CHAPTER 5: 1830-1839
Locally during this time, Virginia was engaged in a wide variety of infrastructure improvements. New roads and turnpikes were quickly becoming the main arteries connecting smaller towns and distant cities to Richmond, providing faster and safer travel. From the 1830s to 1850s, the James River Canal was being widened, straightened and rerouted to accommodate better water travel for shipping and transportation as part of Virginia’s infrastructure plan. Bosher Dam, spanning the James River to the city of Richmond, was built as part of this project.
Perhaps the most significant development of the 1830s, in Virginia, was the introduction of the railroads. Most rail lines at this time were of short span, linking vital country commerce, such as coal mines, to the city. However, visionaries and the public alike began to appreciate that “this vast country of ours would be bound together by bonds of iron traversing and ramifying the country in every direction, as a vast net work – binding and riveting the people together by free and general intercourse and a mutuality of interest.” The Richmond to Petersburg railroad, spanning 21 miles across Chesterfield County, opened to the public in 1838. However, the Panic of 1837, brought a near halt to Virginia’s infrastructure development, stifling the railroad boom until the mid to late 1840s.
In 1830, Henrico County, not including the city of Richmond, had a population of 12,737 inhabitants, 46 percent (5,935) of those being slaves. Richmond city added an additional population of 16,060, whereby, 39 percent (6,349) were slaves. On the night of August 21, 1831, beginning at 2 am, a renegade slave named Nat Turner led a slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia, only 60 miles from the city of Richmond. The band of about 50 slaves used stolen firearms, axes, clubs and swords to murder 55 whites, including thirteen women and twenty-seven children. Nat Turner was captured on October 30th and hung for his crime on November 11th.
As part of the infrastructure improvements during the 1830s, Henrico County Judge William Shapard (1771-1843) ordered that Royal F. Shepherd, Jesse Sneed and William Cottrell be appointed commissioners to view the way proposed to change the road from any point near the fork of the Three Notched Road to any point between said fork and Tuckahoe Creek and the old road. The men were to report back to the court the comparative conveniences and inconveniences that would result to the public and individual landowners if the road was constructed. Interestingly, William Shapard was distantly related to Royal F. Shepherd, as William’s father William Shapard, Sr., (c.1740-1807) and Royal’s grandfather Samuel Shapard (1729-1781) were brothers. It is a wonder if either man would have made the familial connection.
William Shapard (1771-1843), the son of William Shapard, Sr. (c.1740-1807) and Mary Booker (1746-1804), came to the city of Richmond circa 1798 from Granville County, North Carolina. William was a skilled carpenter and house joiner in North Carolina; however, he did not continue this vocation whilst in Virginia, instead establishing himself as a merchant in Richmond. He and his partner, Gustavus
William Shapard became extremely successful in his business and acquired tremendous wealth. He resided at his 1,300 acre plantation known as ‘Westham Cottage’ on the north side of the James River on Big Westham Creek, which was worked by his 54 slaves. A portion of his plantation is now part of the campus of the University of Richmond, whereupon a slave cemetery was recently discovered. In addition to his plantation, he also owned several lots in the city of Richmond in DuVal’s addition and on H Street near Monumental Church. William Shapard was elected as a Justice of Henrico County on April 13, 1824, and maintained his judgeship until approximately January of 1833. He became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Richmond on May 24, 1828, and was dismissed on January 18, 1838 to join the 4th Presbyterian church of Richmond. In 1827, William petitioned the authorities of Henrico County to establish a saw and grist mill on his plantation along the James River. In 1832, a vandal on two separate occasions set fire to William Shapard’s property, burning down a cottage and two barns filled with farm equipment and grains. He offered a $250 reward for the apprehension of those responsible, and on December 3, 1832, the scoundrel was captured.
There is evidence that William may have married prior to 1818, and that his wife “Elizabeth H. Shapard” died on July 7, 1818 in Richmond. William did marry late in life, at 54 years of age, in 1825, to Catherine Bridges, being the widow of James Bridges. Through their union they had one daughter, named Willianna (1826-1897), born on March 4, 1826. Apparently Willianna was quite a beauty for her time, as musician Gustave Bessner in 1842 composed a waltz in her honor. Willianna married Philip Mayo Tabb (1819-1888) of Richmond, Virginia, in 1845. William Shapard died at the age of 72, on February 16, 1843, and was buried in Shockoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, where his towering stone obelisk remains standing to this day.
The newlyweds resided in the city of Richmond, where Robert had established himself. Robert was still a minor when his last parents died in 1822, and Samuel Cottrell was granted as his guardian. He inherited a small tract of land, being 11 acres on Old House Branch in Henrico County, from the division of his father’s estate. In 1830, Robert was already living in Richmond, and sold this land to Stephen Duvall (1782-1850) for 50 dollars. Tragically, shortly after their marriage, circa 1833, Mary A. Shepherd died, with no known children to their union. Mary may have died in childbirth, or may have been a victim of the cholera epidemic that swept through Richmond in September and October of 1832, claiming at least 450 lives. After the death of his wife, Robert remained a widower in Richmond until at least 1840, with no slaves. After 1840, Robert vanished from the records.
Almost the same time that Royal F. Shepherd was morning the loss of his daughter, his wife, Mildred (1800-c.1832) died in Henrico County. There is no record of how she passed away, however, her youth would suggest childbirth or illness as the cause. There were some curious events around the time of her death that may have been a factor. The Virginia winter of 1831 was particularly prolonged and harsh causing a terrible hardship on the population. In February of 1832, there was a concern of smallpox in Henrico County, and quarters were established in the city of Richmond for their treatment and isolation. Only a few months later, in September of that same year, a deadly cholera outbreak hit Henrico County, ravaging the population for several weeks.
After the death of his wife, circa 1832, Royal F. Shepherd was now the sole provider and parent for his six surviving children: Elizabeth Shepherd (c.1815-c.1842) was 17 years old; Samuel D. Shepherd (c.1821-1896) was 11 years old; Mosby Shepherd (c.1822-1841) was also 11 years old; Royal F. Shepherd, Jr. (1824-1863), was 8 years of age; William Shepherd (1826-?) was 6 years old; and Jane Ann Shepherd (1828-1895) was four years of age. Royal also had seven slaves, over 12 years of age, that were dependent on his care.
Perhaps as a means of quelling his own suffering, Royal gave support and compassion to those more innocent family members who had also been hit by travesty and loss. On March 11, 1833, Royal F. Shepherd became the guardian of the orphans of his sister Mary “Polly” A. Shepherd (c.1793-?) and late brother-in-law Jacob Hopkins (1790-1825). Until they reached the legal age of 21 years old, Royal assumed legal responsibility for the diligent upbringing of his nieces and nephews Samuel Hopkins, William Hopkins, Alexander Hopkins, Elizabeth Hopkins and John Hopkins. Royal’s brother Samuel Shepherd was his security in the amount of $4000, to ensure the faithful performance of his duties.
On May 6, 1834, Royal F. Shepherd purchased from his cousin Stephen Duvall (1782-1850), and his wife Lucy Johnson a small tract of land of 1 ½ acres that was connected to his own property. The gentlemen settled on a price of $28 dollars for the acreage. The land was bounded by the Quioccasin Road, and the lands of Royal F. Shepherd, Stephen Duval and Charles Woodward.
An important aspect of being a landowner was ensuring the boundaries that defined the property were identified and adhered to by the landowner and neighbors alike. This was particularly important during this era, as most land boundaries were based on measurements from large trees, creeks or other natural landmarks. At any given time, a tree could fall, creek could meander, or other land markers moved. In order to prevent disputes between property owners and their neighbors, Virginia law demanded that every year boundary markers were to be checked for accuracy, known as “Processioning.” The process involved the election of honorable gentlemen from the community to act as neutral agents, walking the boundary lines with the landowners and recording agreements and disputes, and then reporting their findings to the court. In 1834, Royal F. Shepherd was elected as a Processioner for Precinct 13, along with Samuel Cottrell and Richard Dabney. Royal was engaged in this work for 13 days, upon which he was paid $1 every day for his service.
In 1835, Royal F. Shepherd was still residing in the Upper District of Henrico County in Precinct 13. He had six slaves, five over the age of 16 years and one between the age of 12 to 16 years old. He also owned five horses. Royal’s brother Samuel Shepherd, of Richmond, had recently acquired additional land in Henrico County, upon which he pastured seven horses and had five slaves maintaining the fields in cultivation. Over in Goochland County, in 1835, Royal’s cousins Reuben Shepherd (1803-1892) and Richard C. Shepherd (c.1805-c.1842) each had one slave over the age of 16 years old.
By 1837, Royal F. Shepherd had six slaves over the age of 16 years and five horses. His brother Samuel from Richmond had also increased his holdings on his farm in Henrico County, to six slaves over 16 years old and eight horses. Royal’s cousin Reuben in Goochland County now had two slaves over 16 years old and one horse. Royal’s other cousin Richard in Goochland County reported in 1837 as having no slaves and no horses.
When Martin Van Buren assumed the office of President of the United States in 1837, the American banking system was in peril. His predecessor, Andrew Jackson, foresaw the growth and power held by the Second Bank of the United States, and feared that it sacrificed the common man for the wealthy. In addition, Jackson recalled how the Second Bank of the United States played a heavy responsibility in the Panic of 1819, though reckless lending practices, and he did not want to repeat history. Throughout his two terms in office, Jackson effectually dismantled the power of the Second Bank of the United States by distributing all federal funds to a large number of smaller state banks.
Originally, the banks held gold and silver reserves to equal the amount of the value of paper money printed and distributed; however, over time, especially during the boom years, banks began to over print and distribute more bills than were backed by ‘specie,’ meaning gold or silver, held in their bank. In addition, since every bank had the ability to print their own paper money, the value of that currency in trade decreased the further the distance from the bill’s origin bank. Dollar bills from a bank in New York might trade for 80 cents in Virginia, and vice versa; whereas, a dollar bill originating from a bank in Williamsburg, Virginia, might trade for 95 cents in Richmond, Virginia, and vice versa.
In May of 1837, banks in the state of New York ceased offering specie to its customers. This decision destabilized their paper currency, as it was no longer being backed by gold or silver. The destabilizing effect spread from bank to bank until the whole nation was embarrassed. The economic depression endured for six years. During those years, inflation surged and when banks called in outstanding loans, thousands of planters, businessmen, merchants and farmers lost everything they owned. Homelessness and poverty were rampant, especially in the cities.
The nationwide financial crisis did not initially affect Virginia to the degree as it did in the industrialized northern states. By all accounts, Virginia, as a mostly agricultural state, and specifically Henrico County, was spared until about 1839, when there was a drastic fall in the price of farm produce. At the beginning of the depression, Henrico County was in the middle of a boom of infrastructure improvements, such as building new roads, railroad lines, and turnpikes, as well as, rechanneling waterways for improved transportation. This would all come to a near halt. The effects of this financial downturn would plague Virginia’s growth until about 1843, straining industry, merchants, planters and common men alike.
On March 7, 1839, Royal F. Shepherd’s cousin and brother-in-law Richard C. Shepherd (c.1805-c.1842) of Goochland County, the son of the late Reuben Sheppard (1772-1813) and Sarah Cocke (?-1822), married Miss Elizabeth Johnson (1816-?). The bride was the 23 year-old daughter of Charles J. Johnson (1788-1861) and Susanna Hughson (1798-?) of Goochland County. Elizabeth was the eldest of her nine siblings: Charles H. Johnson (1818-?), Hannah Johnson (1820-?), Mary Johnson (1822-?), Joyce Johnson (1824-?), Virginia Johnson (1829-1893), Martha Johnson (1831-?), John Johnson (1833-?), Susan Johnson (1835-1915) and Mahala Johnson (1837-?).
Richard C. Shepherd (c.1805-c.1842) was 17 years old when his mother died in 1822, leaving him an orphan. He was placed under the guardianship of Samuel Cottrell, along with his other siblings under the age of 21 years old. Richard had inherited 6 acres of land from the division of his father’s estate, which he sold, in 1828, for $55 to Samuel Cottrell. In 1833, Richard began working at his brother Reuben Shepherd’s grist mill in Goochland County. Through hard work, Richard gained a degree of financial success and acquired his first slave in 1835. However, the Panic of 1837 would greatly affect his financial interests. In 1837, both Richard and his brother Reuben were sued for the collection of $220 debt by Thomas P. Watkins, which was awarded by the court. By 1838, Richard had lost his living independence and was domiciling with his brother Reuben in Goochland County.
Clearly at the time of his marriage to Elizabeth Johnson, Richard C. Shepherd, at 34 years old, was in a dire financial state, and in need of a stroke of luck. And as luck would have it, only nine months later, he, through his wife, inherited nearly $360, through half of a division of her late grandfather John Hughson’s estate. In 1840, Richard and Elizabeth had gained independence and were residing on (most likely renting) a small tract of land in Goochland County near Reuben Shepherd. Richard and Elizabeth had invested a portion of their windfall towards the purchase of two slaves over the age of 16 years old and four horses. In 1840, Richard C. Shepherd was listed with his brother Reuben as members of the Whig Party [Republican Party] of Goochland County. Clearly, the lingering effects of the Panic of 1837 and failed policies of democrat president Martin Van Buren had caused a firm outcry for change. The election of 1840 was fruitful, and Whig candidate William Henry Harrison carried the win. Only three months after he took office, President Harrison died of illness, and Vice President John Tyler assumed the office as our 10th president. In July of 1842, Richard and Elizabeth received another windfall when the other half her grandfather’s estate of land and slaves was sold, the money being divided among the heirs.
After 1842, Richard C. Shepherd vanished from the records. There are some tidbits of evidence that lead the author to believe that he may have died in 1842. Richard vanishes from the personal property tax lists after 1840. He and his wife appear to have had no children as a result of their brief union. Perhaps the most compelling evidence comes from an April 26, 1845, Goochland County lawsuit in Superior Court, whereby plaintiff “Elizabeth Shepherd” sues “Reuben Shepherd” for the recovery of a $91.54 debt with interest dated from August 27, 1842. Had Richard been alive, he would have very likely been listed on the lawsuit with his wife Elizabeth. In the 1850 census, Elizabeth, now listed as “Elizabeth Johnson,” is living with her parents with no Shepherd children to her name. Finally in the last will and testament of Elizabeth’s father Charles J. Johnson, dated December 4, 1858, he lists his daughter as “Elizabeth Jones.” This indicates that she married between 1850 and 1858 to a Mr. Jones.
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