Levi Bishop (1818 - 1897)

Born 6 Mar 1818 in Putnam Co. Georgia

Descendants

Died 2 Feb 1897 at age 78 in Chalybeate Springs, Meriwether, Georgia, United States

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Biography

Levi Bishop served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: Apr 28, 1864
Mustered out: mmm dd, yyyy
Side: USA
Regiment(s): Company E

U. S. Census and other records indicate Levi Bishop was born in Georgia about 1818. He first appears in the 1840 U.S. Census for Upson Co. Georgia, as head of household with a female age 20-30, a male child age of 5-10 and a female child under 5.

Levi Bishop married his wife Miranda approximately 1834. Miranda's maiden name and the exact date and place of the marriage is currently not known. They had a long marriage together and appear in the same household in Census records as late as the 1880 U.S. Census. The 1900 U.S. Census lists Miranda as a widow living in her son Henry's household. They had 12 children together, two of whom were twins.

The 1850 Census for Upson Co. Georgia, indicates that he was a blacksmith by trade. The 1860 U.S. Census for Meriwether Co, Georgia, indicates his occupation as "farmer/blacksmith". Later Census records indicate he was employed as a farmer.

During the U.S. Civil War neither Levi nor any of his sons initially served in the military. The 1864 Census For Re-Organizing the Georgia Militia indicates that Levi and his son John Westley were exempt from service due to "disability". Levi's older son William was exempt as a "farmer". Apparently Levi's exemption status changed in April of 1864 when he and his son John Westley were inducted into Company E of the 1st Georgia Reserve Infantry Regiment (Fannin's). They were inducted into service as Privates on April 28, 1864, at Atlanta for the, "duration of war". Note that there were quite a number of other 1st Georgia infantry regiments organized during the war. The unit in which Levi and his son John Westley served was differentiated from the others by the name (Fannin's).

The Roster of the 1st Georgia Reserve Infantry Regiment (Fannin's) describe Levi Bishop as being, "age 48, 5'9" in height, dark complexioned with black eyes and light hair".

Elements of the 1st Georgia Reserve Infantry regiment were assigned to guard duty at the infamous POW camp at Andersonville. They served there at a time when the camp was an inhumane, intolerable hellhole for both prisoners and guards alike. Levi apparently did not enjoy his service there. An advertisement in the Macon Daily Telegraph, published October 1, 1864, offers a $30.00 reward for the "apprehension and delivery" to their units of twelve AWOL soldiers from Andersonville. Levi Bishop of Sand Town, Meriwether Co., Company E, 1st Georgia Reserve Infantry Regiment was named as one of the AWOL soldiers.

After the Civil War, Levi Bishop apparently signed the loyalty oath to the national government and continued residing with his family in Meriwether Co, Georgia, until his death some time after 1880.

FSFTID LDYK-PTP.

Levi Bishop was a blacksmith, performed as Justice of the Peace acting as Judge over the Justice Court of the 706 G. M. District (1st district). He was known as a great lover of music and a teacher and great song leader.

Parents

Ancestry has a record with the parents as:

Ephriam Biship

Nancy Coakes

Sources

• 1840 U.S. Census, Dist. 587, Upson Co., Georgia.

• 1850 U.S. Census, Dist. 86, Upson Co., Georgia.

• 1870 U.S. Census, Dist. 1, Chalybeate Springs, Meriwether Co., Georgia.

• 1864 Census For Reorganizing the Georgia Militia, 364th Senatorial Dist.

• Roster of First Georgia Reserve Infantry Regiment (Fannin's), Company E.

• Old First District of Meriwether County and Its People (pub 1984) see page 63.
• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZMF-4S5 : 13 December 2017), Levi Bishop, 1860.
• "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC3X-QQ3 : 12 April 2016), Levi Bishop, Georgia, United States; citing p. 13, family 101, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,664.
• "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8GF-HHM : 22 August 2017), Levi Bishop, District 706, Meriwether, Georgia, United States; citing enumeration district ED 84, sheet 290B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0157; FHL microfilm 1,254,157.