In the Name of God Amen, I John Woodworth belonging to his Majesty's Bark Endeavour, Lieutenant James 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 the 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 –
All such Pension Money, Smart Money and also all such Wages, Sum and Sums of Money, Lands, Tenements, Goods, Chattels and Estate whatsoever as shall be any ways due or owing or belonging unto me at the time of my Decease, I do Give, Devise and bequeath the same unto my beloved Wife Ann, but in Case of her Death I Give, Devise and bequeath the same unto my Son Nathaniel Woodworth , Watch Maker of London.
And I do hereby Nominate and Appoint my Wife Ann and Son Nathaniel, Executors 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 Sixth day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Sixty eight. And in the Eighth Year of the Reign of his Majesty King George (space) over Great Britain &c. John Woodworth.
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared in the presence of Jams. Cook
R. Orton Robt. Molineux.
This Will was proved at London the Twenty fourth day of July in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one, before the Worshipful Francis Simpson Doctor of Laws, Surrogate of the Right Worshipful George Hay also Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully Constituted by the Oath of Ann Woodworth Widow, the Relict of the deceased and one of the Executors to whom Administration was granted having been first Sworn Duly to Administer, Power reserved of making the like Grant to Nathaniel Woodworth the Son of the said Deceased and other Executor when he shall apply for the same.
Cliff Thornton, August 2003