George Blagdon Westcott, Esquire, Honiton, Devon (1753-1798)
Last Will and Testament (1796)
[some paragraph breaks inserted to improve readability; visual emphasis added e.g. Westcott]
Majestic 1st. December 1796 at Sea
I George Blagdon Westcott being in perfect health of body and mind and well considering the great uncertainty of humane life which is not lessened by the service in which it has pleased God to place me do make this my last will and Testament
I give to my Mother Susannah Westcott of Honiton in Devonshire
One thousand pounds Stock of the three p. Cents Consol -
To my Niece Peggy Lott Eighty Guineas
To my Niece Mary Lott Twenty Guineas
To my Sister Mary Westcott One hundred Guineas
To my Aunt Grace Brock Ten Guineas for a Ring as a small mark
of my remembrance and respect for her
and whatever pay prize money or other effects I may have due or belonging to
me I would have equally divided between my Mother Brothers and Sisters born
of my said Mother Susannah Westcott or their Heirs
- G. B. Westcott -
(Superscribed) Mrs. Susannah Westcott Honiton Devon
[in the margin -- tight binding]
22d. February 1799
Appeared Personally Josiah Northcote Teed of Honiton in the County of Devon Surgeon and Chris[topher] Flood of the same place Gentleman and made Oath that they knew and w[ere] well acquainted with George Blagdon Westcott late Commander of His Majes[ty's] ship Majestic at the Mouth of the Nile Esquire deceased and with h[is] manner and character of handwri[ting] and subscription by having frequently seen him write and subscri[be] his name and having now with care and attention viewed and perused th[e] paper writing hereto annexed purport[ing] to be the last Will and Testament of t[he] said deceased beginning thus "Majes[tic] 1st December 1796 at Sea" ending "and wh[at]ever pay prize money or other effects I may have due or belonging to me would have equally divided between [my] Mother, Brothers and Sisters born of my said Mother Susannah Westco[tt] or their Heirs" and thus subscribed "G. B. Westcott" and superscribed "M[rs.] Susannah Westcott Honiton Devo[n"] They the Appearers say they do ve[rily] and in their consciences believe the whole series[?] and contents of the said Paper Writing beginning ending subscribed and superscribed as aforsaid to be all of the proper handwriting and subscription of the said George Blagdon Westcott deceased - Jos. N. Teed - Christopher Flood - Same day the said Josiah Northcote Teed and Christopher Flood were duly Sworn to the truth of the above Affidavit (by virtue of the annexed Comon) before me W. Tucker Commissioner.//~
On the thirtieth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety nine Admon [(]with the Will annexed) of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of George Blagdon Westcott late Commander of his Majestys' Ship Majestic at the Mouth of the Nile Esquire deceased was granted to Susannah Westcott Widow the Mother Margarett Lott Widow and Mary Westcott Spinster the Sisters (by the said Susannah Westcott) and as such three of the residuary Legatees named in the said Will (No Executor) having been first Sworn by Commission duly to adr. -
Source: Public Record Office, ref. 11/1323