The best round-up of Parker I've managed to come across can be found in Hilda Gamlin's 'Nelson's Friendships' where he has virtually a whole chapter to himself.
Gamlin put together an excellent collection of letters and snippets, in which the signatures are scrutinised and even crossings out are put under the microscope in the most meticulous fashion.
Her work is very impressive were it not spoiled by the rationale for the whole chapter as she puts Parker's disgrace and abandonment down to the following:
That Parker is the Mr. Thom(p)son of Nelson's famous mystifying letters, and was the father of Horatia (a youthful indiscretion on service in the Mediterranean,) and that this, therefore, exonerates both Nelson and Emma from being the child's parents.
It's a shame that such a useful collection of information is compromised by Gamlin's determined attempt to turn cartwheels, do handstands, and move heaven and earth to prove that Nelson and Emma's relationship was based purely on platonic friendship. But it's a good chapter to read for anyone looking for background on E T Parker.
The references to Parker being in some kind of disgrace are covered too. Gamlin states that Nelson's patronage of Parker dates back to the period prior to the Nile when Sir John Orde was making waves with St. Vincent over Nelson's appointment to command the squadron that eventually found glory at the Nile. Gamlin doesn't elaborate, but the intimation is that Parker's problems dated from this time.
She relates that Parker was serving on the Foudroyant in September 1799, sent from Palermo by Nelson around the 8th to take the King of Sardinia to Leghorn before carrying dispatches to Vienna and returning to England around the 1st October. He was certainly back in England by the 21st October when Lady Nelson reports that she has seen him and is very taken with him. It's at this point on November 3rd that Parker refers to some form of professional issue when he writes to Nelson:
Quote:
"To you, my Lord, I am indebted for the opportunity I had of clearing my Professional Character from the Calumny I laboured under. An opportunity I must, and ever shall look back to, with the utmost satisfaction, not only of convincing the (?) my Behaviour must have merited your approbation, but that your strong and flattering Recommendations in consequence, have procured me Promotion to a Rank which will stimulate my every Effort to justify your Lordship's Partiality towards me..." (I have no idea what the question mark refers to.)
The Admiral Thornborough connection mentioned appears to be a good one. Looking around the IGI, Mary and Edward (the Admiral) Thornbrough (no 'o' in borough) were siblings and appear to have connections to Stoke Demerel in Devonshire where Admiral Thornbrough (son of Edward and Mary Thornbrough) was christened in 1754. He died at his seat Bishopsteignton Lodge in Teignmouth, Devon, in 1834. He also seems to have had property holdings in Gloucester.
In Gloucester in 1777, Mary Thornbrough (daughter of Edward and Mary Thornbrough, and christened at St. Mary Le Bone in 1750) married Thomas Parker.
Edward Thornbrough Parker (Nelson's 'Little Parker'?) son of Thomas and Mary Parker, was christened in Gloucester on January 14th, 1780.
The existence of an aunt is apparent from this snippet found online from the Monthly Register:
Quote:
"Wind E. N. E. Fair, very Sultry. Letters received from the gallant Captain E. T. Parker, dated Deal, to his aunt, Mrs. Thornborough. are written in high spirits, he was wounded in the thigh only, and has not lost an arm, as was reported, he says he is in a fair way, and is happy he has a fin left to wield a sword against the enemies of Old England."
We can also find a Elizabeth Thornbrough (sister to Little Parker's mother Mary) born to Edward and Mary Thornbrough and christened in Stoke Demerel in 1757.
That makes at least three possible siblings: Edward the Admiral, Mary and Elizabeth, plus Mrs. Thornbrough the aunt (by marriage?) mentioned in ETP's letter.
Incidentally, there is also a reference in the Annual Biography and Obituary in 1835 to Admiral Thornbrough's antecedents, stating that he had died at his seat Bishopsteignton Lodge, Devonshire, and that nothing was known of his early years. The Annual B&O releates a naval story which says he 'Betook himself to sea when a boy, on his own leave,' so perhaps the Thornbrough's didn't come from influential or moneyed stock.
This is certainly not 100% proof positive of ETP's origins, considering there's hardly a whiff of named family connections to be found in letters or subsequent writings, but may be a good place to begin.
I'm also sure I recall some reference (possibly by Nelson) to ETP's father returning to Northumberland after his son's death in 1801, but can't for the life of me recall where this was from. Hopefully others may know more and be able to provide additional pointers to ETP's background.