Captain James Cook and his wife, Elizabeth Batts, had a total of six children.
Cook married Elizabeth Batts in 1762 when he was 34 years old. Despite being at sea for more than half of their married life, the couple had a sizable family. However, their children faced a difficult fate, typical of the era's high mortality rates.
The Fate of Their Children
Of the six children born to James and Elizabeth Cook, three tragically died in infancy. The remaining three children were sons who survived past infancy. Unfortunately, all three of these surviving sons had also passed away by 1794. Two of these sons had followed their father's career path and entered the navy.
Here is a summary of their children:
- Total Children Born: Six
- Children Who Died in Infancy: Three
- Surviving Children: Three (all sons)
- Two of these sons joined the navy.
- All three surviving sons died by 1794.
Family Statistics
| Category | Count | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Total Children Born | 6 | |
| Children Died in Infancy | 3 | |
| Children Survived Infancy | 3 | All were sons |
| Sons Who Entered the Navy | 2 | Among the three surviving sons |
| Year All Surviving Children Died | 1794 | All three sons had died by this year |
This information provides a clear picture of the number of children Captain Cook and his wife had, alongside the unfortunate circumstances surrounding their lives.
