Daft William 1786 of HMS Eagle Will

William Daft of HMS Eagle 1786 Will

The National Archives PROB 11/1144/16

In the Name of God Amen I Willm Daft of his Majesty’s Ship the Eagle Captain Roger Curtis Commander being in bodily health and of sound and disposing of 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

Prize money Smart Money short allowance Money pension Salary 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 dear beloved Mother Elizabeth Daft in the Parish of White Chapel London and I do hereby nominate and appoint the said Elizabeth Daft my whole and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former and other Wills Testaments and Deed 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 ninth day of February in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine and in the nineteenth year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the third over Great Britain &c

                                                                                                                William Daft

Signed Sealed Published and Declared in the presence of

Roger Curtis

Caleb Cook

J Battars

On the third day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty six administration with the Will annexed of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of William Daft late a seaman belonging to his Majesty’s ship Eagle deceased was granted to Margaret Malane spinster the Niece next of kin and administratrix of the Goods of Elizabeth Daft Widow the … sole Executrix and Universal Legatee named in the said Will she having been first sworn duly to administer The said Elizabeth Daft Surviving the Testator but dying without having taken upon her the Execution of the said Will