Sunday, April 5, 2020

LEWIS SHAPARD (Chapter 7) 1801-1805, Life in the 1800s, Part 1


Chapter 7
SHAPARD LIFE IN THE 1800s
ST. DAVID DISTRICT
Part 1
1801-1805


Nationally, in March of the year 1801, Thomas Jefferson became the third President of the United States. He was one of the original founding fathers of our country, as well as, the main author of the Declaration of Independence. His presidency, which ran from 1801 to 1809, was marked with great success. Perhaps his most notable contribution to America was the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, in which 828,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River was purchased by the United States from France. This land acquisition nearly doubled the size of the United States. In an effort to map the newly acquired territory and determine new trade routes, President Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the region. Their expedition lasted from 1804 to 1806, traveling from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, paving the way for American expansionism into this vast and wild frontier in the years that followed.
In February or March of 1801, Lewis Shapard traveled over one hundred miles to his old hometown of Cumberland County, Virginia. Lewis traveled in the company of his brother-in-law Anderson Williams, both men having been raised there, less than a mile apart. It appears that the men spent about three to four weeks in Cumberland County visiting socially with old friends. They also tended to some business at the house of Samuel Williams, the father of Anderson Williams. While there, Samuel gave his son a slave named Hanna and her three young children Jacob, Doll and Sam. After Lewis and Anderson concluded their trip and returned back home to Caswell County, Anderson sold the slaves to James Webb of Granville County on July 23, 1801. James Webb was the brother of Lewis Shapard’s uncle John Webb. The sale of the slaves was witnessed by John Webb, Lewis Shapard and Booker Shapard. Furthermore, on the day of the sale, Lewis Shapard was at the courthouse and swore an oath to Caswell County Justice David Gooch that Anderson Williams was the rightful master of the slaves and that Samuel Williams had no objection to their sale.
Back in Caswell County, on April 11, 1801, Lewis and Martha Shapard were blessed with the birth of their second son, James Paine Shapard. The name ‘James’ appears in both the Shapard and Paine families, as both Lewis and Martha had brothers by that name. Beyond this, Martha had an Uncle James Paine of Warren County, whom she had close ties, especially when she was married to Mr. Nicholson also of Warren County. Perhaps the most prominent figure by this name was Martha’s paternal grandfather, Dr. James Paine, who had received his medical license in London, England, before coming to America circa 1740, and settling in North Carolina. He was reported to have built, in the 1760s, the first brick house in, what became, Person County, North Carolina.
Twelve days after the birth of his son, Lewis Shapard met with John McFarland of Person County and sold his slave Pompy. Although only five years earlier, Pompy had a value of £113, Mr. McFarland purchased the slave for the staggering sum of £400. By comparison, Lewis Shapard had purchased his entire 400 acre plantation for only £231. The rational to pay such a high price not only shows how the growing demand for cotton and tobacco was affecting the Southern slave markets, but also gives credence that Pompy was a spectacular physical specimen in the prime of his usefulness. During this era slaves were viewed as property, and, as such, Lewis issued Mr. McFarland a bill of sale guaranteeing that the title to the slave was free and clear of any other claims. After the sale, the Shapard family had four slaves, that were sixteen years of age or older, and two slaves under the age of sixteen.
On April 28, 1801, Lewis Shapard sold a one hundred acre strip of undeveloped land from the eastern side of his plantation to his neighbor Joseph Chandler for $200. Mr. Chandler had migrated from Goochland County, Virginia, to Caswell County, North Carolina. In 1796, he acquired a 474 acre plantation in the Gloucester District from James Rice, this being the neighboring plantation to Lewis Shapard. Mr. Chandler had five sons, William, James, Joseph (Jr.), Edmund and Steven and four daughters who were the brides of John Pinson, William Pinson, William Mitchell and George Stovall. On July 5, 1802, Joseph Chandler sold the one hundred acre tract of land, which he had purchased from Lewis Shapard, to his son-in-law George Stovall (1768-1847). George was an attorney who had married Mr. Chandler’s daughter Susannah Chandler (1768-1854) in 1790. Since this land had not previously been developed, it appears that in approximately July of 1802, Booker Shapard was hired as a carpenter to complete the interior of the Stovall’s newly framed home.
In August of 1801, Lewis Shapard received the exciting news that his brother James had just purchased a hundred acre tract of land in Caswell County. Not only was this James Shapard’s first land purchase, but the property was directly to the north of Lewis Shapard’s plantation, meaning they would be neighbors. Prior to this purchase, James and his wife Frances (Brooks) Shapard had been living on her widowed mother’s 477 acre plantation in the middle of St. David’s District. In late 1798, James and Frances inherited three slaves (Sarah, Poll and James) from her father’s estate, which greatly increased their financial position, possibly leading to the acquisition of this new land. James purchased his new property next to Lewis Shapard’s land, from William Sawyer, Jr., who had inherited the property from his father, William Sr., after his death in 1790. The land was triangular in shape, and was bordered on the east by the property of Richard Martin and Luke Pendergast, bordered on the south by Joseph Chandler and Lewis Shapard, and bordered on the west by the diagonal meanderings of Graves Mill Road. James and Frances retained this land until 1818, after which it was sold to Benjamin Lea.
After their baby reached four months of age in August, Lewis and Martha Shapard decided it was time to take all their children to visit family in Person County. They enjoyed quality social time with Martha’s sister Mary “Polly” (Paine) and her husband Edmond Shelton who lived in St. Luke’s District. Since Polly and Edmund were married in February of 1798, they likely had a baby of their own at this time. The Shapards also called on Martha’s brother James Paine and his wife Mary (Williams) to share in the joyous gathering. James and Mary Paine were married in January of 1799, and in January of 1801, Mary delivered her second child, a daughter named Ann. Interestingly, their first child named Robert Paine (1799-1882) would grow up to be one of the most influential and well-known Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and a pioneer for education. Martha (Paine) Shapard, Polly (Paine) Shelton and Mary (Williams) Paine would have spent much time feeding, rocking and holding each other’s babies while discussing the trials and joys of motherhood. The men would have conversed over trials at the courthouse, the outcome of crops, livestock, diversions and their travels.
While the Shapards were in Person County, an interesting event occurred on August 26, 1801. Mary (Williams) Paine purchased, for £5, an eighteen year-old slave woman by the name of Jude from Ann Towler, wife of Benjamin Towler. The sale must have been associated with a social event as both Paine sisters (Martha and Polly) were in attendance, as well as, Edmund Shelton. It’s quite possible that Lewis Shapard and James Paine were also among the group. In 1801, James and Mary Paine had about eight slaves. A decade later, in 1810 their slaveholdings would increase to 18 negros working their 922 acre plantation. Amazingly, by 1840, they would own over 50 slaves.
The Shapard family returned to Caswell County in time for Lewis to attend the October session of County Court. On October 28, 1801, Lewis was the defendant in a case with William Smith over the issue of a debt or lease. At the end of the trial the jury could not agree upon a verdict, despite a significant amount of time deliberating. To remedy the situation the judge summoned the counsel for both the plaintiff and defendant, and, upon agreement of the parties, a juror was selected to be withdrawn. By removing one of the jurors from the jury box, this legally ended the trial, each party paying his own costs. Surprisingly, this was the second time this case had been tried, the first trial on July 29, 1801, also ended by having a juror withdrawn. Despite the result, William Smith resubmitted his case for a third time against Lewis Shapard and a new trial date was set for April 27, 1802. Interestingly, at the third trial, the jury came to a decision and found Lewis not guilty.
After his trial at the courthouse on October 28, 1801, Lewis Shapard served as a member of the jury on the case between The State vs. William Cundiff. Ironically, after a lengthy deliberation, this trial also ended by having a juror withdrawn. The following day, Lewis again attended court as a juror, this time for the trial between Thomas & John Miles vs. James Gunn. After court, Lewis returned back home to his plantation in St. David’s District and did not return to the courthouse until January of 1802, serving on the jury in the case between John Hightower vs. Ambrose S. Bennett.
Lewis Shapard attended the April 1802 session of court at Caswell Courthouse. On April 26, he presented to the court an updated report on the sales of the estate of the late Michael Nicholson. Earlier that year on January 29, the court had appointed Richard Simpson and James Williamson as commissioners to audit Lewis Shapard’s records and settle with him as the administrator of the estate of Mr. Nicholson, in right of his wife. Lewis had been very attentive to his responsibilities in this matter over the years and performed his job with the utmost diligence. The report was accepted by the court and ordered to be recorded.
On April 27, 1802, Lewis was the defendant in a case with William Smith, whereby, after three trials, the jury finally found in favor of Lewis. The following day, Lewis attended court as a member of the jury for the trial between Daniel Darby vs. Thomas Dalines. On April 29, Lewis was again at the courthouse, this time in the company of his brother James Shapard. Both men were defendants in a delinquent debt case involving plaintiff Sally Tait [Tate]. After deliberation the jury found against the Shapard brothers, in that, there had been no previous payment or settlement attempt by them, and awarded Sally Tait £29.1.4, as well as, principle and interest and cost of the suit. Later that day James Shapard was again a defendant, this time with his brother-in-law William B. Brooks in a lawsuit involving plaintiff William Nash. The jury found against the defendants and awarded Mr. Nash £34.14.2 and court costs.
In August of 1802, Lewis Shapard’s plantation was readying itself for the harvest season. By then, the corn had reached full maturity, and, to prepare for harvest, the leaves and tassels were removed leaving only the stalks with ears to dry in the field. By October, the ears of corn were generally dry enough to remove from their stalk and store. Most plantation owners allotted each adult (including slaves) one acre of corn, yielding about 15 bushels, as sufficient food supply for the year. By August, tobacco had also reached maturity and was beginning to be harvested in stages. During this time, the oat crop was mowed down by hand with sickle blades. The vegetable gardens were prepared and planted with seeds for the fall crop. By late August, fields were plowed and sowed with wheat. It was a busy time of year and every member of the plantation worked in unison to ensure the plantation would be profitable and that there would be enough food provisions for the people and livestock to survive the winter months.
During this time, Booker Shapard was helping out around his brother’s plantation. He was also earning extra income within the community as a carpenter. George and Susannah Stovall, who, in July of 1802, had acquired the land neighboring Lewis Shapard’s plantation to the east, hired Booker to finish the interior of their newly framed home. Tragically, in August of 1802, Booker was injured. It is unknown if it was a construction mishap, horse accident or injury from harvest equipment. Regardless, over the following month his condition became urgent, possibly due to an infection, and he came under the care of Dr. William S. Webb.
Dr. William S. Webb was born in 1776 in Granville County, North Carolina. He was the son of Frances (Young) (1749-1810) and William Webb (1745-1809) and the nephew of John Webb (1747-1826) who married Lewis Shapard’s aunt Amy Booker (1752-1835). In 1804, Dr. Webb married Mildred Turner (1778-1830) in Caswell County, North Carolina. They resided on 183 acres in the Gloucester District and had numerous children. In 1812, they migrated from North Carolina to Williamson County, Tennessee, where they resided for the remainder of their lives. Mildred died in 1830, and Dr. William S. Webb died at age 90 in 1866.
Dr. Webb came to Lewis Shapard’s plantation and attended to Booker twice in late September of 1802. During those visits, Booker was given medicine in an effort to purge his intestines, most likely due to constipation. He was also blood-letted, which was an accepted medical practice until the mid-1800s, whereby, the patient was cut to drain the “bad blood” and balance the humors in an effort to cure. In Booker’s case, Dr. Webb performed a “venesection,” in which blood was released from a large external vessel in an arm, leg or neck. Sadly, Booker did not survive his circumstance and died in late September or early October of 1802. He was about 27 years of age and was not married. His brother Lewis was the executor of his estate and settled his affairs. Booker was buried within two to three days after his death. The location of Booker’s gravesite is unknown; however, he was likely interred in Caswell County near or on his brother’s plantation or his body may have been removed to Granville County to reside in a family plot on his parent’s plantation. As a tribute to his beloved deceased brother, Lewis Shapard would name his next son, born in 1803, “Booker.”
This was a tragic and undeniably sad time for the Shapard family. In addition to the funeral, there were other responsibilities that needed to be addressed and Lewis rose to the occasion. On October 20, 1802, Lewis Shapard entered into bond with James Williamson and Graves Howard as securities in the sum of $300 to become the administrator of his brother’s estate. As administrator, Lewis was required to make an inventory of all of Booker’s property and submit his findings to the County Court within ninety days. He was also required to present to the court an account of the credits and debts of the estate and his collection or payment thereof until the estate was fully settled. On October 24, 1802, Lewis submitted to the court his brother’s inventory, being: one bay mare horse, one saddle, one bridle, one pair saddle bags, one curry comb for horse, one small chest, one small trunk, two small books, two pamphlets, one razor and case, one shaving box, one pair shoe brushes, one quart bottle, one hand saw, one hammer, one broad axe, one scrubbing gouge, one smoothing plain, three gimlets, three moulding plains, two bench plains, cash on hand two shillings and some money due from carpentry work for George Stovall.
On October 25, 1802, the justices of the court ordered that Lewis Shapard, as administrator, conduct a public sale of Booker’s remaining estate in order to satisfy all debts and allow distribution of any remaining funds to the heirs. Lewis fulfilled his obligation by holding an auction at his plantation on November 22, 1802. Lewis’ brother Thomas Shapard traveled from Granville County to assist with the auction and spend some time with his siblings. Most of Booker’s property was purchased by his brothers. Lewis Shapard bought his bay mare horse, curry comb for horse, a small chest, pamphlet, shoe brushes, quart bottle and a variety of tools, including a broad axe, moulding planes and a gouge. James Shapard acquired an ink stand and hammer. Thomas Shapard purchased a small trunk, a razor and shaving box. Booker’s brother-in-law Anderson Williams bought his saddle and saddle bags, a dictionary, a smoothing plane and two bench planes. The rest of the estate was sold to neighbors, including George Stovall, Stephen Chandler and John Pinson. In all, the sale brought in £52.12.4, most of which would be used by Lewis to pay off the debts against Booker’s estate over the following years.
The same time as Lewis was administering to his brothers estate, the Caswell County Court ordered that Lewis be appointed as the overseer of the road from Graves Mill to Chandlers Pathe. As the population of Caswell County grew, it was necessary for new roads to be established and for old roads to be maintained and widened as horseback travel gave way to greater wagon traffic. At this time, roads were governed by the justices of the County Courts who selected certain landowners and their hands (slaves), under the guidance of a designated overseer, to work the roads during the months of April and September. This work entailed the maintenance of existing roads by clearing away debris, overgrown brush and roots and the widening of established roads in accordance with regulation. In 1764, the law required roads to be 20 feet wide (previously was 12 feet wide) with a 14 foot height clearance from overhanging tree limbs. Directional road sign posts with mile markers to towns were also required to be maintained by the road overseer throughout the year. Since Lewis Shapard traveled Graves Mill Road frequently to the court house, he was a proper and capable choice as overseer.
The Caswell County Tax List informs us that, in the year 1803, Lewis Shapard owned 300 acres of land at his St. David’s District plantation and owned six slaves. Residents were only taxed on slaves that were sixteen years of age or older, so, in all likelihood, Lewis owned additional younger slaves. The Shapard family included Lewis and Martha and six children, being: Elizabeth Nicholson (age 12), Polly Nicholson (age 10), Sally Nicholson (age 8), William B. Shapard (age 6), Sophia Shapard (age 4) and James P. Shapard (age 2). However, on February 28, 1803, Lewis and Martha Shapard were blessed with the birth of baby boy. They named the baby “Booker” as a tribute to Lewis’ beloved brother who had lost his life four months prior. Clearly, giving life again to Booker’s name, in the form of a baby, allowed for a degree of healing from their loss.
Lewis Shapard was the legal guardian of his three step-daughters, and, as such, was periodically required to submit a Guardians Account to the Justices of the County Court. Through these accounts, it is revealed that Elizabeth, Polly and Sally Nicholson were cared for very well throughout their youth. All three girls had substantial funds through their father’s estate and by Lewis Shapard’s careful guardianship they all received a school education, were clothed well and comfortably boarded.
Lewis traveled to Caswell Courthouse for the April session of the County Court. On April 25, 1803 he served as a jury member on two cases: George Hambuckle vs. Thomas Margie and Addison Harlan vs. Edward Wallington. The following day on April 26, the Justices of the court allowed Lewis to receive five percent of the estate of Michael Nicholson as compensation for the extensive work he had undertaken over the years in collecting and paying money in settling the estate. On April 27, Lewis attended court for the third day in a row. That day, he submitted to the court an up-to-date account of his administratorship of the estate of Michael Nicholson. The report was reviewed by commissioners and, being acceptable to the justices, was ordered to be recorded in the public record.
In July of 1803, John Penson (also spelled Pinson) was appointed a Constable of Caswell County. In order to secure his appointment, he entered in bond with Lewis Shapard and George Stovall for $250 each. The bond was intended to ensure that Mr. Penson faithfully performed his job. In addition, through his support of Mr. Penson, Lewis Shapard remained in favor with the new constable – a political move that was beneficial for wealthy landowners. John Penson was married to Elizabeth “Betty” Chandler, daughter of Lewis Shapard’s neighbor Joseph Chandler. George Stovall was married to “Betty” Chandler’s sister, Susannah Chandler. Over the years, John Penson would acquire much of Josephs Chandler’s plantation, as well as, the surrounding estates to the east. He and his family’s influence would be such that the top branch of the South Fork of the Country Line Creek that ran through his plantation would be renamed ‘Penson Creek.’ It is still known by that name today.
Throughout the year 1803, Lewis Shapard attended three local estate sales. On February 3, the estate of William Gooch was auctioned off and Lewis acquired a razor and strap. Mr. Gooch lived on a large plantation to the southeast of Lewis Shapard’s land. On August 18, Lewis attended the estate sale of Thomas Langley, where he acquired five head of sheep and a quart of brandy for a total of £4.8.6. The Shapard family used the sheep for wool, which was spun into yarn and weaved into clothing. On November 17, Lewis purchased a cutting box, two bridle bits, a yoke and oxen for the sum of £9.15.6, from the estate of Thomas Yancey. Oxen were usually castrated bulls that were used for heavy labor on farms. During this era, they were the ‘engines’ used for plowing fields, hauling wagons, moving logs, grinding grain, etc. The animals would have been an impressive and important addition to Lewis Shapard’s plantation workforce.
In 1804, Lewis was taxed by the county for five adult slaves, which was one less than he had been taxed for in 1803. Lewis would hold the same number of slaves for the next two years. Thereafter, his slaveholdings would greatly increase.
In January of 1804, Lewis traveled to Caswell Courthouse to attend court. On January 27, he served as a member of the jury on a case between Richard Simpson and Elizabeth Hart. A few days later on January 30, William Nash filed a lawsuit against Lewis Shapard and John Pinson. This being the same William Nash who had successfully sued James Shapard and his brother-in-law William B. Brooks in 1802. In order to file suit against Lewis Shapard, Mr. Nash obtained security from A.D. Murphy and John Doe, both being accountable to pay Lewis Shapard and John Pinson £100 if Mr. Nash did not faithfully prosecute his lawsuit against them. It appears that the case was never brought to trial as there is no record of it beyond this date.
Lewis returned to Caswell Court house for the April session of County Court in order to settle some legal affairs. On April 24, 1804, Lewis was listed among twelve men appointed as commissioners, by the justices of the court, to determine the widow’s dower of land allotted to Elizabeth Yancy, wife of the late Thomas Yancey. During the era from 1784 to 1868, a married woman did not legally own any of her husband’s land; however, if he predeceased her, she was entitled to a one-third portion, known as a ‘widow’s dower,’ for her lifetime. The widow’s portion of land was determined by a group of men, usually neighbors, commissioned by the court to fulfill the task in the best interest of the widow. This being the case, the land usually included the dwelling house and out buildings. If the widow remarried, she was still entitled to the land. However, the widow was not allowed to sell the land, as she only had the use of it for her lifetime, after which, the land resorted back to her husband’s rightful heirs. In the case of Mrs. Yancey, Lewis Shapard and the other commissioners allotted her an 85 acre widow’s dower along the South Fork of Country Line Creek.
Over the last two years, Lewis Shapard had fulfilled his responsibility as the administrator of his late brother Booker’s estate by paying all the debts and collecting all the due profits. On April 27, 1804, Lewis submitted to the County Court a final settlement that had been audited and approved by William Webb, Alexander Murphy and James Yancey. From the final settlement, Lewis received £16.14.8 ½ and his brother Thomas Shapard received £16.0.0. The court settled the account, after which, it appears that Lewis had completed his administratorship as no further reports on the estate were submitted to, nor requested by, the court.
Just as Lewis finished settling the affairs of his late brother’s estate, another loss befell the family. Before June in the year 1804, Lewis’ mother, Mary (Booker) Shapard died in Granville County, North Carolina. She was 57 years of age at the time of her death and had lived an extraordinary life. Raised in Essex County, Virginia, she married in 1762, at the age of sixteen, and migrated that same year to Cumberland County, Virginia. It was there where she and her husband endured and survived the Revolutionary War, coming into frequent contact with the armies that marched through the area. Shortly after the war, in 1785, she migrated to Granville County, North Carolina, and flourished. By 1790, she and her husband had reached the pinnacle of their financial success, owning two plantations totaling 1,484 acres and slaveholdings in excess of 12 negros. More importantly, she was the mother of twelve children and was blessed to see them all reach the age of adulthood. Mary Shapard truly embodied the pioneering spirit of her era, and, no doubt, was well-loved and greatly missed by her friends and family. As a tribute to their beloved mother, two grandchildren were named in her honor the year she died: Mary Booker Shapard daughter of James and Frances (Brooks) Shapard of Caswell County; and, Mary Booker Royster daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Shapard) Royster of Granville County.
In balance with death is life. About six months after the passing of Lewis Shapard’s mother, a baby boy was born into the Shapard family. Robert Paine Shapard was born on the cool winter day of January 9, 1805. He was named in honor of his maternal grandfather, Capt. Robert Paine of Person County, who had the reputation of being a sensible, pious and generous-hearted Christian gentleman. Lewis Shapard’s family had now grown to eight children, including his three step-daughters. Tax records for the year 1805 indicate that the family also owned five slaves that were sixteen years of age or older.
On May 17, 1805, the estate sale of the late Thomas Kimbrough was held at his former plantation, in the Gloucester District, about a mile northeast of Lewis Shapard’s home. Mr. Kimbrough was born circa 1749, and had migrated with his parents to Caswell County, North Carolina, from Virginia. Thomas married Elizabeth Graves, daughter of Nancy (Slade) and John Herndon Graves, in March of 1792, and they had at least seven children. During the estate sale, Lewis Shapard purchased three reap hooks, which were tools with sharp curved metal blades and short wooden handles used for cutting crops during harvest time
Lewis Shapard traveled to Caswell Courthouse on July 29, 1805, to attend to some legal matters regarding his administrative duties over the estate of Michael Nicholson. The court ordered that Alexander Murphy and James Yancey be appointed to divide the remaining estate among the heirs and to settle with Lewis Shapard as guardian of the three Nicholson girls. James Yancey (1768-1829) was a very influential and important figure in Caswell County history. He married Lucy Kerr, daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Kerr, in 1794. After her death he married Zilpah Johnston in 1811, daughter of Dr. Lancelot Johnston. James Yancey held numerous public offices over the years. He was a constable in 1788 and then served in the legislature of the General Assembly of North Carolina in 1798, 1801-1803, 1807-1808, 1811 and 1822. In 1802, he was a trustee of Caswell Academy, being the first school for classical education established in the county. Mr. Yancey served as a Justice for the Caswell County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions from 1808-1829. As Caswell County grew, he recognized that larger courthouse was needed, and, after years of negotiations with the surrounding landowners, finally succeeded in acquiring extra land around the courthouse for this purpose. Judge Yancey died a few years before the completion of the courthouse in 1833; however, in recognition of his valuable life’s work, the citizens renamed the town of Caswell Courthouse to Yanceyville in his honor, as it is known today.
In August of 1805, Lewis and Martha Shapard traveled to Person County with their seven month old baby, Robert Paine Shapard. The trip was mostly social, visiting with Martha’s father, brothers and sisters and their families. Certainly, Martha’s father Capt. Robert Paine would have been thrilled and delighted to have been introduced to a baby named in his honor. While the Shapards were in Person County, Martha’s brother-in-law Mr. Edmund Shelton, who had married Polly Paine, purchased five acres of land on Holt’s Mill Creek near the Virginia State line. Lewis Shapard was with him as a witness to the transaction and signed his name on the deed, as such.
By October, The Shapards had returned to their home in Caswell County. On October 29, 1805, Lewis traveled to Caswell Courthouse to attend court. During that session, the justices relieved Mr. Shapard of his duty as the overseer of Graves Mill Road in place of John Penson. Later that same day, Lewis served as a member of the jury on the case between The State vs. Robert Mullins.
Late in the year 1805, Lewis Shapard’s neighbor, Joseph Chandler died. As the probate process began on December 9, 1805, the legatees of the estate met to determine who would be assigned as the administrator. In attendance as legatees were James Chandler, William Penson, Joseph Chandler, Jr., Edmund Chandler, William Mitchell, Steven Chandler, John Penson and George Stovall. Lewis Shapard was also called to be in attendance as a witness when they assigned George Stovall as administrator. This decision was made easier by the fact that Mr. Stovall was an attorney and clearly understood the legal responsibly of the position for which he was chosen. Although Mr. Chandler’s plantation, next to Lewis Shapard’s land, was willed to his sons William and Steven, by 1812, it had all been sold to their brother-in-law John Penson.

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