Christopher Cook (abt. 1802 - 1902)

Born about 1802 in Goole, Yorkshire [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 8 Mar 1902 at about age 100 in Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Christopher was the great grandfather of Australian Prime Minister John McEwan.

There is much confusion about the origin of Cook. Family history point to him being born in Goole in Yorkshire,^[1], on 8 Dec 1804, son of John cook and Jane Greer. But there is no record of such a birth or such a marriage.

His gravestone gives his age as 100 when he died^[2], also confirmed in his death notice in the "Argus" which also claims he had been in the colony for 77 years. and was a native of Hull.^[3]

Other study point to Cook arriving in Australia as a convict on the 'Lady Harewood' in 1829. But, that Christopher Cook was convicted as a 13 year old labourer in London in 1826 (i.e. was born a year later than Cook's claimed age).

Christopher Greer Cook married Ellen Considine at St Peter & St Pauls Old Cathedral in Goulburn in 1839. Their family at Goulburn and later at Wangaratta was:

1. Mary Ann Cook (b 17/5/1840 Argyle, goulburn d 1900)

2. Daniel Greere Cook (b 17/1/1842 Bungonia, goulburn d 1935)

3. Jane Cook (b 25/8/1843 Goulburn d 1917)

4. Elizabeth Cook (b 19/4/1845 Goulburn d 1938)

5. Ellen Cook (b 21/7/1847 Goulburn d 1925)

6. William Cook (b 5/5/1849 Goulburn d 1869)

7. Eliza Cook (b 8/11/1861 goulburn d 1930)

8. Emily Susan Cook (b 15/5/1854 Whorouly, Wangaratta,Vic d 1945)

9. John Edward Greer cook (b 4/4/1856 goulburn d 1940)

10. Margaret Matilda Cook (b 3/4/1859 Wangaratta d 1931)

11. George Robert Cook (b 3/4/1862 Wangaratta d 1863)

Death cert (vic) 1902/3737: Chris Grere Cook , parents Cook Grere, age 98 at Wangaratta

Sources

BDM records

1. ↑ Peter Golding "Black Jack McEwan: Politcal Gladiator" Melb Uni Press 1996 (p 336)
2. ↑ Wangaratta Cemetery Christopher Cook who died 8 March 1902 aged 100 years and Ellen Cook who died 12 Aug 1902 aged 85 years
3. ↑ "Melbourne Argus" 10 March 1902 COOK. -On the 8th March, at South Wangaratta, Christopher Greer Cook, aged 100 years. A colonist of 77 years. A native of Hull, England. Home papers please copy.'