Was born in England, as his name and associations here show, and about the year 1617, as by his deposition at a later time.

It has been believed by many historians that he is the "William Ballard" who shipped for New England March 26, 1634, in the "Mary and John."  He would have been only about 18 years old at the time, rather an unusual age for a Pilgrim; but he was associated with several of those who came in that ship at Newbury (where he owned land in 1645) and Andover; which may confirm the theory that he was this passenger.

He may have been a resident of Dedham in 1643; for when two men of that town, Thomas Bayes and Robert Crosman, were brought before the Court for "mutinous and turbulent speeches" and "offensive speeches," William Ballard united with Henry Chickering, Tymo. Dwyte and Robert Hinsdell in giving bonds for the payment of their fines.  It is possible that mere friendship or former acquaintance led to the assistance he rendered to Bayes and Crosman.  Dedham records, however, do not mention him.

Andover* was the plantation where the greater part of Mr. Ballard's life in New England was passed.

He married at a place and time not yet ascertained Grace _____, whose name and family are not known to us.

His house was a place of hospitality.  A simple testimony to this fact came out in the evidence he was giving in a neighbor's lawsuit in 1662; the spelling was that of the notary:

"The deposition of William Balard aged a bought 45.  This

deponent saith that a bought sixe weekes senc the houes of Job Tiler being burned he gave the sd. Tilers wife leave to com with her family for a time and live at his houes hir husband at that time not being at home which acordingly shee did and there remaynes to this time."

William Ballard of Andover, husbandman, exchanged lands with William Chandler, and deeded to him his house and barn and 4 acres of land and one hortyard (orchard), bounded by lands of Nathan Parker, John Lovejoy, Andrew Allen, of Chandler and by the highway; his wife Grace joining in the deed; date, May 20 and 25, 1663.

2.   i.  Joseph².

3.  ii.  William.

   iii.  Sarah, m. Feb. 24, 1669, Henry Holt, Jr. [sic, she married Henry Holt, Sr.]...

    iv.  Elizabeth, m. Nov. 11, 1668, William Blunt; she d. July 11, 1689...

4.   v.  John, b. Jan. 17, 1653.

    vi.  Hannah, b. Aug. 14, 1655; m. Sept. 20, 1681, John Spalding.

   vii.  Lydia, b. Apr. 30, 1657; m. 12 (2) 1674, Joseph Butterfield.  [n.b., 12 (2) 1674 = 12 Apr 1674, not Feb]

  viii.  Abigail, unm. in 1689.

    ix.  Ann, m. Samuel Butterfield...

4.  John² (William¹) born at Andover, January 17, 1653; married November 16, 1681, Rebekah, daughter of William and Ruth Hooper, born October 26, 1656.  She died December 7, 1715...