William B. Bishop Civil War Pension

Son of William/Sarah (Burns) Bishop

a. Deposition of William B. Bishop # 3485366, Apr. 21, 1896: Enlisted at Booneville and mustered in at Irvine. Enlisted by himself; no physical exam. Scout to McGoffin Co. Ky while in service. Rheumatism so bad he could barely get home from Camp Nelson Mar. 1864. Signed his name William B. Bishop. I have only one brother living Perry Bishop. I worked with Ezekial Dean and William Hunt a great deal. Granville Bishop is my nephew. I began farming and working for myself in about 1842 and worked alone most of the time. When I was about 14 years old my brother Sam Bishop let a stick of wood fall on my foot and I was unable to walk without crutches for six months and it gives out yet if I work on it much. I have to wear my shoe larger on that foot. I am 71 years of age, a farmer PO Teges. I served as a private and sergeant in CO. I , 14 Ky Vol Cav. from Oct 1862 to Mar. 1864. I am pensioned at the rate of $14 / month. I was born and raised on the farm I am now living on here at Teges, Clay Co. Ky. My father was a farmer and I lived and worked on the farm prior to my enlistment. I had been married but my wife died in 1855. I was older than most of the men of my company, ie, about 37 years old I think. This whole trouble over my pension came up through prejudice; Lee Craft wanted our school and I refused to let him have it and he said he would have my pension stopped.

b. Aff: John Bishop (See John son of Abel Bishop): Apr.22, 1896. I am 50 years of age, a farmer PO Gabbard, Owsley. I served as a private in Co. D. 47 Ky. regt. I am a third cousin of the soldier Wm B. Bishop and have known him ever since I was a boy. He worked for my father and was a hand at logging and on the farm. He was considered one of the stoutest men in this part of the country and was a sort of â bully. He was a large man and was in many fights. He was here when I came home from the service.

c. Aff: Perry Bishop: Apr.22, 1896 I am 60 years of age, a farmer PO Sebastian, Owsley Co. I enlisted as a private in Co. I 14th Ky Vol. Cav. from Nov 1862 to march 1864. I am a half brother of the claimant. We were raised together and have lived close ever since. After I got to be a man he went out to work for himself. He was a large active man and was always considered the best man physically in the County. He had a spell of sickness at Irvine Ky while in the service. He was bad off and gave out on the way home from Camp Nelson.

e. William B. died Mar. 4, 1905.Â Mary Ann Bishop widow. (Married Mary Ann Carmack 1871. Recorded in Booneville.) Married Esther Baker the first time. (3-29-45). Was prisoner to rebels but escaped. Farm is at the mouth of Newfound Creek. Farmer & Miller. f.Aff: William Sr. Bishop- Age 72 in 1885. Tedious Creek. I served with William B. Bishop & Perry Bishop in the war.

g. Letter from John Bishop (Son of Abel) Labored at my father's with him. PO Conkling, Owsley. William B.'s wife was married to Joseph W. Crofford in Tn. Mary Ann and husband moved to Ky from Tn in 1863. . Job A. Allen says he grew up with Wm B in the same house. He lived with the Allen family before the war.

h. Jenny Bishop Sister in Law (Andrew's wife) Known him for 54 years - Madison Co.

The following is not part of the Pension claim. The children of William Bishop & Sarah Burns are:
* Samuel Bishop b 1820 never married,
* Andrew Bishop b 1822 m 1843 Jane Baker b 1827 d/o Boston Baker: Children: William Bishop 1844, Granville Bishop 1845 m Jane Kelly b 1843, John Bishop 1847 m Permelia Barrett b 1850, George Bishop 1849 m Rachel Edwards b 1842, Polly 1852 m ?, Robert 1861 m Sophia Estridge b 1862, Sally Ann 1865.
* Cassandra Bishop b 1824 m 1852 to Samuel Combs b 1832.
* William B. Bishop married 3 times w 12 children. m Easter Baker b 1830 dau of Boston Baker (Robert) children of Wm & Easter : Cassander b 1846, Robert b1848. Wm 2d marriage to Jenny Baker, Wm Bishop's 3d marriage to Mary Ann Carmack : This line brought Hugh who was the Father of Clay M. Bishop the Judge.
* Perry was the son Sarah Burns and Thomas MIller - See Perry Bishop's claim.

As another ramble away from the pension claim. The John Jay Dickey Diary referring to the legendary killing of Pruitt the shoemaker, says Billy Baker was hanged for the murder. Billy was the son of Robert Boston Baker. A man named Bishop married Baker's sister. She swore that her husband killed Prewitt . This so incensed him (Bishop) that he left her. He still lives in Clay County, he is getting old; I see him in town. He is big Will Bishop. This all fits William B. Bishop, the subject of this claim. For more about the hanging read Jess D. Wilson's When They Hanged the Fiddler.