Sir Francis Drake

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29783, 28 March 1962, Page 9

Sir Francis Drake

Sir,—ln a radio eulogy of Captain Scott, a speaker, who said he had met Captain Scott mentioned that a Sir Francis Drake—who was, he said, a direct descendant of Sir Francis Drake erf the Golden Hind—was a member of the Antarctic party. As I have heard other people refer to the ‘"descendents of Sir Francis Drake” I take this opportunity of pointing out that Sir Francis Drake of Elizabethan times had no descendants. Sir Francis Drake was married twice, but had no children. His first wife was Mary Newnan, a Saltash girl His second wife was Elizabeth Sydenham, daughter of Sir George Sydenham, of Coom.be Sydenham. Somerset. On his death Sir Francis Drake left his country mansion. Buckland Abbey, to his youngest brother, Thomas. Buckland Abbey is near Dartmoor, and Christchurch people who visit England should go to see this fine old manor house. It contains many items of interest, including the famous “Drake's drum.” Buckland Abbey, which Sir Francis Drake purchased from Sir Richard Grenville of the Revenge, remained in the Drake family until 1946, when it was sold to Captain Arthur Rodd. It was later acquired by the National Trust, and was opened to the public in 1951.—Yours, etc., M. March 26, 1962.