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Letter from Mrs. Mildred Leonora [Shapard] Allen (1916-1997) [William/Lewis/Lewis/Henry C./Lewis]
wife of Harry E. Allen of Nashville, Tennessee, to Mrs. Lewis Booker Shapard of
Washington D.C., dated February 3, 1953.
February 3, 1953
Mrs. Lewis B. Shapard,
5905 - 33rd Avenue
Queens Chapel Manor
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mrs. Shapard:
Several weeks ago while looking in a Washington telephone directory, I noticed
your name in the listings. While I was one of the librarians at George Peabody
College for Teachers here in Nashville, I had at various times noticed articles
in Tennessee history reference books about some of the Shapards, and since that
time I have become interested in the Shapard family history: I have been
gathering information from some of the relatives here in Tennessee as well as
those in Texas.
I realize that you were not a Shapard, but since Mr. Shapard's
name was not listed, I thought perhaps you might be able to furnish me with the
names of his parents or grandparents or other kin, or any other information you
may have.
I have been able to get information as far back as Shepards in
Virginia in the 1600's. Some of these Shapards moved to North Carolina, and then
Lewis Shapard of Caswell County, North Carolina and Martha Paine, his wife, came
to Tennessee and settled in Wilson, and Rutherford counties. It apparently was
at about the time of their coming to Tennessee that the name changed from
Shepard to Shapard. It has been interesting to note that I have not as yet
contacted a Shapard who didn't fit into the family history dating back no
farther than Lewis Shapard and Martha Paine who came to Ten-nesses. Their
children were: Sophia, William B., Robert Paine, Lewis (my great grandfather),
Booker, and James Paine.
My father is Lewis Shapard of Shelbyville, Tennessee.
His father was Henry C., son of Lewis (my great grandfather). I am also
interested in knowing if any of the descendants know exactly where Lewis and
Martha Paine settled in Tennessee. I believe it was in the vicinity of
Murfreesboro. I have so far obtained very little information on descendants of
James Paine but have not traced any descendants who are living. So much of the
information I have collected also contains historical background. For instance,
William B. a banker, played a prominent part in the early history of Nashville,
and was also mayor for a short time.
I would certainly enjoy hearing from you at
your convenience, and perhaps if you were not familiar with Mr. Shapard's family
background, you could tell me of some of his close relatives who would be
interested in exchanging information.
Sincerely,
Mildred Shapard Allen
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Reply letter from Mr. Lewis Booker Shapard (1910-1995) [William/Thomas/Lewis B./James V.]
of Hyattsville, Maryland, to Mrs. Mildred Leonora [Shapard] Allen (1916-1997)
[William/Lewis/Lewis/Henry C./Lewis] wife of Harry E. Allen of Nashville,
Tennessee, dated February 25, 1953.
Dear Mrs. Allen,
We received your letter several days ago. Haven't written sooner
because I thought I might happen to remember some additional information about
my branch of the family. I was overseas during the late world war and Mrs.
Shapard rented our house and lived with her Aunt for a time. She moved back
before I returned and had to have the phone listed in her name. She doesn't know
a great deal about my family. She is a native of Washington, D. C. and hasn't
met any other Shapard's except my brother whose home is not far from ours.
My great grandfather was Thomas Shapard. He lived in Person County, North Carolina
and as far as I know, he never migrated to Tennessee. My grandfather was Lewis
Booker Shapard. He was born in Person County N. C. and grew up there. He was
born in 1817. He went to Jackson, Tennessee, in Madison County when he was
twenty years old and settled there. He had four brothers named Thomas, Yancey,
William and John, and two sisters. One of the sisters was named Helen. I don't
recall the name of the other sister, neither do I know the order of their ages
except that my grandfather was next to the youngest. I believe some of them
besides my grandfather settled in West Tennessee but I'm not sure which ones.
My grandfather was in business in Pine Bluff, Arkansas at the time of the Civil War
and my Uncle, Lewis Booker, was born there. He was the oldest living child. My
uncle, Charles, and my father, James Vaulx, the youngest child were born in
Obion County, Tennessee. My grandfather had moved there shortly after the end of
the Civil War. I was born in Obion County in 1910. My name is Lewis Booker. Have
often wondered how long that combination has been in my branch of the family. My
grandfather, my uncle, and I were always called Booker by our family and
friends.
Great grandfather Thomas Shapard and my great grandmother were married
in 1798. Remember seeing this written in the family Bible. I do not know where
the Bible is now. It seems that I can remember my great grandmother's maiden
name as being Elizabeth Foote. I am not sure about her name but am sure of the
date of their marriage.
Have never known anything about the origin of the family
name in its present form. My father didn't know anything about it either. My
grandfather passed away about seventeen years before I was born, but evidently
he didn't tell my father and uncles much about his ancestors. So, to my
knowledge the Shapard name goes back to my great grandfather in the 1700's and I
don't know how much farther, if any. Since my grandfather was one of the
youngest of several children and he didn't marry until after he was forty, and
my father was the youngest of six, quite a long extent of time was involved
between the three generations. So, it could be that my great grandfather and
your great great grandfather were contemporary. But, on the other hand, since
you believe that the name changing occurred during the time of Lewis Shapard of
Caswell County, that would seem to indicate that he preceded Thomas Shapard of
Person County.
You seem to have more information about the history of the family
than have. For instance, I did not know that I was descended from the Shapards
who lived in Virginia. It is interesting to know, and thanks very much for
writing. I hope such data as I have written about my branch of the family can be
of use to you. Am sorry that I have no information concerning Lewis and Martha
Paine Shapard.
My wife and I both found your letter very interesting. Will
appreciate any further information you might have concerning either branch of
the family.
Sincerely,
Lewis Booker Shapard.
