Sir Robert Parkhurst, Lord Mayor of London

Biography

Sir Robert Parkhurst (c. 1569 – 1636) was an English merchant who was Lord Mayor of London.

Parkhurst was the son of Henry Parkhurst and his wife Alice Hill. He was a member of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers and became an Alderman of the City of London. In 1628, he acquired estates at Pyrford. In 1625 he served as Sheriff of London and in 1635 he became Lord Mayor of London.

Parkhurst died in 1636 and was buried at Holy Trinity Church, Guildford on 27 October 1636 where there is a large monument to his memory.

Parkhurst married Eleanor Babington, daughter of William Babington. His son Robert was MP for Guildford.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Parkhurst_(Lord_Mayor)

Monument

Holy Trinity, Guildford

On the north side of the porch under the tower is another large monument to Sir Robert Parkhurst, a Guildford man, sometime Lord Mayor of London, who died in 1637, and to Lady Parkhurst his wife, who died two years later, and to the wife of his son who put up the monument. The third figure is now missing. The front of the base is divided into three panels, the centre one containing an inscription recording the erection of the monument by his son, Sir Robert Parkhurst, who died in 1651, and its decoration by Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Sir Robert, in 1681. The other two panels contain brass shields which clearly do not belong to it. On the top of the base is the reclining figure of a man in plate armour, over which he wears a cloak and ruff and his chain of office. Near his feet is the headless figure of a kneeling woman. The back of the tomb is flanked by classic columns and contains the original inscription, 1636–8. Above it is a stone shield with mantled helm and crest. The arms are almost defaced. This tomb stood in the north side of the chancel of the old church, and after the ruin was piled with other fragments under the western gallery.

Source: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/surrey/vol3/pp560-570

Sources

1. "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V5LR-1PK : 11 February 2018, Rob Parkhurst, 20 Feb 1570); citing HOLY TRINITY,GUILDFORD,SURREY,ENGLAND, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 942.21 G1 D29 V. 1-3.
2. England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, (www.ancestry.com), Will of Sir Robert Parkhurst, Alderman of London, dated 28 June 1636, proved 22 February 1636/37, citing Reference PROB 11/173/372, The National Archives, Kew Abstract attached to profile.