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The Gentleman's Magazine, Volume 83: 358 [April 1798]
"4. At Rickmansworth, in his 75th year, John Parsons, esq. only son of the late Humphry P. esq. of Reigate, twice lord mayor of London, and brother to the lady of the late Sir John Cotton, of Madingley, bart. He married Domitilla, sister of Barberini the dancer, who died about two years ago."
It is a sad comment on a man's life when the obituary mentions only the accomplishments and social positions of his family members.
Lady Parsons, on the other hand, inspired Jonathan Swift to write a poem that included these lines:
"Wheler, Sir George,* in travels wise,
Gives us a medal of Plantilla;
But O, the Empress has not eyes,
Nor lips, nor breast, like Domitilla." — Swift's Works, vol. xviii.
*Alluding to "Journey into Greece" by George Wheler, Esq. 1682
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#1 of 2 posted
18 SEP 17 by
 jedmar
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I have added some more info to this page. Parson's only claim to fame seems to be that the 'Pale China' first bloomed in his garden. Probably Sir George Staunton has more rights to be called Discoverer, than John Parsons.
Actually I haven't seen any mention of the name 'Parsons Pink China' before World War II. Was it again Hurst who created this mythical name?
By the way, Parsons was 62 years old when he married Domitilla Campanini (not Camperini). Her sister Barbara Campanini "La Barberina" seems to have been quite a number. You will find a more detailed story of her life and pictures in the German version of Wikipedia:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara Campanini
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#2 of 2 posted
19 SEP 17 by
CybeRose
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Jedmar,
Thank you for the information. I thought that Domitilla was her first name. Now I find that she was Miriamne Domitilla (née Campanini). So, she was Lady Miriamne Parsons, though still referred to as DOMITILLA on her crypt.
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