Elizabeth Parish.

About Elizabeth Parish

Elizabeth Parish was a Swiss-born English governess and lady's companion. She was the daughter of Swiss-born reformed pastor Andreas Planta who became assistant librarian at the British Museum in 1758, and the sister of Joseph Planta, who became principal librarian. She worked for the Bowes-Lyon family in several roles: first, she was governess to Mary Eleanor Bowes, then she became lady's companion to her mother, Mary Bowes née Gilbert. She was the governess of Mary Eleanor Bowes's children until she was dismissed from service in 1776, receiving a generous payoff of £2,000. In 1777, she married John Parish, Superintendent of Ordnance and a member of the Society of Antiquaries. From 1785, she worked for the Bowes-Lyon family again, as governess for Mary Eleanor's daughter Anna Maria Bowes, who escaped her custody and eloped in 1788. Parish moved to Gibraltar with her husband in 1791, returning to England after his death. She died in Petersham in 1823. Two volumes of music in her hand are archived at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, one containing among other vocal works 18 compositions of Maurice Greene, and another one with music from operas.