In the Name of God Amen, I Alexander Simpson, belonging to his Majesty's Bark Endeavour, Lieutenant James Cook Commander, being in a weak state of Health but of a 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 all my Just Debts are paid then all Wages, Sum and Sums of Money, Lands, Tenements, Goods, Chattels and Estate whatsoever as I shall be any ways due, owing or belonging unto me at the time of my decease, I do devise and bequeath the same unto my beloved Friend John Hardy of the Parish of Old Deer in the Shire of Aberdeen,
And I do hereby Nominate and Appoint Mr Robert Anderson of the said Bark Endeavour Executor of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former and other Wills, Testaments and Deeds of Gift 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 Fourteenth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one, and in the Eleventh Year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the third over Great Britain &c. Alexdr. Simpson
Signed, Sealed, Published and declared in the presence of Jams. Cook William Perry R. Orton.
This Will was proved at London before the Worshipful Francis Simpson, 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 Second day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one by the Oath of Robert Anderson the Sole Executor named in the said Will, to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said deceased he having been first sworn duly to Administer.
Cliff Thornton, June 2003