Born on 29 April 1775 at Dartmouth, Devon, England, and baptised on 21 May 1775 at St. Saviour, Dartmouth, the son of Stephen Crook and his wife Maria. Became a missionary in the South Seas with the London Missionary Society. Returned to England in 1799. He married on 12 March 1803 at St. Paul's, Covent Garden, Westminster, London, England to Hannah Dare. Arrived at Port Phillip on 7 October 1803 per "Ocean" from England as part of Capt. David Collins' party that established a settlement at Sullivan's Bay, Sorrento. Later went on to establish the first Congregational Church in Australia at Sydney in 1810. Returned as a missionary to the South Seas in 1816. At Moorea and Tahiti. Went back to Sydney in 1830 where he opened a school, preached, etc. Visited Melbourne in January - February 1842 per "Seahorse". Arrived back in Melbourne on 12 May 1845 per "Shamrock". Died on 14 June 1846 at the residence of his son, Collins Street, Melbourne, Port Phillip District, and was buried on 16 June 1846 at the Old Melbourne Cemetery. His remains were later transferred to the Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton, Vic.

[marriage record; death/burial certificate; gravestone; Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol. 1); Johns An Australian Biographical Dictionary; Dr. Williams's Library]

Back to Home Page