This file also includes some records outside Charles City County that apply, or might apply, to the Bishops residing there.  A few records are repeated in the Surry County records file.

Charles City was one of the Virginia Company’s original four corporations, was established as one of Virginia’s eight “shires” in 1634 and was designated as Charles City County in 1643.   County commissioners were appointed to hold court, settle civil suits and try most crimes.  They were replaced in 1661 by justices of the peace.

In 1703 the part south of the James River was cut off as Prince George County — the northeastern border south of the James remained as Upper Chippoakes Creek.    In 1720 the part of James City County west of the Chickahominy River was added to Charles City County.

Note on Charles City and Prince George Records

In its 76 years of existence as a county in the seventeenth century, only about 20 years of records still exist for Charles City County.   Almost no records of genealogical value survive for its prior existence as a corporation and shire.  These large gaps make accurate genealogy challenging if not impossible, and force us into conclusions that are necessarily tentative.   Prince George County’s early records are similarly incomplete..    .

• The records below are from original sources except where explicitly noted.
• Those segments enclosed in quotation marks are my own direct transcriptions of the original documents.
• Some records are abstracted in order to save space.
• All dates are converted to the modern calendar

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February 1624/5
Muster of 1,218 inhabitants of the four corporations in Virginia – No one named Bishop.

The two (or more) John Bishops arrived after February 1624/5

6 July 1635
List of 113 passengers in the ship Paule “bound to Virginia” from Gravesend included “Jo: Bishopp (age) 23″. [John Camden Hotten, The Orignal Lists of Persons of Quality (1874), p107.]

Numerous online genealogies claim that this is the same person as “Captain John Bishop” who was in Charles City County by 1643.  That is speculative, because we know that there was a different John Bishop nearby in Surry County, Virginia by 1635.  Furthermore, the loss of most early records means that the names of many immigrants to Virginia do not appear in any passenger records, so there may have been other men named John Bishop in the colony.  The passenger lists in Hotten are for the single year of 1635, other years being lost..  

Note also that we have no evidence that “Captain John Bishop” was in Virginia before 1643.  His headright claim to have imported himself and his children implies that he immigrated as head of a family rather than as a single man.    

31 May 1636
Land Patent: Cheney Boyce, 1,550 acres in Charles City County… West upon Merchants Hope Creek… importation of 29 persons including Oliver Bishopp [Virginia Patent Book !, p352.]

There is no other record of an Oliver Bishop.  This is included because of the location in what is now Prince George County.

18 December 1637
Land Patent:  (Heavily abstracted)  Henry Perry, sonn & heire of Capt. William Perry late deceased, 2,000 acres in Charles City County known by the name of Buckland.  Granted to his father 19 September 1633 and bequeathed to him by his father’s will dated 5 August 1637.  [Virginia Patent Book 1, p510.].

Captain John Bishop, and at least some of his children, lived at Buckland, and were related in some way to Henry Perry.  Captain John Bishop’s sons referred to him as their uncle (see below).  Both Henry Perry and John Bishop were also both related to the wealthy merchant George Menefie, who married Perry’s mother and also lived at Buckland.

1639
Viewers of tobacco crop for 1639 appointed by the Assembly:
For James City County:  …From Smith’s Fort to Grindome’s Hill: Mr. Thomas Swan, John Bishop, WIlliam Mills. [The Virginia Magazine of History & Biography, Volume. 5, No. 2 (Oct. 1897), p120.]

I include this here only for clarity.  This obviously refers to the other John Bishop, residing at Tappahannock (Crouches) Creek, next to Smith’s Fort and Grindall’s Hill, in what became eastern Surry County in 1652.  This other John Bishop had arrived in 1630 according to later testimony, and  settled just east of Gray’s Creek opposite Jamestown.

12 January 1643/4
Will of Capt. Thomas Pawlett (who owned 2000 acres that included Westover in Charles City County)  “…to my god-children Wm. Harris, John Woodson, Tho. Aston, Thomas Fludd, Henry Richley, John Bishop, Tho. Woodward, Tho. Boyse, Tho. Poythers, and William Boyle, one silver spoon and one sow shote apiece for want of shotes the value to be paid out of the estate; to god-children Fra: Epps & Wm. Ferrar a silver spoon & my silver bowl and wine cup, to be divided between them; to Lieut. Bishop, Sergeant Williams, and Ensign Page 20 shillings; to the Church of Westover. 10 acres, to lye forty pole square, now leased to Richard Hamlet, which ten acres are to be laid out for the best conveniency of the church; to my loving friends Mr. George Menefie and Mr. Walter Aston, 20s apiece as a poor token of my remembrance; to Mr. George Menefie my sword and to Mr. Walter Aston my gun…”  [Dr. Lyon G. Tyler, “Title of Westover”, William & Mary College Quarterly, Vol 4, p152, abstracted from Byrd’s “Book of Title Deeds”.]

This is the first certain mention of Captain John Bishop in Virginia — who is Lieutenant John Bishop at this time.  Presumably the god-child John Bishop is his son.  George Menefie, who later calls John Bishop his brother, is also a legatee.

I note also that Thomas Pawlett’s 2,000-acre patent bordered that of Henry Perry, who owned Buckland just to the east..

2 March 1643/4
Att the Grand Assemblie held at James Citty… The names of the Burgesses for the severall plantations… Charles Citty County: Capt. Edw. Hill, Lef’t. Fr. Poyethres, Mr. John Bishop, Mr. John Westropp.  [The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 23., No. 4 (Oct. 1915), p229.]

1 October 1644
At the Grand Assembly at Jamestown, “The names of the Burgesses for the severall Plantations”:.. Charles Citty County: Capt. Edward Hill, Speaker, Mr. Fra. Poythers, Mr. John Bishopp, Mr. John Westropp.  [Hening, Vol. 1, p283.]

George Menefie was a member of the Governor’s Council at this Assembly, and from 1635 to 1646..

16 February 1644/5
At the Grand Assembly, Charles City County Burgesses were Edward Hill, Rice Hoe, Francis Poythres and Edward Prince. [Hening, Vol 1, p289.]

Burgesses were elected by freeeholders for each session of the Assembly.  John Bishop was evidently not elected for this session or for the next several sessions. .He was chosenn again in 1652.

16 October 1645
Land Patent: John Bishopp, 891 acres “lying in the Countie of James Cittie and lying at the head of Mr. David Jones Creeke bounded (vizt) East North East from Mr. Hoes uppermost plantation and 105 chaines to his corner tree thence along the marked trees 80 chaines South South East [etc. etc.] …to the head of the creeke 160 chaines and soe bounded with the creeke to the place where it begann.”  for transportation of 18 persons the last of whom was  “John Bishop his wife“.  “This patent is renewed in the name of Capt. Thomas Swann the 8th of April 1650.” [Virginia Patent Book 1, p915-6.]

I included this patent both here and in the Surry County records page because, while this is probably Captain John Bishop, it is not entirely clear which John Bishop this refers to.  David Jones Creek (now called Kennon’s Creek), empties south into the James River about five miles upriver from Upper Chippoakes Creek and its head is inland a few miles. Other patents in the vicinity (see below) place  Bishop’s tract between the head of David Jones (Kennon’s) Creek and the upper reaches of Moyses (now Morris) Creek in a part of James City County that was not added into Charles City County until 1720.  

Obviously, the Captain John Bishop who represented Charles City County as Burgess could not have lived on this patent in James City County.  Could that be the reason he did not represent Charles City County in the latter 1640s?  If  John Bishop lived on this tract, it was for a very short time.  Thomas Swan renewed this patent in his own name less than five years later on 8 April 1650.  (Renewals were typically efforts to perfect title, perhaps prompted by a sale from Bishop to Swann).  I note that Thomas Swan owned land next to the other John Bishop in Surry County, so it really isn’t clear which  John Bishop this patent belonged to.

20 November 1645
At the Grand Assembly, Charles City County was represented by seven Burgesses, not including John Bishop.  [Hening, Vol. 1,  p299.]

John Bishop was also not a Burgess at the Assemblies of 1646 through 1651.

31 December 1645.  
Will of George Menefie of Buckland in Virginia, Esqr…. to my daughter Elizabeth Menefie all the severall parcells of land belonging to me at Westover, James Citty and Yorke River.  To my brother John Bishopp all that some of money for which he standeth engaged to me and one third part of the cropp of tobacco made the last summer on my plantation at Buckland. All my stocke of sheepe that I have at Buckland to be a joint stoake between my daughter Elizabeth and my son in law Henry Perry… to Mr. Jo. Converse, Chirurgeon, 2000 lbs of Tobacco.
To my brother Roger Brooker (Booker?)  £50, he to assist Humphrey Lister in collecting my debts.
To Jo. White, Merchant, £50, provided he continue one year longer in Virginia and collect my debts as formerly…  Executrix and guardian to my daughter, my wife Mary Menefie. Residuary legatees as to my goods, parts of shipps, servants, negroes, etc. my wife and my daughter Elizabeth Menefie… Witnesses: Howell Prise, Humfrey Lister.  Proved 25 February 1645/6 by Mary Menefie the relict and executrix.  [J. Henry Lea & J. R. Hutchinson, “Clues from English Archives Contributory to American Genealogy”, The New York Historical and Genealogical Register,  Vol. 41 (1910), p74.  Reprinted in English Origins of American Colonists, p37 and later elsewhere..]

How is John Bishop a brother to George Menefie?  Were they sons of the same mother but different fathers?  Or did they marry sisters?  Or did one of them marry the other’s sister?  And who is “brother’ Roger Brooker? — A quick search shows no sign of Roger Brooker in Virginia — was he collecting debts in London or elsewhere? (It is also possible that the abstractir misread the name “Booker”, but I saw no evidence of a Roger Booker in Virginia either.)

George Menefie (c1598-1646) had been a Burgess and member of the Governor’s Council.  He was “of James Town in Virginia” when he deposed in January 1637/8 (while living in St. Hellen’s Parish of London) that he was age 40 [New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. 47 (1916), p76] so he was about 48 when he made his will.  In a 1658 patent, in what was surely a delayed usage of the headright certificate, Thomas Wilkerson claimed among his 120 headrights George Minifie, Mrs. Mary Minifie and Mrs. Elizabeth Minifie. [Virginia Patent Book 4, p222.].  The obvious inference is that George Menefie’s had a wife named Elizabeth prior other Mary.  That is apparently proven by the will of a ship’s captain named Tobias Felgate who fell sick while at Westover and made a will in April 1635 leaving £10 to “Mrs. Elizabeth Menefie living in Virginia.”  Whoever Elizabeth Menefie was, she may have been the mother of the daughter Elizabeth Menefie.  Thus George Menefie must have married Mary sometime after 1635, either in Virginia or England.

Henry Perry’s relationship is uncertain.  Later evidence shows that he married the daughter Elizabeth Menefie after this will was written, but it isn’t clear what the relationship was at the time of the will — whether he was Menefie’s stepson or his son-in-law by a marriage to a deceased daughter of George Menefie.   The term “in law” at this time in history designated any relationship created by a legal event, typically a marriage, so “son in law” was used for both stepsons and well as for husbands of daughters.     

It is widely assumed in print and on the internet that George Menefie had married Isabella, the widow of William Perry and presumed mother of Henry Perry. There is no actual evidence for that assumption, rather it is inferred in order to explain Henry Perry being referred to as Menefie’s son-in-law.  But we know that George Menefie’s wife was Elizabeth in 1635 and Mary in 1645, and that Isabell(a) was not widowed until 1637.  If Menefie did marry Isabell(a) it must have been a very short one between his marriages to Elizabeth and Mary.  It is possible that Henry Perry was a son-in-law by virtue of a marriage to a deceased Menefie daughter.   Mrs. Doris D. Powell, in her book “The Genealogy of Laban Menefie” wrote that Henry Perry had married Mary Menefie, another daughter of George Menefie, but she presented no evidence whatsoever for that conclusion.  Nevertheless such a relationship is a possibility which we cannot refute.   

Another reason why a marriage to Isabella must have been short is that Isabella was not widowed until 1637 and Menefie’s will eight years implies that he had been married to Mary long enough to trust her to be executrix and guardian to Elizabeth.  Some genealogists think, based on the letter of Francis Potts (see below) that Mary Menefie was a daughter (or perhaps widow) of John Potts of Jamestown.

16 February 1645/6
Power of Attorney: “Mary Menefie, late of Buckland”appoints Rowland Burnham to collect debts in York County.  Witness: John Bishopp, Humphry Lister.  [York County, Virginia, Deeds Wills, etc. Book 2, p113.]
Undated, but immediately follows:  Certification that  “George Menefie of Buckland Esqr. deceased did by his last will & testament make ordayne and appoint his wife Mrs. Mary Menefie his executrix and that at a court holden at Westover… the 20th day of February 1645 a pbate of the sd will was granted under the sd Mary Menefie…”. Signed:  John Bishopp, Tho. Stegge, Thomas Drewe [York County, Virginia, Deeds Wills, etc. Book 2, p113.]

Note that the POA predates the proving of George Menefie’s will by ten days, which was apparently the reason a certification was necessary.  Note also that John Bishop signed his name with two “p”s.  .    .

10 August 1646
In a letter from London this date to his nephew John Pott:  Francis Pott refers to “my cousin” Mrs. Mary Menefie. [Northampton County Deeds, Wills Etc. Book 3, p95.]

Mrs. Mary Menefie was the executrix of George Menefie.  Francis Pott had come to Jamestown, probably about the same time as his brother John Pott, who lived adjacent to George Menefie, but had sold out there by 1642 and moved across the bay to Accomack (later Northampton)

9 April 1651
Land Patent: John Bishop, 300 acres “lying upon the South Side of Upper Chipoaks Creeke Commonly called by the Name of Swan Bay, the bounds as followeth: from the Creeke into the woods 320 perches, South East along the Creeke upwards 150 perches, South South West at the head into the woods, South South west (sic). the said Land being due unto the said John Bishopp by and for the Transportation of six persons into the Colony… (listed below the patent)   John Bishopp, Eliza. Bishop, Mary Bishop, 1 negro wench, Ann Ingleton, Jno Bishop Jun’r.  [Virginia Patent Book2, p323.]

This is located in what became Surry County the following year, but it is included in this file because it clearly refers to the John Bishop of Charles City County.  Upper Chippoakes Creek (south of the James) formed the border between what became Surry County to the east and Charles City County (later Prince George) to the west.  Swann’s Bay, which was mentioned in several patents of the period, was the bay formed by the wide mouth of Upper Chippoakes Creek. Exactly where on the creek this tract was located is unknown, as no neighbors are mentioned, but the reference to Swann’s Bay suggests it was somewhere near the mouth of the Creek.  The only other patents in the area (like William Gaping’s patent) are too imprecise in metes and bounds to accurately place.  

This is not the same John BIshop who has been living a dozen or so miles downriver at Crouches Creek, as the later sale of this patent will clarify.  And this is not the same patent that was renewed by John Bishop Jr. in 1658. The names following the patent are arranged in bracketed pairs, the meaning of which is not clear.  Since this is a copy of the now-lost original patent, this arrangement may not be significant.  Note the spellings of Bishop and Bishopp in the same document.

26 April 1652
At the General Assembly, Burgesses for Charles Citty County: Coll. Edward Hill, Capt. John Bishopp. [Hening, Vol. 1, p369.]

As a consequence of the English Civil War, the role of burgesses changed at this time.  Virginia’s surrender to Cromwell’s government  in March 1652 meant that the burgesses, who were elected officers, now effectively controlled the Virginia government.  For example, the house of burgesses effectively appointed the Governor and the members of his council.  Virginia’s status as a royal colony was restored in 1660.

23 July 1652
Claims resulting from the seizure of the ship Golden Lion of Middleburgh, Zealand, Holland by Nathaniel Jesson, master of the ship William and John of London (assisted by two other English ships), while at anchor at Pagan Creek in James River.  Sever shippers and their factors testified as to loss of cargo in the seizure: John Browne (51 hogsheads of tobacco), Giles Webbb (50 hogsheads), Nicholas Smith (31 hogsheads),  John Bishop (17 hogsheads), and several others. In July 1652 Thomas Mason, late of Virginia, but now living on Tower Hill , London, a merchant, aged 52, gave evidence on behalf of Hart, Bishop, and Smith.  [Virginia Colonial Records Project, High Court of Admiralty, Instance and Prize Courts, Survey Report #04016, p1-2. See also SR #5863, SR $3604 and SR #07594. Also Coldham, English Adventurers and Emigrants 1609-1660, p133-137.]

This is a different John Bishop, as explained below.  There is much more material about this incident that I intend to cover in a separate webpage.

24 July 1652
A more complete explanation of Thomas Mason’s evidence on behalf of John Bishop:  “Thomas Mason late of Virginia, but now living upon Tower Hill, London, merchant, aged 52, deposes 24 July 1652 that Samuel Hart has lived in Virginia these twelve months past, is a citizen of London… John Bishop has lived in Virginia these 22 years past, but on the reduction of that province he removed from thence to Providence, with his wife and family, his said wife being this deponents daughter“. [“Genealogical Notes from the High Court of Admiralty Examinations”, The New York Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 47 (1916), p113.  Reprinted with a different abstract in Coldham’s English Origins of American Colonists, p174.].

This is the other John Bishop of Surry County, not Captain John Bishop of Charles City County.

The “reduction” of Virginia and the seizure of the Golden Lion are related.  Governor Berkeley and the Council had remained loyal to the King during the English Civil War. Cromwell’s Parliament on 3 October 1650 made it illegal for Royalist colonies like Virginia to trade with foreigners and the Navigation Act of 1651 restricted trade to English ships with English crews.  A few months after the capture of the Golden Lion, Virginia surrendered in March 1652, ceasing its existence as a Royal colony under the terms of the Treaty of Jamestown.  (It was restored in 1660.).  A somewhat different abstract of Mason’s testimony portrays John Bishop as a Parliament man, who would have left Virginia had the colony not been reduced.

The “Golden Lion” was not only a Dutch ship with a Dutch crew, but was bound for Amsterdam.  Captain Jesson seized it for violating the October 1650 act.  The “Golden Lion” was condemned as a prize by the Admiralty court and turned over to the navy for potential conversion to a man of war. (Survey Report #07594).  The ship was seized while at anchor off Pagan Creek in Isle of Wight County. (SR #05863.)

There are several online entries claiming that “Captain John Bishop” was a part owner of the “Golden Lyon”, which is either a misunderstanding of this incident or a different ship altogether.  There were several ships named “Golden Lyon” mentioned in Admiralty records in the 1620s, before Bishop was in Virginia, and after 1666 when he was dead.

6 October 1652
Land Patent: Barth. Knipe, 415 acres in James City County on the north side of the James River and south side of a run of Moses Creek… “from the run into the woods along by Moses his markt trees to the aforesaid marked trees southwest by west 160 poles from Moses corner tree southwest 60 poles to Mr. Bishop’s markt trees thence north and by west 200 poles along Mr. Bishop’s markt trees…  Renewed by Christopher Knipe 16 May 1655 using the same survey language (except now called Moyses Creek) [Virginia Patent Book 3, p144.].

This refers to “Moyses” Creek, named for Theodore Moyses who patented 2,000 acres on the Chickahominy River in James City County in 1637.  It is now called Morris Creek, and flows mostly eastward to empty into the Chickahominy River about four miles north of the James River.  The land was in James City County but fell into Charles Ciry County in 1720 when the boundary changed.  This patent references an older survey that predates the renewal of Bishop’s patent by Thomas Swan two years earlier. as this refers to the 1645 John Bishop patent on David Jones Creek.  The upper part of David Jones (now Kennons) Creek runs within a mile or two of the upper part of Morris Creek.  

5 July 1653
Oath taken by the Burgesses “for the severall Plantations” at the Grand Assembly:
Charles Citty County: Capt. John Bushopp, Mr. Anthony Wyatt.  [Hening, Vol. 1, p379.]

This is his last appearance as a Burgess.

20 November 1654
At the Assembly, “The names of the Burgesses for each respective Countie”:
Charles Citty County:  Coll. Edward Hill, Speaker, Capt. Henry Perry, Major Abra. Wood, Mr. Stephen Hamlin.  [Hening, Vol. 1, p386.]

9 July 1754
“Roll of the officers and soldiers who engaged in the service of this Colony before the Battle of the Meadows in 1754 according to returns made at WIlls Creek July 9, 1754… ” Recorded in Col. (George) Washington’s own hand… “John Bishop (Company) M”  [The Magazine of Virginia History and Biography, Volume. 15, No. 3 (June 1909), pp278.]

It isn’t clear which John Bishop this is.

3 January 1655/6
Land Patent: John Coale, 750 acres in  James City County on the north side of the James River and south side of Moses run, beginning at Mr. Knipes corner by the run side…   west to John  Clacies (?) line 46 chains & thence along his line to the Bishop’s lower corner, south by east 51 chains along the Bishop’s marked trees, west by south 103 chains to the head of Jones his run and thence to Colo. Molsworth corner tree on Moses his run….  [Virginia Patent Book 4, p8.]

This clarifies that John Bishop’s 1645 patent was between the upper reaches of what are now called Kennon’s Creek and Moyses Creek north of the James.  As mentioned before, this was in James City County until 1720 when the part of James City County west of the Chickahominy was added to Charles City County.  Again this is an old survey, as Bishop’s patent is now owned by Thomas Swann.

Whether this was the same John Bishop who was living in Charles City County or not isn’t clear.  The complete destruction of James City County records is annoying.

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Following items are from the surviving “Order Book 1655-1665” of records spanning the period June 1655 to February 1665/6.

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4 June 1655
At a court held at Westover:  Ca. John Bishopp one of the commissioners. [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p1.]

At this time, commissioners administered most affairs of the county and presided over disputes of small value.  John Bishop was present at most, but not all, meetings of the county commissioners. His specific dates of attendance are omitted below.  Commissioners were later replaced by  justices of the peace.

There are no patents to John Bishop in Charles City County, so he must have purchased or renteed land there.  The only patents that night have been his were in James City County.  

4 June 1655
At a vestry held at Westover:for that parish:  Ca. Jo. Bishopp, Henry Perry, Rice How, Edward Hill among the ten vestrymen. [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p7.]

All four men lived north of the James River. Only Thomas Drew and David Peebles of the ten vestrymen lived south of the James.   

27 September 1655
Att a meeting at Westover:  apparently a meeting of the county commissioners, including “Ca. Jo. Bishopp” they ordered the sheriff to take the accounts and invoices of all goods landed and to be landed in the markets of the county and deliver to Captain John Bishop for Westover market. [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p16.]

Six months before this meeting the colony had ordered county commissioners to establish market locations in each county for the convenience and regulation of tobacco trade between local growers and the purchasing agents.  John Bishop is clearly living north of the James.

17 December 1655
At a court held at Westover: Commission of administration granted to Capt. John Bishop on the estate of Wm. Hienders dec’d.   [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p28.]

No clue who this was. This appears to be the only mention of a William Hienders or Henders.

4 February 1655/6
At a court held at Westover:  Ca. John Bishop was not among the commissioners attending this court.

3 March 1655/6
At a court held at Westover:  John Bishop was not among the commissioners attending this court.

Was he already dead, or ill or just indisposed?  He was alive in mid-December but dead before 3 April.

3 April 1656
At a court held at Westover:  …”It is ordered that Capt. Henry Perry esqr. & Capt. David Peibils pay unto Wm. Burford under sherr. 683 lb of tobbo out of ye estate of Capt. John Bishop decd.”  [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p45.]

John Bishop is dead.  The later reference to his will suggests that he named one or more executors in it.

21 April 1656
At a court held at Westover:  “It is ordered that the ex’or or adm’er of Capt. Jo. Bishop dec’d shall pay to to Tho. Northway or Erasmus Miller____ or either of them or _____. ____ 646 merchantable tobbo & cask ..”  [some words uncertain].    “it is ordered that the ex’or or adm’er of Capt. Jo. Bishopp dec’d pay to Gilbert Platt for ye estate of Reignald Evans dec’d 426 lb tobbo.. [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p51.]

John Bishop was alive on 17 December but dead four months later. He may have died earlier — if he was still a commissioner he did not attend court sessions in February and March.  It appears that he died sometime in early 1656.

1 September 1656
At a court held at Westover:  Ordered that 300 lb tobbo & Caske be pd to Richd. Rawlins out of ye estate of Capt. John Bishopp by ye exer.   [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p62.]

It isn’t clear to me from the handwritten abbreviation whether “executor” or “executrix” was intended.  

1 September 1656
Same court:  “A probate is graunted to Capt.Henry Perry esqr. & Capt. David Peibils of ye last will & testament of Mrs. Elizabeth Bishopp dec’d this day proven in cort.”   [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p65.]

A married women could not make a will, so Mrs. Bishop must have made her will within a few months of her husband’s death.  Unfortunately, the will was not preserved.

3 October 1656
At a court held at Westover:  “It is ordered that 800 lb tobbo & cask be pd to James Crews out of ye estate of Capt. John Bishopp decd by the ex’er in full of all claimes..”   [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p68.]

3 October 1656
Same Court   Mr. Thomas Drew, Capt Richd. Tye, Capt. Thos. Steggs amd Mr. Theod. Bland  are appointed &  requested to divide the estate of Capt. John Bishopp decd. according to ye will amongs ye children.
Capt. John Bisshopps(sic) estate is cred (pr?) ye inventory 15,075 lb tob & Cask. [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p62.]

Note “children” plural and the absence of mention of a widow (who presumably was the deceased Elizabeth Bishop.)

3 October 1656
Same Court:  Ordered that 200 lb tobbo. appearing due to Nich. Perry from ye estate of Capt.  John Bishop dec’d be satisfied…  [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p66.]

December 1656
Charles City County courts were ordered to be held south of the river for the first time.  [W. W. Hening, The Statutes at Large of Virginia, Vol. 1, p426.].   About a year later, on 30 March 1657/8, it was ordered that courts be held on both sides of the river “by turns” and that courthouses be erected on both sides of the river. [Hening, Vol. 1, p497.]. Courts south of the river were the held at Merchants Hope, while courts north of the river continued to held at Westover.

3 August 1657
At a court held at Merchants Hope:  “Ordered that Edmond Bishopp according to his desire and consent shall serve with Mrs. Elizab. Peibils until he be seventeen years old.”  [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p106.]

In the prevailing law, children aged 14 and over could bind themselves as apprentices, but according to a later record  Edmund was only about 10.  Perhaps the court respected his wishes as the orphan of a fellow commissioner.

This record — perhaps together with David Peibils co-executorship of the will of Mrs. Elizabeth Bishop and Edmund’s later choice of his brother-in-law Stokes as guardian — been used as evidence that David Peibils’ wife Elizabeth was a daughter of Captain John Bishop.  But this is entirely speculative, and does not meet any reasonable standard of proof.  The “Eliza. Bishop” headright claimed by Captain John Bishop for his 1651 patent was more likely his wife Elizabeth

15 October 1657
Land Patent:  William Gapeinge, 50 acres in Surry County on the southeast side of Upper Chippoakes Creek commonly called Swan Bay, southwesterly  on Capt. Bishopp & northeasterly on Mary Emmett. (Re-newed 15 Mar. 1663 in name of Tho. Clarke as marrying sd. Gapeing’s widow.) [Virginia Patent Book 4, p124.]

Capt. Bishop had been dead more than a year. As was usually typical, the survey used in the description was probably at least a year or two old.  to illustrate the use of old surveys, when Thomas Clarke renewed the patent in 1664 the same description was used, including the reference to Capt. Bishop.

5 August 1658
Will of Capt. Francis Pott: …To my dear friend and my entirely loved wife: Having taken a sudden resolution to go over the Bay about some urgent occasions and having travelled near 38 years to my long home, and knowing nothing to the contrary but that I may arrive there before my return to you again, and at this time I have not so much leisure as to make so formal a will and testament as I could desire. Therefore dear friend you must rest content with this, viz.    …”To my truly ______ kindsman(sic) (Capt.) Henry Perry and his wife my dear friend Mrs. Elizabeth Perry three pounds sterling [illegible line] also take notice that I owe him 80(?) pounds of tobacco and Mrs. Aston his neighbor owes me 500 (lb?) tobacco by order of Westefer Court record ___ this last ___. Item, to my godsons and goddaus such legacies as my estate will bear and as you shall think best ___  ___ those in Accamack having an _____ ______  and to my godson Argoll Yardley and to my godson Bishop on ye other side ye Bay ___ ____ & with my Cozen Capt. Perry and his wife.”  Proved 28 October 1658.  [Northampton County Wills, Deeds, etc. Book 7, 1657-1666, FHL FIlm #007676192, image 20.of 568.]

Image on film is illegible in parts.  Francis Pott, originally of Jamestown but now of Accamack (Northampton),  had apparently traveled to the vicinity of Jamestown (“over the bay” from Northampton) and wrote this letter home to his wife Susanna.  It was treated as a will by the county court when a witness testified that Pott had delivered the document to his wife and told her it was his will.  It speaks of his Cousin Capt. Henry Perry and his new wife the widow of Jeremiah Clements, and seems to suggest that Perry will play some role in the legacy to his godson Bishop.  (Clements wife was named either Elizabeth or Anna.).  “Cousin”  typically meant “nephew” but it might have referred to some other relationship.  This adds to the mystery of how Captain John Bishop, or his wife, was related to Henry Perry and to Francis Pott.  Since Captain John Bishop was dead, the godson must have been one of his children.  There was a Bishop family in Northampton at the time, but no sign of interaction with Pott, and no members living “across the bay”.

Henry Perry’s wife Elizabeth was at this time the widow of Jeremiah Clements, as a deed in Surry County on 17 March 1657/8 confirms.  Clements, who had also been a Burgess, lived on the Surry County side of Chippoakes Creek.  Exactly when he died is unclear, but probably not long before, as the early 1658 deed refers to her as his “heretrix” of Jeremiah Clements.

We know that Henry Perry was married to Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry Menefie, long enough to have two daughters.  Could Elizabeth Menefie have married Clements first and then Perry?

Argoll Yardley, a member of the Virginia Council, was born too early to be a godson and at any rate had been dead for three years, so the godson may refer to a son of his brother Francis Yardley.

23 September 1658
“Rec’d this 23 of September 1658 of Henry Perry ye sum of (8,435) pounds tobbo & cask and is for Mary Stokes daughter of Capt John Bishopp dec’d as also all ye cattle due to her, witness my hand ye day & year above written.”  Sylvanus (his mark) Stokes.  Witness: John White, Thomas Turville.   [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p169.]

1 September 1659
At a court held at Merchants Hope:  “Mr. Anth. Wyatt & Capt. Robert Wynne are hereby requested & intrusted to appraise the perishable estate of the orphans of Capt. David Peibils & Mr. Roger Booker, and ye estate of Edmond Bishopp as shall be presented unto them.” [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p198.]

Edmond Bishop is not dead. The court is asking that his property be separated from that of David Peeble’s children.

3 October 1659
At a court held at Merchants Hope:  William Lambson ordered to pay Capt, Henry Perry esqr. 420 lb tobbo due by bill to Capt John Bishopp with 5 years interest. [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p204.]

Henry Perry is evidently now the sole executor of Captain John Bishop’s estate.

4 February 1662/3
At a court held at Westover:  “According to  request & elecon of Edmond Bishopp (the orphand of Capt. John Bishopp dec’d) being about (sixteen?) years of age, Mr. Sylvanus Stokes is hereby appointed & confirmed guardian of the said Bishopp & his estate untill his fulll age…”   [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p367.]

Beverly Fleet read the age as “sixteen” many years ago, presumably from the original book.  The microfilm version is not easily readable.

3 August 1663
At a court at Westover:  Mr. John Holmwood proves right to 1400 acres for the importation of 28 named persons, including John Bishop…[Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p397.]

This was a headright certificate.  But it appears that the certificate (or at least these particular names)  names) were not used to obtain a patent.  There is no patent after this date to John Holmwood and the names do not appear as headrights in anyone else’s patent, although it is true that many patents do not include the names of the importees.  If this is John Bishop Jr., we should recall that anyone entering Virginia could be claimed as a headright, including those returning from Maryland, England or elsewhere. 

20 August 1663
At an Orphans Court at Westover:   Upon the peticon and request of Wm Bishopp., the Co’rt hath appointed and confirmed John Bishopp to be Guardian of the sd Wm and his estate, and to give a security for his trust therein. [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p403.]

9 February 1663/4
Deed (Abstracted): John Bishoppe and Sarah his wife living in Buckland in Charles Citty County, for a valuable consideracon, sell to George Watkins of Surry County, 300 acres in Surry commonly known as Swann Bay… to meet Watkins at Mr. Wm. Simmons on the 15th September next and then and there to___ see ye bounds of the sd. land layed out… Signed: John Bishoppe, Sarah her mark) Bishoppe.  Witness: Patrick Jackson, Sylvanus Stokes.  Acknowledged by John Bishoppe 3 December 1664 . Acknowledged by Sarah Bishoppe 15 September 1665 (sic!).   [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p520.]

This deed was immediately followed in the Record Book by the superseding deed below.   William Simmons was a neighbor on pper Chippoakes, probably living adjacent to the Bishop patent.   

Buckland is shown on the Fry-Jefferson map of 1775 on the northern bank of the Jamex just east of Westover.  There is no patent to a Bishop in this area.

14 September 1664
Deed: “John Bishop & Sarah his wife liveing at Buckland in Charles Citty County, planter, of ye one part and George Watkins pf Lawns Creek p’ish in ye County of Surry of ye other part… for a valuable consideracon… sell unto ye sd George Watkins… three hundred acres lying & being on the south side of Chippoakes Creeke commonly called by the name (of) Swann bay… [repeats metes and bounds from the 1651 patent] …(formerly?) belonging unto my father  John Bishop” as may better appear by patent dated 9 th of April 1651.   Signed: John Bishoppe, Sarah (her mark) Bishoppe.  Witness: Will. Rookings, Tho, Mudgett, Antoni (his mark) Allen, William (his mark) Ballions.  Acknowledged by John Bishoppe 3 December 1664.  {Not clear when Sarah relinquished her dower rights though a line before John Bishop’s acknowledgement reads “_____  ____.  ____ 7ber ye 15th 1665 by Sarah Bishop ye wife of ye sd Jo. Bishop“.  [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p521.]

Oddly, this deed for land in Surry was not recorded in Surry County.  

22 October 1664
“Octob’r this 22th 1664 Rec’d of Stephen Hamelin for the use of my Brother Willam Bishoppe full satisfacoon & for myselfe for the ohallenge and claymes of our estate being in the hands of our Cosin Henry Perry Esqr promiseing to acknowledge it in Cort the 3d of 10ber next;. Witnes my hand John Bishoppe.”   [next line]. payd 700 lb tob. [next line] Reoognit in Cur 10br 3. 1664. per Johem Bishopp [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p516.]

“Cousin” was used in a much broader sense in the seventeenth century than today, typically used to designate relatives not in the direct line of succession such as aunts or uncles, nephews and nieces, and literal cousins. Whether it could mean such a relative acquired by marriage rather than by blood is uncertain but likely.   In this case Henry Perry might be an uncle or other relative, perhaps related by marriage, of one of the parents of  John and William Bishop.  

Note that Henry Perry had died sometime before July 1664, leaving a widow named Anna.  Henry Perry was “sonn and heire to Capt. William Pery(sic)” when he repatented 2,000 acres at Buckland in 1637 that had been devised by his father’s will.  His father William Perry was at some point married to Isabella Pace, widow of Richard Pace, as her son George Pace, “sonn and heir apparent to Richard Pace decd” claimed 400 acres in 1628 that had been patented by his father and that abutted both his mother Isabella Perry and the land of William Perry.  

3 February 1664/5
At a court at Westover:  “Judgemt is granted to John Bishopp against John Burton for p’sent(?) paymt of (350) pounds of good tobbo & cask found due by bill & costs…” [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p528.]

3 February 1664/5
Same court:  “The difference depending betweene John Bishop plt. & George Midleton deft. is reffered to Mr. Stephen. Hamelin and Capt. Francis Grey… We find the condicions are broke on either sides & that John Bishop pay unto George Midleton 250 pounds of tobbo & one Sow & a pr of shoes & one dayes worke & 3 dozen of wastcoate buttons according to specialty… and this to be the end of all suites betweene them.” [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p530.]

Not clear if the word is “saw” or “sow”.  The nature of the broken contract between the two men is unstated, but we might guess that Bishop hired Middleton for some task that was not completed or not completed to Bishop’s satisfaction.  Three dozen waistcoat buttone – was Midddleton a tailor?  He moved into Surry County a few years later but there is no clue there to his occupation.

3 August 1665
At a court held at Westover:  “It is ordered that Wm, Buckner who maried ye relict of Geo. Hunt dec’d… deliver to Jno Bishopp for the use of William Bishopp, one feather bed (with) furniture… all left at the sd. Buckners house…” and that ye sd. Jno Bishop ___ pay to ye sd Buckner ___  three(?) hundred pounds of tobbo & Caske three(?) yeares accomodcons of the sd. William Bishop by the sd. Geo. Hunt. [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p569.]

What was William Bishop’s relationship to George Hunt?  Was he an apprentice?

21 August 1665
Bill of Sale:   Rice Hooe sells to John Bishopp, for 1200 lbs of tobbaco, “one mare filly that fell this last spring”. Signed. Rioe Hooe(sic).  Witness: Geo: Handcock, William Lawrence. \ [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p590.]

John Bishop witnessed a bill of sale of a horse from Rice Hoe to Sylvanus Stokes on 5 August 1665 [same page, 590.]

15 September 1665
At an Orphans Court at Westover:  The peticon of Robt Evans and Mary Plum’ er humbly sheweth. That whereas Tho: Rands deo’d and his wife since married two husbands and herselfe being now dead the petiooners being Godfather and God-mother to the sd Randa his sonne Clalled Tho : Rands a.re now to make provision for him, wee thought fitt to putt him into the custody of Mr John Bishopp, the age of the ohild now being seaven yeares Wee hunbly referr ourselves to your Worpps serious oonsideracon for what tyme he may have him .A.nd your petiooners as in duty bound shall ever pro.y. [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p586.]

Same Court:  “The Cort hath bound Thomas Rands, orphand of Tho.s Rands decd,  a poore fatherlesse and motherlesse ohild to live and serve w’th  Mr. John Bishopp until he be seventeen years old… sd Bishopp to teach him what he shall be able…” [Charles City County, Virginia Records 1655-1665 (FHL Film #008182557), p587.]

The part of the book is borderline unreadable in microfilm form.t.

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About 48 pages covering an 18-month period from February 1672/3 to October 1673 of an order book were preserved and abstracted by Beverly Fleet.  Just one record refers to a Bishop:

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5 August 1673
Abstract. Cuthbert Williams producing a bill of Jno Lowman of 1350 lb tobo payable to Jno Bishopp and by him tfrd to Wm Clarke late decd. Loweman having pd the bill to Bishopp it is cancelled.  [Beverly Fleet, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Vol. 13, p93 (abstracting p595 of book).]

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The next fragment of an Order Book contains 259 pages covering roughly two and a half years from June 1677 to December 1679.

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4 June 1677
“A non-suit is granted Marmaduke Browne deft, agst. Jno. Bishop pit.”. [Charles City County Order Book 1677-1679, FHL Film #007897749, p174.]

Defendants had to be sued in their county of residence, so this is a different John Bishop than the one who was tithable this year in Surry County. 

7 July 1677
Deed of Gift:   “…I Mary Rose of Wayenoke parish of the county of Charles City in Virginia, widow, being about to alter my condition by marriage, for & in consideration of the love & motherly affection I bear to my children do for myself, execut’s, admin’s give, grant and hereby make out unto my sonne James Laurance of the aforesd parish & county the fully just(?) sume of two thousand pounds of good sound merchantable tobo & caske, to be pd upon demand two months after my decease, And unto Mary Laurance, wife of ye abovesd. James Laurance, one suite of my own wearing cloathes from head to foot, And I do hereby give unto my daughter Sarah Bishop, wife of Jno. Bishop of the aforesd county, all the rest of my wearing cloathes, I also give & grant & by these p’sents do confirm unto the children of John Bishop, being by name as followeth, Henry Bishop one cow, or heifer, Jno. Bishop one cow, or heifer, William Bishop, one cow, or heifer, Elizabeth Bishop, one cow, or heifer. And if it shall please God to take away any of the children then the cow or heifer to be given to the next(?), the aforesd cows or heifers, & wearing cloathes to be deliver’d w’thin two months after my decease; if my sonne James Laurance should dye before me, then I give the aforesd two thousand pounds of tobo & caske to be equally divided amongst John Bishop‘s children. I doe by these p’sents warrant the sd. gifts to my aforesd children and grand children to be quietly possest w’th them w’th out any (loss?) or hindrance from my intended husband Wm. Ludford or any p’son or p’sons ____ whatsoever. In witness whereof I have set my hand & seale this seventh day of July 1677.”  (Signed:) Mary Rose (her “MR” mark). (Witness:) Henry Harmon, Ann (her “A” mark) Lizor. Presented in court by the oath of Henry Harman the 13th of Sept. 1677. [Charles City County Order Book 1677-1679, FHL Film #007897749, p202.]

Mary was married to William Lawrence, then to John Frame, then to Edward Fitzgerald, then to Morris Rose, and then to William Lunford.  Her marriage to William Ludford did not last long, as he was dead sometime before November 1677, perhaps as early as September when this deed was recorded.   Margaret McNeill Ayres, in her abstracts of this Order Book, reported the date as 17 July, but I read it as “seventh”.    

Since a married woman could not make a will, Mary cleverly accomplished the same objective by executing a deed of gift with possession of the property deferred until her death.

This suggests that Sarah Bishop was a Lawrence, but this deed of gift just proves that she and James Lawrence had to same mother, not that they had the same father.  She had most recently been married to Morris Rose, who was alive as late as mid-1673.  Morris Rose was married to a Phobe as of September 1658..

19 November 1677
“Uppon the pet. of John Bishop concerning a deed of gift made by Mary Rose to her grandchildren the children of John Bishop of severall cattle etc.  It is ordered yt Mr. Wm. Duke, Mr. Nich. Wyatt & Mr. Thom. Blayton are desired to take a coppy of the deed of gift aforesd of the records & consider and set aparte the sd cattle etc. & secure the same for the use & to the intent of the sd deed of gift and give an acct. thereto of to the next court, and further ordered that no attachments be served agt. the sd estate of Ludford untill the sd deed of gift be set apart & secured as abovesd.” [Charles City County Order Book 1677-1679, FHL Film #007897749, p242.]

It isn’t clear whether Mary was still alive or not. The purpose of this petition was to prevent Ludford’s creditors, who were suing his estate, from seizing the cattle that belonged to Mary. 

15 April 1678 (entered as 1687)
At a court held at Westover:  “Ordered that Mr. Thos. Blayton & Mr. Nicholas Wyatt do set apart ye estate of ye orphans of (blank space) Lawrence & Jno. Bishop upon ye 25th of this inst. according to an order of this Co’t made in November last and return a report to ye next court.”  [Charles City County Order Book 1677-1679, FHL Film #007897749, p288.]

Is the language of this order just a mistake by the court clerk?  The records below  indicate that John Bishop was very much alive.  

5 August 1678
At a court held at Westover:  “Capt, Arthur Allen bringing his accon of trespass ag’st Jno Bishop for plundered goods, Capt. Robt. Lucy attorney for sd plt. Allen appearing in court together with ye sd Bishop…  upon ye sd Bishop‘s confessing  judgm’t to ye sd Allen for two hundred pounds of tobo & Caske…  ye sd Bishop shall be fully acquitted & discharged from all suits & trespasses of that nature by ye sd Capt. Allen, whereupon ye sd Bishop defend’t confesseth judgm’t to Capt. Lucy, attorney for ye sd, Allen plt for two hundred pounds  of tobo & cask upon whch ye defend’t is fully acquitted & dischrged… [Charles City County Order Book 1677-1679, FHL Film #007897749, p312.]

Was John Bishop a participant in Bacon’s Rebellion?  Arthur Allen’s magnificent home between Lower Chippoakes and Lawnes Creeks in eastern Surry County was occupied by the rebels during the last four months of 1676, earning the name “Bacon’s Castle”.  Allen sued numerous people in both Charles City and Surry courts for trespass and plunder of the home’s contents.  He settled for a few hundred pounds with the minor players but sued for 10,000 pounds or more from several of the ringleaders.

John B. Boddie, in Colonial Surry, attributed this indication of participation in Bacon’s Rebellion to the other John Bishop of Southwarke parish in Surry County who lived much closer to Bacon’s castle.  But that John Bishop was dead by then, and the item that immediately follows this order book entry is clear proof that the John Bishop confessing judgment to Arthur Allen was the same person whose children were gifted by Mary Rose.  And of course persons had to be sured in their county of residence, meaning that this John BIshop lived in Charles City County at the time of the suit.  

5 August 1678
Immediately following the above item:   “Ord’d that ye estate of ye children of Jno. Bishop be sett apart and that Mr. Thomas Blayton & Capt. Nicho. Wyatt be requested to see ye same done according to a deed of gift made by Mary Rose unto ye sd  & whereas ye sd Jno Bishop informs ye court that there are scarce cattle enough left to comply with ye sd deed itt’s ord’d that ye cattle mentioned in ye sd deed of gift be vallued & what is wanting to be made out in other effects out of ye estate of Wm. Ludford…” [Charles City County Order Book 1677-1679, FHL Film #007897749, p312.]

He has been trying for nearly a year to separate the cattle, which legally belong to his children though possession has been deferred to Mary’s death, from Ludford’s estate.  This will prevent Ludford’s creditors, several of whom had received judgments against the estate, from seizing the cattle for payment.  It is apparent that Mary is still alive, else he would simply take possession of them.

14 October 1678
“The diff betweene Rich. Walthen and Wm. Ludford _______ his wife deft. is refer’d to the next cort.”  [Charles City County Order Book 1677-1679, FHL Film #007897749, p334.]

Confusing, as William Ludford is dead.  The underlind one or two words is obscured by ink blots.  Mary’s husband William Ludford is dead, so the word might be “deceased”.   

19 February 1678/9
“in the difference between Rich’d Wathen plt. & Mary Ludford deft.about the acc’ts of the estate of Morris Rose it is ord’d that Capt. Bisse & Capt .Wyatt be desired to”  [very blurred – appears to ask that the accounts be audited]
[Charles City County Order Book 1677-1679, FHL Film #007897749, p334.]

Mary Lawrence Rose Ludford is still alive.  Robert Wathen had sued her and in June 1677 a jury found that William Ludford, who was then a servant of Mary Rose, had “abused” Mr. Wathen and awarded him a symbolic 20 pounds of tobacco.  Mary Rose, who had filed a peace bond for Ludford’s good behavior, defaulted on the bond.  

3 December 1679
p. I4.I6 cont.Mr. Wm. Gowre confesses judgmt. before Lt. Coll. Thos. Grendon and Capt. Hen. Batt for lj.90 lbs. tob..(This was another one hard to collect. All through 1680 Wm. Bishop was trying to execute the order as by the marginal notes. Ed.)

20 April 1680
Land Patent: Isaac Coates, 418 acres north side of James River, south side of run of Moses Creek adjacent. Mr. Bishop. Granted to Barth. Knipe 6 October 1652 and deserted.. [Virginia Patent Book 7, p21.]

This description used the old survey for Knipe. Bishop was long gone.

20 September 1683
Land Patent (abstract) :  Mr. Henry Harman & Mr.  Jno. Bushop, 163 acres in Weyanoake parish, Charles City County … south side of James River adjacent Isaac Bayts, John Hobbs, Mr. William Wilkins, Jacob Bayley, Mr. Richard Warren… transportation of four persons (only three named): James Brown, Ed. Cooper, Peregrine Fry…,  [.Virginia Patent Book 7, p305, abstracted in in Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol. 2, p265.]

This patent’s metes and bounds are too illegible on the Library of Virginia website to plot or place on a map.

26 August 1684
Power of Attorney:  …”John Coggs of Renslipp in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, and Elizabeth his wife, and Thomas Mercer, Citizen and Stationer of London and Mary his wife (which said Elizabeth & Mary are the only surviving Children Daughters and Coheirs of Capt. Henry Perry late of Buckland in James River in Virginia, Merchant, deceased)… ordain, constitute, authorize & appoint John Bishop of Wyanoake in Charles City County in Virginia, Planter…” to sell 300 acres “being at or near the mouth of Upper Chippoakes Creek in James River in the County of Surry in Virginia aforesaid & some time since in the tenure or occupation of one Edward Oliver & Thomas Clarke or their under tenants or assigns… and also another parcel… known by the name of Westover near Buckland… and also… every other lands, plantations, parcels, grounds of land… which late were belonging to the said Capt. Henry Perry and George Menefry…  [“William Byrd Title Book”, The Virginia Magazine of History & Biography, Volume. 22, No. 4 (Oct. 1939), pp287.]

This was attached to the deed below dated 23 December 1684, which was kept among William Byrd’s papers. (James Minge sold the 200 acres to Byrd.)  

See the item at 21 September 1689 that identifies Elizabeth and Mary as the daughters of “George Menefie and Elizabeth his wife… which Elizabeth the mother was sole daughter and heir of Geoprge Menefie late of Virginia…”

23 December 1684
Deed from John Bishop of Wyanoak(sic), attorney for Thomas Coggs and Elizabeth his wife and Thomas Mercer and his wife Mary to James Minge, for £50 money of England, 200 acres in Westover late in the occupation of Robert Rouse Theodore Bland Esqr. or one of them…  Signed: John Bishop. Witness: Tho. Blighton, Geo. Blighton, Hugh Davis, Bern’d Sikes, Robert Rouse.  Acknowledged in court 3 February 1684/5. [“William Byrd Title Book”, The Virginia Magazine of History & Biography, Volume. 22, No. 4 (Oct. 1939), pp289.]

The is no description or provenance of the parcel in the deed.  James Minge (or his buyer William Byrd) apparently requested a release, including the separate consent of the wives, which was produced five years later. See 21 September 1689. 

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A fragment of a book for 1684, abstracted by Weisiger includes part of the above deed:

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3 February 1684/5
Partial deed from John Coggs and Elizabeth his wife, and Thomas Mercer and Mary his wife, by their attorney John Bishop, to James Minge.   Witnessed by Tho. Blighton, Geo. Blighton, Hugh Davis, Bernard Sykes, Robt. Rouse.  Recorded 3 February 1684.  [Benjamin B. Weisiger III, Charles City County Records 1737-1774, p157.]

The deed was also proved at the James City County Court.   As the above power of attorney clarifies, Elizabeth and Mary were the daughters and only heirs of Henry Perry.   James Minge apparently insisted on a release — see the item at 21 September 1689.

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29 February 1684/5
Inferred Deed: From William Bishop to William Wilkins, 150 acres that had been conveyed by Hobbs to Bishop.

See the entry at 5 February 1693.  This was apparently part of the 16 April 1683  patent to John Hobbs for land on the south side of eh James River  (Which incidentally bordered the land of Morris Rose.) 

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A fragment of 12 pages of Court Orders for part of a court session in December 1685 and one in February 1685/6 mentions a Bishop only once.

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December 1685
“… Wm. Wilkins plt. vsus(sic) Jno. Bishop  deft. is refferred by consent of both parties to Mr. Henry Harman & Mr. Wm. Harrison to audit & adjust what ammounts are between them & ye said auditors to make report into our next courte.  [Charles City County 1685 Order Book Fragment, FHL FIlm #007897749, not numbered but p2 of fragment.]

No further clue as to the nature of the dispute or the outcome.

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The order book for 1687-1695 is missing the first 88 pages. 506 pages remain for the period December 1687 to March 1695/6.
A separate Order Book (or record book) for 1692-1700 overlaps slightly, covering the period of February 1692/3 to May 1700.

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13 April 1688
“Jno. Bishop and Isaac Baker are hereby empowered to inventory & appraize ye estate of Robert Rouse Sen’r dec’d…”  [Charles City County Order Book 1687-1695, FHL Film #007897749, p124.]

15 September 1688
At an Orphans Court held at Westover:  “Hen. Harman & Jno. Bishop are hereby requested & empowered to inventory & appraize ye estate of Jno. Peters dec’d, & Capt. Nich. Wyatt is requested to swear them…”. [Charles City County Order Book, 1687-1695, FHL FIlm #007897749, p152.]

3 April 1689
At a court held at Westover: ” Judgm’t. is granted Jno. Bishopp as Collector, late in this county, ags’t the estate of Mr. Robt. Netherland, dec’d, for 306 lb tobo & cask due for three p’ish levies…”  [Charles City County Order Book, 1687-1695, FHL FIlm #007897749, p209.]

John Bishop was at some point the collector of tithes for the parish.

21 September 1689
Release for the sale of 200 acres (see 23 December 1684) to james Minge by Thomas Coggs and Elizabeth his wife and Thomas Mercer and Mary his wife “which Elizabeth and Mary are the only surviving Children Daughters and Coheirs of Capt. Henry Perry late of Buckland in James River in Virginia Merchants and Elizabeth his Wife both deceased, which Elizabeth the Mother was sole Daughter and Heir of George Menefy late of Virginia aforesaid Esqr. deceased.”   Elizabeth and Mary, examined privately, declared their consent to the sale, [“William Byrd Title Book”, The Virginia Magazine of History & Biography, Volume. 22, No. 4 (Oct. 1939), pp292-3.]

This item, preserved among William Byrd’s papers, clarifies that Henry Perry married Elizabeth Menefie sometime after her father’s death (at which time she was single.).  Unfortunately, neither the POA or this release give us a clue to how John Bishop was related to Henry Perry.   

12 June 1690
At a court held at Westover:  Jno Hitchcocke & Mary his wife, otherwise called Mary Glover, having exhibited their bill in Chancery ag’t Robert Bishop & he not appearing thereto, order for attachment is thereupon granted ye plts ag’st the body of ye deft. to compell him to answer at next court.” [Charles City County Order Book, 1687-1695, FHL FIlm #007897749, , p289.]

4 August 1690
At a court held at Westover:  John Hitchcocke and Mary his wife otherwise called Mary Glover complains most humbly to this court ag’st Robt. Bishop for yt ye sd Bishop ye deft. being considerably indebted to ye sd Mary when she was a widdow posted a bond to ye sd Mary being {sold?) for 2000 lb of tobo & ca. conditional for ye payment of 1000 lb of tobo &ca. & twelve days work which said bond ye deft fraudulently took out of a chest belonging to ye sd Mary without satisfying any pte. thereof, wherefore ye plt. pray relief in equity ag’t ye deft.  And it appearing by several oathes here exhibitted yt ye sd deft. hath been illegally possest with ye sd bond& destroyed ye same. It is thereupon the order of this court yt ye deft. doe forthwith make a new bond…”  with the same terms and conditions and deliver it to the plaintiffs.  {Charles City County Court Orders 1687-1695, FHL Film #007897749, p297.]

4 June 1694

3 July 1694
At a court held at westover:  John Jane deposes that he knew Francis, the late wife of Charles Bartholomew and thathe knows Rebecca the relict of Frances Poythress, and that Francis and Rebecca were sisters always reputed, beign the daughters of one mother. As to the marriage of Rebecca and Charles Bartholomew, he does not know otherwise, not having attending their marriage but believes they live together asn husband and wife. “John Bishop swears the same”. {Charles City County Court Orders 1687-1695, FHL Film #007897749, p506.]

Not relevant to Bishops, but Bartholomew was accused of an unlawful marriage, the reason not clear to me, and it was apparently important to his case that the two women be proven to be sisters of the half blood.

5 August 1695
Same court:  Fouteen suits were dismissed because neither plaintiff nor defendant appeared, among them “john Jane plt. Wm. Bishop deft. case” {Charles City County Court Orders 1687-1695, FHL Film #007897749, p588.]

15 September 1694
At an Orphans Court held at Westover:  “Ordered that Mr. Henry Harman, Mr. John Bishop and Nathaniel Phillips or any two of them apprise and divide the estate of late of Abrah. Earth according to the will w’ch is to be reported into the next court…”   [Charles City County Order Book, 1687-1695, FHL FIlm #007897749, , p529.]

9 November 1694
County levy:  “…for killing wolves, viz: to John Royster 200, John Hobs 200… Robert Bishop 200…” [Charles City County Order Book, 1687-1695, FHL FIlm #007897749, , p538.]

24 January 1693/4
Deed:  “I William Wilkins senior doe hereby give and grant and make over to John Wilkins my son and to the heyres lawfully begat of him the sd John one hundred and fifty acres of land… South uppon ye long Meddow joyning uppon my line and bearing the breadth of one hundred and fifty acres upp along the sd Medow: it being a part of John Hobbs dividend of land lately conveyed by the sd Hobbs to William Bishopp and from the sd Bishopp to me as by a conveyance dated the 29 February 1684 more fully appeareth…”  [Charles City County Order Book 1692-1700, p178.]

Note that the patent to Harmon and Bishop was adjacent to John Hobbs.

3 January 1694/5
Inventory of Abraham Earth submitted to court, John Bishop and Nathaniel Phillips appraisers. [Charles City County Order Book 1692-1700, p222.]

3 April 1696
Administration:  …”whereas Capt. Charles Goodrich made humble suite to ye court that comison of administracon of the goods and chattels of William Bishop late of Westover parish within this County who died intestate might be granted unto him…” Ordered that Goodrich present an inventory and accounting to the next court, and pay debts of the estate… “And after such debts pd yt ye sd Adm. bring a true and just account of ye surplushage of ye sd Estate when therunto lawfully Cutted and delevered ye same to ye Justices for ye use of such person or persons unto whome of right it shall belong or lawfully appertting.  [Charles City County Order Book 1692-1700, p276.]

This strongly suggests that William Bishop died without heirs.  We assume that he is the same WIlliam Bishop who was a don of Captain John Bishop.

5 April 1699
Inventory of William Avery presented to court by appraisers Isaac Baits, John Bishop Senr. and Thomas Adams.  [Charles City County Order Book 1692-1700, p392.]

1702
Prince George County formed from the part of Charles City County south of the James River.

1704 Quit Rents
Prince George County:
     Jno Bishop Sr. — 100 acres
     Jno Bishop Jr. – – 100 acres
Charles City County:
     Robt. Bishop — 200 acres

Was Robert Bishop part of the same family?  He was and adult by 1690 when he was sued, but was not mentioned in Mary Rose’s deed of gift in 1677, so was not a son of John Bishop.  He could have been a son of one of John’s brothers, either Edmond or William.  But William Bishop’s will clearly marks him as a man without children of his own.  That leaves Edmond as a possible father, but there is no record of Edmond reaching adulthood, the last record of him being in 1659.  Another question is how did Robert Bishop obtain his land?  He did not have a patent and deeds are lost. Note that he was an adult as early as 1690 when he was sued, so born in the 1660s or earlier.   

8 June 1714
Accounts payable by the estate of William Rochell, dec’d:  …  Wm Bishop 200 “in tob”
.[Prince George County Wills, Deeds, etc. 1713-1728 (FHL FIlm #007645711), p16]

8 November 1714
Will of John Bishop:   “…I John Bishop Senr. of Prince George County being in health and perfect sense and memory… Item: I give unto my eldest son John Bishop and to his heirs forever, the plantation whereon he now liveth together with the full halfe part of all my land, to be divided across, his being the Creek part. I give also to my said son John Bishop a feather bed to be delivered to him after the decease of my wife, and not before. I give to my loveing wife Sarah my plntation whereon I now live together the other moiety or halfe of my land for and during her natural life, after which I do hereby give all the said plantation, with the moiety of land, to my son James Bishop, and to his heirs forever.  I also give to my said son James Bishop my feather bed in the outward room and the furniture belonging thereto & two pewter dishes.  I give to my sons WIlliam and Henry Bishop, to each of them two year old heifers.  I give to my daughter Mary Potts five shillings. I give to my daughter Hannah Reves five shillings.  I give to my grandson Mason a small gunn and sword and belt which was formerly my son Harmans, and lastly I give and bequeath to my loveing wife Sarah Bishop all the remaining part of my estate be it in what nature or quality so ever found and doe also hereby appoint my said loveing wife executrix of this my last will and testament , as witness my hand and seale this Eighth day of November Anno 1714.”  Signed: “John Bishope, sealed with red wax.” Witness:   R. Hall.  Proved 12 June 1716 by Sarah Bishop and Robert Hall.  [Prince George County Wills, Deeds, etc. 1713-1728 (FHL FIlm #007645711), p114.].

Mary Potts was propbably the wife of Thomas Potts, whose widow Mary administered his estate in 1719. [Ibid., p385.]

22 January 1714/5
Statement immediately following the will above:  “On the back of the above written will was an endorsem’t in the following words.  Memo: Not well considering at making the bequest unto my eldest son John Bishop I hereby adnull(sic) and make void his his haveing the full halfe of my land, because that I have as before considered will take all to the plantation given to my son James, which is not my intent, but that my son John shall enjoy so much of the within bequest as the plantation and land he liveth on from the Creek taking its full breadth of my whole tract until it comes up to the bottom below my spring, and then to run South two points Easterly till it strike the Mill line, this being my will and meaning, any thing herein before exprest to the contrary notwithstanding, as witness my hand  this twenty second day of January announced 1714. John Bishope. Proved 12 June 1716. [Prince George County Wills, Deeds, etc. 1713-1728 (FHL FIlm #007645711), p114.]..

The clerk who entered most of this book liked to add extraneous “e”s to some names, turning several instances of “Bishop” into “Bishope”.  He also used little filips after some words, making a few words appear to be plural or otherwise uncertain.  

12 December 1715
Deed: William Short and Elizabeth His wife to Travis Morris, all of Weyanoke parish, for £21 sterling, 100 acres bounded by Richard Pidgeon, Thomas Adams, Wards Creek and down Wards Creek to the mouth of Cross Creek,… Witnessed by William (his WB mark) Bishop, Robert Short, Thomas Harrison.   [Prince George County Wills, Deeds, etc. 1713-1728 (FHL FIlm #007645711), p86-7]

7 August 1716
“A true & perfect inventory & appraisal of the estate of Mr. John Bishop taken this 7th day of August 1716″.   Items included 6 cows, one three year old heifer, two steer yearlings, one “mair” & filly, “seaven small hoggs” one bed and blanket, one bed & bedstead, one bed & furniture, household items, “a parcel of old books”, two gunns & a sword, a saddle & bridle… Totaling £36:19:10  Signed by Sarah (her mark) Bishop.  Appraisers: Thomas (TA mark) Adams, Will Short, Israel Marks. [Prince George County Wills, Deeds, etc. 1713-1728 (FHL FIlm #007645711), p116]

This is a very modest inventory of the residual estate. Oddly, there are no farm or trade materials listed and no mens clothing.  A memo following the entry notes that the original document contained an arithmetic error in “casting” the total value, which was corrected.  Sarah Bishop’s signature mark was an odd design.

31 July 1716
Richard (his B mark) Bishop, Travis Morris, and R. Hall witness the will of Brian Farrell . [Prince George County Wills, Deeds, etc. 1713-1728 (FHL FIlm #007645711), p125].

30 October 1716
Inventory of Brian Farrell by Thomass (x) Adams, Francis Wilkins, John Bishop (his Latinate “J” mark)  [Prince George County Wills, Deeds, etc. 1713-1728 (FHL FIlm #007645711), p131]

13 September 1718
Will of William Bishop of Weyanoke parish in Prince Geroge County.  “…First, being sorry from the bottom of my heart for my sins past most humbly desiring forgiveness for teh sameI give and commit my soul to Almighty God my Savior and redeemer… I give and bequeath to my cozen John Bishope my cloth at the taylors and the breches belonging to it.  I give to my brother Henry Bishop one cow. I give to my brother James Bishop my old mair saddle and bridle.  I give to my cozen William Bishop my gunn & sword now in his possession.  I give to Mason Bishop all the remaining part of my estate in what nature or quality whatsoever it may be found after my Debts and Legacys justly paid & I do desire that my Estate may not be appraised. And lastly I ordain my loving mother executor of this my last will and testament… ”  Signed: William Bishop (his WB mark)    Witness: Wm. Harrison, John Bishope Junr. (his mark)
Proved on 14 October 1718 “by Sarah Bishope the Executrix therein named, William Harrison and John Bishope Junr. [Prince George County Wills, Deeds, etc. 1713-1728 (FHL FIlm #007645711), p258-9]

9 June 1719
Account of estate of Thomas Potts by Mary Potts, administrator… Debits included “To Richard Bishop (£) 0 – 12 – 0″.   Appraisal was £29:3:8 less total debits of £12:9:3 leaving a balance of £16:14;5. [Prince George County Wills, Deeds, etc. 1713-1728 (FHL FIlm #007645711), p325]

9 June 1719
“An Inventory of the estate of William Bishope dec’d, viz’t:  Two mairs, one cow, one two year old heifer, one feather bed and bolster, one pair of sheets, one rugg, two gunns, a sword, five hoggs, one bridle and saddle, six yards of drugg, one yard of shaloom, one knife and fork, one grindstone, one pair of breeches. Sarah Bishope” [Prince George County Wills, Deeds, etc. 1713-1728 (FHL FIlm #007645711), p328]

8 September 1719
Inventory of Richard Spencer by John Bishop (his Latinate J mark), Travis Morris, WIllikam Watrren (his W mark) [Prince George County Wills, Deeds, etc. 1713-1728 (FHL FIlm #007645712), p3t1]Inventory of Richard Spencer by John (hisBishop [p351]

7 November 1719
Inventory of Mathew Marks by Thomas Adams (his TA mark),  John Bishop (his Latinate J mark), Francis WIlkins.   [Prince George County Wills, Deeds, etc. 1713-1728 (FHL FIlm #007645712), p382]

8 May 1719
Will of Sarah Bishop of Waynoke(sic) parish in Price George County:  “…First, being sorry from the bottom of my heart for my sins past most humbly desiring forgiveness for the same…  First I will that all my just debts be punctually paid and satisfied. 2ndly I give and bequeath to my son John Bishope one cow, one great iron pott, one sett of iron wedges, one spade and 1 small table. 3rdly I give to my son Henry Bishope one feather bed, one sheet, one blankett. and one pewter dish. 4thly I give to my daughter Mary Potts one (ballmattle?) Mortar and pestle. 5thly I give to my daughter Hannah RIves one small desk 1 small boc, one flasket and snoothing iron. 6thly I give to my gandson Mason Bishope one cow and 2 year old heifer, one small iron pott and potthooks, two pewter dishes, one chest with a Dutch lock. 7thly I give to my son James Bishope one long table and forms, 1 chest, 1 pair of hand irons, 1 iron spitt and dripping pan, 2 pairs of pott racks, 2 pewter dishes and takard and all mny cattle and hoggs, and one i\ron pott, 1 iron kettle and all the remaining part of my estate in whatever nature or quality …  I ordain and appoint my son James Bishope executor…  (SIgned) Sarah Bishope (her marke).  (Witness) WIlliam Harrison, Jeremiah (x) Warthen, John Bishope Junr. (his Latinate J mark). [Prince George County Wills, Deeds, etc. 1713-1728 (FHL FIlm #007645712), p589-590]

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A Minute Book for 1737-1740 contains just a single Bishop entry:

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12 June 1739
At a Court held at Fitzgerralds for Prince George County:  “Richard Bishop is appointed Overseer of Wards Creek.” [Prince George County Minute Book 1737-1740, p293]

It isn’t cleat whether this refers to maintenance of a road or to the navigability of the creek itself.  Wards Creek empties into the James opposite Weyanoke and about a mile downriver.  

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The few records that exist for the rest of the century rarely mention Bishops.  However, tax records that were forwarded to the state, starting in 1782, are available.

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1782 through 1798   Land tax Lists, Prince George County
Richard Bishop 100 acres
James Bishop 100 acres
[FHL Film #008140700, images 9, 19, 35, 48, 59, 70 etc. through 173, 188 of 554]

These two Bishops are each listed with 100 acres for 17 years 1782 through 1798.   Starting in 1799 (see below) after the death of Richard Bishop, the land tax included other Bishops.

1782-1783 Personal Property Tax District 3 (livestock omitted below)
James Bishop – 1w, 1b
Rich’d Bishop – 1w

The tax list was the same for both years. All referenced tax lists are reproduced in FHL Film #00815753.

1 September1782
Among numerous items listed in the multi-page accounting of the estate of Thomas Cureton:
“1782 Sept’r 1^th:  To cash paid Benjamin Bishop (old account) £0:1:0″.   [Prince George County Deed Book 1787-1792, p504, 509]

1784 Personal Property Tax
Richard Bishop – 1
James Bishop – 2 (apparently included a slave)

1785 Personal Property Tax
James Bishop – 1 male over 21
Harman Bishop – 2 males over 21, 1 male 16-21
Stephen Bishop – 1 male over 21. (in a different district)

10 March 1786
Among numerous items listed in the multi-page accounting fo the estate of Thomas Cureton:
“1786… March 10: By rec’d of Averis Bishop £1:7:0″ [Prince George County Deed Book 1787-1792, p509]

1785 Personal Property Tax
Harman Bishop – 1 male over 21
Richard Bishop – 1 male over 21
Stephen Bishop – 1 male over 21. (in a different district)

1787
Tobacco at Ward’s warehouse:  … William Bishop… [Benjamin B. Weisiger III, Prince George County, Virginia Records 1733-1792, p90.]

10 February 1787
Will of John Wamack of Martins Brandon parish witnessed by Wyatt Bishop, John Titmus and Richard Titmus. [Prince George County Deed Book 1787-1792, p83.]

1787 Personal Property Tax List
Wyatt Bishop – 1
James Bishop – 1
Hubbard BIshop – 1
Harman Bishop – 1
Richard Bishop – 1

From 1787 onward, the tax list is alphabetical for all districts combined.  The quantities are males over 21 followed by maled 16-21 if any.

11 September 1787
Wyatt Bishop, Robert Harwood and Alex’r Draper witnesses to two deeds in Prince George County:  one from Bozwell Hackney to William Marks for 5.25 acres, and the other from William Wallis to Bozwell Hackney for 6.75 acres. [Prince George County Deed Book 1787-1792, p80.]

12 December 1787
Estate sale of Mrs. Mary Epes:   “…Wyatt Bishop 1 ditto (bed & furniture) £9:2:6…   Wyatt Bishop a Chest £1:0:6″.   [Prince George County Deed Book 1787-1792, p270.]

11 February 1788
Deed from John Williamson to John Burrow for 100 acres on Warwick Swamp adjacent to William Burrow, James H Fletcher and William Bishop…[Prince George County Deed Book 1787-1792, p155.]

1788 Personal Property Tax List
Wyatt Bishop – 1
James Bishop – 1
Howard(sic) BIshop – 1, Rich’d Bishop age 16-21
Richard Bishop – 1
Harmond Bishop – 1

1789 Personal Property Tax List
Wyatt Bishop – 1
Harman Bishop – 1
James Bishop – 1
Harman BIshop – 1. (name repeated)
Richard Bishop – 1

1790 Personal Property Tax List
Wyatt Bishop – 1
Harmond Bishop – 1
Hubbard Bishop – 1
James BIshop – 1
Richard Bishop – 1
Pleasant Cocke – 1, Thomas Bishop aged 16-21. (name may be “Baskop”)

18 January 1791
Will of Elizabeth Warthen witnessed by Mary (x) Bishop, Eliza (x) Warthen and Wm (x) Hobbs.  Proved in court on 8 February 1791 by the oaths of Mary Bishop, Elizabeth Warthen and William Hobbs.  [Prince George County Deed Book 1787-1792, p470.]

1791 Personal Property Tax List
Hubard Bishop – 1
James Bishop – 1
Wyatt Bishop – 1
Harmond BIshop – 1

Did not see either Richard Bishop or Thomas Bishop this year.

10 April 1792
Deeds from Thomas Burrow to Drewry Hobbs and frm Thomas Burrow to James Burrow witnessed by Wyatt Bishop, James Williamson and Edmond Hobbs. [Prince George County Deed Book 1787-1792, pp654.]

1792 Personal Property Tax List
Harmon Bishop – 1
Wyatt Bishop – 1
James Bishop -1
Thomas Bishop – 1 (blurred, could be “Baskop”)

Were the others taxed in Surry or Sussex?

1793 Personal Property Tax List
Augustin Bishop – 1
Wyatt Bishop – 1
Hames Bishop – 1 (first name uncertain)

1794 Personal Property Tax List – whites over 21
Austin Bishop – 1
Wyatt Bishop – 1
Hermon Bishop – 1
Richard Bishop – 1
James Bishop -1

1795 Personal Property Tax List. – Whites over 16
Wyatt Bishop – 1
Stephen Bishop – 1
Richard Bishop Jun’r – 1
Richard Bishop Sen’r – 1
Edmund Bishop – 1
James Bishop -1
William Bishop – 1

Starting this year, the first column changed from white over 21 to whites 16 and above. The names are still those responsible for the tax, thus presumably over 21 themselves.

1796 Personal Property Tax List. – Whites over 16
Richard Bishop Jun”r – 1
James Bishop – 1
Richard Bishop Sen’r – 2
Sarah Bishop – 1
Stephen Bishop – 1
Edmund Bishop – 1
Hubbard Bishop – 1
Wyatt Bishop – 1

1797 Personal Property Tax List. – Whites over 16
Richard Bishop Junr. – 1
Wyatt Bishop – 1
James Bishop – 1
Hubbard Bishop – 1
Richard Bishop – 1
Edmund Bishop – 1
Sarah Bishop – 1
Stephen Bishop – 1

1798 Personal Property Tax List. – Whites over 16
Richard Bishop Junr. – 1
Wyatt Bishop – 1
James Bishop – 1
Hubbard Bishop – 1
Richard Bishop – 1
Edmund Bishop – 1
Sarah Bishop – 1
Stephen Bishop – 1

1799 Personal Property Tax List. – Whites over 16
Wiatt Bishop – 1
James Bishop Jr. – 1
Jemima Bishop – 1
Stephen Bishop – 1
James Bishop Sr, – 2
Hubbard Bishop – 1
Richard Bishop – 1
Jemima Bishop – 0. (taxed on one horse).
Edmund Bishop – 1
John Bishop – 1

1799 Land Tax – Henry Watkins District, Prince George County
Richard Bishop widow 33 1/3 (acres)
Huberd Bishop 33 1/3
Edmund Bishop 33 1/3
James Bishop 100
[FHL Film #008140700, image 203 of 554]

1799  Land Transfers:
From Richard Bishop to his widow 33 1/3 acres by will
From Richard Bishop to Hubbard Bishop 33 1/3 acres by will
From Richard Bishop to Edmund Bishop 33 1/3 acres by will
[FHL Film #008140700, image 215 of 554]

1800 Personal Property Tax List – Whites over 16
John Bishop – 1
Wyatt Bishop  – 1
James Bishop – 1
Augustin Bishop – 1
Stephen Bishop – 1
Richard Bishop – 1
Edmund Bishop – 1
Jemima Bishop – 2
John Bishop Sr. – 1

16 March 1801
Will of Rebekah Adkins witnessed by Wyatt Bishop and John Mattox. [Prince George County Miscellaneous Records, FHL Film 007644625, p6.]

28 November 1812
Will of John Bishop of Prince George County:  to beloved wife Elizabeth Bishop one feather bed and furniture… my will and desire is that the balance of my estate including my lands be sold and one third of the amount thereof I give to my wife… and the other two thirds I give to my daughter Amanda HIll Bishop – provided my wife has another living child that she is now pregnant with my will and desire is that the said child should share one equal part with the one above named… David Burrow executor… Proved 12 January 1813.  [See Petersburg Chancery Causes 1847-037, image 97.]

This will was [resented in a much later court case.  The in utero child was apparently William J. Bishop.