ball of Bulk.
• One other fourth part unto my Daughter Betty Walker, Wife of Gregory Walker of Wyresdale and whose receipt nothwithstanding her Covertures to be a sufficient Discharge for the same and which I direct is not to be under the controul of her present or any future husband
• and the remaining fourth part to be paid to or retained by my said Grandson Thomas, Son of my said Son John
• Provided always and my Will and Mind is that if my Daughter Betty shall happen to die before my Terms and Interest should cease and be at an end in the Bulk and Lancaster premises respectively, then her Share of such Rents after the deductions aforesaid to go to and be paid to her Daughter Jane Walker annually during that time
• I also give and bequeath unto the said John Ball and Thomas Ball All the rest of my Household Goods and Furniture, Bed and table Linen, Money and Securities for Money and all other my personal Estate In trust to make Sale thereof immediately after my decease and out of the money arising therefrom to pay all my just Debts Funeral and Testamentary Expences and if any Surplus should remain after these payments then to pay

and divide the same to and amongst the same persons and in the same proportions as the Rents hereinbefore mentioned are directed to be paid and I order and direct that the Receipt and Receipts of my said Trustees and the Survivor of them, their or his Executors or Administrators shall in all Cases be good and sufficient Discharges to any Tenant or Tenants of all or any part of the said premises and for all other money paid to them and after such receipt or receipts shall be so given, he she or they shall not be obliged to see to the application thereof and that one of my said Trustees shall not be answerable for the Acts of the other but each for himself,

And lastly I do hereby revoke and make void all former and other Wills by me made and do declare this alone to be my last Will and Testament and I hereby nominate and appoint the said John Ball and Thomas Ball the Executors hereof.

In Witness whereof I the said Thomas Ball, the Testator have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and year first herein before written.

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the sight and presence of each other have hereunto set our Names as Witnesses to attest the due Executors thereof.
	Ro. Clark Tho. Rawsthorne Thos Toulmin	The Mark & Seal of Thomas X Ball

On the second day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one this Will of Thomas Ball late of Lancaster in the Parish of Lancaster in the County of Lancaster within the Archdeaconry of Richmond in the Diocese of Chester Husbandman who departed this life on or about the sixth day of April last past and was proved in common form and John Ball of Rossall in the parish of Thornton in the said County of Lancaster - Husbandman and Thomas Ball of Rossall aforesaid, Husbandman, Executors therein named were sworn well and faithfully to execute and Perform the same and so forth and that according to the best of the Knowledge ,information and belief of the said John Ball and Thomas Ball the Executors, the whole of the Goods, Chattels and credits of which the said Testator Thomas Ball died possessed within the Archdeaconry of Richmond in the Diocese of Chester (exclusive of what the said Testator might have been possessed of or intitled to as a Trustee for any other person or persons and not beneficially and without deducting any thing on account of the debts due and owing by and from the said Testator) were under the value of two Hundred pounds,

Before me - J. Rowley Surrogate

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6. Ellen [?, Parker], - 1842, 2nd wife of William Ball

Will made 20 May 1842, proved ?

This is the last Will and Testament of me, Ellen Ball of Lancaster in the County of Lancaster, Widow, as follows. I direct all my just debts, funeral and testamentary expences to be paid and discharged immediately after my decease and with the payment thereof I charge my real and personal estates.

• I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ellen All my Household Goods and Furniture of any description which I shall be possessed of at the time of my decease to be enjoyed by her during the term of her natural life
• And after her decease the same to be equally divided between the two Daughters of my said Daughter Ellen.
• I also give and devise unto my said Daughter Ellen All that my Dwellinghouse with the Appurtenances thereto belonging now in my own occupation situate in Spring Garden Street otherwise Mackarall Street in Lancaster aforesaid To hold to her my said Daughter Ellen for and during the term of her natural life if she remain single and unmarried.
• And after her decease or marriage which shall first happen I direct and impower my Trustee and Executor hereinafter named to stand seized and possessed thereof upon trust that he do and shall absolutely sell and disposed of the same either by public Auction or private Contract for the best price he can get for the same and convey and assure the same unto the purchaser thereof his or her Heirs or Assigns or as he or she shall direct.
• And I do hereby declare that the receipt of my said Trustee or the Trustee for the time being of this my will shall be good and effectual discharge to such purchaser for such purchase money and shall exonerate such person paying the same from being answerable or accountable for the misapplication or nonapplication thereof or from being obliged to see to the application thereof.
• And I do hereby direct my said Trustee to stand possessed of the monies to arise from the said Sale (after satisfying all costs charges and expences attending the same and the trusts of this my Will) and pay thereout unto the two Daughters of my said Daughter Ellen the sum of five pounds each and pay and divide the residue thereof unto and equally between and amongst my son Thomas Parker of Lancaster, Shoemaker, my daughter Mary, the wife of Samuel Lee of Sandbach in Cheshire and my son John Parker of Lancaster, Labourer to whom I hereby give and bequeath the same.
• Provided always that in case any of my said children shall depart this life before becoming entitled to the shares hereinbefore bequeathed to them leaving issue, such issue shall be entitled to the share to which his or their parent would, if living, have been entitled to if more than one, share and share alike, and if only one such child then the whole for that only child his or her executors, administrators and assigns absolutely.
• I hereby nominate and appoint Matthew Hardman of Lancaster, Hair Dresser, Trustee and Executor of this my Will. Provided always and I do declare my will and mind to be that if the said Matthew Hardman shall decline or become incapable to act on the execution of the trusts of this my will I do hereby authorise and empower him to appoint a new trustee in his place or stand, which new trustee shall have the same powers and authorities as if he had been appoointed by my will. And I do hereby declare that my said trustee or the trustees to be appointed as last aforesaid, shall not be answerable or accountable for any loss which may happen through his own neglect or default and that he shall retain to himself a reasonable compensation for his trouble and loss of time attending thereto.
• As to all the residue of my personal estate and effects, I give and bequeath the same unto my daughter Ellen absolutely.
• I revoke and make void all former and other wills by me made. In witness thereof the said Ellen Ball, the Testatrix, have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of May one thousand eight hundred and forty two.

Signed sealed published and declared the said Ellen Ball Testatrix as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names and witnesses

The mark and seal of Ellen X Ball

Robert Taylor
Wm Malley
Tho. Dobson

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7. John Ball of Poulton 1763- 1847

Will made 5 Nov 1831, proved 3 Dec 1847

I, John Ball of Poulton, being of sound and disposing mind, do appoint the following as my last Will and Testament.

I therefore, direct, that all my just debts be paid as soon after my death as convenient. My book of accounts will serve as a guide to my hereinafter named Executors; the arrangements then entered into, to stand good -

I further, hereby appoint, that my Dear Wife, Mary Ball (should she survive me,) shall have all my house-hold goods and furniture, just as they stand at my death, to dispose of them as she may think proper-

I further direct, that the sum of ten pounds shall be given to the fund of the Catholic Clergy-

And I do also direct, that Richard Ball, Robert Ball, Agnes Abram, Mary Whittam, being all my sons & daughters, shall have paid to them fifty pounds each, out of my property, before any of it is divided (William Ball, Thomas Ball, Elizabeth Kirkham, Jane Clarkson, Revd John Ball all my sons and daughters, having already received their fifty pounds each.) then the remainder shall be divided equally among all my children, or their representatives-

But I further hereby direct, that if my daughter Agnes have no child, that the fifty pounds above mentioned and the rest of her share shall be put together, & put out to safe interest; and the interest thereof to be paid to her every year, after my death, during her life; and after her death, her Brothers and Sisters or their representatives.

And I further direct, that if any thing happen to her by ill health, or by any other cause, that the interest will not make her comfortable, my Executors shall have power to give her as much of the principal stock, as they may judge proper to make her comfortable- And now I hereby appoint my son Richard Ball and Thomas Walmsley of Thornton, as my Executors:-and, revoking all my former wills, I do appoint this as my last will and testament, in testimony of all which, I do here affix my name and seal, this fifth day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty one-

John Ball
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us who have hereunto signed our names as witness,	Richard Ball Thomas Walmsley

On the third of December one thousand eight hundred & forty-seven this will of John Ball, late of Poulton, Gentleman, who died on the fourteenth day of July last was proved in common form & Richard Ball of Thornton, Farmer, one of the executors therein named was sworn well & faithfully to execute & perform the same & so forth, power being reserved for Thomas Walmsley of Thornton, the other executor therein named & so forth, & that to the best of the knowledge & belief of the said Richard Ball the whole of the goods, chattels & credits of which the said John Ball died possessed & without deducting any thing on account of his debts, were under the value of eight hundred pounds.

Before me, John Hale, Surrogate

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8. William Ball 1785-1854, Farmer of Heaton with Oxcliffe

d. intestate; Letters of Administration 15 Jul 1854

Know all Men by these Presents that We
Margaret Ball of Heaton with Oxcliffe in the Parish of Lancaster in the County of Lancaster, Widow, and Richard Ball of Thornton in the parish of Poulton, Farmer in the County of Lancaster and James Rae of Heaton with Oxcliffe in the parish of lancaster in the County of Lancaster, Farmer, are holden and firmly bound unto the Right Reverend Father in God John by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of CHESTER, is the sum of three thousand Pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain to be paid unto the said Right Reverend Father, his certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators or Assigns, for which payment well and truly be made. we bind ourselves and each of us jointly and severally for and in the whole, our Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, and the Heirs, Executors, and Administrators of each of us, firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals, and dated the fifteenth Day of July in the Year of our Lord God one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.

The ~Condition of this Obligation is such that

• if the within-bounden Margaret Ball, the lawful Widow Relict and Administratrix of all and singular, the goods, chattles, and credits of William Ball late of Heaton with Oxcliffe in the Parish of Lancaster in the Diocese of Manchester, Farmer, deceased, who departed this Life Intestate, on or about the twenty third Day June in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four do make or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased, which have or shall come to the hand, possession or knowledge of her, the said Margaret Ball or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for her and the same so made do exhibit or cause to be exhibited into the Registry of the Consistory Court at Lancaster, at or before the fifteenth day of January next ensuing.
• And the same goods, chattels and credits and all other the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased at the time of her death, which at any time after shall come into the hands or possesion of the said Margaret Ball or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for her do well and truly administer according to Law, and further do make or cause to be made true and just Account of her said Adminstration, at or before the fifteenth Day of July next ensuing.
• And all the rest and residue of the said goods, chattels and credits which shall be found remaining upon the said Administratrix Account, the same being first examined and allowed of by the judge or judges for the time being of the said Court, shall deliver and pay unto such person or persons respectively, as the said judge or judges, by his or their decree or sentence pursuant to the true intent and meaning of an Act of Parliament made in the two and twentieth and three and twentieth Years of the Reign of His late Majesty King CHARLES the second entitled "An Act for the better settling of Intestate Estates" shall limit and appoint.
• And it shall hereafter appear, that any last Will and Testament was made by the said deceased, and the Executor or Executors therein named do exhibit into the said Court, making request to have it allowed and approved accordingly, if the said Margaret Ball within-bounden being thereunto required, do render and deliver the said Letters of Administration (approbation of such Testament being first had and made in the said Court), then this obligation to be void and of none effect, or else to remain in full force and virtue.

Sealed and delivered} in the presence of} J. Rowley M.A. Surrogate

Margaret Ball Richard Ball James Rae

On the fifteenth day of July in the Year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty four the within-named Margaret Ball was sworn well and truly to administer the Goods and personal Estate of the within-named William Ball deceased, within the Diocese of CHESTER and Manchester and ARCHDEACONRY of RICHMOND in the DIOCESE of RIPON within-mentioned and so forth. And this according to the best of the knowledge, information and Belief of the said Margaret Ball the whole of the Goods, Chattels and Credits, of which the said William Ball died possessed within the Dioceses of CHESTER and Manchester and ARCHDEACONRY of RICHMOND in the DIOCESE of RIPON aforesaid, exclusive of what the deceased might have been possessed of or entitled to, as a Trustee, for any other Person or Persons, and beneficially, and without deducting any thing on Account of the Debts due and owing by and from the said William Ball deceased were under the value of fifteen hundred pounds.

Before me,
J. Rowley M.A.
Surrogate