By the pleasing countenance of my superiors : the life of Dungog magistrate Thomas Cook, J.P.

Thomas Cook, Esq. J.P. was one of many immigrants of middling income and status who early in their life threw in their lot with the young Colony of NSW. Like many, Thomas Cook made his contribution without achieving a major place in the history books or leaving behind enough of a record to present a complete picture of his life. Nevertheless, sufficient can be found to provide some fascinating glimpses of the man, the magistrate and of the village of Dungog in the mid-nineteenth century. Thomas Cook, father, Presbyterian, magistrate, J.P., letter writer, horse breeder, landowner, opener of bridges, speech-maker, and at times a figure of some controversy. Despite this list, our picture of the man remains incomplete and the temptation to fill in the gaps in the manner of Gordon Bennett is great, though in modern times we might emphasise his family relations and political interactions over the number of floggings meted out or murderous convicts encountered. For the time being, until further information is uncovered, we must be content with what tantalising glimpses the often sketchy historical record has left us.