Charlotte was born in approximately 1823 and was the daughter of Louisa Brown. She and her family were enslaved by the Croghan family at Locust Grove.
It is believed that Charlotte met her first husband, Stephen Bishop, while he was at Locust Grove drawing the map of Mammoth Cave in 1842. Stephen Bishop – also enslaved by John Croghan – had become a famous explorer and tour guide at Mammoth Cave.
After their marriage, they lived together in the enslaved laborers’ houses near Mammoth Cave. She worked as a cook, cooking meals for the cave guides, and as a chambermaid in the Mammoth Cave Hotel.
In addition to her duties, Charlotte also often explored the cave with Stephen. He took her to what was described as a “fairy-like” section of the cave filled with gypsum flowers and named it “Charlotte’s Grotto.” On a wall, he drew a heart and wrote: “Stephen Bishop, M Cave Guide, Mrs. Charlotte Bishop 1843.” Besides that, he wrote, “Mrs. Charlotte Bishop, Flower of Mammoth Cave.” While the heart still can be seen, it’s not part of a tour today.
She and Stephen had multiple children together:
- Thomas Bishop (born in 1843)
- Gibson Bishop (born in 1846)
- Marshall Bishop (born in 1848)
- James Bishop (born in 1850)
Stephen, Charlotte, and their family were emancipated in the 1849 will of their enslaver, Dr. John Croghan. However, their emancipation was to be through a “gradual” process of 7 years. The first 4 years of this process, they were to work to pay off any debts of their deceased enslaver. The last 3 years, they were to save any wages earned to generate a “nest egg” to have financial independence upon gaining their freedom.
In 1856, their family finally obtained their full manumission and freedom from enslavement.
Unfortunately, Charlotte’s husband, Stephen, died in July 1857 of unknown causes. He was approximately 36 years old.
Sometime after 1860, Charlotte remarried to her second husband, Nicholas Bransford, who was also a guide at Mammoth Cave. They had at least two children together:
- Annie Bransford Brown (born 1861)
- Hannah Bransford Garvin (born 15 June 1864)
Nicholas and Charlotte lived in Edmonson County, Kentucky, the remainder of their lives. Nicholas, in his Last Will & Testament, leaves everything to his two daughters and his wife “Sharlotty”.
Charlotte’s death year is rumored to be 1897, but the records have not yet been discovered to confirm this.
It is believed that she met Stephen Bishop when he came to Locust Grove in 1842 to draw the map John Croghan published in Rambles in Mammoth Cave.
However, there is a signature on the walls at Mammoth Cave for “Charlotte Brown, 1841,” one that says “Charlotte Bishop, 1848,” and a heart containing several names, including “Stephen Bishop, 1843,” with “Mrs. Charlotte Bishop” written underneath.
Charlotte worked as a cook and a chambermaid in the hotel while at Mammoth Cave. She and Stephen had one son together, Thomas, who was born between 1843 and 1844. He was emancipated with his parents in 1856, but disappeared from historic records around the age of 16, and it is assumed he died young.