He was an anti-Irish writer who created a disturbance in Munster by publishing a letter to Lord Deputy Wentworth attacking the Irish nation in 1634.
Little is known of his early years: he spent some time on the Continent, probably involved in the pilchard industry.
[4] In spite of his position he bitterly hated Irishmen, and in 1634 he created considerable disturbance in Munster by publishing and circulating, under the form of a letter addressed to Lord Wentworth, the Lord Deputy of Ireland, what was described by the Lord Deputy, as a most bitter invective against the whole nation, natives, old English, new English, Papist, Protestant, Captains, Soldiers, and all, which … did so incense, I may say enrage, all sorts of people against him, as it was evident they would have hanged him if they could.
[1] A pursuivant with a warrant for his arrest was immediately despatched into Munster, but two days before his arrival Gookin had fled with his wife into England.
[1] Gookin married, first, Mary, daughter of Mr. Wood of Waldron, by whom he had two sons, Vincent and Robert (besides other children who died young).