CHARLES R. BISHOP

During November 1931, E. Faxon Bishop of Honolulu, and a nephew of Charles R. Bishop, visited relatives at Hudson Falls and while there gave a dinner to several old and a few new friends. The compiler of this volume was fortunate in being present at this gathering and in listening to the flow of reminiscences which the occasion brought forth. Mr. Bishop also fulfilled a promise, upon his return home, to send the writer a brief account of the manner in which Charles R. Bishop and his companion, William L. Lee, became residents of the Hawaiian Islands. E. Faxon Bishop lived on Washington Street in Fort Edward, before he went to Hawaii, where he has since made his home and achieved prominence in shipping and the sugar business. Mr. Bishop told the writer that he lived for some time in the house next west of the Valentine house on Washington Street and remodelled some years ago by Joseph Brown. It was torn down in 1856 to make room for the new Catholic parochial school.

Between the lines of the following letter the reader will easily reconstruct a story seldom equalled by fiction.

C. BREWER AND COMPANY, LTD.

SUGAR FACTORS

Honolulu, Hawaii

Dec. 8, 1931 My dear Mr. Hill:

I have only just returned from the mainland, having tarried at several places after I left your part of the country....

“The Bishop family, as you term it, were not Washington County people, at least part of them came from Washington County and part from Warren County. My father was born at Old Sandy Hill, now Hudson Falls. My mother was a Massa­chusetts woman. Charles R. Bishop, who came to the Islands in 1846, always spoke of Glens Falls as his home town, but I really think he was born in Caldwell, now known as Lake George.

"You know the history of how he and William L. Lee of



Hudson Falls came to Hawaii around the Horn in 1846. They
did not leave (from Newburyport, Massachusetts) with the intention of coming to Hawaii at all, their destination being the
Columbia River which at that time was considered a region of
great adventure. However, after some 285 days their ship, a
small brig of 150 tons, put in to Honolulu for water and supplies
and these two young men decided that they had had enough for
the time being and came ashore, their plan being to proceed to
the Columbia River at a later time. However, neither of them ever
saw the Columbia.

"Lee, who was an able lawyer, a graduate of Harvard Law
School, became engaged in governmental affairs, and at the request
of the King organised the courts of the Kingdom, and also took
up the apportionment of land between the chiefs and the ordinal
native population under an edict of the King whereby each native
was awarded a piece of dry land to live on, and presumably 1
piece of wet land in some locality on which to grow his taro
that being the staff of life to the Hawaiian, or at least it was that
in those days. Lee lived only eleven years after coming to the
Islands, but he did a great and monumental work during that
period. His bones now rest in the Union Cemetery near your
village. Perhaps you have seen the quite conspicuous monument
that marks the spot.

"Mr. Charles R. Bishop, whose protege I was, lived to a great age, ninety-three and one-half years; he died in San Francisco June 7, 1915. (Faxon Bishop was a nephew of Charles R. Bishop)

"My own father, who died a comparatively young man, was an attorney at Fort Edward; at one time a partner of the late Edgar Hull. My own residence there was not long—I think from about 1869 to 1883. I was born in Illinois where my father went before the Civil War to take up the practice of law. Being a graduate of old Norwich University, Vermont, which was a military school and for military training, he was called into service and served in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry throughout the period of the Civil War, during which time he lost his health and was never again a strong man.



"I am trying now to find a copy of the History of C. Brewer and Company, Limited, the firm I have been with since 1883, which I propose to send to you. The book is now out of print and was really written only for circulation among our friends and stockholders, but in appreciation of your interest I shall gladly send you a copy of the book.

"Our party at Glens Falls was to me at least a most enjoyable affair. That after all these years so many of my old friends could be got together was not only wonderful, but an exceedingly happy affair. I wish that we might have had with us one of the dearest of my old friends, Clayton Smith of Providence, Rhode Island.

"Kindly remember me to any of the old friends who might happen along."

E. F. Bishop

I have heard that Judge A. Dallas Wait of Fort Edward had planned to accompany Bishop and Lee but that he declined at the last moment.

Charles R. Bishop married a native princess of Hawaii, as the following obituary confirms. On at least one occasion, I under stand that he and his wife were the guests of the Cheeseman family at their East Street home in Fort Edward. The Bishops were advised by their physician to spend one out of every four years in a cool climate.

MRS. CHARLES R. BISHOP

Over forty years ago a Sandy Hill boy named Charles R. Bishop emigrated to the Sandwich Islands and settled down in the city of Honolulu, where he engaged in the business of banking and resides there yet. He was accompanied by William B. Lee (brother of John T. Lee). In 1850, he married Bernice Pauahi, the adopted daughter of the mother of King Kamehameha. As will be seen by the notice below, Mrs. Bishop died October 16, at Honolulu, regretted by all:

"Our community has received another sad shock in the death



of the above noble and beloved lady, which took place at her residence on Emma Street, eight minutes after twelve o'clock noon, today. She had not been conscious since morning, and passed away peacefully in the presence of her immediate relatives and friends. The deceased was born December 19th, 1831, at Haleakala, the family residence on King Street, consequently was nearly fifty-three years of age. Her parents were Paki and Konia, a very high chief and chiefess. She was at once adopted by Kinau, the mother of the Kings Kamehameha, fourth and fifth, and was sent to a school kept by Mr. and Mrs. Cook, which was called the Royal School. In June 1850, she was married to the Hon. Charles R. Bishop, our well-known banker, who survives her. The deceased was well read, having travelled extensively on the con­tinent and through other countries. Her taste for art was very great, and her love for flowers beyond description, her garden always being a perfect Paradise. In the art of entertaining she was queenly, and there are very few people in our city who have not partaken of her hospitality. She was a very good musician, passionately fond of the arts. We express the universal sentiment in conveying our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved husband and relatives in their sad affliction. Directly the news was received in town, most of the business houses and the Government House were closed, and the Consular flags and those in the harbor were at half mast. The body will lie in state tomorrow, Friday, from 10 A.M. until 2 P.M. at the residence on Emma Street. The funeral will probably take place two weeks from next Sunday. A sad historical interest attaches to the decease of the distinguished lady, in that she was the last of the illustrious lineage of the Kamehamehas." (Honolulu Daily Bulletin, Nov. 12, 1884.)

There was confusion upon the part of the local press regard­ing Mrs. Bishop. One notice (no source, no date) states that: "Mrs. C. R. Bishop has been offered the throne of the Sandwich Islands. She is a native of Warren County. Some two years ago a Mrs. Cordelia Bishop was home from the Sandwich Islands on a visit to friends at Warrensburgh. Many of our people remember



her well, and her parents, now deceased, who used to live south of this village. She was at one time an inmate of the Burhan’s home. There is no doubt, in the minds of the people who were acquainted with her, that she is the Mrs. Bishop so honored. (Probably—Troy Times.)



However, a letter signed "L." reads: "Sandy Hill, Jan. 7, 1873. To the Editor of the Troy Times—In your issue of yester-day you say that Mrs. C. R. Bishop, to whom was offered the throne of the Sandwich Islands, was a native of Warren County. This is a grave mistake, for the Mrs. Bishop alluded to is a native of Honolulu and a member of the Royal family. She is the wife of Charles R. Bishop and he is now a native of that country. Mr. Bishop left a clerkship, in the store of Charles Dewey of Sandy-Hill, many years since. Charles Bishop, after successfully prosecuting his business there, wooed and married this Hawaiian princess and within a few years visited Sandy Hill, bringing Mrs. Bishop with him, a lady whom all admired, and none more than your correspondent."

Another correspondent of the Times added that: "Mr. Bishop was made Collector of the Port and Mr. Lee, Chief Justice of the Islands. Some old readers of the Times may remember Mr. Lee as a member of the law firm of Church & Lee of your city."

It would be interesting to know how Bishop and Lee over came the problem of language. I believe that missionaries were well established in the Islands when they arrived and may have acted as interpreters. No doubt in time they must have mastered the native dialect in order to conduct the increasing affairs of the country. I believe the Cook's were missionaries.

This story would not be complete without a sketch of William L. Lee, who accompanied Mr. Bishop to the Islands. Fortunately some data is available; also the curious may wish to pause and survey his monument to the right of the gate and well towards the west fence of Union Cemetery between Fort Edward and Hudson Falls. This first article may be tinged with some imagination upon the part of the author.



WILLIAM L. LEE

"The Union Cemetery between Fort Edward and Sandy Hill (now Hudson Falls) contains a monument with the following inscription: "Here lies the remains of William Lee, who died May 28, 1857, aged thirty-six years, at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, where he had resided over ten years as Chancellor and Chief Justice of the Owayheen Kingdom.'" The history of Mr. Lee's life is quite romantic. Starting from Sandy Hill, after being partly educated at a military school in Vermont, he entered the Albany Law School. Soon after he drifted to New York and entered a lawyer’s office as "factotum." Soon tiring of such a life he, in company with a friend, concluded to start for Oregon and enter upon the practice of civil engineering. The vessel upon which he sailed was compelled after a series of mishaps to put in at the Sandwich Islands for provisions. The King of the Islands was then waging war with one of his neighbors and desiring assistance, other than that guaranteed by his native counsellors, sent a messenger to the vessel to inquire if there was an educated man from the States on board; and in reply to such inquiry Mr. Lee returned with the messenger. After being suitably arrayed he was con' ducted into the presence of the King. That person signified to him his desire to have his assistance in conquering his rebellious neighbors. After the lapse of several days, Mr. Lee reported several plans, which so delighted the King that he requested him to remain, and offered him a prominent position under him.— Mr. Lee, however, refused to remain unless his companion could be likewise recognised. After considerable negotiation, arrangements were effected whereby both consented to remain. In less than three months Mr. Lee was promoted to the position of Chancellor, and Chief Justice. After he had been there about two years he signified his desire to the young lady of whom he had become affianced before he left Sandy Hill, that she should put in an appearance at Honolulu. She immediately proceeded to India (?) despite the protestations of her relatives and friends who conceived her to be catering to the delicate tastes of some fastidious



authropophagite (?). Upon her arrival in the harbor of Honolulu she was married to Mr. Lee by an Episcopal clergyman. At the husband's death she returned home with his body. She then took up her residence in New York City where she is now residing as the wife of Prof. E. L. Youmans, of the Popular Science Monthly, with whom it will be remembered, King Kalahaua lunched during his stay in New York." (Article dated, "Ft. Edward, Jan. 18, 1875," from the Troy Press.)

(Note—Mr. Faxon Bishop stated that Lee was a lawyer and a graduate of Harvard College. This article indicates otherwise and that he was a civil engineer. See Mr. Richards article which follows and explains these contradictory statements.)

"William Little Lee, son of Stephen and Mary (Little) Lee; born Sandy Hill, N. Y., February 8, 1821; died Honolulu, May 28,1857; A.B. andM.CJE.; Norwich University 1842; conducted military school Portsmouth, Va., 184243; Harvard Law School 1843-44; lawyer at Troy, N. Y., 1844-46. Being threatened with consumption he sailed for Oregon from Newburyport on the brig "Henry." After a tempestuous voyage of about eight months, the vessel arrived at Honolulu, October 12, 1846. This was a critical period in the affairs of the young nation and the Government was engaged in a controversy with some of the foreign residents, which had embroiled nearly the whole community and menaced its very existence. The matter in dispute was referred to Mr. Lee, who settled the question so wisely that the King offered him the position of Presiding Judge. In time he became Chief Justice, Chan­cellor and Privy Counsellor to the King. He framed a revised constitution of the Kingdom and drew up its civil and criminal codes. Later he persuaded the King and Chiefs to give one-third of their land to the common people, and was appointed president of the committee to carry out the provisions of a new land law which he had drawn up. In 1855, he was Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary to the United States to negotiate a reciprocity treaty. His health was always delicate and was undermined by attendance upon natives during an epidemic of small pox. He died May 28,1857. He was stated to be one of the ablest lawyers of his time and did much toward civilizing the inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands. He married March 11, 1848, Miss Catherine E. Newton of Albany, N. Y., who in later life married for a second husband, Edward L. Youmans, Editor of the Popular Science Monthly. (Per Frederick, B. Richards of Glens Falls, a descendant of William L. Lee.)

Mr. Richards also states that Charles R. Bishop accompanied William Lee to Honolulu, where he married a princess of the royal family; became a man of great wealth, and died as president of the Bank of California in San Francisco at the age of ninety years. Just south of where the High Point tavern used to stand on the Lake GeorgeWarrensburgh state road are now the remains of a chimney which mark a former house generally understood as having been the birthplace of Charles R. Bishop.

I add one more anecdote to this interesting story and as told me by the late Judge Erskine C. Rogers of Hudson Falls: "It was customary, in the days when Mr. Lee died, to embalm a body for shipment by sea in a hogshead of rum. Mr. Lee was so returned to Sandy Hill (now Hudson Falls) for burial. When the cask was opened he had turned so black that some doubt was expressed by his acquaintances as to the correct identity of the body. Judge Rogers said that his grandmother identified Lee by a mole on his neck. Judge Rogers' daughter had another version of the story but we will not go into that right now. Still another was that while the cask was enroute, the sailors drew off and drank the rum, the lack of which prevented good preservation.

[Source: "Addenda, Old Fort Edward before 1800" by William H. Hill, 1957 - Submitted by K. Torp]