Jackson (Duckett), Sir George (1725-1822)
George Jackson was born on 24 October 1725 in north Yorkshire. Jackson joined the Navy Office about 1743 and became secretary to the Navy Board in 1758. He moved to the Admiralty in 1766 where he became assistant secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, under Philip Stephens. At the same time, he became judge-advocate of the fleet. He resigned as assistant secretary in 1782 but remained judge-advocate. Jackson served as an M.P. and was knighted in 1791.
Jackson married twice. First he married Mary Ward and they had three daughters. Secondly, he married Grace Goldstone, with whom he had a son. Jackson changed his name to Duckett in 1797, in agreement with the terms of the will of his wife's uncle. He died on 15 December 1822. He left a will (FRC 11/1664). There is a short biography in the DNB, v.10, pp.527-528. Cape Jackson in New Zealand and Port Jackson (the future site of Sydney) were named after him.
Francis Wilkinson (?-1771)
Francis Wilkinson sailed on the Endeavour (79) as a master's mate. He kept a journal). He was born in Bangor, North Wales and died in London in August 1771, leaving a will (FRC 11/971). Sadly, Wilkinson died a few days after the Endeavour had tied up in the Thames at the end of the voyage. He had sailed to the Pacific with Wallis in the Dolphin. A section of his journal is reproduced in the Historical records of New South Wales, vol. 1, part 1: Cook 1762-1780.
Thomas Willis (1755-1797?)
Thomas Willis sailed on Cook's second voyage on the Resolution as a midshipman. He kept a log and a journal. He was promoted to lieutenant in February 1778. Willis was born in Holywell, Flintshire, North Wales, in 1755. He may have died in Pagham, Sussex in 1797?, leaving a will (FRC 11/1295). Willis Island at the west end of South Georgia was named for him.