Description:
The sandstone gravestone of James Roberts is near the north door inside St Helen’s Church at Mareham-le-Fen.
Above the gravestone is a plaque to James Roberts.
History:
The grave is sited near the south-east corner of the church, and the gravestone was moved, sometime after 1958, from the churchyard to the inside the church near the north door, to avoid further erosion.
Inscription:
Gravestone:
Here lies the body of
JAMES ROBERTS,
who in the years 1768, 1769, 1770 and 1771
sailed round the world with the
Right Honourable Sir Joseph Banks
on His Majesty’s ship
the Endeavour,
Lieutenant James Cook, Commander.
In the year 1772 he again made a voyage with
Sir J Banks to Iceland and ascended the summit
of that wonderful burning mountain, Hecla.
Having returned in safety to England,
he retired in 1795 to Mareham House
and died on the 8th of July, 1826,
Aged 74 years.
Plaque:
JAMES ROBERTS
WHO IN THE YEARS 1768-1771 SAILED ROUND THE WORLD
WITH THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR JOSEPH BANKS
ON HIS MAJESTY’S SHIP THE ENDEAVOUR.
LIEUTENANT JAMES COOK. COMMANDER.
IN THE YEAR 1772 HE AGAIN MADE A VOYAGE WITH
SIR J. BANKS TO ICELAND AND ASCENDED THE SUMMIT
OF THAT WONDERFUL BURNING MOUNTAIN. HECLA.
HAVING RETURNED IN SAFETY TO ENGLAND.
HE RETIRED IN 1795 TO MAREHAM HOUSE
AND DIED ON THE 8TH JULY 1826. AGED 74 YEARS.
GPS Coordinates: 53.130522, -0.090475
References:
Cook’s Log, page 23, vol. 36, no. 1 (2013)
Cook, A.M. Lincolnshire Links with Australia. The Friends of Lincoln Cathedral. 1958.