Quaint Tombstone within the Churchyard at Great Ayton reads:
"To ye Memory of Mary & Mary: Jane & W'llm
Daughters & Son of James & Grace Cook
Mary di'd June ye 30th 1737 in ye 5th year of her Age
Mary di'd June ye 17th 1741.Aged 10 Months & 6 days
Jane di'd may ye 12th 1742 in ye 5th year of her Age
Will'm di'd Jan'y ye 29th 1747/8 Aged 2 yrs 12 mots 16 da's & 7 ho'rs
and allso John thare son dyed Sep't
the 20th 1750 aged 23 years" 'Sic'
Extract from an article that appeared in the Evening Gazette. Monday, October 24, 1988.
ALL SAINT'S CHURCH GREAT AYTON
The Church, which dates back from the 12th Century, was rescued in 1915, but stood neglected until Maurice Hodgson took a keen interest after retiring from his farm work in 1958.
Maurice of Guisborough Road is the custodian of the church that is still lit by candles and lamps.
“I started by doing general tidying up work”, he said. “The old place was neglected, there were rose trees growing up the walls, and the grass was overgrown as well as replacing leaded windows, renewing pews and twice varnishing throughout. It was in an awful state.
His only regret is the demolition of a beautiful church tower to make way for more burial ground.
Captain Cook's mother, Grace (nee) Pace lies buried within the Church grounds together with a number of her children: Mary b. 1733 d. 1737, Mary b. 1740 d 1741, Jane b. 1738 d.1742, William b.1744 d. 1748 & John b. 1727 d. 1750.
Her daughter Margaret b. 1742 was married, by licence granted by Rev. Mr. Hyde in this church by Frances Wanley Tuesday 4th September 1764 to James Fleck a Redcar Fisherman in the presence of her father James and Solomon Mease (Uncle of James Fleck).
Visitors from all over the world want to visit the church, particularly those from Australia and New Zealand because it is on the Captain Cook Trail
