Sources: FWS leaflets #2 & #3, & Shepardsons.org
DANIEL SHEPARDSON (Jonathan5, Jonathan4, Nathaniel3, Daniel2, Daniel1) lived in Royalston, MA. Farmer. Married, September 9, 1801, Prudence Cook1, daughter of David and Prudence (——) Cook of Stratton, VT. She died June 24, 1858, aged 78. He died May 5, 1856. Records of his descendants are practically complete. Daniel Shepardson was the first burial in the Shepardson Family Cemetery on Rt. 32 in Royalston, MA, in 1856. Children:
Sources: FWS leaflet #3, & Shepardsons.org
JOHN SHEPARDSON (Jonathan5, Jonathan4, Nathaniel3, Daniel2, Daniel1) purchased a farm in the south part of Warwick in 1817. “Here he lived until the day of his death, some time (sic) in 1833, and preached in the schoolhouse in the south part of Warwick and in South Orange and in Erving's Grant nearly every Sabbath, working faithfully in the service of his Master to a good old age, when he was called to a better world on high, there to receive his reward.”—History of Warwick, page 166. One record says that he married Abigail Hawes. Another says int. pub. with Abigail Lawrence of New Salem, November 27, 1825. Abigail born 1783, died April 2, 1871, age 8811. No children, but he adopted a nephew, son of Moses Kenney of Richmond, NH, who was born in 1797, and took the Shepardson name. Elder John Shepardson was executor of his father's estate. He was a Baptist minister. He had a poetic temperament and wrote some verse which is preserved in pamphlet form, as well as in the History of Warwick. He died February 14, 183311. Both are buried in Warwick. Adopted child:
*Link Hannah to Related Families, Hunt Family. Need to find out when Hannah was married to Moses Kenney.
Sources: FWS leaflet #3, & Shepardsons.org
ISAAC SHEPARDSON (Jonathan5, Jonathan4, Nathaniel3, Daniel2, Daniel1) perhaps lived in Warwick, MA, or in Richmond, NH. He married Mary Paine of Athol, intentions published May 14, 17934 and had at least one child:
Sources: FWS leaflets #3 & #7
NOAH SHEPARDSON (Amos5, Amos4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1) married June 11, 1797, Jerusha Allen, who was born in Tinmouth, VT, March 26, 1781. He had a foundry in Clarendon, VT, and had a large business for his time. He died in Clarendon, VT, January 29, 1818. His widow married (2) Caleb Hall. She died October 10, 1841. Children:
Sources: FWS leaflets #3, #5, & #6
WILLIAM SHEPARDSON (Zephaniah5, Daniel4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1) was a millwright, mill owner and farmer. He was in the Revolution in the Guilford Company of his uncle, Capt. Stephen Shepardson, in 1777. After the Revolution, with his brothers, Joseph and Jared, he worked in Canada for several seasons, building mills. In 1786 he acquired land in Halifax, VT, and moved thereto. In 1799 he exchanged his Halifax farm with his brother Jared for the latter's one-hundred-acre farm in Guilford, and occupied the same with his father, to whom he leased half the land and one-third of the buildings. On a trip to Lansingburg, NY, he became ill and February 18, 1804, “died of a consumption and was bro't to Guildford (sic) and entired.” His estate administered by his wife and son Thaddeus was inventoried June 19, 1804, at $2,447, with claims against same of $989, his farm being listed at $2,000. The probate records and his tombstone refer to him as “Colonel,” but this was evidently his rank in the militia. He married Grace Fitch, who died February 1, 1808, of consumption, aged 48. Four of the children died of consumption. Children:
Sources: FWS leaflet #3, #5, & #6 (no changes from #6)
ZEPHANIAH SHEPARDSON (Zephaniah5, Daniel4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1)) was a clockmaker and farmer in Guilford, VT. He was in the Continental Army, and a journal written by him in 1800 at Guilford recounts his ten months' service. He enlisted January 1776, at Guilford, for one year, in Capt. Carlisle's company, Col. Bedell's Regt. of the New Hampshire Line, and soon after marched to Chesterfield, NH; to Charlestown, NH; to Ticonderoga, NY; on the ice to Crown Point; waited until ice was broken up, then by water to Port St. Johns; to Lawrence; by water to South Lawrence; ten miles across South River to Fort Ann; then three miles to the Cedar Falls, where they fortified and scouted under Butterfield until May 1776. A two days' fight occurred here, and, out of provisions and ammunition, they surrendered 20th May to the British and their allies, the Indians. After ten days a prisoner, plundered of his property, stripped in part of his clothing and “on scanty allowance, two or three ounces of meat and little or no bread but burnt crusts only,” he was exchanged and returned to the army. He marched to Aderson; there ill for five weeks with smallpox, and soon after for a number of months with “Camp Ail,” when his father hired a substitute in his place, came to camp (Lieut. Col. Wait's under Gen'l Gates) and brought him home to Guilford ill and broken in health. He closed his journal thus:
“I received Continental bills which were of little or no value; the loss of health, the loss of time, the loss of money and the loss of all my property, be the same more or less; now considering these circumstances I candidly think I need a compensation from my country as a merit or restoration.”
In the fall of 1777, he served 17 days in Capt. David Stowell's company in Col. William Williams' regt. From June 29th to July 5th, 1777, he was in Capt. Stephen Shepardson's company. He seems to have been a fifer. He was called “Lieutenant.” He died in Guilford, August 19, 1837. He was married three times: (1) To Rachel Wilkins, daughter of Daniel and Rachel Wilkins; she died of quick consumption, September 28, 1787, aged 32 years 8 months; (2) To Lettice Barney, January 10, 1788. She was born January 4, 1763, of Captain John and Rebecca (Martin) Barney of Guilford, and died May 11, 1831; (3) To Sarah (Babcock) Stedman, widow of Philemon. She died August 1, 1838, aged 82. There were 15 children, all born in Guilford. At one time the combined age of those living was about 1,200 years.
Sources: FWS leaflet #3 & #6 (no changes from #6)
ALFRED SHEPARDSON (John5, Daniel4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1) married June 27, 1796, Dolly Bullock in Guilford, VT, and lived there until February 1816, when he moved with his family to what is now Afton, NY. He died there in 1819. Children:
Sources: FWS leaflet #3, & WKS & DMSD Histories
SETH SHEPARDSON (John5, Daniel4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1) moved to Guilford, VT with his father. He was a Revolutionary soldier. He married Rhoda Carpenter in Vermont and all children with the exception of Anna were born there. Anna was born in Pennsylvania. Around 1820, they moved to Waterford Township, Erie County, PA. Seth was a member of the Masonic lodge, a magistrate and farmer. As he grew older, his son John took over the farm and Seth lived with John and his wife and family. His wife preceded him in death but the date is not known. He made his will on September 10, 1852 and it was probated one month later, during which time he had died. He was buried in Frisbee Cemetery, about 3 miles from Mill Villlage, PA. No marker. His son, Daniel, who was living in Blackberry Township, Kane County, IL at the time, returned home at his death. Daniel along with John, Seth Sr.'s other son, was a witness to, and executor of, his father's will. Another witness was a John Middleton who later bought the farm from John Shepardson. An interesting fact is that Hugh Middleton, a brother of John Middleton, the buyer of the farm, married an Alma C. Shepardson*. There was another brother of Hugh and John Middleton who was appointed by the court to take an inventory of Seth Sr.'s estate. The will in general terms states that John and Daniel had been previously taken care of and mentions some smaller grants to the others, i.e.:
1. I give and bequeath to Rowena Allen** fifty dollars.
2. I give and bequeath to my two daughters, Rhoda White and Anna White fifty dollars each and what their mother left them.
3. I give and bequeath to my son Seth Jr. five dollars and to his son Seth fifteen dollars.
4. I give to the heirs of Newell Shepardson (he had died previous to this time) five dollars, and to my granddaughter Rowena Gregory (Seth Jr.'s daughter) I give fifteen dollars.
The above may be found on pages 427-429 of will book "B" of Erie County, PA.
Children:
*WKS Note: Her exact lineage is unknown to me at this time, but not to be confused with Alma, daughter of DANIEL SHEPARDSON, or wife of Daniel who was also named Alma.
**WKS Note: I have seen Rowena listed as a daughter of Seth Sr.'s but it is my belief she is a housekeeper or something of that sort as in his next statement of his will, he states he has only two daughters and names them.
Sources: FWS leaflets #3 & #6
NOAH SHEPARDSON (Daniel5, Daniel4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1) removed from Attleboro, MA, to Guilford, VT. His wife was Hannah Barney*. He was made fence viewer March 12, 1792. With his cousins Joseph and Nathaniel he was in an attack against the "Vermonters" at Brattleboro, VT, in 1784. He received 30 acres of land in Bainbridge, Chenango County, NY, as part of that granted in 1786 to the sufferers who opposed the government of Vermont by New York State. Known children: Link Hannah to Related Families, Barney Family.
*FWS had Hannah ———. FamilySearch.org shows Hannah Barney with the source as “Family information - Ancestral File.”
Sources: FWS leaflets #3, #4, & #6
SAMUEL SHEPARDSON (John5, Daniel4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1) married May 1, 1779, Anna Barney, daughter of John Barney. She was born in Rehoboth, MA, February 9, 1761. He lived in Guilford, VT, dying on the farm his father occupied before him, February 28, 1813, after an illness of eight days from spotted fever. He was a freeman and town clerk of Guilford, March 25, 1782-3; In 1784 was guide of Vermont troops under command of Stephen R. Bradley, who suppressed disorder in Guilford; moderator of town meeting, 1794; constable in 1790, 1797, 1801; was called "Captain" in 1795; was collector in 1784, 1790, 1795; district clerk, district No. 14, 1810; member of Vermont Council, 1803-1808; register of probate in 1806, and presidential elector in 1808, casting his vote for James Madison. He was called "Major" at the time of his death, this probably being a militia title. He was a large man physically, weighing 285 pounds, tall, well-proportioned, and very active for a man of his size, as family traditions indicate. His widow spent her last years with her daughter, Anna Barney, dying in Lorain County, OH, near the mouth of Black river, June 22, 1852. Children:
"Be it remembered that all the cattle and sheep and swine that is marked with a cross of the right ear in the town of Guilford, is Samuel Shepardson's." (Bk. 1 of Deeds Record, Guilford.)
Sources: FWS leaflets #3 & #5
JOSEPH SHEPARDSON (Zephaniah5, Daniel4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1) was a carpenter and worked at that trade more than at farming. He lived in Guilford, VT, until his third child was born, then moved to Leyden, MA, from which place he moved to Colerain, MA, where he died November 2, 1821. He served in the Revolutionary war when he was not 17 years old. He was called “Lieutenant.” Near the close of the Revolution he went to Boston and enlisted on a privateer, but news of peace arrived before the ship sailed. In 1784 he was one in the attack against the “Vermonters” in Brattleboro, VT For his efforts in supporting the “York” government, he, with about one hundred other “Vermont sufferers,” received a grant of land in Chenango County, NY. He was a small man, not over five feet seven inches high, but lithe and active.
He married (1) October 25, 1787, Zurvier Parker, who was born September 15, 1768, daughter of James and Rebecca (Brown) Parker. She died October 7, 1806, in Leyden, MA; (2) February 15, 1807, Lucy Stedman, who was born September 13, 1783, daughter of Philemon and Sarah (Babcock) Stedman. He took a great interest in family history and kept careful records of what he could find for the benefit of the future family historian. Children born in Guilford and Leyden:
Sources: FWS leaflets #3, #5, & #6
JARED SHEPARDSON (Zephaniah5, Daniel4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1), a carpenter and millwright and later a farmer, lived in Guilford, VT, and the adjoining town of Halifax. The Vermont Revolutionary rolls show that he was on the pay rolls of Capt. Comfort Starr's company of militia of the town of Guilford, “who went out into the service of the State of Vermont in the alarm in the month of October 1780.”
Soon after the Revolution he worked with his brothers, Joseph and William in Canada, building mills for the French. One mill they erected had a water wheel and a wind wheel, and was also rigged to run by horse power when both wind and water failed. They built one saw‑mill with sixteen saws, two for slabbing the logs, and a gang of fourteen saws in one sash. This was before the days of the Muley or circular saws. He married December 6, 1793, Ruth Church (born September 29, 1770, daughter of David Church (Nathaniel4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Richard1) and Demaris, whose maiden name was also Church, and who married (2) Zephaniah Shepardson, father of Jared, as his second wife). Jared bought his father's one-hundred-acre farm in Guilford in 1793, paying £520 for the same. He lived there until 1799, when he sold his Guilford property to his brother William and purchased from him an 85-acre farm in Lot 54 in the Town of Halifax, which adjoins Guilford on the west, moving there the same year. The town records of Halifax contain this memorandum:
“Halifax, May 2, 1800. To all people to whom these presents shall come—Greeting: Know ye that I, Abner Bemis, of Halifax, being of the sect or denomination of Christians known by the name or appelation as Baptists, do hereby certify that Jared Shepardson is of the same sect or denomination as the subscriber, and that I, the said Abner Bemis, am minister of the same sect or denomination in the Town of Halifax, County of Windham and State of Vermont. Attest: ADNER BEMIS, Minister.”
Jared took a trip to Leominster, MA, and there was suddenly taken ill. It was necessary to have him brought to his home in Halifax, where he died July 6, 1810, in his forty‑eighth year, of “a consumption,” and was there buried. He left no will, but his wife was appointed to administer the estate and made guardian of the five younger children. The inventory dated August 29, 1810, amounted to $2,186.10, and contains: “One farm of 117 acres by estimation, $1,700; one yoke oxen, $60; 8 cattle, 21 sheep.” etc., etc.
His wife possessed more than ordinary ability in her administration of the estate, and the care of her family of small children, as is evidenced by the probate records. In 1817 she moved with her family to Gerry, Chautauqua County, NY, to which place many of her neighbors had removed previously. She died in Gerry, Chautauqua County, NY, August 9, 1850. Children, five recorded in Halifax:
**Twins
Sources: FWS leaflet #6
STEPHEN SHEPARDSON, JR. (Stephen5, Daniel4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1) married and moved from Guilford, VT to Coleraine, MA, where he died April 11, 1806. The Guilford records of 1793 refer to him as “Stephen Shepardson of Colrain, Hampshire Co., Mass., Yeoman,” while those of December 17, 1800, mention him as “of Guilford, formerly of Colrain.” “Heads of Families in 1790” credits him to Guilford and makes his family 4 male and 2 female. One of his children was:
Source: FWS leaflet #7
WILLIAM SHEPARDSON (William5, John4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1) was married by Rev. David Seldon in Chatham, CT, to Editha Cook, November 24, 1791. In 1808 they removed to East Hamilton, NY. She died September 16, 1852 & he died May 30, 1854. He was a very ingenious man. He made violins, flutes and other musical instruments. For many years he had a rake factory and employed a large number of men. Children:
Source: FWS leaflet #7
JONATHAN SHEPARDSON (Jonathan5, John4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1) married and lived in Plymouth, NY. He had five children, one of them called “an only son” in family tradition. Nothing more is known about him except what is indicated in the following note, dated at Plymouth, NY, March 14, 1906:
“Mr. Johnathin Shepardson lived in this Town about 75 years agoe. He was a Carpenter and helped to Build the Congregation Church here He had 5 children 2 of them dide when young 3 her living. Last fall one Son & Daughters in Pa. Mr. Shepardson was Deacon of Congregational Church here, was coled a Verey ne Man & was Much Respected. I knew him Well I have thought maney times of his telling me of his Shingling a Roof in Eastern States where Lived before he came her When Shower came up & a Live Trout fell on Roof Resp”
Children:
Source: FWS leaflet #7
JOSEPH SHEPARDSON (Jonathan5, John4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1) married in Colchester, CT, October 13, 1793, Diadema Chamberlin and had four children recorded there besides a fifth mentioned in letter from his son Edward (1861).
Sources: FWS leaflet #3 & GCS History
ASA SHEPARDSON (Ancel5, John4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1)* married March 3, 1808, Aurilla Squires. They lived in Delaware County, OH, where he died August 14, 1842. He was buried in Granville, OH. Children:
**Not sure what these numbers refer to. Possibly something in FWS’s research materials.
Sources: FWS leaflet #3 & GCS History
DANIEL SHEPARDSON (Ancel5, John4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1)* was a millwright at Fairfax, VT. Removed with his family to Granville, OH, September 1813, making the journey in a wagon and forty days on the road. Served as superintendent of construction on Ohio Canal, 1825-6; constituent member of Granville Baptist Church, and deacon from its organization until his death, November 1806. Member of Board of Trustees of Denison University 1831-1866, and superintendent of construction of its first buildings. He married, (1) July 12, 1807, Prudence, daughter of Daniel Morse of Fairfax, VT. She was born in Dublin, NH, September 19, 1784, and died in Granville, OH, March 25, 1835. (2) November 26, 1835, Mrs. Mary (Devenney) Dilley, daughter of Cornelius Devenney. She was born April 11, 1795, in Berkeley County, Va., and died in Granville, OH, June 5, 1850. (3) July 7, 1852, Mrs. Pamelia Barlow, widow of Rev. Julius Barlow of Fredonia, OH. He died November 24, 1866, Granville, OH. Children, all by first wife:
**The "12" was from FWS's actual first Leaflet: Shepardson - An American Story.
Sources: FWS leaflet #3 & GCS History
ANCEL SHEPARDSON (Ancel5, John4, Nathaniel3, Daniel2, Daniel1)* was 12 years old when he came with his father from Middletown, VT to Fairfax, VT, where he spent the rest of his life. He taught school for a while and for many years taught singing school. “When a young man he built a saw mill on a stream nearby and for many years did an extensive business in the manufacture of lumber. He also invented a flax machine and did a successful business in making and dressing that product. About 1836 he commenced wool-carding and cloth-finishing, which business he continued until 1850 when a new mill was built and machinery put in for the manufacture of woolen cloth and yarn. He also erected a foundry and blacksmith shop. The locality took on the name of Shepardson Hollow and became quite a noted place of business. In 1857, he retired in favor of his youngest son. He was one of the deacons in the Baptist church for half a century, and in every sense was an honest, faithful, Christian man.—(History of Franklin and Grand Isle Country, 1891.) He married Aurelia Story, March 3, 1816. She died March 21, 1822. He married (2) Lura Story, July 14, 1822. She was born May 6, 1801, in Fairfax, and died October 4, 1880. He died March 21, 1875. Children:
Sources: FWS leaflet #3 & GCS History
JOEL SHEPARDSON (Ancel5, John4, John3, Daniel2, Daniel1)* came to Fairfax in 1805 with his parents, and other members of his family, at 9 years of age. It is assumed that he was educated in Middletown and Fairfax, VT, but no search has been made of school records, to discover the extent of his education.
On November 6th, 1817, JOEL ALMERIN was married at Westford, Chittenden County, VT, to HULDAH GOODRICH, born June 25, 1795, daughter of Levi and Mary Goodrich, by the Rev. Simeon Parmalee. To them were born the children listed above. They resided in Fairfax and worked on the family farm and other businesses for about twenty years. That he was a successful farmer and good businessman is shown by the fact that in 1838, for $1,000 cash, he purchased the 170 acre farm of Elias Hall in West Fletcher, Franklin County, VT, and moved there with his family.
Joel and his family, continuing their industrious ways, remodeled the buildings, increased the dairy herd and added to the farm holdings. On December 25, 1850, at Joel's sudden death, at age 54 years, of “a heart seizure”, the Home Farm, consisted of 240 acres of farming land, sugar orchard and timber, as well as, a good producing herd of cattle. So, like the widow of Daniel, 1st; “Huldah”, Joel's widow, who had the use of the property during her lifetime, “was considered well fixed for a woman of her day”. She died July 19, 1867 at 72 years of age. Both Joel and Huldah are buried in the old cemetery (Bailey Cemetery), previously mentioned, on their farm in West Fletcher, VT. In 1851 and 1867, after the deaths of Joel and Huldah, his widow, the property was signed over to SAMUEL CARLETON, by the other heirs, with the following provisions: In 1851, “provided he cared for their mother, Huldah, during her lifetime”; In 1867, at Huldah's death, “provided he cared for Charlotte (sister) during her natural life”.
From the Herbert Dennison Shepardson family Bible, the following:
On November 6, 1817, JOEL ALMERIN SHEPARDSON, born June 28, 1796, married HULDAH VALERIA GOODRICH, born June 25, 1795, at Westford, Chittenden County, State of Vermont, by the Rev. Simeon Parmalee.
THEN TO Joel and Huldah November 11, 1818; Son ——., Died January 4, 1819.
The above corrects an error in the 1907 History, which gives the name of “Daniel” instead of “David”.
*Lineage for Asa, Daniel, Ancel, & Joel changed from Ancel5, John4, Nathaniel3 to Ancel5, John4, John3 due to information from Leaflet #7.
**Handwritten note on my grandparent’s copy of FWS leaflet #3: "Joel was my grandfather. Samuel my father". WSS 8 HS 9
Source: FWS leaflet #6
NATHANIEL SHEPARDSON (Nathaniel5, Jonathan4, Nathaniel3, Daniel2, Daniel1)* of Cumberland, RI, was married by Job Simmons, J.P., of Attleboro, MA, December 30, 1778, to Betty Sweetland of Attleboro. He died June 8, 1827. She died September, 1833, in her 76th year. They and their children are buried in Cumberland, RI, but they lived over the state line in Wrentham, MA. Tombstone records indicate the following children:
ESTHER SHEPARDSON, born June, ——, died 22 November 3, 1870.
EDWARD SHEPARDSON.
FREDERICK SHEPARDSON.
WILLIAM SHEPARDSON.
JONATHAN SHEPARDSON, born October 11, 1802, died March 31, 1871.
Source: FWS leaflet #6
ISAAC SHEPARDSON** (Nathaniel5, Jonathan4, Nathaniel3, Daniel2, Daniel1)* lived In Wrentham, MA, near Cumberland, RI. He committed suicide by hanging April 9, 1816, supposedly being insane. He was buried in Cumberland. His family records are faulty, but it is known that he had children***:
*The Nathaniel4, Nathaniel3, Daniel2, Daniel1 line from FWS Leaflet #1 was replaced by the Nathaniel5, Jonathan4, Nathaniel3, Daniel2, Daniel1 line from FWS Leaflet #6. The children of Isaac6 from Leaflet #6 match the children of Isaac5 from Leaflet #3. I’m including them here but need to verify that this information from leaflet #3 is still correct.
**Replaces the line of Isaac5, Nathaniel4, Nathaniel3, Daniel2, Daniel1.
***Details of the children listed here match those from Leaflet #1 EXCEPT for Nathanial (Leaflet #1 doesn’t have the date of birth, marriages, & only lists one daughter). But the detailed information from Leaflet #3 for Nathaniel, James, John, Isaac, & Jonathan DOES match the details from Leaflet #6.
Sources: FWS leaflet #6, & Shepardsons.org
JONATHAN SHEPARDSON (Jonathan5, Jonathan4, Nathaniel3, Daniel2, Daniel1) settled in Warwick, MA, which adjoins Royalston. Marriage intent to Lucy Delvee, February 18, 1787 in Warwick, MA. His name does not appear in a list of property owners in Warwick in 1798, but he was a witness to his father's will which was dated October 19, 1799, and in which he is mentioned as “my son Jonathan of Warwick.” In Blake's History of Warwick the death of “Mr. Jno Shepardson” on June 18, 1817, is noted. This may refer to him or it may be a son. Children:
From Shepardsons.org
REBECCA (BECA) SHEPARDSON (Jonathan5, Jonathan4, Nathaniel3, Daniel2, Daniel1) married *Jabez Pratt4 (born 1768) July 23, 1799, in Royalston, MA. Jabez worked as a blacksmith. He died July 21, 184717 & she died August 26, 185117, both in Royalston, MA. Both are buried in the Under the Hill Cemetery17, Royalston, MA. “BECA” is the name on the grave marker. Children: *Link JABEZ PRATT to Related Families, Pratt Family.
*Refer to Footnote #2 for Alden & #12 for the rest. Putting the footnote numbers next to the children causes spacing issues on the website.