The Smiths: the extended family of Elizabeth Cook, the wife of James Cook.

Introduction
In 1762, Captain James Cook married Elizabeth Batts in Barking, East London. Elizabeth's mother had been a Smith and many of the extended Smith family helped her in the long 56 years of her widowhood after Cook died. Among these was Isaac Smith, a cousin who sailed with Cook to Newfoundland and to the Pacific. Isaac shared a home with Elizabeth Cook for many years in Clapham. Isaac's brother Charles was also a support from his home in Merton, just south of Clapham, while the offspring of Ursula Cragg, one of Isaac's sisters, were a great comfort.

This page is an attempt to list all the members of this extended family and show their relationship to each other.

WARNING
At this time (October 2005) there are still some gaps and there are probably errors. Evidence is often very sketchy or non-existent and it is necessary to speculate at times. With some people I have no actual proof of their existence but calculate that someone must have filled a particular void. I would like to hear from anyone who can correct my errors or provide new or different information linked to these people.

Thanks
This information has been gleaned from many sources. I would like especially to thank Zoe Thursby and Derek Morris. Zoe confirmed some of my original points and provided additional information. Derek has underatken research for me at the Guildhall Library in London and come up with fresh information. Also thanks to the Clockmakers' Company in London for information about the Smiths who were working as clock makers in London.

Pdfs showing possible family trees will be added soon.

 
John Leach and Maria (née Cragg) Bennett.

The third daughter was Maria (11 September 1798-1841), who married John Leach Bennett (1798?-1873) on 18 October 1820 at Ovingdean in Sussex. Bennett was the son of Thomas and Sarah Bennett of Wandsworth, who had married at Merton on 18 March 1797.

They had four children:

Frederick   25 April 1822  
Emily   08 March 1824 1858
Elizabeth Maria   18 March 1826  
Louisa Jane 06 February 1832 06 March 1832  

All the children were baptised at Wimbledon. Frederick would become the Rev. Canon Bennett of Shrewton, Wiltshire. He may have married a Maud. Emily Bennett married Leonard Maton on 20 April 1843 in Wimbledon. Elizabeth Maria Bennett married Thomas Langton on 28 October 1848, also in Wimbledon. Louisa Jane Bennett does not appear to have married.288