
          Executor named in Sir John Franklins Will, but
I agreed with the suggestion of the Navy Agent that
the name of the Executor would probably be
endorsed on the cover of the Will.

Lady Franklin had been made aware some time
previously by her Father, that a will of Sir John
Franklin was in his custody, but Mr Griffin
was lying in a state of helpless in[?]
& the key of a chest, in which his papers were kept 
was in the hands of his Grandson Mr. F. Simpkinson
who was living, as wll as Lady Franklin, in the 
Griffin's house.

Mr. F. Simpkinson, on being applied
to, referred the matter to the Griffins Executor,
who seeing no objection to the chest being
opened for the purpose explained [when?] F.S. came &
fetched him from Somerset [crossed out: Johnson] House to Bedford
place, where in the presence of Lady Franklin
he gave me the Will.

The names of the Executors not being enclosed, I 
opened the WIll, & ascertained that I was the 
Sole Surviving Executor. I did this in the exercise
of my own discretion, unsolicited & unsupported
by Lady Franklin. She neither handled
nor read the Will nor did she as I recollect
ask any questions respecting its contents, & it
was from my own spontaneous remarks that
she learnt one or two facts contained in it.
Mr. F. Simpkinson was present the whole time.

The Will was restored to its place, the cover

        