Thomas Tonkin facts for kids
Thomas Tonkin (1678–1742) was an important landowner and historian from Cornwall, England. He spent much of his life studying the history and people of Cornwall, leaving behind many valuable writings.
Early Life and Education
Thomas Tonkin was born in a place called Trevaunance, near St Agnes, Cornwall. He was baptized on September 26, 1678. His father, Hugh Tonkin (1652–1711), was a significant figure in Cornwall. He served as the vice-warden of the Stannaries in 1701, which meant he helped manage the tin mines and their laws. He was also the High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1702, a very important local official. Thomas's mother was Frances Vincent (1662–1691).
Thomas went to Queen's College, Oxford, starting in 1693. After that, he studied law at Lincoln's Inn in London from 1694. While at Oxford, he became friends with other scholars like Edmund Gibson, who later became a bishop, and Edward Lhuyd, a famous Welsh naturalist. He was also friends with Bishop Thomas Tanner, another historian.
Life as a Landowner
After his studies, Thomas Tonkin returned to Cornwall and lived on his family's estate. From around 1700, he spent his time researching the history and family trees of Cornwall. He also became very good at learning the Welsh and Cornish languages.
Thomas faced some money problems while trying to improve his land. In 1706, he tried to get permission from the Queen to hold a weekly market and two fairs in St. Agnes. However, people from the nearby town of Truro disagreed, and the permission was taken away.
He also spent a lot of money, about £6,000, trying to build a quay (a kind of dock) at Trevaunance-porth. This project had been ongoing in his family since 1632. Sadly, by 1730, the pier was completely destroyed because it wasn't kept in good repair.
Thomas Tonkin married Elizabeth Kempe. Through his wife's family, he had many connections in the area. This helped him become a Member of Parliament for the town of Helston. He served in Parliament from April 1714 until January 1715. His close friend and fellow Member of Parliament was Alexander Pendarves. They were both known as strong supporters of the Tory party in Cornwall.
Later in his life, Thomas lived at Polgorran, in the parish of Gorran. He passed away there and was buried in Gorran on January 4, 1742. His wife had died a few years earlier in 1739. They had several children, but the family's male line ended when their third son, also named Thomas Tonkin, died.
Historical Works and Writings
Thomas Tonkin was a dedicated historian. In 1737, he announced plans to print a large history of Cornwall in three volumes, but it was never published. He also prepared a collection of Cornish writings and a Cornish dictionary, dedicating it to William Gwavas, who helped him a lot.
After Thomas Tonkin died, his valuable handwritten notes and manuscripts were passed on. In 1761, Dr. Borlase borrowed them. Later, they became the property of Lord de Dunstanville. Lord de Dunstanville allowed another historian, Davies Gilbert, to use Tonkin's notes in his own history of Cornwall, which was published in 1838.
In 1811, Lord de Dunstanville also published a new edition of Richard Carew's Survey of Cornwall. This edition included many notes from Thomas Tonkin, which helped explain the history and old traditions of the county. Tonkin's journal from a meeting of tin mine officials in 1710 was also added to this book.
Two volumes of Tonkin's "Alphabetical Account of all the Parishes in Cornwall" are now kept at the Royal Institution of Cornwall in Truro. Many of his other writings and letters can be found in different collections, including the British Museum. Thomas Tonkin also helped other historians, like Browne Willis, with their work. He was considered a very knowledgeable historian of his time.
