Rev. Peter Bishop

Name

Rev. Peter Bishop

Biographical Information

Reverend Peter Bishop was the founder of Mt. Zion AME Church in 1865. He served as a trustee for the McComas Institute. In 1867, the Harford County Board of School Commissioners, partnered with Mt. Zion Methodist Church to help with constructing the McComas Institute under the leadership of Rev. Peter Bishop. The McComas Institute was a Freedmen’s school named in honor of George McComas, an abolitionist and tobacco merchant. Rev. Peter Bishop also assisted with organizing a committee which formed the Board of Directors for the school. Peter Bishop is listed in the 1860, 1870, and 1880 U.S. Census Records.[1] He appears twice in the 1880s records.[2] He was listed as living in Churchville in the first record and Abingdon in the second record. He also has a wife (Rachel Bishop) listed in the second record. Rev. Peter Bishop served the church, community, and supported the McComas Institute for many years until his death.

[1] "United States Census, 1860," FamilySearch, Entry for Peter Bishop and Rachael Bishop, 1860.

[1] "United States Census, 1870," FamilySearch, Entry for Peter Bishop and Neal Curtis, 1870.

[2] "United States Census, 1880," FamilySearch, Entry for Bennett Green and Charity Green, 1880.

[2] "United States Census, 1880," FamilySearch, Entry for Petre Bishop and Rachel Bishop, 1880.

School Affiliation

Magnolia aka McComas, Mountain School, Clayton, or Joppa