Will of Samuel Blake belonging to his Majesties ship the Boyne - The National Archives PROB 11/434, probated 12 Nov 1697

There are too many Samuel Blake baptisms to even suggest a possible person. The same is true for his executrix Elizabeth Lowen. One of the witnesses is named Samuell Rolf which is interesting as one Rolf family at Andover married into the Blake family. However I was not able to particularly relate this Samuell Rolf to that family.

HMS Boyne was an 80 gun Royal Navy second rate ship of the line launched in 1692. This ship was under the command of Captain Dursley when she helped take Gibraltar in 1704.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 3 Oct 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/434
Name of testator: Samuel Blake, Mariner
Place:  belonging to his Majesties ship the Boyne
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 2 Nov 1696, probated 12 Nov 1697

[In margin]: Tm Samuelis Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    this second day of November Anno domini 1696 I Samuell Blake mariner
3    belonging to his Majesties ship the Boyne being sick and weake in body
4    but of perfect mind and memory doe make and declare these presents to containe
5    my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say First I bequeath my Soule to God
6    and my Body to the Earth Item all such wages sume and summes of money
7    goods Chattels and Estate whatsoever wherewith att the time of my decease
8    I shall be the possessed or which shall then belong or of right appertaine
9    unto me my debts and funeral Expences being first paid I doe give
10    devise and bequeath unto Elizabeth Lowen of Portsmouth in the
11    County of Southton and I doe hereby nominate and appoint the said
12    Elizabeth Executrix of this my will and doe revoke all other wills by me
13    formerly made In Wittness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and
11    Seale the said second day of November Anno domini 1696 being the day
15    and yeare first above written Samuel Blake Signed sealed published
16    and declared in the presence of us John Smith Samuell Rolf Jno Hughs
17    John Sleensow
18    Probatum fuit huiusmodi Testamentum apud London
19    Coram venti et Egregi viro domini Richardo Raines Militis legum
20    doctore Curiae Prerogative Cantuariensis Magistri Custodis siue
21    Commissario legitime Constituto duodecimo die Mensis Novembris
22    Anno domini Millesimo Sexcentesimo Nonagenio Sexto Juramento Elizabetha
23    Lewen Executricis in dicto Testamento nominati Cui Commissa fuit
24    Administratio omnium et singulorum bonorum jurium et creditorum dicti defuncti
25    de bene et fideliter administrando Eadem Ad sancta dei Evangelia
26    vigore Commissionis Jurat ex[a]m[inatus]

Will of Robert Blake - The National Archives PROB 11/177, probated 4 Sep 1638

Robert Blake may or may not be on the Jonah (not known if this is Merchant Marine or Royal Navy, nothing found online). It isn’t really possible to tell that. His sister is Elizabeth Blake and a friend perhaps Dorothy Windsor.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 2 Oct 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/177
Name of testator: Robert Blake
Place:  unknown
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 20 Feb 1637, probated 4 Sep 1638

[In margin]: Tm Robti Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen etc Item to George
2    Scavis on the Jonah all my bedding to be delivered him presently after my death Item to
3    Robert Seri__nt in the said ship, my Cloth Cote to be delivered as it is aforesaid Item the whole
4    remainder of my estate whatsoever I give unto my sister Elizabeth Blake and Dorothy Windsor
5    to be equally devided betweene them and doe ordayne the sayd Elizabeth Blake and Dorothy Windsor
6    to be my joynt executrixes dated the Tweneth of February One thousand sixe hundred thirtie
7    seaven Robert Blake Sealed and delivered in the presence of Hugh Owen John Clarke
8    Probatum fuit testamentum suprascript[um] apud London coram Johanne Exton legum doctore
9    Surrogato venerabilis viro dui henrici Marten militis legum etiam doctoris Curie Prerogative Cant[uariensis] Mag[ist]ro
10    Custodis siue Com[m]issarij legitime constitute[o] Quarto die mensis Septembris Anno domini mill[es]imo Sexcentesimo
11    tricesimo Octavo Juramentis Elizabethe Blake et Dorothee Windsor executoris in h[uius]modi Testamento
12    nominati Quibus comissa fuit administratio omnium et singulorum bonorum iurium et creditorium dicti
13    defuncti de bene et fideliter administrand eadem Ad sancta dei Evangelia Jurat ex[a]m[inatus]

Will of Richard Blake, Captains Clerk belonging to his Majestys Ship Ruby - The National Archives PROB 11/794, probated 30 May 1752

There is a Richard Blake baptized 29 May 1724 at Gosport Hampshire son of John and Elisabeth Blake.

There is a marriage for Richard Blake 5 Aug 1742 to Mary Bowers at Gosport Hampshire.

Because there are a number of entries in Hampshire records for a Richard Blake (baptism and marriage) it is unknown if the two records above correspond to this particular Richard Blake.

HMS Ruby was a 50 gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy built at Bursledon, Hampshire and launched on 3 August 1745.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 1 Oct 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/794
Name of testator: Richard Blake, Captains Clerk
Place:  belonging to his Majestys Ship Ruby
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 1 Nov 1747, probated 30 May 1752

[In margin]: Richard Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Richard Blake Captains Clerk of his Majestys Ship Ruby Captain Joseph
3    Knight Commander being in bodily health and of sound and disposing
4    mind and memory and considering the dangers and other uncertaintys of
5    this transitory Life do (for avoiding controversys after my decease) make
6    publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner
7    following that is to say First I recommend my Soul to God
8    that gave it and my Body to the Earth or Sea as it shall
9    please God to order and as for all my Worldly Estate I give
10    bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth that is to say
11    all and singular such pay Short allowance Money Prize Money
12    and all other Wages Sum and Sums of Money Lands Tenements
13    Goods Chattels and Estate whatsoever as shall be any ways due
11    owing or belonging unto me at the time of my decease I give
15    devise and bequeath the same unto my well beloved Wife Mary Blake
16    of Gosport in the County of Hampshire and I do hereby nominate
17    and appoint my trusty Friend Antrum Fulford of Gosport aforesaid
18    Merchant to be Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby
19    revoking all former and other Wills Testaments and deeds of Gift by
20    me at any time heretofore made And I do ordain and ratify
21    these presents to stand and be for my only last Will and Testament
22    In Witness whereof to this my said Will I have set my
23    hand and Seal the first day of November and in the twenty
24    first year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second
25    by the Grace of God over Great Britain France and Ireland King
26    defender of the Faith and so forth And in the year of
27    our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and forty seven Richd Blake
28    Signed sealed and published in the presence of us Jos: Knight Capt
29    Jas Munro Lieut Jno Hullock Purser
30    This Will was proved at London before the Right
31    honourable Sir George Lee Knight doctor of Laws Master keeper
32    or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
33    constituted on the thirtieth day of May in the Year of our Lord
34    one Thousand seven hundred and fifty two by the Oath of
35    Antram Fulford the sole Executor named in the said Will
36    to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the
37    Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased being first sworn by
38    Commission duly to administer

Will of Richard Blake otherwise Black belonging to his Majestys Ship Vengance - The National Archives PROB 11/1781, probated 23 Jul 1781

I did not discover anything further about this testator, Richard Blake otherwise Black.


Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 30 Sep 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/1781
Name of testator: Richard Blake otherwise Black
Place:  belonging to his Majestys Ship Vengance
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 1 Mar 1779, probated 23 Jul 1781

[In margin]: Richard Blake otherwise Black

1    In the Name of God Amen I
2    I Richard Black Mariner belonging to his Majestys
3    Ship the Vengance being in bodily health and of sound
4    and disposing mind and memory and considering the
5    perils and dangers of the Seas and other uncertainities of
6    this transitory life do for avoiding controversies after
7    my decease make publish and declare this my last
8    will and Testament in manner following that is I
9    say First I commend my Soul to God that gave
10    it and my Body I commit to the Earth or Sea as
11    it shall please God to order and as for and concerning
12    all my Worldly Estate I give bequeath and dispose
13    thereof as followeth that is to say all such Wages
11    Sum and Sums of Money Lands Tenements Goods
15    Chattels and Estate whatsoever as shall be any
16    ways due owing or belonging unto me at the time
17    of my decease I do give devise and bequeath the
18    same unto my loving Mother Sarah Black at
19    Brentford in the County of Middlesex and I do
20    hereby nominate and appoint the aforesaid Sarah
21    Black my Mother to be Executrix of this my last
22    Will and Testament hereby revoking all former and
23    and other wills Testaments and deeds of Gifts by me at
24    any time heretofore made and I do ordain and
25    ratify these presents to stand and be for and as my
26    only last Will and Testament In Witness whereof
27    this my said will I have set my hand and Seal
28    the first day of March in the Year of our Lord one
29    thousand Seven hundred and Seventy nine and in
30    the nineteenth Year of the Reign of his
31    Majesty King George the third over Great Britain
32    etc The mark X of Rich. Black Signed Sealed
33    published and declared in the presence of us Jn
34    Sharp 1st Lieutenant Benjm Black Alex Maclanie
35    Clerk
36    This Will was proved at London the twenty third
37    day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand
38    Seven hundred and eighty one before the Worshipful
39    John Fisher doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right
40    Worshipful Peter Calvert doctor of Laws Master Keeper
41    or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
42    was truly constituted by the oath of Sarah Blake otherwise
43    Black the Mother of the deceased and Sole Executrix
44    named in the said Will to whom administration was
45    granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and
46    Credits of the said deceased having been first Sworn
47    duly to administer

Will of Peter Blake, Seaman belonging to his Majestys Ship Culloden - The National Archives PROB 11/1513, probated 14 Jul 1810

Peter Blake, the testator, names his father as Richard of Bethnal Green, London, This is in the Shoreditch area of London and there is a baptism of a Peter Blake 24 Oct 1786 (date of birth 1 Oct 1786) at Saint Leonards Shoreditch son of Richard and Catharine Blake.

I also found a baptism for William Blake 24 Mar 1784 (born 1 Mar 1784) at Saint Leonard Shoreditch son of Richard and Catharine Blake.

Peter mentions his sister Ann but her baptism was not located.

There was a marriage for Richard Blake to Catharine Anderson 2 Aug 1773 at Shoreditch.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Sep 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/1513
Name of testator: Peter Blake, Seaman
Place:  belonging to his Majestys Ship Culloden
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 2 Jul 1809, probated 14 Jul 1810

[In margin]: Peter Blake 3

1    In the Name of God Amen I
2    Peter Blake Seaman on board his Majestys Ship Culloden
3    No. on her Books 602 being in a weak state of health but of sound
4    memory and disposing mind do make this my last Will and Testament
5    viz First I commend my Soul unto the Almighty God and my Body
6    to the Earth or Sea to be intered in as decent a manner as
7    circumstances will admit of secondly I give and bequeath to
8    Seward Sault Seaman on board H. M. Ship Culloden all my wearing
9    apparel Bedding etc etc Thirdly I give and bequeath to my beloved
10    Father Richard Blake residing at No 6 New Nichols Street
11    Bethnal Green London all the wages prize money etc etc that are
12    due me from his Majesty Ship Culloden or any other Ship or
13    vessel to which I may have belonged or in case of his decease to my
11    beloved Sister Ann Blake residing at the place aforementioned and I do
15    hereby nominate and appoint my beloved Father Richard Blake
16    aforementioned my whole and sole Executor to ask claim demand and
17    recover the same as fully and effectually as I myself might or could do
18    being personally present or in case of his decease I do hereby Constitute
19    and appoint my beloved Sister Ann Blake aforementioned my whole
20    and sole Executrix investing her with full authority to secure the same
21    as aforesaid In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this
22    second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight
23    hundred and nine and in the forty ninth year of his Majestys Reign
24    Peter X Blake his mark Signed Sealed and delivered where no
25    Stamp paper could be had in the presence of witnesses B J Pellew
26    Captain John Gayle Master Jos Gr. Fims purser
27    Proved at London the 14th July 1810 before the worshipful
28    Charles Townley doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of Richard
29    Blake the Father and sole Executor to whom admon was granted he
30    having been first sworn duly to administer

Will of Peter Blake, Midshipman, belonging to his Majestys Ship Newcastle - The National Archives, PROB 11/904 - probated 18 Dec 1764

Peter Blake states that he is the son of Thomas Blake of Portsea.

There was a Peter Blake baptized 23 Sep 1739 at Portsea son of Thomas Blake.

Searching for all children baptized by Thomas Blake at St Marys Portsea, Hampshire

Thomas Blake was baptized 21 Dec 1735/ buried 4 Aug 1739 at Portsea St Mary
John Blake was baptized 16 Jul 1738
Peter Blake was baptized 23 Sep 1739
Ann Blake was baptized 30 Apr 1741
George Blake was baptized 29 Aug 1742
Sarah Blake was baptized 24 Jul 1743
Eleanor Blake was baptized 25 Nov 1744
Mary Blake was baptized 25 Dec 1745
Susanna Blake was baptized 24 May 1747
Thomas Blake was baptized 29 Nov 1749; buried 5 Dec 1757 at Portsea St Mary (possibly)

There was a marriage of Thomas Blake to Mary Farren at Portsmouth 23 Dec 1733. Other marriages for Thomas Blake in this time period are quite a distance from Portsea to be likely.  

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 28 Sep 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/904
Name of testator: Peter Blake, Midshipman
Place:  belonging to his Majestys Ship Newcastle
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 20 Jan 1756, probated 18 Dec 1764

[In margin]: Peter Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Peter Blake of his Majestys Ship Newcastle Midshipman
3    being of sound and disposing Mind and Memory do hereby
4    make this my last Will and Testament first and principally
5    I recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping
6    for Remission of all my Sins through the Merits of Jesus Christ
7    my blessed Saviour and Redeemer and my Body to the Earth or
8    Seas as it shall please God and as for such Worldly Estate
9    and Effects which I shall be possessed of or intitled unto at the
10    time of my decease I give and bequeath the same as followeth
11    that is to say I give and bequeath unto my loving father
12    Thomas Blake caulker of parish Portsea all such Wages
13    Sum and Sums of Money as now is or hereafter shall be
11    due to me for my Service or otherwise on Board the
15    said Ship or any other Ship or Vessel And I do bequeath unto
16    my loving Father Thomas Blake of the Parish of Portsea in
17    the County of Southampton Caulker all Sum or Sums of Money
18    Lands or Tenements Goods Chattels and Estate whatsoever
19    as shall be any ways due owing or belonging to me at the
20    time of my decease and do hereby nominate constitute
21    and appoint my loving Father Thomas Blake aforesaid my sole
22    Executor of this my last Will and Testament and I do give
23    and bequeath unto my said Executor all the rest and residue
24    of my Estate whatsoever both real and personal hereby
25    revoking and making void all other and former Wills by
26    me heretofore made And do declare this to be my last Will
27    and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my
28    hand and Seal this twentieth day of January in the Year of
29    our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty six and in
30    the twenty ninth year of the reign of our Sovereign
31    Lord George the second by the Grace of God of Great
32    Britain France and Ireland King defender of the faith
33    Peter Blake Signed Sealed published and declared
34    by the said Peter Blake as and for his last Will and Testament
35    in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our
36    Names as Witnesses in the presence of the said Testator
37    N Lloyd James Norman Geo: Scott
38    London July 23rd 1764
39    This Will was proved at London before the
40    Right Worshipful George Hay Doctor of Laws
41    Master keeper or Commissary of the prerogative
42    Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted on the
43    eighteenth day of December in the year
44    of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
45    and sixty four by the Oath of Thomas Blake
46    the father of the said deceased
47    and sole Executor named in the said
48    Will to whom Administration was granted of
49    all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits
50    of the said deceased having been first sworn
51    by Commission duly to administer

Will of Patrick Blake belonging to his Majestys Ship Trent - The National Archives PROB 11/882, probated 6 Dec 1762

Patrick Blake does not appear to be part of the Galway Blake family as written up by Martin Blake but there are a lot of lines not traced down. In that his wife was of Waterford it would certainly be a good plan to attempt to trace him in this area. A project for the future perhaps time permitting!

HMS Trent was a frigate built of fir rather than oak and had a complement of 200 and more on this particular ship below:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Trent_(1757)

HMS Trent was a 28-gun Coventry-class sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy.

Construction

Trent was one of five frigates of the class built of fir rather than oak. Fir was cheaper and more abundant than oak and permitted noticeably faster construction, but at a cost of a reduced lifespan; the four fir-built Coventry-class vessels that did not get captured lasted an average of only nine years before being struck off.

The vessel was named after the River Trent, England's third-longest waterway. In selecting her name the Board of Admiralty continued a tradition dating to 1644 of using geographic features for ship names; overall, ten of the nineteen Coventry-class vessels were named after well-known regions, rivers or towns. With few exceptions the remainder of the class were named after figures from classical antiquity, following a more modern trend initiated in 1748 by John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich in his capacity as First Lord of the Admiralty.

In sailing qualities Trent was broadly comparable with French frigates of equivalent size, but with a shorter and sturdier hull and greater weight in her broadside guns. She was also comparatively broad-beamed with ample space for provisions and the ship's mess, and incorporating a large magazine for powder and round shot. Taken together, these characteristics would enable Trent to remain at sea for long periods without resupply. She was also built with broad and heavy masts, which balanced the weight of her hull, improved stability in rough weather and made her capable of carrying a greater quantity of sail. The disadvantages of this comparatively heavy design were a decline in manoeuvrability and slower speed when sailing in light winds.

Her designated complement was 200, comprising two commissioned officers – a captain and a lieutenant – overseeing 40 warrant and petty officers, 91 naval ratings, 38 Marines and 29 servants and other ranks. Among these other ranks were four positions reserved for widow's men – fictitious crew members whose pay was intended to be reallocated to the families of sailors who died at sea.

References

Winfield 2007, pp. 227–231
Manning, T. Davys (1957). "Ship Names". The Mariner's Mirror. Portsmouth, United Kingdom: Society for Nautical Research. 43 (2): 93–96. doi:10.1080/00253359.1957.10658334.
Winfield 2007, p. 240
Gardiner 1992, pp. 115–116
Gardiner 1992, pp. 107–108
Gardiner 1992, pp. 111–112

    Rodger 1986, pp.348–351

Bibliography
Gardiner, Robert (1992). The First Frigates: Nine-Pounder and Twelve-Pounder Frigates, 1748–1815. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0851776019.
David Lyon, The Sailing Navy List, Conway Maritime Press, London 1993. ISBN 0-85177-617-5.
Rodger, N. A. M. (1986). The Wooden World: An Anatomy of the Georgian Navy. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0870219871.
Winfield, Rif (2007). British Warships of the Age of Sail 1714–1792: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Barnsley, United Kingdom: Seaforth. ISBN 9781844157006.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 16 May 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/882
Name of testator: Patrick Blake
Place:  belonging to his Majestys Ship Trent
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 29 Jun 1760, probated 6 Dec 1762

[In margin]: Patrick Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Patrick Blake Seaman belonging to his Majestys Ship
3    Trent John Lindsay Esquire Commander being in bodily health
4    and of sound and disposing mind and memory and considering
5    the perils and dangers of the Seas and other uncertainties of
6    this transitory life do for avoiding controversies after my
7    death make publish and declare this my last Will and
8    Testament in manner following (that is to say) First I recommend
9    my Soul to God that gave it and my body I commit to the
10    Earth or Sea as it shall please God to order and as for and
11    concerning all my worldly Estate I give bequeath and dispose
12    thereof as followeth that is to say all and singular my ready
13    Money wearing apparel Wages bounty Money prize Money
11    short allowance Money Smart money pensions tickets and
15    All other Sum and Sums of Money Lands Tenements Goods Chattles
16    and Estate whatsoever as shall be anyways I die owing or
17    belonging unto me at the time of my decease I do give devise
18    and bequeath the same unto my loving Wife Joan Blake
19    living in the parish of Saint John Town of Waterford in the
20    Kingdom of Ireland and I do hereby nominate and appoint
21    my said Wife Joan Blake sole Executrix of this my last Will
22    and Testament hereby revoking all former and other Wills
23    Testaments and Deeds of Gifts by me at any time heretofore
24    made and I do ordain and ratify these presents to stand
25    and be for and as my only last Will and Testament In
26    Witness whereof to this my said Will I have set my hand
27    and Seal the Twenty ninth day of June in the year of
28    our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty and
29    the thirty third year of the Reign of his Majesty King
30    George the Second by the Grace of God over Great Britain
31    etc The Mark of Patk Blake Signed Sealed published
32    and declared in the presence of John Lindsay Grove
33    Gilles Arc: Ingram
34    This Will was proved at London on the Sixth
35    day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand
36    seven hundred and Sixty two before the Worshipfull George
37    Harris doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Worshipful
38    Sir Edward Simpson knight Doctor of Laws Master keeper
39    or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
40    constituted by the oath of Joan Blake Widow the Relict of
41    the said deceased and sole Executrix named in the said Will
42    To whom Administration was granted of all and singular the
43    Goods Chattles and Credits of the said deceased having been
44    first Sworn duly to administer

Will of Nathaniel Blake, Carpenters Second Mate on board the Ship of Vessell called the Osterley in the service of the honourable the East India Company - The National Archives PROB 11/900, probated 3 Jul 1764

Mary Blake married John Booker 13 Sep 1750 at St Mary Magdalene Old Fish Street, London, England. Nathaniel mentions in his will that his mother was married to John Booker and that they lived in Croydon, Surrey and John Booker was a carpenter.

Nathanel Blake was baptized 23 May 1733 at Croydon St John, Surrey, England and born 6 May 1733 at Croydon son of Thomas and Mary Blake. Thomas Blake married Mary Lane 2 May 1732 at Saint John the Baptist Croydon, Surrey.

A Thomas Blake was baptized 13 Mar 1714 at Bletchingley St Mary, Surrey and born 6 Mar 1714 son of John and Elizabeth Blake. There are a number of possible marriages for a John Blake to Elizabeth.

A website discussing the voyages of the Osterley, originally a merchant ship which was commissioned by the Navy in 1761.

http://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/eicah/osterley-park-middlesex/osterley-case-study-winds-of-trade/

Osterley I[3]

Owner: Francis Child III

Launched 1758

Principal Managing Owner: Charles Raymond

Voyages:

1)      1757/8 China

2)      1760/1 Benkulen, Madras and Bengal

3)      1765/6 Bombay and China

4)      1768/9 Madras and China

Like his father Samuel, Francis Child III invested in an EIC ship, the Osterley, in 1757/8 whose managing owner was Charles Raymond. [4] This ship, Osterley I, sailed four voyages around to Sumatra, around the Indian coast, St Helena and China between1758-1770.

Its Captain received permission to seize pirates and attack the French in 1757 and the ship seems to have taken on board a French prisoner of war whose death was reported a few years later. In 1761 under Captain Frederick Vincent the ship was commissioned by the Navy to assist a beleaguered Fort in Indonesia.[5] He seems to have stayed on to govern the Company Fort at Benkulen on the Sumatran coast for a while before returning to Gravesend in the following February where the Court Minutes record payment of £2000, £9000, and £3000 to the owners of the Osterley between April and December 1760 for freight and demurrage. After its first voyage before returning to Gravesend in February 1760 it was  ‘…met by many boats, such as the Providence which were loaded with the Hon Company’s goods, tea, Chinaware, Iron and some Chinawares.’[6]After this voyage in that December it was ordered that the Committee of Treasury be desired to ship 5 chests of foreign silver for China to the ship Osterley (and other similar ships) for Bencoolan (Benkulen).[7] At Benkulen the Osterley, like other Company ships, was engaged in buying large quantities of pepper.[8]
Fort St George on the Coromandel Coast. Belonging to the East India Company of England

Figure 9: Fort St George on the Coromandel Coast. Belonging to the East India Company of England. 1754, Ryne, Jan Van, Sayer, 255 x 398 mm. Robert, National Maritime Museum, PAD1845.

Osterley I’s final voyage from Madras to China provides a good example of the East India Company’s dealings in Asia. Harbour logs from the Captain Francis Fortescue’s journal for Osterley I indicate that like most East Indiamen, it sailed along with other companion ships (Pigott, Thames, Ankerwick, Lincoln, Triton, Nottingham, Havannah, Hector, Ashburnham) as well as country vessels. Osterley I sailed for Madras on 31 January 1769. (See Figure 10: Fort St. George on the Coromandel Coast) In June while on its journey from the Goan port of Cabo de Rama (Cape Rama) in northwest India to Cape Comorin in the southernmost tip of India, the ship picked up an important consignment of elephant bone (ivory). On 12 July 1769 while docked close to Madras, the ship received redwood and cotton on behalf of the East India Company. These goods were usually brought to the main ship on smaller country ships, which did the rounds from ports and factories. The ship then sailed towards Bengal and stowed additional loads of five hundred bales of cotton and thirty tons of redwood. It was only in October that the ship reached Whampoa, through the Malacca Straits.

Once near Canton, much of the cotton and redwood as well as the ship’s cargo of lead was unloaded and the ship ‘…received on board 90 chests of china of the hon’ble comps [Honorable Company’s], and 62 Private trade.’ It is remarkable that the number of chests containing porcelain was nearly two-thirds of those bought on behalf of the Company. This also suggests that Fortescue was acting on behalf of several private clients one of whom may have been Samuel Child’s son Robert Child (since Francis III had died in 1763) under whom many restorations and refurbishments occurred at Osterley Park. Between November and December Osterley I stacked up hundreds of chests of different varieties of tea such as bohea, souchong, congo and nanheen. Osterley’s journey back in January 1770 was its last as in its next incarnation, the ship changed owners.

Notes

[3] This information is summarized from British Library, LMAR 400 series A through E.

[4] According to a Letter of Marque traced by Georgina Green, the owners of Osterley I in 1757/58 were Sir Richard Lyttleton, Francis Child, Jonathan Ewer and Charles Raymond. For further information on Charles Raymond, see the Valentine Mansion Case Study.

[5] National Archives  DD/N/223c/26 & 27  6 Sept. 1762 & 12 Oct. 1762.

[6] BL IOR L/Mar/B400A-E

[7] Court Minutes of the EIC 1760-61 B 76.

[8] BL IOR L/MAR/B/400B-C, Journal 23 Nov 1760-2. The Journal entry for 30 May 1762 records 595 bags of pepper; on 31 May and 1 June, 719 bags of pepper and 612 bags of pepper from the ship Deligence on account of the EIC.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 15 May 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/900
Name of testator: Nathaniel Blake, Carpenters Second Mate
Place:  on board the Ship or Vessell called the Osterley in the service of the honourable the East India Company
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 16 Dec 1760, probated 3 Jul 1764

[In margin]: Nathl Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Nathaniel Blake Carpenters Second Mate on board the Ship or
3    Vessell called the Osterley in the Service of the honourable the East
4    India Company whereof Captain Vincent is Commander now Outward
5    Board to Bencoolen and China and not knowing how it may
6    please God to deal with me But Considering the uncertainty of
7    this present Transitory life do make and declare these presents to
8    contain my last Will and Testament in manner and Form
9    following (that is to say) First and principally I commend my
10    Soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping to be saved through
11    the Merit death Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ my
12    only Saviour and my body to the Sea and as for my Estate
13    Real and personal I dispose thereof in manner following (that is
11    to say) all such Wages Sum and Sums of Money Lands Tenements
15    Goods Chattles and Estate whatsoever wherewith at the time of my
16    decease I shall be possessed or invested or which shall then belong or
17    of right appertain unto me I do give devise and bequeath unto
18    my dear Mother Mary the Wife of John Booker of Croydon in
19    the County of Surry Carpenter whom I do hereby Nominate and
20    appoint Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament and I
21    do revoke all former Wills and deeds of Gift be me at any time
22    heretofore made and do ordain these presents to stand and be for
23    and as my last Will and Testament for ever Witness my hand and
24    Seal this Nineteenth day of December in the year of our Lord
25    One thousand seven hundred and sixty Nathaniel Blake Signed
26    sealed published and declared by the said Testator Nathaniel
27    Blake as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence
28    of us who at his request and in his presence have hereunto
29    Subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto Elizth Lewen Elizth
30    Haydon Jas Lewen
31    This Will was proved at London before the Worshipfull
32    William Compton doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right
33    Worshipfull George Hay doctor of Laws Master
34    Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
35    Lawfully Constituted on the third day of July in the Year of Our
36    Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty four by the Oath of
37    Mary Booker (Wife of John Booker) the Mother and Sole
38    Executrix named in the said Will to whom Administration was
39    granted of all and Singualr the Goods Chattels and Credits of
40    the deceased she having been first Sworn duly to Administer

Will of Miles Blake, Cooper on the ship called the Margarett and Jno of London - The National Archives PROB 11/108, probated 30 Jul 1606

There was a baptism of Myles Blake 10 Feb 1577 at Betchworth St Michael, Surrey son of Christopher Blake.

Other baptisms for Christopher Blake’s children:

Anthony Blake baptized 29 Jul 1582
Richard Blake baptized 23 Jul 1576
Sara Blake baptized 14 Jun 1584

The Sara is interesting as it was a Sara Blake who applied for probate. He does however mention two sisters in his will and I only located one.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 14 May 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/108
Name of testator: Miles Blake, Cooper
Place:  on the ship called the Margarett and Jno of London
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 16 Dec 1605, probated 30 Jul 1606

[In margin]: Testament Miloms Blake

1    Wee whose names are here under
2    written doe testifie and approve that Miles Blake whoe was Cooper in the Ship called the Margarett
3    and Jno of London and lyinge in the saide shippe the sixteenth day of December one thousand
4    six hundred and five beinge of the age of twentie twoe yeares or there aboute made his will
5    and laste testament in manner as followeth Item I give my tooles clothes and all other my
6    perticuler necessaries of apparel and other things whatsoever unto Thomas Massey one of the
7    ships companie Item I give oute of my Wages onto the said Thomas Massey five poundes
8    Item I give unto William Strette one of the Shipps Companie to be paid oute of my
9    Wages fortie shillings Item I give the residue of my wages unto my twoe sisters Item I
10    give to Harrye meynard five shillings Item I owe to the gatterly three shillings p me Richard
11    Basfich John mucom Thomas Marton Thomas Rowe Phillip Holles
12    Tricesimo die mensis Julij Anno domini millesimo
13    sexcentesimo sexto eman___ comissio Sara Blake sorori dicti defuncti Ad Administrand
11    bonum jura et credita dicti defuncti inxta tenorem testament Suprascript eo quod ______
15    nominant Executorem etc de bene et fideliter Administrand etc Ad sacta dei Evangelia
16    Jurat

Will of Michael Blake now belonging to his Majestys Ship Vanguard - The National Archives PROB 11/896, probated 1 Mar 1764

Michael Blake does not have any indication in his will of his Blake family.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 10 May 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/896
Name of testator: Michael Blake
Place: now belonging to his Majestys Ship Vanguard
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 13 Dec 1763, probated 1 Mar 1764

[In margin]: Michael Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Michael Blake Seaman belonging to his Majestys Ship Vanguard
3    being sick and weak in Body but of perfect mind and memory thanks
4    be to God calling into mind the Mortality of my Body and
5    knowing that tis appointed for all Men sure to die do make constitute
6    and ordain and publish this to stand and be for and as my last
7    Will and Testament that is to say principally and first of all I
8    recommend my Soul to the Great God that gave it and my Body
9    I recommend to either Earth or Sea as it shall please God to
10    order and as for and concerning all my Worldly Estate I do
11    give bequeath and dispose thereof in manner following first I
12    do give unto my beloved Friend Michael Sullivan all my wages
13    and pay bounty Money Smart Money prize Money and all other
11    Sum or Sums of Money whatsoever as now are and which
15    hereafter shall or may be due or payable unto me also such
16    pensions Salary Wages or all other Money and Things
17    whatsoever which now are or at any time hereafter shall or
18    may be due to me for my Service or otherwise in any one
19    of his Majestys Ship or Ships Frigates or vessels giving and
20    hereby granting unto the aforesaid Michael Syllivan my only
21    lawful Executor all my other Effects and Moveables as to me
22    belongeth and I do hereby constitute and appoint him the
23    sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament and I do
24    hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all and every other
25    Testaments Wills Legacies Bequests and Executors by me in any
26    ways before named willed or bequeathed ratifying and confirming this to
27    stand and be for and as my last Will and Testament In Witness
28    whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the thirteenth day
29    of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
30    and Sixty three and in the fourth year of his Majestys Reign
31    King George the Third over Great Britain France and Ireland
32    defender of the Faith and so forth Michael Blake X his Mark
33    Signed sealed and published where no Stamps paper could be
34    had in the presence of us John Veysey snd Lieut Michl Burke
35    William Nicholson
36    This Will was proved at London before the Right
37    Worshipful Sir Edward Simpson Knight doctor of Laws Master
38    Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury
39    lawfully constituted on the first day of March in the Year of Our
40    Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty four by the Oath
41    of Michael Sullivan the sole Executor named in the said
42    Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular
43    the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased he having been
44    first sworn by Commission duly to administer

Will of Mathew Blake now belonging to his Majestys Ship Elizabeth - The National Archives PROB 11/578, probated 2 Jan 1721

Mathew Blake, the testator, is married to Mary and their usual place of residence is Deptford, Kent. I find a Mathew Blake baptized 16 Dec 1688 at Saint Mary the Virgin Dover, Kent son of William and Elizabeth Blake.

Mathew Blake married Mary Brown 26 Feb 1719 and located in the Clandestine Marriage Register. Both bride and groom were of Deptford.  Given that this is old style dating, Mathew then prepared his will just six weeks after he was married. I did not find any children baptized to this couple.

Two marriages for William and Elizabeth:

William Blake married Elizabeth Hills 4 Aug 1683 at Hawkinge, Kent, England
William Blake married Elizabeth Horndell 29 Dec 1686 at St James, Duke’s Place, London, England

Hawkinge Kent to Dover Kent is eight miles.

There was a baptism for a William Blake 21 Jul 1659 at St Nicholas Deptford son of John Blake Another baptism 18 May 1665 at Graveney Kent for William Kent son of William and Elizabeth Blake and a third 24 Feb 1661 at Chilham, Kent son of William Blake.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 9 May 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/578
Name of testator: Mathew Blake
Place: now belonging to his Majestys Ship Elizabeth
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 18 Apr 1720, probated 2 Jan 1721

[In margin]: Testament: Mathei Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Mathew Blake Marriner belonging to his Majestys Ship Elizabeth
3    and lately to the Success Storeship being in bodily health and of sound and
4    disposing mind and memory and considering the perils and dangers of the
5    Seas and other Uncertainties of this Transitory life doe (for avoiding
6    Controversies after my decease) make publish and declare this my last
7    Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) First I recommend
8    my Soul to God that gave it and my Body I commit to the Earth or Sea as it
9    shall please God to order and as for and concerning all my Worldly Estates I
10    give bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth that is to say as for all such
11    Wages Sum and Sums of money Lands Tenements Goods Chattles and estate
12    whatsoever as shall be any ways due owing or belonging unto me at the
13    time of my decease I doe give devise and bequeath the same unto my
11    Loving Wife Mary Blake of Deptford in the County of Kent And I doe
15    hereby nominate and appoint her to be sole Executrix of this my last Will
16    and Testament hereby Revoking all former and other Wills Testaments
17    and deeds of Gift by me at any time heretofore made and I doe ordaine
18    and ratifie these presents to stand and be for and as my only last Will
19    and Testament In Witness whereof to this my said Will I have sett my
20    hand and seal the second day of April Anno domini 1720 And in the sixth
21    year of the Reigne of his Majesty King George over Great Britain etc the
22    mark of Matthew Blake Signed Sealed and published in the presence of us
23    Richard Lloyd Jno Milner Capt
24    Decimo octavo die Mensis Januarij Anno domini
25    Millesimo Septingentesimo vicesimo ____vit Commissio Mathes
26    Blissett Creditori principali Mathei Blake nuper parochia de Deptford
27    in Comitatu Centij sed in Nave Regia le Elizabeth defuncti habentis etc
28    administrandi bonorum jurer et credite dicti defuncti juxta bonorum et effectum
29    Testamenti ipeins defuncti Eo quod Maria Blake Relicta dicti defuncti et
30    Executrix in dicto Testamento nominat oneri Executorius dicti Testamenti
31    expresse renn__averit) de bene et fideliter administrando eadem ad
32    Sancta dei Evangelia Jurat

Will of Joseph Blake now belonging to his Majestys Ship Torbay - The National Archives PROB 11/891, probated 5 Sep 1763

There is a marriage of a Joseph Blake of Bishopstrow, Wiltshire 12 Aug 1756 at Warminster St Denis to Sarah Sheppard by license with Benjamin Pearce as witness. There are other Blake families in Bishopstrow baptizing children in this time period.

Benjamin Blake baptized 28 Jan 1759 son of William and Alice Blake
John Blake baptized 13 Feb 1763 son of John and Ann Blake
Mary Blake baptized 21 Oct 1764 daughter of John and Ann Blake
Sarah Blake baptized 18 Mar 1764 daughter of William and Alice Blake

Earlier baptisms at Bishopstrow:

Mary Blake baptized 9 Dec 1716 daughter of Isaac and Jane Blake
William Blake baptized 28 Jun 1719 son of Isaac and Jane Blake
Isaac Blake baptized 26 Feb 1720 son of Isaac and Jane Blake

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 8 May 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/891
Name of testator: Joseph Blake
Place: now belonging to his Majestys Ship Torbay
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 8 May 1759, probated 5 Sep 1763

[In margin]: Testament: Joseph Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Joseph Blake now belonging to his Majestys Ship Torbay
3    the honourable Augustus Keppel Commander being in bodily
4    health and of Sound and disposing Mind and Memory and considering
5    the perils and dangers of the Seas and other uncertainities
6    of this Transistory life (do for avoiding controversies after my
7    decease) make publish and declare this my last Will and
8    Testament in manner following (that is to say) First I recommend
9    my Soul to God that Gave it and my Body I commit to the
10    Earth or Sea as it shall please God to Order and as for and
11    concerning all my Worldly Estate I Give bequeath and
12    dispose thereof as followeth that is to say all my Smart Money
13    Pension Money Short Allowance etc Likewise all my Wages
11    Sum and Sums of Money Lands Tenements Goods Chattels and
15    Estate whatsoever as shall be any ways due owing or belonging
16    unto me at the time of my decease I do give devise and
17    bequeath the same unto my beloved Wife Sarah Blake of
18    the parish of Bishop Strow in the County of Wilts And I
19    do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved Wife Sarah
20    Blake as above mentioned Sole Executor of this my last
21    Will and Testament hereby revoking all former and other
22    Wills Testaments and Deeds of Gift by me at any time
23    heretofore made And I do ordain and Ratify these presents
24    to stand and be for and as my only last Will and Testament
25    In Witness whereof to this my said Will I have set my had
26    and Seal the Eighth day of May in the Year of our Lord One
27    thousand Seven hundred and Fifty nine and in the Thirty
28    Second year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the
29    Second over Great Britain etc The sign of Jos Blake
30    Signed Sealed published and declared in the presence of
31    A Keppel W Bailey
32    On the fifth day of September in the year of our Lord
33    One thousand Seven hundred and Sixty three the administration
34    (with the Will annexed) of the Goods Chattels and Credits of
35    Joseph Blake late of Warminster in the County of Wilts and
36    a Marine belonging to his Majestys Ship Valiant in the pay of
37    his Majestys Navy deceased was Granted to Richard Morris
38    Esquire the lawful Attorney of Sarah Blake Widow the
39    Relict of the deceased and Sole Executrix named in the said
40    Will for the use and benefit of the said Sarah Blake now
41    residing at Warminster aforesaid he having been first Sworn
42    duly to administer

Will of John Blake on board his Majestys Ship Emerald - The National Archives PROB 11/1409, probated 12 Jun 1804

John Blake, the testator, names his father as Robert Blake of Kingston in Dorsetshire. There was a baptism of a John Blake son of Robert and Mary Blake 29 Jan 1775 at Milton Abbas, Dorset. It is about 20 miles from Milton Abbas to Kingston. I find this somewhat interesting as the testator mentions a Thomas Knight, seaman, as one of his executors. There were a number of Knight families at Milton Abbas, Dorset including my own Knight lines of whom I have several (two of my 3x great grandparents were Knight – Ellis Knight married Eleanor Knight 29 May 1804 at Spetisbury and they were 2nd cousins. 

I was unable to find a marriage of a Robert Blake and Mary other than at Tisbury, Wiltshire 23 Sep 1771 (Robert Blake and Mary Ford). This is a distance of 26 miles.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Apr 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/1409
Name of testator: John Blake
Place: on board his Majestys Ship Emerald
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 1 Dec 1802, probated 12 Jun 1804

[In margin]: Testament: John Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I John Blake Seaman on Board his Majestys
3    Ship Emerald being in Bodily health and of
4    sound and disposing mind and memory and
5    considering the perils and dangers of the Seas
6    and other uncertainties of this transitory Life do
7    for avoiding Controversies after my decease
8    make publish and declare this my last
9    Will and Testament in manner following
10    that is to say First I recommend my Soul to
11    God that gave it and my Body I commit
12    to the Earth or Sea as it shall please
13    God to order and as for and concerning all
11    my Worldly Estate I give bequeath and
15    dipose thereof as followeth (that is to say)
16    all Wages Sum and Sums of money Lands
17    Tenements Goods Chattels and Estate whatsoever
18    as shall in any ways due owing or belonging
19    unto me at the time of my decease I do give
20    devise and bequeath the same unto my Dear
21    and Beloved Father Robert Blake of
22    Kingston in Dorsetshire in the Kingdom of
23    Great Britain and I do hereby nominate and
24    appoint the aforesaid Robert Blake Thomas
25    Knight Invalid at present in his Majestys
26    Naval hospital Antigua and John Ashfield
27    Seaman of Board his Majestys Ship Emerald
28    Executors of this my last Will and Testament
29    hereby revoking all former and other Wills
30    and Deeds of Gifts by me at any time heretofore
31    made and I do ordain and ratify these presents
32    to stand and be for and as my only last
33    Will and Testament In Witness whereof to this
34    my said Will I have set my hand and Seal the
35    first day of December in the year of our Lord
36    one thousand Eight hundred and two and in
37    the Forty second year of the Reign of his Majesty
38    King George the third over Great Britain
39    John Blake his Mark Signed Sealed
40    published and declared in the presence of Wm
41    Brown Seaman John Ashfield Seaman patients
42    in the Hospital attested John Cole appointed to take care
43    of sick and wounded Seaman Antigua
44    This Will was proved at London the
45    twelfth day of June in the year of our Lord One
46    thousand Eight hundred and Four before the Right
47    Honorable Sir William Wynne Knight doctor of
48    Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the
49    Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted
50    by the Oathes of Robert Blake the Father and
51    one of the Executors named in the said Will to
52    whom administration was granted of all and
53    Singular the Goods Chattles and Credits of the
54    said deceased having been first Sworn by
55    Commission duly to administer power reserved of
56    making the like grant to Thomas Knight and
57    John Ashfield the other Executors named in
58    the said Will when they or either of them
59    shall apply for the same

Will of John Blake late of his Majestys Ship Canada and now belonging to his Majestys Sloop Discovery - The National Archives PROB 11/1312, probated 6 Sep 1798

A very interesting will as John Blake was serving on the Discovery. Captain Vancouver retired on half pay in November 1795 and he died in 1797.

A short history of the voyage of the Discovery follows and it is taken from the biography of George Vancouver:

 W. Kaye Lamb, “VANCOUVER, GEORGE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 4, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed May 7, 2017, http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/vancouver_george_4E.html.

“The work of outfitting the Discovery was well advanced when details of the famous Nootka Sound affair reached London. The seizure of several British ships there in time of peace, by the Spanish commander Esteban José Martínez, was denounced as an insult to the nation’s honour, and Spain’s claim to have the right to exclude foreign traders from the area was hotly denied. A powerful naval squadron was mobilized and Britain prepared energetically for war. Spain was in no position to fight and was forced to agree to the Nootka Sound Convention, signed on 28 Oct. 1790 in Madrid. Under its terms Spain was to make restitution to British subjects whose property had been seized, and, more important, to abandon her claim to exclusive ownership and occupation of the coast.

Mobilization had halted the outfitting of the Discovery; in May her officers and crew had been assigned to fighting ships. Roberts had gone to the West Indies and Vancouver had joined the Courageux, commanded by Gardner. When news of the signing of the convention was received early in November, preparations for the expedition to the Pacific were resumed immediately. On the 17th Vancouver was recalled to London, and on 15 December, no doubt on Gardner’s recommendation, he was appointed to command the Discovery.

His instructions, dated 8 March 1791, dealt with two matters in addition to the survey of the coast. First, he was to receive from Spanish officers at Nootka “such lands or buildings as are to be restored to the British subjects”; secondly, he was to winter in the Sandwich Islands and while there complete a survey of them. As for the main purpose of the voyage, he was to examine the coast between 30° and 60°N and to acquire “accurate information with respect to the nature and extent of any water-communication” which might “in any considerable degree” serve as a northwest passage “for the purposes of commerce.” The Discovery, accompanied by the small armed tender Chatham (131 tons), sailed from Falmouth, their last port of call in England, on I April 1791. The voyage to the northwest coast was to last over a year and was made by way of Tenerife (Canary Islands), the Cape of Good Hope, New Holland, New Zealand, Tahiti, and the Sandwich Islands. Vancouver had expected to meet a supply ship, the Daedalus, in the Sandwich Islands, but she failed to appear. He sailed on to his main objective, the coast of North America, which was sighted on 17 April 1792. The landfall was in latitude 39°27’N, about 110 miles north of San Francisco.

Sailing north, he began the survey that he was to continue through all the complexities of the coastline to a point beyond 60°. Juan de Fuca Strait, to which he had been directed to give particular attention, was reached on 29 April. Vancouver has been much criticized for his failure to enter the Columbia River, the mouth of which he passed as he sailed northward; it is evident, however, that he suspected its existence but decided to leave it for later examination. Indeed, he paid little attention to rivers, since the mountains visible in the distance made it highly unlikely that they would be navigable for any considerable distance inland. Moreover, he had been directed, in order to save time, “not to pursue any inlet or river further than it shall appear to be navigable by vessels of such burthen as might safely navigate the pacific ocean.”

His plan for the survey was simple: he would trace every foot of the continental shore, so that no passage could escape him. The featureless coasts of what are now Oregon and Washington were easily surveyed, but the shore north of Juan de Fuca Strait was another matter. Vancouver first realized the difficulties of his task when he explored the maze of inlets branching off Puget Sound (Wash.). The Admiralty had sent the Chatham with the Discovery in the expectation that the smaller ship could survey narrow waters into which it would be imprudent for the Discovery to venture; but Vancouver quickly learned that tidal and wind conditions, and often sheer depth of water that placed the bottom beyond the reach of an anchor, created hazards even for the Chatham, and he was compelled after a month’s experience to fall back on the ships’ pinnaces, cutters, and launches, however laborious and dangerous service in open boats might be. Once the Discovery and Chatham had found a suitable anchorage the boats would set out to explore the adjacent coastline. Every inlet was traced to its head, lest it form part of the long sought northwest passage. The boats were usually provisioned for a week or ten days, but officers and men alike made every effort to extend the period if by so doing they could advance the survey. A great effort was made to treat the natives fairly and establish friendly relations with them. The boats, however, being no larger than many Indian canoes, were temptations because of their arms and provisions, and late in the survey a number of attacks had to be beaten off.

As long as his health permitted, Vancouver often took part in the boat expeditions. On 22 June 1792, when returning to the ships after exploring Howe Sound, Jervis Inlet, and what is now Vancouver harbour, he found the Spanish survey ships Sútil and Mexicana, under the command of Dionisio Alcalâ-Galiano*, at anchor off Point Grey. From Alcalâ-Galiano he learned that Spanish explorers had preceded him in Juan de Fuca Strait and the Strait of Georgia, though not in Puget Sound. Relations were cordial and some cooperation was decided upon, but it was limited by Vancouver’s contention that his instructions prevented him from accepting any but his own survey of the continental shore.

By August Vancouver had worked his way up the full length of what is now Vancouver Island, establishing its insularity when his ships emerged in Queen Charlotte Sound on 9 August. He pushed on to Burke Channel, in 52°N, and then sailed south to Nootka Sound where he knew his supply ship and the Spanish commander, Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, were awaiting him.

A warm friendship sprang up between Vancouver and Bodega, but they were unable to agree on the details of the property transfer provided for in the Nootka Convention. Vancouver had expected to receive an extensive area, perhaps the entire sound; inquiry had convinced Bodega that John Meares*, part owner of several of the ships seized in 1789, had occupied no more than a small plot on Friendly Cove. Both undertook to refer the matter to their respective governments and await instructions. The supply ship brought Vancouver some additional instructions dated 20 Aug. 1791, but he received no further communication from the Admiralty during the last three years of his voyage.

From Nootka Vancouver sailed south to San Francisco and Monterey, in Alta (present-day) California, and then to the Sandwich Islands where he wintered. In May 1793 he was back on the coast and by September had traced the continental shore as far north as 56°. Vancouver explored Dean Channel in June; a few weeks later he would have met Alexander Mackenzie*, who completed his overland journey to the Pacific there late in July.

At the end of the 1793 season Vancouver again visited Alta California en route to winter quarters in the Sandwich Islands. After calling at Monterey he went on to San Diego and then, fulfilling his instructions, sailed southward along the Mexican coast to extend his survey to the appointed limit of 30°. In two seasons he had thus traced the coast from 30°N to 56°N and had proved that Juan de Fuca Strait was not the entrance to a great inland sea, as Fuca* had alleged, and that the extensive waterways Bartholomew de Fonte* claimed to have entered in latitude 53° did not exist.

In the course of his third and last visit to the Sandwich Islands Vancouver completed their survey and also intervened actively in their internal affairs. With a view to ending civil strife he encouraged their political unification under King Kamehameha. He also persuaded Kamehameha to cede the island of Hawaii to Great Britain in the expectation that a small military force would be stationed there to provide protection for the islands, now that ships of many nations were frequenting them. The cession was signed on 25 Feb. 1794, but no confirming action was taken in London.

For the 1794 season Vancouver decided to sail directly to Cook Inlet (Alas.), the northern limit of his survey, and to work southward to the point reached the previous year. The last anchorage of the Discovery and Chatham was in a bay on the southeast coast of Baranof Island to which Vancouver gave the appropriate name Port Conclusion. The boats returned from the last exploring expedition on 19 August, and the completion of the survey was celebrated by “such an additional allowance of grog as was fully sufficient to answer every purpose of festivity on the occasion.” Later Vancouver was to write in his Voyage of discovery to the north Pacific ocean: “I trust the precision with which the survey . . . has been carried into effect, will remove every doubt, and set aside every opinion of a north-west passage, or any water communication navigable for shipping, existing between the north pacific, and the interior of the American continent, within the limits of our researches.”

The survey had been carried out with remarkable accuracy. Vancouver’s latitudes vary little from modern values; the more difficult calculations for longitude show an error that varies from about one-third to one degree. It was an accomplishment worthy of comparison with the surveys of Cook, and the frequent references to Cook in the published Voyage show that he was ever the ideal Vancouver had in mind. John Cawte Beaglehole, the authority on Cook, remarks that of all the men who trained under him Vancouver was “the only one whose work as a marine surveyor was to put him in the class of his commander.”

The long homeward voyage was made by Cape Horn, with calls at Monterey, Valparaiso (Chile), and St Helena. As Britain was at war, the Discovery travelled from St Helena in convoy and arrived in the estuary of the Shannon River, Ireland, on 13 Sept. 1795. Vancouver left her immediately and proceeded to London but rejoined her when she arrived in the Thames on 20 October. Thus ended the longest surveying expedition in history – over four and a half years. The distance sailed was approximately 65,000 miles, to which the boat excursions are estimated to have added 10,000 miles. The care Vancouver devoted to the health of his crews was noteworthy; only one man died of disease. Another died of poisoning and four were drowned.

Vancouver’s achievement received little recognition at the time, largely because of charges that he had been overly harsh as a commander. As early as January 1793 Thomas Manby, master’s mate of the Chatham, wrote privately that Vancouver had “grown Haughty Proud Mean and Insolent, which has kept himself and Officers in a continual state of wrangling during the whole of the Voyage.” His difficulties with Archibald Menzies*, botanist and surgeon, had serious consequences because Menzies was a protégé of Sir Joseph Banks*, the influential president of the Royal Society of London. More serious was the case of Thomas Pitt, heir of Lord Camelford, one of the midshipmen-in-training in the Discovery. He was a difficult and unbalanced young man whose conduct so infuriated Vancouver that he discharged him in Hawaii in 1794. Pitt was closely related to the prime minister and to the first lord of the Admiralty, John Pitt, and a brother of Lady Grenville, wife of the foreign secretary, and their combined displeasure weighed heavily on Vancouver. It is evident that illness (probably some hyperthyroid condition) had made Vancouver irritable and subject to outbursts of temper, but he was not a brutal commander. He ran a taut ship, as was essential in a vessel far removed from any supporting authority, and if his officers did not like him, they respected him and admired his capability.

Vancouver retired on half pay in November 1795. He settled at Petersham, near Richmond Park, and was soon busy revising his journal for publication. He died, at the early age of 40, when the narrative, half a million words in length, was within a hundred pages of completion. His brother John finished the revision and the Voyage was published in 1798 in a handsome edition consisting of three quarto volumes and a folio atlas.

Almost all of the several hundred place names bestowed by Vancouver on physical features have been retained. Most notable of them is Vancouver Island, originally named Quadra and Vancouver’s Island in honour of his friend the Spanish commander. Vancouver’s work and memory have received more attention in recent years, and his grave in St Peter’s churchyard in Petersham is the scene of an annual commemorative ceremony sponsored by the province of British Columbia.”

Credit given to W. Kaye Lamb for the biography of George Vancouver.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Apr 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/1312
Name of testator: John Blake
Place: late of his Majestys Ship Canada and now belonging to his Majesty’s Sloop Discovery
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 11 Mar 1791, probated 6 Sep 1798

[In margin]: Testament: John Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I John Blake Seaman late of his Majestys Ship
3    Canada and now belonging to his Majestys Sloop
4    Discovery Geo Vancouver Esquire Commander Number
5    on the Ships Books 44 being of sound and disposing
6    mind and memory do hereby make this my last
7    Will and Testament First and principally I
8    commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty
9    God hoping for remission of all my Sins through
10    the merits of Jesus Christ my Blessed Saviour and
11    Redeemer and my body to the Earth or Sea as it
12    shall please God and as for such Worldly Estate
13    and Effects which shall be possessed of or intitled
11    unto at the time of my decease I give and bequeath
15    the same as followeth (that is to say)
16    I give and bequeath unto my Mother Mary
17    Sunden now residing at No 12 Rosamond Row
18    Clerkenwell London All such wages Sum and Sums
19    of money as now is or here after shall be due to me
20    for my Service or otherwise on Board the said Ship
21    or any other Ship or Vessel and I do hereby nominate
22    and appoint the said Mary Sunden Executrix of this
23    my last Will and Testament and I do give and
24    bequeath unto my said Executrix All the rest and
25    residue of my Estate whatsoever both real and
26    personal hereby revoking and making void all other
27    and former Wills by me heretofore made and do
28    declare this to be my last Will and Testament In
29    Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand  and
30    seal this eleventh day of March in the year of our
31    Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety one
32    and in the thirty first year of the Reign of our
33    Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of God
34    of Great Britain France and Ireland King defender of
35    the Faith John Blake Signed Sealed
36    published and declared by the said John Blake as
37    and for his last Will and Testament in the presence
38    of us who have hereunto subscribed and named as
39    witnesses in the presence of the said Testator Geo:
40    Vancouver Capt J Whidbey Master
41    This Will was proved at London the sixth
42    day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand
43    seven hundred and ninety eight before the worshipful
44    John Sewell doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right
45    honorable Sir William Wynne Knight also doctor of
46    Laws Master keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative
47    Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath
48    of Mary Sunden (wife of John Sunden) the Mother
49    of the deceased and Sole Executrix named in the
50    Will to whom administration was granted of all
51    and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the
52    said deceased having been first Sworn duly to administer

Will of John Blake belonging to his Majesty's Ship Royal Sovereign - The National Archives PROB 11/850, probated 6 Nov 1759

John Blake, testator, is married to Ann who lived in the parish of St Giles in the County of Middlesex.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Apr 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/850
Name of testator: John Blake
Place: belonging to his Majesty’s Ship Royal Sovereign
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 31 May 1757, probated 6 Nov 1759

[In margin]: Testament: John Blake 348

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I John Blake now belonging to his Majesty’s Ship Royal
3    Sovereign being in Bodily health and of Sound and
4    disposing Mind and Memory and considering the perils
5    and dangers of the Seas and other uncertainties of this
6    Transitory life (do for avoiding controversies after
7    my decease) make publish and declare this my last
8    Will and Testament in manner following (that is to
9    say) First I commend my Soul to God that Gave
10    it and my Body I commit to the Earth or Sea as it
11    shall please God to order and as for and concerning
12    all my Worldly Estate I give bequeath and dispose
13    thereof as followeth, that is to say, all and Singular
11    such Wages Sum and Sums of Money Lands Tenements
15    Goods Chattels and Estate whatsoever as Shall be any
16    ways due owing or belonging unto me at the time of my
17    decease I do Give devise and bequeath the same
18    unto my beloved Wife Ann Blake of Castle Street in
19    the parish of St Giles in the County of Middlesex
20    And I do hereby Nominate and appoint my said Wife
21    Ann Blake Sole Executrix of this my last Will and
22    Testament hereby Revoking all former and other Wills
23    Testaments and Deeds of Gift by me at any time heretofore
24    made And I do ordain and ratify these presents to
25    stand and be for and as may only last Will and Testament
26    In Witness whereof to this my said Will I have set my
27    hand and Seal the thirty first day of May In the year
28    of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Fifty
29    Seven and in the Thirtieth Year of the Reign of his
30    Majesty King George the Second over Great Britain
31    etc John Blake Signed Sealed Published andDeclared
32    in the presence of W Boys Jno Crosser A Holloway
33    This Will was proved at London the
34    Sixth day of November In the year of our Lord One
35    thousand Seven hundred and fifty nine before the
36    Worshipful Andrew Coltee Ducarol Doctor of Laws
37    Surrogate of the Right Worshipfull Edward Simpson
38    also Doctor of Laws Master keeper or Commissary of
39    the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted
40    by the Oath of Ann Blake Widow the Relict of the
41    deceased and Sole Executrix named in the said Will to
42    whom administration was Granted of all and Singular
43    the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased
44    having been first Sworn duly to administer

Will of John Blake formerly belonging to the King's Ship Hector but late belonging to the King's Ship Ipswich, beyond sea of Saint Mary Magdalen Bermondsey, Surrey - The National Archives PROB 11/409, probated 5 May 1741

The testator John Blake is married to Anne. I did not find a Blake family at St Mary Bermondsey, Surrey.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 28 Apr 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/409
Name of testator: John Blake
Place: formerly belonging to the King’s Ship Hector but late belonging to the King’s Ship Ipswich, beyond sea of Saint Mary Magdalen Bermondsey, Surrey
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 23 Sep 1727, probated 5 May 1741

[In margin]: Testament: John Blake

1    Or Sea as it shall please God to
2    order and as for and concerning all my Worldly Estate I
3    give bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth That is to say
4    All and singular such wages sum and sums of Money lands
5    Tenements Goods Chattels and Estate whatsoever as shall be
6    any ways due owing or belonging unto me at the time of my
7    decease I do give devise and bequeath the same unto my
8    loving wife Anne Blake of the parish of St Leonard Shoreditch
9    And I do hereby nominate and appoint my said Wife Anne
10    Blake Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby
11    revoking all former and other Wills Testaments and deeds
12    of Gift by me at any time heretofore made And I do ordain
13    and ratify these presents to stand and be for and as my only
11    last Will and Testament In Witness whereof to this my
15    said Will I have set my hand and Seal the Twenty third
16    day of September Anno domini 1727 And in the first Year of
17    the Reign of his Majesty King George the second over
18    Great Britain etc John Blake Signed sealed and published
19    in the presence of Mary Beers Nevill Evans Geo:
20    Thompson under the Exchange Cornhill Not Pub 1727
21    5th May 1741
22    On which day appeared personally Anne Blake
23    Widow Relict of John Blake late of the parish of Saint
24    Mary Magdalen Bermondsey in the County of Surry
25    formerly belonging to the King’s Ship the Hector but at
26    his death belonging to the King’s Ship the Ipswich beyond
27    Sea deceased and also sole Executrix named in the last Will
28    and Testament of the said deceased part of which is hereunto
29    annexed bearing date on the Twenty third day of September
30    in the Year of our Lord 1727 and by virtue of her corporal
31    oath deposed That he the said John Blake the Testator did on
32    or about the said Twenty third day of September 1727 duly
33    execute his said last Will and Testament and afterwards
34    delivered the same whole and entire to this deponent who
35    hath had the custody thereof ever since That the said
36    deceased between two and three years since went a voyage
37    to Sea and after the said deceased was gone this Deponent
38    looked for the said Will of the said deceased and found the
39    same in a Chest of drawers wherein she herself had put
40    and always kept the same that she then perceived that the
41    upper part or beginning of the said Will was torn off as the
42    same now appears and which she believed was done in the
43    Removal of the deceased Goods from one house to another
44    And this deponent saith that she hath made diligent search
45    for the said top or beginning of the said Will but cannot find
46    the same and she further saith that she believes the said
47    paper hereunto annexed is the true last Will and Testament
48    of the said deceased for that she verily believes that he never
49    made any other Will since he executed the paper writing
50    hereunto annexed Ann Blake On the same day the said
51    Ann Blake was sworn to the Truth of the above affidavit
52    before me Robt Chapman Surrogate
53    This Will was proved at London on the fifth day
54    of May in the Year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred
55    and Forty one Before the Worshipfull Henry Edmunds doctor
56    of Laws Surrogate to the Right Worshipfull John Bettesworth
57    also doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the
58    Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted By the
59    Oath of Ann Blake Now the Relict of the deceased and
60    sole Executrix named in the said Will To whom was granted
61    Administration of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits
62    of the said deceased being first sworn duly to administer the same

Will of John Blake, Mariner, belonging to their Majestys Ship Moncke - The National Archives PROB 11/409, probated 6 Apr 1692

The testator, John Blake, is the son of Sarah Blake. No further details found at this time.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 27 Apr 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/409
Name of testator: John Blake, Mariner
Place: belonging to their Majestys Ship Moncke
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 25 Nov 1691, probated 6 Apr 1692

[In margin]: Testament: Johannis Blake

1    Know All Men by these Presents
2    that I John Blake Mariner belonging to their Majesties Ship the
3    Moncke have and by these presents doe make and declare and constitute
4    Richard Perrey of St Christ Church in the County of Surrey waterman
5    my true and lawfull Attorney for me in my name and for my nowe
6    use and behesse to aske demand and receive of and from the Honorable
7    the Commander of their Majesties Navey the Queen or Paymaster of
8    the same or whom it shall or may concern off such sume and summes
9    of money wages bounty pension salary and other demands whatsoever
10    as now are or hereafter shall be due payable or belonging to me
11    for my owne service in the said ship or any other of their Majesties
12    ships frigatts or vessels or in any Merchant Ship or vessel whatsoever
13    and also to demand recover and receive of all other person and
11    persons whatsoever whom it shall concerne all and singular such
15    other sume and summes of money goods wares effects debts dues and
16    demands whatsoever which now due or hereafter shall be due owing
17    or belonging to me by any ways or meanes howsoever And moreover
18    for me in my name and to my use to demise or let by Lease in
19    writing or otherwise all of any of my messuages lands tenements or
20    hereditaments whatsoever to such person or persons for such
21    term of yeares and time and by and under such conditions reservations
22    and covenants as my said Attorney or his Counsell shall thinke
23    requisite Giving and hereby granting to my said Attorney my
24    full power and authority in the premises to recover and receive
25    all and singular the summe and summes of money matters and things
26    aforesaid and upon receipt of the same or any part thereof on
27    acquitances releases or other reasonable discharges for me and in
28    my name to make seal and deliver And one Attorney or more under
29    him to substitute and the same at his pleasure to revoke and generally
30    to doe execute and perform all such other lawfull and matters
31    and things whatsoever as shall be requisite to be done in or
32    concerning the premises as fully and effectually to all intents
33    and purposes as I my selfe might or could doe inpower ratifying and
34    allowing all and whatsoever my said Attorney shall lawfully
35    doe or cause to be done in or aboute the execution of the premises
36    by virtue of these presents And I the said John Blake considering
37    the uncertainty of this life doe hereby make and declare this my
38    last will and testament in manner following (that is to say) all such
39    summe and summes of money wages lands tenements goods chattels
40    and other estate whatsoever both reall and personal as I shall be
41    possessed off or which shall any ways belong to me at the time of
42    my decease (my debts and funeral expences being first paid) I
43    fully and wholly give devise and bequeath unto my loving Mother
44    Sarah Blake her heires executors administrators and assignes
45    Jore_ey to their owne use and behoofe and doe hereby nominate
46    and appoint my loving Mother Sarah Blake sole Executrix of this
47    my last Will Revokeing all former wills deeds of gift and bequests
48    by me heretofore made and ordain these presents only to be and
49    remaine as my only last Will and testament In witness whereof I have
50    hereunto set my hand and seale dated the twenty fifth day of
51    November Anno domini one Thousand six hundred ninety one and in
52    the Third yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Ladye
53    William and Mary King and Queen of England John Blake
54    his marke Signed sealed published and declared in the presence
55    of John Davis Roger Rea
56    Probatum fuit Testamentum suprascriptum apud
57    London coram venti viro duo Thoma Pinfold milite Legum doctore
58    surro venerabilis et egregij viri Domini: richardi Raines militis Legum
59    etiam doctoris Curia Prerogativae Cantuariensis Registri Custodis sive
60    Comissarij legitime constitute Sexto die mensis Aprilis Anno domini
61    Millesimo Sexcentisimo nonagesimo secondo Juramento Sarah Blake
62    Matris et Executricis in dicto testo nominat cui comissa fuit administrato
63    omnium et singulorum bonorum jurium et creditorum dicti defti de bene et fideliter
64    Administrand eadem ad sancta dei Evangelia in delicta Juris forma jurat

Will of Jasper Blake, gunner, of his Majestys Ship Hawke - The National Archives, PROB 11/731, probated 31 Jan 1743

The testator, Jasper Blake, provides lots of identifying comments in his will. Comments on this will include in the margin: Void being registered before

And on the bottom of the page: Examined with the Original Wills by me Silas Duncombe.

Jasper Blake mentions the Blake family of Galway in his will naming his brother as Francis Blake. This is the family of Thomas Blake the elder who lived at Furbough, Galway. Francis was the elder son.

Ancestry Chart of Jasper Blake

                                +--- 12-Richard Caddell alias Blake,b.Bef 1278,d.???
                                |
                             +--+ 11-Walter Blake,d.Aft Mar 1357
                             |  |   
                             |  +--- 12-Eveline,d.???
                             |
                          +--+ 10-Geoffrey Blake,d.???
                          |
                       +--+ 9-Walter Blake,d.1452
                       |
                    +--+ 8-John Blake,d.???
                    |
                 +--+ 7-Richard Blake,d.???
                 |
              +--+ 6-Patrick Blake,d.???
              |
           +--+ 5-Alderman Andrew Blake,d.1624
           |
        +--+ 4-Andrew (Oge) Blake,d.1687
        |  |      
        |  |  +--- 6-Martin,d.???
        |  |  |
        |  +--+ 5-Juliane Martin,d.???
        |
     +--+ 3-Francis Blake,d.???
     |  |      
     |  |  +--- 5-Dominick Martyn,d.???
     |  |  |
     |  +--+ 4-Christiane Martyn,d.???
     |
  +--+ 2-Thomas Blake The Elder,d.???
  |  |   
  |  +--- 3-Jane Martyn,d.???
  |
--+ 1-Jasper Blake,d.???
Jasper is the 8th great grandson of Richard Caddell alias Blake. Francis, his brother, was still living in 1748 and his son was Thomas Blake, the younger. This Thomas died without issue and any property devolved upon his cousin John Blake, eldest son of Andrew Blake of Ballymanagh.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 26 Apr 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/731
Name of testator: Jasper Blake, Gunner
Place: of his Majestys Ship Hawke
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 20 Oct 1741, probated 31 Jan 1743

[In margin]: Jasper Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Jasper Blake Gunner of his Majesties Ship Hawke being in
3    Bodily health and of sound and disposing Mind and Memory and
4    considering the perils and dangers of the Seas and other uncertain
5    ties of this transitory Life do for avoiding controversies after my
6    decease make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament
7    in manner and Form following (That is to say) First I recommend
8    my Soul to God that gave it and my Body I commit to the
9    Earth or Sea as it shall please God to order and as for and
10    concerning all my Worldly Estate I Give bequeath and dispose
11    there of as followeth that is to say I Give and bequeath the
12    whole of my Real and personal Estate by and Between William
13    Hawes of the Navy Office Gentleman and Sarah Harthy of the
11    parish of Maccullen of the County of Galway but in case she dyes
15    I Give the said One moiety to her Son John and to my Brother
16    Francis Blake I Give one shilling Wages sum and sums of money
17    Lands Tenements Goods Chattels and Estate whatsoever as shall be
18    be any ways due owing or belonging unto me at the time of
19    my decease I do Give devise and Bequeath the same unto the
20    said William Hawes and Sarah Harthy in case she died to her
21    Son John Harthy to be equally divided between the said William
22    Hawes his Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby
23    revokeing all former and other Wills Testaments and deeds of Gift
24    by me at any time heretofore made and I do Ordain and Ratify
25    these presents to stand and be for and as my only last Will and
26    Testament In Witness whereof to this my said Will I have
27    set my hand and Seal the Twentieth day of October Anno domini
28    1741 and in the Fifteenth year of the Reign of his Majesty King
29    George the Second over Great Britain etc Jasper Blake
30    Signed Sealed published and declared in the presence of Rob
31    Mercer Thomas Wright R Wooding
32    This Will was proved at London before the Right
33    Worshipfull John Bettesworth doctor of Laws Master Keeper or
34    Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
35    constituted on the Thirty first day of January in the Year of our
36    Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and Forty three by the Oath
37    of William Hawes Esquire the Executor in the said Will named
38    To whom Administration was Granted of all and singular the
39    Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased being first sworn
40    duly to administer