In the Name of God Amen, I Thomas Dunster, Marine of the Plymouth Division 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 manner following (that is to say) –
First, I recommend my Soul to God that Gave it and by 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 Necessary's such as my Wearing Apparel / mess-utensils &c. as I am possessed of at the time of my Decease I Give and bequeath them to my Mess Mate Samuel Gibson,
But as my 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 my Father Robert Dunster of the Parish of Dunkshill (Dunkeswell) in the County of Devon.
And I do hereby Nominate and Appoint my Father, Robert Dunster aforesaid whole and Sole 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 I have set my hand and Seal the Twenty fourth day of January 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. Thomas Dunster
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared in the presence of Jams. Cook, Robt. Molineux, Rd. Orton.
This Will was proved at London before the Right Worshipful George Hay, Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted on the Eighth day of October in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one by the Oath of Robert Dunster the father of the Deceased and 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 by Commission Duly to Administer.
Cliff Thornton, August 2003