In the Name of God Amen, I John Thurman, 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 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 and for and concerning all my worldly Estate, I give, bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth, that is to say –
All such wearing apparel and Necessaries that I am possessed of at the time of my Decease, I Give and bequeath them to George Nowell, Seaman on Board said Bark, together with Five Guineas to be paid out of my wages.
I also bequeath unto Samuel Jones Eight Guineas to be paid out of my Wages, and to Robert Anderson three pounds Eleven Shillings and four pence out of my wages.
And as for and concerning the Residue of my Wages, I Give and bequeath the same unto Thomas Hardman, Richard Littleboy, Michael Littleboy and John Marra, Seamen belonging to said Bark, to be equally divided between them.
Lastly I Give unto Charles Williams Six Volumes of Natural History.
And I do hereby Nominate and appoint my Friend George Nowell aforesaid Sole Executor of this 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 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 thirty first 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. John Thurman.
Signed, Sealed Published and Declared in the presence of Jams. Cook J Hickes
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 and Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury Lawfully Constituted on the Fifth day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one by the oath of George Nowell, 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 having been first sworn duly to administer.
Cliff Thornton, June 2003