Richard Balls

Was a glazier then plumber according to baptism records of his children

Buried at Springfield Church, age 71. From handwritten memorial inscriptions of around 1867 held at CRO.

Left sizeable will, held at CRO Chelmsford. Catalogue D/ABW 129/1/36 - location HQ3C22C1. Dated August 1819 and proved 22nd July 1831.

“I Sarah Balls late of Springfield but now of Fraiting Hall in the Parish of Fraiting in the County of Essex Widow do make my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say / I do give and bequeath unto my Grand-daughter Sarah Elizabeth Bearman and Suzanna Bearman (the Children of my late Daughter Sarah Elizabeth Bearman deceased) the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds apiece of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid to them within six months after my decease in case they shall have then attained the age of twenty one years; but in case my said Grand-daughters or either of them shall not at the time of my decease have attained the said age, then I do direct her or their said Legacy or Legacies to be paid to her or them in immediately upon her or their attainment of that age with Interest thereon to be computed from the expiration of the said six months after my decease. I do also give and bequeath to my Grandson Thomas Frederick Balls (Son of my late Son Thomas Frederick Balls deceased) the sum of three hundred pounds of like lawful money to be paid to him within six months after my decease in case he shall have then attained the agge of twenty one years and if not then immediately upon his attainement of that age with Interest for the same to be computed from the expiration of the said six months after my decease. I give and bequeath unto Richard Haslar (the natural or reputed Child of my late Son Richard Warren Balls deceased) the Legacy or sum of One hundred and fifty pounds of like lawful money to be also paid to him within six months after my decease in case he shall have then attained the age of twenty one years and if not then immediately upon his attainment of that age and I do direct the Interest thereof in the mean time (which I intented to commence from the time of my decease) to be paid and applied by my executors herinafter named or the Survivor of them or the Executors or Administrators of such survivior for or towards his benefit maintenance and education and I emplower my said Executors upon the said Richard Haslar’s attaining a proper age to be placed out Apprentice to any Trade or profession to advance out of the said Legacy any sum not exceeding fifty pounds for that purpose And in case of the death of any or either of my said Grand-daughter Sarah Elizabeth Bearman and Susanna Bearman my said Grandson Thomas Frederick Balls and the said Richard Haslar before ....

“I give and bequeath unto my Grand-daughter Frances Balls Dawson ... my Daughter Judith Frances the wife of William Kendall Dawson of Fraiting Hall aforesaid Gentleman.”

Interestingly, no mention of grandson Thomas Bearman. Was Thomas Bearman not the son of Thomas Bearman coachmaker of Springfield. There was also no mention of Thomas Bearman her late daughter's husband who died in 1827 but who also had to sell his house and business not many years after writing this will.

Moved from Chelmsford the short distance to Springfield between 1785 and 1791 when his son Richard Warren was born. The rector recorded that he was patron of the 3 Cups. His long will confirms he was a victualer as well as confirming his children - the copy, unfortunately is not great...

Attached picture courtesy of http://deadpubs.co.uk/EssexPubs/Springfield/threecup.shtml

Buried Springfield Church age 30, inscription in handwritten book of around 1868 held at CRO:

“In Memory of Elizabeth the Wife of Thomas Frederick Balls who died the 13 of June 1808 Aged 30 years. Also of the above mentioned Thomas Frederick Balls who died the 12 of Nov 1809 aged 34 years and of Richard Balls who died an infant.

“When blooming youth and beauty is most grave death plucks us up and plants us in the grave take care young folk your precious time to spend your lives all short and quickly at an end.”

From the parish records (see attached burial record):

“True Copy from the Chelmsford Chronicle Friday June 17th 1808

“‘On Monday died of a decline, in the 30th year of her age, Mrs Elizabeth Balls, of the Three Cups Inn Springfield. She bore a very long affliction with great fortitude and resignation, and her loss will be sincerely lamented.’”

Gravestone inscription at Springfield, from Monumental Inscriptions, 1867, handwritten book at CRO:

“In Memory of Elizabeth the Wife of Thomas Frederick Balls who died the 13 of June 1808 Aged 30 years. Also of the above mentioned Thomas Frederick Balls who died the 12 of Nov 1809 aged 34 years and of Richard Balls who died an infant.

“When blooming youth and beauty is most grave death plucks us up and plants us in the grave take care young folk your precious time to spend your lives all short and quickly at an end.”

Attached is will of Thomas, proved in 1810 (click on thumbnail images).

Parish records (click on small book icons by his name):

“Thos Balls of the 3 Cups in this Parish of Springfield who was buried in this Church-yard had a long affliction which he sustained with great fortitude & resignation. Buried Nov 1809 in this Church Yard”

The following page confirms this as November 19th 1809.

Attached picture courtesy of http://deadpubs.co.uk/EssexPubs/Springfield/threecup.shtml