In the Name of God Amen I Edward Stretch Mariner of General Churchill’s Regiment late belonging to his Majesty’s Ship Devonshire but now belonging to his Majesty’s Ship St George Captain Morris De L’Angle Commander being in bodily health and of sound and disposing mind and memory and considering the Perrils and Dangers of the Seas and other uncertainties of this transitory life (do for avoiding controversies after my decease) make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) first I recommend my Soul to God that gave it and my Body I commit to the Earth or Sea as it shall please God to order and as and concerning all my Worldly Estate I give bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth that is to say all my Prize money 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 the same unto my dearly beloved Brother Mr John Stretch of Calne in the County of Devonshire Taylor and Mrs Rebeckah Stretch of the same place Spinster to be equally divided between them but in case of either of their deaths then the Survivor to have the whole and every part thereof And I do hereby nominate and appoint the said Mr John Stretch and Mrs Rebeckah Stretch to be joint Executors 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 and as my only last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have set my hand and seal the eleventh day of August in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and forty seven And in the twentieth Year of the Reign of his Majesty King George over Great Britain etc. Edward Stretch
Signed sealed published and declared in the presence of Richd Short Captns Clerk. Nicholas Brooke. Thos Baker
 
Proved at London 31 January 1748
PCC
Prob11/767