Jonathan Heppell
Founding Member · November 20 2019 at 12:16 AM
Facebook Group ~ FFF: discussion re omission of Mary Bishop from OGH Parramatta Women of Distinction exhibition.
Amanda Hoppitt But what do they classify as significant? That could explain her omission.
Founding Member · November 20 2019 at 12:16 AM
Facebook Group ~ FFF: discussion re omission of Mary Bishop from OGH Parramatta Women of Distinction exhibition.
Amanda Hoppitt But what do they classify as significant? That could explain her omission.
- Susanna Lynley I don't know. It may be that the exhibition concentrates of Macquarie's tenure and she was only around for his first year, from memory.🌿 I'm not an expert. I am waiting for someone who is to jump in.
- Mark Pearce Or maybe just the difficulties of identity as detailed both in Mollie Gillen and here-
http://www.thetreeofus.net/8/219855.htm - Jonathan Heppell Greetings Mark. The difficulties to which you refer are largely due to the assumption by many researchers that if a fact appears in an official record, then it is gospel. The marriage record of Samuel Day and Mary Bishop in Nov 1788 confused even the estimable Mollie Gillen and has been the source of much misinformation. It does however fail the test of logic and reason in the light of subsequent events. My research notes, posted piecemeal on the Tree of Us website, have been distilled into the narrative MARY BISHOP X HER MARK, fully sourced, which can be read online at bishopsinoz.weebly.com. Mary's ascent from convict to The Housekeeper for the governors is a quintessential example of her peers forming the backbone of the colony. Her 10 year tenure in that office also speaks volumes, outlasting as she did the first 2 governors to occupy OGH, as well as the usurpers. Testament to the regard in which she was held by the highest office holders in the colony are the land grants awarded to her and her family, against all convention, especially the restoration by Macquarie of her cancelled Parramatta town lease and 30ac. Bringelly grant, to, in his own words … a ”deserving and Meritorious person”. The fact that she was an important witness to both the Castle Hill revolt and the Rum Corp coup adds an additional dimension to her right to be featured in any exhibition which aspires to be representative of the times.
- Susanna Lynley
- Jonathan Heppell thank you for summarizing the situation. I'll put this to Anna Ridley the curator next Tuesday. I am hoping that other descendents of Mary might also contact her to add extra weight.
- Gail Maidment
Jonathan let me know how we can do that, thanks - Mark Pearce
Jonathan Heppell .... Thank you for sharing the link. Fascinating, and comprehensive research. - Jonathan Heppell (26 Mar 2020)
Greetings Susanna, and other interested parties. I recently had the opportunity to visit OGH at the invitation of "Women of Distinction" exhibition curator Anna Ridley. She was very obliging, and most apologetic for the omission of Mary from the exhibition, explaining that neither her desk nor the house archives held any information on Mary.
This position is consistent with the coverage of the previous "Old Government House ~ Parramatta" website, which disappeared into cyberspace some years ago, and also had no mention of Mary Bishop. At that time, I engaged with one of the House volunteers, (who now sits on the Friends of OGH &c. Committee) and made the effort to send him an earlier version of my research, for which he expressed interest, and thanks. It would seem to have gone no further.
Obviously, it is too late for inclusion in the current exhibition. However, Anna, now cognisant of the extent of Mary's involvement at OGH, has indicated that Mrs Bishop warrants permanent acknowledgement of some form within the house.
Anna has requested that I put together a presentation, to raise the awareness of the National Trust volunteers who staff the house, of Mary's role in its early days. I am in the process of preparing such a presentation and am keen to include any additional information any members can contribute.
I will keep this group advised of future developments. Hopefully, this process will, albeit somewhat belatedly, achieve the outcomes the members have expressed above. Cheers, Jon.
ps. Enjoyed the lunch at Lachlan's immensely. Thanks for the heads-up.
cc. Robyn Gambrill, Mark Pearce, Steven Ward, Debbie Taylor, Jacqueline Ambrose, Neisha Shrimpton, Pam Miller, Gail Maidment, Amanda Hoppitt.