BISHOP FAMILY STORIES
Stephen Coleman Bishop Sr. & Mary Smart
& Rhoda Cannon
& Catherine and Charlotte Ann Cales
1803-1880
Bishop Family in South Carolina
Look on the "Bishop-Cummings" page in this website for the family story of the Bishop family in Horry, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties of South Carolina. As mentioned elsewhere - if you have any corrections or additions to make to the information herein listed, please send me an email with the necessary information
Smart Family in the American Colonies
The original members of the Smart family to come to the Colonies, according to information on the Smart family GenForum, came from Ireland, settling in Virginia. There are still members of the Smart family living in the old family home in Virginia (farm/plantation). Many of the descendants moved to North Carolina, particularly Rutherford County and in the Durham area.
It is probable that Mary Smart's parents moved from North Carolina since that was a common route of migration in those days. Other than that, nothing is known about her parents or siblings.
Stephen Coleman Bishop Sr. and Mary Smart - his first marriage
Stephen Coleman Bishop Sr., the son of Stephen Bishop, was born on Monday, January 24, 1803 in either Horry County or Scotland. Sources differ as to his place of birth. Some sources list his birth date as May of 1803. His mother's name is unknown. Sources also differ on the date of his death - February 6, 1878; November of 1878; or May of 1880 in Bethera, Berkeley District, SC.
Mary Smart was born in 1806 in Horry County, SC. She died on Monday, September 2, 1833 in Horry County, SC. That was the date of Mary Ann "Polly" Bishop's (her youngest child) birth. So she probably died during childbirth. At the time of her death, her oldest child (Lucy Ann Bishop) was only eight (8) years old. Their young age at the time of their mother's death coupled with the fact that Stephen married three (3) more times probably accounts for the lack of knowledge about even the names of Mary's parents.
The family of Stephen Coleman Bishop Sr. and Mary Smart
Stephen Coleman Bishop Sr. and Mary Smart were married in 1824 in Conway, Horry District, SC. They had five (5) children:
- Lucy Ann Bishop (1825-1888)
- Pvt. Isaac Coleman Bishop (1827-1912)
- Sarah Jane Bishop (1829 - ? )
- Samuel Eleaser Bishop (1831-1895)
- Mary Jane "Polly" Bishop (1833-1875)
Stephen Coleman Bishop and Rhoda Cannon - his 2nd marriage
Stephen Coleman Bishop married Rhoda (Rhody) Cannon about 1835 in Bethera, Berkeley District, SC.
Rhoda Cannon, the daughter of Redden (Sr.) and Sarah Cannon, was born about 1816 in Bethera, Berkeley District, SC. She died on March 1, 1858.
Stephen Coleman Bishop and Rhoda Cannon had five (5) children:
- William Bishop (1836-1854)
- Joseph Bishop (1838-1850)
- Stephen Coleman Bishop (1840-1919)
- Louisa Bishop (1842-1896)
- Frances Bishop (1843-1901)
Stephen Coleman Bishop and Catherine Cales - his 3rd marriage
Stephen Coleman Bishop and Catherine Cales were married not long after Rhoda Cannon died in March of 1858.
Catherine Cales, parents unknown, was born about 1840 in Bethera, Berkeley District, SC . She died on January 1, 1859 three days after the birth of their one child - probably from complications during childbirth:
- Robert James Bishop (1858-1931)
Stephen Coleman Bishop and Charlotte Ann Cales - his 4th marriage
Stephen Coleman Bishop married Charlotte Ann Cales some time after her sister Catherine's death, possibly in 1858. It was not uncommon in those days for a man to marry the sister of his wife after his wife's death, particularly when there were children
Charlotte Ann Cales was born about 1842 and died in 1900. There is no record of any children from this marriage. In those days it would have been stated in the record that there was "no issue" from the marriage if there were no children.
Stephen Coleman Bishop and his four (4) wives
The records of Stephen Coleman Bishop and his four wives, particularly the sisters Catherine and Charlotte Ann Cales, are at times convoluted. If you happen to have any good records of these ancestors with reliable sources, PLEASE let me know and I will update the site "forthwith" and give you credit for the information (along with the source) - unless you prefer to remain anonymous.
Many thanks - ahead of time.