A biography of Vancouver can be found on my George
Vancouver pages, together with much more about him and his achievements.
On the twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
and ninety eight, Administration (with the Will annexed) of all and singular, the Goods,
Chattels and Credits of George Vancouver, late of Petersham in the County of
Surrey, and a Captain in his Majesty's Navy, deceased, was granted to John Vancouver the
natural and lawful Brother of the said deceased and the Residuary Legatee named in the
said Will, having been first sworn duly to Administer - no Executors being named
therein.
William Wales sailed on the Second Voyage with Cook on the Resolution as
Astronomer. He made surveys and drew charts as well as taking astronomical readings.
Wales was born in Wakefield in 1735. After the voyage Wales became a Master at Christ's
Hospital School where he taught mathematics to, amongst others, Samuel Coleridge, the
poet. He and his wife, Mary, had five children.
The Dictionary of National Biography has a short article about Wales (DNB 20, pp.490-1).
I desire my body may be buried in as frugal a manner as decency will admit and that all
my just debts may be paid I direct all my Books and Instruments the Clock in the
Observatory and the Watch I usually wear together with all such other of my effects as
are not immediately necessary for the use of my wife and that part of my family who may
remain with her to be sold and the money arising from such sale to be laid out on Law
or Government Securities the interest of which together with the interest of all other
sums of money which may belong to me at my death after my debts are paid and my wife
settled to her mind wheresoever or in whatever hands they may be found I give my wife
Mary Wales for the term of her natural life and at her death I direct the principal
whatever it may be to be divided equally among my five children Sarah Trollope wife of
the Reverend Arthur William Trollope, Ann Hayley Wales, Mary Judith Wales, John Wales
and James Wales or the survivors of them should any of them die unmarried before my
said wife but should any of them be married and die before my said wife Mary Wales and
leave children husband or wife then and in that case his or her share shall go to such
children husband or wife but in every other circumstance the share of any of my five
children Sarah, Ann Hayley, Mary Judith, John and James Wales dying before my said wife
Mary Wales shall be divided equally among those who survive her or their representatives
described above such stock as may be standing against my name in the books of the
Worshipful Company of Stationers of this City at my decease with the dividends arising
from the same together with all the rest of my estate not mentioned above or not
expressly disposed of I give to my said wife Mary Wales to be disposed of as she may
think proper.
Lastly I constitute and appoint my said wife Mary Wales The Rev Arthur William Trollope
and my daughter Ann Hayley Wales (the rest of my unmarried children being yet under age)
executors of this my Will and hereby revoking all former Wills by me made declaring
this written with my own hand on one sheet of paper my last Will and Testament in
witness of which I the said William Wales have set my hand and seal to it this
sixth day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety eight.
Wm Wales _____ signed sealed published and Declared to be the last Will and
Testament of the above named William Wales before us who at his request in his presence
and in the presence of each other leave subscribe our names as witnesses. John Hillier.
Joseph Smith.
THIS WILL was proved at London the seventh day of January in the year of our Lord One
thousand Seven hundred and ninety nine before the worshipful Samuel Pearce Parson.
Doctor of Law Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir William Wy____ also Doctor of Laws
Master Keeper or commissary of the Perogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted
by the oaths of Mary Wales widow the relict of the deceased the Revd Arthur William
Trollope clerk and Ann Hayley Wales spinster the daughter of the said deceased and the
Executors names in the Will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the
goods chattels and credits of the said deceased having been first sworn only to admi.
James Wallis (Wallace) was carpenter on the Resolution for the second voyage. He
joined the ship on 03 December 1771. He ay have died in 1791.
James Ward, who sailed on Cook's third voyage on the Resolution as an AB, has
remained something of a shadowy individual. We only know a little about his time with
Cook. He remained an AB until 01 November 1777 when he became a midshipman and stayed
one until 02 November 1779. For the last part of the voyage he reverted to being an
AB. He emerged from obscurity during the voyage by being was the first to see the
Hawaiian Islands when he sighted O'ahu on the morning of 18 January 1778.
A discovery in late 2005 has allowed us to piece together some background for Ward.
His grave was located at St. Michael's Church, Berechurch on the southern edge of
Colchester in Essex. The inscription on the gravestone provided valuable further
information that he was the son of Ralph and Mary Ward and the grandson of Knox Ward.
More research showed that there was a connection with other persons linked to James
Cook.
Clifford Thornton has written about Ralph and George Jackson from Cleveland. Ralph and
George were the sons of George Jackson and his wife Hannah, who was herself the daughter
of William and Mary Ward. William and Mary had at least twelve children, including, as
well as Hannah, two sons, Joshua and John. Joshua (1686-1761) would become rich and
notorious as an inventor and vendor of quack medicines. He invented the medicines known
as Ward's Pill and Ward's Drop.
Ward's brother, John (1675-1755), would become a infamous businessman and politician
and was even knighted. Sir John Ward was an M.P. and even Lord Mayor of London in 1718.
In 1725, Ward was a defendant in an action brought by the widow of the first duke of
Buckingham and Normanby, concerning alum works he had leased from the duke. It emerged
that Ward had cheated the duke out of £70,000 and he was convicted of fraud and forgery.
Knox Ward was the son of Sir John and he was Clarenceux King of Arms from 1726 to 1741.
In 1736, Knox Ward acquired the property of West Donyland outside Colchester. Knox Ward
married Eliza Nettleton and together they had two sons and two daughters. At Knox's
death in 1746, West Donyland passed to his son, Ralph Ward. The reason for Knox Ward
moving to Essex may rest with one of his aunts. Margaret Ward, another of William and
Mary's daughters, married David Gansell in 1714 and lived at the Gansell home, East
Donyland, southeast of Colchester. It is probable that Knox Ward became aware of
property near Colchester through his Aunt Margaret.
Ralph Ward, the elder son of Knox and Eliza, was a lawyer in London. He married Ann
Cook(e) on 24 October 1762 at Saint Martin in the Fields, Westminster, London. Ann
Cooke already had two children by an earlier marriage, Maria Cook(e) and James Cook(e),
who assumed the surname of Ward. It is this James Ward, born in 1761, who sailed with
Cook. Ralph and Ann Ward had a daughter of their own called Elizabeth.
James Ward's great great grandfather, William Ward of Cleveland, was also the
grandfather of George Jackson, who from 1766 was Second Secretary to the Admiralty.
Different strands of the family were in contact and it was probably on George Jackson's
recommendation that the young James entered the Naval Academy at Portsmouth in 1772. He
remained there until 1775 and during this time became a very close friend of James
Trevenen. Ward and Trevenen, together with a third Portsmouth graduate, William
Charlton, joined Cook for the third voyage. Ward's appointment with Cook once again
probably owed much to George Jackson. Interestingly, James Ward appeared on the muster
rolls for the Resolution as William Ward. After sailing with Cook, Trevenen and
Ward remained very close friends and corresponded and stayed with each other.
James Ward became a lieutenant in August 1782 and saw service in the East Indies under
James Burney from 1782 until 1786. His subsequent naval record is thin though he is
mentioned in May 1793 as being in charge of the Sandwich cutter at the Scilly
Isles with two captured French privateers.
James Ward died on 28 September 1806 aged 45 and was buried at St. Michael's,
Berechurch. According to a codicil in Ralph Ward's will, dated August 1808, James never
married and had no children. Of James' sisters, Maria never married while Elizabeth
married Nicholas Tomlinson (later a vice admiral) and they had two sons.
The Annual Register of 1806 reported Ward's death with the following:
William Watman (Whattman) sailed as an Able Seaman with Cook on the Second and Third
Voyages. He sailed on the Resolution on both voyages. He was born in Reigate in
1732. He died at Kealakekua Bay, Hawai'i on 1 February 1779. His will mentions a
brother, Thomas, in Strutton, Surrey (Streatham or Sutton possibly) but no wife or
children.
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 wordly 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 Thomas Watman of Strutton in the County of
Surrey, all such wages, sum and sums of Money as now is, or hereafter shall be due to
me for my service or otherwise on Board the said Ship, or any other Vessel or Ship, and
I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my said Brother Thomas Watman 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 said Estate whatsoever both Real and Personal, hereby
revoking and making void all other and former wills by me heretofore made and do
declare this to be my last Will and Testament in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and seventy six, and in the sixteenth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord
George the Third by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King,
Defender of the Faith Wm. Watman X his Mark.
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said William Watman 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 Testatr. Jams. Cook, Wm. Bligh.
This Will was proved at London, the fourteenth day of October in the (year) of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and eighty, before the Worshipful Francis Simpson, Doctor of
Laws, Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert, Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or
Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, lawfully constituted by the Oath of
Thomas Watman, the Brother of the deceased and sole Executor named in the said Will, to
whom Administration of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said
deceased was granted he having been first sworn duly to Administer.
John Watts, who sailed on Cook's third voyage on the Resolution, was baptised
on 03 July 1755 at All Hallows the Great, London, the son of William and Jane Watts.
His oldest surviving sister, Ann Watts married Golding Constable in 1767 and their son
was John Constable, the artist.
Watts joined the Resolution from HMS Barfleur on 22 April 1776. He began
the voyage as a midshipman. On 01 November 1777, he became an AB but on 02 November
1779 he reverted to being a midshipman. Watts wrote proceedings during the voyage (Adm
51/4559/212; 23 April 1776 to 29 Novemebr 1779).
After the voyage, he was promoted to lieutenant on 14 December 1781. In 1787,
Lieutenant Watts sailed to Australia on the Lady Penrhyn, which carried 100
female convicts as part of the First Fleet. He is listed as a passenger on the voyage.
The Lady Penrhyn left Sydney in early 1788 and sailed to Tahiti, where it was
the first European ship to visit since Cook in 1778. Watts has provided a short
description of life on the island, including various people remembered from Cook's
time. From Tahiti, the Lady Penrhyn sailed to Macao, passing on the way an
island that was named Penrhyn Island after the ship. That island, Tongareva, is now
one of the Cook Islands.
Watts was further promoted to commander on 22 December 1796. A marriage allegation
dated 18 December 1797 records that John Watts (of All Hallows the Great) married Mary
Allen at St. George, Hanover Square, London.
Commander Watts took command of the Osprey, 18 guns, in 1799 and patrolled in
the North Sea but died on 04 March 1801 while still in command. In his will
(PROB 11/1361) he left everything to his "dearly beloved Wife Mary Watts …my true,
whole and sole Executrix". They do not appear to have had any children.
The Naval Chronicle of 1801 stated that Watts was:
Watts had his portrait painted by Spoilum, a Chinese artist, during a stopover in
Guangzhou (Canton). Another portrait by W. Sherwin is in Australia. Watts described a
species of shark at Sydney, which was, for a short time, named Watts shark but is now
known as a Wobbegong shark.
His sister was Ann Watts, who was baptised on 15 May 1748 at All Hallows the Great,
London. Ann Watts married Golding Constable on 06 May 1767 at All Hallows the Great,
London. Their son, John Constable the painter was born 11 June 1776 East Bergholt,
Suffolk.
John Watts of All Hallows the Great married Mary Allen at St. George, Hanover Square,
London. The marriage allegation was dated 18 Decemebr 1797.
Imprimis I recommend my Soul to Almighty God fervently praying for forgiveness of my
manifold Sins and through the Mediation of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ a
remission of them.
2dly I commit my Body to the Earth in firm hope and faith that at the general
Resurrection I may have the Happiness of appearing before my heavenly father with the
confidence of a Christian and a firm reliance on his Mercy.
3dly Should my death happen at Sea my wish is to be decently thrown overboard the same
providence prevales over all parts my Soul not my Body is my great Concern, But if I
should die on Shore I beg my burial may be as private as possible and not to exceed
thirty pounds.
4thly After all my just and lawful Debts are paid, I do give and bequeath unto my
dearly beloved Wife Mary Watts, all my personal and real property that at this time I
may be possessed of, or hereafter may be possessed of.
5thly I hereby appoint my said dearly beloved Wife Mary Watts my true, whole and sole
Executrix to this my Will and Testament.
And Lastly I do declare this my last Will and Testament, revoking all others that may
have formerly been made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this
30th Day of December 1799, and in the fortieth Year of the Reign of George the third
King etc etc. Jno. Watts.
Signed and Seal'd in the presence of us at Deal in Kent. P Somerville, Captain in his
Majesty's Navy, Margt. Kittoe resident in Deal, Helen Thynne No. 94 Charlotte Street,
Rathbone Place.
This Will was proved at London the eleventh day of July in the Year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and one before the Worshipful Charles Coote, Doctor of Laws,
Surrogate of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of
Mary Watts, Widow, the Relict of the deceased and sole Executrix named in the said
Will, to whom Administration of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of
the said deceased was granted, she having been first sworn dult to Administer.
Bibliography.
The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay; with an account of the establishment of
the colonies of Port Jackson and Norfolk Island; compiled from authentic papers ... to
which are added the journals of Lieuts. Shorthand, Watts, Ball and Capt. Marshall with
an account of their new discoveries. Adelaide: Libraries Board of South Australia,
1968.
Clement Webb sailed on the first voyage on the Endeavour as a marine private. He
joined the ship on 16 August 1768 from 66 Company of the Plymouth Division. He was
punished on 14 July 1769 for having tried to desert at Tahiti with Samuel Gibson.
Molyneux described him at the time:
Webb petitioned Joseph Banks on 21 March, 1808 (Mitchell Library. Banks Papers II f.28):
John Webber was the official artist on Cook's third and last voyage aboard the
Resolution and it is for his connection with Cook that he is known, especially
his images of early Alaska, British Columbia and Hawai'i. During the voyage, he painted
landscapes, portraits, and coastal views.
Webber was born in London on 06 October 1751, the son of an immigrant Swiss sculptor,
Abraham Wäber, who had moved to London about 1742/43, possibly to avoid a paternity suit
against him. Abraham Wäber, born 1712, was the second son of Daniel Wäber (1675-1731) of
Bern in Switzerland. His oldest sister, Maria Magdalena Wäber, married Mathäus Funk in
1725. On her death in 1750, her younger sister, Rosina Wäber, who never married became
housekeeper for Mathäus Funk. Abraham Wäber was a sculptor and had trained under Mathäus
Funk's brother, Johann Heinrich Hunk.
Abraham Webber (he had anglicised the name) married Mary Quant on 18 February 1744 at
St. George in Mayfair. Mary Quant was probably the daughter of Dows and Frances Quant,
baptised at St. Martin-in-the-Fields on 05 February 1709. The Webbers had six children,
John (or Johann) being the second child. The family was poor and, in 1757 when he was
six, John Webber was sent to Switzerland to be looked after by his Aunt Rosina, by then
living with Mathäus Funk.
Webber's artistic ability was identified and he was apprenticed from 1767 to 1770 to one
of the foremost Swiss landscape artists, Johann Ludwig Aberli, in Bern. After three
years' training with Aberli, Webber moved to Paris with a stipend from the Bernese
Government and with an introduction to the art scholar and teacher, Jean-Georges Wille.
Webber also enrolled at the Académie Royale.
From Paris, Webber returned to London in 1775, aged 23, and was admitted to study at the
Royal Academy. He received small commissions to paint portraits and some mythological
subjects, the latter as house decorations. He entered three paintings in the Royal
Academy exhibition in 1776, which were noticed by Daniel Solander, the botanist on
Cook's first voyage. An artist was required for the imminent Cook's third voyage and
Solander recommended him to the Admiralty. The Admiralty offfered Webber the position
which he accepted.
Webber was appointed on 24 June 1776 and joined the Resolution at Plymouth on 05
July just before the expedition sailed. The choice was a good one, as Webber produced an
astounding number of high quality images. It was Webber's job to make drawings and
paintings of people and objects encountered on the journey, and to "observe the genius,
temper, disposition and number of the natives ... shewing them every kind of civility
and regard". Cook wrote:
Webber returned to Britain in 1780 to find his father had died. He remained involved
with the voyage though for another three years being retained at £250 a year to
supervise the production of the engravings that were to illustrate the published journal
of the voyage. It was very slow progress but it brought Webber into contact with
potential patrons. He showed a large selection of drawings and portraits to George III
and Fanny Burney recorded visiting with Sir Joshua Reynolds. She wrote "We went to Mr.
Webber's to see his south Seas xxxx".
The voyage also created various other spinoffs. In 1785, Webber also assisted de
Loutherbourg in designing scenery and costumes for the celebrated pantomime Omai, or,
A Trip Round the World at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden. He also independently
published two sets of voyage prints; four aquatints made by Marie Catherina Prestel and
sixteen soft-ground etchings by himself.
Webber resumed exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1784 and over the next eight years
entered nearly fifty painting, the majority of which derived from the Pacific voyage. Webber was elected an associate member of the Royal Academy in 1785 winning the ballot ahead of William Hodges.
He was elected a full member of the Royal Academy in 1791. Webber's reputation was
growing and in May 1785, Sir Joshua Reynolds wrote to the Duke of Rutland:
In 1787, Webber began the first of a series of summer painting tours. That year he
crossed to Paris where he visited his old teacher, Jean-Georges Wille. He continued on
by way of Lyon, Geneva and Milan to Bern. In 1788, Webber visited the Wye Valley while
in 1789, accompanied by the geologist, William Day, he went to Derbyshire. In the
summers of 1790 and 1791, Webber went to Wales and 1792 saw a short visit to the Isle of
Wight.
By 1792, Webber was seriously ill with kidney disease. George Baker, a friend who was a
lace merchant at St. Paul's churchyard and an art collector helped nurse him but he died
on 29 April 1793 at his home at 312 Oxford Street (he had moved there in 1784 from 03
Bolsover Street). He had many close friends in the art community including Joseph
Farington, Thomas Hearne and William Hodges. Hodges signed a rider to Webber's will
confirming it was Webber's handwriting. Webber had earlier presented his South Seas
ethnographic collection to the Burgersbibliothek (Library) of Bern.
Webber died unmarried and survived only by his younger brother Henry Webber. His will
(PROB 11/1233), proven on 10 May 1793 did not refer to Henry (1754-1826) but he was the
principal beneficiary. Henry was a sculptor who also attended the Royal Academy Schools
and was a Royal Academy silver and gold medallist, He worked for Josiah Wedgwood,
serving as the head of the ornamental department at Etruria. Webber modelled the
Portland Vase for Wedgwood. He also carried out larger commissionsand carved Garrick's
monument in Westminster Abbey.
A memorial to John Webber was erected at the Chapel of the Asension in Bayswater Road, London. It read:
However, the chapel and the memorial were destroyed by bombing during the Second World
War.
A portrait of Webber by Johann Daniel Mottet, from a contemporary miniature, is in the
Historisches Museum, Bern. The National Library of Australia has a small marble plaque
by John Spiller of Webber, done about 1790.
1st I will and bequeath to my friend Joseph Farington Esqr. of Charlotte St., Rathbone
Place, the Sum of one hundred Pounds, also all my drawings of Portfolio No.1 with any
small picture I may have in my possession of my painting.
2ly I will and bequeath to my friend Mr George Baker of St. Pauls Church Yard the Sum of
one hundred Pounds, also one Portfolio No. 2 with the drawings therein and any small
picture I may have of my painting.
3dly I will and bequeath the Sum of one hundred Pounds to my friend John Steers Esqr. of
the Temple, also 2 of my largest pictures of my painting I may have in my possession.
4th I will and bequeath the Sum of fifty pounds to Mr Thomas Hearne of Macclesfield St.,
Soho, my particular acquaintance & friend, also 6 of any of my remaining drawings done by
me.
5th I will and bequeath the Sum of one hundred Pounds to the children of Mrs Degoutes,
Wife of Mr Degoutes, Dyer of Berne in Switzerland to be equally divided between them.
6th I will and bequeath to the Chest established by my late Cousin Rudolph Webber the Sum
of one hundred Guineas to be applied according to his will.
7 I will and bequeath the Sum of one hundred Pounds to my friend Mr Christian Ffister of
Berne in Switzerland, also my half share of the house we have jointly between us &
whatsoever Moneys may be due to me from it, also my portrait painted by Mr Hummerman, also
request him to receive my Diploma and present it to the Library at Berne.
8 I will and bequeath the Sum of one hundred Guineas to the Abaye of Merchants at Berne
in Switzerland for the attention I had the Honor to Receive from that Body as a Member
during my stay there.
9 I will and bequeath to Edward Coxe Esqr. my Picture Painted by Both (?) as a small
remembrance of friendship. I will and bequeath to Mr William Day the Sum of twenty Pounds
for Mourning in remembrance of a friend.
It is my will that Joseph Farington Esqr. of Charlotte St., Rathbone Place, and Mr George
Baker of St. Pauls Church Yard, be my Executors. Done under my Hand and Seal at London in
the Year of our Lord 1792 John Webber.
P.S. I will and bequeath the Sum of fifty Pounds over and above wages due to my Maid
Servant Mary Davis, also twenty Pounds to Thos. Wyatt the young Lad who now lives with me
as also ten pounds for Mourning to my Landlord Mr Henry Humphrey in remembrance of an old
acquaintance.
8th May 1793.
Appeared Personally William Tyler of Gower Street, Bedford Square in the Parish of Saint
Giles in the Fields in the County of Middlesex, Esquire and William Hodges of Queen Street
in the Parish of Saint George, Hanover Square, in the said County of Middlesex, Royal
Academicians, and severally made oath that they knew and were well acquainted with John
Webber late of Oxford Street in the Parish of Saint George, Hanover Square, in the
County of Middlesex deceased for several years before and to the time of his death which
happened on the 29th April last having often seen him write and subscribe his Name whereby
they came to know and be well acquainted with his manner and Character of Handwriting and
Subscription and having viewed and carefully inspected the Paper writing hereunto annexed
purporting to be the last Will and Testament with a Codicil of the said deceased, the said
Will beginning thus "From the uncertainty of life being well& of sound mind I make this my
last Will and Testament" ending thus "Done under my Hand and Seal at London in the Year of
our Lord 1792" and thus subscribed "John Webber", the said codicil beginning thus "P.S. I
will and bequeath the Sum of fifty Pounds over and above wages due to my Maid Servt. Mary
Davis" and ending thus " as also ten Pounds for Mourning to my Landlord Mr Henry Humphry
in remembrance of an old acquaintance" and having also observed the figure 2 in the date
of the said Will and which has the appearance of being written on another figure or
altered thereon, say that they verily and in their conscience believe the whole Series and
Contents of the said Will and Codicil and also the Name "John Webber" Subscribed to the
said Will to be of the proper Handwriting and Subscription of the said deceased.Wm Tyler.
Wm Hodges.
Same day the said William Tyler was duly sworn to the Truth of this Affidavit before
me T.C.Crespigny Surrogate, Prest J. Cobb N/o. Ninth day of May one thousand seven
hundred and ninety three, the said Wm. Hodges was duly sworn to the Truth of this
Affidavit before me Geo. Harris Surrogate, Prest Jno.Webb Not. Pub.
This Will was proved at London with a Codicil the Tenth day of May in the Year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three before the Worshipful Thomas Champion
Crespigny, Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne Knight,
also Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
lawfully constituted by the oaths of Joseph Farington Esquire and George Baker the
Executors 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.
Alexander Weir, who was born in Fife about 1733, was a qurtermaster for only a month on
Cook's first voyage. Weir joined the Endeavour on 27 May 1768 but drowned at
Madeira, dragged down by the buoy-rope and anchor in the harbour on 14 September 1768.
In his will (PROB 11/970) proven on 10 August 1771, he left everything to his wife,
Anne, of the parish of St George's in the East in London.
First, I recommend my Soul to God that gave it and my Body to the Grave of Sea as it
shall please God to Order, and as for all my Worldly Estate I Give, Bequeath and dispose
thereof as followeth, that is to say -
To my beloved Wife Anne Weir, now residing in the Parish of St George's in the East,
Middlesex, all such 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 Give, Devise and Bequeath the same unto the said Anne Weir, my beloved Wife. And I do
hereby Nominate and Appoint her, the said Anne Weir, the Executrix of this my Last Will
and Testament, hereby revoking all former and other wills, Testaments and Deeds of Gift
by me at any time heretofore made. And I do Ordain and Ratify these presents to stand
and be for my only Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof to this my said Will I
have set my hand and Seal the twenty fifth day of August and in the Eighth Year of the
Reign of our Sovereign Lord George third over Great Britain, France and Ireland, King
Defender of the Faith and so forth, and in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven
hundred and Sixty Eight.Alexr. Weir.
Sign'd, Sealed and Published in the presence of us Jams. Cook Robt. Molineux.
This Will was proved at London the tenth day of August in the year of our Lord One
thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one before the worshipful Andrew Coltee Ducarel,
Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Worshipful George Hay also Doctor of Laws,
Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury Lawfully constituted
by the Oath of Anne Weir, Widow the Relict of the deceased and Sole Executrix named in
the said Will to whom Administration was of all and Singular the Goods, Chattels and
Credits of the said deceased, she having been first sworn duly to administer.
John Wheelock took over as captain of HMS Pembroke in mid May 1759 following
the death of the previous captain, John Simcoe. The Pembroke was part of the
British fleet advancing up the St. Lawrence River to attack the French stronghold of
Quebec. On board the Pembroke as master was James Cook.
Wheelock had been made a lieutenant on 26 June 1741 during the War of Austrian
Succession. He served on the Duke, a fireship, between 1746 and 1751, even
taking charge in the absence of Captain Coleman for several months in 1746. Following
several years of peace and near the beginning of the Seven Years War, he was promoted
to commander on 19 February 1756. He had command of the Fly sloop during 1756
and into 1757. Wheelock made captain on 21 December 1757 and was given command of HMS
Squirrel.
Wheelock left the Squirrel to take over on HMS Pembroke in 1759. He remained
with the ship after the fall of Quebec when Cook moved to HMS Northumberland.
The Pembroke sailed to the West Indies and Wheelock was still in Jamaica and
Cuba in 1763. In February 1764, the were back at Portsmouth.
In 1769, Wheelock had command of HMS Achilles, at that time, a guard-ship at
Portsmouth. From there he moved in 1771 to HMS Modeste. In 1778, Wheelock and
HMS Sultan, his latest ship, were part of Admiral Byron's fleet that left
Plymouth on 09 June bound to New York. In December, the British sailed south to the
West Indies following d'Estaing and French fleet.
Wheelock died in early 1779 and his will was proven in London on 20 March 1779. His
brother, Anthony Wheelock of Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight was executor and one
beneficiary. The other beneficiary in a codicil of the will was Mary Davis from
Alverstoke, next to Gosport. Anthony Wheelock died in London two years later. The
brothers were descendants of Abraham Wheelock. They may have been the sons of Bryan
Wheelock, who worked at the Board of Trade in London. He was a clerk from 1700 to 1714
and then deputy secretary to the Board until his death in 1735.
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 be pleased 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 my wages, sum and sums of money, lands, tenements, goods,
chattels and estate whatsoever as shall be anyway due, owing or belonging unto me at the
time of my decease I do give, devise and bequeath the same unto my beloved brother
Anthony Wheelock Esq. of Yarmouth in the Isle of Wight in the County of Southampton and I
do hereby nominate and appoint my said brother Anthony Wheelock to be my sole executor of
this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former and other wills and testaments
and deeds of gift 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 tenth day of
May 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, etc.
John Wheelock.
Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of William Higgins, Emanuel
Morton, William Orton.
In the name of God amen, I, John Wheelock, captain of His Majesty's navy and now
commanding His Majesty's Ship Sultan do make this codicil to my last will and
testament made to my last will and testament made to my brother Anthony Wheelock Esquire
in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy one when I commanded His
Majesty's Ship Modeste confirming the same except that I give and bequeath to Mrs
Mary Davis of Elson in the parish of Alverstoke in the County of Southampton, widow, all
and singular my household goods, plate, linen, china of every kind whatsoever item.
I give and bequeath unto the said Mary Davis one third part or share of all the prize
money that may become due to me and my will and testament shall be as essential and
valid as if it had been inserted in the body of my will.
In witness to which I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ninth day of May in the
year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight. John Wheelock.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us William Vase, Richard Lambeth,
William Higgins.
This will was proven at London with a codicil the twentieth day of March in the year of
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine before the Worshipful Francis
Simpson, Doctor of Laws, Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert, Doctor of
Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
constituted by the oath of Anthony Wheelock Esquire 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 having been first sworn duly to
administer.
Notes to will:
Patrick Whelan sailed on the second and third voyages, both times on the
Resolution. His surname appears variously as Whelan, Whelon and Wheilon while his
date and place of birth vary as 1732 and 1742 in Limerick or London.
Whelan joined the second voyage on 07 January 1772 as quartermaster and the third
voyage on 10 February 1776 as an AB. He was made quartermaster on 12 March 1776. Whelan
was punished on two occasions, firstly on 18 February 1777 for insolence and secondly on
05 April 1778 for neglect of duty.
First, I recommend my Soul to God that gave it and my Body 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, such 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 trusty friend
John Humble of Portsmouth Common in the County of Hants, Labourer,
and I do hereby nominate and appoint my said trusty friend John Humble, 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 twenty second
day of January in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, and
in the eighteenth year of the Reign of his majesty King George the third over Great
Britain etc. - Stephen White.
Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of Row. Cotton - Jo. Parry.
This Will was proved at London the twenty sixth day of September in the year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight before the Right Worshipful Sir George
Hay Knight, Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of
Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of John Humble the sole Executor named in
the said Will, to whom Administration of all and singular, the Goods, Chattels, and
Credits of the deceased was granted, he having been first sworn by Commission duly to
Administer.
John Whitehouse was probably born in 1743, the son of John and Mary Whitehouse. A John
Whitehouse married Mary Stacy on 18 November 1742 at St. George's, Mayfair. They had
four children beginning with John, who was baptised on 18 November 1743 at St. Clement
Danes. Three other children followed, all baptised at St. Dunstan-in-the-West on Fleet
Street (Mary, 1744; Sarah, 1746; and Pearce, 1747).
It is not known when Whitehouse joined the navy but he was sufficiently experienced to
become a lieutenant in 1775, for which six years active service was normally required,
suggesting he had several years service before joining Cook. That he joined Cook as a
master's mate also suggests prior sailing experience. Whitehouse joined the
Resolution on 17 December 1771 and, according to the muster, he was 31 years old
and from London.
Joseph Gilbert was master on the Resolution and Whitehouse, in his will,
remembered his friend:
Whitehouse is not mentioned in the narrative for the voyage nor has any journal or log
of his survived. However, John Elliott, in his Memoirs, written in 1813, described
Whitehouse as a 28 years old and:
Elliott also wrote:
Immediately after the voyage, Whitehouse was promoted to lieutenant on 10 August 1775.
At the time of his death in 1780, he was second lieutenant on HMS Arrogant. The
Arrogant was a 3rd rate of 74 guns. Whitehouse died in 1780, leaving a will
(PROB 11/1070) proven on 04 October 1780. Whitehouse never married though he left money
to Ann King, a friend in Portsmouth. Everything else was left to his sister, Sarah, who
was listed as living in Stanhope Street, Clare Market. Clare Market was situated just
north of the Strand and west of Lincoln Inn's Fields in London.
I give to my friend Ann King of Portsmouth the sum of forty pounds for her own immediate
and absolute use to be retained by her immediately after my death. I also give her my
wearing apparel with my table and other linen. I will that the forty pounds be paid her
from the money I may have in my possession at my death, if defective I trust as much may
be due from my agent to make up that sum. I likewise will that one hundred pounds South
Seas Annuities left to me by my late father at the death of my present mother-in-law be
immediately, at the death of my said mother-in-law, transferred to my friend Ann King of
Portsmouth.
The remainder of the money in the South Seas Annuities and one hundred pounds which will
become due to me at the death of my mother-in-law from Ralph Carr, Esq. and fifty pounds
my dividend from Lieut. Peter Van Court of the Navy and all other sums that may be due
or belong to me I give to my dear sister Sarah Whitehouse of Stanhope Street, Clare
Market with my mourning ring of my father.
I give to my worthy friend Joseph Gilbert, Master Attendant at Portsmouth, my good stop
watch as a small testimony of my esteem for him.
I hereby revoke all former wills made by me and declare this alone to be my last will
and testament. Witness my hand and seal this sixteenth day June 1780. John Whitehouse.
SS. Witness T. Nayler, Lt. Marines.
4th September 1780
On the fourth day of October in the years of the Lord one thousand seven hundred and
eighty administration with the will annexed of all and singular the goods chattels and
credits of John Whitehouse, late second lieutenant belonging to His Majesty's Ship
Arrogant, at sea, bachelor deceased, was granted to Sarah Whitehouse, spinster, the
natural and lawful sister and only next of kin of the said deceased xxxx xxxx no
executor or residuary legatee is named in the said will, she having been first sworn
duly to administer.
William Widdall was sailmaker for the third voyage on the Resolution. He joined
the ship on 29 March 1776. Widdall was born in Southampton about 1748.
John Wilby, who sailed on Cook's second voyage was born about 1753 (his lieutenant's
certificate of 1774 declares him to be more than 21). Prior to sailing on the
Adventure, Wilby spent about three years and nine months on the Jersey as
a lieutenant's servant, an AB and a midshipman. He followed this with nine months on HMS
Gibraltar as a quarter-gunner and ten months on the Squirrel as a
midshipman.
Wilby joined the Adventure on 14 March 1772 as an AB. After the massacre at Grass
Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound, Furneaux was required to make new appointments and Wilby
became a midshipman on 01 February 1774. He kept a journal (Adm 51/4522/14 which Wilby
headed "Journal of the Proceedings ... on an Eastern expedition round the Globe"
covering 14 July 1772 to 13 July 1774). Beaglehole is complimentary of Wilby's journal,
saying:
As he was on the Adventure, Wilby is not mentioned in Cook's narrative. After the
voyage, Wilby was promoted to lieutenant on 26 November 1776. From April 1786 until
April 1789, Wilby was in command of the Expedition cutter.
At some time, Wilby became a naval Knight of Windsor. This body was created by King
Edward III in about 1350 for soldiers, who had fought bravely for their country but
through injury or poverty were unable to look after themselves. Those selected received
a pension and accommodation at Windsor Castle. In 1728, a Samuel Travers, left money in
his will for:
and that:
and that they:
Wilby died in 1803. Nothing else is known definitely about Wilby's personal
circumstances. One strong possibility is that he was the John Wilby, who was baptised on
10 May 1754 at St. Botolph, Lincoln, the youngest child of Robert and Susanna Wilby.
Robert Wilby, who was mayor of Boston in 1757 and 1768. married Susanna Bell on 30 July
1733 in Boston. Robert Wilby was person of influence in a Boston, a seaport, so may have
been able to place his youngest son as a lieutenant's servant on the Jersey.
Francis Wilkinson, who sailed on Cook's first voyage, had already sailed to the
Pacific with Samuel Wallis in the Dolphin. They had only just returned to
Britain on 20 May 1768 with news of Tahiti as an ideal location to observe the Transit
of Venus.
Wilkinson's birthplace has often been listed as Bangor in North Wales but this is
incorrect. The muster rolls list Bangor for the man two above Wilkinson and someone
has believed it applied to Wilkinson as well. No place of birth is given for Wilkinson
while the muster roll for the Dolphin, which he joined on 14 July 1766 as AB,
records him as being born in Chatham about 1747.
Wilkinson joined the Endeavour on 22 June 1768 as an AB. From 19 August 1768 for
the remainder of the voyage, Wilkinson was a master's mate. He kept a journal
(Adm 51/4547/149-50; 22 June 1768 to 03 August 1770). A section of his journal was
reproduced in the Historical records of New South Wales, vol. 1, part 1: Cook
1762-1780.
Cook included Wilkinson in his letter of August 1771 to Phillip Stephens, Secretary to
the Admiralty, in which he recommended members of his crew for promotion:
However, Cook was having to write again to Stephens on 09 September 1771:
Sadly, Wilkinson died a few days after the Endeavour had tied up in the Thames
in August 1771. He left a will (PROB 11/971) in which no family members are mentioned.
Everything was left to his friends Richard and Susannah Durham of Deptford.
Wilkinson's short career paralleled that of Richard Pickersgill. The pair joined the
Dolphin on the same day as ABs and during the voyage became master's mates. Both
joined the Endeavour with both again serving as master's mates.
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 of 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 unto my beloved Friends Richard and Susannah Durham of the Parish of St Paul's
Deptford in the County of Kent, Victualler, all and singular my Goods, Chattels, Wages,
Sum and Sums of Money that now is due to me from the said Ship, or may hereafter be due
to me from any other Ship or Service whatsoever.
And I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my said beloved Friends Richard and
Susannah Durham, Sole Executor and Executrix of this my last Will and Testament. And I
do give and bequeath unto my said Executor and Executrix 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 seventh
day of July in the year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy One and in
the Eleventh Year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of
God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith and so forth.
Frans. Wilkinson.
Signed, Sealed, Published and declar'd by the said Testator 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. James Woodward, John Hamersley, Isaac Crafts.
This Will was proved at London before the Worshipful Andrew Coltee Ducarel, Doctor of
Laws, Surrogate of the Right Worshipful George Hay, Doctor of Laws Master Keeper of
Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted on the Sixth day
of September in the Year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy One by the
Oath of Richard Durham one of the Executors named in the Will to whom Administration was
granted of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the deceased having been
first sworn duly to Administer, Power reserved of making the like Grant to Susannah
Durham (Wife of the said Richard Durham) the other Executor named in the said Will when
she shall apply for the same.
John Williamson began his naval career as a captain's servant on the Dorsetshire.
He went round the world on the Tamar with Captain Patrick Mouat in 1764-66.
Williamson sailed on Cook's third voyage. He began the voyage as third lieutenant per
commission, received on 23 February 1776, joining the Resolution on the 26th. He
was promoted to second lieutenant on 15 February 1779 in the reshuffle that happened
after Cook's death. In the second major reshuffle that occurred six months later at
Clerke's death, Williamson was transferred to the Discovery as first lieutenant
on 23 August 1779. He kept a log and proceedings from 23 February 1776 until 28 June
1778 (Adm 55/117).
Very little is known about Williamson but what is known portrays him as an unpopular
member of the crew, at odds with everyone including Cook. Unlike Cook, he was prepared
to shoot to kill and disapproved of many aspects of island life, finding them improper.
Trevenen described him as:
While William Griffin, the Resolution's cooper and ship's corporal, wrote that he
was:
Williamson was in command of the launch at Kealakekua Bay when Cook died. He claimed to
have misunderstood Cook's signals, which led to him being blamed by some for not doing
sufficient to save his colleagues. He is supposed to have fought duels as a result.
Williamson was made post-captain on 11 June 1782. He was in command of HMS
Crocodile in the East Indies between 1782 and 1784.
He was appointed captain of HMS Agincourt, a 3rd rate of 64 guns, in 1796. The
next year he was present at the Battle of Camperdown (Kamperduin) against the Dutch off
the Dutch coast in October 1797. Williamson was charged with cowardice, negligence and
disaffection that he had held Agincourt back from the fight and not done his utmost to
bring the enemy ships to battle. He was court-martialled at Sheerness for his
unsatisfactory behaviour. Cowardice only was proven. H was sentenced to be placed at the
bottom of the captain's list and rendered incapable of ever serving on board a ship of
the Royal Navy. This ended his naval career and he died in 1798.The Gentleman's
Magazine carried the following short obituary in November 1798:
The final illness suggests he succumbed to drinking. Joseph Farington, the artist, in
his diaries recorded opinions of Williamson:
Friday 15 December 1797.
Williamson Passage in Nootka Sound is named for Williamson.
Some of the above information about John Williamson was obtained from Margaret Dierden,
for which many thanks.
Thomas Willis joined the Resolution on 03 January 1772 as a midshipman. The
muster records him being 17 years old and from Holywell, though which Holywell is not
mentioned (the one in northern Kent, not far from Sheerness and Chatham, seems most
probable).
Willis kept a log and a journal (Adm 51/4554/201-2, Log, 23 November 1772 to 18 October
1774; Adm 55/106, Log, 07 February 1775 to 13 March 1775; Adm 51/4554/199-200, Journal,
03 January 1772 to 13 March 1775).
John Elliott described him as "wild and drinking" and being amongst a group on board:
After the voyage, Willis became a lieutenant on 11 February 1778. In September 1782, a
Mr. Willis was serving as second lieutenant on the Royal William, which was part
of a large convoy under Admiral Richard Howe sailing to relieve Gibraltar. During some
skirmishes with French and Spanish forces off the Spanish coast, Lieutenant Willis lost
his right thigh (Annual Register. 1782. pp. 263-264). I believe Thomas Willis was that
lieutenant. It explains why Willis was never again mentioned in action and was never
promoted further. (There was another Lieutenant Willis in the Royal Navy in the early
1780s. He was Richard Willis, who would eventually retire as a superannuated admiral, a
career most unlikley if a man had lost his leg. Richard Willis may have been the brother
of Thomas Willis).
Thomas Willis married Mary Kirkham on 15 December 1781 at Canterbury, Kent. Together,
they had a son, Richard Willis. Thomas Willis died in Pagham near Bognor in Sussex in
1797. He left a will (PROB 11/1295), proven on 30 August 1797, in which he left
everything to his wife, Mary, and son, Richard. A sister, Ann Dowdon, was also
mentioned.
Willis Island off the northwestern tip of South Georgia was named after Thomas Willis.
Cook wrote:
Thomas Willis married Mary Kirkham on 15 December 1781.at Canterbury, Kent. His sister,
Ann Willis, married John Dowdon on 12 March 1778 at Stoke next Guildford, Surrey.
There was a Richard Willis in the Royal Navy about the same time as Thomas. He became
a lieutenant on 23 October 1778; a captain on 03 December 1790; and a superannuated
rear admiral in May 1808. He died in 1829 and there is a will for Admiral Richard
Willis of Petworth, Surrey dated 20 March 1829, (PROB 11/1753). He was possibly the
brother of Thomas Willis.
Thomas Willis, in his will, is described as being of Pagham between Bognor and Selsey
in West Sussex.
Although this is not done by an attorney, or in the due form, from my present weak
state, and the distance from any attorney, this and the within is my whole wish and
desire after my death if it is God's wish to call me at this present time. To which I
put my hand this 15 day of July 1797 in the presence of Thomas Stewart, Lieut. in the
West Essex Militia, and John Lester Corpl. in the Royal Artillery, and Henry Night
Midshipman of the Navy Thos. Willis Thos. Stewart Witness
John Leicester Witness Henry Knight Witness.
This Will was proved at London the thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and ninety seven before the Worshipful John Fisher, Doctor of
Laws, Surrogate of the Right Honorable Sir William Wynne, Knight, also Doctor of Laws,
master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, lawfully
constituted by the oath of Mary Willis Widow, the relict of the deceased and one of the
Executrixs according to the tenor of the said Will, to whom Administration was granted
of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the deceased, having been first
Sworn duly to Administer, power reserved of making the like grant to Ann Dowdon,
otherwise Willis, Widow, the Sister of the deceased and the other Executrix according
to the terms of the said Will, when she shall apply for the same.
William Wilshire sailed on the Endeavour during the first voyage. He joined the
ship on 16 August 1768 as a marine private from 42 Company, Plymouth Division.
Wilshire experienced scurvy during the voyage and William Perry described his case:
Wilshire petitioned Joseph Banks on 23 June, 1802 (Mitchell Library Banks Papers II f.27):
Banks annotated the letter with "gave him a guinea".
Thomas Woodhouse sailed on Cook's second voyage. He joined the Adventure as a
midshipman on 01 December 1771. He became an AB from 01 January 1773. He was one of the
party killed at Wharehunga Bay (Grass Cove) in Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand on 17
December 1773.
He left a will (PROB 11/1000) proven on 29 July 1774. George Fawler, a navy carpenter
from Deptford was named beneficiary and executor.
First and Principally, I commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God, hoping for
Remission of all my Sins thro' 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 Friend George Fawler of Deptford in the County of Kent, Gent.
all such Wages, Sum and Sums of Money, as now is or hereafter shall be due to me for my
service or otherwise on board the said Ship or any Ship or Vessel either in his Majesties
or Merchants Service, and also all my Prize Money, short allowance Money and all other my
Estate and Effects whatsoever or wheresoever or of what Nature kind or quality soever,
And I do hereby Nominate, Constitute and Appoint the said George Fawler 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 do declare this to be my last
Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this thirty
first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy two and
in the twelfth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of
God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith etc. 1772. Thomas
Woodhouse.
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared by the said Thomas Woodhouse 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. Jas. Morgan (?) to my Lord Mayor of
London, John Fawler (?).
This Will was proved at London on the twenty ninth day of July in the year of our Lord
one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy four before the Worshipful Francis Simpson, Doctor
of Laws Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Sir George Hay Knight Doctor of Laws Master
Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the
oath of George Fawler the sole Executor named in the said Will to whom Administration was
granted of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the deceased having been
first sworn duly to administer.
George Woodward sailed on the Resolution on Cook's second voyage. He joined at
Sheerness on 29 May 1772 as a marine private from the Chatham Division. Woodward was
punished on 30 August 1773 for rioting.
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.
John Woodworth was baptised on 24 July 1727, the elder son of Nathaniel Woodworth. He
married Ann Jeffries on 10 December 1747 at Milton Bryant, Bedfordshire. Together they
had two children; Nathaniel, who became a watchmaker was baptised in 1748 and Mary,
who may have died young as she is not mentioned in Woodworth's will, was baptised in
1750.
Woodworth joined the Endeavour voyage on 21 July 1768 as an AB. He was one of
the first to die at Batavia (Jakarta) from the diseases contracted there on 24
December 1770. His will, proven on 24 July 1771 (PROB 11/970) left everything to his
widow, Ann, and their son, Nathaniel.
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 such Pension Money, Smart Money and also all such Wages, Sum and Sums of Money,
Lands, Tenements, Goods, Chattels and Estate whatsoever as shall be any ways due or
owing or belonging unto me at the time of my Decease, I do Give, Devise and bequeath the
same unto my beloved Wife Ann, but in Case of her Death I Give, Devise and bequeath the
same unto my Son Nathaniel Woodworth , Watch Maker of London.
And I do hereby Nominate and Appoint my Wife Ann and Son Nathaniel, Executors 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 Sixth day of August in the year of
our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Sixty eight. And in the Eighth Year of the Reign
of his Majesty King George (space) over Great Britain &c. John Woodworth.
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared in the presence of Jams. Cook, R. Orton, Robt.
Molineux.
This Will was proved at London the Twenty fourth day of July in the Year of our Lord One
thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one, before the Worshipful Francis Simpson Doctor of
Laws, Surrogate of the Right Worshipful George Hay also Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or
Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully Constituted by the Oath of
Ann Woodworth Widow, the Relict of the deceased and one of the Executors to whom
Administration was granted having been first Sworn Duly to Administer, Power reserved of
making the like Grant to Nathaniel Woodworth the Son of the said Deceased and other
Executor when he shall apply for the same.
Temporary entry May 2007
John Young sailed on the Adventure as Surgeon's second mate. He joined the ship
on 14 March 1772.
Temporary entry May 2007
While many people have heard of Nicholas Young through the naming of Young Nick's Head
on the northeast coast of New Zealand, he remains a person about whom we know very little.
Young sailed on the first voyage on the Endeavour but he only appeared on the
muster in April 1769 as a supernumerary after the death of Alexander Buchan, the artist.
It is not known whether he was a member of Banks's retinue.
His moment of fame occured on 07 October 1769 when he was the first person on the ship to
sight New Zealand. In recognition, Cook named the southern headland of Poverty Bay after
Young (punning as he did on Young's age and surname). Strictly speaking, Young did not
sight this particular headland but a mountain some kilometres inland. Molineux, the
master recorded the event:
Young was re-entered on the muster on 06 November 1770 as servant to William Perry, who
had just taken over as surgeon. Young was also the first person to see Land's End as the
Endeavour approached Britain at the end of the voyage. Young went with Joseph
Banks on the trip to Iceland in 1772.
Not everone had a good opinion of Young. John Bootie, a midshipman wrote in his log:
Nothing is known about Young's childhood and after the Iceland trip, he disappears from
the record.
Johann Heinrich Zimmermann was born on 25 October 1741 in Wiesloch, 15 km south of
Heidelberg in Germany, the son of a surgeon. Leaving home in 1770, Zimmermann had a
variety of jobs around Europe. He had trained as a saddler and spent time as a
metalworker in Geneva, bell-maker in Lyon and a swordmaker in Paris before he arrived in
London in 1776.
Zimmermann joined the Discovery for Cook's third voyage on 12 March 1776 as an
AB. He became the coxswain in July 1776. After the voyage, he wrote an account of the
voyage, Reise um die Welt mit Capitain Cook, which was published in Mannhein in
1781 and subsequently appeared in several translations, including English. The book has
many interesting descriptions, including some of Cook, but, as Zimmermann sailed on the
Discovery, their authenticity is open to question.
The fame generated by the book caused Zimmermann to be appointed in August 1781 to the
position of Shipmaster at the Starnberger See in southern Germany, where he was
responsible for the royal fleet of the hunting and excursion boats of Prince Karl
Theodor. Other commissions followed, including one to build a ship in Marseille for the
Bavarian prince and Zimmermann travelled to Marseille via Trieste and Italy.
In 1787, Zimmermann went on a voyage (possibly with the Aziatische Compagnie van Trieste,
which was based in Antwerp and sailed from Ostend as well as from Italy) to East Asia,
where he visited China and Bengal. Zimmermann took paintings belonging a Brussels art
dealer, including a portrait by Rembrandt, to sell in India. Zimmermann was asked in
1789 by Russia to plan an expedition to the South Pacific. Although he submitted plans,
the expedition never eventuated. In 1804, he returned to Starnberg and died there on
03 May 1805.
Return to John Robson's Captain Cook pages.
George Vancouver
George Vancouver
Lieutenant's certificate for George Vancouver.
In pursuance of the directions of the Right Honourable the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, signified to us by Mr. Jackson's letter of the
07 October 1780, We have examined Mr. George Vancouver who by certificate appears
to be more than twenty three years of age, and find he has gone to sea more than
eight years in the Ships and qualities under-mentioned (viz)
Resolution sloop
Able seaman
Discovery
Able seaman
Discovery
Midshipman
Journals to be dispensed with by their Lordships Order of the
17 October 1780. He produceth Certificates from Captains Cook, Clerke, Gore & King
of his diligence and sobriety: He can splice, knot, reef a sail, work a ship
in sailing, shift his tides, keep a reckoning of a ship's way by plain sailing and
Mercator; observe by sun or star, and find variation of the compass, and is
qualified to do the duty of an Able Seaman and Midshipman. Dated at the Navy
Office the 19 October 1780.
Charles Middleton, Edward LeCras, Captain North.
The will of George Vancouver proven on 22 August 1798 (PROB 11/1312)
Captain George Vancouver being desirous of making arrangements of his property
has declared before us, this twenty eighth day of April one thousand seven hundred and
ninety eight, that he revokes all former Wills and that after paying a Legacy of twenty
five pounds to his agent Mr Sykes, he gave to his Elder Brother John Vancouver the Rest
of his property which is now about to be engaged in the purchase and improvement of
Ealing Manor Farm in Berks, subject to the payment of fifty pounds Per Annum to his
Brother Charles Vancouver and of twenty five pounds per Annum to each of his Sisters
Sarah and Mary Vancouver during each of their natural lives, and that in the Event of
his Brother Charles Vancouver dying before both or either of his Sisters, then the
Annuity of fifty pounds per Annum given to him Charles Vancouver to be equally divided
between his two said Sisters Sarah and Mary Vancouver. Geo. Vancouver.
David Dundas, Witness.
Granville Penn, Witness.William Wales
William Wales
The will of William Wales proven on 07 January 1799 (PROB 11/1318).
I William Wales of the Parish of Christ Church Newgate Street and Master of the
Mathematical School in Christs Hospital being of sound mind memory and understanding
make this my last Will and Testament as follows.
James Wallis
James Wallis (~17bb-1791?).James Ward
James Ward (1761-1806).
Oct. 2d. Near Colchester, aged about 46, James Ward, esq. a
lieutenant in the royal navy, and only son of Ralph W. esq. After the usual course of
naval education under Mr. Witchell at the royal Academy at Portsmouth, he, with the
rank of midshipman, accompanied Capt. Cook in his last voyage round the world, and is
the young officer alluded to in the account of that voyage as having been an eye-witness
of a cannibal repast in new Zealand. He was also in the boat with capt. Williamson,
close off the island on the shore of which the celebrated navigator fell a victim to
his too anxious endeavours to conciliate the mistaken natives. Mr. W. returned to
England at the age of 20, full fraught with all those high expectations of rising in
his favourite profession which birth, wealth and talents, joined to the experience
and character acquired by such a voyage, and under such a master, appeared so ample to
justify. This brilliant prospect, however, seemed only fully to open itself to his view
to render the bitterness of disappointment more complete. Not originally of a robust
constitution, and aware that his grandfather had died a martyr to the gout at the age
of 36, he adopted the earliest measure for warding off the dreaded foe; in his anxiety
to do which, it is feared, he injudiciously invited the attack. Habitually abstemious
from infancy, he, on account of some slight indisposition suddenly discontinued the
use of wine and animal food; a fit of the gout or rheumatism, or rheumatics-gout, for
it partook of the worst symptoms of both of those disorders, was the consequence; and
during the succeeding period of 10 years, he experienced only intervals of less acute
pain between each violent attack, which successively left him more infirm and weak,
until all but his active mind was crippled and sudued inder the agonies of pain.
(Annual Register. 1806. pp. 556-567.)
Genealogical information.
Sir John Ward was Lord Mayor of London in 1718 and was MP for Hackney.
He was also a infamous businessman. His son was Knox Ward.
Knox Ward was baptised on 06 April 1703 at St. Martin Orgar and St.
Clement, Eastcheap. He died in 1741 in Ipswich. Knox married Elizabeth Nettleton
on 22 July 1729 at Northowram, Yorkshire, and they had the following children
(Ralph was baptised at Woolverstone, Suffolk; the other children at St. Andrew,
Holburn):
Rebecca
02 June 1731
Ralph
07 September 1732
1818
Thomas
08 May 1735
<
Edmund Moor
27 January 1737
William Watman
William Watman
The will of William Watman proven on 14 October 1780 (PROB 11/1070).
In the name of God Amen, I Wm. Watman, Mariner on board his Majesty's Ship
Resolution, James Cook Esqr. Commander, being of sound and disposing mind
and memory do hereby make this my last Will and Testament,
John Watts
John Watts (1755-1801).
tattoo'd all over his body by some Natives of the Islands he
visited in the course of the Voyage.
Genealogical information.
William Watts (~1717-1773) married Jane Brickbeck (~1722-28 March 1771)
on 11 May 1743 at All Hallows the Great, London. They had the following children:
William
19 February 1744
29 May 1761
Eleanor (I)
16 February 1745
11 July 1746
Joseph
01 February 1746
31 July 1747
Ann
09 May 1748
04 March 1815
John (I)
25 July 1749
30 December 1749
Mary
28 April 1751
Eleanor (II)
19 September 1752
28 September 1752
David Pike
29 January 1754
29 July 1816
John
03 July 1755
04 March 1801
Jane
06 January 1757
Thomas
02 March 1759
John Watts was baptised on 03 July 1755 at All Hallows the Great,
London. His parents were William and Jane Watts.
The will of John Watts proven on 11 July 1801 (PROB 11/1361).
In the Name of God Amen, I John Watts Commander of his Majesty's
Sloop of War Osprey being in sound and disposing mind and memory do hereby bequeath
as follows.
Clement Webb
Clement Webb (?-?).
Webb is a sober man & was steward of the Gunroom which Office he
faithfully perform'd but being extravagantly fond of a young woman with whom he
has been connected for some time ... they both had promises from some of the
Principal men & was to have Lands & servants assighn'd to them
Sir Joseph Banks
I hope your Honour will not be displeased with me for taking the Liberty of
representing to you my present situation. I am one of the Men that went round the
world with you & Captn Cook on board the Endeavour as marine in 1768. To bring my
person to your recollection I beg leave to mention that I am one of the two men who
were desirous of remaining at Otaheite. I received an injury by an accident about
2 years ago and am become such a Cripple that I cannot earn a penny & am supported
by the Parish. If your Honour could procure me a Pension or in any other way make
the little remainder of my Life more comfortable I should be very thankful. Pray to
God to bless you. I live at Romsey in Hampshire in Mill Lane. I hope Your Honour
will excuse the liberty I thus take & subscribe myself
Your Honours Humble Servt
Clement Webb
Romsey
Hants
March 21st 1808 John Webber
John Webber (1751-1793).
Mr Webber was pitched upon, and engaged to embark with me, for the express
purpose of supplying the unavoidable imperfections of written accounts, by
enabling us to preserve, and to bring home, such drawings of the most memorable
scenes of our transactions, as could be expected by a professed and skilled artist
He [Webber] is much in the habit of taking Views from Nature, some of which are in
the exhibition, which he did from drawings he made when he was with Captain Cook;
They are excellent pictures and I am sure Your Grace will approve of his manner of
painting.
To the memory of John Webber, Esq. Who as draughtsman accompanied
Captain Cook on his second [sic] voyage of discovery round the world and
died in London 29 April 1793 aged 41 years.
The will of John Webber proven on 10 May 1793 (PROB 11/1233)
From the uncertainty of Life, being well & of sound mind I make this my last Will and
Testament.
Alexander Weir
Alexander Weir (~1733-1768).
The will of Alexander Weir proven on 10 August 1771 (PROB 11/970).
In the Name of God Amen, I Alexander Weir of his Majesty's Bark the
Endeavour, Lieut. Cook Commander, being in sound and disposing Mind and
Memory and Considering the 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 -
John Wheelock
John Wheelock
The will of John Wheelock proven on 20 March 1779 (PROB 11/1051).
I, John Wheelock, captain of His Majesty's Ship Modeste, 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:
Elson is now a part of Gosport in the north of the town on the western shore of
the inner Portsmouth Harbour.Patrick Whelan
Patrick Whelan (~1732 (or ~1742)-17mm).Stephen White
Stephen White
The will of Stephen White proven on 26 September 1778 (PROB 11/1046).
In the Name of God Amen, I Stephen White, Mariner, belonging to his Majesty's Ship
Pallas, Rowland Cotton Esquire 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)
John Whitehouse
John Whitehouse (1743-1780).
I give to my worthy friend Joseph Gilbert, Master Attendant at
Portsmouth, my good stop watch as a small testimony of my esteem for him.
Jesuitical, sensible but an insinuating litigious mischief making
fellow.
...my own particular Mess Mates. They were: John Whitehouse, Masters
mate and Father of the Mess; Richard Grindall, Midshipman; Bowles Mitchell, Mid;
and Henry Roberts, Mid....The Father of our own Mess, Mr. Whitehouse, tho very
sensible, was very Intriguing, hypocritical, and Mischievious.
The will of John Whitehouse proven on 04 October 1780 (PROB 11/1070).
This is the last will of me, John Whitehouse, Lieut. in the Royal Navy.
Appeared personally, Jane Lombard of Hoxton in the Parish of St. Leonard Shoreditch in
the County of Middlesex, spinster, and made oath that she knew and was well acquainted
with John Whitehouse, late, belonging to His Majesty's Ship Arrogant, deceased for
several years before and to the time of his death and having often seen him write and
subscribe his name is thereby become well acquainted with the manner and character of
his handwriting and subscription and having now carefully viewed and perused the paper
writing hereunto annexed purporting to be and contain the last will and testament of the
said deceased beginning thus "This is the last will of me, John Whitehouse, Lieut. in
the Royal Navy" ending thus "I hereby revoke all former wills made by me and declare
this alone to be my last will and testament. Witness my hand and seal this sixteenth day
June 1780" and thus subscribed "Jno Whitehouse" she the appearer doth verily and in her
conscience believe the whole xxxx and contents of the said paper writing beginning,
ending and subscribed as aforesaid and the subscription thereto to be all of the proper
handwriting and subscription of the said John Whitehouse, deceased. Jane Lombard. Same
day the said Jane Lombard was duly sworn to the truth of the same affidavit before me
T. Simpson xxxx surrogate present Henry Stevens xxx xxxx.William Widdall
William Widdall (~1748-178m).John Wilby
John Wilby (~1753-1803).
... it is the best of the midshipman's journals, showing some direct observation
and certainly more originality and personal feelings in the language than the rest.
... an annuity, or yearly sum of £60 to be paid to each and every one of Seven
Gentlemen, to be added to the present Eighteen Poor Knights of Windsor ...
...the said Seven Gentlemen may be incorporated by charter, with a clause to
enable them to purchase and hold lands in mortmain, and that a building, the
charge thereof to be defrayed out of my personal estate, may be erected or
purchased in or near the Castle of Windsor, for a habitation for the said Seven
Gentlemen, who are to be superannuated or disabled Lieutenants of English
Men of War ...
... be single men, without children, inclined to live a virtuous, studious, and
devout life ...
Lieutenant's certificate for John Wilby.
In pursuance, etc of the 28 July 1774, we have examined Mr. John
Wilby who by certificate appears to be more than 21 years of age, & find he
has gone to sea more than 7 years in the Ships and qualities undermentioned
(viz)
Jersey
Lieutenant's servant
Jersey
Able seaman
Jersey
Midshipman
Gibraltar
Quarter gunner
Squirrel
Midshipman
Adventure
Able seaman
Adventure
Midshipman
The want of his Journals for the Adventure is to be dispensed
with by their Lordships Order of the 09 Auugust 1774. He produceth Journals
kept by himself in the Jersey & Squirrel, and Certificates from Captain
Dickson, Cauldwell & Furneaux of his diligence, etc. He can splice, knot, reef
a sail, etc and is qualified to do the duty of an Able Seaman and Midshipman.
Dated the 13 December 1774.
H.P. Captain Abraham North., Captain Joseph Peyton.
Francis Wilkinson
Francis Wilkinson (~1747-1771).
Mr Franc's Wilkinson, master's mate, was with Capt. Wallis in the Dolphin - a
Gunner's warrant would be acceptable
I also have to acquaint you that Mr. Wilkinson, who my Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty were pleased to keep a gunner's warrant vacant for, is dead.
The will of Francis Wilkinson proven on 06 September 1771 (PROB 11/971).
In the Name of God Amen, I Francis Wilkinson belonging to his Majesty's Bark the
Endeavour, being of sound and disposing mind and memory do hereby make this my
last Will and Testament.
John Williamson
John Williamson (?-1798).
... a wretch, feared & hated by his inferiors, detested by his equals, & despised
by his superiors; a very devil, to whom none of our midshipmen have spoke for
above a year.
a very bad man & a great Tyrant.
27 October at his lodgings in Woodstock Street, near Bond Street,
Capt Williamson, whose conduct on board the Agincourt, in the engagement between the
Dutch fleet and the squadron of Lord Duncan, produced a most tedious court martial,
by the result of which he was placed at the bottom of the list of captains. He had
subscribed his half pay, during the continuance of the war, to the voluntary
contributions. He was taken ill on the 22nd, of an inflammation of the liver and
bowels.
Sunday 10 December 1797.
Sir Rich'd [Onslow] said Captain Williamson is a troublesome man -
often disagreeing and in affrays, that He challenged Lord Chatham who would not
employ him - had quarelled with Captn. Hooper...
Lady Spencer said Captn. Williamson is a black-guard. Thomas Willis
Thomas Willis (~1754-1797).
There was likewise a Mess which Cook called his Black Sheep, who were
at time apt to get too much grog and Quarrel in their Cups ... Those were Willis,
Logie, Price, Cogland, Maxwell.
The Northern extreme was the land which we first saw and proved to
be an Island which obtained the name of Willis's Island after the person who first
saw it.
Genealogical information.
Thomas Willis was born about 1754 in Holywell.
The will of Thomas Willis proven on 30 August 1797 (PROB 11/1295).
I Thomas Willis, Lieutenant in His Majesty's Navy, do hereby revoke all former
Wills made by me and do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved Wife Mary Kirkham and my
Sister Gerinan(?) Ann Willis, Spouse of the late John Dowdon deceased, to take the whole
and Sole management of all my Estate belonging to me and coming to me after my decease,
and I do hereby order and direct that my beloved Wife Mary Kirkham shall enjoy the life
rent of all my property during all the days of her life - and at her death the whole of
my Estate shall go to my Son Richard Willis, and I do hereby order that what part of my
Estate that may be necessary for the Education Maintenance and Cloathing of my Son
Richard Willis shall be taken from my Estate from time to time as my beloved Wife Mary
Kirkham and my loving Sister Ann Willis may find necessary, so that his Education, Bed
and Board shall not affect my beloved Wife Mark Kirkham's life rent of all my Estate
- and I Order that my funeral charges and all just debts shall be paid out of my Estate
in twelve months after my internment(?).
William Wilshire
William Wilshire (?-?).
Case 2nd, March 24.-Wm. Wiltshire, marine, aged 27, complain'd of
sore and bleeding gums; his teeth were loosen'd; he had no other scorbutic symptoms.
This man had a pint of wort, which quantity was repeated regularly every day till the
12th of April. His complaint gradually mended, and after twelve days taking the
med'cine were entirely removed. The effects of the wort gently solutive only.
June 23 1802
Sir
Having suffered Much for want of labour and being brought to Great Distres whwereby
I am obliged for to leave my Native town and Wife and Family to the Mercy of the
Parish whereas I have made my apology to your Honour hoping your Honour will Excuse
my Freedom at this timw but all my hopes being over of Getting Work in my Native
Place. I have thought of going into Yorkshire to get Labour as my trade the Greater
part of it is taken away by Mischanery.
Sir after being on Board HM Ship the Endeavour Barke with your Honour for three years
and upward and being in Great Distress I would Humbly ask your Honours Benevolance to
help me on my Journey. I served His Majesty seven years in the Merican war the last
five years I was with Sir Charles Saxton. If I had remained a marine as I was when I
sailed with your Honour I might have got the xxxx Bread but I have no recommend.
I am your Humble Petitioner.
William WilshireThomas Woodhouse
Thomas Woodhouse (?-1773).
The will of Thomas Woodhouse proven on 29 July 1774 (PROB 11/1000).
In the Name of God Amen, I Thomas Woodhouse, Midshipman on board his Majesties
Ship Adventure now lying at Woolwich, being of sound and disposing Mind and Memory,
do hereby make this my last Will and Testament.
George Woodward
George Woodward (?-1784).
The will of George Woodward proven on 25 June 1784 (PROB 11/xxxx).
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,
John Woodworth
John Woodworth (1727-).
The will of John Woodworth proven on 24 July 1771 (PROB 11/970).
In the Name of God Amen, I John Woodworth 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 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 the manner
following (that is to say) -
John Young
John Young (?-?).Nicholas Young
Nicholas Young (?-?).
... being A Boy, who was the first Person who saw the Land upon this
Coast, his Name was Nicholas Young, a boy abt 12 Years of age.
Evil communications corrupt good manners N Young is a son of a Bitch.
Heinrich Zimmermann
Heinrich Zimmermann (1741-1805).