Life

The son of Thomas Gilbert, was born in the parish of Kenwyn

Kenwyn

Kenwyn is a settlement and civil parish in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The settlement is a suburb of the city of Truro and is situated half-a-mile north of the city centre. It gives its name to one of three rivers that flow through the city....

, near Truro

Truro

Truro is a city and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The city is the centre for administration, leisure and retail in Cornwall, with a population recorded in the 2001 census of 17,431. Truro urban statistical area, which includes parts of surrounding parishes, has a 2001 census...

, in 1760. In conjunction with a Mr. Powell he became an itinerant vendor of medicines in Cornwall and Devon

Devon

Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...

. On Powell's retirement Gilbert continued the business alone, but afterwards took in a Mr. Parrot. Later on he had establishments at 29 Market Street, Plymouth

Plymouth

Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...

, and at Fore Street, Devonport

Devonport

Devonport may mean:* Devonport, Devon, part of Plymouth, UK** HMNB Devonport, naval base/dockyard** Plymouth Devonport , parliamentary constituency formerly known as Devonport* Devonport, New Zealand, a suburb of Auckland...

, with a staff of six travellers.

During the progress of his Survey Gilbert had money troubles, and on 29 October 1825 he was gazetted a bankrupt. In the following year he moved to London, where, taking Gilbert Morrish into partnership, he opened a chemist's shop at 27 Newcastle Street, The Strand. Here he was interviewed by the Rev. John Wallis; and he died at the same address 30 May 1831. He was buried in the churchyard of the Savoy Hospital, where a head-stone was erected to his memory.

Works

About 1810 Gilbert was led to believe that he might claim descent from the Gilberts of Compton Castle

Compton Castle

Compton Castle is a fortified manor house in the village of Compton, about west of Torquay, Devon, England . The castle has been home to the Gilbert family for most of the time since it was built...

, Devon

Devon

Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...

. Antiquarian studies saw him undertake a general history of Cornwall. In his journeys through Cornwall he took notes, and also had his travelers collect information. After 1812 he was accompanied in several excursions by the artist Henry Perlee Parker

Henry Perlee Parker

Henry Perlee Parker was an English artist, known as a history painter.-Life:The son of Robert Parker, of Plymouth Dock, a teacher of marine and mechanical drawing, was born at Devonport on 15 March 1795...

. The first volume appeared in 1817 of An Historical Survey of the County of Cornwall, to which is added a Complete Heraldry of the same, with numerous Woodcuts, 592 pages. The second volume came out in 1820, 962 pages. Although Gilbert was patronized by successive dukes of Northumberland, and obtained a number of subscribers, the work cost double his estimate.