In the Name of God Amen, I William Bee of Deptford in the County of Kent, Mariner, do hereby make my Will (that is to say) I will and direct that all my Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature and kind ////// after payment of my Just Debts & Funeral Charges ) may go and belong to my Eldest Daughter Mary Bee, as also such of my Annual Stipend or Salary Payable from Government as a Superannuated Gunner as may be due at the time of my decease, the same to be for her sole and seperate use and benefit, hereby revoking all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore made, and do publish and declare this only to be my last Will and Testament, hereof constituting and appointing Mr John Bee of Bankside, Coal Merchant, Sole Executor.
In Witness whereof I have to this my Will set my Hand and affixed my Seal this first day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine -
Wm. Bee.
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the Testator, William Bee as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who in his presence, at his request, and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as Witnesses attesting the execution thereof - H Flanning - J Hubert & Boro.
This Will was proved at London the twenty seventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine, before the Worshipful Charles Coote, Doctor of Laws, Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne, Knight, also Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of John Bee the sole Executor named in the said Will, to whom Administration of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said deceased was granted he having first sworn duly to Administer.
Public Record Office reference no. PROB 11 / 1326
Transcribed by Cliff Thornton, December 2004.