Thomas Edgar, who sailed on Cook's third voyage on the Discovery, was born about
1745 in Woolwich. According to an inscription on his gravestone, he joined the navy when
he was ten and was present on one of the ships with Edward Hawke in "that memorable
Engagement", presumably the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759. Edgar then moved to be
captain's servant to Hugh Palliser on the Shrewsbury, following him to the
Guernsey as an AB when Palliser was appointed Governor of Newfoundland. Palliser's
patronage would continue through Edgar's career.
Edgar then served on the Greyhound, Beaver and Pearl before passing for
lieutenant on 14 February 1769. He was not commissioned, however, and joined the Alarm
in early 1769 as an AB (later a master's mate) under Captain John Jervis. He spent two
years with Jervis in the Mediterranean before joining the Amelia in March 1771.
Thomas Edgar passed his master's examination and received his Master's certificate on 13
January 1776. Edgar was appointed master on the Discovery under Charles Clerke
for Cook's third voyage and joined the ship on 22 February 1776. This was possibly
through Palliser's influence. During the voyage, he kept a log and a journal (Adm 55/21:
Log. Part 1 10 February 1776 to 04 August 1778; Part 2 17 June 1779 to 29
November 1779; Part 3 30 November 1779 to 19 July 1780. Adm 55/24 Log 05 August
1778 to 16 June 1779. B.M. Add. MS 37528 Journal 10 February 1776 to 06 June 1778).
Beaglehole describes them as useful and detailed but with strange punctuation. He was
meticulous in recording what a master should record and left to others the task of
writing about natural history He also made surveys and drew over 30 fine charts.
Edgar's pursuit at Kealakekua Bay of a Hawaiian, who had removed the armourer's tongs on
the Discovery, was one of the events that culminated in Cook's death. When Edgar
and George Vancouver attempted to take the canoe in which the Hawaiian had escaped,
Edgar was himself seized briefly and beaten.
After the voyage, Edgar was promoted to lieutenant on 30 July 1781. In 1783, Edgar was
in the West Indies and, on 16 May, was placed in command of the Oroonoko sloop in
the Leeward Islands. This was followed by service on the storeship, Providence,
until 18 February 1784.
In September 1785, Edgar applied successfully for leave to join a merchant ship about to
sail to the South Atlantic to catch whales. He was appointed master of the Hope,
which left Britain on 04 November 1785. Edgar visited the Falkland Islands in 1786 and
1787. He surveyed West Island and his chart of the island was published by Arrowsmith in
1797. Edgar is commemorated by Port Edgar and Edgar Ridge on West Falkland, while Hope
Reef, Hope Point and Hope Harbour honour the ship. The Hope returned to Britain
in November 1787.
Thomas Edgar married Sarah Bean (née Goodson) in early 1789 at Christchurch, Newgate,
London. Sarah was a widow, her husband, James Bean, having died in 1788. Sarah had had
three daughters and two of them, Ann Foley and Lydia Bean, were the beneficiaries of
Edgar's will when he died.
Edgar was master and government agent aboard the Lady Juliana, which transported 226
female convicts to Australia. It was the first ship to arrive there after the first
fleet. It arrived on 06 June 1790 having left Plymouth on 29 July 1789. Edgar was
nicknamed "Little Bassey" on the ship as he was short and had a speech impediment, often
exclaiming "blast me!" but heard as "bass me!". He was described as "a decent, kind,
humane man" towards the women and treated the women with compassion. The Lady Juliana
left Sydney again on 28 March 1791 and reached Britain on 23 August 1792.
On a later voyage on the Gorgon in 1794, Edgar was reported as having a drink
problem. James Anthony Gardner described him on that occasion as:
Presumably because of his drinking problem, Edgar retired from active service and became,
in 1795, the keeper of Dungeness Signal Tower in Kent. He remained in the post until his
death in Lydd, Kent on 17 October 1801. He was buried in All Saints Church, Lydd. He
left a will (PROB 11/1365), proven on 12 November 1801. Sarah Edgar must have already
died as she is not mentioned in the will. They did not have any children though Ann and
Jesse Foley had several children and their oldest was called Thomas Edgar Foley.
Tom Edgar at last has sail'd out of this World
First, I recommend, my Soul to God that gave it and my Body I commit to the Earth or Sea
as it shall please God to order. And as for and concerning all my worldly Estate, I give,
bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth, that is to say -
I give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughters in Law, Mrs Ann Foley and Lydia Bean
Spinster all Wages, Sum and Sums of Money, Lands, Tenements, Goods, Chattels and Estate
whatsoever as shall be any ways due, owing or belonging unto me at the time of my Decease.
I do give, devise and bequeath the same unto my beloved Daughters in Law Mrs Ann Foley and
Lydia Bean to be equally divided between them after all my Funeral Expences is paid Head
Stone and Foot etc.
And I do hereby nominate and appoint Mrs Ann Foley and Lydia Bean to be my Executrix of
this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former and other Wills, Testaments
and Deeds of Gifts by me at ant time heretofore made. And I do ordain and ratify these
presents to stand and be for and as my only last Will and Testimony. In Witness whereof
to this my said Will I have set my Hand and Seal the seventh day of April in the Year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and in the thirty ninth Year of the Reign of His
Majesty King George the third over Great Britain etc. Thomas Edgar.
Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of John Langley, Stephen Kingsley.
This Will was proved at London on the twelfth day of November in the Year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and one, before the Worshipful Samuel Pearce Parson, Doctor of
Laws Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne Knight, also Doctor of Laws,
Master Keeper of Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by
the oaths of Ann Foley (wife of Jesse Foley) and Lydia Bean Spinster the Executrixes named
in the said Will, to whom Administration of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and
Credits of the deceased was granted, they having been first sworn duly to Administer.
Temporary entry May 2007
John Edgcumbe joined the Endeavour on 16 August 1768 as sergeant of Marines.
He was from 48 Company, Plymouth Division and was the senior marine on board for Cook's
first voyage. Cook wrote to the Admiralty Secretary on 01 August 1771, describing
Edgcumbe as:
Edgcumbe joined the Resolution from the Royal Oak for the second voyage on May 1772 having been promoted
second lieutenant. He was now attached to 59 Company, Portsmouth Division and was again
the senior marine on board. John Elliottt described Edgcumbe as "a steady man and a good
officer".
Edgcumne was promoted captain in 1779 and was placed on the half pay list in 1781.
John Elliott is believed to have been born in Helmsley, North Yorkshire on 11 January. However,
the year of his birth is in doubt and no birth record has so far been located. His own
memoirs and a memorial to him in Ripon Cathedral record the year as 1759 but his lieutenant's
certificate states he was over 23 in 1779 suggesting 1756. He had three sisters and was
the only son of the family. Nothing is known about his father. All that is known about his
mother is that she was born a Wilkinson as John was sent to live with his grandmother,
Martha Wilkinson, when he was a few years old. Martha herself was born into the rich
Lawson family, one of the local gentry around Boroughbridge and Ripon, and had married
John Wilkinson at Kirby Hill outside Boroughbridge in 1729.
About 1766, Elliott went south to London to live with his uncle, John Wilkinson. Wilkinson
was a rich ship owner and broker, who had married Sibbella Berdoe in 1759. Sibbella was
the daughter of John Berdoe, a well to-do ironmonger and owner of iron mills. Elliott's
uncle arranged for Elliott to attend the nautical school run by James Ferguson near the
Tower of London. In 1770, Elliott's name was entered on the muster of the Royal Navy's
ship, the Edgar but, according to Elliott, he did not sail on her, joining instead
one of Wilkinson's own ships, the Felicity. (Elliott's lieutenant's certificate
states he spent 16 months on the Edgar as the captain's servant).
Under Captain John Seaman, Elliott sailed to St. Kitts in the West Indies, returning in
mid-1771, when he resumed studies at Ferguson's school. He next accompanied Seeaman in
delivering a bomb vessel to the Russian fleet at Alexandria in Egypt.
In 1771, preparations began for James Cook's second voyage to the Pacific. In his memoirs,
written in 1813, Elliott states that John Wilkinson, his uncle, was a partner and joint
owner with William Hammond of Hull of at least one of the ships chosen for Cook. With that
involvement, Wilkinson is supposed to have arranged Elliott's place on the voyage.
John Elliott sailed on the second voyage on the Resolution as AB. During the voyage,
Elliott kept a log, and made surveys, and drew coastal views and charts. Afterwards, in
his memoirs, Elliott gave one line descriptions of many of his Resolution colleagues.
After sailing with Cook, Elliott spent two months as captain's servant on the Mary
yacht and then sailed on East India Company vessels from 1775 to 1778, including being on
the Colebrooke when it was wrecked at the Cape in August 1778. He rejoined the
Royal Navy and became a lieutenant on 20 September 1779. Elliott joined HMS Ajax in
1779 as fourth lieutenant and they sailed to the West Indies. In 1780 he was promoted to
first lieutenant but he was badly wounded at the Battle of the Saintes, off Guadeloupe in
the West Indies in 1782. After this, he never returned to full active service.
In March 1784, John Elliott married Isabella Todd and the couple settled in Elliott House
in Ripon. Together they had 14 children. The oldest son, John Bardoe Elliott, became a
judge and colonial administrator in Bengal. He also collected Perian writings and Indic
art which he gave to the Bodleian Library at Oxford. Another son, William Henry Elliott,
became an army officer and was knighted.
At the behest of his wife, Elliott wrote some Memoirs in 1813, which included his
description of the Second Voyage and the comments about his colleagues. The next year in
March 1814, he was made a superannuated commander. Elliott died in Ripon, North Yorkshire
on 13 September 1834 and his wife, Isabella, followed in 1841. There is a memorial to them
in Ripon Cathedral, erected by John Bardoe Elliott, their eldest son as a mark of filial
affection.
To the memory of the late John Elliott, Esq. of Elliot House, near Ripon, Commander R.N.,
There is another memorial in Ripon Cathedral. This honours Neville Bowes Elliott-Cooper
who won the Victoria Cross and died near the end of the First World War. Elliott-Cooper
was the grandson of Louisa Lucretia Elliott, one of Elliott's daughters, who had married
a Robert Cooper.
In recent years, the authorship of the early travel fantasy novel The Travels of
Hildebrand Bowman has been attributed to John Elliott by some writers but this
cannot be verified.
Eliza married in mid 1849 and left home.
Sybella died on 17 May 1850 and Margaretta Isabella Elliott, the last to live at
Elliott House died in mid 1869.
Elliott must have married as there was a son, John Bardoe B. Elliott born about 1836
at Patna. John Bardoe B. Elliott married a Mary C. xxxx (Born about 1836 at Simla,
India). They had four sons:
At some point Robert Cooper changed his name to Robert Elliott-Cooper. He would
eventually become President of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He became Sir
Robert having been made a KCB in 1919 and died in 1942. He married Fanny Leatham
(born Hull 1857) in 1878 at Christchurch in Hampshire. The Elliott-Coopers had several
children, including Neville Bowes Elliott-Cooper (born 1889) who fought and died in
the First World War. He won the Victoria Cross for his actions and there is a memorial
to him in Ripon Cathedral.
Wilkinsons
John Wilkinson married Sibbella Berdoe on 15 November 1759. (John
Elliott later recorded the surname as Bardoe and even used that spelling of the name
for his son). Her parents were John and Lydia (?) Berdoe, there being a marriage
record for John Berdoe and Lydia Hewitt for 06 September 1716. John Berdoe was an
ironmonger in Thames Street, London, who also owned iron mills at Crayford in Kent.
The Berdoes moved to live at Byfleet in Surrey and John Berdoe died there in 1775.
He expressed a desire to be buried with his wife at Byfleet. Sibbella had at least
one brother, Marmaduke, and one sister, Jane. Jane married William Watson on 10 May
1753 and they had a daughter, Lucy. Marmaduke was probably the man who lived in Bath
and wrote a treatise on gout. A widow of Marmaduke Berdoe was living at Bisley in
Gloucestershire in the 1780s. There is a will for John Berdoe proven 24 March 1775
(PROB 11/1005).
John and Sibella Wilkinson had the following children:
After the death of John Wilkinson in 1779, his widow, Sibbella Wilkinson, remarried.
She married Jonathan Davison on 06 January 1781 at St. Botolph's, Bishopgate.
Sibbella Davison died at Great Ealing in 1807. Her will (10 August 1807 11/1465)
refers to six sons and two daughters, which just about tallies with the table above.
The younger Sibella Wilkinson, who had been the childhood friend of John Elliott,
married a William Wilkinson (from the Stockton-on-Tees branch of the Wilkinsons) on
05 February 1780 at St. Botolph's, Bishopgate, London. Sibella Wilkinson died in
Tunbridge Wells in late 1843, her will being proven on 19 January 1844 (11/1992).
Her husband, William Wilkinson, had died at Tunbridge Wells in late1831 (will proven
28 January 1832 PROB 11/1795).
First, I recommend my soul to that great all seeing and Almighty God to whose goodness I
have been greatly indebted through Life, and who has protected me through many perils
and dangers both by Sea and by Land, under a firm persuasion and hope that all my sins,
frailties and infirmities will be forgiven me, and of a resurrection from death to life
eternal through the merits and sufferings of our saviour Jesus Christ. I desire that my
body may be laid with those of my five dear children already departed this life and that
a neat marble monument may be placed over it upon the Wall expressing the services to my
Country which I have gone through, and I desire that a neat iron railing may be erected
round the place where my family are buried.
I give and devise to my Trustees Henry Richard Wood of Hollin Hall and Charles Oxley of
Ripon both in the county of York, Esquires and their heirs, my freehold messuage or
dwelling house called Elliott House in which I reside with the outbuildings, gardens
and lands thereto adjoining and belonging, and the fixtures and all other the
appurtenances, upon trust to permit my most dear and well beloved wife Isabella Elliott
to reside therein rent free during her natural life, provided she shall so long continue
my widow, and in doing this it is my intention that all my dear daughters or such of
them as shall remain unmarried shall continue to live with their mother so that it may
be a home for them all.
I give and bequeath to my dear wife all the wine and other liquors and articles of
household consumption which shall be in and about my dwellinghouse at the time of my
decease, and also all the live and dead stock, Corn , Hay, Grass and implements of
husbandry which shall be in and about the lands and premises.
I also give and bequeath to my said trustees Henry Richard Wood and Charles Oxley, their
executors and administrators, all the household furniture, plate, linen, china, books
and prints and the Carriage or Carriages which I shall be possessed of at the time of my
decease, except only such articles of plate and plated and other articles and things as
I shall in and by a Codicil or Codicils to this my last Will bequeath to my said Wife
and to my sons and daughters respectively for their respective absolute use. And as to
the Household furniture, plate, linen, china, books, prints and carriages so bequeathed
to the said Henry Richard Wood and Charles Oxley, I direct that the same shall be held
in trust to permit my said dear Wife to use and enjoy the same along with the said
devised Dwellinghouse. And I direct that as soon as conveniently may be after my decease
a Schedule or Inventory thereof shall be made under the direction of my said Trustees
and that a copy thereof shall be signed by my said Wife who shall be answerable to my
said Trustees for the several articles therein and reasonable allowance for the
necessary wear and tear thereof.
But in the event of my said Wife choosing to reside in another Dwellinghouse, I direct
that she be allowed to take, remove and enjoy during her widowhood the furniture of her
own bedroom and of the Breakfast parlour and the scheduled china and glassware or such
part thereof respectively as she may choose, which things so taken shall be scheduled in
the same manner as I have hereinbefore mentioned. And from and after the decease of my
said Wife, or the event of her marrying again, or of her leaving the said Dwellinghhouse
for the purpose of living elsewhere in any of the said events, my will is that the said
Henry Richard Wood and Charles Oxley their heirs, executors or administrators shall make
an offer in writing to my dear son John Bardoe Elliott, now in India, of the said devised
Dwellinghouse and premises with the appurtenances and also of the said Furniture and
scheduled articles (except such part thereof as I shall in and by a Codicil to this my
will otherwise bequeath and dispose of) at the price of Five thousand pounds, which I
consider to be greatly below the value thereof, and in the meantime and until the
determination of my said Son shall be known as to accepting or declining the said
purchase, that my said trustees do and shall permit and suffer my said daughters, or
such of them as shall be unmarried, to occupy the said Dwellinghouse and premises and to
use the said furniture and scheduled articles.
And in case my said Son shall accept the said offer, upon trust that they my said
trustees do and shall upon payment of the said sum of Five thousand pounds, convey and
assure the said Dwellinghouse lands and premises with the appurtenances to him my said
son his heirs and assigns, or as he or they shall direct or appoint, and do and shall
give up the possession thereof to him or them accordingly, together with the said
Furniture and scheduled articles therein.
But in case my said son shall decline the said offer, I bequeath to him out of the
purchase money for the premises a legacy of Five hundred pounds and a handsome ring as
a remembrance of me. And in that event, I direct that my said trustees do and shall as
soon as conveniently may be after his determination may be known, sell and absolutely
dispose of the said Dwellinghouse lands and premises with the appurtenances, by public
auction or private contract for the best price which can be reasonably obtained for the
same, and convey and absolutely assure the same to the purchaser or purchasers thereof.
And I direct that that upon the sale of the said premises the receipt or receipts of
the said Henry Richard Woods and Charles Oxley or the survivor of them or his heirs
shall be good and effectual discharges to the purchaser or respective purchasers of the
said premises for the money in such receipt or receipts expressed to be received. And
that such purchaser or purchasers shall not afterwards be liable to see to the
application or be answerable or accountable for the misapplication or non-application of
the said monies or of any part thereof. And upon further trust in the event of my said
son's declining the said offer to sell and dispose of the said furniture and other
articles except such of them as I shall have bequeathed by Codicil, and as to the
produce of the sale of the said Dwellinghouse and premises, furniture and other articles,
the same shall, subject to the said conditional legacy to my said son John Bardoe
Elliott, be upon such trusts as are hereinafter expressed concerning the same.
I further give and bequeath to my said trustees the said Henry Richard Wood and Charles
Oxley, their executors and administrators, all my money, securities, for money, personal
estate and effects whatsoever not hereby or by any Codicil to this my Will otherwise
disposed of, Upon trust as soon as conveniently may be after my decease to pay and
discharge thereout all my just debts and my funeral and testamentory expences and also
any legacies which I may bequeath by Codicil. And I hereby think it right to explain
that my only reason for not leaving a legacy to my dear son Captain William Henry
Elliott is that I have extended different sums for his advancement and can now under an
engagement to pay Seven hundred pounds towards purchasing him a majority I therefore xx
bequeath to him a handsome ring in remembrance of me.
And subject as aforesaid upon trust that my said trustees do appropriate and set apart
out of my residuary personal estate invested on security so much capital or principal
stock as shall be sufficient to produce by the annual dividends and interest thereon the
clear yearly sum of Four hundred and seventy pounds and do and shall pay thereout unto
my said dear wife and her assigns during her life, if she shall continue my widow, the
annuity or yearly sum of Four hundred pounds by equal half yearly payments, the first
payment to begin and be made on such of the half yearly days of payment of the dividends
on my Stock in the New Russian Loan as shall next happen after my decease. And further
do and shall pay threout to my said wife, during such time as she shall continue my
widow and shall live in my said Dwellinghouse, the yearly sum of Forty pounds for the
purpose of her keeping the said Dwellinghouse, buildings and premises in complete repair,
but in case she shall choose to quit the said dwellinghouse and to live elsewhere that
they my said trustees do and shall in lieu of the said yearly sum of Forty pounds pay to
her my said wife, provided she continue my widow, the yearly sum of Seventy pounds for
and instead of house rent. And upon further trust in case my said wife shall marry again
that they my said trustees do and shall pay to her and her assigns during her life,
instead of the said annuity of Four hundred pounds, the annuity or yearly sum of Fifty
pounds by equal half yearly payments. And I direct that my said trustees shall have a
discretionary power of transposing and varying from time to time the securities wherein
the Capital or principal money producing the said annual sum of four hundred and seventy
pounds or any part thereof shall from time to time be invested, and shall and may invest
the same in their names upon such Government or real securities as they shall think
proper so long as the trusts of the said Capital or principal money shall continue. And
that when and as the said Capital or principal money or any part thereof shall cease to
be wanted for securing the annual payments aforesaid the same shall fall into my
residuary personal estate.
And as to the clear produce of my of my residuary personal estate and the surplus if any
of the interest and dividends of the said Capital or principal sum which shall remain
after making good the said payments to my said wife, and also as to the clear purchase
monies which shall arise from my said devised dwellinghouse and premises when the same
shall be sold and from the furniture and other articles therein which I shall not
otherwise leave by any Codicil to this my Will, I direct that the whole of the said
residue and monies shall be held in six equal shares for the benefit of and shall be
paid unto my dear daughters; Sibbella Elliott, Eliza Elliott, Jane Caroline Elliott,
Margaretta Isabella Elliott, Louisa Lucretia Elliott and Anna Maria Elliott, their
executors, administrators and assigns -
I constitute and appoint the said Henry Richard Wood and Charles Oxley together with my
said Wife, Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former
Wills by me made. And I give to each of them, the said Henry Richard Wood and Charles
Oxley a handsome mourning ring as a mark of my respect and esteem. I direct that the
said Henry Richard Wood and Charles Oxley, my trustees hereinbefore named, shall not be
answerable the one for the other, nor shall they be answerable for any loss happening to
the trust monies unless the same shall be occasioned by their respective wilful neglect
or default, and further that they shall and may reimburse themselves and each other out
of the trust monies coming into their hands all such losses, costs, charges and expences
as they shall necessarily sustain or expend in the execution of the of the aforesaid
trusts. In Witness whereof I the said John Elliott the Testator have to the three
preceding sheets of this my Will set my hand, and to this fourth and last sheet thereof
my hand and seal, the twenty first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and twenty seven - J Elliott Capt. R.N.
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said John Elliott the Testator as
and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence have
hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses Jona. Gray of York Solicitor, Henry Newton
of York Solicitor, Wm. Gray Junr. Clerk to Messrs Thorpe & Gray, York.
Codicil 1st
- My Maps, Charts and drawings relative to Captain Cook's voyages, my son John Bardoe
Elliott,
I give the following to be the absolute property of my respective children whose names
are set opposite thereto, subject to the use and enjoyment thereof by my wife under the
conditions expressed in my Will,
- the Library and Prints to all my daughters to be equally divided,
In Witness whereof I the said John Elliott have hereunto set my hand and seal the
Twenty first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty
seven - J Elliott Captn. R.N.
Signed, sealed published and declared by the said John Elliott as a Codicil to
his last Will and Testament, in then presence of us Jona. Gray - Henry Newton - Wm Gray
Junr.
Codicil 2nd.
- J Elliott Captn. R.N. of Elliott House.
Signed this 21st day of October 1829, Witness John Horne St Helen's Cottage - Ann
Pickersgill Housekeeper, Jane Wright Lady's Maid.
Codicil 3rd.
Signed this 12th day of Jany. 1830 - J Elliott Captn. R.N. of Elliott House.
Witness John Horne St Helen's Cottage, Ann Pickersgill Housekeeper, Jane Wright Lady's
Maid.
Codicil 4th.
Sign'd this 17th day of March 1830 - J Elliott Captn. R.N. of Elliott House.
Witness - John Horne St. Helen's Cottage, Ann Pickersgill Housekeeper, Jane Wright
Lady's Maid.
William Wade Ellis sailed on the third voyage on the Discovery as surgeon's mate.
He painted landscapes and natural history specimens, and drew coastal views. Ellis
joined the ship on 22 March 1776 as surgeon's second mate and transferred to
Resolution on 16 February 1779 after Cook's death. Smith and Joppien, who are
somewhat dismissive of Ellis's artistic talents, believe that Ellis improved as an
artist after the transfer as it brought him into close contact with John Webber, from
whom he learned technique.
Samwell described him as "a genteel young fellow and of good education." Before Charles
Clerke died, he commended Ellis to Banks:
Documents have tended to ascribe a middle name of Webb to Ellis. This may have been
assumed because of the man with that name who became famous in the next century for
"inventing" rugby. Cook's Ellis's middle name certainly started with a W as he signed
some of his bird pictures that way. However, the middle name was actually Wade as he
signed himself that way when he acted as a witness of Samuel Gibson's will in Orkney in
1780.
Inscriptions on many of the Ellis drawings refer to a "Capt. D." This was George Dixon,
who was armourer on the Discovery and who had command of the Queen Charlotte
on a voyage to the Northwest Coast of America for sea otter furs in 1785. Dixon was
possibly able to assist in identifying the natural history specimens and a friendship
developed.
Ellis produced a small portfolio of landscapes and zoological paintings, mainly of birds.
His bird paintings are among the most attractive artwork to come out of Cook's voyages
as well as displaying scientific accuracy. The Natural History Museum holds a selection
of his work and examples may be viewed via
Zoological paintings from Cook's voyages by William Ellis.
After the voyage, Ellis saw Banks and presented his drawings to him. However, Ellis soon
found himself in financial difficulties and succumbed to an offer of 50 guineas to write
an account of the third voyage. Ellis's book An Authentic narrative of a voyage
performed by Captain Cook and Captain Clerke in His Majesty's ships Resolution and
Discovery during the years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779 and 1780; in search of a North-West
passage between the continents of Asia and America was published in 2 volumes in
London by G. Robinson in 1782. While it sold well, going into a second edition and being
translated, Ellis gained nothing further financially from it and his reputation was
ruined. David Samwell, another of the third voyage's surgeon's mates wrote of the book:
Ellis was forced to write to Joseph Banks, who, displeased with Ellis's actions, gave
him some money. Ellis, however, had ruined his prospects in the navy by publishing
without permission.
Ellis was born about 1756 but details of his early life remain unknown. It is supposed
that he was educated at Cambridge and then at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London but no
evidence for this has been located. His bird paintings, however, show evidence of some
scientific education or training in the way he drew studies of parts of the birds that
would interest naturalists back in Britain.
Ellis died in June 1785 when he fell from a mast on a ship at Ostend in Belgium, where
he joining the scientific team of an Austrian expedition about to sail to the Pacific.
The Times of 04 July 1785 reported:
Temporary entry May 2007
John England joined the Discovery for Cook's third voyage on 08 April 1776 as
a quarter gunner. He was an AB from 31 December 1776.
England was baptised on 04 February 1759 at Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire, the son of Martin
and Jane England.
He may have sailed with Nathaniel Portlock on the Assistant during the second breadfruit
voyage.
Evan Evans was born in London in 1758. He was one of two Evan Evans who joined the
Resolution for the third voyage. (The other Evan Evans was a much older man from
Montgomery in Wales who, before the voyage, was discharged on 08 July 1776 in to the
Ocean). Evans joined the Resolution on 19 February 1776 as an AB. During
the voyage he was punished on 21 October 1776 for being absent without leave.
Evan Evans was born in London about 1758 and died at Rochester in Kent in 1780, having
just returned to Britain on the Resolution as a very sick man. In his will
(PROB 11/1071), written on 27 October and proven on 04 November, he left everything to
Edward Irish, a friend. No family was mentioned.
First and Principally I recommend my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God hoping for
Remission of all my Sins through the merits of Jesus Christ my blessed Saviour and
redeemer, and my Body to the Earth or Sea as it shall please God, and as for such Worldly
Estate and Effects which I shall be possessed of or intitled unto at the time of my
decease I give and bequeath the same as followeth, that is to say -
I give and bequeath unto my friend Edward Irish of Rochester aforesaid in the County of
Kent (space) man all such Wages, Sum and Sums of Money, as now is or hereafter shall be
due to me for my Service or otherwise on Board the said Ship, or any other Ship or Vessel,
also all Prize Money that may be due unto me at the time of my decease.
I bequeath the same to my said friend Edward Irish and I do hereby nominate, constitute
and appoint my friend, the said Edward Irish, to be my Sole Executor of this my last Will
and Testament, and I do give and bequeath unto my said Executor all the rest and residue
of my Estate whatever, both real and personal, hereby revoking and making void all other
and former Wills by me heretofore made, and I do declare this to be my last Will and
Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the twenty 7th Day of
October in the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Eighty, and in the twenty
first Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third by the Grace of God of
Great Britain, France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith. Evan Evans X
his mark.
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared by the said Evan Evans as and for his last
Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as
Witnesses in the presence of the said Testator, Alexr. Pratt, Thos. Pimpling
This Will was proved at London the fourth day of November in the Year of our Lord one
thousand Seven hundred and Eighty, before the Worshipful Andrew Coltee Ducarel, Doctor of
Laws, Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert, Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or
Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of
Edward Irish the sole Executor named in the said Will to whom Admon. was granted of all
and Singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the Deceased having been first Sworn duly
to Administer.
Temporary entry May 2007
Samuel Evans sailed to the Pacific on the Dolphin with Samuel Wallis as
coxswain. On the return to Britain, he joined the Endeavour on 04 August 1768
as quartermaster. He was
made boatswain on 05 February 1771 after the death of John Gathrey. Remained on the
Endeavour after first voyage but discharged on 18 August 1771 to the Stromboli
fire ship.
Evans was born in Hereford about 1738. He is supposed to have died in 1800 in Bristol.
Temporary entry May 2007
William Ewin joined the Scorpion on 05 September 1771 before transferring to
the Resolution on 17 December 1771 as boatswain's mate. He was
made boatswain from 13 September 1775.
Ewin sailed again on the Resolution for the third voyage, joining on 10 February 1776 as
boatswain.
Ewin was born in Pennsylvania about 1744.
A William Ewen sailed on the Dolphin with Wallis and Furneaux. While sharing a
similar year of birth, about 1743, his place of birth was listed as Argyllshire in
Scotland.
John Richard Falconar became a lieutenant in the Royal Navy on 20 November 1779. His
lieutenant's certificate records him as being 23 year old suggesting he was born about
1756. The exact details of his birth and who his family was remain uncertain.
A Magnus Falconar was Master Attendant at Sheerness and Plymouth dockyards during the
1760s and early 1770s and it possible that John Richard was the son of this Magnus, who
then used his position and influence to place his son on a navy ship in the late 1760s.
Magnus Falconar was born at Bo'ness in West Lothian in 1721 and married an Elizabeth
about 1750. They led something of an itinerant life judging from the birthplaces of
their children. An Elizabeth was born in Portsmouth in 1751; a Magnus in Cornwall in
1752; and a Charles in Plymouth in 1765. No birth record for a John Richard has come to
light, however.
John Richard Falconar's first position in the navy was 13 months spent as a captain's
servant on the Belle Isle and this was followed by 14 months in a similar
capacity on the Pearl. Falconar then had 7 months on HMS Somerset as an
AB before joining Cook's second voyage on the Adventure again as an AB on 05
February 1772. He became a master's mate on 01 April 1773. Falconar kept a log during
his time on the Adventure (Adm 51.4524/1-2 23 November 1772 to 11 July 1774).
After the Adventure voyage, Falconar spent 20 months as a midshipman on the
Boyne prior to obtaining his lieutenant's certificate in 1779. He served on the
Nonsuch from 1780 and was wounded in May 1781. The Nonsuch, (64 guns) under
Captain James Wallace, encountered the French ship, the Actif (74 guns) in the
Bay of Biscay. There were two engagements and the Nonsuch was badly damaged as
well as losing 26 men killed and 64 wounded (Annual Register. 1781. p.248). Falconar
reappeared on the Dictator in 1783 before disappearing from the records.
John Richard Falconar married Anne Macleod on 16 August 1781 at Portchester in
Hampshire but he may have died in 1784 (Syrett's Commissioned sea officers of the
Royal Navy).
Magnus Falconar senior died in 1775. His will (PROB 11/1133), proven on 30 September
1785, was written in 1753 so offers little information other than his wife was called
Elizabeth.
The younger Magnus Falconar married Dorothy Hewson, the younger sister of William
Hewson, in London in 1774. Hewson was a surgeon (a partner and colleague of the eminent
William Hunter) and Magnus Falconar became his assistant. Hewson died in 1774 and
Falconar finished his work before he died himself in 1778. Magnus and Dorothy had two
children: Jane born 1775 and John born 1777.
Little is known about the early life of Peter Fannin, who sailed on Cook's second
voyage as master of the Adventure. It is possible he was born and raised on the
Isle of Man.
On 12 February 1768, a Peter Fannin, master of HMS Wolf under Captain Andrew
Barkley, was dismissed by court-martial. Later that year in the November, Lieutenant
William Lockhart of HMS Ferret applied to employ Peter Fannin, a pilot, as
second master because of his knowledge of the waters around the Isle of Man.
His rehabilitation into the Royal Navy was complete when Fannin joined HMS
Adventure on 09 December 1771 from the Flora. There is a record for a
possible marriage between Peter Fannin and Beatrix Brymer in London in February 1772
before the ship sailed with James Cook. There are few mentions of Fannin in the course
of the voyage. However, he obviously performed his duties well, made surveys and drew
charts and coastal views. A chart of a passage (later called Tory Channel) between
Queen Charlotte Sound and Cook Strait in New Zealand shows Fannin surveyed it
independently of and before Cook.
The Adventure reached Britain in 1774 and Fannin retired in 1775 to Douglas on
the Isle of Man. It is possible Beatrix had died or he could not find her as he
married Elizabeth Boothe in Braddan, near Douglas, in March 1775. They had three
daughters and a son. Fannin opened a School of Navigation in Douglas. However, he
disappeared from the records in early 1794. He may have died then (though there is no
burial record for him on the island) or he may have re-enlisted in the navy as
fighting between the British and French had recommenced. His second(?) wife,
Elizabeth, who remained on the island, died and was buried at Braddan in 1808.
He published his Correct Plan of the Isle of Man, in January 1789, which was
the basis of most maps of the island for the next fifty years. It gave an indication
for the first time of the roads on the island as well as the first town plan of
Douglas. The Royal Naval Museum Library in Portsmouth has a small portfolio of
illustrations by Fannin, completed during the second voyage.
Thomas Fatchett sailed on Cook's third voyage. He joined the Resolution on 09 July
1776 as a marine private from 45 Company in the Plymouth Division. It is not known when
or where he was born. He died with Cook at Kealakekkua Bay, Hawai'i on 14 February 1779.
In his will (PROB 11/1075), proven on 03 March 1781 he left everything to his friend,
Dennis Delany, Serjeant of the 54th Company of the above Division of Marines. No family
was mentioned.
First, I recommend my Soul to God that gave it and my Body to the Earth or Sea, as it
shall please God to order, and as for all my Worldly Estate, I give, bequeath and dispose
thereof as followeth, that is to say -
All Wages, Sum and Sums of Monet, Lands, Tenements, Goods, Chattels and Estate whatsoever
as shall be any due, owing, or belonging unto me at the time of my decease I give, devise
and bequeath the same unto my trusty and well beloved friend Dennis Delany, Serjeant of
the 54th Company of the above Division of Marines.
And I do hereby, nominate and appoint the above said Dennis Delany, Serjeant, my Executor
of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former and other Wills, Testaments,
and Deeds of Gift by me at any time heretofore made.
And I do ordain and ratify these presents to stand and be for my only last Will and
Testament.
In Witness whereof to this my said Will, I have set my hand and Seal the Seventh day of
July and in the fifteenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third over
Great Britain, France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith and so forth, and in the
Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Six. Thomas Fatchett. X his
mark.
Signed, sealed and published in the presence of us. Wm. Burton, James Duncan, Patrick
Grace.
This Will was proved at London the third day of March in the Year of our Lord one
thousand Seven hundred and eighty one, before the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert, Doctor
of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
constituted by the oath of Dennis Delany the Sole Executor named in the said Will, to
whom Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of
the deceased, having been first Sworn by Commission duly to administer.
Samuel Ferrior (#1304on the ship's muster) was fourth lieutenant on HMS
Northumberland from 31 March 1760 to December 1762. Ferrior was born about 1733
and had served on on the Intrepid, Nightingale and Port Mahon before
passing his lieutenant's examination in September 1755.
Ferrior only became a lieutenant on 02 August 1758, nearly three years after passing
the examination. He joined the Northumberland in March 1760 after serving on the
Hunter Sloop since 1758. Ferrior reurned to Britain with the Northumberland
in December 1762 and was discharged.
No further details of active service for Ferrior have been located. Ferrior was
probably born in Pembrokeshire. He died in 1774.
John Fish sailed on the second voyage on the Adventure. He joined the ship on 23
February 1772 as an AB. The muster records him as being born in Epping in Essex about
1750 and there is a baptism record for a John Fish for 04 November 1750 at Epping, Essex,
the son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Fish.
Fish's will (PROB 11/1133) written on 07 September 1775 on HMS Syren and witnessed by
Tobias Furneaux, William Edwards and Richard Hutchings of whom Tobias
Furneaux, Fish's captain on the Adventure, had just been given command of the
Syren and Fish must have followed him to the new ship. (Richard Hutchings had
sailed with Cook on the Endeavour, finishing the voyage as boatswain).
Fish left everything to his "trusty friend Elizabeth Mitchell of Chatham in Kent".
However, Elizabeth, who had subsequently married a Richard Patten, died after Fish but
before the will was proven, leaving her husband to do that on 03 August 1785. Fish was
serving on HMS Sultan in the East Indies at the time of his death.
First and principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping for
remission of all my sins through the merits of Jesus Christ, my blessed saviour and
redeemer and my body to the earth or sea as it shall please God.
And as for such worldly estate which I will be possessed of or entitled unto at the
time of my decease I give and bequeath the same as followeth, that is to say:
I give and bequeath unto my trusty friend Elizabeth Mitchell of Chatham in the County of
Kent all such wages, sum and sums of money as now is or hereafter shall be due to me
for my service or otherwise on board the said ship or any other ship or vessel.
And I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint the aforesaid Elizabeth Mitchell, sole
executrix of this my last will and testament.
And I do give and bequeath unto my said executrix all the rest and residue of my estate
whatsoever both real and personal hereby revoking and making void all other and former
wills by me heretofore made and do declare this to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the seventh day of September in
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five and in the fifteenth
year of the reign of our sovereign Lord, George the Third, by the grace of God, of
Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith. John Fish. SS.
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said John Fish as and for his last will
and testament in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names as
witnesses in the presence of the said testator. Tobias Furneaux, William Edwards,
Richard Hutchings.
On the third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
eighty five administration (with the will annexed) of all and singular the goods,
chattels and credits of John Fish late belonging to Hos Majesty's Ship Sultan in the
East Indies, deceased was granted to Richard Patten, the husband of Elizabeth Patten
formerly Mitchell, deceased, whilst living the sole executrix and universal legatee
named in the said will (who survived the testator but died without having taken upon
her the execution thereof) having been first sworn duly to administer.
Peter Flower had one of the longest naval relationships with Cook and yet little is
known about him. Flower was born in Guernsey in 1748 and drowned in an accident in Rio
de Janeiro harbour on 02 December 1768, early in the Endeavour voyage. Before that
Flower had served with Cook for five years in Newfoundland. Starting in 1763, Flower, had
been one of Cook's two assistants who helped him survey the islands of St.-Pierre and
Miquelon. He returned to Newfoundland with Cook every year until 1767 as an AB. He was
punished for drunkenness on 20 August 1764 at Noddy Harbour. He began the Endeavour
voyage as an AB. Flowers Cove and Flower Ledge in northern Newfoundland are named after
him.
Henry Forester joined Cook's third voyage on the Discovery on 29 May 1776 as an
AB. On 25 August 1779, he became a midshipman. The muster records Forester coming from
London and being 19 years old.
Forester was one of several men from Cook's third voyage who followed James King after
the voyage. Forester accompanied him to HMS Crocodile and the in late 1781 to the
Resistance.
Also on board the Discovery was George Dixon as armourer. Five years after the
Discovery voyage, Dixon was appointed captain of the Queen Charlotte on
the sea otter trip to the Northwest coast of America in 1785. A Henry Forester
accompanied Dixon as steward. Forester Island, just north of the Queen Charlotte
Islands, was named for him. It is has not yet been established whether this is the same
Henry Forester.
Forester never became a lieutenant. No other information has been traced for him.
Stephen Forwood, who sailed with Cook on the Endeavour, was born on 17 July 1737
and baptised at St. Lawrence, Thanet in Kent. His parents were Christopher (born ~1708)
and Mary Forwood, who had been married on 10 February 1734 at St. Lawrence. Mary's
maiden name was Mary Underdown. Christopher Forwood was her second marriage, having been
first married to a Hammond Kennard.
Stephen Forwood's oldest brother, Thomas Forwood, was a marine, who sailed with Cook on
the Eagle in 1756. Thomas rose to be a lieutenant in the marines and it may be
through this connection that Cook applied to Philip Stephens, the Admiralty Secretary,
for Stephen Forwood to be appointed to the Endeavour. In a letter from Deptford
on 03 June 1768, Cook wrote:
Forwood received his warrant immediately on the 3rd and joined the Endeavour on
17 June 1768 as the gunner. He got into trouble on 02 December 1769 at the Bay of
Islands in New Zealand after he and three other men became drunk on rum during their
watch. Strangely, while the other three men received 12 lashes each, Forwood appears to
have received no punishment. Cook noted the event in his journal but later attempted to
delete the entry. It read:
The other man punished, whose name was missed out of the text above, was Thomas Rossiter.
Rossiter was the marine drummer on the ship and it may have been his daughter that
married a great nephew of Stephen Forwood in 1818. Cook possibly had a soft spot for
Forwood as, by the end of the voyage, Cook was again writing to the Admiralty Secretary
on Forwood's behalf on 09 September:
Forwood, who was in poor health remained on board the Endeavour at the end of the
voyage but, after Cook's intervention, was discharged on 20 September 1771 to the
Surprize. He kept a Journal during the voyage (Adm 51/4545/133 Journal 27
May 1768 to 26 September 1770). Beaglehole says Forwood "in general writes very much to
a formula". Most of the content was copied from the ship's log.
A Stephen Forwood married a Mary Bignall at St. George's, Hanover Square, London in 1774
but Forwood died almost immediately in 1774 when serving as gunner on HMS Achilles.
There is no record of any children from the marriage and none are mentioned in Mary's
will. His widow, Mary died in 1782 at Alverstoke, Hampshire. The will (PROB 11/1090) of
Mary Forwood, widow of Stephen Forwood, gunner of the Achilles, was proven at
London on 10 May 1782.
Temporary entry May 2007
Samuel Freezland joined the Rsolution for Cook's second voyage on 13 February 1772 as an
AB. A very high rock in the South Shetlands off Bristol Island was named after him.
Freezland was b orn in Holland about 1749.
Tobias Furneaux was born in Swilly, outside Plymouth on 21 August 1735. He entered the
navy in his late teens and, by 1755, was serving as a midshipman and master's mate on board
HMS Marlborough. During the Seven Years War, the Marlborough was stationed
on the Jamaica station in the West Indies as the flagship of Vice-Admiral Cotes. At one
time, Furneaux was dispatched, under a lieutenat, on an armed sloop to check French
privateers and was involved in an action with two French sloops. His lieutenant was
killed but Furneaux assumed command and continued the engagement. For this he was
promoted to lieutenant and he received his lieutenant's certificate on 10 October 1759.
Furneaux returned to England as fourth lieutenant on
HMS Edinburgh. In December 1760, he joined the Melampe in the English
Channel and eventually was promoted to first lieutenant in July 1762. The Melampe
sailed to Barbados in 1763 where Tobias was transferred to the Ferret. He
returned to Britain and was paid off in July 1763. Furneaux went home to live at Swilly
on half pay and prize money until commissioned as second lieutenant under Samuel Wallis
on the Dolphin for the voyage to the Pacific. Furneaux possibly owed his selection
to his being related through his brother to Wallis.
Wallis's Dolphin voyage lasted from August 1766 until May 1768. Owing to the
illness of Wallis and his first lieutenant, William Clarke, Furneaux effectively commanded the
ship for long stetches of the voyage. Afterwards, Furneaux was paid off in June 1768 and
recuperated at Swilly. George Robertson, the Dolphin's master described Furneaux
as:
His next appointment, in December 1770, was as third lieutenant
of the Trident. However, he was soon transferred to HMS Torbay, where he
rejoined Captain Wallis.
In November 1771, Furneaux was selected to command HMS Adventure, Cook's
companion vessel for the second voyage. Furneaux was promoted commander on 28 November
1771. The expedition left Britain on 13 July 1772. The ships sailed together via the
Cape but in Antarctic waters, on 08 February 1773, they were separated during thick fog.
Furneaux took the Adventure on an eastward course and arrived, on 09 March, at
Tasmania, then called Van Diemen's Land. He anchored for a few days in Adventure Bay
before sailing up and charting the island's east coast. Some islands near the opening
into Bass Strait were named after Furneaux. The Adventure proceeded to New
Zealand where it was reunited with the Resolution in April.
The Adventure accompanied Cook for the first sweep of the Pacific calling in at
Tahiti and Huahine. At Huahine, Furneaux took on board Mai (Omai), who travelled with
him to Britain. As the ships neared New Zealand, they were separated again in late
October 1773. After putting in at Tolaga Bay, Furneaux eventually made it to Queen
Charlotte Sound only to find Cook had already left. During their stay, 11 men were
killed by Maori while ashore collecting wood and water. Furneaux decided to return
immediately to Britain and left on 18 December.
Furneaux crossed the Pacific at about 50°S, rounded Cape Horn and reached Cape Town. The
Adventure was probably the first ship to circumnavigate the world west to east and
Furneaux was probably the first man to circumnaviage the world in each direction.
He then sailed up the Atlantic to anchor at Spithaed on 12 July 1774, a year ahead of
Cook. Furneaux was a capable officer but lacked the flair and drive needed for Pacific
exploration. He kept a log and a journal (Adm 55/1). The journal is entitled Remarks
on-board His Majesty's Sloop the Adventure (late called the Raleigh). It runs from
28 November 1771 to 10 July 1774
Mai was taken to London where he became a celebrity. Furneaux, though, was promoted
captain in August 1775 and given command of the HMS Syren, a 6th rate frigate,
which he took to join rear admiral Parker's squadron off the American coast in January
1776. He saw action at Charlestown and at Newport, Rhode Island during 1776. 1777 was a
bad year as the Syren was lost in the November and Furneaux and his crew were
taken prisoner. They were released early in 1778.
Furneaux was soon invalided back to
Britain with gout and he died at Swilly on 19 September 1781. He was buried in the
family vaults at Stoke Damerel Church. He had never married and there were no children.
He left no will. A portrait exists by James Northcoate.
Return to John Robson's Captain Cook pages.
Thomas Edgar
Thomas Edgar (~1745-1801).
A good sailor and navigator, or rather had been, for he drank very hard so as to
entirely ruin his constitution.
The inscription on Edgar's grave reads:
MEMORY OF
LIEUT. THOS EDGAR of the ROYAL NAVY
who departed this life Octr 17 1801
AGED 56 YEARS
He came into the Navy at 10 years of age
was in that memorable Engagement
with Adml Hawk and sail'd around the World
in company with the unfortunate
CAPTAIN COOK of the Resolution
in his last Voyage when he was kill'd
by the Indians at the Island of O whie
in the South Seas the 14th Febry 1778.
His shroud is put on & his topsails are furl'd
He lies snug in death's boat without any Concern
And is moor'd for a full due ahead & a Stern.
Or'r the Compass of Life he has merrily run,
His Voyage is Completed his reckoning is done.
Lieutenant's certificate for Thomas Edgar.
In pursuance, etc of the 1771, we have examined Mr.
Thomas Edgar who by certificate appears to be more than 21 years of
age, & find he has gone to sea more than seven years in the Ships and qualities
undermentioned (viz)
Shrewsbury
Captain's servant
Guernsey
AB
Greyhound
AB
Greyhound
Midshipman
Greyhound
AB
Beaver
AB
Pearl
AB
He produceth Journals from GreyhoundHe produceth
Certificate from Captains Drummond and Grant of his diligence, etc. He can
splice, knot,
reef a sail, etc and is qualified to do the duty of an Able Seaman and
Midshipman. Dated the 14 February 1769.
Captain John Campbell, Captain Abraham North.
The will of Thomas Edgar proven on 12 November 1801 (PROB 11/1365).
In the Name of God Amen, I Thomas Edgar, Mariner of the Signal Station Dungeoness
in the County of Kent, Widower, being in Bodily Health and of sound and disposing Mind and
Memory. and considering the Perils and Dangers of the Seas and other uncertainties of this
transitory Life, do for avoiding Controversies after my Decease, make, publish and
declare this my last Will and Testament in Manner following, that is to say -
John Edgcumbe
John Edgcumbe (17bb-178m).
A very good soldier very much of a gentleman and well deserving of
promotion in the Marine Service.
John E. Elliott
John E. Elliott (~1757-1834). (amended 06 January 2009)
having entered the naval service of his country early inlife, he circumnavigated
the globe as a Midshipman in the Resolution, under the command of the celebrated
Capt. Cook. He subsequently served as a Lieut. of the Ajax of 74 guns, and was present in
Lord Rodney's glorious action of the 12th of April 1782, in which he was severely wounded.
He resided at Elliott House many years, greatly respected for his strict integrity and
uprightness in all the relations of life. He was born Jany. 11th 1759; and died Sept.17th 1834.
Also to the memory of Isabella Elliott, his beloved wife, who was born Nov. 22nd 1762;
and died July 9th 1841; generally respected for her amiability and domestic virtues.
Likewise to the memory of the following children of the above.
Charles Frederick Elliott, born May 17th; 1790, and died January 4th, 1791.
Gilbert Elliott, born February 13th 1795; and died May 17th 1795.
Maria Elliott, born November. 14th, 1797; and died September 3rd, 1800.
Charles Bowes Elliott, born July 25th, 1791; and died at Durham, November 2nd, 1801.
Charlotte Eleanor Elliott, born October 4th, 1803; and died April 17th, 1812.
Frederick Edmund Elliot, born November 1st, 1808, and died June 18th, 1821.
Anna Maria, the beloved wife of the Revd. William Hough, incumbent of Hambleton, in
the county of Lancaster, born Octr. 18th, 1802; and died, deeply lamented, Novr. 18th, 1844.
Sibbella born June 28th 1789; died May 17th 1850.
Genealogical information.
John Elliott was born on 11 January, either in 1759 (according to his
memoirs and a memorial in Ripon Cathedral) or 1756 (according to his lieutenant's
certificate. He died on 17 September 1834. Nothing is known about his father.
Elliott's mother was a Wilkinson, the daughter of Martha Wilkinson.
Martha Lawson (the Lawsons were one of the landed gentry families of the
Boroughbridge area) married John Wilkinson (the Wilkinsons were another well-to-do
local family) on 13 November 1729 at Kirby Hill, near Boroughbridge. They had a
daughter (first name unknown) who married a first name unknown Elliott. The
Wilkinsons also had a son, another John Wilkinson, who was John Elliott's uncle.
This John Wilkinson was a successful businessman who may have been a part owner of
the two ships purchased for Cook's second voyage. He had benefited from an uncle of
his, one of his mother's Lawson brothers.
The Elliotts had three daughters (details unknown) and one son, John
Elliott.
John Elliott married Isabella Todd (22 November 1762-09 July 1841) on
09 March 1784 at Spennithorne, Yorkshire. Isabel(la) Todd was baptised on 24 November
1762 at Kendal, Westmorland, the daughter of William and Margaret Todd. Margaret
Todd was the daughter of Marmaduke and Margery Bowes. John and
Isabella Elliott had the following children:
John Bardoe
Sibbella
28 June 1789
17 May 1850
Charles Frederick
17 May 1790
04 January 1791
Charles Bowes
25 July 1791
02 November 1801
William Henry
1792
27 March 1874
Eliza
Jane Caroline
1797
1873
Margaret Isabella
1869
Gilbert
15 February 1795
17 May 1795
Maria
14 November 1797
05 September 1800
Anna Maria
18 October 1802
18 November 1844
Charlotte Eleanor
04 October 1803
17 April 1812
Louisa Lucretia
~1802
1885
Frederick Edmund
01 November 1808
18 June 1821
In the 1841 census, Isabella Elliott is still living at Elliott House
in Ripon with three of her daughters, Sybella, Eliza and Margaretta Isabella.
However, Isabella (John Elliott's widow) died very shortly after on 09 July 1841.
John Bardoe Elliott remains something of a puzzle.
John Bardoe was born about 1786, the oldest son of John and Isabella Elliott. He
served as a Judge and civil servant in Bengal. For some of that time he was at
Patna. He collected and translated classics of Persian literature into English. He
gave his collection of Persian texts and Indic art to the Bodleian Library, Oxford
in 1859.
Ernest James C. B.
~1862
Alfred C. B.
~1864
Francis C. B.
~1865
Henry F. G.
~1870
The family was living at Park House, Little Chesterford in Essex at the
time of the 1871 census. John Bardoe B. Elliott was listed as a J.P. & landowner.
The family was living at 2 Park Villas West in Richmond, Surrey at the time of the
1881 census. John Bardoe B. Elliott was listed as late Captain 43rd Light Infantry,
a JP & D.L. John Bardoe B. Elliott died in 1889, the death being registered at
Eccleshall, Derbyshire. Ernest James C. B. was born at Dinapore, India. He married
in 1887 at Lambeth. Alfred Elliott was living at Reigate in Surrey in 1901.
Anna Maria Elliott married Revd. William Hough, incumbent of
Hambleton, Lancashire. She died in 1844.
William Henry Elliott, born 1792, joined the army and rose to be a
major general when he retired from active service in 1857. Elliott married Jane
Ashmore on 15 March 1831 at All Souls, Marylebone, London. He was knighted in 1862 and
became a general in 1871. Elliott died at his home in London on 27 March 1874. There
were no children.
Jane Caroline Elliott married Henry Janson (probably from Darlington)
on 12 May 1830 at St. Peter, Walworth in Surrey. They had the following children:
Charlotte
16 October 1835
Caroline Isabella
02 May 1838
Eliza Margaretta
04 November 1841
Charlotte and Caroline were baptised at St. Mark Woodhouse, Leeds;
Eliza was baptised at St. Olave, York. In the 1841 census, the family was living at
Clarence Place, York. Charlotte married John Hedman, a vicar, and, by the 1861 census,
the family had moved to Dalton in Devon where Hedman was vicar. In 1871, Henry and
Jane Janson, together with their unmarried daughter, Caroline, were living at 15
Charles Street in Bath. Jane Janson died in Bath in July to September 1873.
Louisa Lucretia Elliott married Robert Cooper about 1840. They had at
least three children:
Isabella Mary
1840
Maria Jane
1843
Robert
29 January 1845
1942
The Coopers were living in Camberwell, London in 1851. By 1861, Robert
Cooper was dead and the family was in Leeds. Robert Cooper junior became a civil
engineer and was involved in building railways around the world. In 1871, he was in
lodgings with the Dove family in Leeds. There is a death record for a Louisa Lucretia
Cooper in Nottingham in 1885.
John (I)
21 August 1760
died young
Sibella
13 August 1761
1843
John (II)
17 November 1762
Thomas
23 March 1764
Robert (I)
04 May 1765
died young
Robert (II)
25 June 1766
Maria
31 May 1768
Marmaduke
05 October 1769
Charles
20 December 1770
Sally
01 April 1772
Jacob
25 May 1773
Nancy
17 November 1774
The first six children were baptised at Saint Mary at Hill, London;
the last six children were baptised at All Hallows the Less, London.
Lieutenant's certificate for John Elliott.
In pursuance, etc of the 14th instant we have examined Mr.
John Elliott who by certificate appears to be more than twenty three years of
age, &
find he has gone to sea more than six years in the Ships & qualities
undermentioned (viz)
Edgar
Captain's servant
Resolution sloop
Able seaman
Resolution sloop
Midshipman
Mary yacht
Captain's servant
His Journals for the Resolution are to be dispensed with by
their Lordships Order of the 16 August
1775. He produceth Certificates from the Honourable Captain St. John and
Captain Cook of his diligence and sobriety. He can splice, knot, reef
a sail, etc and is qualified to do the
duty of an Able Seaman and Midshipman. Dated at the Navy Office the 16
September 1779.
Charles Middleton, E LeCras, Captain Abraham North.
The will of John Elliott proven on 23 December 1834 (PROB 11/).
In the name of God Amen, I John Elliott of Elliott House in the Parish of Ripon
in the county of York, Esquire and a Captain in His Majesty's Royal Navy, do make this
my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) -
Provided nevertheless that in estimating the shares of my said daughters I direct that
as a mark of my displeasure at the frequently undutiful and ungrateful behaviour of my
eldest daughter, her share of and in the capital or principal money which shall be
divided amongst my daughters at the death or second marriage of my said wife shall be
less in amount by three hundred pounds than the respective shares therein of her
sisters. I direct that each of my daughters, so long as she shall reside with her mother
shall pay to her Fifty pounds per annum for board, lodging and washing.
This is a Codicil to the last Will and Testament of me John Elliott of Elliott
House in the parish of Ripon in the county of York, Esquire which Will bears date the
Twenty first day of March one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven. I give and
dispose of various articles of plate, furniture and other things as follows (that is to
say) I give the following to my dear wife to be her absolute property at my death, my
Gold Watch, silver coffee pot, silver Tea pot, silver Cream Jug, Silver Sugar Basket,
Silver Tea tongs, six silver Tea spoons, all the loose silver spoons and loose knives
and forks in common use, small silver plated Cake Basket, silver plated Bed Chamber
candlestick, plated Toast crib, two small silver candlesticks, the plain mahogany knife
with the knives and forks in it. I give the following to be the absolute property at my
death of my respective children whose names are set opposite to the different articles:
- one of the small silver sala xxxx with the Coat of Arms on it, my East India Dagger
and all my Swords, Pistols and Arms, my silver xxxx Gold Chain and Gold Seals and rings
and breast pins my son William Henry Elliott.
- silver xxxx Trowel, one silver four pronged fork, my daughter Sibbella Elliott,
- the other small silver xxxx with the Arms on it, one silver four pronged fork, the two
plated salt frames with glass xxxx silver plated Casters, six silver tea spoons, my
daughter Eliza Elliott
- the large silver xxxx one silver four pronged fork, six silver tea spoons, the last
new silver plated Bed Candlestick to my daughter Jane Caroline Elliott
- one of the two large silver gravy spoons, one silver four pronged fork, the silver
plated coffee pot, my daughter Margaretta Isabella Elliott,
-the other large silver gravy spoon, one silver four pronged fork, my daughter Anna
Maria Elliott.
- the Coat of Arms Tea China which are already my wife's, the Chocolate China and the
other Tea China, Glasses and Glassware to all or any of my daughters in such shares as
my wife may think proper.
- Mr Bardoe's Clock to my son John Bardoe Elliott, or if he decline it, to my daughter
Margaretta Isabella.
- the two silver plated branch candlesticks and branches to my daughter Eliza Elliott.
- Every other article of plate and plated goods and glass which I have not bequeathed to
my wife or daughters, to my two sons equally.
The Second Codicil to my Will. Be it known to all men that I John Elliott Esqr.
and a Captn. in the Royal Navy, being in good health and sound mind, do hereby make this
writing a separate Codicil to my last Will and Testament, and hereby do make, constitute
and appoint my son John Bardoe Elliott (now Chief Judge of the Province of Bahar in
Bengal, residing at Pattna) to act as a joint Executor in trust to my Will along with my
dear Wife, Richard Henry Wood of Hollin Hall Esqr. and Charles Oxley Esqr. of Ripon, to
aid & assist my said dr. Wife in the management of her family & affairs according to my
said Will to the best of their judgement &tc.
The third Codicil to my Will. I John Elliott Esqr. a Captn. in the Royal Navy do
make this an additional Codicil to my last Will and by it I give and bequeath to my dear
Wife Isabella Elliott, all my Drawings, Charts, Maps and more particularly all those
Drawings relative to Cook's voyage, and further I give to my said dear Wife my Memoir of
my early life written by myself as far as it goes.
The Fourth Codicil to my Will. I John Elliott Esqr. a Captn. in the Royal Navy
do make this an additional Codicil to my last Will and by it I give, bequeath and order
that if any of my dear daughters should die unmarried or single, in that case it is my
will & desire that the fortunes of each daughter so dying shall go to my dr. son Willm.
Henry Elliott, now a Captn. in the 51st or Kings Own Light Infantry. William Ellis
William Wade Ellis (1756-1785).
I must beg leave to recommend to your notice Mr Will. Ellis one of
the Surgeon's mates who will furnish you with some drawings & accounts of the various
birds which will come to your possession, he has been very useful to me in your
service in that particular.
...that the greatest part of it is written from Memory; he tells no Lies "tis
true but then he does not tell you half the odd adventures we met with; it
is an unentertaining outline of the voyage ...
Cambridge July 1 - We are sorry to inform our readers of the death of Mr Ellis,
formerly of this place, occasioned by a fall from the main mast of a ship at Ostend.
He was on his way to Germany, where the Emperor had engaged him on
advantageous terms to go on a voyage of discovery. Mr Ellis accompanied Capt.
Cooke in his last voyage, and soon after his return published an account of it, in
two octavo volumes. His premature death is lamented by all who knew him.
John England
John England (~1758-?).Evan Evans
Evan Evans (~1758-1780).
The will of Evan Evans proven on 04 November 1780 (PROB 11/1071).
In the Name of God Amen, I Evan Evans, Mariner belonging to his Majesty's Ship
Resolution but now at Sick Quarters Rochester, being of sound and disposing mind
and memory do hereby make, this my last Will and Testament -
Samuel Evans
Samuel Evans (~1738-1800?).William Ewin
William Ewin (~1744-?).John Richard Falconar
John Richard Falconar (~1756-1784?).
Genealogical information.
A Magnus Falconar married Barbara Hodge (baptised 20 April 1699 at
Bo'ness). They had the following children at Bo'ness, West Lothian, in Scotland
Magnus
28 May 1721
John
18 August 1727
George
19 November 1731
Alexander
08 December 1734
Magnus Falconar married an Elizabeth. Magnus and Elizabeth Falconar
had the following children:
Elizabeth
02 April 1751 at St. Mary's, Portsmouth
Magnus
06 November 1752 at Antony, Cornwall
Charles
30 August 1765 at Stoke Damerel, Devon
John Richard
~1756
1784?
The youngest Magnus Falconar married Dorothy Hewson, the younger sister of William
Hewson, in London in 1774. Magnus and Dorothy had two
children:
Jane
1775
John
1777
Lieutenant's certificate for John Richard Falconar.
In pursuance, etc of the 1st inst we have examined Mr.
John Richard Falconar who by certificate appears to be more than twenty three years of
age, &
find he has gone to sea more than seven years in the Ships & qualities
undermentioned (viz)
Belleisle
Captain's servant
Pearl
Captain's servant & Able seaman
Somerset
Able seaman
Adventure
Able seaman
Adventure
Master's mate
Boyne
Midshipman
Boyne
Midshipman
Boyne
Midshipman
His Journals for the Adventure are to be dispensed with by
their Lordships Order of the 09 August
1774. He produceth Journals kept by himself in the Boyne & Certificates
from
Captain Hartwell of his diligence and sobriety. He can splice, knot, reef
a sail, etc and is qualified to do the
duty of an Able Seaman and Midshipman. Dated at the Navy Office the 18
November 1779.
Charles Middleton, E LeCras, North.
Peter Fannin
Peter Fannin.
Genealogical information.
There is a marriage record for a Peter Fannin and Beatrix Brymer on
17 February 1772 at Saint Edmund the King and Martyr, Lombard Street, London. This
predates the second voyage. It may be the man who sailed with Cook. If it was,
Beatrix may have died or Fannin could not locate her when he returned with Furneaux
to Britain in 1774 as there is another marriage record for a Peter Fannin, this
time with Elizabeth Boothe on 24 March 1775 at Braddan in the Isle of Man. This is
definitely the man who sailed with Cook.
Elizabeth Booth Fannin (08 March 1808), Susanna Fannin (29 January
1808) and Elizabeth Fannin ((08 March 1814) were all buried at Braddon, Isle of
Man.
Thomas Fatchett
Thomas Fatchett (?-1779).
The will of Thomas Fatchett proven 03 March 1781 (PROB 11/1075).
In the Name of God Amen, I Thomas Fatchett, Private, Marine in the 45th Company of
the Plymouth Division, being of a sound and disposing mind and memory, and considering
the uncertainties of this Transitory Life, do for avoiding controversies after my decease,
make, publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to
say -
Samuel Ferrior
Samuel Ferrior.
Lieutenant's certificate for Samuel Ferrior.
In pursuance, etc of the xx xxx xxxx, we have examined Mr.
Samuel Ferrior who by certificate appears to be more than 22 years of
age, & find he has gone to sea more than six years in the Ships and qualities
undermentioned (viz)
Intrepid armed vessel
AB
Nightingale
AB
Nightingale
Coxswain
Nightingale
AB
Nightingale
Midshipman
Port Mahon
Master;s mate
He produceth Journals from the Nightingale and Port Mahon.
He produceth
Certificates from Captains Arbuthnot, Hughes and Montagu of his
diligence, etc. He can
splice, knot, reef a sail, etc and is qualified to do the duty of an Able Seaman and
Midshipman. Dated the 04 September 1755.
E.F., J.C., Edward Spragge.
John Fish
John Fish (1750-1785).
The will of John Fish proven on 03 August 1785 (PROB 11/1133).
In the name of God, amen, I, John Fish, mariner on board His
Majesty's Ship Syren [space] Furneaux esquire commander, being of sound and disposing
mind and memory do hereby make this my last will and testament.
Peter Flower
Peter Flower (1748-1768).Henry Forester
Henry Forester (~1757-?).Stephen Forwood
Stephen Forwood (1737-1774).
Mr Cook presents his most respectfull compliments to Mr Stephens, and begs leave
to recommend the bearer, Mr Stephen Forward as a very proper person to be
appointed gunner of the Endeavour, he having pass'd his examination for that
purpose. (Adm 1/1609).
Between 12 and 4 AM the Gunner having the Charge of the watch, he together with
Alexr Simpson, Ricd Littleboy and found
means to take out of the Spririt
Cask on the quarter deck between 10 and 12 Gallons of Rum being the whole that
was in the Cask they were caught in the very fact and part of the Rum was found in
the Gunners Cabbin. The three men I punished with 12 lashes each, but as to the
Gunner who richly deserved the whole upon his back is from his Drunkenness become
the only useless person on board the Ship.
Mr Forward, gunner of the Endeavour, has inform'd me that he hath applied to you
for a removal out of the said bark. Permit me to acquaint you that I believe his present
ill sate of hilth renders him very unfirt for such a voyage. I also have to acquaint you
that Mr Wilkinson, who my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were pleased to
keep a gunner's warrant vacant for, is dead; if their Lordships would be pleased to
appoint Mr Forward to this vacancy it would give him sufficient time to recover his
hilth. (Adm 1/1609).
Samuel Freezland
Samuel Freezland (~1749-178mm).Tobias Furneaux
Tobias Furneaux (1735-1781).
Gentele Agreeable well behaved Good man and very humain to all the
Ships company