RELATIONSHIP WITH COOK

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1933, Page 6

RELATIONSHIP WITH COOK

RESIDENT OF NEW PLYMOUTH DESCENDANT of THE NAVIGATOR. MEMENTOES. HELD BY THE FAMILY. The fact that a descendant of Captain James Cook, the famous navigator, is living at. New Plymouth was confirmed yesterday by a Daily News reporter. Ill* formation on the point was prompted by the following paragraph in a contemporary: “From Australia comes an inquiry whether a direct descendant of Captain Cook is residing in Nev/ Zealand. The name is given as Mrs. Glencairn The common belief on the subject is that Captain Cook’s descendants did not survive the first generation. Perhaps that is wrong. The steps now taken may declare it wrong or right” Mrs. J. Ruff, Roy 'Terrace, formerly Miss D. M. Platt, is a great great great grand-daughter of the navigator, to whom she traces her connection through his daughter Margaret. Mis. Ruff’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Piatt live at Pukeokahu, near Taihape, and _it is through, her father that the relationship His uncle, the late Rev. C. H. Platt, vicar of Seacroft, near Leeds; for 30 years, had in his possession a cocked hat and walking-stick belonging to his famous ancestor. Mrs. Platt, who is at present visiting her daughter, owns a filigree brooch brought back from the Sandwich Islands by Captain Cook. Other relics have been held by various descendants. Mr. Platt’s father was vicar of Whitkirk for 40 years, a parish about four miles from Leeds and near Temple Newsham Hall, presented to the City of Leeds by Lord Irwin, formerly Viceroy ° f Tffie full genealogy of the family is not available at New Plymouth, but.has been established in England. Mrs. Ruff does not know of Mrs. Glencairn, but believes it possible she may be a member of the Platt family in Australia. The late Mrs. Joseph Wyley, Wanganui, was a sister of Mr. T. E. Platt. It is understood that all Captain Cook’s sons died at an early age, without issue, several of them being lost at sea.