In the Name of God Amen, I Emanuel Peterson now outward bound on a discovery to the South Seas on board his Majesty's Ship Resolution (space) Cook Commander, 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, make, publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say –
First, I recommend 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 –
After payment of my just Debts and Funeral Expences, all and singular such Wages, Sum and Sums of Money, Lands, Tenements, Goods, Chattels and Estate whatsoever as be anyways due, owing or belonging unto me at the time of my decease, I do give, devise and bequeath the same unto Phillip Aston of Ratcliffe in the County of Middlesex, Waterman, his Executors, Administrators or Assigns.
And I do hereby nominate and appoint the said Phillip Aston Exor. 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. In Witness whereof to this my said Will I have set my Hand and Seal the fourth day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy two. And in the twelfth Year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the third over Great Britain &c. Eml. Peterson his mark.
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared in the presence of us Jams. Cook Wm. Dawson.
This Will was proved at London the twenty third day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one before the Worshipful John Fisher, 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 Phillip Aston, the sole Executor named in the said Will, to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, and Credits of the deceased he having been first Sworn duly to Administer.
Cliff Thornton, July 2003