Edward Terrell sailed on Cook’s First Voyage in Endeavour. He joined the ship on 27 May, 1768, as the carpenter's servant. He was later an able bodied seaman (AB) from 1 September, 1769. He remained in Endeavour after the voyage, but was discharged on 3 November, 1771. Terrell must have then joined HMS Barfleur as he joined Resolution for Cook’s Second Voyage from that ship on 2 March, 1772. He sailed in Resolution as an AB.
On 8 January, 1772, Edward Turrell wrote from “his Magestes ship Barfleur” to Joseph Banks.
I shall be very Glad if your honnour Will be pleased to grant me this small Request and I hope your honnour will Escques me for making so bold as to wrie to your Honnour but that I hear your honnour and mr sillander is a going out upon Discovers and shold be very glad of having the Pleasure of going with your honnour for I am on Board of the Barfleur. I was a going out in the Endeavour But was taken sick and was sent on shore to the hospitall But thank the almighty god I heave got the Better of my Eleness sir I shall Take it as great favour and shall be Bound to Pray for your honnour all the Days of my Life so No More at Present from your humble servent to Command.
The next month, on 15 February, Cook wrote to the Admiralty Secretary.
Edward Terrel Seaman who Saild with me in the Endeavour Bark and now belongs to his Ship Barfleur, hath appl’d by letter to Sail with me again and his friends have likewise made application in his behalf.
Terrell was punished on 11 November, 1772, for “leaving the boat when on duty”.
The ships’ musters have Terrell as being born in Spitalfields, London, about 1750. An Edward Terrill was baptised on 26 September, 1748, at St. Leonard’s, Shoreditch, the son of Edward and Mary Terrill. An Edward Terrell married Sarah Rudderforth on 9 August, 1795, at Spitalfields Christ Church, London. It is not certain that either of these entries apply to Cook’s Terrell.
John Robson
Originally published in Cook's Log, page 17, volume 48, number 2 (2025).