Henry Jeffs sailed on the Endeavour during the First Voyage. He joined on 06
June 1768 as an AB and acted as the ship's butcher. During the voyage, he was punished
on 29 April 1769 for aggression.
Jeffs's place and date of birth are unknown. He died on 27 February 1771 as the ship
crossed the Indian Occean. Jeffs left a will (PROB 11/969) in which he left everything
to his wife, Ann Jeffs. A Henry Jeffs had married Anne Plant on 14 August 1760 at St.
Giles Cripplegate, London.
First, I commend 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, Prize Money, Wages, Sum or Sums of Money, Lands,
Tenements, Goods, Chattels and Estate whatsoever as Shall be in any ways due, owing or
belonging unto me at the time of my decease, I Do Give, Devise and bequeath the same unto
my beloved Wife Ann.
And I do hereby Nominate and Appoint my beloved Wife Ann aforesaid, Sole Executrix 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 last Will I have set my hand and Seal the thirteenth 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 the Third over Great Britain etc.
Henry Jeffs.
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared in the presence of Jams. Cook, John Gathrey,
R. Orton.
This Will was proved at London the Eighteenth Day of July in the year of our Lord One
thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one before the Worshipful Andrew Coltee Ducarel,
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 Jeffs, Widow the Relict of the deceased and Sole Executrix named in the said
Will to whom Administration was Granted of all and Singular the Goods, Chattels and
Credits of the said Deceased. She having been first Sworn Duly to Administer.
Temporary entry May 2007
Edward Johns sailed to the Pacific on the Dolphin with Wallis and Furneaux. He
stayed with Furneaux and joined the Adventure on 12 December 1771 as boatswain.
Johns was born in Deptford about 1743.
Temporary entry May 2007
Samuel Jones sailed on the Endeavour during the first voyage. He joined the ship
on 30 May 1768 as an AB. He was punished on two occasions; on 12 April 1769 for
disobedience; and on 13 November 1769 for disobedience.
Jones experienced scurvy during the voyage and William Perry described his case:
Jones was born in London about 1746. He petitioned Joseph Banks on 26 January 1786.
Temporary entry May 2007
There were two Thomas Jones on the Endeavour during the first voyage. One Thomas
Jones joined the ship on 17 June 1768 as surgeon William Munkhouse's servant. After
Munkhouse's death in November 1770, Jones was rated as an AB.
Jones's widow, Elizabeth, petitioned Joseph Banks in June 1791:
 
Arthur Kempe was baptised on 30 December 1743 at Veryan, Cornwall. His parents were
Charles and Anne Kempe. Charles (1701-?) Kempe and Ann Kempe (a cousin) had married on 10
July 1728 at Veryan, Cornwall. Arthur was the seventh of eight children.
Kempe joined the Royal Navy and was present at the siege of Quebec. He was on board the
Dolphin under Captain John Byron for Byron's voyage to the Pacific in 1764. Kempe
sailed for most of the voyage as a midshipman, except for a month from 23 September 1764
when he was rated as an AB.
Kempe was appointed second lieutenant per commission on 03 January 1772 on HMS
Adventure, Cook's companion vessel on the second voyage. He joined the ship on 01
February.When Joseph Shank was sent home ill from the Cape in November 1772, Kempe was
promoted to first lieutenant. During the voyage, Kempe kept a log (Adm 51/4520/1-3 Log 13
July 1772 to 13 July 1774) and a journal (Adm 51/4520/4-5 Journal 03 January 1772 to 13
July 1774). Beaglehole comments:
Kempe's cousin, Samuel Kempe, was also on board the Adventure as a midshipman.
However, Samuel died very early in the voyage (see following entry).
William Bayly, the Adventure's astronomer reported an incident involving Kempe
that took place on 28 March 1773:
After the voyage with the Adventure, Arthur Kempe married Anne Coryton on 26
December 1776 at Fowey, Cornwall. Anne Coryton had been baptised on 24 November 1751 at
Fowey, the daughter of Peter and Anne Coryton. The Kempes had three sons and two daughters;
Charles Trevanion Kempe (1778-1851) married Elizabeth Marshall in 1803 at St. Issey; John
Arthur Kempe (1781-1832) married Elizabeth Peters in 1826 at Philleagh; Anne Coryton
Kempe (1783-1854) married Mathew Garland Cregoe at Philleigh on 30 October 1803; William
Peter Kempe (1786-1866) married on three occasions; and
Elizabeth Mary Kempe (1786-1868) married William Courtenay on 04 June 1807 at Philleagh.
Kempe remained in the navy and, in 1780, he was promoted to post-captain. He gradually
rose through the ranks making rear admiral in 1799, vice admiral of the blue in 1804, and
admiral in 1810. Eventually, he became admiral of the red in 1821.
Kempe's wife, Ann, died before him. He married again on 30 July 1818 at Budock in Cornwall.
His new wife was Sally Moorsom. However, Kempe died in Veryan in 1823, leaving a will (PROB 11/1668). A small portrait of Arthur
Kempe exists, by John Thomas Barber Beaumont (1774-1841), painted when Kempe was a vice
admiral.
I give the dwelling house in which I now reside together with the dwellinghouse adjoining
thereto in the occupation of Mrs Mary Harris and all the offices and appurts. thereto
respectively belonging, together with my Pew or Seat in the Parish Church of Falmouth,
unto my said Wife Sally Kempe for and during so much of my Estate and Interest therein
respectively as shall run out and expire during her Widowhood,
And I also give to my said Wife for her absolute use and benefit all the Household
Furniture, Plate (except such part of my Plate as may have my family arms engraven
thereon), Linen, China, Books, Wines, Stores and Provisions which shall be in or about my
said dwellinghouse at the time of my decease, together with my Carriages, Carriage Horses
and their harness in case my Wife shall chuse (sic) to keep and use them.
And I give to my said Wife the sum of five hundred pounds of lawful British money to be
paid to her immediately upon my decease.
And I also give unto my said Wife, in addition to the other bequests and provisions made
her by this my last Will, or by the settlement made previous to our marriage, the yearly
sum pf thirty pounds to be paid by my Executors hereinafter named, out of my monies in
the Public Stocks or Funds, by half yearly payments, the first payment to be so made six
months next after my decease, and I hereby direct that the legacy duty or Tax which shall
be due or payable, for or in respect of the bequests hereinbefore contained to my said
Wife, shall be paid by my Executors hereinafter named,out of the residue of my Effects,
and that she shall be wholly exonerated and indemnified therefrom.
And whereas by the settlement made previously to my marriage with my said Wife, my
freehold Estates called Trevithick in the Parish of St. Ewe, and Trenestrall in the
Parish of Ruanlanihorne, both in the said County, and also my Leasehold Estate called
Treburthes in the Parish of Veryan aforesaid, are charged with the payment to her my said
Wife during her Life for her jointure of an annuity or yearly sum of two hundred and five
pounds of lawful money of Great Britain, liable to be reduced nevertheless to the sum of
eighty five pounds in the event of my said Wife becoming entitled after my death to a
Government Pension as an Admiral's Widow. I will and direct as far as I have any power so
to do that the said Annuity or Yearly Sum of two hundred and five pounds, which I do
hereby ratify and confirm shall be issuing and payable out of the said several Estates in
the proportions following, that is to say the annual sum of one hundred and ten pounds
part thereof out of my said freehold Estate called Trevithick, the annual sum of fifteen
pounds further part thereof out of my said freehold estate called Trenestrall, and the
remaining annual sum of eighty pounds out of my said leasehold estate called Treburthes,
or in case my term and Interest in the said Leasehold Estate shall expire previously to
the determination of the said Annuity, then such last mentioned sum of eighty pounds
shall thenceforth be issuing and payable out of my freehold estate called Beruppa in the
said Parish of Ruanlanihorne which I hereby subject and charge to and with the payment
thereof accordingly, and in case the said Annuity or Yearly sum of two hundred and five
pounds shall be reduced by the event aforesaid than I direct that such reduced annuity
shall be issuing and payable out of the said several Estates in the like proportions,
And in case my said Wife, within three calendar months next after my decease, shall
signify to my Executors hereinafter named, her wish and desire that the said annuity of
two hundred and five pounds or the reduced annuity as the case may be, may be secured
upon my monies in the Public Stocks or Funds, and shall accordingly will and sufficiently
release and discharge my said Freehold and Leasehold Hereditaments and premises from the
payment of my said annuity, or reduced annuity as the case may be, and from all costs,
charges and expences in relation thereto, then I order and direct that my said Executors
shall upon or immediately after the receipt of such deed of discharge set aside and
appropriate so much of my Stock in the new four per Cents,or in some other of the Public
or Parliamentary Stocks or Funds as will be sufficient to satisfy and pay the annuity
which shall so become payable to my said Wife, and do and shall, well and sufficiently
authorize and empower her, my said Wife, and her Assigns, to receive the same annuity
half yearly during the term of her natural life and subject and charged with the payment
of the proportionate part hereinbefore mentioned of the annuity which shall so become
payable to my said Wife,
I give and devise my said freehold Estate called Trevithick to my Son Charles Trevanion
Kempe, his heirs and Assigns for ever.
And also I give and devise my freehold Dwellinghouse, Farm and Tenements of Polsne with
the appurtenances and also my freehold Estate called Trenestrall subject and charged as
aforesaid to my Son Charles Trevanion Kempe his heirs and assigns for ever
And I give and devise my said Freehold Estate called Beruppa, charged and made chargeable
as aforesaid in the event hereinbefore mentioned, and also my Freehold Estate called
Tregisson in the said Parish of Ruanlanihorne, unto my Son William Peter Kempe his heirs
and Assigns for ever.
Also I give devise and bequeath unto my said Son William Peter Kempe the sum of eight
hundred pounds, to be paid within twelve months next after my decease with Interest for
the same after the rate of four per cent per annum
And I give and bequeath unto my Executors hereinafter named, and the Survivors and
Survivor of them his Executors and Administrators, the sum of eight hundred pounds upon
trust, that they or the Survivor of them his Executors or Administrators, do and shall
within six months after my decease lay out and invest the same in or upon Government or
Real Securities in England at Interest in their or his names or name, with power to alter
vary and change such Securities In Trust for my Granddaughter Elizabeth Anne Kempe, to be
an Interest vested in and paid and assigned to her upon her attaining the age of twenty
one years, but not sooner, provided always and I order and direct that the Interest
Dividends and annual proceeds for the said last mentioned Securities shall be paid to the
Guardian or Guardians for the time being of the said Elizabeth Anne Kempe in the meantime
and until she shall attain the age of twenty one years, or die which shall first happen,
to the intent that the same may be applied for or towards her maintenance or education
notwithstanding she shall not have acquired a vested Interest therein
And further, I do hereby order and direct that my said Executors hereinafter named, or
the Survivors or Survivor of them, do and shall within six months next after my decease
from and out of my Personal Estate lay out and invest the sum of six hundred pounds of
lawful British money in or upon some or one of the Public Stocks or Funds or at Interest
upon Government or Real Securities in England in their or his names or name, and do and
shall alter vary and transpose such Stocks, Funds or Securities from time to time as they
or he shall think proper and do and shall during the life of my Daughter Ann Coryton
Cregoe pay the Interest, Dividends and annual produce of the said six hundred pounds or
of the Stocks Funds or Securities in or upon which the same shall be invested or laid out,
from time to time as the same shall be received, into the proper hands of my said Daughter
Ann Coryton Cregoe, or into the hands of such person or persons as she by any Note or
writing under her hand from time to time, but not by way of anticipation, shall appoint
to receive the same during her life, to the intent that the same may be for the sole
separate and peculiar use and benefit of my said daughter and may not be subject to the
debts, controul (sic), disposition or engagements of her present Husband or any other
person or persons, as she shall so appoint to receive the same, and her or their receipt
or receipts only shall be a good and sufficient discharge, or good and sufficient
discharges, to the person or persons who shall pay the said Dividends, Interest or annual
produce for so much thereof as in such receipt or receipts shall be acknowledged or
expressed to be received from.
And immediately after the decease of my said daughter, do and shall stand and be
possessed of the Stocks, Funds or Securities in or upon which the said sum of six hundred
pounds shall be invested or laid out, In trust for such of the Children of my said
Daughter Ann Coryton Cregoe by Mathew Garland Cregoe Esquire her present Husband as shall
attain the Age of twenty one years, equally to be divided between or among them, if more
than one, as Tenants in Common. And if but one such Child then to such only Child at his
or her Age of Twenty one years, but the payment of the shares or such of them as shall
attain the said Age of Twenty one years in the lifetime of my said Daughter shall be
postponed until after her decease.
And I give and bequeath the further sum of two thousand pounds of lawful money of Great
Britain to my said Executors In Trust for such of the Children of my said Daughter Ann
Coryton Cregoe as shall live to attain the Age of Twenty one years, if more than one in
equal shares and proportions, and if but one In Trust for such only Child together with
the Interest on the said sum of two thousand pounds, after the rate of four pounds per
Centum per Annum, from the expiration of one year after my decease, to be applied by the
parent or Guardians of my said Grandchildren in, for, or towards their maintenance and
education until they shall respectively become entitled to receive their respective
shares in proportions of the said sum of two thousand pounds. And in case my said
Daughter Ann Coryton Cregoe shall happen to die during the minority of any of the
Children, then I direct that the Interest of the shares to which such Children shall be
presumptively entitled of and in the said sum of six hundred pounds or the Stocks, Funds
or Securities, in or upon which the same shall be invested or laid out shall be paid by
my said Executors to the Guardians for the time being of my said Children as an addition
to their maintenance hereinbefore provided.
And in case my Grandson, John Garland Cregoe, shall be placed at the University of
Cambridge preparatory, and in order to his taking holy orders as a Minister of the Church
of England, then I order and direct that the Executors of this my Will shall and do pay
or cause to be paid unto my said Grandson the sum of one hundred pounds yearly during the
four years of his undergraduateship at such University, or so much thereof as shall
expire after my decease until he shall be ordained, for and towards his education and
maintenance in addition to the other provisors made for them by this Will.
Also I give and bequeath to Letitia Maria Cregoe, Edward Arthur Cregoe, the said John
Garland Cregoe, Lania Elizabeth Ann Cregoe, and Elizabeth Courtenoy Cregoe, the sum of
four hundred pounds each, to be paid to them respectively at the end of six months next
after my decease.
And I do hereby order and direct that my Executors hereinafter named, or the Survivors or
Survivor of them, do and shall within six months next after my decease, from and out of
my Personal Estate lay out and invest the sum of four hundred pounds of lawful British
money in or upon some or one of the Public Stocks or Funds or at Interest upon Government
or Real Securities in England in their or his names or name, and do and shall alter, vary
and transpose such Stocks, Funds or Securities from time to time as they or he shall
think proper, and do and shall during the life of my Daughter Elizabeth Mary Coutenoy pay
the Interest , dividends and annual produce thereof from time to time as the same shall
be received into the proper hands of my said Daughter Elizabeth Mary Courtenoy, or into
the hands of such person or persons as she by any Note or writing under her hand from
time to time but not by way of anticipation shall appoint to receive the same during her
life, to the intent that the same may be for the sole separate and peculiar use and
benefit of my said Daughter Elizabeth Mary Coutenoy and may not be subject to the debts,
controul(sic), disposition or engagement of her present Husband or any other person with
whom after his decease she may happen to intermarry. And I declare that the receipt or
receipts of the said Elizabeth Mary Courtenoy, or of such person or persons as she shall
appoint to receive the same, and her or their receipt or receipts only shall be a good
and sufficient discharge, or good and sufficient discharges, to the person or persons who
shall pay the said dividends, Interest or annual produce for so much thereof as in such
receipt or receipts shall be acknowledged or expressed to be received.
And if any of such Children shall attain the age of twenty one years during the lifetime
of my said Daughter the payment of his or her share to be postponed until after the
decease of my said Daughter. And in case there shall not be any Child of my said Daughter
Elizabeth Mary Courtenoy who shall attain the age of twenty one years, then upon trust
that they, my said Executors or the Survivors or Survivor of them, do and shall transfer
and assign the Stock, Funds or Securities in or upon which the said sum of four hundred
pounds shall be invested or laid out and the dividends, Interest and produce thereof,
from and after the decease of my said Daughter and such failure of her issue, I give as
aforesaid unto my said Granddaughter Elizabeth Anne Kempe her Executors, Administrators
and Assigns,
And I give and bequeath to my said Executors and to the Survivors and Survivor of them
the sum of two hundred pounds upon trust that they, or the Survivors or Survivor of them,
do and shall lay out and invest the same in or upon Government or other Security and
Interest in their or his names or name with power to alter, vary and transpose such
Stock, Funds or Securities from time to time as they or he shall think proper and upon
trust that they or the Survivors or Survivor of them his Executors or Administrators do
and shall pay the dividends Interest or annual produce thereof to my said Son Charles
Trevarion Kempe during the joint lives of himself and his Wife Elizabeth Kempe. And from
and after the decease of either of them my said Son Charles Trevanion Kempe and Elizabeth
his Wife then In Trust to transfer and assign the same to the Survivor of them, or as he
or she shall order and direct, provided that in case the said Elizabeth Kempe shall
survive her said husband,it is my wish and I hereby direct that the said sum of two
hundred pounds shall be accepted by her in lieu and satisfaction of her claim to the use
of my household furniture, plate, Linen, China and other articles at Polsne which she may
or might otherwise claim to be entitled to the use of for her life under or by virtue of
a covenant contained in the settlement made previously to her marriage with my said Son.
And I hereby give and bequeath all my last mentioned Household Goods and furniture,
plate (except that which shall have my family arms engraven thereon) Linen, China and
other articles left by me at my late Residence at Polsne aforesaid, now in the
occupation of my Son John Arthur Kempe, unto my Son Charles Trevanion Kemp, William
Peter Kempe and my Daughter Ann Coryton Cregoe, equally to be divided and apportioned
between them, share and share alike,
Also I give and bequeath unto my Son Charles Trevanion Kempe all my plate having my
family arms engraven thereon.
I give the sum of three Guineas to the poor of each in the Parishes of Philliegh, Veryan,
Ruanlanihorne, and Saint Ewe to be distributed within one month next after my decease to
such persons and in such manner as the Ministers and Churchwardens of the said several
Parishes for the time being shall respectively direct.
Also I give to my old Servant Mary Ball fifteen Guineas,
And I give, devise and bequeath all and singular the Hereditaments and Premises vested in
me by way of mortgage or In Trust of which I have power to dispose by this my Will with
their rights, Members and Appurtenances and all and singular my shares and Interest in
the Public Stocks or Funds and all other my monies and Securities for money and all and
singular other my Goods, Chattels, Effects and Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever
not herein by me otherwise disposed of, unto my worthy Friends the Reverend Jeremiah Trist
of the said Parish of Veryan Clerk, the Reverend William Baker of the Parish of Gerrans
in the said County of Cornwall Clerk, and James Dunn Trevosso of Falmouth in the said
County of Cornwall Esquire, their heirs, Executors Administrators and Assigns
respectively according to the nature and quality thereof, upon trust as to such
Hereditaments and premises as are vested in me by way of trust that they, the said
Jeremiah Trist, William Baker and James Dunn Trevosso, and the Survivors and Survivor of
them or his heirs Executors or Administrators, do and shall execute and perform the
trusts thereof respectively, and as to such of the same Hereditaments as are vested in
me by way of mortgage, that they or he do and shall upon payment of the principal sum and
sums of money and Interest thereby respectively secured in, reconvey the same and upon
trust as to the surplus and residue of my Personal Estate after payment of my just debts
and Funeral and Testamentary charges and expences and the legacies and payments
hereinbefore bequeathed and directed to be made, for my Son Charles Trevanion Kempe, his
heirs, Executors, Administrators and Assigns.
And I hereby nominate and appoint the said Jeremiah Trist, William Baker and James Dunn
Trevosso joint Executors of this my Will, and hereby revoke all former Wills by me at any
time heretofore made provided always, and it is my Will and mind that my said Executors
and their and each and every of their heirs Executors and Administrators shall be charged
and chargeable only for such monies as they shall respectively actually receive, and
every of them only for and with his own respective receipts, payments, acts and wilful
defaults, and not otherwise, and shall not be answerable or accountable for the others or
other of them or for the acts, deeds, receipts, neglects or defaults of the other or
others of them, the joining in Receipts merely for conformity notwithstanding and shall
not be charged or chargeable with any loss or damage which shall or may happen in the
placing out or investing all or any of the trust monies aforesaid in or upon real or
Government Securities, or in the Parliamentary Funds or Stocks of Great Britain, or by
defect of any other Security or Securities to be taken in pursuance of this my Will,
either in title or otherwise or by depositing the said trust monies or any part thereof
in any Bank, or any Bankers hands, or elsewhere for safe custody, nor with or for any
other loss or damage which shall or may happen in or about the execution of all or any of
the trusts aforesaid, without their respective wilful default, and shall and may, by and
out of all or any of the trust monies and premises aforesaid, or any other monies which
by virtue of this my Will shall come to their or any of their hands, deduct, retain and
reimburse himself and themselves all such reasonable costs charges and expences as they
or any of them shall or may sustain, expend, or be put unto, in, or about the execution
of all or any of the trusts hereby in them reposed.
In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament, contained in this and the
seven preceding sheets of paper hereto annexed, set my Hand and Seal (to wit) my hand at
the bottom of each of the said preceding sheets, my Hand and Seal to this last sheet, and
my Seal at the top of the first of the said preceding sheets where all the said sheets
are fixed together, the twenty fifth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and twenty two. Ar. Kempe.
The writing contained in this and the seven preceding sheets of paper hereto annexed was
signed and Sealed by Arthur Kempe, the Testator and by him published and declared
as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who as Witnesses thereof
have hereunto subscribed our names in his presence at his request and in the presence of
each other James Bull, Chas. S. Moorman, Rd. K J Paddock.
Proved at London 17th March 1823 before the Judge by the Oath of James Dunn Trevosso
Esqr. one of the Ex'ors. to whom admon. was granted having been first sworn by Comon.
duly to Admr. - the Revd. Jeremiah Trist Clerk & the Revd. William Baker Clerk the other
Exors. & two of the Resid'y. Legatees In trust named in the Will having first renounced
as well the probate & exon. thereof as Letters of Admon. with same annexed of the Goods
of the dec'ed. as by acts of Court appear.
 
Samuel Kempe was baptised 20 March 1753 at St. Merryan, Cornwall. His parents were Samuel
and Jane (née Geak) Kempe. Kempe sailed on the second voyage on the Adventure as a
midshipman. He joined the ship on 10 January 1772 from the Torbay. However, less
than two months after the voyage began, Kempe died at sea in the Atlantic on 10 September
1772 from sunstroke, just after crossing the Equator. He and others, including John James
Lambrecht who also died, are supposed to have spent time unprotected from the sun during
the stopover in the Cape Verde Islands leading to their illness.
William Bayly, the Adventure's astronomer reported:
A brother of Samuel's, Nicholas Kempe also joined the Royal Navy rising to become a
commander in 1797. He died, unmarried, in 1829 aged 72. Arthur Kempe, lieutenant on the
Adventure was Samuel's cousin and was a witness to Samuel's will (PROB 11/1000),
proven on 25 August 1774. The sole beneficiary of Kempe's will was his uncle, the Reverend
William Bedford. Bedford, who came form a family of clerics in Tregony, Cornwall had
married Dorothy Kempe, the sister of Samuel Kempe senior. Vice damiral William Bedford
was one of their children.There is no record of Samuel Kempe having married.
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 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 Uncle the Reverend Mr William Bedford of
St Ive, near Mevagissey in the County of Cornwall.
And I do hereby nominate and Appoint my Friends Messrs Thomas Mande and William Mande of
Downing Street, Westminster, Jointly or severally, 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 fourteenth 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 his
Majesty King George the Third over Great Britain &c. Samuel Kempe.
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared in the presence of us. Tob. Furneaux, Arth.
Kempe.
This Will was proved at London, the twenty fifth day of August in the year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and seventy four, before the Worshipful Andrew Colter Ducarel,
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 Thomas Mande one of the Executors 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. Power reserved of making the like
grant to William Mande the other Executor named in the said Will when he shall apply for
the same.
Temporary entry May 2007
John Kent joined the Adventure on 03 March 1772 as surgeon's first mate from
the Torbay.
James King, who sailed on Cook's third voyage, was born in July 1750 in Clitheroe,
Lancashire. He was baptised on 13 July at St. Mary Magdalene where his father was the
curate. His father, also James King, in 1771 became Chaplain to the Speaker of the House
of Commons in London and, from 1774 until 1776 was Canon of Windsor, before moving to
become Dean of Raphoe in northern Ireland.
The King family was well-connected and, when he was 12, James went to sea under the
patronage of a relation, Captain William Norton, on the Assistance, a 4th rate of
50 guns on a voyage to Virginia. William Norton's father, Thomas Norton, and James King's
grandfather, Thomas King, were brothers-in-law having married sisters. Norton married
Elizabeth Serjeantson while King married her sister, Alice Serjeantson.
James King served as a midshipman on various ships before spending time from March 1768
on HMS Guernsey on the Newfoundland station. On 10 January 1771, King was
appointed lieutenant and served on four vessels in this capacity. However, in 1773, he
took leave on half-pay to visit France. After four days in Paris, he moved south to stay
with his brother, Thomas King, and Richard Burke at Auxerre from 01 June to 09 July 1773.
James returned to Britain and went to Oxford University where he lived with another
brother, Walker, a fellow of Corpus Christi College. He attended science lectures
unofficially. At Oxford, he met Dr. Thomas Hornsby, the Savilian Professor of Astronomy,
who, when Cook's third voyage was being planned, recommended King. King and his brothers,
Thomas and Walker had all become close friends of the politician, Edmund Burke, and his
family through Burke's son Richard.
King, who combined naval experience with his scientific background joined the
Resolution as second lieutenant and as the "Nautical & Astronomical Observer".
William Bayly filled a similar role aboard Discovery. King shared the astronomical
duties with Cook and Bayly and these three had sole charge of the chronometers. He proved
to be a very good and popular officer. James Trevenen would later write "in short, as one
of the best, he is one of the politest, genteelest, & best-bred men in the world".
At Cook's death, readjustments took place among the crews with Charles Clerke changing
ships to become overall commander and King being promoted to first lieutenant. When
Clerke himself died in August 1779, King transferred to the Discovery as its
commander and brought the ship home to Orkney. At Orkney, John Gore, who was now
commanding the expedition, sent King ahead with copies of the journals. On 04
November, he presented the documents of the voyage to the Board of Longitude. He was
later given the task of editing the documents from Cook's voyage for the official account
that was published in 1784. Artifacts collected by King were donated to Trinity College,
Dublin, and King received a LLD from Trinity in return.
King was made post-captain on his return and was appointed to the Crocodile, a 6th
rate of 24 guns operating in the English Channel. In 1781, King commanded the
Resistance, which escorted a fleet of merchant ships to the West Indies. His
health which had long been poor, probably due to the onset of tuberculosis, was now very
poor. In June 1784, he was nursed by Jane Burke, the wife of Edmund Burke, at their
house at Beaconsfield. Later that year, he left for Nice in the south of France to
recuperate. On the way, in September 1784, he revisted Auxerre. Friends, including
James Trevenen accompanied him. John Law, the Discovery's surgeon attended him but
King did not recover and died on 16 November 1784.
King was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1782 and was given an honorary LLD Oxon.
There is a memorial to King and his family in St Mary Magdalene, Woodstock outside
Oxford (James King's brother, Thomas, was rector at the church):
King Island in the Bering Sea
and King Passage in Nootka Sound are named for him. Norton Sound in Alaska was named
after King's uncle, Sir Fletcher Norton, Speaker of the House of Commons. Edmund Burke
wrote an affectionate piece about King beginning "some particulars of him which may
illustrate this material point of courageous and manly prudence".
Signed, sealed and delivered in our presence. James Trevenen John Hunsdon
(?).
This Will was proved at London the eighteenth day of November in the Year of Our Lord
One thousand and seven hundred and eighty five, before the Worshipful George Harris,
Doctor of Laws, Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert also Doctor of Laws,
Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted
by the Oath of the Reverend Walker King, Clerk, the Brother of the deceased and one of
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, he having been first
sworn duly to administer, Power reserved of making the like grant to the Reverend
James King, Doctor in Divinity, the Father of the said deceased and the other Executor
named in the said Will when he shall apply for the same.
 
Return to John Robson's Captain Cook pages.
 
Henry Jeffs
Henry Jeffs (?-1771).
The will of Henry Jeffs proven on 18 July 1771 (PROB 11/969)).
In the Name of God Amen, I Henry Jeffs 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 manner Following
(that is to say)-
Edward Johns
Edward Johns (~1743-178m).Samuel Jones
Samuel Jones (~1746-?).
Case 3rd, April 2.-Saml. Jones, seaman, aged 26, naturally brisk and active, complain'd
of having for some days been troubled with a dull heavy pain in his limbs; a lowness of spts.
accompanied it, and a general weariness oppress'd the frame. His stools were regular as in
health, no rigidity in the tendons, nor was his appetite impair'd. The next day he took a
quart of the wort; this gave him three stools in the twenty-four hours, plentyful, loose, and
offensive; his body was thus kept constantly open. The discharge became less putrid, his
pains went gradually off, and on the 12th (which was the last day of his taking the wort) not
a man in the ship was more in spts. and lively than him.
Thomas Jones
Thomas Jones(?-?).
To Sir Joseph Banks Bt
The Humble Petition Elizabeth Johns Widow of Thomas Johns, Late Seaman on Board the
Endeavour Bark Commanded by Captn Cook
Most Humbly Sheweth
That the Petr husband having had the Hon. To Sail along with your Honr in the Said
voyage and xxxx in the cours of the voyage had experienced a good deal of your
friendship which has caused the Petr take this Liberty of Trubling your Honr.
The Petr. Is upon the Monthly Book of the Trinity House at the amount of £3..12.. pr
year which entitles the Petr toan allems house being the Highest money that is given
to Captns Widows and as the Petr have no friend to recommend her and Humbly Begs upon
her Deceased Husbands acct that your Honr Goodness might be please to recommend Her to
that Effect and the Petitioner in Duty bound will Ever Pray.
Elizabeth Jones
NB the Reson of my Petition is on account of being distressed with the Reuhitamis and
Dimness of Sight and not capable of Labouring on that acct for my Bread.Arthur Kempe
Arthur Kempe (1743-1823).
Kempe was evidently an educated man with a clear mind. The log is good and
well-written, with some interesting detail.
After I was in bed, Mr Kempe, the 1st Lieut, & Mr Burney 2d Lieut, Mr Andrews
the Surgeon, & Mr Hawkey Midshipman, these All came to my door & Asked me
to give them Brandy which I refused to do, thinking they already had enough, it
being between 12 & 1 Oclock at Night, I therefore begged them to go to bed, but
they procured a hammer & chissel & began ripping the Hinges of my door. I then
put my clothes on & went out of my Cabbin, the first I met was Mr Burney whome
I tooke by the collar & put down on the Arm-chest. They all came on me & I was
forced out of the steerage where this happened & felt several blows on my Head,
& the Surgeon thretened to strike me with the Hammer which he had in his hand,
but the Capt coming put an end to the scuffle.
The will of Arthur Kempe proven on 17 March 1823 (PROB 11/1668).
This is the last Will and Testament of me Arthur Kempe of the Parish of Budock in
the County of Cornwall, Esquire, Admiral of the Red Squadron of His Majesty's Fleet. I
desire that my body may be decently and privately buried in my family vault in the parish
church of Veryan after having been kept uninterred for ten days at the least from the
time of my death and it is my wish if my Wife Sally Kempe survive me and die my Widow
that her body be also buried there.
to my old Workman John Ball twelve pounds,
to Thomas Collick ten pounds
and to George Bennett ten pounds
to be paid to them respectively at the end of one year next after my decease.Samuel Kempe
Samuel Kempe (1753-1772).
The will of Samuel Kempe proven on 25 August 1774 (PROB 11/1000).
In the Name of God Amen, I Samuel Kempe, Midshipman on Board his Majesty's Sloop
the Adventure, Captn. Tobias Furneaux 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 Kent
John Kent (17bb-17mm).James King
James King (1750-1784).
of SKELLANDS in the W. Riding of the Coy of YORK. D.D. and Dean of RAPHOE
who died Apl 24th 1795; and of ANNE his Wife.
Daughter, and Coheiress of JOHN WALKER Esqr of HUNGRIL, in the same Riding,
who died Novr 4th 1794: Both in the 81stYear of their Age.
Their four surviving Sons erected this MONUMENT
in pious Remembrance of the best of Parents,
and with grateful Acknowledgements to the Divine Providence
for the invaluable Blessings of their EXAMPLE & INSTRUCTION:
And also to the MEMORY of their beloved BROTHER
JAMES KING Captn in the Royal Navy L.L.D. & F.R.S.
The Friend and Colleague of Captn COOKE in his last Voyage round the WORLD
The History of which, from the time of the Death
of that celebrated NAVIGATOR, He wrote at WOODSTOCK,
during the short Intervals of his Retirement from the Publick Services of his Country:
in which, his laborious, & almost uninterrupted Exertions,
brought on a premature, & deeply lamented Death.
He died in the 32d Year of his Age, 1784
At NICE, where He is interred.
The Will of James King proven on 18 November 1785 (PROB 11/1135).
This is the last Will and Testament of me James King, Captain in his Majesty's
Navy. I appoint my Father the Dean of Raphoe in Ireland, And my brother Walker King my
Executors, And I direct that the clear Residue of my Estate and Effects to be put or
placed out at Intr., And that the Interest thereof be paid Yearly equally to and amongst
my Brothers and Sisters during the life of my Father and Mother, And that when my Mother
shall Survive the Dean my Father (if it to be so) the said Interest be paid to my Mother
for her Life, And that upon the death of my Mother the said Residue be divided equally
among my Brothers and Sisters, my Sisters share to be paid to her as well Interest as
Principal Share to and for her own separate use and benefit, And in case of the death of
any of my said Brothers or Sisters, whose Names are Thomas, Walker, Richard, John and
Ann Venables, before me leaving issue, I direct his, her or their 5th part, or other
increased part by the death of any of them, of the said Residue, both Intr. and
Principal, to be paid to his, her or their Child or Children equally at the Age of 21 or
Marriage, which shall first happen, And I particularly order that in token of my great
regard and esteem for Mrs Burke, the Wife of the Right Honble Edmd. Burke, my sd. Exors.
shortly after my death make her a present of the Value of fifty Pounds in Any Article or
thing she shall be pleased to direct for a Remembrance of me. Witness my hand the 11th.
of September 1784. James King.