This transcription is based on a probate that can be found within the records of Prerogative Court of Canterbury under the reference PROB 11/2192/331.

Direct Transcription

In the Name of God Amen. I Edward Couch Mate of Her Majestys Ship Erebus being in bodily health and of sound and 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 the 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 as followeth that is to say all wages sum and sums of money lands tenements goods chattels and Estate whatsoever as shall be anyways due owning or belonging unto me at the time of my decease I do give devise and bequeath the same unto my dear Father Captain James Couch of the Royal Navy And I do hereby nominate and appoint Octavius Ommanney & William Henry Palin of Norfolk Street Strand Navy Agents Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former and other Wills, Testaments and Deeds of Gifts by me at any time heretofore made And I do ordain and ratify these presents to stand and be for and as my only last Will and Testament In Witness whereof to this my said Will I have set my hand and seal the fifteenth day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty five and in the eight year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lady Victoria by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen Defender of the Faith and so forth _ Edw^d Couch (LS)¹ _ Signed sealed published and declared by the Testator the said Edward Couch in the presence of us present at the same time who in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses. G. T. Schroeder [ _² ] Fred^k Pike.

Proved at London the 21^st June 1854 before the Worshipful William Robinson Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of Octavius Ommanney one of the Executors to whom Admōn was granted, having been first sworn duly to administer Power reserved of making the like grant to William Henry Palin the other Executor when he apply for the same.

1. Stands for ‘locus sigilli’ or the place of the seal. The original will has a seal attached here.
2. This line is not in the original probate, but has been added because it would have been had the clerk not started a new line.