TO THE MEMORY OF
CAPTAIN JAMES COOK
THE CELEBRATED CIRCUMNAVIGATOR,
WHO WAS BORN IN THIS PARISH, OCT. 27th, 1728,
THIS TABLET WAS
ERECTED BY THE PARISHIONERS OF MARTON,
A.D. 1812.
A monument on Rosebury Topping, a noted hill overlooking the parish of Marton, was long talked of. At last, in 1827, a handsome obelisk, 51 feet high, including a base 12 feet square, was raised to the memory of Cook, on the adjoining hill of Easby, by Robert Campion, Esq. of Whitby, and Easby Hall; forming a conspicuous sea-mark, and bearing the following inscription:—
Erected to the Memory of
the celebrated Circumnavigator
Captain James Cook, F.R.S.
A man in nautical knowledge, scarcely inferior to any,
In zeal, prudence, and indefatigable exertions,
superior to most men.
Regardless of personal danger,
He opened an intercourse with the
Inhabitants of the Friendly Islands,
And other parts of the Southern Hemisphere.
He was born at Marton in this neighbourhood, 27th of Oct. 1728,
And was massacred at Owhyhee, Feb. the 14th, 1779,
To the inexpressible grief and disappointment of his countrymen!
While the Sciences in general, and Navigation in particular,
Shall be cultivated among Men;
While the spirit of enterprise, commerce, and philanthropy,
Shall animate the sons of Britain;
While it shall be deemed the high honour of a Christian nation,
To spread the enjoyments of civilized life,
And the higher blessings of the Christian Faith,
Among Pagan and savage tribes;
So long will the name of Captain Cook stand enrolled
Among the most celebrated and most admired of the
Benefactors of the Human Race.
As a token of Respect for, and Admiration of, the character and labours of that truly great Man, who served his appren-
