Bishop Family Association celebrates 25th anniversary

As the evening of Aug. 11, 2007 drew to a close at the Port Williams Community Centre and participants in the daylong 25th Bishop Family Association reunion bade their goodbyes, one was aware that something special had taken place.

The 75 descendants of John Bishop, Sr. (1709–1785) who had gathered from parts of N.S., N.B., Ontario, Manitoba, Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts and Maine met, renewed acquaintances and made friends with those who were here for the first time. They conversed over a buffet lunch prepared by granddaughters of Avard and Sandy Bishop. They were educated on the “Fundy Tides” by retired Physics professor, Dr. Roy Bishop of Avonport. While touring the Prescott House Museum and the lovely gardens at Starr’s Point, there was additional opportunity for conversation that prompted some to ask, “Now which Bishop son are you descended from?”

As the location of our reunion this year was in Port Williams - part of the former Cornwallis Township - Sandy Bishop led the group to the site of the landing of the Planters on the north side of the Cornwallis River to view the Planter Cairn.

Special highlight

The highlight of this 25th anniversary celebration was the cutting of the cake by Rev. William Marshall Bishop of Wolfville, N. S.

Rev. Bishop, a retired Anglican minister, came knocking on the doors of Lorna Huston and others in Greenwich back in 1982. He was anxious that an association be formed to preserve the heritage of that first Bishop family, consisting of John Bishop, Sr. and his four sons: John Jr., William, Peter andTimothy for future generations.

The Bishop family had arrived with the first English-speaking migration to Nova Scotia of the New England Planters in 176,0 taking as their grant the present Noggins Corner Farms in Greenwich, N.S. Interestingly, the 10th and 11th generation of Bishops still operate the farm today.

Avard L. Bishop, son of Rev. William Bishop, visiting with his family from France, offered the Grace for the evening meal. A special thank-you to Audrey Griffin and the ladies of the Lioness group of Port Williams for catering to this event.

The after-dinner speaker was Terry Punch of Halifax, noted genealogist/historian and a CBC talk show host. He’s the author of Genealogical Research in Nova Scotia and Genealogists Handbook of Atlantic Canada Research. His topic, “Nova Scotia – A Place of Importance”, was well received.

Historic sites tour

On Friday evening, a large group of BFA participants and members of the community gathered at Noggins Corner Farm for a hayride and to tour of some historic sites on the farm.

The former Grist Mill, Mi’kmaq camping ground, dykeland and other points of interest were explored. A Barn Dance with lively music provided by Randall Bishop and his musical friends delighted all in attendance. The evening wasn’t complete without the sparkling display of fireworks under a lovely August sky.

Much appreciation to the Bishop family of Noggins Corner Farm for providing the entertainment for this evening event.

The dream of Rev. William M. Bishop has come true. Committee member Mr. Ben Knoll of Fall River, N. S. (e-mail: ben.knoll@ns.sympatico.ca) is continually updating the publication of a four-volume genealogy, Tangled Roots, published in 1990. For more information write: Bishop Family Association, 10009 Hwy. 1, Wolfville, N. S., B4P 2R2 or e-mail:pbishop@nogginsfarm.ca. - Submitted by Glenda M. Bishop