"In the name of God, Amen, I Charles Clerke, of His Majesty's Sloop Resolution, having been long in a state of straiten and not knowing how soon it may please God to remove me from this life, I hereby make this my last will and testament that all my just and lawful debts be paid, and which are as follows -
Mr James Sykes of Crutched Friars, my agent, who hath my credentials in his hands having settled my accounts to acquit himself of the sum I now stand indebted to him, and from the remainder pay
And after the above debts and legacies are discharged, all the rest and residue of my Effects whatsoever or wheresoever, real or personal that at this time or at any time hereafter shall belong to me, I give and bequeath to my loving sister Sarah Clerke.
And I do hereby appoint Edward Thompson of Bow, Captain in His Majesty's Navy, to whom I bequeath my second gold watch as a memorial of my friendship, and James Sykes of Crutched Friars, London, to whom I bequeath the sum of ten Guineas, as my executors.
As witness whereof and hereunto I set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of August one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine... Chas. Clerke.
Signed and sealed in the presence of James King, Alexander Dewar."
Cliff Thornton
Originally published in Cook's Log, page 13, volume 26, number 1 (2003).
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