In the Name of God Amen, I James Nicholson, Seaman 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 to be 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) all such Wages, Sum and Sums of Money, Lands, Tenements, Goods, Chattels and Estate whatsoever as shall be due, owing or belonging unto me at the time of my Decease, I do Devise, Give and bequeath the same unto my beloved friend Alexander Simpson, Seaman on board said Bark Endeavour
And I do hereby Nominate and appoint my Friend Alexander Simpson aforesaid my whole and Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills and 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 last Will and Testament I have set my hand and Seal this twenty ninth 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. James Niolson.
Signed, Sealed, published and declared in the presence of Jams. Cook, J: Hickes, R Orton.
On the Second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one, administration with the Will annexed of the Goods, Chattels and Credits of James Nicolson, otherwise Nicholson, otherwise Niolson, late belonging to his Majesty's Bark Endeavour, a Bachelor deceased, was granted to Robert Anderson, the Sole Executor of the will of Alexander Simpson deceased (whilst living) the Sole Executor and Universal Legatee named in the said Will, he having been first sworn duly to administer for that the said Alexander Simpson survived the Testator, but died without having taken upon him the Execution of the said Will.
Cliff Thornton, June 2003