BALLARD OF HEREFORDSHIRE

WILLIAM BALLARD, MP for Hereford Ed III parliament, Westminster 1327/31.

THOMAS BALLARD, of Letton, Herefordshire. Granted Arms c 1400 by College of Arms.

WILLIAM BALLARD, College of Arms 1460 - 1480. His wife sold his heraldic records to Sir John Wrythe.
Sir Anthony Wagner K.C.B., K.C.V.O., D.Litt. in his book "English Genealogy" says ..."The oldest books of pedigrees which are known to be the work of heralds date from about 1480. William Ballard, March King of Arms c.1475 - c.1490 made a Visitation of Cheshire and recorded brief genealogies as well as arms." William Ballard in the late fifthteenth century was official cannon to the March King Of Arms and sworn to do his utmost to have knowledge of all noble gentleman within his marches and to register Arms within his province of the West of England, Wales and Cornwall. As a consequence The Ballard Book of Arms (XXVI) now resides at the College of Arms in London, recording about 136 blazoned and 420 painted coats of arms accumulated sometime between 1465 and 1490 for and under the supreme command of Edward IV, Edward V and Richard III. William Ballard's task was to establish the validity of such arms and that of there bearers, often in dispute, courts would be held and if claims were upheld, records would be made in Rolls recording pedigrees and arms of such noblemen. In addition there are two references to William in the Patent Rolls:- 28 March 1460 - Commission to William Ballard, herald at arms of Henry, duke of Exeter to purvey 3 shot of 'cables' for the duke's money for the ship called le Grace Dieu, about to go to sea to resist the king's enemies, which is destitute of cables. 18 January 1485 - Grant for life to Thomas Gibbes that he shall be one of the knights of the king's alms within the college of St.George within the castle of Wyndesore, with all fees, vestures and profits at the second vacancy, the first granted to William Ballard alias Marche.

JOHN BALLARD, of Much Dewchurch. PCC Will 13 Stevenson 1564 (AS BELOW) TRANSCRIPT OF WILL JOHN BALLARD OF MUCH DEWCHURCH PCC, QUIRE 13: FOLIO 103B (1564) the seconde daie of March in the yeare of Our Lord god a thousande ffyve hundredthe three score and three I John Ballarde of Much Dewchurch in the Dioces of Herefford sick in body and hole in mynde and perfecte in remembrance thank s be to allmightie god make my last testement and will in manner and fforme ffollowinge. Ffirst I bequeathe my sowle to Almighty God my maker and redeemer and my Bodie to be buried in the Church yarde of St Davids. Item: I bequeathe to the Cathedrall Churche of Heref XXd. Item: I bequeathe to Richard my sonne two Bullocks and two heifers in the keeping of Gwillm ab Eynan ap Llnn. Item I bequeathe to my ffyve daughters Jane, Rose, Johan, Margerie, and Katherine and everie of them two heifers. Item: I give to Alice my wife ffyve kyne and the Close called the Crossewaie Close and Close behinde the Barne so longe as she keep herself wedow. Item: I give to the maintenance of James my sonne to keepe him to schole ffyve pounds sterling. Item: I give to John my sonne my lease of the Byshopes House whom I make my sole executor of this my laste will and Testament and Mathew Webb oversea of the same and all my other Goodes and hous houlde to be devided by my said executor as he thinke the Beste Thies witnes being presente at the making of this my last will Thomas Hare, Doctor of Ffissicke Mathew Webb, Phillip Jenkin, Roger Webb, Katherine ap Morgan the wief of John ap Morgan, James Ballard and others.

This is a probate copy - no signature. Kyne = Cows. Bishops House - unable to locate. Not in PR nor on 1842 Tithe Apportion Map. Crossway Close - was, in 1842, opposite the "Old Lowe Farm" on road Aconbury to Much Dewchurch, but was part of Hill Farm which in the 1600's was owned by the Bodenham family. Present owner of the Hill has found old glass fragments and a pit believed to have been a glass furnace. In 1620's a Jenkin was buried from "Glaziers Close". Intriguing! St Davids = Much Dewchurch (Great St Davids, from Welsh) Much Dewchurch Register (checked 1558-1605). 26 October 1597 Humphrey Ballard and Elynor Ballard Married. (?) November 1603 Phillip Gwatkin and Elizabeth Ballard (my Verrier's also married Gwatkin's) Buried 4 March 1565 John Ballard. Buried. 22 November 1573 Thomas Ballard. Herefordshire Militia Assessments 1664 Langaran Rich: Ballard gent valued at 75 pds (The highest for this Parish was Henry Milbourne 90 pds). Mr Halls and Mr Ballards 15 pds (Mr Hall was Walter Hall). Hereford Hearth Tax Assessments 1664/65 These have been indexed by Herefordshire Family History Society. I don't have a copy. COMMENT It looks as though the Ballard's settled in Much Dewchurch about the same time as my Verrier's circa 1540, then moved to Llangaran. Hope this helps. If there is any further info. I will pass it on. Kind regards, ADRIAN ( information supplied by Adrian Verry, New Zealand) tuathadedaan@xtra.co.nz

JOHN BALLARD, of Lyston House. Will PCC 70 Hayes 1605 ? Estcheator 1577/90.

RICHARD BALLARD, of Llangarron. PR's & monuments.

RICHARD BALLARD, of Longrove. Name on church plate.

WILLIAM BALLARD, of " Bristol " Death 1700. Named as nephews in Anne's will, sister of Richard above.

Special thanks to those who who contributed to this information, Paul Ballard, Paul@troutward.enta.net and Adrian & Merry Verry tuathadedaan@xtra.co.nz . If you are able to add to this please contact me especially WILLIAM BALLARD of Bristol death 1700.

The last entry that I have shown, William Ballard as been refered to in his aunts, Anne Ballard, Spinster, Will, and I am still waiting to see a copy of this in the hope that there may be more information within, regarding the reference to Bristol " My home town " and the home of all my ancestors up-to my present research.

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