Henfield Museum
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Henry Bishopp

Picture
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
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:
​The Tale of Henry Bishopp, Cavalier & Postmaster General
Picture
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...
The Dame Elizabeth Gresham Charity
Picture
The 1661 Charter of the Dame Elizabeth Gresham Charitable Trust
​Website funded by the Friends of Henfield Museum, built & maintained by R. S. Gordon. Credit to Mike Ainscough for moving the website idea from discussion to reality.
Henfield Museum, 2023, All rights reserved except where stated otherwise.
  • Home
    • Our Vision
    • The History of Henfield Museum
  • Collections
    • The Marjorie Baker Photo Collection >
      • Those Who Served
    • Costume >
      • Costume: Current Exhibitions
      • Costume: Past Exhibitions
      • Costume: Features
    • Our Art Collection
    • Wade Family Watercolours
    • Historic Photograph Collection >
      • Henfield Past in Colour
      • Ghosts of the Past
      • Henfield's Royal Celebrations
    • Audio Library
    • Maps & Aerial Photos
  • Exhibitions
  • Henfieldians Past
  • Blog
  • Heritage Projects
    • Henfield's Natural History >
      • Arborea
      • The William Borrer Transcription Project
    • Oral Histories
    • A Favourite Object
    • Henfield Heritage Trails
    • Local History Research
  • Friends of Henfield Museum
    • Join Form: The Friends of Henfield Museum
  • Henfield History Group
  • Key Resources
  • Education & Outreach
  • Gift Shop
  • Contact Us and Opening Times