The will of Benjamin Beautyman, 1806

Benjamin BEAUTYMAN was the brother of my 6x great-grandfather Cuthbert BEAUTYMAN.  Cuthbert's connection to my EPHGRAVE grandmother via the GIBSON line is described here.  I have now found and downloaded the Last Will and Testament of Benjamin, made in 1806 aboard HMS Arrogant in Bombay Harbour, and proved in London in 1807.  The legal hand in which the will is written is more difficult than usual to interpret, but fortunately the general formulaic phrases seem to apply, so I have come up with a reasonable approximation of a translation.  Interestingly a note in the margin shows that the copy of the will delivered from Bombay wasn't as authoritative as the Court would normally accept, and a further copy was required.  The will mentions his mother Elizabeth BEAUTYMAN as sole executrix, and his brothers William and Cuthbert and sisters Elizabeth and Hannah.  He makes specific reference to prize money from the capture of a ship in or near Madras.  Not quite Pirates of the Caribbean, but interesting all the same.  My transcript is as follows:

PRO prob 11/1460

Benjamin Beautyman      

In the name of God Amen

No~ on ship’s books 61

 I I Benjamin Beautyman acting gunner of His Majesty’s ship arrogant no~ on ship’s books as per margin being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding considering the perils and dangers of the seas and other uncertainties of this transitory life so for avoiding controversies after my decease do hereby make my last will and testament  [?] as follows, that is to say, ffirst I recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body I do commit to the Earth or Sea as it may please God to order and as for and concerning all my worldly estate and effects I give devise and bequeathe of them as follows unto my dearly beloved mother Elizabeth Beautyman living in Cullarcoats in the county of Northumberland all my wages pay prize money short allowance money smart money or any other sum or sums of money that shall or may become due or owing to me at the time of my decease or at any time or times after my decease to and for ever own use and disposal save and except the prize money owing from the capture of the Phoenix ffrench? a merchant ship captured by his majesty’s sloop ? out of which said prize money when wini? from Madras I will to be paid out of the said prize money to Mr John Holding? pursar of His Majesty’s ship arrogant twenty five rupees and to Edward/Edmund? Cassini? Strong? of the aforesaid ship the sum of ffifteen rupees being due to him for cash received and a sufficient sum debited? from the said prize money to procure me a decent burial if it should please God to call me the remainder of which said prize money I leave to the care of William Hugh Dobbie Esquire captain of his majesty’s ship arrogant to be transmitted with all my books papers writings certificates pay tickets etc? relative to the passing of my ? to the agents of William Hugh Dobbie Esquire Captain of aforesaid for the benefit of my aforesaid mother Elizabeth Beautyman and I do hereby make constitute and appoint my aforesaid mother Elizabeth Beautyman sole executrix of this my last will and testament but in case of the death of my aforesaid mother Elizabeth Beautyman then I give devise and bequeathe the aforesaid sum and sums of money unto my brothers Cuthbert Beautyman and William Beautyman and to my sisters Elizabeth Beautyman Mabel Beautyman and Hannah Beautyman living in Cullercoats in the county of Northumberland to be equally shared same and same alike and in this case I do make constitute and appoint my aforesaid brothers Cuthbert Beautyman and William Beautyman joint executors of this my last will and testament and I do further give and bequeathe unto my messmates Mr John Thomas John Roach and Charles Morton? All my wearing apparel and any other property that is not heretofore disposed of hereby revoking all other will or wills powers testaments or goods of gifts by me at any time or times ?tofore made or granted by me Signed B Beautyman (LS) in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of us who in the presence of each other have hereunto set our hands on board the said ship in Bombay harbour this fourth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six Claude de Cuspigny? Licent~ Jno Holding pursar

I attest this to be a true copy of the last will and testament of B Beautyman late gunner of his majesty’s ship arrogant Sr. Halliday Justice of the peace.

THIS WILL was proved at London the ? day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven before the right honourable William Wynne? Sargent? Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Elizabeth Beautyman widow the mother of the deceased and the sole executrix named in the said will to whom admon was granted of all and singular goods chattels and credits of the said deceased having been first sworn by commission duly to administer. 

Limited until the original will or a more authoritative copy thereof shall be brought into and left in the Registry of aforesaid court.