An example of orders given by Captain Joseph Laws, Commander of HMS Lyon, to provide victuals to men on board his ship, 1 May 1727. Taken from Drakeford’s letter and store book as Purser of HMS Lyon.

In this case the victuals are for twenty-five men who have been ordered from the dock yard at Portsmouth to work on board the ship at Spithead on the 11th and 26th of April, and the 1st May. There is a table giving a list of men given victuals on board, including the date of entry; the year; the mens’ names; quality; date of discharge; year; and the number of days they are given victuals.

(© Staffordshire Record Office: D1798/HM Drakeford/2)