Mary West & Thomas Parry

Mary was born in Madras in 1765. She first married Thomas Pearce in 1788 and following his death married Thomas Parry in 1794. Parry's life has been chronicled in the book 'Thomas Parry, Free Merchant of Madras' by G H Hodgson. From this book we know that Thomas and Mary had 2 children - Eliza and John. But Mary was never strong health-wise and before the end of 1797 was in the doctor's hands 'afflicted with a train of nervous symptoms'. John also suffered health problems and in 1805 his grandmother Ann West was proceeding home to England so it was decided to send John with her. Thomas Parry arranged a fixed allowance to be paid to Mrs West for John's upkeep. Somewhat ironically, John contracted smallpox on his arival in London but then made a complete recovery.

In 1806 Eliza contracted malaria and as she recovered Mary became seriously ill. It was decided that Mary and Eliza would also leave for England and they both left India aboard the Dover Castle in October 1807. Thomas never saw his wife and children again.

Thomas died in Madras from cholera in 1823 and was pre-deceased by his 2 children. He left ample provision in his will for Mary, who died in Hounslow in 1842.

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