In the name of God Amen, I George Woodward, Marine of the 35 Company of Chatham Division, but now belong. to his Majesty’s Ship Alarm, Sir Richard Pierson 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 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 and singular such pay, Wages, Sum and Sums of Money, Lands, Tenements, Goods, Chattels and Estate whatsoever as shall be any ways due, owing or so belonging unto me at the time of my decease I do give, devise and bequeath the same unto my beloved Cousin John Everard Curtis of Andover in the County of Southampton. And I do hereby nominate and appoint him my aforesaid beloved Cousin John Everard Curtis my 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 twelfth day of January in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one and in the twenty first year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the third over Great Britain etc. The mark X of George Woodward.
Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of Rd. Pearson,
Henry Lewington John Rout.
On the twenty fifth day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four, Administration with the Will annexed of all and Singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of George Woodward, formerly a Marine in the Chatham Division, but late belonging to his Majesty’s Ship Alarm, deceased, was granted to William Hohn (?) the lawful Attorney of John Everard Curtis the Sole Executor named in the said Will for the use and benefit of the said executor now residing at Andover in the County of Southampton, having been first Sworn duly to Administer.
Public Record Office reference no. PROB 11 / 1118
Transcribed by Cliff Thornton, January 2005.