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.

LEWIS SHAPARD (Chapter 6) 1798-1800 Back to St. David District

Chapter 6

BACK TO ST. DAVID DISTRICT

1798-1800

A year before the Shapards moved to their new plantation, Lewis sent ahead his slaves, under the guidance of his brother Booker and brother-in-law Anderson Williams, to plant the crops and build or repair the necessary quarters, out-buildings, fences, etc. Thus, when Lewis and his family arrived in the summer of 1798, their plantation was already in full operation. The 400 acre property resided within the boundaries of St. David’s District, yet, was on the border of the Gloucester District. It was located about four miles to the southeast of Caswell Courthouse (Yanceyville). Neighbors included Joseph Chandler to east, William Sawyer to the north, Alexander Kerr to west, and Richard Estes to the south. The property was relatively flat, with its highest elevation to the north. The southern end of the estate, being its lowest elevation, was intersected the Dry Fork Branch of the South Fork of Country Line Creek (known today as Penson Creek). The western and northeastern edges of the property fell into heavily wooded creek beds, making those areas impractical for agriculture, yet beneficial for wood supply and hunting. A publicly used path, which eventually became Graves Mill Road, ran through the northern edge of the property. Branching off from this road was a private path that meandered through the crop fields ending at the Shapard’s plantation house positioned at the southern end of the property just north of the creek. It is known that natural springs supplied drinking water on the plantations to the east and west of Lewis Shapard’s land. There is evidence that the Shapard plantation also had the benefit of a fresh water spring and that the main house was positioned next to this source of this water. The Shapard family would spend the next fifteen years making this plantation their home.

In October of 1798, Lewis Shapard and other prominent landowners were appointed by the Justices of the County Court to consider blazing a new road through St. David’s District leading to the courthouse. It was decided that the road should begin as a fork off of the Hillsborough Road at the Brooks’ plantation (where James Shapard and his wife Frances and widowed mother-in-law Anne Brooks lived) and end at Caswell Courthouse near John Graves’ mill. In April of 1799, the court commissioned a select group of landowners to fulfill the task of determining the actual course of the road through the district, namely: Lewis Shapard, Thomas Johnston, Bartlett Estes, Joseph Chandler, Thomas Kimbrough, Alexander Murphy, Robert Martin, Richard Martin, Barzilla Graves, Graves Howard, Richard Cochran, Joseph Bush, John Graves, Jr., John Graves, Sr., James Williamson, Mr. Johnston, John Henslee, John Barker, David Barker, John Kerr, John Payne, Francis Smith, Harvey Willis, Humphrey Roberts, Thomas Slade and William Slade.

By October of 1799, the new road, known as Graves Mill Road, had been constructed and was ordered to be maintained by Lewis Shapard, James Shapard, Anderson Williams, widow Brooks hands, Joseph Chandler, John Pinson, Maeajah Estes, Bartlett Estes, Thomas Johnston, Nathaniel Rice, widow Pyrants hands, Robert Thompson and William Slade. Over the years, Graves Mill Road provided tremendous benefit and convenience to the Shapard family, due to the fact that it passed through the northern edge of their property. This road still exists today, being Marshal Graves Road then up Badgett Sisters Parkway to the courthouse.

After his move to St. David’s District, Lewis traveled often to the Caswell Courthouse tending to business. He was still settling the estate of the late Michael Nicholson and had to periodically report his progress to the justices. The court periodically appointed commissioners to audit and settle his reported amounts, to ensure that he was fulfilling his legal responsibility as administrator of the estate, as well as, faithfully tending to his guardianship of the three Nicholson orphans.

In July of 1798, Lewis served as a jury member for a few trials at the Caswell Courthouse. Up to this point in his life, Lewis had attended court always as a spectator or juryman; however, at the next session of court in October of 1798, Lewis faced his first lawsuit as a defendant. Lewis was sued for a delinquent debt by Mr. Jesse Carter in the amount of £42.5.2, of which he was found guilty. Jesse Carter was a wealthy storeowner of Caswell County and one of the first to purchase land around the new courthouse in the 1790s. In 1801, he rose to political prominence after he was elected as a Caswell County Justice. In 1802, he became one of the initial trustees of the Caswell Academy, being the first school for classical education established near Caswell Courthouse. Mr. Carter married Nancy Payne in 1793 and then married her sister Elizabeth Payne in 1804. Despite the similarity, it does not appear that these Paynes had any relation to the line of Martha (Paine) Shapard.

Only six months later, at the April 1799 session of the County Court, Lewis again found himself involved in a lawsuit, after Thomas Robinson charged him with trespassing and assessed his damages at £100. During this era, the legal meaning of ‘trespass’ was basically ‘any wrongful act that caused injury or financial loss,’ most often being the result of debt, theft or damage to property. It appears that the ‘trespass’ was the result of a lien dating back to 1797. The ‘lien’ was granted against a specific item of Lewis’ property, as collateral, to ensure future payment by Lewis to Mr. Robinson. It appears that over the course of the agreed upon three-year term of the lien, Lewis had not satisfied or settled his financial obligation. The case was settled in July, the jury finding against Lewis in the amount of £12 plus court costs. Caswell County records are sparse with information revealing the identity of Thomas Robinson; however, it appears that, in 1800, he resided the Richmond District on 400 acres. Only a few months after the above lawsuit was settled he died, leaving James Robinson to care for his orphans and Solomon Graves as the administrator of his estate.

Interestingly, at nearly the same time Lewis had been sued by Thomas Robinson for trespass in the amount of £100, Lewis Shapard for the first time in his life became a plaintiff, when he filed a lawsuit of trespass for £100 against Richard Johnson. Records indicate that Mr. Johnson lived in the Richmond District on the Hyco River. On April 29, 1800, Lewis went to the Caswell County courthouse for the trial. The jury heard the case, deliberated and returned a verdict in favor of Lewis Shapard in the amount of £3.1.1 ½. 

On November 24, 1799, a baby girl named Sophia was born to Lewis and Martha Shapard. Mrs. Shapard may have named her in honor of her sister Sophia Paine who was born on August 6, 1781 and died as an infant on August 25, 1782. Only a few months after Sophia Shapard’s birth, a census was taken for Caswell County for the year 1800, recording the members of the Shapard household: Lewis Shapard was a white male between the age of 26-45, Martha (Paine) Shapard was a white female between the age of 26-45, William Shapard was a white male under 10 years old, four white females under the age of 10 (Sophia Shapard, Sallie Nicholson, Polly Nicholson and Elizabeth Nicholson). The family was also listed as having 8 slaves, two of which were under the age of sixteen. Finally, the census recorded, as a resident of the house, Lewis’ younger brother Booker Shapard as a white male between 16 – 26 years old.

Although Booker lived at and was employed on his brother’s plantation, he was still responsible for his bills, except for food and rent. Lewis often allowed Booker the use of the products of the plantation for which Booker would reimburse him when able. These products were mostly in the form of corn and fodder for his horse, and leather for new shoes. For a fee, Booker would periodically utilize Lewis’ slaves for needed services. These services included making his shoes and washing and mending his clothes. Like Lewis, Booker was a very fashionable young man for his era. He wore expensive stockings and clothing made from fine store-bought fabric, as opposed to the more common homespun cloth. Most of his fabrics and supplies were purchased from stores around the Caswell Courthouse area, such as John Graves & Sons; however, he also made purchases with local merchants such as Nathan Williams and Anderson Williams. To fabricate his wardrobe, Booker obtained the talents of Rhoda and Zeba Bush, who lived near Caswell Courthouse, as his personal tailor. His waistcoats were adorned with gold gilt buttons and he carried silk handkerchiefs. He often acquired new shoes, when his old ones wore down or as fashions changed.  

In 1800, Booker would have been 24 to 25 years old; and, as is often the path of many young men who find themselves with independence and financial means, the allure of vices prevails over discernment. After moving to Caswell County, Booker frequented the popular ordinaries (taverns) around Caswell Courthouse to socialize, gamble and drink. Records show that he was a regular customer at the tavern of John Graves, Sr., and indulged in brandy, whiskey and wine. In addition, Booker carried a snuff box that held finely ground tobacco. The tobacco was inhaled up the nose for the nicotine effect as opposed to smoking. Snuff tobacco was infused with flavors to make it more palatable.

Although Booker enjoyed socializing and entertainment, he also worked hard. Like his brothers, Booker had training in carpentry. In particular, he may have been a house joiner, whereby, he carefully fitted floorboards together and hand fabricated the mouldings and trim work for the home’s interior. Booker’s toolbox consisted of a broad axe, handsaw, hammer and three gimlets (hand drills). He also owned two bench planes which were used to smooth and flatten wood. To further carve, shape and refine the wood, he owned three moulding planes and a gouge chisel. Booker’s skills as a carpenter were tremendously beneficial in the development of Lewis Shapard’s plantation. In addition, Booker supplemented his income by also offering his services to the public.

When the January 1800 session of County Court for Caswell County commenced, Lewis Shapard was in attendance. On the 27^th of January he had a summons issued by the court for Joshua Hudson for the payment of a £50 debt. Mr. Hudson originally owed the money to William Smith, however, Mr. Smith assigned his rights to the money as a payment to Lewis Shapard. The trial was set for the forth Monday of April, yet, it appears that Lewis received his payment before this date as the case vanished from the dockets.  

While at the courthouse on January 29, Lewis served as a jury member for a trial involving The State vs. Robert Kimbrough, finding the defendant guilty and fining him £5. In addition, while there, Lewis became a witness to the bastardy bond between William Fitch (1780-1845) and Sally Bateman. During this era in North Carolina, when a single woman birthed a child out of wedlock a warrant was issued for the woman to appear in court. Under oath she was asked to name the child's father. The father was then served a warrant and required to post bond to support the child, so the child would not be a financial burden on the state. The court would collect a judgment amount from the father, often borrowing the funds from his bondsmen as security. Sometimes the woman risked incarceration by refusing to name, the father; however, she, her father or some other interested party could post the bond to prevent her from going to jail. 

In April of 1800, Lewis was again at the courthouse tending to a variety of legal issues. On April 28, he served as a juryman during the trial of Joseph Speed vs. James B. Davis. On April 29, Lewis was a defendant in his case with Thomas Robinson over a delinquent lien. That same day he was also a plaintiff in his trespass case with Richard Johnson. The following day, Lewis served as a member of the jury on an interesting case between Lucy Smith and Sarah Smith. The lawsuit records show that Lucy Smith was a negro and former slave of the Smith family. At some point she was freed, perhaps through the Last Will & Testament of her master, or she purchased her freedom. Needless to say, this was a rare position for a woman of her race during this era. Even more interesting was that she was literate, at least to the extent that she could spell her name. Sometime prior to April of 1800, Lucy’s freedom was called into question by Sarah Smith (possibly the daughter of her former master), who claimed to be her rightful master. Treated as a runaway slave, Lucy was physically assaulted during her “capture” and imprisoned. Lucy filed a writ against Sarah Smith for trespass, assault & battery and false imprisonment, assessing her damages at £100. During the trial the facts were presented to the jury, and Lewis Shapard, et al., found Lucy to be a free woman and not the slave of the defendant. The ruling illustrates that, despite the fact that the jury was made up of slaveholders, they still respected the legal path to freedom and ensured that right was preserved when earned. That being said, they assessed her damages at one penny and court costs, which was a paltry restitution, yet, typical settlement for negros by the judicial system of that era. Though a free negro, poverty was used as a means to keep Lucy insignificant, limited and within lower class society.       

On May 6, 1800, Lewis Shapard sold one of his slaves to James Cochran of Person County, North Carolina. The slave was named Sancoe and was sold for £100. As part of the sale, Lewis guaranteed the slave to be in good health, as well as, the title for the slave to be free and clear of any other claims against it. To conclude the transaction, a bill of sale was issued to Mr. Cochran by Lewis Shapard, which was witnessed by Nathan Williams and Solomon Debow.

When the July 1800 session of the County Court commenced, Lewis once again made his way to Caswell Courthouse to address his legal issues. On July 28, 1800, a summons was issued for Admiral White and Elyah Brown after Lewis obtained a writ against them for an unpaid debt of £46. The debt was originally owed to Richard Simpson; however, Mr. Simpson transferred the rights to the debt to Lewis Shapard as a form of payment. From all accounts, Mr. White and Mr. Brown settled the debt due Lewis Shapard prior to the trial date set for October, 1800. Lewis attended court as a juryman on July 29^th for the case between Nathan Sanders vs. William Rainey. The following day on July 30^th, he served on the jury for the trial of John Wilson vs. Richard Hill, executor of Adam Parrott. That same day, he was a defendant in his own case with Thomas Robinson, whereby, the jury found against Lewis in the amount of £12 and court costs.

LEWIS SHAPARD (Chapter 5) 1796-1798 Caswell County, North Carolina - Richmond District

Chapter 5

CASWELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

RICHMOND DISTRICT

1796-1798

In the year 1796, Lewis Shapard left St. David’s District and relocated to the Richmond District located in the northeast section of Caswell County. This was the most populated district of the county, containing approximately two thousand inhabitants, which was double the population of his former residence in St. David District. The allure of this area of Caswell County was due to the fact that all of the main towns in Caswell County resided within the boundaries of the Richmond District: First and foremost was Leasburg, located in the southeastern portion of the district, being the county seat from 1777 until 1792. The town of Milton, situated to the north along the Dan River, was growing and incorporated in 1796. Caswell Courthouse (Yanceyville), in the southwest corner of the district, was the final town of substance during the 1790s. Since it held the new county courthouse, it was the most promising for future growth. It must be noted that all of these towns, during that time, were no more than a few shops, a tavern and a dozen homes, more or less. 

Interestingly, the same year that Lewis Shapard moved to the Richmond District, his older brother James left Granville County and joined him in Caswell County. James Shapard was born circa 1769 in Cumberland County, Virginia. He was educated in his youth and pursued carpentry in his early twenties. In 1792, he had apprenticed Robert Potter in the “mastery of the carpenters’ trade.” It is quite probable that Lewis Shapard, and his brother James, worked in construction around the developing Caswell Courthouse or Leasburg area. Both men also had vast experience in agriculture and plantation management, for which they too may have been employed. Records show that neither brother owned land or slaves in the year 1796; however, both men were bachelors of upper-class society with an honorable name. In the late 1790s, their father, William Shapard of Granville County, North Carolina, was at the pinnacle of his wealth and status a planter, which would have bestowed a great deal of worth to his sons, both financially and through reputation.

About August of 1796, Lewis Shapard met and courted Martha (Paine) Nicholson (November 17, 1773-1813), widow of Michael Nicholson. Martha, affectionately known as “Patsy,” came from one of the finest families in North Carolina. She was the daughter of Capt. Robert Paine, Esq., (March 3, 1748-January 2, 1808) and Elizabeth Miller (September 8, 1755-February 27, 1788), and was the eldest of eight children. Her siblings were: James Paine (March 18, 1776-1840) married Mary Williams in 1799; Sarah (February 13, 1778 - July 1835) married William B. Brooks in 1796; Mary “Polly” (December 27, 1779-1844) married Edmund Shelton in 1798; Sophia (August 6, 1781 - January 25, 1782); Thomas (May 29, 1783 - January 18, 1807); Robert (May 18, 1785 – 1846) married Mary Cocke in 1808; and Solomon (March 30, 1786 – February 12, 1858) married Polly Turner in 1813.

Martha’s father Robert Paine was among the patriots of the Revolutionary War, and was a captain of a company. He acquired over 2,000 acres in St. James District, a few miles south of Roxboro, of what was initially Caswell County, yet would become Person County, North Carolina. In 1786, he was elected as a Justice of Caswell County, and from 1788 to 1790 he represented Caswell County as a State Senator. He and his brother John Paine, established “Paine’s Tavern” near their land, which served as Person County’s first courthouse from 1791 until 1793, after its creation from Caswell County. In 1792, he became the first Clerk of the Court of Person County. After the death of his first wife, Robert married Agatha Marr (1756-1847). As early as 1787, he attended Flat River Baptist Church near his home where he was baptized in 1791. Robert Paine was described as a sensible, pious and generous-hearted Christian gentleman, who was universally honored and respected.

In 1790, when Martha Paine was sixteen years old, she married Michael Nicholson. It appears that Mr. Nicholson came from the Nicholson family of Warren County, North Carolina. Martha Paine’s uncle, Col. James Paine, Esq., (1746-1808), was well established in Warren County, owning over a thousand five hundred acres in the Six Pound District and twelve slaves. Over the years, James was elected to numerous public offices in Warren County, including Justice in 1787, Sheriff in 1789 and Senator in 1790. He married Esther Walker, circa 1770, and they had eleven children. James Paine developed a close relationship with his neighbor and son-in-law Judge George Nicholson (d. 1818) who married his daughter Mary “Polly” Paine. It is currently unknown how Michael Nicholson was related to this line of the Nicholson family, though his close association with George Nicholson suggests they may have been brothers.

After their marriage, Martha and Michael Nicholson resided in Warren County in the Six Pound District for a couple of years, with their two slaves. In 1792, Martha’s father, Capt. Robert Paine of Person County, allowed them to live on a tract of underutilized family land in Caswell County that had been granted to Robert’s father, Dr. James Paine (1714-1782), by the Earl of Granville in 1754. The land was located in the Richmond District about two and a half miles north of the town of Leasburg. It was a nice parcel of 360 acres of land residing on both sides of Hyco Creek directly above the Kilgore Branch. Neighbors included, James Wilson to the north, John Johnston to the east, Elijah Reynolds and Andrew Warwick to the south, James Rone and Herndon Haralson to the west.

Martha and Michael Nicholson flourished on their new plantation in Caswell County. Crops of tobacco, cotton and corn were planted in the fields, and by June of 1793, a barn and tobacco shed and a larger main house had all been constructed on the property. As their wealth grew, so too did their slave holdings. By 1795, they had amassed nine negros: Pompy, Tom, Daniel, Sal (Sally), Ned, Surrey, Ginny, Jane and Clarisse. Mr. Nicholson also raised a large number of livestock, including cattle, sheep, horses, hogs, geese and ducks. Over the years, the Nicholson family was blessed with three daughters. Elizabeth Miller Nicholson was born circa 1791, and was named after her maternal grandmother. Polly Nicholson was born circa 1793, and Sally Paine Nicholson was born circa 1795.

Martha maintained a close relationship with her father throughout his lifetime. Since his home, in the St. James District of Person County, was only eleven miles to the east, no doubt, they visited often, taking the girls to visit their grandfather and other Paine relatives. The Nicholsons also traveled regularly to Leasburg for supplies, being the nearest town to their home. In particular they frequented the shops of James Williamson, Nicholas Coile, William Lea and Nicholas Delone. Interestingly, William Lea and Nicholas Delone owned most of the property around Leasburg, in fact, the town itself was named after William Lea. Their purchases included a consistent supply of fine fabric and sewing accessories for Mrs. Nicholson to make dresses for herself and her girls. The family also purchased kitchen items such as plates, cups and punch bowls; as well as, seasonings and sweeteners, such as, sugar, salt, ginger, pepper, etc. Mr. Nicholson bought hunting gear in the form of gun parts and fish hooks, in addition to tools, handkerchiefs, nails, paper and paper pins (the 1790s version of a staple). He also periodically purchased alcohol in the form of rum, wine and whiskey.   

In April of 1794, the Caswell County justices ordered a road to be laid off and constructed, branching off from an existing north/south oriented road near Nathaniel Comers land, then running east across the Hyco Creek to the Person County line. The surveyors chose the road to cross the Hyco at a ford (shallow area) on the northern end of the Nicholson plantation. This new thoroughfare provided a tremendous and wonderful benefit to Michael and Martha, as quality roads were crucial for planters in order to get their products to market in a timely manner. During this era, by law, roads were to be maintained twice a year by court selected landowners bordering the road. They were required to keep the road free of low hanging limbs, remove nuisance rocks, brush and stumps and make repairs as necessary. Most plantation owners utilized their slaves for this labor. In January of 1795, Michael Nicholson was appointed by the court to be the overseer of a section of the new road from where it branched off the old road at Nathaniel Comers to the ford crossing the Hyco. The courts ordered him to be assisted by the slaves of John Dobbins, Samuel Hodge, Absolom Roberts and Nathaniel Comer.

Life for the Nicholson family along the Hyco Creek was wonderful, and the future seemed bright. However, sometime between July 25 to August 18 of 1795, tragedy befell the family when Michael Nicholson died. His death was apparently sudden and likely due to an accident, as no doctor was summoned. At 21 years of age, Martha was now a widow with three small children and a plantation to run. Her father came to comfort and assist her through the funeral and probate process. His legal intervention on her behalf, allowed her to become the administrator of her late husband’s estate, as well as, the legal guardian of her three daughters. Martha must have been an impressively capable, educated and determined young woman for her era, as positions of administrators and guardians were mostly granted by the courts to men.

As a further testament to Martha’s tenacity and grit, she did not return to her father’s house in Person County, but instead chose to remain in Caswell County, with her daughters and slaves, to keep the plantation afloat. Despite her grief and vulnerability, life carried on and she did her best to manage the situations that arose. Mr. Nicholson had died during the harvest season of 1795, which was a busy and financially crucial time of the year. Luckily, the corn had been harvested early, however, Martha had fields of cotton and tobacco to bring in, else risk financial ruin. Tobacco was an extremely labor intensive crop to harvest. It was initially harvested in August, however, it was not collected all at once. Each plant had its outer largest leaves removed and then was allowed to grow for a few weeks before removing the next round of leaves. Each plant was gradually harvested three to five times throughout the fall. After which, the leaves were secured on poles and dried over the duration of weeks in tobacco sheds, before being bundled and sold. To her credit, Martha and her slaves successfully brought in 2000 pounds of tobacco that year.

Cotton harvesting was also highly labor intensive. Since machinery had yet to be invented to facilitate cotton removal, each piece had to be monotonously handpicked from the plant. In years past, the seed would also have to be removed from the cotton fibers by hand, this process taking each worker a day to clean one pound of cotton. However, in 1793, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin which mechanically accomplished this task with unprecedented speed, efficiency and profitability. Thereafter, the demand for cotton from the South steadily increased, nationally going from roughly 3,000 bales of cotton in 1790 to 73,000 bales by 1800 to over 4,000,000 by 1860. Evidence suggests that the demand for cotton had not yet impacted Caswell County the year that Mr. Nicholson died, as his fields were mostly tobacco. However, some cotton had been planted, and during the harvest of 1795, from September to November, Martha and her slaves collected and cleaned 40 pounds of cotton by hand. For perspective, one bale of cotton weighs 500 pounds.  

In addition to the trials and hardship of harvest time, Martha also had to contend with other factors of plantation life. After the death of Mr. Nicholson, one of the family slaves, named Daniel, ran away. Martha posted a reward and Daniel was eventually found and returned to the plantation. Because of his defiance, Martha chose to sell the slave to William Rainey instead of risk losing him for good in a possible second flight attempt. The plantation also suffered the loss of six of their ten sheep, suspected of running off. In early 1796, Martha hired a midwife, for the price of “one side of leather,” to attend to one of her pregnant slaves; unfortunately the baby did not survive. During this time, Martha periodically ventured to Leasburg for supplies and continued to foster a good relationship with the town merchants, namely Nicholas Coile, William Lea and Nicholas Delone.   

Throughout the year 1796, Martha continued to fulfill her obligations as the administrator of her husband’s estate. In January, she presented to the court the full inventory of his extensive assets, and was granted permission to sell certain items to satisfy the debts against his estate. Items included: 9 slaves, 5 horses, 10 head of cattle, 30 hogs, 10 sheep, 8 geese, 8 ducks, a large amount of furniture and kitchenware, as well as, tools. The perishable items, being livestock and excess tobacco, corn and cotton, were sold at a sale on February 27, 1796. Thereafter, on July 23, 1796, Martha hired Pulliam Williamson as auctioneer to handle the estate sale of the remainder of his property. The sales brought in over £762. Between both sales, Martha purchased 8 slaves, the majority of the livestock and most of the kitchenware and furniture for her own use. Since the plantation was the property of Capt. Robert Paine, there was no division of the real estate.  

Life was not forgiving for widows during this era. They were generally given support by their neighbors for only one year; after which, they were on their own. Therefore, it was highly beneficial for Martha to remarry, especially for the security of her daughters. There is no record of how Martha met Lewis Shapard. It is known that they were both residing in the Richmond District in 1796. Perhaps he was consulted to help run her plantation, or perhaps they were introduced via mutual friends. Either way, it was quite probable that the Shapard and the Paine families would have previously known of each other. Robert Paine’s plantation in Person County was only twenty miles from William Shapard’s plantation in the County Line District of Granville County. Both men were highly influential and successful planters and no doubt would have met on occasion. Lewis would have been viewed as a suitable match for Martha, and they would have had their father’s blessings.

On November 22, 1796, Lewis Shapard obtained his marriage bond to marry Martha (Paine) Nicholson. The wedding was held in Caswell County a few days later and Lewis’ brother James Shapard was his witness. Lewis and Martha were a perfect match. They both were about 23 years of age and came from affluent families. Lewis easily assimilated into the roll of master of a plantation, just as he had done for his father back in Granville County years earlier. In fact, Martha’s father allowed his new son-in-law to utilize the 365 acre plantation in Caswell County as his own, provided that he paid the annual taxes on the property, and, perhaps a certain amount of rent. Through his marriage, Lewis instantly gained a great deal of wealth, slaves, land and influence. He also gained three young step-daughters, ages five, three and one, for which to care, raise and protect. Through the right of his wife, Lewis eventually became the legal guardian of her three daughters, ensuring that they received a proper education and were clothed and fed well. In addition, through the right of his wife, he became the administrator of the estate of Michael Nicholson, whereby; he paid the outstanding debts and performed the legal responsibilities of managing the remaining funds properly. From all accounts it appears he did his job well.

The year after his marriage was an exciting and productive time for Lewis. He was young and energetic, and his newfound wealth and status allowed him the ability to pursue his ambitions. He quickly ascended the social ladder around Leasburg and became intimately associated with the families of Caswell County planter society. In January of 1797, Lewis Shapard began to test his influence by financially backing Ambrose Arnold as Constable of the Richmond District. Mr. Arnold lived near the border of Caswell and Person County and operated a tavern near Leasburg. When Mr. Arnold was elected by the County Court, Lewis Shapard and William Lea together entered into bond for £250 apiece as security over the faithful performance of their candidate as constable. Lewis, as a man of property and wealth, discovered early on the benefit of cultivating a favorable association with the public officials, especially when their services were needed in the collection of debts, dealing with trespassers and thieves, etc.  

Nationally, in March of 1797, John Adams became the second President of the United States. His predecessor, George Washington, after serving two terms in office, declined a third; instead choosing to retire to his Virginia plantation ‘Mount Vernon.’ John Adams, on the other hand, made his way to the nation’s capital, which interestingly was located in Philadelphia and not Washington D.C. until the White House and Capitol Building were finished in 1800. Although Lewis Shapard clearly was attentive to local elections, it is doubtful that he had any interest in distant national politics. In fact less than three percent of the population of the United States voted in the 1796 election, illustrating how little national politics mattered to the average man in such rural settings.      

Back in Caswell County, Lewis Shapard became viewed as a man with the ability to improve the local infrastructure. In April of 1797, the courts ordered that Lewis assume the position of overseer for the same section of road that Michael Nicholson had maintained in 1795; being the section that crossed the Hyco Creek at the ford on the northern end of his plantation. After the death of Mr. Nicholson, Samuel Hodge assumed responsibility for the road, until Lewis relieved his position. To fulfill his obligation, Mr. Shapard was assisted by the hands of Thomas Wilson, Absolom Roberts, John Dobbin, Abner Wilson, Isaac Hodge, Benjamin Stephens, William Stephens and Christopher Dameron.

Later that year in July, Lewis was appointed to “clear a way across the Reedy Fork Creek at a convenient place above the old ford,” in order to connect the road from Samuel Johnston’s field to the Graves Road. He was assisted by the hands of Thomas Wilson, John Dobbin, Abner Wilson, Samuel Hodge, Isaac Hodge, Benjamin Stephens, William Stephens, David Hodge, Christopher Dameron, James Wilson and Samuel Johnston.  As overseer of this project, Lewis clearly had knowledge of basic engineering, perhaps from a past experience in construction; which may be why the county officials commissioned him with such a task. Interestingly, eleven years later, county officials would again place Lewis in charge of constructing a bridge; however, this next structure was significantly more complex.   

It is evident that Lewis Shapard and his brother James had much friendly and social interaction with the siblings of Martha (Paine) Shapard; in particular, Martha’s younger sister Sarah Paine (1778-1835) who had married William Bird Brooks (1774-1836) on February 2, 1796. As it came to pass, through one of these gatherings, James Shapard was introduced to William B. Brooks’ sister, Frances, and a romance blossomed. On August 30, 1797, Lewis’ brother James Shapard obtained a marriage bond to marry Miss Frances Armistead Brooks (1781- c. 1855). The wedding was held shortly thereafter in Caswell County.

Frances was the sixteen year old daughter of Richard (c.1730-c.1790) and Ann Brooks (c.1750-c.1807) who had migrated from Gloucester County, Virginia, to Caswell County, North Carolina, circa 1785. They had five children: Ann Smith Brooks (married Solomon Graves), William Bird Brooks (married Sarah Paine), Betsy Brooks (died before 1798 with no children), Frances Armistead Brooks (married James Shapard) and John Brooks (died between 1799 and 1806 with no children). In 1787, Richard and Ann purchased a 420 acre plantation where the Hillsboro Road branched to Graves Mill Road in the middle of St. David’s District. After the death of Richard Brooks circa 1790, his widow Anne held possession of the land, which had increased to 477 acres. In 1798, the land was divided in half between the widow Anne Brooks and her son William B. Brooks. That same year there was also a division of the slaves from the estate of Richard Brooks to his living children, whereby James, through the right of his wife Frances, received three slaves. In 1802, William and Ann Brooks sold off 224 acres from the western portion of their plantation to William Clifton. Anne Brooks died in 1807, and her son William sold the remaining 252 acres of the plantation to his brother-in-law James Shapard in 1809. The land was eventually sold out of the family, following the death of James, by his widow Frances in 1838.

After their wedding, James and Frances (Brooks) Shapard resided on her parent’s plantation in St. David’s District. Tax records of the time inform us that, although he owned no land, by 1798, James had acquired one slave. He had also attained property in the form of two stud horses, and a partial interest in a third. About the year 1799, James and Frances had their first child, a daughter named Nancy “Ann,” named after her maternal grandmother.

A few years later in 1801, a second daughter, Elizabeth was born. As their family grew, James and Frances eventually left her parent’s plantation, in 1801, and purchased land for themselves in St. David’s District, about four miles southwest of Caswell Courthouse. James remained very close with his brother Lewis during this time as their families grew.     

A significant event for Lewis Shapard occurred on October 4, 1797, when he, for the first time in his life, bought land for himself. It was an impressive 400 acre plantation a few miles southwest of Caswell Courthouse on the South Fork of Country Line Creek. Lewis bought the land from John Rice (1754-1822) for £231.6.8. Mr. Rice had originally purchased the land from the State of North Carolina in 1783. Interestingly, after the sale of his property, John Rice and his wife Mary migrated to Wilson County, Tennessee where they purchased 214 acres of land from future United States President Andrew Jackson. Despite their new landholdings, Lewis and Martha Shapard continued to live at her father’s plantation in the Richmond District for the remainder of the year 1797 and for half of 1798. Caswell County tax records for the year 1798 show that Lewis had a total of 765 acres; being the 365 acre plantation in the Richmond District and the new 400 acre plantation in St. David’s District. In addition, he was taxed on six slaves over the age of 16. 

Their decision to remain at their old residence in the Richmond District was due to the fact that Martha was expecting her first child with Lewis. On November 5, 1797, William Booker Shapard was born. He was named after his paternal grandfather, and his middle name honored his paternal grandmother’s maiden name. It is possible that Martha delivered the baby in Person County, perhaps at the house of her father or sister, as records show that Lewis was in Person County in early December of that same year. No doubt that Martha’s young daughters Elizabeth, Polly and Sally Nicholson adored the new addition to their family.

As Martha was busy with the new baby, Lewis was occupied with getting his new plantation operational. The former owner, John Rice had owned the land for 14 years as the primary residence for his family. The property had a house and barn, yet, was underdeveloped due to the fact that Mr. Rice did not own slaves to work the land. Lewis saw great potential in the property and to make it functional for his needs, he needed to expand the fields, enlarge the house and barn, as well as, build slave quarters, out buildings and additional fences.

To assist with this monumental task, Lewis summoned his younger brother Booker Shapard and his brother-in-law Anderson Williams from Granville County, to help oversee the project. Booker was a twenty-two year old bachelor, and, like Lewis, was well educated, had a vast knowledge of agriculture and plantation management, and had previous experience in carpentry. Anderson was about 30 years old and carried the wisdom and experience of age. Booker and Anderson arrived in Caswell County about November of 1797, and resided at the new plantation. Lewis divided his slaves between his two properties, allowing Booker and Anderson to have use of them in tilling and sowing the fields, helping to build proper quarters, fences and out buildings, etc. Booker’s brother James Shapard resided two miles southwest of the new plantation and appears to have visited often to help with construction. Throughout 1797 and 1798, Lewis Shapard traveled constantly to the new plantation to observe and assist in the progress.

When Anderson Williams migrated to Caswell County, he brought with him his wife Mildred (Shapard) and their children. The family also owned three slaves, over the age of 16, who traveled with them. Along with Booker, they all resided on Lewis Shapard’s new plantation in St. David’s District with the commission to get it operational. It appears the undertaking took about a year and a half to complete, as, circa 1799, Anderson purchased, from Nathaniel Rice, 440 acres of land on the waters of the South Fork of Country Line Creek bordering the land of Henry Williams, Alexander Kerr, Thomas Johnston, Archibald Rice, Nathaniel Rice, Leonard Brown and Thomas Brown. Interestingly, this land was just over a mile southwest of Lewis Shapard’s plantation. It appears that in addition to agriculture, by 1801, Anderson opened a store along the Hillsboro Road that crossed the southwest corner of his property. He sold kitchenware, liquor and tobacco, and even made shoes. Anderson Williams and his family lived on their farm in St. David’s District until the year 1806, after which they moved to Campbell County, Virginia.

On January 16, 1798, Lewis Shapard and his brothers James and Booker, with their brother-in-law Anderson William, all attended the estate sale of early Caswell County settler John Rice (1728-1796). Mr. Rice was born in Virginia in 1728 and married Lettisha Estes circa 1754. Their known children were: John Jr., Nathaniel, Anna, Mary, Thomas and William. The family migrated to Caswell County after receiving a land grant from the State of North Carolina containing 640 acres on March 3, 1779. John Rice died in late 1796, and, a few years later, his son Nathaniel Rice (1757-1800) sold 440 acres of the original land grant to Anderson Williams. Interestingly, John Rice’s daughter, Mary married her cousin John Rice (1754-1822), being the same John Rice (1754-1822), who sold Lewis Shapard his land in St. David’s District.

During the estate sale, Lewis purchased mostly kitchenware, including a butter pot, dish, basin, fork, ladle and water pail. The one exception was his acquisition of a broad axe. Booker Shapard purchased a claw hammer. James Shapard purchased numerous large items including a wagon, harness, scythe blade, as well as, some kitchen items. Anderson Williams purchased a plow, a few barrels and some kitchenware. Also in attendance was William B. Brooks who purchased a feather bed. It is almost certain that all of these men were in attendance with their wives due to the large amount of kitchenware purchased. This would have been a fun and entertaining day spent socializing between a good group of friends and family, each admiring the others purchases.

Throughout the spring and summer of 1798, Lewis divided his time between the two plantations, gradually closing down the Richmond District farm and readying the St. David District plantation for their arrival. He would have spent countless exhaustive hours on the road moving supplies and equipment, by horse and wagon, to the new home site eighteen miles away. Records indicate that by October of 1798, Lewis, Martha and baby William had finally completed the move and were settled into their new plantation in St. David District. However, their move likely occurred earlier, around April or May, well before the harvest season, as Lewis needed to be there to successfully bring in the first years crops and get them to market.

After the Shapard’s left their home in the Richmond District, Martha’s father, Robert Paine, desired to keep the old plantation running for a few more years to supplement his income. Though he remained in Person County, he sent some of his slaves and an overseer there to manage the fields of tobacco and cotton. County records report that in October of 1798, the slaves at “Capt. Payne’s Quarter” were working the road that passed through the property, crossing the Hyco Creek and Reedy Fork. After the death of Martha’s father, the plantation was bequeathed to his sons, James, Robert and Solomon Paine, who eventually sold the property to William Lea circa 1811. Mr. Lea gradually divided the land, selling the northern section of the plantation, where the road crossed the Hyco Creek, to Levi Fuller in 1815. In the 1960s, a dam was constructed for the creation of Hyco Lake. Today much of the area of the old Richmond District plantation is located within a flood prone dense forest and is no longer suitable for agriculture.  

LEWIS SHAPARD (Chapter 4) 1795-1796 Caswell County, North Carolina - St. David District

Chapter 4

CASWELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

ST. DAVID DISTRICT

1795-1796

In 1777, Caswell County was formed from the northern half of Orange County, North Carolina, bordering the state of Virginia. In addition to its numerous creeks and fresh water springs, Caswell County also possessed fertile soil well suited for tobacco production. Due to these attributes, settlement in the area surged after the Revolutionary War, and, in the mid-1780s, Caswell County became the second most populated county in all of North Carolina. By 1790, the county held a population of 7,288 whites and 2,736 slaves. In an effort to effectively govern, officials divided the county into eight districts, which were reduced to four, in 1791, when St. Lawrence, St. Luke, St. James and Nash districts were carved from Caswell County’s eastern half and made into Persons County, North Carolina. Thereafter, Caswell County’s remaining districts were the Richmond District in the northeast, Caswell District in the northwest, Gloucester District in the southeast and St. David District in the southwest. Each district spanned about ten miles in width by ten miles in height.

Due to the boundary revision of Caswell County in 1791, the original courthouse at Leasburg was now positioned to the far eastern side of Caswell County and was no longer conveniently located for the county seat. After a land survey was conducted, a more appropriate site, at the geographic center of the county, was selected by the county justices. The site was initially known as Caswell Courthouse, and, renamed Yanceyville when it was incorporated in 1833. The land for the new courthouse was purchased in 1792, and construction was completed in 1794, a year before Lewis Shapard arrived. Out of necessity, the first many sessions of the court were focused on appointing committees to lay off and construct roads and bridges throughout the county all leading to the new courthouse. Caswell County’s growth and development in the mid to late 1790s, along with inexpensive available land, would have made it an alluring location for men of enterprise. 

Lewis Shapard first arrived in Caswell County before April in 1795, at the age of twenty-two. As he assimilated into his new surroundings, he was most likely employed in agricultural or construction. He obtained no property in the county, until November of 1796, and in the beginning may have quartered at the home of friends. Tax records from 1795 inform us that Lewis initially resided in St. David District in the southwest quadrant of the county. St. David’s was the least populated district in the county and quite rural. The total population of the district, including whites and slaves, was about a thousand people. The majority of landowners possessed farms spanning multiple hundreds of acres apiece, generally situated along the creeks of the area. The district was traversed by the Stony Creek, Country Line Creek and the South Fork of Country Line Creek. While these streams were too shallow or meager to be utilized for shipping, they did provided enough water for mills, fishing and irrigation.

There were no towns in St. David District at the time of Lewis Shapard’s arrival, and only the occasional tavern or merchant could be found along the country roads. From the sparse accounts we have of Lewis during this first year, it appears that he resided in the southern portion of St. David’s District, near Stony Creek, approximately ten miles southwest from the developing new seat of government at Caswell Courthouse in the Richmond District. As a young man, the allure of the towns would have been captivating, and from all accounts, Lewis spent much time traveling to Caswell Courthouse to meet new people and for entertainment. During this era, a common social pastime was to watch the cases being tried at the county courthouse. On July 30, 1795, Lewis Shapard not only attended the activities at the courthouse, he was selected to serve as a jury member on two cases: The State vs. Samuel Paul and William Moore vs. Samuel Henderson. 

Another pastime that served a social and functional role was attending local estate sales. When a person died, it was often necessary to sell items from the estate to pay the debts, support the widow and minor children or purge the excess perishable items (corn, wheat, tobacco, etc.). Items sold often included slaves, livestock, farm tools, furniture and household items. Since the availability of many of these items would have been otherwise scarce in such rural areas as St. David’s District, estate sales, especially of neighboring wealthy landowners, where highly attended. On November 16, 1795, Lewis Shapard was at Stony Creek in the southwestern portion of the St. David’s District, where he attended the estate sale of John Mallory. During the sale, Lewis acquired five bushels of wheat for £2.0.6. Interestingly, each bushel would have weighed about 50 pounds. While some of the wheat would have been made into bread for personal use, the excess would have been bartered for other goods and services, which was a common practice during this era.