Most of these papers concern Hezekiah Ballard, Junior, 1720-1803. There are also a few from other members of his family. The material has been divided into six parts, by family members. It is all deeds except as mentioned.

The original Ballard in Andover was William, 1617-1691. His son Joseph, who died in 1722, generated material in the first sections: one deed and a photocopy of his 1694 commission in the local militia company. Joseph's brother William, who died about 1714 had a son Enoch who in 1714 was living in Plainfield, Connecticut. Enoch's quit-claim deed of 1714 to his cousin Hezekiah in Andover makes up the second section.

Joseph Ballard's son Hezekiah, 1682-1751 left three deeds and a will. The papers of Jeremiah and Josiah, sons of Hezekiah and half-brothers of Hezekiah, Jr., which include Josiah's 1780 will, make the fourth and fifth subdivisions.

The sixth and largest section contains the papers of Hezekiah Ballard, Jr. They are mostly deeds, seventeen of nineteen items, including property division documents of his sister Sarah Ballard Kidder and Hannah Ballard Stickney. There is also a 1790 will and a letter, 21 April 1794 from the deacons of South Church accepting his resignation.

These papers were among the material given to the society in 1923 by the estate of Mary Ballard. At that time they were given Accession Number 1923.12.

Charlotte Helen Abbott's typed notes: Early Records of the Ballard Family of Andover were used in writing this note. Processed by Mary F. Morgan, November 1982