John Shephard (1796-1868)
Sarah Hill (1805-1869)

John Shephard and Sarah Hill are my 3rd Great-Grandparents on the Sheppard side of the family. John Shephard was born on the 31st January 1796 in Walton on the Wolds, Leicestershire. His Baptism was on the 9th February, noted as John Shephard, born to John and Hannah Shephard. John's surname fluctuates in spelling throughout his life, from Shephard to Shepherd and Sheppard, according to who was recording it. In the year 1796 when John was born, the reigning Monarch is George III. The year 1796 was marked by several significant events in Great Britain, on January 23rd, a troopship was wrecked on Loe Bar, Cornwall, which resulted in over 600 lives being lost. On February 1st protests over the price of bread led to Queen Charlotte being hit by a stone as she and King George returned from a trip to the theatre. On February 16th Britain took control of Ceylon from the Batavian Republic, ending the Invasion of Ceylon (1795). On May 14th Edward Jenner successfully administered the smallpox vaccine to James Phipps in Gloucestershire. On August 9th the opening to traffic of Wearmouth Bridge, designed by Rowland Burdon in cast iron, became the world's longest single-span vehicular bridge at that particular time and on October 5th the Anglo-Spanish War begins with Spain declaring war on Britain.

John's future Wife Sarah Hill was born around 1805 in Packington, Leicestershire. She was baptised on the 30th October 1805 in Packington, her parents are John and Mary Hill. The year 1805 saw continuation of Great Britain being at war with Spain and France, namely the Anglo-Spanish War (1796–1808) and the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815).  On the 5th February the East Indiaman Earl of Abergavenny is wrecked in Weymouth Bay with the loss of 263 lives. On the 18th April Ordnance Survey begins systematic publication of its General Survey of England and Wales ("Old Series") maps. On the 4th June the first Trooping the Colour ceremony at the Horse Guards Parade in London takes place, but 1805 is most famous for the Battle of Trafalgar. On October 21st the British naval fleet led by Admiral Horatio Nelson defeats a combined French and Spanish fleet off the coast of Spain, but Admiral Nelson is fatally shot. News of the victory at Trafalgar and Nelson's death reaches London on the 6th of November.

John and Sarah married on the 17th March 1834 at St Mary's Parish Church in Nottingham, they were married by Banns. The church is in the Lace Market area of Nottingham and is now Grade 1 Listed. It is the largest medieval building in the city of Nottingham and has a stunning interior space dated c1475 and an historic porch, dated c1400. It seems surprising that they would marry in Nottingham in such a magnificent church, but families aspiring to social recognition or connections with Nottingham’s elite often chose this church for marriages to reflect status. In pre-Victorian England marriages could sometimes take place in a parish where one of the parties had historical or baptismal connections, even if residing elsewhere.

John and Sarah has at least seven children, five boys,  John, William, Joseph, Thomas and George, and two girls, Ann and Martha.

In the Census of 1841. John Sheppard is aged 45 and noted as a Farmer. Living on Brook Street, Wymeswold with his Wife Sarah Sheppard, aged 35 and children Ann, aged 12, William, aged 5, Joseph, aged 3 and young Thomas, just 3 months old. There is one servant at the property called Ann Hammond, aged 14.  John and his Brother William are on adjacent farms in Brook Street and in fact John's Son John, aged 13, is living and working with his Uncle William. John would go on to marry a Sarah Marsh and live on East Street, Wymeswold working as a cattle dealer, before moving to Hathern. His Uncle William lived with his Sister, Elizabeth who worked as a Housekeeper, they are both buried together opposite Church Farm in the church cemetery.

In the Census of 1851. John Sheppard (senior) is now noted as being 50 years old and noted as a Farmer, according to the census he has only aged 5 years in the 10 years since the last Census, peoples ages do vary wildly in the census returns. The family are still living on Brook Street, Wymeswold. In the property is John's Wife Sarah Sheppard, aged 44, she is noted as being born in Packington. Also there are the children, William, aged 15, Thomas, aged 11 and George, aged 9, also there is their Daughter Martha, aged 5. All the children are noted as scholars and were born in Wymeswold. Martha would later marry a  James Henry Hore, then after he died she would work as a Housekeeper for John Follows, Betsy Sheppard (nee Follows) Brother, before marrying him.

As previously mentioned John farmed alongside his Brother William, who was on the adjacent farm, they were apparently as thick as thieves and were prepared to stand up for themselves if necessary. In a newspaper article in local Leicester Chronicle, dated November 4th 1854 they were accused of beating up a certain James Cosgrove of Loughborough. James was apparently blocking the road in his dog carriage, a dog carriage or dog cart, is a two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle pulled by a single horse in shafts or driven tandem. It usually has seating for four and was designed for sporting shooters and their gun dogs, with a louvred box under the driver's seat to contain dogs. James Cosgrove refused to move his carriage and William, who was on horseback, whipped James and William and John set about him beating him with fists. A witness said that James Cosgrove had been asked to move out of the way and had become saucy when asked to move, producing a knife. The bench thought it a bad case and fined them all 20s each or face one month in gaol.

In the Census 1861 John is noted as John Shepherd, aged 64 and a Farmer of 190 acres, employing 2 Labourers. The family have now moved to larger farm at Wymeswold Lodge, just outside Wymeswold. In the property are his Wife Sarah Shepherd, aged 46, which must be noted incorrectly. Also working on the farm are their Sons, William, aged 25, a Stock Tender, Joseph, aged 22, a Draper, George, aged 17, a Ploughman. Also there is their Daughter Martha, aged 14, a Scholar and Son Thomas, aged 20, Farmers man and his wife Sarah, aged 20, a Dressmaker, she was born in Radford.

I have found a newspaper article from the Leicestershire Mercury, dated 12th March 1864 that involved a theft of John Sheppard's traditional farming smock frock. The article reports on a Thomas Smith who had stolen a smock frock owned by John Sheppard, Thomas was let out on bail. You can see a photo of an example of the clothing and the newspaper article below.

John Sheppard died on the 25th June 1868, aged 72. Sarah died just a year later on the 14th April 1869, age 62, both dates are noted in the family bible. John's Son William would carry on farming at Wymeswold Lodge Farm, initially with his siblings. In fact when John passed away he did so without a will, intestate death occurs when a person dies without leaving a valid will, meaning their estate is distributed according to statutory intestacy rules. This caused issues later and arguments between his Sons William and George and the matter came up in court in 1870.  It was arranged for the children staying to work on the farm would receive 10s a week plus their maintenance, those who did not stay would have to pay for their own maintenance. See the newspaper article below on the argument between William and George on the matter. This probably contributed towards George leaving the family farm  to work in Liverpool. 

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John Shephard (1796-1868)

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Born 31 January 1796 Walton on the Wolds, Leicestershire.

Baptism 9th February 1796 Walton on the Wolds
John Shephard
Birth 31 Jan 1796
Father John Shephard
Mother Hannah

Married 17th March 1834 at St Mary's Parish Church, Nottingham . (By Banns)
John Shepherd To Sarah Hill. 
Presence of William Cooper, Mary Hickling.

Census 1841. John Sheppard Age 45. Profession - Farmer.

Address - Brook Street, Wymeswold. 

Sarah Sheppard(35). 

William(5), Joseph (3), Thomas(3 Months) and Ann(12)

Ann Hammond (14) - Servant

History, Gazeteer & Directory of the Counties of Leicestershire 1846
John Sheppard Cattle Dealer - East Street 

Census 1851. John Sheppard Age 50. 

Profession - Farmer 60 acres. Born - Walton on the Wolds.

Address - Brook Street, Wymeswold. (53 on Schedule)

Wife Sarah Sheppard(44) Farmers Wife. Born - Packington.

Sons William(15)(Scholar), Joseph (13)(Scholar), Thomas(11)(Scholar) & George(9)(Scholar).

and Daughter Martha(5)(Scholar). All Children born - Wymeswold.

Census 1861. John Shepherd  Age 64. 

Profession - Farmer of 190 Acres , Employs 2 Labourers. Born - Walton

Address - Wymeswold Lodge, Brook Street, Wymeswold.

Wife Sarah Shepherd(46) Farmers Wife. Born - Packington.

Sons William(25)(Stock Tender), Joseph (22)(Draper), George(17)(Ploughman).

and Daughter Martha(14)(Scholar) and

Son Thomas(20)(Farmers man) & his wife Sarah(20)(Dressmaker). Born - Radford.

All Children born - Wymeswold.

Family Bible - John Sheppard died June 25 1868 Age 72

*to view more details on John's passing click here

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Sarah Hill (1805-1869)

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Born c1805 Packington, Leicestershire

Baptism 30 Oct 1805 Packington, Leicestershire
Hill Sarah daughter of  John & Mary Hill
bapt 30 October by me R.J.Andrews curate

Married 17th March 1834 at St Mary's Parish Church, Nottingham . (By Banns)
John Shepherd To Sarah Hill. 
Presence of William Cooper, Mary Hickling.

Census 1841. Sarah Sheppard Age 35.

Address - Brook Street, Wymeswold. 

John Sheppard(45).  Profession - Farmer.

William(5), Joseph (3), Thomas(3 Months) and Ann(12)

Ann Hammond (14) - Servant

Census 1851. Sarah Sheppard Age 44 

Profession - Farmers Wife. Born - Packington.

Address - Brook Street. (53 on Schedule), Wymeswold.

Husband John Sheppard(50). Profession - Farmer 60 acres. 

Born - Walton on the Wolds.

Sons William(15)(Scholar), Joseph (13)(Scholar), Thomas(11)(Scholar) & George(9)(Scholar).

Daughter Martha(5)(Scholar). All Children born - Wymeswold.

Census 1861.  Sarah Shepherd Age 46.

Profession - Farmer Wife. Born - Packington.

Address - Wymeswold Lodge , Brook Street , Wymeswold.

Husband John Shepherd(64). Profession - Farmer of 90 Acres 

Employs 2 Labourers. Born - Walton

Sons William(25)(Stock Tender) , Joseph(22)(Drafter), George(17)(Ploughman).

Daughter Martha(14)(Scholar) and

Brother Thomas(20)(Farmers man) & his wife Sarah(20)(Dressmaker). Born - Radford.

All Children born - Wymeswold.

Family Bible - Sarah Sheppard died April 14 1869 Age 62

*to view more details on Sarah's passing click here

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 Notes on Children :

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John Shepherd (1827-1887)

Non-Conformist Register John Shepherd
Birth 1 Oct 1827
Birth Brook Street, Wymeswold
Father John Shepherd
Mother Sarah.

Children  -  Mary Ann (1848),  Betsy (1853),  Fanny (1856),  William Johnson (1857), Frederick (1859)

Census 1841. Brook Street, Wymeswold

John Sheppard - age 13

Living / working with Uncle William Sheppard(40) - Farmer

Williams's Sister Elizabeth(28) - Housekeeper.

Census 1851. Brook Street, Wymeswold

John Sheppard - age 23 - Nephew - Farm Servant

Living / working with Uncle William Sheppard(56) - Farmer of 187 acres.

Williams's Sister Elizabeth(50) - Housekeeper.

Married 22 Jan 1855 at St Mary's Church, Wymeswold
John Sheppard To Sarah Marsh. 

Census 1851. East Street, Wymeswold.

John Shephard - age 33 - Cattle Dealer

Living with Wife Sarah Shephard(30) - Born Wysall

 Daughters Mary Ann(13), Betsy(8), Fanny(6)

Sons William(4), Frederick(2)

History, Gazeteer & Directory of the Counties of Leicestershire
John Sheppard Cattle Dealer - East Street 

Census 1871. West End, Wymeswold.

John Shephard - age 43 - Cattle Dealer

Living with Wife Sarah Shephard(40) - Born Wysall

Daughters Betsy(17), Fanny(15)

 Sons Johnson(14), Frederick(12)

Census 1881. Sch 48, Derby Road, Hathern.

 John Shephard - age 53 - Farmer of about 80 acres

Living with Wife Sarah Shephard(50) - Born Wysall

Daughter Fanny(24), Sons William(25), Frederick(23)

Servant Arthur Simkin(16).

Death. (TBC) 7a 81. Barrow upon soar. 1887 (60)

            (TBC) Actually at Seagrave 12/11/1887

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Ann Shepherd (1928 - )

Non-Conformist Register Ann Shepherd

Birth 2 Sep 1828

Birth Brook Street, Wymeswold

Father John Shepherd

Mother Sarah.

Census 1841. Brook Street, Wymeswold

Ann Sheppard Age 12

Living with parents & family.

Living with John Sheppard(45). Profession - Farmer.   

Sarah Sheppard(35), William(5), Joseph(3), Thomas(3 Months) 

Census 1851. Wood Street, Quorndon

Ann Sheppard Age 22

Visitor to Ann Cross & family.

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William Sheppard (1836-1882)

Born  21st May 1836, Wymeswold.

Married  Betsy Follows 16 January 1871 at St Marys Church, Wymeswold. 

Died July 24 1882 Wymeswold Lodge Farm, Wymeswold.

*See Direct Descendant main page {William Sheppard}

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Joseph Sheppard (1838- )

Birth 19 Aug 1838 Wymeswold

Father John Sheppard Farmer

Mother Sarah (formerly Hill)

Census 1841. Brook Street, Wymeswold

Joseph Sheppard Age 3

Living with Living with parents & family.

John Sheppard(45). Profession - Farmer.   

Sarah Sheppard(35), William(5), Thomas(3 Months) and Ann(12)

Census 1851. Brook Street, Wymeswold 

Joseph Sheppard Age 13 - Scholar

Living with Father John Sheppard(50). (Farmer 60 acres) 

Mother Sarah Sheppard(44) Farmers Wife. 

Brothers William (15)(Scholar), Thomas(11)(Scholar) & George(8)(Scholar)

Sister Martha(5)(Scholar).

Census 1861. Wymeswold Lodge, Brook Street, Wymeswold 

Joseph Shepherd Age 22 -- Draper.

Living with Father John Shepherd(64) Farmer of 90 acres / Employs 1 Labourer

Mother Sarah Shepherd(46) Farmers Wife.

Brothers George(17)(Ploughman). William(25)(Stock Tender).

Sister Martha(14)(Scholar).

Brother Thomas(20)(Farmers man) & his wife Sarah(20)(Dressmaker)

Census 1871. Shoulder of Mutton Inn, Wymeswold

Joseph Shepherd Age 32

Living with cousin William & Letitia Goddard

Commercial Traveller.

Census 1881. Station Road, Cannock, Staffordshire

Joseph Sheppard Age 42

Visitor Sarah Kelsey & daughter Mary Ann Kelsey

Ale Traveller.

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Thomas Sheppard (1841- )

Born c1841 in Wymeswold

Children -  Marshall (1863),  John (1865), Mary (1867), Sarah (1869), Alfred C (1871), Joseph (1877)

Census 1841. Thomas (3 Months)

Address - Brook Street. 

John Sheppard(45). Profession - Farmer.   

Sarah Sheppard(35). 

William(5), Joseph(3) and Ann(12)

Census 1851.Thomas Age 11 - Scholar

Address - Brook Street. (53 on Schedule)

Living with Father John Sheppard(50). (Farmer 60 acres) & Mother Sarah Sheppard(44) Farmers Wife. 

Brothers William (15)(Scholar), Joseph (13)(Scholar) & George(5)(Scholar) 

And Sister Martha(5)(Scholar).

*Possible Marriage (TBC)

Marriage 4 Mar 1861 - St. Nicholas, Nottingham by Banns

Thomas Sheppard to Sarah Higgit

Thomas Sheppard - Bachelor - Mechanic - Mortimer Street

Sarah Higgit - Spinster - Orchard Street

Thomas's Father - John Sheppard - Farmer

Sarah's Father - John Higgit - Publican

Census 1861.Thomas(20)(Farmers man) & his wife Sarah(20)(Dressmaker) 

Address - Wymeswold Lodge , Brook Street , Wymeswold.

Living with Father John Sheppard(64) Farmer of 90 acres / Employs 1 Labourer

Mother Sarah Sheppard(46) Farmers Wife.

Brothers George(17)(Ploughman), William(25)(Stock Tender), Joseph(22)(Draper).

Sister Martha(14)(Scholar).

Census 1871.Thomas Shepherd(30) (Beerhouse Keeper) 

Address - Rose & Crown , Far Street , Wymeswold.

Living with wife Sarah(31) (born - Maresfield, Notts)

Sons Marshall (8) (Scholar), John (6) (Scholar) & Alford (3 Mnths)

Daughters Mary (4) & Sarah (2)

Census 1881. Thomas Shepherd(40) (Brewers Laborer)

Address - 16 Orchard Street, St Margarets, Leicester

Living with wife Sarah(40) (Maker of Hosiery) (born-Maresfield, Notts)

Sons  John (16) (Shoe Riveter) , Alford (10) (Scholar) & Joseph (4) (Scholar) 

Daughters Mary (14) (Shoe Machinist) & Sarah (12) (Scholar)

Census 1891. Thomas Sheppard(49)

Address - Main Street, East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Widower - General Labourer - Born Wymeswold

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George Shepherd (1843-1894)

Born c1843 in Wymeswold

Children -  Albert (1861),  George (1870),  John Edward (1875),  Richard F (1877),  Hannah (1879),  Emily (1881)

Census 1851.George Age 8. - Scholar

Address - Brook Street. (53 on Schedule)

Living with Father John Sheppard(50). (Farmer 60 acres) & Mother Sarah Sheppard(44) Farmers Wife. 

Brothers William (15)(Scholar), Joseph (13)(Scholar) & Thomas(11)(Scholar) 

Sister Martha(5)(Scholar).

Census 1861.George age 17 - Ploughman

Address - Wymeswold Lodge , Brook Street , Wymeswold.

Living with Father John Sheppard(64) Farmer of 190 acres / Employs 1 Labourer

Mother Sarah Sheppard(46) Farmers Wife.

Brothers Joseph(22)(Draper) & William(25)(Stock Tender).

Sister Martha(14)(Scholar).

Brother Thomas(20)(Farmers man) & his wife Sarah(20)(Dressmaker)

Marriage : George Sheppard to Annie Spencer. 23 August 1869.

George Age 26 Farmer of Wymeswold. Father John Sheppard - Farmer.

Annie Age 28 of Wymeswold. 

Presence of Anne & Lernard Dexter.                 

Census 1871.George Shepherd age 28 - Ag Lab. Born Wymeswold

Address - Brook Street , Wymeswold.

Living with wife Annie (29) (Born Ratcliffe on Trent , Notts)

Son George (9 Mnths) (Morcott, Rutland)

Census 1881.George Shepherd age 33 -Labourer. Born Wymeswold

Address - 51 Flint Street , Bootle, Lancashire.

Living with wife Annie (32) (Born Ratcliffe on Trent , Notts)

Sons George (10) (Scholar), John E(6) (Scholar), Richard F(4) (Scholar)

Daughters Hannah (2) & Infant.no name(3 weeks).

Census 1891.George Shepherd age 47 -Dock Labourer. Widower. Born Wymeswold

Address - Maria Road, Walton on the Hill, Lancashire.

Living with Sons George (20) (Railway Porter), John E(19) (Railway Porter), Richard F(15) (Railway Porter)

Daughters Hannah (13) & Emily(11).

Boarder Samuel Roberts(59) (Boarder - Tailor - widower)

Death George Shepherd - 10 Feb 1894 - 42 Sandon Road, Walton, Liverpool, Lancashire 

Age 51 - Coal Heaver. Cause - Hematemesis Pneumonia

Informant - George Shepherd Son in attendance.  

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Martha Shepherd (1845-1931) 

Born Oct-Dec 1845 in Wymeswold, Leicestershire.

children - Harry Hill Hore (1873),  George F. Hore (1877)

Census 1851.Martha Age 5 - Scholar

Address - Brook Street. (53 on Schedule)

Living with Father John Sheppard(50). (Farmer 60 acres) & Mother Sarah Sheppard(44) Farmers Wife. 

Brothers William (15)(Scholar), Joseph (13)(Scholar), Thomas(11)(Scholar) & George(8)(Scholar)

Census 1861.Martha age 14 - Scholar 

Address - Wymeswold Lodge , Brook Street , Wymeswold.

Living with Father John Sheppard(64) Farmer of 90 acres / Employs 1 Labourer

Mother Sarah Sheppard(46) Farmers Wife.

Brothers Joseph(22)(Draper) , George(17)(Ploughman), William(25)(Stock Tender).

Brother Thomas(20)(Farmers man) & his wife Sarah(20)(Dressmaker)

Marriage Jul-Sep 1870 - Leicester, Leicestershire

Martha Shepheard to James Henry Hore

Census 1881.Martha Hare age 35 - (Border) (Linen Draper) 

Living with son Harry Hare (7) (Border) (Scholar)

Address - Sheppard's Farm , Wymeswold.

Living With Brother William Age 46. Profession - Farmer of 150 acres Emp 3 men & his Wife Betsy(36)

Sons Harry(8) & Ernest(7) and Daughter Fanny(5).

Sarah E Allwood(15)(Domestic Servant)

John Blount(26)(Servent-Waggoner)

William Wilson(22)(Servant-Waggoner_Carrier)

Charles Tyler(11)(Servant-Cow Lad_Ag lab)

*Housekeeper for John Follows, Brother of Betsy Sheppard (nee Follows).

Census 1891 - High Thorne Farm, Gotham, Notts.

Martha Hore - Housekeeper Widow - age 41 - Born Wymeswold, Leics.

John Follows - Head(34) - Farmer - Born Wymeswold, Leics.

Henry Follows - Brother(44) - Farmer - Born East Leake, Notts.

Frank Sharpe - Servant(24) - Born Basford, Notts.

Harry Hore(17) - (Martha's son) - Servant - Born Sheffield, Yorkshire.

George F Hore(4) - (Martha's son) - Visitor - Born Loughborough, Leics.

Elizabeth Powdrill(16) - Domestic Servant - Born Gotham, Notts.

Allen Brown(15) - Farm Servant - Born Wymeswold, Leics.

*Now the Wife of John Follows, Brother of Betsy Sheppard (nee Follows).  
*Martha's children have adopted the Follows surname.

Census 1901 - High Thorne (Cliffs Farm), Gotham, Notts.

Martha Follows - Wife (of John Follows) - age 51 - Born Wymeswold, Leics.

John Follows - Head(47) - Farmer - Born Wymeswold, Leics.

George Follows(14) - Farmers Son - Born Loughborough, Leics.

Henry Follows - Brother(60) - Farmer - Born East Leake, Notts.

plus servants.

Census 1911 - High Thorne Farm, Gotham

Martha Follows age 64 - Wife 

John Follows age 56 - Head - Farmer 

Henry Follows age 67 - Brother - Farmer

George Follows age 23 - help on farm

Peter Hemsley age 56 - Labourer of farm

Died 30 Nov 1931 - Living at Moor Lane, Gotham, Lincs.

Probate - Martha Hore or Follows - affects £40.

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