Thomas Parry (Chennai merchant)

The Parrys traced their ancestry to Elystan Glodrudd and Edward of Leighton Hall was a wealthy squire.

His will was probated March 14th, 1788 (Source National Archives) and contains an affidavit signed by Thomas Parry 'of Billiter Lane', suggesting that Thomas was tutored to be a merchant under the guidance of his uncle, alongside his cousin Gilbert Ross Jr who inherited his father's business.

Parry appears to have set out to India to expand the business of Ross who had an agent, Thomas Case in Chennai.

On 1 January 1792 he began his own business of shipping which saw growth thanks to Lord Cornwallis and his actions against Tipu.

Parry joined the service of the Nawab Omdat-ul-Omrah at the end of 1796 receiving a salary of 2100 pounds a year.

[11] His connection to the Nawab led to his being dismissed by the Court of Directors at Fort St. George who wrote a letter on 20 May 1800 that he would not be protected anymore and told to return to Britain at the earliest.

[15] He suffered a major loss when a ship, Marquis Wellesley, that he owned shares in caught fire off Calicut.

The Captain of the ship John Grant received a large sum in insurance and apparently made good profits without the knowledge of Parry.

[17] Parry and his family suffered poor health and in 1806 they sailed to England where he contracted smallpox but recovered.

[19] In the same year Parry was caught up with the Carnatic Debts scandal which involved forged bonds issued by the Nawab Wallajah and his son.

[22] In 1822 Parry had a son, Thomas William, by Mary Ann Carr who died young.