(The original is not available to view, but a copy may be acquired from TNA
here for £3.36, or free on visiting TNA at Kew.)
It is a printed form with spaces for the person to fill in (or have filled in on their behalf) their details. At the top is the Royal coat of arms.
Parts that are handwritten in the original will be italicised below.
In the Name of God, Amen, I, Joseph Comber Private Marine on Board His Majesty's Ship [Temeraire? hard to read] (No 114 on Ships [sic] Books) Edw Marsh Esq Captain being in bodily Health and of sound and of disposing Mind and Memory, and considering the Perils and Dangers of the Seas, and other Uncertainties of this transitory Life, (do for avoiding Controversies after my Decease) make, publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in Manner following (that is to say) First I recommend my Soul to God that gave it, and my Body i commit to Earth or Sea as it shall please God to Order; and as for and concerning all my worldly Estate I give, bequeath and dispose thereof: That is to say
I do give & bequeath, to my dearly beloved wife Rose Comber - now living at Chiddingstone near Sevenoaks in the County of Kent all such -- Wages, Sum and Sum of Money, Lands, Tenements, Goods, Chattels and Estate whatsoever, as shall be any ways due owing, or belonging unto me at the Time of my Decease, I do give, devise and bequeath the same unto
the said Rose Comber living in the place or County aforesaid -- ----And I do hereby appoint
the said Rose Comber --- ---- Sole Execut
rix 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 the Presents, to stand and be for, and as my only last Will and Testament.
[As] (page a little damaged)Witness whereof, to this my said Will I have set my Hand and Seal the
twenty seventh Day of
September in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred, and in the
fortieth Year of the Reign of His Majesty King George
the Third over Great Britain, &c
Josph Comber His Mark XSigned, sealed, published, and
declared in the Presence of
us
[signed] Edw. Marsh, Captain
N. Onslow Master_________________
Printed and Sold by E. HOXLAND, Plymouth-Docks