The Wills of Captain Cook's Crew - Stephen White

In the Name of God Amen, I Stephen White, Mariner, belonging to his Majesty’s Ship Pallas, Rowland Cotton Esquire 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 my Body 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, such 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 trusty friend John Humble of Portsmouth Common in the County of Hants, Labourer,

and I do hereby nominate and appoint my said trusty friend John Humble, Sole Executor 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 twenty second day of January in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, and in the eighteenth year of the Reign of his majesty King George the third over Great Britain etc.    -    Stephen White

Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of    Row. Cotton    - Jo. Parry.

This Will was proved at London the twenty sixth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight before the Right Worshipful Sir George Hay Knight, Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of John Humble the sole Executor named in the said Will, to whom Administration of all and singular, the Goods, Chattels, and Credits of the deceased was granted, he having been first sworn by Commission duly to Administer.

Transcribed by Cliff Thornton, December 2004.