Nathaniel Willard joined Adventure for Cook’s Second Voyage on 12 April, 1772, at Gallion’s Reach. He began as Carpenter's crew, becoming Carpenter’s mate on 15 July. According to the musters, he was born in Maidstone about 1726.
Willard was born on 20 June, 1726, and baptised at the General Baptist church, Cranbrook, Kent. He was the sixth child (of eleven) of James and Anna Willard. He married twice. The first time was on 12 May, 1751, to Mary Avard at St. Paul’s, Deptford. She died later that year, and was buried on 12 December. Willard remarried on 1 September, 1754, to Mary Neale at St. Mary’s, Rotherhithe.
John Robson
Originally published in Cook's Log, page 41, volume 46, number 2 (2023).