Edwards Will 1716

Will of Valentine Edwards

of the Royal Navy, Ex Deal, Kent

Source: Prerogative Court of Canterbury PROB 11/553/117
Submitted by Jane Colquhoun

In the Name of God Amen this twelfth day of September One Thousand Seven Hundred and fifteen in the second year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord George by the Grace of God King of Great Brittaine etc.
I Valentine Edwards, Master’s Mate of His Majesty’s shipp the Diamond being very much indisposed in body but of sound and disposing mind and memory (God be praised for the same) and not knowing how it may [please] God to deale with me [at the] time of my decease but considering the dangers of the sea and other uncertaintyes of this present life doe for avoiding controversies after my decease make publish and declare these presents to contain my last will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say)
First and principally I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping to be saved through the meritts Death passion and Resurrection of our blessed Saviour, and my body to be committed to the Earth or sea as it shall happen with me at the time of my decease and as for and concerning such worldly Estate as it shall please God to bless me with at the time of my decease I bequeath the same in manner and forme following (that is to say)

Imprimis I give unto my Honoured Father John Edwards of Deale in the County of Kent ten pounds of my money in the Hands of Mr. Stephen Edwards of Kingston in the County of Devon
Item I give unto my Brother John Edwards thirty pounds of my money in the Hands of the said Mr. Stephen Edwards
Item I give unto my Brother Francis Edwards my watch and Five pounds of the wages due to me for my service in His Majesty’s ship Diamond
Item I give to my Sister Sarah Longden all the residue and remainder of the wages that is or shall become due to me for any service in the said shipp

Item I give unto my Sisters Anne, Mary, Margaret and Lake Edwards all my cloaths, Linnen and other things aboard this ship, or the produce thereof to be equally divided between them As also all the goods or money of mine now in the Hands of Mr. James Carnagie of Port Royall in Jemaica Mariner to be equally divided between them also
And I doe hereby authorize and appoynt Mr. John Sleigh, Master’s Mate of this ship to demand and receive the same of the said Mr. James Carnagie for their use

And in case of the decease of my Father John Edwards I doe give and bequeath the tenn pounds given to him unto my Brother John Edwards who I doe hereby nominate and appoynt to be sole Executor of this my last will and Testament
And I doe revoke all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made and doe ordaine these presents to stand and be for and as my last will and testament for ever

Wittness my hand and seale the day and year written on the Top of the other side
Valen'e Edwards

Signed sealed published and declared in the presence of:
Wm. Mardock - Wm. Hicks - Step'n Stonestreet. Capts. Clk

Probatum fuit: 18th July 1716.

Transcribed by Shelagh Mason 15th August 2020

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Will of Valentine Edwards
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