CHAPTER 1: THE EARLY YEARS 1789-1811
Royal Fleming Shepherd (1789-1850) was
born on January 12, 1789, approximately 10 miles northwest of the city of Richmond,
in Henrico County, Virginia. He was the eldest child of Samuel Shapard III
[spelled later as Sheppard] (c. 1767-1795) and Mary “Polly” Allen, who married
in Henrico County, Virginia on December 3, 1787. Royal was the grandson of
Samuel Shapard II (c.1729-1781) and Elizabeth (Price) (?-c.1776), and the
great-grandson of Samuel Shapard (c.1700-1751) of King and Queen County,
Virginia.
Royal’s infancy coincided with a
fascinating time in the youth of the United States of America and the State of
Virginia. Although the Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, less than one
year before Royal birth, the United States was still transitioning from the original
framework of 1781, known as the Articles of Confederation. Interestingly, there
was no president under the original system, only representatives from each
state. Royal was born three months
before our first United States president, George Washington (1732-1799), would
be elected and take office on April 30, 1789. The federal seat of government at
this time was transitory: Congress met in Philadelphia in 1781 until 1783; then
moved to Princeton, New Jersey, in June of 1783; then to Annapolis, Maryland,
in November of 1783; then to Trenton, New Jersey, in November of 1784; then to New
York from 1785 until 1789; then back to Philadelphia from 1790 until 1799; and finally
moved to the city of Washington [Washington D.C.] in 1800 with the completion
of the White House.
Closer to home for the Sheppard
family, in 1780, during the Revolutionary War, the General Assembly moved the Virginia
capital from Williamsburg to temporary quarters at Richmond in Henrico County. Seven
months before the birth of Royal F. Shepherd, Virginia was admitted to the
Union, on June 25, 1788, as the tenth state. That same year, a permanent
capital building, designed by Thomas Jefferson, was constructed at Richmond.
Interestingly, Virginia would produce four of the first five presidents of the
United States. It is fascinating to consider that during the lifetime of Royal
F. Shepherd and his siblings, it is highly likely that they would have seen or
even personally met some of these great men of history.
During colonial times, in 1757, Royal’s
grandparents, Samuel Shapard II (c.1729-1781) and his wife Elizabeth (Price) (?-c.1776),
moved from Goochland County, Virginia, seven miles, to Henrico County,
Virginia, settling on 258 acres of quality land in the divide of Flat Creek and
Deep Run Creek, ten miles northwest of Richmond. Elizabeth died between 1775 to
1781, and Samuel Shapard II died during the Revolutionary War in 1781, before
November 19th, apparently a wealthy man, having land, livestock and
slaves. They had eight children whom survived to adulthood: Mildred (c.1753-?)
married William Coutts (1740-1787) on September 28, 1775; Elizabeth (c.1755-?) married
Joseph Duvall (?-1800) on September 24, 1773; Mary (c.1758-c.1799) married
Charles W. Cottrell (1751-1818) on September 4, 1777; Susanna (c.1760-1807) married
Peter Cottrell (1760-1815), brother of Charles W. Cottrell (1751-1818), on
November 6, 1778; Frances (c.1763-c.1801) married Thomas Shoemaker (1760-1821) on
November 19, 1781; Hannah (c.1765-?) married Shadrack Walker (1759-1826) on
April 12, 1783; Samuel (c.1767-1795) married Mary “Polly” Allen (c.1769-1826)
on December 3, 1787; Reuben (1772-1813) married Sarah “Sally” Cocke (?-1822) on
April 24, 1793; and William (1775-1799) married Fanny Shaw on July 9, 1797.
It is interesting to note that, in this line of the family, the Shapard surname began to fade to the more common “Sheppard” and “Shepherd” spelling after the death of Samuel Shapard II (1729-1781), in 1781. At the time of their father’s death, the three sons of Samuel II were only children: Samuel (1767-1795) was approximately thirteen years of age, and was placed under the guardianship of his brother-in-law, Charles W. Cottrell (1751-1818), who had married Samuel’s sister Mary, to be raised and educated; Reuben (1772-1813) was approximately nine years old, and William (1775-1799) was only six years of age. Both Ruben and William were placed under the guardianship of their brother-in-law Joseph Duvall who had married their sister Elizabeth, to be raised and educated. During this era, spelling was highly variable, and it is likely that Samuel’s daughters Mary and Elizabeth were illiterate, thus their unique surname spelling was lost in their households to more common variants. For the sake of simplicity, Royal Shepherd’s father’s generation shall be indicated as “Sheppard”, and Royal’s generation shall be identified as “Shepherd.”
In June of 1782, their father’s estate
was equally divided between all of his children by the courts, as he died
intestate and of moderate wealth in land, slaves, livestock and goods. Pertaining
to his sons, Samuel Sheppard received two negros Sarah and Annis, six head of
cattle, ninety pounds of cotton in the seed, 522 pounds gross pork, four pounds
wool, four dishs and plates, one bed, cash to receive-£42.19.8. Reuben Sheppard
received three negros Ann, Sukey and Shadrick, six head of cattle, ninety
pounds of cotton in the seed, 524 pounds gross pork, four pounds wool, five
plates and two old basons, one bed, cash to receive-£26.19.2. And William
Sheppard received one negro man John, six head of cattle, ninety pounds of
cotton in the seed, 504 pounds gross pork, four pounds wool, four plates and
one basons, one bed, cash to receive-£37.4.2. All the estate was to be
maintained by the guardians for the benefit of the boys until they came of age,
at 21 years old.
Samuel, Reuben and William all grew up
together and, during their early adulthood, lived near one other on their
respective division of their father’s land. On December 3, 1787, at 20 years of
age, Samuel married Mary “Polly” Allen (1769-1826), the daughter of David Allen
(deceased) and Mary Allen (?-1800). On January 12, 1789, they had their first
child, a son named Royal Fleming Shepherd (1789-1850). In 1790, they were
blessed with another baby, a daughter Elizabeth “Betsy” Price Shepherd (1790-?).
In 1791, they would have another son, Samuel Shepherd (1792-1849). In 1793,
they would have another daughter, Mary “Polly” A. Shepherd (1793-?)
who would marry Jacob Hopkins (?-c.1825). And in 1795, they would have their
last child, a son named David A. Shepherd (1795-c.1830).
Royal Fleming Shepherd grew up in an agricultural setting in the crook of Flat Creek and Deep Run Creek just ten miles to the northwest of the growing city of Richmond, in the Upper District of Henrico County. Royal was surrounded by immediate and extended family on the neighboring plantations. The Cottrell, Cocke, Brown and Duvall families that resided nearby were also interconnected to the Sheppard family through a long line of marriages. In 1793, Royal’s uncle Reuben Sheppard (1772-1813) married Sarah “Sally” Cocke (?-1822). They would have nine children who survived to adulthood: Nancy (1794-1873) married Richardson Jones (1791-1878), Elizabeth (c.1796-?) married James Patterson (c.1795-?), Sarah (1797-1855) married Samuel Smith Cottrell (1782-1855), Jane (1799-?), Mildred (1800-c.1830) married Royal Fleming Shepherd (1789-1850), Reuben, Jr. (1803-1892) married Susan G. Jordan (1809-1894), Richard C. (c.1805-c.1842) married Elizabeth Johnson (1816-?), Lucinda (1807-1877) married Thomas Duke (c.1790-c.1875), Robert (1809-1849) married Mary A. Shepherd (c.1811-c.1833), and. Royal would remain very close with these cousins in the future.
Sadly, around July 10, 1795, Royal’s
father Samuel Shapard III (spelled later as Sheppard) (1767-1795) died in
Henrico County, at the age of 28 years old. Royal, being the eldest child, was
only six years of age when his father died. Samuel Woodward (1762-1828) became
the administrator of the estate, settling the affairs for the widow, and he
also became the guardian of the five Shepherd children. Samuel
Woodward was the children’s uncle, by way of his marriage to Elizabeth Ann
Allen (1762-?) on March 29, 1783, being the sister of the widow Mary “Polly” (Allen)
Sheppard. Records indicate that Samuel Woodard resided in Goochland County,
Virginia.
During his young life, Samuel Shapard III
(spelled later as Sheppard) (1767-1795) had become financially successful
through hard work and good relationships. His probate records show he had 540
acres of land, eight slaves and numerous livestock and a large quantity of
household goods. On March 9, 1798, the courts divided his estate among his
widow and five children: Mary “Polly” Sheppard received a widow’s third of the
real and personal estate, being 135 acres of land; one negro woman Annis, one
negro boy Porter, one negro boy David, one bay mare, one cow and calf, one
yearling, one sow, one bed and furniture, one chest and one looking glass.
The children drew lots to determine
their inheritance. David A. Shepherd drew lot No. 1, being 116 acres, one
negro girl Maryann, one bed and six chairs. Mary “Polly” A. Shepherd drew lot
No. 2, being 104 ½ acres, one negro woman Sary, one bed, eleven shoats and one
side saddle. Elizabeth “Betsy” Price Shepherd drew lot No. 3, being 51 acres, one
negro girl Nancey, young bay mare, one red and white cow and calf, one black
and white cow, one black horse and one bleu chest. Royal Fleming Shepherd drew lot No. 4, being 49 acres, one
negro man Dick, one negro boy Talton, one bed, one red and white cow and calf,
one red yearling, one bleu table, one decanter and trunk, books and slate. Samuel
Shepherd drew lot No. 5, being 84 ½ acres, one negro Ben, one walnut
table, and one sugar box.
It appears that after the death of Royal’s
father, his uncle Reuben (1772-1813) and aunt Sally cared for him greatly,
fostering an affection that would last a lifetime. Royal also developed a
profound life friendship with his younger cousins, especially Reuben Jr.,
Richard C., and Robert, of whom he spent a great deal of time with during his
youth. On September 26, 1799, Royal’s mother, Mary “Polly” Sheppard married Charles
W. Cottrell (1751-1818). Charles was initially Royal Shepherd’s uncle,
however after he was widowed by his first wife Mary Shapard (1758- c. 1799), he
married Mary “Polly” (Allen) Sheppard to became Royal’s step-father. At the
time of his mother’s marriage, Royal would have been ten years of age. Royal
received an ample education in youth, being taught reading, writing and
arithmetic, as well as, being trained in the aspects of farming and plantation
management. There was also a merging together of the Shepherd and
Cottrell children via this new marriage, creating lifelong friendships and even
a more intimate relationship.
After June 4th, in 1799, Royal’s other
uncle, William Sheppard, who had married Frances “Fanny” Shaw on June 9, 1796,
died at the age of 24 years. There is no record of any children from the union
of William and Fanny Sheppard. In August of 1800, his widow married Mr. William
Vaughn of Henrico County. Tragically, it appears that this marriage was also
cut short, as records indicate that William Vaughn died in January of 1806. Beyond
this, it is unknown what became of Frances “Fanny” Shaw.
Nationally, during
this era, George Washington (1732-1799) retired his presidency in 1797 to John
Adams (1735-1826), after which, Washington moved to his Mount Vernon plantation
in Fairfax County, Virginia, until his death in 1799. In 1801, Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826), the former Governor of Virginia (1779-1781), Congressman and Founding
Father, would become president until 1809. Of particular importance for the
United States was Jefferson’s purchase the Louisiana Territory from the French
government, in 1803, consisting of 820,000 square miles of land west of the
Mississippi River. Prior to this, Americans were settling the lands east of the
Mississippi River, however, this new territory allowed for vast expansion
westward, wrought with great opportunity, peril and adventure.
On September
3, 1804, Royal F. Shepherd and his sister Elizabeth Price Shepherd
petitioned the justices of the Henrico County Court for Samuel Brown (1771-1847)
to be their guardian, which the court granted. The Browns and the Shapards had
not only lived near each other in in the upper district of Henrico County since
the 1780s, but there were previous familiar connections. The earliest link
between the families stemmed from Royal F. Shepherd’s aunt
Mildred Shapard (c. 1753 - ?) who married a Samuel Brown (?- bef. 1775) of
Goochland County, Virginia. After Samuel Brown’s early death, Royal’s aunt
Mildred then married Rev. William Coutts on September 28, 1775 in St. James
Parrish of Goochland County. Interestingly, in 1772, Rev. Coutts presided over
the marriage of Thomas Jefferson to Martha Wayles Skelton, for which Jefferson
paid him £5.
The Samuel Brown whom was petitioned as
a guardian by Royal F. Shepherd and his sister Elizabeth, was Samuel Brown
(1771 – 1847) of Henrico County that purchased 10 ¾ acres of land on Deep Run
Creek from Reuben Sheppard and his wife Sally in February 1804. Samuel would
become a very influential figure in Henrico County, being elected as a Judge in
1812, until resigning his office in 1823. Interestingly, Samuel Brown and Royal
F. Shepherd would marry sisters via Samuel’s marriage on July 22, 1807 to Judith
Cottrell (1787-1823), who also happened to be Royal’s cousin. [Her mother was
Mary Shapard (c. 1758 – c. 1799) who married Charles W. Cottrell (1751-1818) in
1777]. After Judith’s death in 1823, Samuel Brown married Ann M. Cottrell on
March 24, 1824.
In 1807, Henrico County assessors
recorded the land tax for the year, documenting the real estate owned by the
Sheppard family. Royal F. Shepherd was taxed on 49 acres. Elizabeth
“Betsy” Shepherd was taxed on 51 acres. Samuel Shepherd was taxed on 84 ½ acres.
David A. Shepherd was taxed on 116 acres, and Mary Shepherd was taxed
on 104 acres. Their uncle Reuben Sheppard was taxed on 35 acres and an
additional lot of 84 ½ acres, as well as one slave over the age of 16 years.
Interestingly, during this same time
period, their uncle Samuel Woodward was making his guardian’s account to the court
on Samuel Shepherd, Polly Shepherd and David A. Shepherd. According
to these returns, the children’s land and slaves were rented out for the year
as a source of income. Items, such as, clothing, education and board were
deducted from their accounts. Samuel Shepherd spent £6.14.9 on clothing for the
year and accrued £2.14.0 in land rent and £15.0.0 from the lease of his negro
man. Mary “Polly” Shepherd spent £1.14.3 on clothing, £12.0.0 on
boarding, yet, received an income of £5.5.0 for the hire of her negro woman and
£1.10.0 for the rent of her land. David A. Shepherd spent £2.19.17
on clothing and $15.0.0 on boarding and schooling, however, produced an income
of $6.4.6 from the hire of his negro woman, and $16.10.0 from the rent of his
land.
On November 30, 1808, the first of the
Shepherd children entered into the bonds of matrimony. At 18 years of age,
Elizabeth “Betsy” Price Shepherd married Jesse Ellis Redford (c.1790-1818) in
Goochland County, Virginia. Her guardian Samuel Brown (1771–1847) consenting to
the union. Elizabeth was illiterate, signing her name as “X.” Initially, the
young couple lived in Henrico County, having one slave in 1810 and two horses. In
1812, Elizabeth and her husband sold her 51 acres of inherited land in Henrico
County to her brother Royal F. Shepherd. During the War of 1812, Jesse was a
Corporal in Capt. Hezekiah Henley’s Company Virginia Militia, and was stationed
at Norfolk Virginia from February 7th to March 3rd in
1813. Upon his return, the couple then moved, in 1814, to Goochland County, where,
on December 23, 1815, they purchased 119 ½ acres of quality farmland on Buffalo
Creek from Joseph Woodson. By 1818, they had grown their slave holdings to
three slaves, as well as, owning two horses and other livestock. Their marriage
was cut tragically short by the death of Jesse in the fall of 1818.
Shortly after
Royal’s coming of age and marriage, his siblings David A. Shepherd and Mary
“Polly” A. Shepherd petitioned the County Court, on June 4, 1810, for a guardian change
from their uncle Samuel Woodward to their brother Royal F. Shepherd. The court
granted their request and Royal entered into bond in the penalty of $1,500 for
each of his siblings. Thomas Shoemaker, Jesse Ellis Redford, John Price and
Charles Cottrell all backed Royal as his securities on the bonds in case of
default on his responsibilities. Their brother Samuel Shepherd, who was 18
years old in 1810, decided to remained with his uncle Samuel Woodward for the
final three years of his guardianship.
1811 was a
special year for Royal and his wife, due to the birth of their first child, a
daughter they named Mary A. Shepherd (c.1811-c.1833). She was named after
both Royal and Polly’s mothers. Mary was raised in the Upper District of
Henrico County. Although not much is known about Mary, it is recorded that she
married in 1832, at the age of 21 years old, to her second cousin, Robert Shepherd (1809-aft.1840),
the son of Reuben Sheppard (1772-1813) and Sarah “Sally” (Cocke) (?-1822). Mary
died between 1832 and 1840, having no surviving children.
On May 8,
1812, Royal F. Shepherd doubled his land holdings to 100 acres, after
purchasing 51 additional acres, that adjoined his original 49 acres, from his
sister Elizabeth and her husband James Ellis Redford for $410. This was
Elizabeth’s inherited land from her father on Flat Branch of Tuckahoe Creek
bordering the lands of Royal F. Shepherd and his brother Samuel Shepherd. Royal’s
sister and her husband moved to Goochland County, shortly after the sale, with
plans of building a life there.
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