Thomas Parlby (1727–1802) Stone Hall, Stonehouse, in Plymouth[2] "the big house overlooking Stonehouse Pool"[3] (since demolished), was a civil engineering contractor described in his obituary in the Gentleman's Magazine as "Master Mason of HM Docks".
His father was a ship's carpenter as were his two brothers, who also served as warrant officers in the Royal Navy.
In 1745 his sister Mary Parlby married James Templer (1722–1782) at Greenwich and moved to Rotherhithe.
They were working at a time of major expansion in the royal dockyards of Great Britain due to the frequent wars with Spain and France which occurred between 1739 and 1815.
Amongst their works were: In 1748 Parlby married Lydia Martyn and settled in Deptford, later moving to Plymouth.
Arms of Thomas Parlby:
Argent, a parrot vert
. These arms are not recognised by the
College of Arms
in London, but were nevertheless used by his family, as visible on a marble chimneypiece
circa
1780 in
Stover House
, Devon, the home of his sister Mary Parlby.
[
1
]
Historic
Portsmouth Dockyard
, Number 1 Basin and the dry dock group, which today house
HMS Victory
(centre, no.2 dock) and the
Mary Rose
(right, no.3 dock, under white cover), "which complex is widely regarded as the finest example of a dock group of its age".
[
8
]
Number 1 Basin and the dry dock group with
HMS Victory
Royal Marine Barracks, Stonehouse
Detail from portrait by Thomas Beach of Sir John de la Pole, 6th Baronet, showing writing on the scroll held in his right hand:
"Plan of Shute House built by Sir John William De la Pole Bt. July 1787, T. Parlby Esqr. Archt."
