William Daft of HMS Amazon 1763 Will

The National Archives PROB 11/890/557

In the Name of God Amen I William Daft now belonging to his Majestys Ship the Amazon Captain Norton Commander being of sound and disposing Mind and Memory do hereby make this my last Will and Testament

First and Principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping for remission of all my sins through the Merits of Jesus Christ my blessed Saviour and Redeemer and my Body to the Earth or Sea as it shall please God

And as for such Worldly Estate and Effects which I shall be possessed of or Intitled unto at the time of my decease I give and bequeath the same as followeth that is to say

I give and bequeath unto my Brother Henry Jackson of the parish of Saint Matthew Bethnall Green in the County of Middlesex Weaver all such Wages sum and sums of Money which now is or hereafter shall be due to me for my Service or otherwise on board the said Ship or any other Ship or Vessel And also all my wearing Apparel both Linnen and Woollen

And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said Brother Henry Jackson sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament

And I do give and bequeath unto my said Executor all the rest and residue of my Estate whatsoever both real and personal hereby revoking and making void all other and former Wills by me heretofore made

And I do declare this to be my last Will and Testament

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this twenty first day of May in the year of or Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty and in the thirty third year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c

                                                                                                                Wm Daft his Mark

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator William Daft as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses in the presence of the said Testator

Wm Norton

Richd Nadauld

Thos Berkley

This Will was proved at London before the Worshipfull George Harris Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Worshipfull Sir Edward Simpson Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted on the twenty ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty three by the Oath of Henry Jackson the Brother of the deceased and 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 he having been first sworn duly to administer