Moses Bishop & Mary Griffin

Moses Bishop 1751 – 1815 | his parents
Mary Griffin 1754 – 1825 | her parents
of Bertie County NC

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This is my working hypothesis – the way I see it as of this moment!!
with notes and research by Virginia Powell Street

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“Mary Griffin, daughter of Michael Griffin, is said to have been born in 1754 and married Moses Bishop, the son of William Bishop of Halifax County.
Their marriage occurred between November of 1786, when her mother refers to her as “Mary Griffin” in her will, and June 1797 when her brother Brinkley Griffin refers to her as “Molly Bishop” in his will. Family records show a date of birth of 1754 for Moses Bishop.
Administration on his estate was granted to his son William Bishop in Bertie County at February Court, 1817″
William and Absala Bishop appear in the wills made in 1797 by Brinkley Griffin and William Sharrock. Eastern NC Families Vol I: “Griffin of Bertie and Halifax Counties” by David B Gammon.

Children of Moses Bishop and Mary Griffin:
1. William Bishop 13 Jan 1795 – 27 Jan 1863
married Bertie Co 29 Sept 1827 Mary S Horne
2. Absala Bishop bef 1797 –

Gammon lists only William Bishop and his sister Absala who were mentioned in their uncle William Sharrock’s will. These would be children born by 1797.

1790 US Census Bertie Co
Moses Bishop 1 1 3 – 3 8
Moses Bishop 2 4 3 – 6 15
1800 img #6
Moses Bishop 0 1 0 1 0 – 1 0 1 0 0 – 24 1m 10/16 1m 26/45 1f 0/10 1 f 15/26
1810 [img #27]
Moses Bishop 0 0 1 0 1 – 0 0 1 0 1 – 24 1m 16/25 1m 45+ 1f 16/25 1f 45+
1820
Wm Biship 0 0 0 1 0 0 – 0 0 1 0 1 – 18 1m 18/25 1f 16/25 1f 45+
1830
William Bishop 0 0 0 0 1 1 – —– 0 0 0 0 2 – – – – – 1m 20/30 1m 30/40 2 f 20/30

A List of Taxables within Capt. Edward A Callum’s District Bertie County and taken by William Britton for the year 1815.
Moses Bishop 209 acres, 5 value, 1045 amot. 102¬Ω acres, 4 value, 492 amot. 1455 Total value, 1 free poll, 10 slaves.

Moses Bishop is buried in the Bishop-Hardy-Powell Cemetery. His marker states
“3 NC Regt. 1751-1809. The death date may be an error. ~ Virginia”

“Moses Bishop, who lived in what is now known as Roxobel, was an officer in the army during the Revolutionary War. An old deed in my possession (later donated to the Southern Historical Society at UNC Chapel Hill) shows that the Bishops owned much of the land of present Roxobel, extending southward toward Kelford, and including the 500-odd acres which made up the farm where my two brothers, my sister and I were raised.” ~ Jack Powell

From Elizabeth Norfleet Stallings – a typed document:
Cancelled Vouchers of Revolutionary War –
“Moses Bishop of Halifax District – allowed 6 pounds specie 1781.”

The Bertie Index 1720-1875 – Dunstan:
“Moses mentioned in 1796 and John in 1797.”

From Hathaway’s North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 2, page 185:
“Bishop, Moses, Sergt., Colonel’s, July 20, ’78, 9 mos” as read by Sally

Misc. notes from Mrs. Grady Ross of Charlotte, N.C. –
“Wiliam’s son, Moses Bishop, was born in 1751 and died in 1815, Bertie County, N.C.
His wife, Mary Griffin, was born in 1754 and died in 1825.”
(This information was given to her by Susie B. Anderson).

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Joseph Horne d 1829 | his parents
& Winifred Bruce ca 1772 – aft 1850 | her parents
of Bertie County NC

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Children of Joseph Horne and Winifred Bruce:
1. Elizabeth Horne ca 1799 –
? married Joshua Brown ca 1796 –
2. Isaac Horne
3. Turner Horne
4. Mary Louise Horne 27 March 1803 – 4 Aug 1881 NC
married Bertie Co 29 Sept 1827 William Bishop 13 Jan 1795 – 27 Jan 1863

NCHGR 2-522
Will of Joseph Horne – Jan’y 28, 1828 – Aug. term 1829 Bertie CT
Wife Winne,
daughter Elizabeth Horne,
sons Isaac and Turner,
daughter Mary [Louise Horne] Bishop;
son Turner Exr.
Test, Jno. B. Acree, Whitmell Rutland, E.S. Cox.

US Census 1850 Bertie Co
#792 Joshua Brown 54 m farmer 1500 real NC [next door to William Bishop]
Elizabeth A 51 f NC
William P 16 m NC student
Mary W 13 f NC S
Joseph H 11 m NC S
Winafred Horn 78 f NC i
Thomas E Watson 22 m teacher NC

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William [Billy] Bishop 1698 – 1783 | his parents
& Amy Pebles [Peebles] d bef 1762 | her parents
& 2nd Sarah [Sary] ?
& Jesse Naron [or Nairn or Neronmany]
of Sussex Co VA & Halifax Co NC

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” William Bishop was born Jan. 31, 1698. He died Aug. 15, 1783 age 85 years. and was interred at ‘Spring Hill’ Plantation.” ~ Charles B Bishop

“William Bishop’s home was called “Spring Hill.”

William Bishop was first married to Amy Pebles, daughter of Henry Pebles of Surry Co VA.

Surry County VA Deed Book 4, page 62 19 Oct. 1742
Benjamin Jones and wife Constance Jones of Martins Brandon Parish in Prince George County,
and Joseph Carter, Jr. and wife Elizabeth Carter, of same County, to William Bishop of Albemarle Parish in Surry County. For five pounds, 240 acres on the south side of the Nottoway River in Albemarle Parish, bounded by Lambeth Zells, Catherine Evans, and said Zells, being land granted to Henry Pebles, father of the said Constance Jones and the said Elizabeth Carter, Aug. 25, 1731.)
Henry Peebles had died and the land descended to his daughters, namely Constance Jones, Elizabeth Carter, Agnes Zells, Lucy Zells, Amy Bishop, and Rebecca Pebles. ~ from David Gammon

“William Bishop was living in Halifax County as early as 15 December 1763. He and his wife, Sarah, – with John Bishop and wife, Rebecca, – and William Bishop, Jr., all of Halifax County, North Carolina, sold 160 acres of land in Albemarle Parish, Sussex County, Virginia, to William Jones for the sum of 70 pounds. This same group is mentioned in a 500 acre tract in the same county on 14 November 1772. (Sussex County, Virginia, Deed Book C, p. 26, and Deed Book E, p. 24). ~ Mrs Grady Ross

Will of William Bishop 20 Dec 1782 – proved Nov Ct 1783 NH Co NC
recorded in book of Wills No. 3, page 47, Halifax County Court House, Halifax, N.C.
“In the name of God, Amen. I William Bishop of the county of Halifax and in the province of North Carolina, being sick of body but perfect in mind and memory and understanding, and knowing the mortality of man I have thought to dispose of what God, in His mercy, hath bestowed on me in the manner following:
First, I commit my body to Thee with a modest burial.
Secondly, my soul to God who gave it and as touches this worldly good, December 20th, 1782. Imprimis –
Item. I give my son, Wm. Bishop; my son, John Bishop; my daughter Kivia Dan; and my son Moses Bishop ten shillings sterling apiece out of my estate, as I have given them their part before when they went from me.
Item. I lend my loving wife, Sary Bishop, all my estate both real and personal during her widowhood and afterwards—–
Item. I give my plantation and water mill to my two little sons, Hardiman Bishop and Jonathan Bishop and desire the land and mill may be sold to the highest bidder and equally divided between them the money they fetch. And my will is after my wife’s widowhood all my estate that is left to be sold to the highest bidder the money that it fetches to be equally divided between my children as follows: Polly Bishop, Drewsilla Bishop, Sally Bishop, Betsey Bishop, Hardiman Bishop, Patsey Bishop, Jonathan Bishop. And my will is that my estate shall not be appraised; and my will is that my loving wife, Sary Bishop, shall be my first Executrix and my son, John Bishop, shall be my second Executor and Joshua Bark, my third Executor.” /s/ William Bishop
Witnesses: James Myhand, Harmon Strickland, William Drew, Jurat

“William Bishop’s widow, Sarah Bishop, was listed on the Halifax County Tax Lists from 1784 through 1787. By 1789, she was married to a Mr. Naron or Nairn. (See Deed: Halifax County Deed Book Vol. 17, p. 333 and p. 7).” ~ Mrs. Grady Ross

Children of William Bishop and Amy Peebles:
1. William Bishop
From Hathaway’s North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 2, page 185: “William Bishop in N.C. Continental Line, Armstrong’s Company, 12 months 1781. Left service December 1782.”
2. John Bishop 5 Aug 1740 – 18 Sept 1815 will 28 Dec 1813/ 1819 Halifax Co WB3/636
John Bishop, was a Revolutionary War soldier 3rd NC Regiment
and is buried in the old church yard near Scotland Neck.
(This info. from Leon W. Anderson, Oakland Farm, Rt. 2, Roanoke Rapids, N.C.).
married bef 16 Dec 1763 Rebecca
a. Bolin Bishop 12 Sept 1762 – 3 April 1842 Halifax Co
married Winifred Moore
i. John M Bishop ca 1801 – dsp
ii. Heshborn Bishop 18 Oct 1806 – 10 Jan 1870
married 1st Mary Emily Whitehead burial 22 Sept 1861
1. Emmet Edward Bishop 1861 – 1933
married Virginia Barham 1862 – 1940
married 2nd Maria Whitehead 10 Mar 1830 – 8 Jan 1894
[sister of Mary Emily]
2. Ida F Bishop buried Dec 1863
3. Mary A Bishop buried 10 June 1864
4. Eugene Dupree Bishop 30 Jan 1866 – 15 Feb 1936
married Sarah Elizabeth Harwell 18 Jan 1886 – 11 Aug 1971
Maria married 2nd David A Pope
iii. Bryan[t] Bishop ca 1808 –
iv. Elizabeth Bishop
married Benjamin Johnston Brantley
1. Benjamin Franklin Brantley
married Sarah Frances Gammon
2. Winifred Brantley
married 1st Marmaduke W Pittman
married 2nd William Etheridge Whitmore
b. Letitia [Letisha] Bishop ca 1765? – aft 31 May 1841 Franklin Co AL
married 1st William Grandbury d. ca 1808
i. William Grandberry
ii. Langley Grandberry d. bef 31 May 1841
1. Mary L Granberry
2. Frances E Granberry
c. William G Grandberry
iii. Josiah Grandberry
[Lewis Cotton filed gdn. accts for William, Langley, and Josiah Granberry orphans of William Granberry at Mar Ct 1814 and Mar Ct. 1815.
married bef 28 Dec 1813 Lewis Cotten 24 July 1778 – 8 Feb 1817 NH Co, NC
NCGSJ-VI-52 Cotten, Letitia of Franklin Co., AL, 31 May 1841, “for the consideration especially of the love and affection I have for my grandchildren Mary L Granbery, Frances E Granbery and William G Granbery. . children of my decd. son Langley Granbery..” have this day appointed William Britton, Esq of Bertie Co, NC attorney to receive from all persons – the proceeds “of my lands in the Counties of Northampton and Bertie, NC..” and apply the profits of the said lands to the benefit of my said grandchildren. Wit: James G Mhoon?, WJ Mhoon?
c. Dorothy Bishop
married bef 28 Dec 1813 Thomas Lowry
d. Willie Bishop d bef 28 Dec 1813
married Ascension Merritt
i. Moses Bishop
ii. Joseph Bishop
iii. Willie Murphy Bishop
married Elizabeth Whitaker
Ascension married 2nd Nicholas Gammon and moved to Carroll Co TN
had further issue [distant Uncle of David B Gammon]
3. Kivia [Keziah] Bishop
married Lewis? Dunn
4. Moses Bishop 1751 – 31 Jan 1816 Bertie Co
married Mary [Polly] Griffin

Children of William Bishop and wife Sarah:
1. Polly Bishop
married Jesse L Myhand
2. Drewsilla [Drusilla] Bishop
married Eli Joyner of Halifax Co NC
3. Sally Bishop d 1837
married Jacob Higgs 1768 – 1817
4. Betsy [Elizabeth] Bishop
married Powell
5. Hardiman Bishop d. 1823 Edgecombe intestate
married 22 March 1798 Lucy Mangam
(See Marriages of Sussex County – 1754 – 1810, page 8).
6. Patsey [Patricia] Bishop
so says this note but I wonder if it were not Martha ~smk
married Lawson
7. Jonathon Bishop dsp 1802 Halifax Co

Trinity Episcopal Cemetery records show this: [from David Gammon]
William Bishop, Jan. 31, 1698 – Aug. 15, 1783
John Bishop, born Aug. 5, 1740, died Sept. 18, 1815. 3rd NC Regiment, Revolutionary War.
Bolin Bishop, Sept. 12, 1762 – Apr. 3, 1842
Mary Emily Whitehead Bishop, wife of Heshbon Bishop, buried Sept. 22, 1861.
Eugene Bishop, Jan. 30, 1866 – Feb. 15, 1936
Heshbon Bishop , Oct. 18, 1806 – Jan. 10, 1870
Ida Bishop, buried December 1863
Maria Whitehead, second wife of Heshbon Bishop, Mar. 10, 1830 – Jan. 8, 1894.
Mary A. Bishop, buried June 10, 1864.
Sarah Elizabeth Bishop, wife of Eugene Dupree Bishop, Jan. 18, 1886 – Aug. 11, 1971.

From 1850 Census of Halifax Co NC household #263 [from David Gammon]
Heshborn Bishop age 44
John Bishop age 49
Bryant Bishop age 42

Will of Bolin Bishop [from David Gammon]
Halifax County NC Will Book 4, page 230
Dated 21 April 1841, proved February Court 1844
My sons Hesborn (sic) Bishop and John Bishop are to hold certain Negroes in
trust for the use of my daughter Elizabeth Brantley for her lifetime, with
reversion to my grandchildren Benjamin Franklin Brantley and Winifred Brantley.
Wife Winifred Bishop – use of all my property for her lifetime.
Son Hesborn Bishop – land I bought of William Barnes and Henry Williamson and
wife, after the death of my wife.
Sons Hesborn Bishop and Bryan Bishop – certain Negroes after the death of my
wife, but Bryan’s part is to be held in trust by my sons Hesborn Bishop and
John Bishop. If Bryan should die without heirs, his share will fall to his
brothers Hesborn and John.
After the death of my wife, all remaining property is to be divided between
my sons Hesborn, John, and Bryan, and my daughter Elizabeth Brantley, but the
part of Bryan and Elizabeth is to be held in trust by John and Hesborn. The
share allotted Elizabeth Brantley is to go to her children Benjamin and Winifred
at her death. My son John is to live with his mother and support her.
Executors: sons John M. Bishop and Hesborn Bishop
Witnesses: A.S. Hall, Whitmel J. Hill

note from Virginia ~ Below is a letter from Charles B. Bishop to my father, John William Gordon Powell,
34 Harmon Avenue, Pelham, New York, dated January 13, 1949.

Charles Bishop & Company, Incorporated
Exporters – Importers
90 Broad Street
New York 4
Telephone: Bowling Green 9-8684
Dear Mr. Powell:
While in North Carolina some time ago, I talked to Mr. Junius B. Powell, your brother, concerning the Bishop family. He told me that you had assembled quite a bit of material concerning Moses Bishop and his experiences in the Revolution.
Our family is descendent of John Bishop, brother of Moses Bishop. In the past several years I have gotten together quite a bit of material on the family with the idea of eventually consolidating it into some sort of a record.
If you will permit, I would like to discuss the material that you have gotten together with the idea of including it in this record. Please let me have your ideas and we can arrange to talk about it further.
Yours very truly,
Charles B. Bishop, President

also from Charles B. Bishop.
A typed sheet headed GENEALOGY dated March 16, 1949, says,

” William Bishop was Born Jan. 31, 1698. Died Aug. 15, 1783 (85 years).

His will dated December 20, 1782, proved November 1783, is recorded in book of Wills No. 3, page 47, Halifax County Court House, Halifax, N.C.

Name of wife not mentioned.
Father of eleven children. Sons: William, Jonathan, John, Hardeman, Moses. Daughters: Kesia Dunn, Polly, Drusella, Sally, “Betsy” (Elizabeth), “Patsy” (Patricia). Interred Springhill Plantation.”

Other sources: documents sent by Elizabeth Norfleet Stallings
“Notes On The Issue of William Bishop from the Papers of Mrs. Grady Ross:
William Bishop (Jr.) left no will.
John Bishop, deceased by 28 December 1813. Legatees:
To my wife, Rebecca…
Son, Bolen – land and plantation whereon I now live…
Daughters, Letisha Cotten and Dorothy Lowry,…
Son, Willie – deceased. His wife, Ascention, and Willie’s orphans to get land and plantation John bought from Joseph Worrell…

Hardiman Bishop. Married 22 March 1798 Lucy Mangam.
(See Marriages of Sussex County – 1754 – 1810, page 8).

Jonathan Bishop died a bachelor. See his will (abstracted):
Halifax Co. Will Book #3, page 371: …I give to my mother, Sarah Naron, all my wearing apparel and cloth apparel…

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Michael Griffin ca 1730 – ca 1781 | his parents
& Isabella Brinkley bef 1740 – 1786 | her parents
of Bertie and Halifax County NC

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Michael Griffin married Isabella Brinkley, the daughter of Peter and Mary Brinkley of Perquimans and Gates Counties. Peter Brinkley left a will in 1771 in Perquimans and his widow Mary was proved in Gates County in 1781 – – both mentioned their daughter Isabella Griffin by name.

1756 Michael Griffin is deed 190 ac on the north side of Roquist Swamp adj. Joseph Knott by his father-in- law Peter Brinkley Sr of Perquimans County.
1764 Michael Griffin, planter, and wife Isabell sell the deed to Joseph Knott.
1767 Griffin moves to Halifax and buys 200 ac from Robert Pope and wife Sarah of Duplin County.
1771 Peter Brinkley’s will proved in Perquimans.
1776 Griffin buys two tracts of land from Amos Pope 100 ac and 240 ac.
1781 Michael Griffen died and Isabella’s mother also died.
1786 Isabella Griffin died.

Michael Griffin died intestate in Halifax County about 1781.
Isabella Griffin made a will 15 Nov 1786 which was proved at Feb Court 1787.
She leaves a horse to son James, and a Negro to each of her children Mary, Winnifred, Michael, Brinkley, and Eli. The residue to go to her youngest sons Michael, Brinkley, and Eli. The daughters were unmarried at this time.

Children of Michael Griffin and Isabella Brinkley:
1. James Griffin ca 1756 – ca 1789
married Priscilla ?
a. Mary [Polly] Griffin
married Francis Young
b. Dolly Griffin ca 1792 – 5 July 1809
murdered by William Parker who then shot himself
Edenton Gazette 21 July 1809 abstract by Fouts
2. Mary Griffin ca 1754 –
married Moses Bishop ca 1751 – 1817
a. William Bishop 1792 – 1863 Bertie Co
married Bertie Co 29 Sept 1827 Mary L Horne
b. Absala Bishop
3. Winifred Griffin est 1760 – bef 1797
married Bertie Co 22 Nov 1792 William Sharrock – 1799
a. Griffin Sharrock d 1805 underage
4. Michael Griffin ca 1767 – 1807 Bertie Co dsp
married Lucy ?
she married 2nd a Bullock
5. Brinkley Griffin – 1800 Halifax Co dsp with will
6. Eli Griffin aft 1770 – 1798 Halifax Co dsp

Ref and Sources:
David B Gammon “Eastern North Carolina Families”

“Bertie Will 1797-1816 by Gammon
page 10 Will 43 WILLIAM SHARROCK (E/97) 17 Nov 1797 Nov Ct 1799
son Griffin Sharrock – all my land Negroes and whole estate, but if he
leaves no heirs my property shall be sold and the property that came by my
wife (namely the money for which Negroes Great Dempsey, Rose and Lucy would
sell) shall be divided between Polley Griffin, Dolly Griffin, Willliam
Bishop and Absillah Bishop, and the rest of the money to be laid out in
Negroes for my mother during her lifetime, and at her death I bequeath those
Negroes to my brother James Sharrock and my sister Elizabeth Hollowell. Ex.
father Thomas Sharrock, friends Moses Bishop, James Swinhow Grover, Sen.
Wit. Moses Bishop, B. Girffin, Jas. Swinhow Grover, Sen.”).

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Capt John Bishop | his parents
& Mary ? | her parents
of Surry Co VA

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Presumed Children of Capt. John Bishop and wife Mary
1. William Bishop 1698 – 1783
married Amy Peebles
2. John Bishop
married Rebecca Peebles

Surry County VA Deed Book 4, page 62 19 Oct. 1742
Benjamin Jones and wife Constance Jones of Martins Brandon Parish in Prince George County,
and Joseph Carter, Jr. and wife Elizabeth Carter, of same County, to William Bishop of Albemarle Parish in Surry County. For five pounds, 240 acres on the south side of the Nottoway River in Albemarle Parish, bounded by Lambeth Zells, Catherine Evans, and said Zells, being land granted to Henry Pebles, father of the said Constance Jones and the said Elizabeth Carter, Aug. 25, 1731.)
Henry Peebles had died and the land descended to his daughters, namely Constance Jones, Elizabeth Carter, Agnes Zells, Lucy Zells, Amy Bishop, and Rebecca Pebles. ~ from David Gammon

“William Bishop was living in Halifax County as early as 15 December 1763. He and his wife, Sarah, – with John Bishop and wife, Rebecca, – and William Bishop, Jr., all of Halifax County, North Carolina, sold 160 acres of land in Albemarle Parish, Sussex County, Virginia, to William Jones for the sum of 70 pounds. This same group is mentioned in a 500 acre tract in the same county on 14 November 1772. (Sussex County, Virginia, Deed Book C, p. 26, and Deed Book E, p. 24). ~ Mrs Grady Ross

e-mail 25 Mar 04 from David B Gammon:
I can easily understand part of the 1763 deed, but not all. My dilemma is in identifying John Bishop and wife Rebecca in this deed. Is this the John who is son of William and Amy, or the John who is presumed to be brother of William Bishop?

I want it to be the John who is presumed brother of William, with wife Rebecca Peebles.
This would fit the scenario better.

The William Bishop Jr. who is in the deed is obviously son of William and Amy. On your web site you indicate we don’t know much about him beyond his Revolutionary service. Here is why I have identified him this way —

Henry Peebles died intestate, leaving only daughters. His land fell to them in equal shares. There were six daughters – Constance, Elizabeth, Amy, Rebecca, Agnes, and Lucy. Each got 1/6. Then, in 1742, Elizabeth and Constance sold their shares to William Bishop. This made him owner outright of 2/6, and he was co-owner of the 1/6 that Amy owned in her own name.

We know that Amy died by 1762, because William Bishop makes a deed with wife Sarah. At Amy’s death without a will, her 1/6 would have fallen to her eldest son – William Jr. That’s why he is involved in the deed. This is why I don’t think the John and Rebecca are the son and daughter-in-law of William and Amy, but rather John the brother – Rebecca Peebles Bishop would have had her own claim of 1/6 of the Peebles land.

Anyway, this is my take – mull it over and see what you think. It doesn’t really help us identify anyone else – but it proves that William Jr. was the eldest son of William and Amy.

Ancestors of Jack Powell