Henry Bishopp Esq., 'Ætat sua 80' (aged 80). Painted with his faithful dog by the little known artist Francis Crake in 1684. Digitised from the Parsonage House portrait by R. S. Gordon, Henfield Museum, 2019
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Henry Bishopp Esq. (1605 - 1691)
Cavalier, exile to Virginia colony, Postmaster General and inventor of the postmark, Henry was one of Henfield's most colourful figures (the surname spelt in numerous ways as per the 17th century norm). Born a younger son of the 1st Baronet of Parham, Sir Thomas Bishopp MP, Henry inherited the Rectory Estate including the Parsonage House and lands in and around Henfield after his father's death in 1626 - the manor passed by Saxon tradition 'time out of mind' to the youngest son. His grandfather, Thomas Byshopp Esq., a very successful Tudor lawyer, had been demised the manor from the Bishop of Chichester in the 1530s and rebuilt the Parsonage House, later being buried at St. Peter's Church in what was to become known as the Parham Chapel. His elder brother Edward became 2nd Baronet and remained in the grander setting of Parham itself. Henry and his family were ardent Royalists and as such suffered considerably during the Civil War. The tale of Henry's faithful hidden hound, desperate escape to Virginia Colony in America and rise to prominence as a postal pioneer after the restoration of Charles II can be read in our article: |
Example of a Bishopp Mark to the left of the wax seal, 1680-90. Image: Henfield Museum
Henry's sister Elizabeth's legacy also lives until today
In 1661, Henry's elder sister Elizabeth founded a charity which makes an annual donation to charitable causes to this day. Henry was a founding trustee. Discover the story below...
In 1661, Henry's elder sister Elizabeth founded a charity which makes an annual donation to charitable causes to this day. Henry was a founding trustee. Discover the story below...
The 1661 Charter of the Dame Elizabeth Gresham Charitable Trust