In the Name of God Amen this Twenty Seaventh day of July One thousand seaven hundred and twenty five I John Arrowsmith Mariner now bound to Guinea and Jamaica in the good ship Ratcliffe And not knowing how it may please God to deale with me but considering the uncertainty of this present transitory life do make and declare these presents to conteine my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following (that is to say) first and principally I commend my soule into the hands of Almighty God hopeing to be saved through the merits death passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ my only Saviour And my body to the Earth or sea as it shall please God to order And for and concerning all and singular such other pay wages sume and summes of money lands tenements goods chattells and Estate whatsoever wherewith at the time of my decease I shall be possessed or invested or which shall then belong or of right appertaine unto my I do give devise and bequeath unto my Trusty friend Barbara Smith of Stepney in Middlesex widow And I doe hereby nominate and appoint my said friend Barbara Smith sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament And doe revoke all former Wills and Deeds of Gift by me at any time heretofore made and do ordaine these presents to stand and be for and as my last Will and Testament for ever Witness my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written John Arrowsmith
Signed sealed published and declared in the presence of Elizabeth Heatley the marke of Elizabeth Wentworth Jno Thomas Notary Public in Wapping
 
Proved 9 January 1726/7
PCC
Prob11/613