Parker, Thomas
? - 1829

Methodist layman associated with Thomas Coke's first missionary appeal. His early years are obscure. He first came into connection with the Methodist societies some time before 1778. Abandoning commerce to study law, he settled in Durham c.1780 as a barrister, specializing in conveyancing and by 1783 was at York. Moving to Beverley c. 1785, he practised in Hull and was a member of the Council of the Hull Dock Company.

As a local preacher he is said to have been 'popular and successful'. In late 1783 he lent his support to Coke's abortive appeal 'To all the real lovers of mankind' for a mission to the heathen nations. In 1790 he moved to Red Lion Square, London, where he was attracted to the Swedenborgians and left the Methodists. Later he was in Glasgow and Edinburgh, where he died in 1829.

He wrote a book on the British in India (c.1780) and a two volume Commentary on the Scriptures (York, c.1784).

Sources
  • WM Magazine, 1830 pp.577-80
  • Geoffrey E. Milburn in WHS Proceedings, 44 p.82