Mount Repose: 2nd Bisland Estate

1 Bisland Rd. Natchez, MS

Circa 1824

The home reflects the name - “a huge, comfortable, old-fashioned, country gentleman’s home.” Pine Ridge community and second oldest Bisland home in area

William Bisland (1797-1847) and Mary Louisa Lavinia Witherspooon Bisland (1805-1873) built the mansion on land given by father John Bisland of Mount Airwell. They wed in 1820. Bisland was a planter. William's older brother owned Mistletoe.

The author Elizabeth Bisland lived there. She worked with Lafcadio Hearn at the New Orleans Picayune and wrote stories of daily southern life. Her books include Candle of Understanding and The Case of John Smith. 

In 1940, Robert Richard Baldwin of New York owned the estate. They are Bisland descendants. 

J. D. Shields family were occupants in 1940 also. Descendants also. Mrs Shields is a relative of Margaret Watts, wife of Spanish Governor Manuel Gayoso de Lemos of Natchez. 

Bisland’s Henry Clay president wager & loss - front vs side entrance

In 1979, the owners were Irenen Godrey, Caroline Sessions and Dr. Joseph Shields III. The property still retains over 240 acres. NR 1979 See Mount Airwell, Mistletoe

Sources: 

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/53830/53830-h/53830-h.htm