https://nlarchaeology.wordpress.com/2012/05/18/he-sank-his-own-ship/
https://wikivisually.com/wiki/HMS_Sapphire_(1675)
http://www.historicplaces.ca/fr/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=3481
The British ship Sapphire was scuttled in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland when under French attack on September 11, 1696.
Walter Chugg, Mariner of the ship was captured along with the crewmates and returned to England. “Ultimately the French captured Cleasby, and several crew members who became prisoners of war were sent to France and eventually returned to England by exchange.” Here we have his will written Nov. 2nd 1696 and witnessed on that date.
The significance is that it makes Walter Chugg the first Chugg in Canada about 150 years earlier than the Canadian Chugg family’s first ancestor.
Will of Walter Chugg Nov 2, 1696
To all true Christian people to whom these presents shall name, I, Walter Chugg, a mariner letely belonging to his Majesty’s(?) ship of war called the Saphire, Captain Thomas Cleasby Commander, send greeting. Know ye that the said Walter Chugg for diverse goods, cants (?) and considerations (?) (?) (?) have assigned, nominated and ordained and in my stead and place (?) and constituted my trusty and well beloved friend Matthew Payne of the Parish of Falmouth in the County of Cornwall (?) to be my true and lawful Attorney for use and in my name and for myself do ask, require, (?) recruit and demand of and from the
(?) the coins of His Master’s Navy, all and every such sumit and sumits as are owed and owing (?) me for pay, salary or wages as Mariner on board the said ship Saphire or any other wages or means whatsoever giving and by those presents granting unto my said Attorney a house of my full and whole power, strength and authority in and about the premises and upon the requests of any sum or sums of money, releases, acquittances or other lawful discharges for my use and in my name, to make, (Seal) and deliver and generally to use, expense and perform as fully, largely and amply in every respect,as I myself might or would do if I were personally present, satisfying, allowing and holding firm and stable all. And whatsoever my Attorney and his reputed (deputed) Attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done in or about the premises by virtue of those presents.
And I the said Walter Chugg considering the uncertainty and transitoriness of this life do hereby make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and for me following (?)
I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, hoping through the merits of Jesus Christ, my only Saviour, to be made partaker of everlasting rest (bliss) and my body to the earth to receive decent burial according to the discretion of my (?) hereafter named
Him all the rest of my goods and chattels debts and credits I give unto the said Matthew Payne whom I do make and ordain solicitor of this, my last will and testament, revoking all former wills by me made in testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand and seal this second day of November, anno domini on thousand six hundred ninety six, Walter Chugg, signed, sealed, declared and published in presence of us witnesses: William Fitzhugh, (?) Draper, notary public,Ralph Tonkin,Randall Mansfield, Church wardens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwSdLvkvjW8 Video of remains of the ship Sapphire in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland.
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