Parkyns, Thomas, Sir, 2nd Baronet (1662 -1741)

Sir Thomas Parkyns of Bunny Park in Nottinghamshire, was baptised 10 November 1662, the second, but eldest surviving son of Sir Thomas Parkyns, 1st Baronet, and Anne, daughter and heir of Thomas Cressey. He was educated at Westminster School, Trinity College, Cambridge which he entered as a Fellow Commoner in 1680, and Gray's Inn, to which he was admitted 18 May 1682. He succeeded to the baronetcy in 1684, and immediately set about improving his estate. A Justice of the Peace, a great authority on wrestling, he was the author of Progymnasmata. The inn play, or Cornish hugg wrestler. 3rd ed. London, 1727, and a philanthropist, he married, firstly, Elizabeth, only daughter of John Sampson of Breason in Derbyshire and granddaughter and heir of John Sampson of Hewby in Yorkshire. She died in September 1727, and he married, secondly, 7 February 1728, Jane, daughter of Alderman George Barrat of York. He died 29 March 1741.