History of the Early Shapard Family of Virginia, Beginning in 1722

HISTORY OF THE EARLY SHAPARD FAMILY OF VIRGINIA,

BEGINNING IN 1722

To date, the earliest records of our Shapard family in America emanate from King and Queen County, Virginia.  In 1691, about 300 square miles of New Kent County was sectioned off for the formation of King and Queen County. The newly established county was long and extremely narrow in shape; measuring approximately 45 miles in length and no more than 10 miles in width at any given point. Its unusual shape was dictated by a river system that defines most of its boundaries, including the York River, Mattaponi River, Poropotank River and Dragon Run River. In addition to its rivers, the county also supplied numerous creeks and swamps among its flat wooded terrain. The population of King and Queen County has remained fairly consistent over the years. In 1700, there were 4,306 inhabitants, which, during that time, made it the second most populated county in Virginia, in part due to the booming tobacco production. The present-day population is around 6,000 inhabitants. The county, however, never developed the degree of commerce or population growth to establish large communities, and has remained greatly agricultural with only a few small towns interspersed among its borders. The county courthouse was established in the year 1691, near the Matttaponi River in the town of King and Queen Court House, and has remained at that same location to the present day. King and Queen County is bordered by the Counties of Gloucester, Middlesex, Essex, Caroline, King William, New Kent and James City.

Within King and Queen County, the Shapard family resided in its most southern portion, known as Stratton Major Parish. During this time, the Colony of Virginia was under the British rule of government. The Virginia General Assembly through legislation partitioned geographical regions of the county into parishes of the Church of England, as a means to effectively govern and serve the civil and religious needs of that population. Since 1723, King and Queen County has been divided into three parishes: Drysdale (upper part of county), St. Stephens (middle part of county) and Stratton Major (lower part of county). Stratton Major Parish was bounded on the southeast by the Poropotank River creating the border between King and Queen and Gloucester counties; bounded on the southwest by the York River and Mattaponi River creating the borders between King and Queen, New Kent and King William counties; bounded on the northeast by Dragon Run River creating the border between King and Queen and Middlesex; and bounded on the northwest by the border of St. Stephens Parish, which appears to follow the meanderings of the Heartquake Creek.  Interestingly, the vestry records of Stratton Major Parish, further narrow the Shapard residence, from 1739 through 1751, to the lands between Mattasip Creek (present-day Hockley Creek) and Peptico Creek (present-day Goalders Creek).

Samuel Shapard (c. 1700 – 1752), our earliest known American patriarch, appears to have settled in Stratton Major Parish of King and Queen County, Virginia, prior to 1722. The first highly probable record of Samuel is a lawsuit entry found in the Middlesex County, Virginia, Court Order Book dated February 2, 1721/2, which states; “Samuel Shepard an evidence from King and Queen County for James Boyd against Anne Mayo, having attended three days it is ordered that the said Boyd pay him for the same and for coming 16 miles and returning 16 miles twice with costs.” The Christ Church Parish Vestry Books for Middlesex County inform us that Anne Mayo was the widow of Valentine Mayo who died on October 5, 1716. Anne Mayo is listed in the records as having numerous children, as well as, being a slave-owner. After 1722, she is absent from history.

Doctor James Boyd was born circa 1695 in Ayrshire, Scotland, and came to America in 1721 as a practicing physician for the Colony of Virginia. He settled in Stratton Major Parish of King and Queen County, Virginia, yet, traveled periodically to the neighboring Counties of Middlesex and Gloucester when his services were needed. Dr. Boyd married Miss Mary Thatch on May 13, 1726, in Stratton Major Parish. They had a son, Spencer Boyd, a year later on February 12, 1727/8, and a son James born a few years later. Dr. Boyd and his family resided near Richard Shackelford’s plantation, known as “Farm Hill,” located between Arracaco Creek (present-day Burnt Mill Creek) and Tastine Swamp (present-day Corbin’s Creek). Dr. Boyd died on May 2, 1734, in Stratton Major Parish.

The above cited lawsuit informs us of the high probability that Samuel Shapard resided in King and Queen County prior to 1722, and, that he would have been old enough to testify, speculating his age to be 22 years. In addition, he would have had an association with Dr. Boyd. It is known from the Vestry Book records that Samuel Shapard lived in the vicinity of Dr. Boyd’s residence in Stratton Major Parish prior to 1739, and they were most likely of similar ages; however, the extent of their relationship beyond this is currently unknown. In regards to the reference of traveling 16 miles to reach the Middlesex County Court House, which was located at Urbanna prior to 1850; if charted, it could place the Shapard residence in the vicinity of the town of Cologne in King and Queen County. The Lower Church of Stratton Major Parish was located about half of a mile west of Cologne.

It may be of importance to note that, prior to 1730, on the east side of the Mattaponi River a half of a mile below Burnt Mill Creek, near the town of West Point, there was an area known as “Shepard’s Warehouse.” The original owner of this land established a wharf and warehouses on the property, and engaged in import and export commerce between cargo ships and the surrounding community. Boats docked at the wharf, paying a weight-based fee, and merchandise was unloaded and loaded all by hand and the use of a light one horse wagon. It was the job of a few men in the area to transfer and deliver the merchandise, by horse and wagon, to the patrons within the community, generally at a distance of no more than 10 miles. Merchandise that was not to be shipped immediately was stored at the warehouses.

In 1730, the Tobacco Inspection Act was passed which established only 40 locations in Virginia where tobacco had to be inspected. During this time, tobacco was used as the main legal tender currency due to the scarcity of gold and silver coins. Laws had been enacted to preserve the trading value of tobacco by preventing the sale of bad or “trash” tobacco; however, by 1730, these laws had become ineffective. In response, British authorities established public warehouses for the inspection of all tobacco at or near all heads of rivers and creeks. The owner of Shepard’s Warehouse obtained the right, in 1730, to use one acre of his plantation, ideally located at the head of the Mattaponi River, to build a tobacco inspection warehouse, whereby, he received 4 shillings per year for every hogshed of tobacco received, inspected and delivered from their warehouse.  Two inspectors were employed at the warehouse to determine the quality of the incoming tobacco, upon which they were to either destroy, by fire, all substandard tobacco, or, to issue bills of exchange for quality tobacco that served as currency. Over time, a ferry, known as “Chain Ferry” or “Shepard’s Ferry”, large enough to transport a wagon and team, was established that traversed the Mattiponi River bringing people, animals and goods directly from the town of West Point, in King William County, across the river to the warehouse. The wharf where the ships and ferry docked and brought in tobacco was known as “Shepard’s Landing” and the neighborhood around the wharf became known as “Shepard’s Warehouse.”

Over time, Shepard’s Warehouse grew into a small center of commerce, known throughout the county. This area would act as the setting for some interesting events in the history of Virginia. Throughout the 1700s, numerous inhabitants of the area, including George Washington’s aunt, Mildred Washington, lived near, or gave their address as, “Shepard’s Warehouse.” For one year during the Revolutionary War, American patriots constructed a large warship, named “Manley Galley” at the wharf of Shepard’s Warehouse. In March of 1864, during the Civil War, three Yankee gunboats and seven Yankee transports sailed up the Mattiponi River, landing Federal troops at Shepard’s Wharf, upon which they proceeded to plundered the County and set fire to the King and Queen Court House, which destroyed the county records. Although the town eventually dwindled, to this day, there is a road in southern King and Queen County along the Mattiponi River, named “Shepard’s Warehouse,” marking the general location of the old site and surrounding vicinity.

It is important to note that, as of yet, no records have been located listing the name of the original owner and/or operator of Shepard’s warehouse; however, its name, location and early time period make it a high possibility of being connected to Samuel Shapard. One theory is that Samuel Shapard operated Shepard’s Warehouse until the death of his wife; after which, he moved near Cologne. Another theory is that Samuel’s father (also named Samuel) owned and operated the warehouse. Shepard’s Warehouse is an interesting lead that needs further investigation.

About the year 1727, it is believed that Samuel Shapard married in King and Queen County. Samuel would have been about 27 years old at the time of his wedding. His first wife, of whom there is no known record, appears to have bore him two surviving sons, Samuel Shapard II (born circa 1729) and Robert (born circa 1732), before she died circa 1732, perhaps due to complications after childbirth. There is surmounting evidence of this first marriage by comparing Samuel II’s approximate birth-year against the later migration of Samuel Shapard’s second wife to King and Queen County; as well as, considering all the other known details in a logical way.

Samuel Shapard’s daily life would have most likely revolved around agriculture, particularly the growing of tobacco and some cotton, in addition to growing his food needs and tending to livestock. Over time, he acquired slaves to assist him in his work. Besides running his plantation, there is evidence that Samuel also had experience in blacksmithing, as he was known to have a large collection of smith’s tools. Rev. John Skaife, a minister of Stratton Major Parish in King and Queen County, stated in 1724, that during that time, there were only 190 to 200 families living in the parish and no public school or library had yet been established.  Despite the lack of schools, Samuel highly valued education, being an educated man himself, and ensured that, at least, all of his male children received proper schooling during their youth. In early colonial Virginia, education was gained through tutors, homeschooling, academies (in America or England) or apprenticeships.

A few years after the death of his first wife, Samuel Shapard met, courted and married, circa 1735, Miss Mildred Crockford in King and Queen County. It is assumed that this was Mildred’s first marriage, as the only children associated with her were from Mr. Shapard. At the time of their wedding, Samuel would have been about 35 years old and Mildred would have been about 23 years old. Mildred also became an instant mother to her six and three year-old stepsons; Samuel II and Robert. Mildred was born circa 1712, and was raised in Petsworth Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia, during her early youth. In 1722, the Crockford family left Gloucester County and moved to Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia. Eleven years later, in the summer of 1733, the Crockford’s migrated to neighboring Stratton Major Parish in King and Queen County and resided in proximity to the residence of Samuel Shapard.

Mildred’s father, John Crockford, Sr., owned a large plantation in King and Queen County which spanned 300 acres, having numerous hogs, cows, oxen, sheep, horses, and slaves. The Crockford family owned slaves for a number of years. In October of 1724, when the family resided in Middlesex County, one of John Crockford’s slaves, named Jack, hung himself. The Christ Church Parish register for Middlesex County offers us the names and mortality of other slaves belonging to John Crockford: Molly was born in December of 1728; Judy died as an infant of five days in January of 1728/9; Bob died as an infant of 8 days in November of 1730; Nan died in October of 1732 and Toney died in May of 1733.  Mr. Crockford, was a devoted member of the Church of England and a talented orator, often being summoned as a “reader” during Sunday church service. John Crockford, Sr., died in King and Queen County in 1757, after battling a year-long illness. Interestingly, his last Will and Testament was witnessed by Spencer and James Boyd, the sons of Dr. James Boyd. Through his Scottish lineage, Spencer Boyd became the heir to Penkill Castle in Ayrshire Scotland, becoming its ninth laird [Lord].

 Mr. Crockford married at least twice in his lifetime. His first marriage occurred circa 1709, producing all the known Crockford children. The name of his first wife is not yet known, however, she died circa 1726. John Crockford, Sr., married his second wife, Lucretia Goar [Gore], the widow of Joseph Goar [Gore], on November 22, 1728, in Middlesex County, Virginia.

Mr. Joseph Goar [Gore] was the son of English immigrants John and Margaret Goar [Gore] who migrated to America in the 1660s, settling in the part of Lancaster County, Virginia, which became Middlesex County in 1669. Joseph was born circa 1669 and married Mary Allison, the daughter of David and Joanne Allison, circa 1691. After having numerous children, Mary died about the year 1705. Joseph remarried on February 16, 1708/9 in Middlesex County, Virginia, to Lucretia Tugwell. Together they had numerous children, including: Ann (b. 1710 – d. 1726), William (b. 1715), Joseph (b. 1717 – d. 1717), Henry (b. 1719), Lucretia (b. 1721) and Jose (b. 1724).

Interestingly, the Goar [Gore] and Crockford families were highly intertwined during their time in Middlesex County, not only through their relationships, but also through their slaves. Mr. Joseph Goar [Gore], Sr., owned a slave girl named Beck, who had a child named Charles in 1722, and Sampson in 1723. Tragically the winter of 1726 hit the Gore family especially hard, as Mr. Joseph Goar [Gore], Sr., his sixteen year-old daughter Ann, and their slave Jenny all died within six days of one another. Mrs. Lucretia Gore was widowed for about two years until November 22, 1728, when she married John Crockford, Sr., who had also been widowed. Mr. Crockford had numerous children through his first marriage, and assumed guardianship of his new step-children until they married or reached the age of twenty-one; upon when, they would receive their inheritance of slaves and property bequeathed by their late-father (Joseph Goar).  In late September of 1730, while under the care of Mr. Crockford, the slave Beck had another son, named Bob, who died in infancy after living only eight days. Tragically, only a few weeks later, on December 16, 1730, Lucretia (Goar) Crockford died, leaving John Crockford, Sr., to assumed full guardianship and care of the orphaned Gore children living at his house.

Apparently, due to the close contact of the Gore and Crockford children, many of whom were of similar ages, seventeen year-old William Gore was given permission to marry Mr. Crockford’s sixteen year-old daughter, Lucy Crockford, on May 19, 1732. In fulfillment of the guardianship agreement, as a wedding present, Mr. Crockford gave William Gore his inheritance of the slave Beck. Shortly thereafter, on October 30, 1732, Beck gave birth to a son named Swaney. Over the years, William and Lucy Gore had two daughters, Susanna born in 1735 and Mary born in 1737. Apparently after the birth of their second daughter, William and Lucy Gore left Middlesex County for opportunities elsewhere. However, before they left, they sold the slave Beck and her son Swaney to Lucy’s brother, John Crockford, Jr., who retained them until his own death in 1742. Through a series of complex family disputes and lawsuits, which are discussed thoroughly on page 25 of this book, the slaves, Beck and Swaney, eventually become the property of Samuel and Mildred (Crockford) Shapard of King and Queen County.

Mildred had only one brother, John Crockford, Jr., who was born circa 1718. He died in 1742 at the approximate age of twenty-four, having never married.

Mildred had four sisters, one being Mary Crockford, born circa 1710, who wed Jacob Faulkner on July 19, 1729, in Christ Church Parish in Middlesex County, Virginia. In the 1730s, Mary and Jacob Faulkner moved to Orange County, Virginia. Circa 1742, they moved near her father in King and Queen County, and inherited her father’s plantation after his death in 1757. They had twin daughters, Elizabeth and Mildred, who were born in Middlesex County on December 14, 1733, and baptized on December 30, 1733. Jacob died between 1767 and 1782, and Mary died between 1782 and 1784.

Mildred’s sister, Lucy Crockford, born circa 1715, married William Goar [Gore] (born March 8, 1715/6), in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County on May 19, 1732. Lucy and William were step-siblings through the marriage of their parents, John Crockford, Sr., and Lucretia Gore, in 1728. It appears that Lucy and William migrated from Middlesex County in the summer of 1737, to parts unknown. Lucy died before 1757.

Little is known of Mildred’s other sisters: one was Mrs. Jefferies who died before 1757 and had a daughter named Elizabeth “Eliza” Mariah Jefferies; and the other sister was Mrs. Carter who also died before 1757 and had a daughter named Lucrecy Carter. An interesting side note that may be relevant to Mildred’s sister, who married Mr. Carter, was that; in 1719, an orphan named Edward Carter was bound to Mildred’s father while they were living in Gloucester County. The orphan, until the age of maturity, was to be educated, fed and housed by the Crockford family in exchange for his labor on the Crockford estate. It is presently unknown whether or not this orphan was the future Mr. Carter who married Mildred’s sister, though his close association with the family would make it a possibility. Further research is needed to verify this suspected connection.

Samuel and Mildred Shapard appear to have had a fruitful marriage. They were blessed with at least eight children from 1736 until 1752. Samuel provided a comfortable living for his family through his success as a planter. Over the years, he had become established in the county and was valued as a man of much worth, not only financially through his holdings of tobacco, land and slaves, but also by the fact that he was a well-educated man, with the ability to better his community.

During this era, Stratton Major Parish was governed by a “vestry” of the Church of England comprised of men of power and influence within the local community. The vestry not only served the religious needs of the community, but also had a civil role, via appointing individuals to maintain roads and ferries, reaffirming the property lines between neighbors, caring for the poor, regulating the expense of raising bastard children, etc. The Vestry elected men of high regard within the community to fulfill the parish’s civil obligations. Samuel Shapard, being recognized as a one of these men, was appointed by the vestry as a land processioner in the years 1739, 1743, 1747 and 1751.

The Laws of Virginia, for 1710, discussed procession of land, in which, every four years, between June and September, the parish would be divided into precincts and then, between September and March, every landowner within those precincts would confirm the boundaries of their land by walking and marking their borders with their neighbors. The Vestry appointed “at least two intelligent honest freeholders [landowners] of every precinct to see such processing is preformed, and take and return to the vestry an account of every person’s land they shall procession, and of the persons present at the same, and of what lands in their precinct they shall fail to procession, and of the particular reasons of such failure.” Samuel’s precinct was between Peptico Creek (present-day Goalders Creek) and Matassip Creek (present-day Hockley Creek), being an area approximately six miles long and two miles wide. Over the years, Samuel was also assisted by other appointed processioners, namely: William Richards, William Berry, John Waller and James Pryor. The fact that Samuel was appointed by the vestry to this position confirms that he was an educated man, being able to read and write, he was respected, had good communicative skills and was healthy enough to travel the appointed precinct.

In addition to his office as a processioner, the Vestry books of this era also reveal that Samuel Shapard participated in the support of his community and church. In 1743, Mr. Shapard financially sustained a local resident, named Mr. Lankford, who had become too elderly to support himself. Later that year, Mr. Lankford died and Samuel paid for the burial. The Parish Vestry reimbursed him, in the amount of 250 pound of tobacco, for his efforts. A few years later, in 1746, Mr. Shapard again appears in the Parish ledger, being reimbursed 100 pounds of tobacco for acquiring or constructing “benches at the Lower Church.”

Sadly, sometime within the three months between November 9, 1751 and February 11, 1752, at approximately 51 years of age, Samuel Shapard, died in Stratton Major Parish of King and Queen County, Virginia. He was known to be an intelligent, highly respected and trusted man of honor among the community. He was survived by his wife, Mildred, and ten children:

Samuel Shapard II (b.c. 1729- d. 1781) was born circa 1729 in King and Queen County, Virginia. He was the first child born from the union of Samuel Shapard and his first wife (name unknown).  He was likely named after his paternal grandfather, as this was the English custom for the first born son. Samuel II was educated in his youth and as an adult became financially successful in life. In 1747, at about 18 years of age, Samuel moved to Goochland County, Virginia. In 1748, Samuel married Miss Elizabeth Price, daughter of John and Hannah Price of Goochland County, Virginia. That same year, Elizabeth’s father deeded the newlyweds 100 acres from his land on Tuckahoe Creek. Samuel was about 23 years of age in 1752 when his father died. In 1756, Samuel and his wife purchased 258 acres of land in Henrico County, Virginia, on the branches of Deep Run Creek. A year later, Samuel sold all of his land in Goochland County to his brother-in-law, William Price, who, in turn, sold the same land to Samuel’s brother John Shapard in 1759. Elizabeth Shapard died between 1773 and 1781. Samuel Shapard II died in 1781, before November 19^th, at the age of about 52 years. Samuel and Elizabeth had eight children who survived to adulthood: Mildred married William Coutts on September 28, 1775; Elizabeth married Joseph Duvall on September 24, 1773; Mary married Charles Cottrell on September 4, 1777; Frances married Thomas Shoemaker on November 19, 1781; Susanna married Peter Cottrell on November 6, 1778; Hannah married Shadrack Walker on April 12, 1783; Samuel married Mary Allen on December 3, 1787; Reuben married Sarah Cocke on April 24, 1793; and William married Fanny Shaw on July 9, 1797. Interestingly, all three of Samuel Shapard II’s sons eventually spelled their surname as “Shepard,” due to the fact that they were “infants” (under 21 years of age) at the time of their father’s death in 1781, and may have lacked the education and future guidance to spell their surname.

Robert Shapard (b.c. 1732 – d. 1796) was born circa 1732 in King and Queen County. He appears to have been a child born from the union of Samuel Shapard and his first wife (name unknown). He was possibly named after his maternal grandfather, as this was the English custom for the second born son. Robert was educated, being able to read and write. There is evidence that he had been apprenticed as a blacksmith during his youth, as his father, upon his death, bequeathed him all of his smiths tools and a slave named June, who was most likely versed in the art of smithing.  

During his father’s final years, it appears that Robert was very helpful to his father and the family, and endeared himself to his father because of it. Robert earned the distinction of being the “beloved son” over his older brother Samuel II, due to the fact that Samuel II left King and Queen County permanently in 1747 and resided in Goochland County, Virginia. Robert was about 19 years old when his father died in 1752, and he no doubt rose to the occasion as head of the household until his mother remarried circa 1753. Robert presumably remained in King and Queen County until 1758, after which, he appeared in Henrico County, Virginia. His migration there was likely due to the fact that his older brother, Samuel II, had moved to Henrico County a year earlier. Robert Shapard married Miss Elizabeth Blackstone, and they had numerous children. Circa 1765, the family moved to the eastern portion of Goochland County, Virginia, where they attended Dover Episcopal Church presided over by Rev. William Douglas. Elizabeth died after July 18, 1773, and Robert married Sarah Clarke in 1776. Sarah was most likely a widow herself as their marriage involved a prenuptial contract, whereby, Robert agreed to give Sarah, and her heirs, full ownership of two slaves and some furniture. They migrated to the western portion of Goochland County. Robert died in early 1796 at the age of about 64 years, and it appears that Sarah predeceased him. The only mention of family in the probate records of Robert Shapard is his son Benjamin who was the administrator of his meager estate. It appears that many of Robert’s children migrated in the late 1780s and early 1790s to Prince Edward County, Virginia, where they found spouses and settled for a while. Interestingly, all of Robert’s children (Samuel, William B., Thomas, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Frances and Mildred) were illiterate, which resulted in the loss of their unique “Shapard” surname to the more common “Shepard” spelling in subsequent generations.

 Elizabeth Shapard (b.c. 1736 – d. before 1784) was born circa 1736 in King and Queen County and died between 1751 and 1784. She was the eldest daughter of Samuel Shapard, though it is unclear if she was a child from his first or his second wife. “Elizabeth” is a reoccurring name found in both the Shapard and Crockford family lines. However, many of Mildred Crockford’s sisters named their first-born daughters “Elizabeth,” leading to the belief that Elizabeth Shapard’s mother was Mildred Crockford and her name was derived from her maternal grandmother.

There is little substantiated information on Elizabeth Shapard, however, it has been suggested that she married Ambrose Bohannon in Essex County who died about 1770, she then married Ambrose Wright in 1772, after two years she divorced Mr. Wright and married in 1774 James Booker (father of Mary Booker who married William Shapard). Whether any or none of the above information is accurate has yet to be proved through research and scholarly evidence. Until proved, discretion with the above information should be heeded. 

John Shapard (b.c. 1738 – d. 1806) was born circa 1738, in King and Queen County, and was educated in his youth, being able to read and write. He appears to have been the eldest son between the union of Samuel Shapard and his second wife Mildred Crockford, being named after his maternal grandfather (John Crockford, Sr). Further evidence supporting this theory is that Mildred fought desperately for her son John to inherit her father’s (John Crockford, Sr.) land, leading us to believe she was enacting the custom of primogeniture, whereby, the first born male inherits the family estate.  John was about thirteen years old when his father died in 1752. Like most men of this era, John developed a talent and interest in agriculture. When his maternal grandfather, John Crockford, Sr., became too elderly to oversee his 300 acre plantation, John moved there to manage his livestock and crops. In addition, John was able to care for his grandfather who suffered greatly of illness during the last year of his life, dying in 1757. In his will, his grandfather left John, “one yoke of oxen two cows and calfs one bed and furniture and one half of my sheep and one half of my hogs.”

Circa 1758, John married Anna Dillard, the daughter of George Dillard and (___) Ware of Stratton Major Parish of King and Queen County. Shortly thereafter, in May of 1759, John and his wife moved to Goochland County, Virginia and purchased the 186 acre farm previously owned by John’s brother, Samuel II. In 1761, John and his wife Anna sold their land in Goochland County, and by 1763, they had migrated with their slaves to the frontier of Granville County, North Carolina. John eventually purchased lands near the Tarr River and Tabb’s Creek, which he developed for agricultural use. He returned briefly to King and Queen County, in 1767, to visit his mother and siblings, before returning to North Carolina. John remained in Granville County, North Carolina until May 16, 1781, after which he may have moved to South Carolina, possibly Abbeville County. Further research is needed to determine his whereabouts during this time; nevertheless, by 1803 he and Anna are found residing in Franklin County, Georgia. Later in life, John had minor assets in terms of landholdings and finances. John Shapard most likely died In January of 1806; between the drafting of his last Will and Testament on June 8, 1805, and the recording of his Will on February of 1806. He was survived by his wife Anna and their children: Samuel Shapard, George Dillard Shapard, Peter Shapard, Anna Ware Coleman, Robert Shapard, Anna Dillard Nellums, Betsy Ridgdill, and Clary Burden.

William Shapard, (b.c. 1741 – d. 1807) was born circa 1741 in King and Queen County, Virginia. He was the son of Samuel Shapard and Mildred Crockford. William was about 11 years old when his father died in 1752, after which, he resided in Essex County with his mother and stepfather, John Townley. William married Mary Booker of Essex County, Virginia, in 1762, being the daughter of James and Elizabeth Booker. William and Mary migrated to Cumberland County, Virginia, in 1762, and then migrated to Granville County, North Carolina, in 1785. Mary died in 1804 and William died in 1807. Together they had 12 children: Samuel Booker, Mildred, Elizabeth, James, William, Jr., Lewis, Booker, Thomas, Mary “Polly,” John S., Ann and Robert.

Miscarriage/death of child, circa 1743. Mortality statistics during the colonial era of America show that on average a child was born every two years. Breastfeeding for two years after childbirth provided a natural birth control against additional pregnancies during that time. In addition, the death rate for children was about 25%. This entry is accounting for the death of one child.  

 Ann Shapard (b.c. 1744 – d. before 1784) was born circa 1744 in King and Queen County and died between 1751 and 1784.

Mary Shapard (b.c. 1746 – d. before 1784) was born circa 1746 in King and Queen County and died between 1751 and 1784.

Mildred Shapard (b.c. 1748 – d. before 1799) was born circa 1748, in King and Queen County, and lived there her entire life. She was three years old when her father died, and was raised by her mother (Mildred) and stepfather (John Townley). Circa 1766, Mildred married Mr. (Nicholas ?) Burch, who preceded her in death, between 1768 and 1789.  Together they had at least one child: Shepherd Burch.  It appears that after the death of her husband, Mildred remained a widow for the remainder of her life. On the June 14, 1790 tax list for King and Queen County, Mildred Burch is listed as having three black slaves above sixteen years old and two horses. Her son, Shepherd [Shapard] Burch, is listed as the male tithable. The 1799 tax list does not list Mildred, however, her son Shepherd [Shapard] Burch is listed. It is assumed that Mildred died between 1790 and 1799. In 1810, Shepherd Burch was living in King and Queen County with his wife and two children, a son and daughter both under the age of ten years old, as well as, owning three slaves. Shortly thereafter, they migrated to Kentucky. There they had a son, named Shepherd Burch II, who was born in 1812, married Susanna Moore and left Kentucky for Indiana in the 1840s.

Frances Shapard (b.c. 1750 – d. after 1789) was born circa 1750, in King and Queen County. She was one year old when her father died, and was raised by her mother (Mildred) and stepfather (John Townley). She married Richard Crittenden, Jr., circa 1768. Richard was raised in Stratton Major Parish just south of Shepard’s Warehouse on the Mattiponi River near Dudley’s Ferry Road.  Together they had five children, three of whom married in King and Queen County: John Crittenden who married Polly Ware on December 17, 1789; Betsy Shapard Crittenden who married Thomas Dudley on December 19, 1789; Frances Crittenden who married John Walden on March 24, 1792; Richard Crittenden and William Crittenden. The family lived on a 178 acre plantation located between Goalders Creek (formerly Peptico Creek) and Hockley Creek (formerly Matassip Creek). The Crittenden family supported the cause for independence during the Revolutionary War, as there are numerous entries from 1780 through 1782 in the King and Queen Public Service Records showing that Richard Crittenden, Jr., gave many articles “for use of the Army.” Mr. Crittenden died before September in the year 1787 in King and Queen County and was survived by his wife Frances. Frances lived beyond 1789.  

Sarah Shapard (b. 1752 – d. before 1800) was born in 1752 in King and Queen County. She never knew her father, Samuel Shapard, as he died a few months before she was born; however, he made provisions for her in his will. Sarah was raised by her mother (Mildred) and stepfather (John Townley) in Stratton Major Parish of King and Queen County.  Sarah married Thomas Vass of King and Queen County, and lived on 250 acres. The Vass family supported the cause for independence during the Revolutionary War, as there are a few entries from 1780 through 1782, in the King and Queen Public Service Records, showing that Thomas Vass gave many articles “for use of the Army.” It appears that the Vass family migrated to North Carolina between 1783 and 1786. On November 17, 1786, Charles Breedlove sold 200 acres in the corner of what is now Person County, North Carolina, to Philip Vass, and witnesses were Thomas and Sarah Vass.  Thomas became a minister during the 1780s. Rev. Thomas Vass is listed on the Flat River Church records of Person County: September 1^st, 1788, “met with the assistance of brethren Rucks, Vass and Marshall had a great deal of debating and appearance in church…Sunday brethren Rucks, Marshall and Vass all preached…” Rev. Vass was pastor of Grassy Creek Church in Granville County, North Carolina, from 1791 – 1805, after which he moved to Stokes County, North Carolina, with some of his children. He was recalled to be pastor of the church in 1808, serving until 1814 when he retired. He died in 1817, being over 80 years old (born 1738) and was interred in the family burial ground near Mountain Creek Church in Granville County. He married 1^st – a daughter of Thomas Foster of K&Q County, VA; 2^nd – Sarah Shapard, who appears to have died after May in 1791, yet before the 1800 census (she is not listed); 3^rd – circa 1811 he married Lucretia Cooke, widow of Edward Cooke. His children were: Thomas, Jr. (1777 – 1857), Reuben, John, Vincent, Philip, Elizabeth, Lydia, Rhoda, Ann (Nancy), Mary, Fanny and Sarah.