John Simcoe - Cook's Fourth Naval Captain

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Paul Boreham
Both Samuel Holland and James Cook became members of the surveyor and cartography teams serving Captain John Simcoe aboard HMS Pembroke and in addition, became close pupils of his magic in navigation and privy to his close association with General Wolfe covering the various battle strategies proposed for taking Quebec. After Captain Simcoe died and was buried at sea off Anticosti Island the two officers reported to Captain Hardy who like Simcoe was personally acquainted with General Wolfe's personality. During the night assault on the Planes of Abraham it was these two officers who were dispatched by Captain Hardy to observe and aid the General should he be endangered during the battle . According to Captain Cook's widow in conversation with John Graves Simcoe.
judy jerkins
hi I loved your information and level of detail - thanks. But, I am looking for a tiny needle in a huge haystack. I am looking for a list of ex Queens Rangers who left Canada 1796, possibly with the Simcoe family. Any suggestions or idea if such a thing exists? I am fairly sure my ancestor was with Simcoe in the QR 1792 to 1796 but in 1797 he was on the muster and pay lists of another regiment back in England. I have a lot of info already, including musters which have 3 potentials - Wm Juggins, Jerkins and Perkins - Im fairly sure William Jerkins was literate and therefore not mine, but the other 2.....could be. cheers Judy
Larry Waters
PLease check these facts: "In 1775, he was promoted to captain and sailed to North America in 1776, landing on Staten Island, New York in July 1776" I believe that as Adjutant responsible for cleaning up the last of the 35th Regiment’s administrative duties, Simcoe was among the last of the Regiment to leave England for Boston. He arrived in Boston on June 19th, 1775, just after the Battle of Bunker Hill. Also, Simcoe was writing to his mother about the battle so it is improbable that Catherine Simcoe died in 1767.
Ian Boreham (Webmaster)
Larry, You are correct in thinking that Catherine Simcoe didn't die in 1767. That was a spelling error for 1776. And, her name was spelt Katherine. I've added to the website an article about her; a link to it can be found at the bottom of this article.
Larry Waters
In case you have not encountered this, Samuel Holland became Suryeror General for Upper Canada and was responsible for surveying the course of Yonge Street intended to replace Toronto Carrying Place for the transit of the fur trade from the upper great lakes. At that time Yonge Street ended at the Holland River (which he named after himself) which drained into Cook's Bay (which he named after James Cook) which is part of lake Simcoe named after Capt J Simcoe). In a letter to John Graves Simcoe Samuel credits Captain Simcoe for training/providing the means for him and Cook on surveying and chartograghy.