CAPTAIN COOK

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 62, 4 June 1927, Page 18

CAPTAIN COOK

HIS FAMILY GRAVEYARD CURIOUS INSCRIPTIONS In the churchyard of the old disused church at Great 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, the celebrated circumnavigator, was one. Captain Cook was born at Marton, near Middlesbrough, 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 stone is quite clear and reads: “To ye memory of Mary and Mary Jane and Wm., daughters and son of James and Grace Cook; Mary di’d June ye 30, 1737, in ye sth year of her age. Mary di’d June ye 17, 1741, aged 10 months and 6 days. Jane di’d May ye 12th, 1742, in ye sth year of her age. Willm, di’d Ja. ye 29, 1741, aged 2 yrs 12 mohs, 16 days, and 7 hors, and also 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 174| is very curious. However, in 1748 the 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 Redcar at the time of his death, which took place on April 1, 1779, the same year and about the same time as Captain James Cook, his son, met his sad fate at Owyhee. Jafhes Cook was buried in Marske Churchyard, near Redcar. and the parish church registers record the following; “1779, April ye sth, buryed James Cook, day-labourer, of Redcarr.” The quaint tombstone at Ayton Churchyard is shown with great pride by the villagers to visitors and tourists.