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Historical and Genealogical Notes

William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 1.
(Jul., 1897), pp. 57-70.

 

LUDWELL-PARADISE. - The inside of the cover of an old account book in
vellum has the following: "I, Lucy Ludwell Paradise, youngest daughter of
Honourable Philip Ludwell, of Greenspring, and wife of John Paradise,
Esqr., who married me, in London, May the 14th, 1769, aged sixteen years
old, and the said John Paradise, husband to the said Lucy, died in the
year 1795, and I, Lucy Ludwell Paradise, returned to my native country,
Virginia, in the year 1805. September the 4th, 1805." The will of "John
Paradise, of Fitchfield street, Cavendish Square, in the county of Middle-
sex, Eng.," was proved at London, the 30th or April, 1796, and from a
copy extracted from the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury he
names as legatees: "to Doctor Warren 200L for his attendance as a
physician since his return from America; to Sir George Baker, Baronet, full
fees for attendance during Dr. Warren's absence; to son-in-law, Count
Barziza, and unto my dau. his wife, 50L each for a ring; to Lord Hawke
10 guineas for a ring; to Dr. Edward Bancroft 300 pds. over and above what
may be due him; to Rev. Mr. Smarnove, Chaplain to the Legation of her
Imperial Majesty of all the Russias, 100L; 16 pds to each of 16 persons
named, among whom are mentioned Right Rev. Dr. Chaver, Bishop of Chester,
his Excellency County Worvonzaw, Right Rev. Dr. Horsley, Bishop of
Rochester, the Right Honorable William Windham, the Right Honorable
Frederick North, Isaac Hawkins Browne, Esq., Richard Warburton Lytton,
Esq., Bennett Langton, Esq., the Honorable Thomas Jefferson of Monticello,
and Col. Nathaniel Burwell, of Carter's Road [Grove], James River, both
in Virginia; to servant Thomas Smookum all wearing apparrel and an
annuity of 10L. Residue of personal estate to wife, Lucy. Lorde Hawke
and Dr. Edward Bancroft, ex'ors."
John Paradise was one of the Literary Club. mentioned by Boswell in his
Life of Johnson. In 1753 his father, Peter Paradise, was British Consul
at Thessalonica. He left two daughters: Portia, and Lucy, who married
Count Philip J. Barziza, of Venice, whose son of the same name settled in
Williamsburg about 1816, and who married Cecelia Belette, and had ten
children. The last was named Decimus Ultimus. One of the daughters, Miss
Philippa Ludwell Barziza, is living in Houston, Texas. John Paradise
owned several houses in Williamsburg, and his widow lived at "Rich Neck,"
near the city.
When Mrs. Paradise returned to Virginia, after the death of her husband,
she brought among other household treasures her dining-

Page 59.

table, around which the Literary Club had so often been entertained, or
met. At the sale of her personal effects after her death this table was
bought by Dr. Alexander D. Galt, of Williamsburg, on account of these
associations, and is now the property of Miss Mary J. Galt. The same
family also own a handsome wardrobe and satin-wood bureau that belonged
to Mrs. Paradise. For further information see "Barzizas vs. Hopkins and
Hodgson," - Randolph's Reports. Vol. II., 276.