In the Name of God Amen, I Samuel Moody, belonging to his Majesty's Bark the Endeavour, Cook Commander, now bound to Parts beyond the Seas & not knowing how it may please God to Deal with me, being in bodily health and of Sound and disposing Mind and Memory, and Considering the Perils and Dangers of the Seas and other uncertainties of this Transitory life, Do for avoiding controversies after my Decease, I make, publish and Declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say –
First, I commend my Soul to God that Gave it and my Body I Commit to the Earth or Sea as it shall please God to Order, and as for and Concerning all my Worldly Estate
I Give, Bequeath and Dispose thereof as followeth, that is to say, unto my Good Friend John Powell, Broker of Hoxton in the County of Middlesex, his Heirs and Assigns forever to receive all such Wages, Sum and Sums of Money, Lands, Tenements, Goods, Chattels and Estate whatsoever as shall be any ways due, owing, or belonging unto me at the time of my Decease. I do Give, Devise and Bequeath the same unto the said John Powell, his Heirs, Exectors , Admors or Assigns
And I do hereby Nominate and Appoint the said John Powell my Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former and other Wills, Testaments and Deeds of Gifts by me at any time heretofore made, And I do Ordain and ratify these presents to Stand and be for and as my only last Will and Testament Irevokable from all others
In witness whereof to this my said Will I have set my hand and seal the fifteenth Day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and 68 – And in the Eighth year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the Third over Great Britain &c. Samuel Moody (his mark)
Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of Jams. Cook Z Hickes.
This Will was proved at London before the Worshipful William Neacham, Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Worshipful George Hay also Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted on the Sixteenth Day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one by the oath of John Powell the Sole Executor to whom Administration was Granted he having been first Sworn Duly to Adster.
Cliff Thornton, July 2003