HENRY BISHOP, a former well-known
resident of New London, who died at his home, 4 Jay Street, on January
25, 1892, at the age of seventy-one years, was born in Chesterfield, this
county, son of Charles and Charlotte (Lattimer) Bishop. The following obituary
of his father appeared in a local journal:
"On the 18th
of April, 1866, died in New London, Charles Bishop, Esq., at the venerable
age of eighty-two years. He was a most worthy member of the Huntington
Street Baptist Church, and his remains were borne to the tomb by seven
sons as pallbearers. On Sabbath afternoon, December 15, 1867, his widow,
Charlotte Bishop, departed this life, aged eighty-four; and her lifeless
form was laid to rest beside her husband by the same seven sons, with a
commendable filial love and reverence, and tenderly and carefully, as they
had their father's one and one-half years ago. These two occasions were
most impressive, and events full of interest and suggestion— reminiscences
worth cherishing, which will never fade from the memory of these sons.
The one who had borne them, guarded and watched over them from the cradle
to manhood, was now being borne by them, tenderly and tearfully, and laid
to rest in that long and dreamless sleep which knows no waking. And what
is most significant is that she was the mother of eight children, seven
sons and one daughter, and all were there to pay their last tribute. And
those standing around the grave of the father represented an aggregate
of life of over four hundred years."
Further information in regard to the family
may be found in the sketch of Charles Bishop, brother of the subject of
this sketch, published elsewhere in this volume.
At the age of fifteen Henry Bishop came to
this city, and learned the carpenter's trade with his older brother, John
Bishop. Afterward he worked as a journeyman many years. Then, without capital,
he started in business with the firm of Bishop Brothers, lumber dealers
and builders. The firm comprised Charles, Henry, and Gilbert Bishop, until
some five years before the death of Henry, when Charles withdrew, leaving
the other two to constitute the firm. Mr. Bishop was an honored citizen
of New London, and had contributed his full share to the prosperity and
growth of the city by his industry and business sagacity. The public press
of the city gave words of warmest commendation upon his life and character,
speaking of him as one of the leading and honored business men of the town.
February 22, 1842, Mr. Bishop married Mary
S. Howard, who was born in the town of Waterford, daughter of Daniel and
Hannah (Smith) Howard. Her mother, who was born in Niantic, and was married
February 22, 1822, died when Mary S., the youngest of the children, was
only two years and one-half old. The latter was brought up in the family
of her uncle, Captain Jonathan Smith, who removed to New London when his
niece was nine years old. She now lives in the fine large house built by
her husband over fifty years ago. She has three children: Jonathan S. Bishop,
residing at 2 Jay Street, married, and the father of one child; Henry Bishop,
who succeeded his father in the lumber business; and Mary, the wife of
Nathan Woodworth, of New London, and the mother of three children.
Biographical Review Volume
XXVI
Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens
of New London County Connecticut
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1898
pgs 353 - 354
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