What do we know about the twin brother of James Cook? Yesterday I read the following excerpt from the publication titled �Life and Labour in Newfoundland� based on Lectures delivered at the Memorial University of Newfoundland by C.R. Fay, M.A., D.Sc. of Cambridge and Toronto.....University of Toronto press Toronto, 1956. quote from pages 90 and 91: �� This is the Empire in trust. I do not think I have ever felt so proud of my countrymen as when I read this report--acute, courageous, responsible and humane. The follow-up visit of March 5-19, 1811, was briefer. No Indians even sighted: only their traces found. March 19. �Back on the schooner�; and his first thought (for in this was the twin brother of James Cook) was for the health of his men. He ordered: �a regular allowance of hot cocoa eaten with biscuit and a bit of pork or fish: and if very cold, a small glass of rum.� At 10 meat (pork and smoked salmon) or a hare, and a spot of bread and rum; and more at 3 p.m. before cutting wood and throwing up fences. Kettles then got to work, and a good warm supper of lobscouse, but those whose appetites became languid were indulged with tea. Evening spent in singing and repairing shoes, until the setting of watch at 8, when each had a dram, to keep up their spirits.� He cautioned them against mixing snow with water (for often from the thickness of the ice they could get no fresh supply of water). Of spirits numerous small drams were issued, so that there was only a slight excess above, the established allowance. The changing of their stockings and wet things, etc. �occupied my constant attention�--Cook�s too, and in his day Nelson�s. For of such are the world�s born leaders.�� end quote The following questions come to mind: #1. Was the twin brother of James Cook related to the famous �surveyor of the coast of NL�.? #2. Why was he not recorded by his proper name e.g. Joseph Cook? lghr note:) ..someone has recorded that the maiden surname of the world famous Capt. James Cook's mother was BATTS and there is a place in N.D.Bay with the unusual name of "Joe Batts Arm". #3. Was �the twin brother of James Cook� past middle age or in advanced years? #4. Did �the twin brother of James Cook� reside somewhere on the island of Newfoundland? Did he have more family members in NL such as a wife and children, and other siblings or cousins? #5. Was �the twin brother of James Cook� a contemporary or older than the �leader of the 1811 expedition to St. Peter�s Bay, in ND Bay, Newfoundland. also on page 91 was this reference to William Cormack/Carmack 1796-1868, who was buried at New Westminster (Royal City) British Columbia. quote: " He was born at St. John's, but his father, a Scottish merchant recently established there, died when he was seven, and so he was sent back to school in Scotland and later attended classes at Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities. In 1818, at a time when there was a heavy distress emigration from the Old Country, he acted as conductor of emigrant parties to Prince Edward Island. He was concerned next in the starting of Port Glasgow on that Island and in the promotion of grain exports from P.E.I. to Great Britain." end quote. ===== 1784...a quote from the 1938 book titled �The Story of Newfoundland� by J.A. Cochrane, B. Sc. ..Authorized by the Department of Education for use in the schools of Newfoundland.....(lghr note: This textbook was used from 1939 to abt. 1957 and had a deep influence on the minds of my generation) from page 129 Quote: �Owing to the attitude taken by some of the governors there had sprung up a very regrettable sectarian rivalry and even hatred in many parts of the country. It will serve no good purpose to tell the story of the origin of the quarrels, but the year 1784 must be noted as the beginning of better things. In that year the Governor issued a proclamation which allowed all persons to worship as they pleased.� end quote __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com

I am no expert on James Cook but there are several pages about him in a wonderful book entitled, "As Near to Heaven by Sea" by Kevin Major. It states that, "Cook had been coming to North America for several years as a naval officer and it was along the St. Lawrence and the coast of Nova Scotia that he had mastered the techniques of surveying" It says nothing about his mother being of Newfoundland. The year he charted several harbours in Newfoundland was 1762. Claire Nault