In the Name of God Amen, I Wm. Anderson, Surgeon of his majesty's Sloop Resolution, having been for some time past in a Bad State of Health and not without any prospect of Recovery, have resolved to make my last Will and Testament hereby annulling every other Will or Testament made by me heretofore and that in the following manner –
After all my just and lawful Debts are paid, I leave or bequeath unto my Uncle Mr William McHill (?) living or lately living at North Berwick, Mains, Haddingtonshire, Scotland, one half of whatever I may be possessed of at my Death, whether Money, Goods &c.
I leave to my Sisters Beth and Robinah, the other half of whatsoever I may be possessed of at my Death, it being to be equally divided between them.
I leave to Joseph Banks Esquire the Natural Curiosities I have collected during this voyage with some Manuscript Note relating to them.
I leave to Mr Samuel of the Resolution what Books I have on Board, Except Manuscripts.
I leave what cloathes or Wearing apparel I have to Joseph Collett and William Starling, the Gun Room Servants, and desire that this and the preceding article may be fulfilled at my Death without waiting the Execution of the rest of the Will.
And I do hereby nominate and appoint Messrs. Thomas and William Mande in Downing Street, Westminster Executors of this my last Will and Testament.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal, the twenty first Day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy eight Wm. Anderson.
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared by the said Testator in the presence of
James King A.Dewar.
This Will was proved at London the Fourteenth Day of November in the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Eighty before the Worshipful Andrew Coltee Ducarel, Doctor of Laws, Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert, Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Thomas Mande one of the Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the deceased having been first Sworn duly to administer, power reserved of making the like grant to William Mande the other Executor named in the said Will when he shall apply for the same.
Cliff Thornton, July 2003