The Will of James Barrett

In the Name of God Amen I James Barrett Mariner belonging to His Majestys Ship Lowestoffe 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) ffirst 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 for and concerning all my Worldly Estate I give bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth (That is to say) all my Wages Sum and 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 unto my Trusty friend Mrs Catherine Coleman of Gosport And I do hereby nominate and appoint my said Trusty friend Mrs Catherine Coleman of Gosport whole and sole 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 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 this first Day of July in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and sixty three And in the third Year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the third over Great Britain etc. James Barrett his Mark

Signed sealed published and declared in the presence of James Bake John Redman Elias Howis

Proved at London 26 March 1765 by the Oath of Catherine Coleman (Wife of Michael Coleman