52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 6 James Vernon COOK 1847 - 1929 - Maps
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| James Cook - image held in Alex Daw collection - handwriting is Ethel Conner's |
James Vernon COOK 1847-1928
Ahnentafel Number 18
Context for discovery:
This biography was written as part of the 52 ancestors in 52 weeks exercise devised by Amy Johnson Crow. You can join in toohere.
The theme for this month is extending the branches and for this week is maps. James was my 2nd great-grandfather and this is my 6th ancestor in this series. James is definitely an ancestor who would have used a map. To extend my knowledge of using maps in family history I watched the following RootsTech videos from last year’s conference.
Adding Maps to Your Family History
Find Your Ancestor's Home Using Google Maps
How to Map Creeks, Roads, and More with Custom Google MyMaps
Sites recommended in the first video were
Topotheque – emphasis is on central Europe
Birth Date/Place:
James Cook was born 16th September 1847[i] according to his Naval Record but according to his baptismal record, 13th September, at 12 Artillery Lane Bishopsgate.[ii] Cousin June Mayne sent me a blurry photo of his birth certificate but she transcribed it as saying 13th September also. [iii] His father was James Cook and his mother Ann Cook, formerly Moore. His father’s occupation was toll collector.[iv] I am not sure how many siblings James had. From the 1851 Census we see that he is living with his parents and older sister Ellen, aged 6 and younger sister, Ann, aged 1.
Baptism Date/Place:
James was baptised on 26th April 1848 at St Botolph Bishopsgate - parents are recorded as James Cook toll collector and wife Ann Cook[v]
Major World Events/Disasters/Wars etc
This needs to be developed in another blog post
Schooling
No record can be found of schooling.
Marriage Dates/Places:
At the age of 24 James married Caroline Jefferies, daughter of Thomas Jefferies, a Principal Convict Warden at St Marys Portsea 25 October 1871 after Banns. James father was described as a cab proprietor.[vi] Caroline was 19 years old. James was described as a Seaman and his residence ws HMS Inconstant. Witness were Amelia and JW Inch? Or Linch?
Children’s Birth Dates/Places:
- Eleanor Eliza born 21 September 1874
- Emily Maud born 22 November 1876 and baptised 10 August 1879 St Botolph
- Beatrice Louisa born 7 May 1880 and baptised 6 February 1889 –
- Mabel born 26 May 1884 and baptised on the same day as her sister Beatrice
- James Thomas Vernon born 17 June 1882 and baptised same day as his sisters Beatrice and Mabel
- Walter Douglas born 1884
- Albert Henry born 1887
- Frederick W. born 1889
- Winifred Jane - born 16 August 1889 and baptised 29 September 1893
- Grace Lily born 14 September 1891 and baptised the same day as Winifred and her brother John
- John Frank born 14 June 1893 and baptised 29 September 1893
Immigration/Migration Dates/Places:
Not applicable
Residence Dates/Places:
1851 Census – James is living at 4 Windsor Street Saint Botolph, Middlesex, England[vii]
1871 Census[viii] -
James is shown as a visitor – unmarried aged 23 Seaman R.N. He is visiting the family of Sarah Jeffries (Head) Widow aged ? (crossed-out), Caroline, daughter unmarried aged 19, Eliza J. Jeffries, daughter 15, Ellen Jeffries, daughter, 12, Maud Jeffries, daughter, aged 9, Louisa F Jeffries , daughter, aged 6 – all living at 21 Ridge Street Portsea.
1874 Birth Certificate of Eleanor – family is living at 58 Orange Street Portsea
1877 Birth Certificate of Emily – family is living at 24 Centaur Street Portsea
In the 1881 Census[ix]
James is on board HMS Vernon.
I am not sure if the following Caroline in the 1881 Census is James’ wife. Certainly her mother’s name is the same but there are children’s names I don’t recognise and the ones I am expecting to see (Eleanor would have been aged 6 and Beatrice may not have been born yet) are not. In the later 1891 Census Richard and William are missing. Did they die?
In this household, Caroline is now the head of the household, married, aged 28, a seaman’s wife and has the following children: Mary Emily (is this Emma M?), daughter aged 8, Richard, a son, aged 3 and William a son aged 7 weeks. Sarah her mother is living with them aged 48. They are living at 36 Liverpool St Southampton. There are two families living at Number 36. Mary Smith, a laundress, aged 26 is a laundress. She lives with her sons Harry aged 4 and Edward aged 1 and a boarder, Elizabeth Oakley aged 65 – another laundress.
In the 1891 Census [x]
We find Caroline, wife of gunner R.N. aged 39, living with her daughter Eleanor aged 16, Emma M, aged 14, Beatrice L aged 10, Mabel aged 9, James T.V. aged 8 and Walter D aged 7, all at 120 Queen’s Road.
In the 1901 Census[xi]
James and Caroline are living at 4 Gladys with Emma M aged 24, Beatrice L aged 20, Mabel aged 19, Albert H aged 13, Frederick W aged 12, Winifred J aged 10, Grace L aged 9, John F aged 7
In the 1911 Census[xii]
James and Caroline are living at Agustin Road Drayton Cosham Hants with daughters Winifred Jane aged 21 and Grace Lillian aged 19, both single.
In the 1921 Census[xiii]- This is my first find in the new 1921 Census on FindMyPast - yay!
We find James aged 79 and Caroline aged 69 living with James Thomas Vernon their son, aged 40 and their daughter Grace Bugden aged 29 and son-inlaw Stanley aged 29 and Grace and Stanley’s son Geoffrey aged 4. They live at 24 Salisbury Road, Cosham.
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| Cook Wedding - image courtesy of cousin June Mayne from a cousin in the UK and, in her words, who is who in the picture. "as you look at it from the right front row the older lady is I think and I'm pretty sure is James sister Arabella sometimes called Ann.Next to her the young man is the youngest son of James ; John F Cook aged 17;next the bridesmaid is my grandmother Mabel aged 29. ; then the bride i am sure is Beatrice Cook aged 30 ; her husbands name and its all I've got is Will don't know who the next lady is maybe a relative of Will ; she could also be the youngest Cook girl Grace Lillian aged 20; . Now we move to the middle row . The first gentle man is the husband of Arabella and i only know of him as that, no name.and next is our greagrandfather Lieutenant James Cook .; aged about 60 ; then great-grand mother Caroline Cook (Jefferies) aged abt 60; don,t know who other 2 ladies are maybe more Jefferies. and in the back row we have who i think really is Grace Lillian aged 20 ; next to her is Winifred Cook aged 21 ; then the man is I'm sure Albert Cook aged 23 ; then i m sure the next lady is Emma Cook aged 34" |
Physical Description
On James’ naval record he is described as follows: 5’ 7” Dark hair, grey eyes, dark complexion, no wounds scars or marks and no trade.
Military Service Dates/Places:
A record in the National Archives shows the dates and periods of Continuous service engagement for James being from 16 September 1865, so from the age of 18.[xiv] It seems he started serving in the Coast Guard. It only shows the ships served on as follows: (some of the writing is very faint and difficult to read)
Excellent 1 Jan 1873 to 9 June 1874
Monarch 10 June 1874 and on 5 November was promoted to Petty Officer Class 2 and served until 31 March 1876
Excellent 11 November 1875 and promoted to Petty Officer Class 1 1 December 1876 and served on that ship until 19 April 1877
Osprey from 20 April 1877 until 12 March 1878
Then there is another very long record of his service ending on 25 January 1928.[xv]
When I have a few spare weeks (ha ha) I will try and plot all the different places he would have travelled to on those ships. For an idea, check out his obituary below.
Comments on his service 1880-1882 report:
Sobriety and to my entire satisfaction - Mr Cook has had considerable experience in the instruction of Cransus (?) torpedo classes, and is a steady and fully qualified Torpedo Gunner. J.O. Hopkins
And again in 1886-87:
With sobriety and to my entire satisfaction a trustworthy officer & a good instructor. S. Long
Bruno Pappalardo in Tracing Your Naval Ancestors advises that:
Torpedo training was provided from 1872 in HMS Vernon, in Portsmouth...(p, 9)
Occupation Dates/Places:
see above military record
Organizations/Associations Dates/Places:
Nothing else identified to date.
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| James Vernon Cook - image courtesy of cousin Geraldine |
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| Funeral James Vernon Cook 1928 - image courtesy cousin Geraldine |
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| Funeral procession James Vernon Cook - image courtesy of cousin Geraldine |
Death Date/Place:
25th January 1928 at 24 Salisbury Road UD at the age of 80 Occupation Lieutenant RN (retired) . Cause of death senile decay. Informant Winifred Jane Banchard – daughter.[xvi]
Burial Date/Place:
Monday 30th January 1928 Wymering Church Portsmouth[xvii] [xviii]
“Semi-naval honours were accorded at a funeral on Monday of the late Lieut. James Cook, R.N., aged 80, of The Laurels, Salisbury Road, Cosham, who died on the previous Wednesday, after a brief illness.
The coffin of polished elm with brass fittings, covered with the Union Jack and beautiful floral tributes, was borne on a gun-carriage drawn by bluejackets in H.M.S. Excellent, in charge of Petty Officer J. Noble, to Wymering Chruch and the service was impressively conducted by the Rev. A.R. Taylor, and at the conclusion the “Last Post” was sounded by two buglers of the Royal Marines.
The private mourners were Messrs James and William Cook (sons), Mesdames Blanchard, Luckock, and S?? (daugthers), Messrs. C. Lucock (sons-in-law), Miss C Lucock, Mr and Mrs Dunkinson (grandchildren), Liet. G Harrison, R.N. , represented by Captain, H.M.S. Excellent.
Many floral designs were laid upon the grave.
FAN CLUB (Friends and Neighours)
Baptism sponsors/godparents – not recorded
Marriage Witnesses Officiants
Accompanying passengers on shipping list – not applicable
Newspaper – as above
Census – other lodgers/neighbours – to be further investigated.
City directories – others living in household/on street
Land Deeds – witnesses/buyers/sellers
Maps – neighbours
Military – unit members
Death – informant/undertaker
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Hampshire Telegraph, 3rd February 1928
Obituary –
From the Hampshire Telegraph 3rd February 1928
An interesting career
Born on September 16, 1847 at Bishopsgate, London, the deceased gentleman was the only son of the late Mr James Cook an old City toll-gate collector. At the age of 14 he joined the Royal Navy, on the old Impregnable, and gained steady promotion to the rank of Gunner on May 12, 1878 receiving his commission on November 21, 1896. He saw much service, serving in the old squad??? Men-of-war on the West Indies, East Indies, Mediterranean, and ??stations. As gunner of the ???landed with the Naval Brigade, ???of the Gatling gun, during the Zulu War?? And accompanied the Ekowe relict>>>He was engaged at the battle of ???lovo, Apri 2, 1879, and was wounded ??? receiving the Zulu medal and clasp…serving on the Ariadne in 1868 under C. Stirling, Seaman Cook and ???were chosen to land at the Nile ?? Prince and Princess of Wales ???King Edward and Queen Alexandra whilst on a shooting expedition.???the royal party. Prince Leopold, the Duke of Albany, was thrown from his horse, which took fright and dragged him some distance. Cook pluckily stopped the animal, and saved H.R.H. from ???injury. He was the last of the ??gen gunners selected for torpedo instruction on the Vernon.
For 40 years he served in the Royal Navy, was a specialist in gunnery, and retired to pension with the rank of Lieut. In July, 1902. At the outbreak of the Great War on August 4, 1914, Lieutenant Cook offered his services, which Admiralty declined owing to his age. He was much disappointed at this considering he was the equal of much younger men and desired to “do his bit.”
He leaves a widow, and of his ?? of 12 children four sons and five daughters are living; also 20 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Of a retiring disposition, Mr Cook was a lover of the sea, his hobby was the making of model sailing warships and several specimens of his handicraft, in glass cases at his residence. Until a month ago he was in good health, but recently family ??(bereave)ments had greatly distressed ???(him. His) daughter Maud, who had resided in Africa for 10 years, was making arrangements to proceed home when???(she died) while his son-in-law, the late ???(Edwin) Connor, R.N. , was drowned on ???(November)3, 1927 when the ferry boat Greycliffe running between Sydney and Watson Bay Australia was run into by the Tahiti. Mr Cook had resided ???(at Cosham) for 15 years and previously lived ???brook and Portsmouth. He…respected officer and his appointment included the position of Chief Gunner. Portsmouth Dockyard. See Page 14 for photograph.
Probate – executor/Heirs/Witnesses
Cemetery – others in plot - wife Caroline and daughter
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| Epitaph Caroline Cook Wymering Cemetery Cook grave - image courtesy Geraldine Dawn |
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| epitaph Wymering Cemetery Cook grave - Maud Cox (nee Cook) who died in South Africe - image Geraldine Dawn |
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| epitaph Wymering Cemetry grave for Maud Cox (nee Cook) - image courtesy Geraldine Dawn |
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| Wymering Cemtery grave - image courtesy of Geraldine Dawn |
Conclusion
I am indebted to wonderful cousins June Mayne and Deenie Dawn who have shared their research and photos with me so generously.
Thanks for reading this far and visiting my blog.
I hope your family history week is going well.
[i] ADM188/30, Royal Navy Registers of Seamen’s Services, Piece 55001-55600, James Cook, Official Number 55392
[ii] Ancestry.com. London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1920 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P69/BOT4/A/01/MS 4519/5
[iii] Birth Certificate General Register Office - 1847, Number 62, James Cook, Registration District East London, sub-district St Botolph.
[iv] Transcript of birth certificate from cousin June
[v] Transcript of baptismal certificate from cousin June
[vi] Marriage Certificate 1871 Number 111 in the Registration District of Portsea
[vii] "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGBB-Y2D : 9 November 2019), James Cook in household of James Cook, Saint Botolph Bishopsgate, Middlesex, England; citing Saint Botolph Bishopsgate, Middlesex, England, p. 13, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
[viii] Ancestry.com, 1871 Census, Class: RG10; Piece: 1127; Folio: 34; Page: 20; GSU roll: 827774.
[ix] Ancestry.com, 1881 England Census, Class: RG11; Piece: 1149; Folio: 32; Page: 23;GSU roll: 1341281.
[x] Ancestry.com, 1891 Census, Class: RG12; Piece: 667; Folio: 27; Page: 1; GSU Roll: 6095777
[xi] Ancestry.com, 1901 Census, Class: RG13; Piece: 980; Folio: 49; Page: 39.
[xii] Ancestry, 1911 Census, Class: RG14; Piece: 5465; Schedule Number: 65
[xiii] FindMyPast. 1921 Censs, Class: RG15; Piece: 05210; Schedule Number: 197
[xiv] National Archives Catalogue Reference ADM/188/30 Image Reference 284
[xv] The National Archives, ADM 196/31 Officers Service Records (Series III), Warrant Officers Register of Service, James Cook, Lieutenant
[xvi] Death certificate 1928 Registration District Portsmouth Number 153 James COOK
[xvii]
From cousin Geraldine
[xviii] Hampshire Telegraph account Page 4, 3 February 1928
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