DILLION Family Genealogy-History

(Updated April 18, 2024)



SOURCE NOTES: [N1781]

Source of Name: Internet Website
SHEPHERD Family Genealogy Forum
http://genforum.genealogy.com/shepherd/all.html
http://genforum.genealogy.com/shepherd/messages/462.html

Re: Shepherds in Virginia/West Virginia desc. of Thomas
Posted by: Marge Leevey
Date: February 15, 1999 at 08:49:10
In Reply to: Shepherds in Virginia/West Virginia desc. of Thomas by Elizabeth Dian MOORE of 874

found this is a book, thought it might help
HISTORY OF THE EARLY SETTLERS SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
bY John C. Powers 1876

SHEPHERD, the origin of this family in America was with Thomas SHEPHERD, a native of Wales, who came to Virginia long before the thirteen colonies declared themselves independent of the British crown. He settled on the south bank of the Potomac about ten miles west of the Blue Ridge and the mouth of the Shenandoah river. According to the custom then prevailing, he tomahawked, or "blazed" the trees around a tract of land, including several thousands of acres, all lying south of the Potomac. The recording of the description of this land secured to him the title. He laid out and named for He himself Shepherdstown. In order to encourage settlement he sold lots -- generally half an acre each--at nominal prices, but required an annual quit rent of five shillings to be paid perpetually. That rent is still being paid by owners of the lots, who have not bought off. He accquired other landed property by purchase, and at his death, Thomas SHEPHERD left a will, a copy of which is in possesion of Thomas B. SHEPHERD , of Sangamon county, the fifth Thomas SHEPHERD in a direct line from Thomas SHEPHERD, of Wales. By that will he bequeathed some land, declared to have been deeded to him June 12, 1751, by the Right Hon. Thomas Lord Fairfax. The will is dated Aug. 20, 1776, and bequeaths to his sons, Thomas, William, John, Abraham and David, lands, and a saw-mill in the county of Berkley, Virginia, United States, and lots in the town of Mechlenburg, same county. To his daughters, Susannah, Mary, Martha, Sarah and Elizabeth, he bequeaths money and some personal property. The will covers some eight pages of fools'-cap, and in its metes and bounds is quite a curiosity. Two of the sons of the original Thomas SHEPHERD were soldiers in the Revolutionary army. One of them, Californiaptain Abraham SHEPHERD, was captured and held on board a Bristish prison ship until he came near losing his life. The eldest son or Thomas No. 2, married Susan Hulse, and raised a family of eight children. His eldest child, or Thomas No. 3 was born Nov. 3, 1774, and was married Oct. 15, 1805, to Mary Byers, who was born Dec. 13, 1779, in Shepherdstown, also. They had eight children in Shepherdstown, and Thomas No.3 died Nov. 9, 1832, in his native town. Eight of his children came to Sangamon county,Illinois

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Source Captain Abraham SHEPHERD, youngest son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Van Metre) SHEPHERD, was born at Shepherdstown, West Virginia, United States, November 10, 1754. He was a most valiant soldier in the war of independence, and at the time of the battle of Kingsbridge, New York, in November 1776, was lieutenant of a company. The officers in charge were both wounded in that conflict and young Abraham, then but twenty-one years of age, was made captain of a company of Virginia and Maryland rifleman. He went through many thrilling adventures in connection with his military experience and was at one time captured by the British and sent as a prisoner to Long Island. After the close of the war he settled down at Shepherdstown, where he was instrumental in promoting public progress and improvement. He was an influential and consistent member of the Episcopal church at Shepherdstown, and was a liberal contributor to all measures and enterprises projected for the good of the general welfare. He has been described as a thin-visaged man with prominent features, full of energy, a first-rate farmer, a public-spirited citizen and an unfailing friend of the church. He married, December 27, 1780, Eleanor Strode, whose birth occurred June 27, 1760, daughter of Captain James Strode, an early settler of Frederick county, Virginia, United States. Abraham SHEPHERD afterward became the owner of the Strode homestead, and it is claimed that on that estate, in the days of James Strode, Andrew Jackson was born. The following children were born to Abraham and Eleanor SHEPHERD: 1) James Strode, born June 19, 1782, died May 5, 1789, 2) Rezin Davis, born August 1, 1784, died November 10, 1865, 3) Abraham, Jr., born June 13, 1787, died october 9, 1853, 4) James Hervey, born May 5, 1790, died July 27, 1837, 5) Henry, January 4, 1793, died October 12, 1870, 6) Annie, born June 13, 1796, died September 16, 1866, 7) Eliza, born July 26, 1799, died August 25, 1833, 8) Charles Moses, born April 11, 1800, died October 7, 1851. Captain Abraham SHEPHERD died September 7, 1822, and his cherished and devoted wife died September 23, 1853.

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Source born 10-Nov-1754, Shepherdstown, Virginia, United States

"Captain" Abraham SHEPHERD b. 10-Nov-1754, Shepherdstown, Virginia, United States
married 1st., 27-Dec-1780, Eleanor Strode, b. 27-Jun-1760, d. 23-Sep-1853, Age 93 years, Shepherdstown, Berkley, Virginia, United States. Her grave marker reads; Eleanor SHEPHERD Consort of Abraham SHEPHERD.
Married 2nd., Mary Peppers.
Abraham first served as a Lieut. in the Revolutionary War. For his courage and bravery shown at the Battle of Kingsbridge, NY, Nov.-1776, Congress gave him a commission as Captain in command of a Virginia Company.
His grave stone is engraved; born Nov.-10-1751, died Sept.-7-1820-age 68.

Henry SHEPHERD, b. 4-Jan-1793

James Strode SHEPHERD, b. 19-Jun-1782, d. 5-May-1789

Rezin SHEPHERD, b. 1-Aug-1784

Abraham SHEPHERD Jr., b. 13-Jun-1787

James Hervey SHEPHERD, b. 5-May-1790, Shepherdstown, Virginia, United States, d. 27-Jul-1837, New Orleans, LA, buried at Shepherdstown, Virginia, United States

Annie SHEPHERD, b. 13-Jun-1796, d. 16-Sep-1866

Eliza SHEPHERD, b. 26-Jul-1799

Charles M. SHEPHERD, b. 11-Apr-1800
Henry SHEPHERD, b. 4-Jan-1793,
married Fanny Briscoe.
Henry d. 12-Oct-1870, buried SHEPHERD Family Cem., Shepherdstown, West Virginia, United States. His grave marker; Henry SHEPHERD son of Abram and Elenor SHEPHERD
Mary SHEPHERD

Rezin SHEPHERD

Ann SHEPHERD, d. young

Henry SHEPHERD

John SHEPHERD

Abraham SHEPHERD Captured by Federal Forces and sentenced to death during the Civil War, but his sentence was commuted and he was exchanged for Federal soldiers held by the South.

James SHEPHERD, b. 21-Aug-1838




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