This transcription is based on a probate that can be found within the records of Prerogative Court of Canterbury under the reference PROB 11/2196/323.

Adjusted for Readability

In the Name of God, Amen. I, Harry Duncan [Spens] Goodsir, Acting Assistant Surgeon of Her [Majesty’s] 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 unto God that gave it and my body I commit to the Earth or Sea as it shall please God to order. [A]nd as for and concerning all my [worldly] Estate I give, bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth, that is to say, all pay, half pay, prize money, Bounty money, effects, wages, sum and sums of money, lands, tenements, goods, chattels, and Estate whatsoever as shall be any ways due owing to or belonging unto me at the time of my decease. I do give, devise and bequeath the same unto John Goodsir, [Demonstrator] of Anatomy in the University of Edinburgh, my brother. And I do hereby nominate and appoint Thomas Stilwell, John Gilliam Stilwell and Thomas Stilwell the Younger of Arundel Street, London, and the said John Goodsir, 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 ninth 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. _ Harry D. S. Goodsir (LS)¹ _ Signed, sealed, published and declared by the Testator, the said Harry Duncan [Spens] Goodsir, 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. _ W. E. Shipton _ [George] J. M^cKay.

Proved at London, the 23^rd August 1854 before the Worshipful William Robinson, Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the Oath of John Goodsir, Esquire, the Brother, one of the surviving Executors to whom [Administration] was granted having been first sworn duly to administer. Power reserved of making the like Grant to John Gilliam Stilwell and Thomas Stilwell, heretofore the younger, the other surviving Executors when they shall apply for the same.

1. Stands for ‘locus sigilli’ or the place of the seal. The original will has a seal attached here.