William Watman was part of Captain Cook’s crew; he had joined the Resolution as an able bodied seaman, but later was classed as a Gunner’s Mate.
“He had formerly served as a marine twenty-one years; after which he entered as a seaman on board the Resolution in 1772, and served with Captain Cook in his voyage toward the South Pole.” (Cook’s Journal) “(A)fter which the Captain managed to obtain a place in Greenwich Hospital for his ageing seaman.” (King)
“On learning that Cook was preparing for his third voyage Watman managed to convince Cook that he would be a worthwhile member of the crew and he joined the Resolution on 3 Feb. 1776 whilst it was still in the dock at Deptford being re-fitted.” (Captain Cook Society)
Shortly thereafter (April 26, 1776, while the Resolution was still in the River Thames), Watman prepared his will, “In the name of God Amen, I Wm. Watman, Mariner on board his Majesty’s Ship Resolution, James Cook Esqr. Commander, being of sound and disposing mind and memory do hereby make this my last Will and Testament,”
“First and principally I commend my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God hoping for Remission of all my Sins through the Merits of Jesus Christ my Blessed Saviour, and Redeemer, and my Body to the Earth or Sea as it shall please God,”
“And as for such wordly estate and effects which I shall be possessed of or intitled unto at the time of my decease, I give and bequeath the same as followeth, that is to say …”
“I give and bequeath unto my Brother Thomas Watman of Strutton in the County of Surrey, all such wages, sum and sums of Money as now is, or hereafter shall be due to me for my service or otherwise on Board the said Ship, or any other Vessel or Ship …”
“… and I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my said Brother Thomas Watman sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament,”
“And I do give and bequeath unto my said Executor all the Rest and Residue of my said Estate whatsoever both Real and Personal, hereby revoking and making void all other and former wills by me heretofore made and do declare this to be my last Will and Testament …”
“Names as Witnesses in the presence of the said Testatr. Jams. Cook, Wm. Bligh.” “Normally members of the crew call on their messmates to witness their will. But Watman was able to call on Captain Cook and William Bligh the Master of the Resolution, to be his witnesses. This must indicate the esteem in which he was held by the ship’s officers.”
“During the voyage, he had frequently been subject to slight fevers, and was a convalescent when we came into the (Kealakekua) bay, where, being sent on shore for a few days …”
“… he conceived himself perfectly recovered, and, at his own desire, returned on board; but the day following he had a paralytic stroke, which in two days more carried him off.”
“He died on board the Resolution on 1 February 1779 whilst it was anchored in Kealakekua Bay.” (Captain Cook Society) “Watman was supposed by us to be about sixty years old” (King)
“At the request of Terreeoboo (Kalaniopu‘u), the remains of this honest seaman were buried on the morai (Hikiau Heiau); the ceremony being performed with great solemnity.”
“Kaoo and his brethren were present it the funeral, who behaved with great decorum, and paid due attention while the service was performing.”
“On our beginning to fill up the grave, they approached it with great awe, and threw in a dead pig, together with some cocoa-nuts and plantains.”
“For three successive nights they surrounded it, sacrificing hogs, and reciting hymns and prayers till morning.”
“We erected a post at the head of the grave, and nailed thereon a piece of board; on which was inscribed the name and age of the deceased, and the day of his departure from this life.”
“These they assured us they would not remove, and they will probably be permitted to remain, so long as such frail materials can endure.” (King)
Later, a monument was erected near Hikiau Heiau, the inscription reads: “In this Heiau, January 28, 1779, Captain James Cook R.N. read the English burial service over William Watman, Seaman. The first recorded Christian Service in the Hawaiian Islands. Erected by the Kona Civic Club, 1928”.
With respect to his will, it “was proved at London, the fourteenth day of October in the (year) of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty, before the Worshipful Francis Simpson, Doctor of Laws, Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert, Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury …”
“… lawfully constituted by the Oath of Thomas Watman, the Brother of the deceased and sole Executor named in the said Will, to whom Administration of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said deceased was granted he having been first sworn duly to Administer.” (Captain Cook Society)
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