CAPTAIN COOK'S FAMILY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 129, 4 June 1927, Page 20

CAPTAIN COOK'S FAMILY

MOSTLY DIED YOUNG.

In the churchyard of the old disused church at Gr»at Ayton, North Yorkshire, is a well-preserved tombstone which is most unique and curious. It is nearly 200 years old, and is in memory of the Cook family, of which Captain James Cook, tho celebrated circumnavigator, was one. Captain Cook was born at Marton, near Middlesborough, in 1728, but the family removed to Great Ayton in 1736. The quaint tombstone is in memory of three sisters and two brothers of the circumnavigator. The inscription on the atonr> is quite clear, and reads: "To ye memory of Mary and Mary, Jane, and Win., daughters and son of James" and Grace Cook; Mary did June ye 30, 1737, in yi sth year of her age. Mary did June ye 17, 1741, aged 10 months and 6 days. Jane did May ye 12th, 1742, in ye sth year of her age. Willm! did Ja. ye 29, 174J, aged 2 yrs. 12 mohs., 16 das., and 7 hors., and allso John Mase, son, dyed' Sept. the 20th, 1750, aged 23 years." Curious to note (writes a contributor to the "Newcastle Weekly Chronicle"), all this family died young, excepting the great Captain James Cook. In the wording on the tombstone to the memory of William, the year 1747 is very curious. However, in 1748 tho year was set back from March 21 to January 1, and evidently they did not know exactly what year to ascribe the death. This also probably accounts for the two years 12 months 16 days, etc., on the stone. The head of this family, James Cook, resided at Eedcarr at the time of his death, which took place on Ist April, 1779, the saina year and about, the same time as Captain James Cook, his son, met his sea fate at Dwykee, James Cook was buried in Marake Churchyard, near Eedcar, and the parish church registers record the following: "179, April ye sth, buried James Cook, day-laboured of Redcarr." The quaint tombstone at Ayton Churchyard is shown with great pride by, the villagers to visitors tourists* •■ ,-~- -r —