Sir Francis Drake and John Hawkins?

Question

I have read in numerous sources that Sir Francis Drake, the English admiral and explorer, was a cousin to Admiral Sir John Hawkins.

Can anyone tell me the exact connection between these two men? (where in the "family tree" do the Drake and Hawkins family connect?)

Answer 1

They were believed to be second cousins and Drake made his first voyage to the New World with his cousin in a ship owned by the Hawkins' family.

On http://www.xroyvision.com.au/drake/histo... is the following:

EDMUND2 DRAKE was born 1514 in Devon, England, and died 1567 in Kent, England. He married ELIZABETH HAWKINS in Crowndale, England, daughter of JOHN HAWKINS. Children of EDMUND DRAKE and ELIZABETH HAWKINS are:

iii. FRANCIS DRAKE, b. June 1545; d. January 25, 1595; m. (1) MARY NEWMAN, July 04, 1569; m. (2) ELIZABETH SYDENHAM, 1584.

But on http://www.xroyvision.com.au/drake/resea...

"Edmond traditionally was said to have begun life as a sailor, and was converted early to the Protestant faith. It has been supposed that his wife was sister or cousin to William Hawkins, but recent discoveries shows that her name was Milwaye, and the relationship between the Drake and Hawkins families was through Edmond Drake's mother (Margery Hawkins). He sold his ship and entered into the service of his cousins, John and William Hawkins, sons of William Hawkins of Plymouth, a seaman much esteemed and beloved by King Henry VIII."

Answer 2

uncle fred (what a cool avatar/name in THIS SECTION) probably has the lead on this.  I simply want to add the comment that hundreds of years ago, it was VERY VERY common that persons interacted with relatives, in one way or another.  There is a valid reasoning behind this.. if you think of limited transportation, and persons often remained in their "home" village/ town, so forth.. intermarriage was common.  The two men above obviously don't fit the "remained" part of this, but both were in the same occupation.

Thus, when I am researching a certain ancestor, I make a real effort to learn about the neighbors, especially looking for same migration patterns.  The odds are legitimately high that, if you dig.. you will find a family connection.