Maria Bishop

Maria Bishop (nee Hart) was born in 1843 in Magdalen, Norfolk, England, the daughter of James Hart and Ann Mason. She emigrated to Australia with her family at the age of 12, settling in the Cassilis district of New South Wales.

Maria married Edward “Ted” Bishop in 1871 at Cassilis. They lived for many years in the district before moving further west to take up land at Come-By-Chance in the Walgett region, later moving closer to Walgett.

Maria was not a registered nurse, but regardless she was known for her tireless and selfless care of the sick across the Walgett and Lightning Ridge area. She became known as the “Florence Nightingale of the Bush.” She tended to homesteads and remote camps.

Maria and Edward Bishop had seven children: Susan Ann (1873–1879), Eva Sarah, Caroline Maria, Sara Gordelier, Edward “Timothy”, Alfred Robert, and Arthur William “Bob” Bishop.

After Ted’s death in 1918 at Petersham, Maria moved with her family to the Albury region, living for many years at Wantagong and later at “Wilga,” Holbrook. Maria Bishop passed away on 7 March 1937 at the age of 94 and is buried at Holbrook cemetery.

• Maria Bishop @ Find a Grave.

Article: Research by Leisa Carney, edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz. Sources: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, 28 June 1937, p. 7.