Family history of captain james cook

The Captain Cook family history and his early life is a fascinating tale. Read through our James Cook articles to find out more about the Cook family, his early life, and of course, his voyages and discoveries.

Cook’s childhood

Cook was born in East Marton on 27th October 1728, to James Cook (1694-1779) and Grace Pace (1702-65).

His father, originally from Scotland, worked as a farm labourer and the family moved around the area, following the work on estate farms.

In 1736, when Cook was 8 years old, his father secured a job as a foreman at Aireyholme Farm near Great Ayton.

Owned by the Lord of the Manor of Great Ayton, Mr Thomas Scottowe, the farm was based on the slopes of Roseberry Topping.

Family history of captain james cook biography

The family to the estate and Cook started attending the local school.

Cook learned writing and arithmetic and received religious instruction over his time there. The charity school was set up by local landowner Michael Postgate in 1704 to educate the local children.

It was rebuilt in 1785 a