On Sunday, October 5, 2014, two local chapters of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution held a ceremony to dedicate the grave site of Revolutionary War patriot Hooper Bishop. Local VFW and girl scout members, local dignitaries, and members of the public were in attendance. Hooper is buried in the Novi Cemetery (25445 Novi Road), which contains the graves of many war heroes, including two from the American Revolution.
Bishop was born March 22, 1762 and died on April 3, 1861 at a remarkable old age of 99, especially for the times. His wife, Betsey, predeceased him by nearly 40 years. The couple had four children.[1]
Bishop arrived in Michigan sometime before 1840 to live with his son, Levi, who owned a farm east of Novi. He regaled his grandchildren with stories of the war, from which he kept many relics, including his uniform and musket. At the time of his death, Bishop had a wooden leg and was blind.[2]
- Private Capt. John Carpenter company; enlisted June 25, 1779; discharged September 25, 1779; service with guards at Springfield enlistment three months.
- Private Capt. Caleb Keep’s company, Col. Israel Chapen’s regiment; enlisted October, 1779; discharged November 21, 1779; service 1 month, 11 days; enlisted three months; company raised to reinforce Continental army;
- South Brinefield descriptive list of men raised to reinforce Continental army for the term of six months, agreeable to resolve of June 5, 1780; Age, eighteen years; stature, five feet, five inches; complexion dark; residence South Brinefield; arrived in Springfield July 11, 1780; marched to camp July 11, 1780, under command of Captain George Webb.
- List of men raised for the six months service and returned by Brig. Gen. Patterson as having passed muster, in a return dated Camp Toloway, October 25, 1780;
- Pay roll for six-month men raised by the town of South Brinefield for service in the Continental army during 1780. Marched July, 1870; discharged December, 1780; service five months; discharged at West Point; and
- Private Capt. Abel King’s company, Col. Sear’s regiment; enlisted August 20, 1781; discharged November 26, 1781; service three months at Saratoga.[3] GJR
References
- History Of Oakland County, Michigan V1: A Narrative Account Of Its Historical Progress, Its People, And Its Principal Interests, Thaddeus DeWitt Seely.Id.
- Id.
- Id.
