William Sheppard (1836-1882)
Betsy Follows (1845-1928)

William Sheppard and Betsy Follows are my 2nd Great-Grandparents on the Sheppard side of the family line. William's Surname appears as several spellings in official documents over the years, appearing as Shephard, Shepherd and Sheppard.  His birth is noted in the Sheppard Family Bible, William Sheppard, born May 21 1836. His parents were John and Sarah Shepherd, formally Hill.  The Sheppard family initially  farmed in Brook Street, Wymeswold  and  later just outside the village at Wymeswold Lodge Farm. 

In the Census of 1841 William first appears aged 5. Living with parents John Sheppard, a Farmer and Sarah Sheppard in Brook Street, Wymeswold. Also there is his Sister Ann and his Brothers Joseph and young Thomas, aged just 3 Months.

They are still farming at Brook Street in the Census records of 1851. William is now age 15 and noted as a Scholar but i'm sure he would have also been helping out on the farm. His Father John Sheppard, aged 50 is a Farmer of 60 acres and was born in Walton on the Wolds. William's Mother Sarah Sheppard is noted as a Farmers Wife and born in Packington. His Brothers Joseph and Thomas are at the property but the family has expanded now to include George, aged 8 and another Sister called Martha, aged 5. All Children were born in Wymeswold.

In 1861 William was aged 25 and is now officially helping his father run the farm of 190 Acres at Wymeswold Lodge Farm, William is working as the stock Tender. After his fathers death in 1868 he becomes the head of the household continuing to farm at Wymeswold Lodge.  Williams Father John Sheppard died on the 25th June 1868, aged 72.  William would carry on farming at Wymeswold Lodge Farm, initially with his siblings but 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 and arguments between  William and his Brother George and the matter came up in court in 1870.  It was arranged for John's children who stayed  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.  You can 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.

William's future Wife was called Betsy Follows, she was born on September 20th 1845 in East Leake, Nottinghamshire. Her Father Joseph Follows was a Farmer too. They moved from East Leake to Brook Street Wymeswold in the 1850's and lived at a property known as Follows Dwelling. Betsy is first recorded as a scholar in the Census of 1851, aged just 5, living in Costock Lane, East Leake, Nottinghamshire. She is living With her Father Joseph, aged 40, he is farming 22 acres & keeping a beer house & Mother Mary, aged 27. Also there at the property are her Brothers Henry and young Joseph and her Grandparents, Joseph's Father Henry Follows, aged 79 and Mother Ann Follows, aged 77. There is one Farm Servant called Samuel Bradwell, aged 18.

By 1861 the family has moved to Wymeswold, Betsy is now aged 15 and a Scholar. She is living at Follows Dwelling, Brook Street, Wymeswold with her parents Joseph and Mary, Brothers Henry, Joseph, William, John and Sister Fanny. Also there is a Farm Servant called Thomas Thompson. Its at this time she must have met the young William Sheppard, also living in Brook Street, Wymeswold. William and Betsy married on the 16th January 1871 at St Marys Church, Wymeswold. Present were Betsy's Father or Brother Joseph Follows and Sister Fanny Follows. 

By the time of the Census 1871. William is now living With his new Wife Betsy at Wymeswold Lodge Farm. Also there are William's Nephew Albert, aged 9, a Scholar and servants, Emma Tyler, General Domestic Servant, George Martin and John Jarvis, both Farm Servants. By 1881 shortly before his death he is living with his family and six other borders and servants at Sheppard's Farm, this particular farm is 150 acres and he is employing 3 men. Also on the farm are their children, Sons Harry, age 8, Ernest, age 7 and their Daughter Fanny, age 5. Also William's sister Martha, now named as Martha Hare is renting a room along with her Son Harry.

William passed away at Wymeswold Lodge, on the 24th of July 1882 of Heart Disease, he is buried at the Baptist Chapel on Wysall Lane, Wymeswold. After William's passing Betsy moved into Church Farm,  she is noted as living at Church Farm in the Census of 1891. Betsy Sheppard, age 45 and noted as being Widowed, living with Sons Harry, age 18, Ernest, age 16 and Daughter Fanny, age 15.  In the Kelly's Directory of Leicestershire in 1900 and 1908 Betsy is still listed as a farmer on East Street, Wymeswold and in the Census of 1901 Betsy is still helping on the farm and living with her Son Harry. Her other children Ernest and Fanny have moved on.

She moved out of Church Farm around the time her Son Harry married in 1909. In the Census of 1911 she is 65 and living in East Street, Wymeswold with her Grand-Daughter Florence Caroline James (Fanny & John James's Daughter). I believe she did live at Brook Farm at some point in later life with her Son Ernest's family, she certainly lived in one of the four small cottages at the Brook Street end of Church Street. Betsy passed away on the 22nd March 1928, aged 82 Years and is buried alongside William at the Baptist Chapel.

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William Sheppard (1836-1882)

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Born  21st May 1836, Wymeswold, Leicestershire.

Family Bible - William Sheppard born May 21 1836 

Census 1841. William Sheppard. Age 5

Address - Brook Street. 

John Sheppard(45). Profession - Farmer. 

Sarah Sheppard(35). 

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

Census 1851. William Sheppard. Age 15. - Scholar

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

Living with Father John Sheppard(50). (Farmer 60 acres). Born - Walton on the Wolds

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

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

Sister Martha(5)(Scholar). All Children Born - Wymeswold.

Census 1861. William Shepherd. Age 25. Profession - Stock Tender.

Address - Wymeswold Lodge, Brook Street, Wymeswold.

Living with Father John Shepherd(64) Farmer of 190 acres / Employs 1 Labourer. Born - Walton.

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

Brothers Joseph(22)(Draper), George(17)(Ploughman).

Sister Martha(14)(Scholar).

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

All Children Born - Wymeswold.

Married 16 January 1871 at St Marys Church, Wymeswold. (By Licence)

William Shepherd To Betsy Follows.  

William Age 32 - Occupation Farmer. Resident at Wymeswold.

Father - John Shepherd - Occupation Farmer.

Betsy Age 25. Resident at Wymeswold.

Father - Joseph Follows - Occupation Farmer.  

Presence of Joseph Follows, Fanny Follows.

Census 1871. William Shephard. Age 33. Profession - Farmer of 196 acres+.

Address - Wymeswold Lodge , Wymeswold.

Living With Wife Betsy(24) (Farmers Wife) & Nephew Albert(9) (Scholar).

Also Living at Wymeswold Lodge :-

Emma Tyler (17) (General Servent / Domestic)

George Martin (18) (Farm Servent)

John Jarvis (17) (Farm Servent)

History, Gazeteer & Directory of the Counties of Leicestershire & Rutland 1877
Sheppard William, farmer, Wymeswold Lodge

Census 1881. William Sheppard. Age 46. Profession - Farmer of 150 acres Emp 3 men

Address - Sheppard's Farm , Wymeswold. 

Living With Wife Betsy(36), Sons Harry(8) & Ernest(7) and Daughter Fanny(5).

Also Living at Sheppard's Farm :-

Martha Hare (35) (Border) (Linen Draper)

Harry Hare (7) (Border) (Scholar)

Sarah E Allwood (15) (Domestic Servant)

John Blount (16) (Waggoner) & William Wilson (22) (Waggoner)

Charles Tyler (11) (Cow Lad)

William Sheppard died July 24 1882 Wymeswold Lodge Farm, Wymeswold.

Buried - Wymeswold Baptist Church, Wysall Lane.

*If you wish to see more information on William's passing click Here.

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Betsy Follows (1845-1928)

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Born  20th Sept 1845, East Leake, Nottinghamshire

Family Bible - Betsy Follows Born Sept 20 1845

Census 1851. Betsy Follows. Age 5. Scholar.

Address - Costock Lane, East Leake, Nottinghamshire.

Living With Father Joseph(40) (Farming 22 Acres & beer house) & Mother Mary(27) (Farmers Wife)

Brothers Henry(7)(Scholar) , Joseph(9 mnths)

Joseph's Father Henry Follows(79) & Mother Ann Follows(77)

Farm Servant Samuel Bradwell(18)

Census 1861. Betsy Follows. Age 15. Scholar.

Address - Follows Dwelling, Brook Street, Wymeswold.

Living With Father Joseph(50) (Farmer) & Mother Mary(35) (Farmers Wife)

Brothers Henry(17)(Scholar) , Joseph(11)(Plough Boy) , William (8)(Scholar) and John (5) and Sister Fanny(7).

Farm Servant Thomas Thompson

Married 16 January 1871 at St Marys Church, Wymeswold. (By Licence)

William Shepherd To Betsy Follows.  

William Age 32 - Occupation Farmer. Resident at Wymeswold.

Father - John Shepherd - Occupation Farmer.

Betsy Age 25. Resident at Wymeswold.

Father - Joseph Follows - Occupation Farmer.  

Presence of Joseph Follows, Fanny Follows.

Census 1871. Betsy Shephard. Age 24. Profession - Farmer's Wife

Address - Wymeswold Lodge, Wymeswold.

Living With Husband William(33) (Farmer) & Nephew Albert(9) (Scholar).

Also Living at Wymeswold Lodge :-

Emma Tyler (17) (General Servent / Domestic)

George Martin (18) (Farm Servent)

John Jarvis (17) (Farm Servent)

Census 1881. Betsy Sheppard. Age 36. 

Address - Sheppard's Farm, Wymeswold.

Living With Husband William(46) and Sons Harry(8) & Ernest(7) and Daughter Fanny(5) .

Also Living at Sheppard's Farm :-

Martha Hare (35) (Border) (Linen Draper)

Harry Hare (7) (Border) (Scholar)

Sarah E Allwood (15) (Domestic Servant)

John Blount (16) (Waggoner) & William Wilson (22) (Waggoner)

Charles Tyler (11) (Cow Lad)

Census 1891. Betsy Sheppard. Age 45. Widowed. Profession - Farmer. 

Address - East Road, Wymeswold. (Church Farm)

Living With Sons Harry(18) & Ernest(16) and Daughter Fanny(15).

Kelly's Directory of Leicestershire 1900
Sheppard Betsy (Mrs), frmr. East St

Census 1901. Betsy Sheppard. Age 55. Widowed. Profession - Farmer. 

Address - East Road, Wymeswold. (Church Farm)

Civil Parish - Wymeswold. Ecclesiastical Parish - St Marys.

Living With Son Harry(28).

Kelly's Directory of Leicestershire 1908
Sheppard Betsy (Mrs), frmr. East St.

Son Harry married in July 1909.

28th June 1909 Tennant at Church Farm when Sold.
Son Harry bought Church Farm on 22nd March 1926 at second sale.

Betsy Sheppard died March 22nd 1928

Buried - Wymeswold Baptist Church, Wysall Lane.

*If you wish to see more information on Betsy's passing click Here.

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 Notes on Children :

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Harry Sheppard (1872-1933)

Born 19th May 1872, Wymeswold.

Married Sarah Ann Wootton 1st July 1908 at St Mary's Church, Wymeswold

Died   19 January 1933, Wymeswold.

{See main descendant page - Harry Sheppard}

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wood

Ernest Follows Sheppard (1874-1945)

Born - January 3rd 1874 in Wymeswold 

Family Bible Born Jan 3 1874

Census 1881.  Age 7. 

Address - Sheppard's Farm, Wymeswold.

Living With Father William(46) and Mother Betsy(36), Brother Harry(8)

Sister Fanny(5) .

Borders & Servants (see William Sheppard for details)

Census 1891.  Age 16.  Farmers Son.

Address - East Road, Wymeswold. (Church Farm)

Living With Mother Betsy(45) , Brother Harry(18) and Sister Fanny(15).

Marriage 27 May 1896 to Lucy Lydia Wood
St Mary's Church, Wymeswold.

Kelly's Directory of  Leicestershire 1900
Sheppard Ernest, corn & flour dealer, Stockwell Street, Wymeswold

Census 1901.  Age 28.  Profession - Grazier.  Status - Own Account.

Address - Far Street , Wymeswold.

Living With Wife Lucy, daughters Ethel, Kate and son Frank.

Kelly's Directory of  Leicestershire 1908
Sheppard Ernest, corn & flour dealer, Stockwell street

Died - 30 November 1945

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Ernest was born on January 3rd 1874 to William & Betsy Sheppard. He along with his wife took a big part in village life. He was a  Special Constable in Wymeswold  and was also a keen cricketer. Ernest helped his brother Harry with the farming at Church Farm, Wymeswold initially. During the hay making season on one Saturday Ernest had  the job of tying the hay into bundles and stacking them up. Harry climbed up the stack on the Sunday and because one of the bundles had not been tied correctly he fell and broke his hip. Ernest felt very guilty about what he had done and he eventually left to seek other employment because of it.

Ernest had been a Special Constable in Wymeswold and decided to join up full time with the Police Force at Loughborough,  but after visiting the accommodation provided for him and his young family he decided against it, It must have seemed very cramped after living and farming in Wymeswold. 

Ernest literally married the girl next door, Lucy Lydia Wood grew up living at the Bakery, next door to Church Farm. So she would have known him from a young age. By all accounts Lucy took a active part in Wymeswold life, she was involved with the local W.I. and took part in the local plays.  Her father Joseph ran the bakery until her Brother Frank Wood later took over from his Father. Lucy's Sister Annie Was a accomplished dressmaker and Lucy was known as a very good gardener.

The Stanley family can remember Ernest telling them he lived at Church Street, he certainly appears in Kelly's Directory records as being a corn & flour dealer in the Stockwell at Wymeswold.

In about 1911/12 he moved to 40 Acre Farm/Lodge Farm at Six Hills with his family. Ernest was not well off at the time, so he moved with the help of a loan from Jack Tuckwood, a local cattle dealer, who lent him some money and cattle to get started. There he made stilton cheese and even his own candles to make ends meet. The children would walk from the farm down to the School in Wymeswold. His Daughter Ethel left school when she was just twelve and Kate left at thirteen.

Although circumstances must have improved because by the end of the year he had paid all the money he borrowed back to Mr Tuckwood. One particularly bad winter the River Mantle had swelled with all the rain and had ruined all the hay that had been collected, to get by Ernest had to feed the beast on mangles he had grown and the black hay that was left.

In March of 1917 they moved to Hill Farm, Hickling. His son Frank was helping him farm at this point. 

Afterwards he moved to Brook Farm, East Leake and then to the Gables at Costock. Their daughter Ethel was married while they were here, Ethel and her new husband stayed at the farm and Ernest and Lucy moved to Bunny Road at Costock, living at the end council house.

During his working life he had grazed the skin on his hand many times, this led to cancer of the hand. He eventually had to have his arm amputated in an effort to stem the disease but it was too late and it eventually killed him. He spent his last days at Eastwell and then with his daughter Kate. He passed away on the 30th November 1945.

You can see some pictures of Ernest below, he does strike a remarkable resemblance to my Grandfather Ronald (Ernest's Nephew).

Children of Ernest & Lucy Lydia Sheppard (nee Wood).

Kate Sheppard -
b. 25 Nov 1896 Wymeswold
bap.  11 Apr  1897 Wymeswold
Married James Henry Eggleston

Frank Sheppard -
b. 7 Feb 1899  Wymeswold
Married. Ella Thurman

Ethel Sheppard -
b. 12 Aug 1900  Wymeswold
Married. Ernest Derrick Stanley

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Fanny Sheppard (1875-1953)

Born Wymeswold Sept 8th 1875

Family Bible Fanny Sheppard Born Sept 8 1875

Baptised on the 21st May 1899 with Brother Harry just before being married to John Giles James.

Census 1881.  Age 5. 

Address - Sheppard's Farm, Wymeswold.

 Living With Father William(46) and Mother Betsy(36), Brothers Ernest(7) & Harry(8).

Borders & Servants (see William Sheppard for details)

Census 1891.  Age 15.  Farmers Daughter.

Address - East Road, Wymeswold. (Church Farm)

Civil Parish - Wymeswold. Ecclesiastical Parish - St Marys.

Living With Mother Betsy(45) , Brothers Ernest(16) & Harry(18).

Marriage 29 May 1899.  John Giles James to Fanny Sheppard
St Mary's Church, Wymeswold.

*Later Census returns - See John James below.

Died - 4 January 1953 

Living at South View, Wymeswold at the time.

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   James

Fanny's Husband was John Giles James (1876-1961)

Born  10th June 1876

Baptised - May 2nd 1899 - Whit Sunday .

 Bap - 21 May 1899
Father- John James, Farmer.  Mother - Eliza
Wymeswold
Born - 10 Jul 1876

Census 1881  John James Age 4. Scholar.

Address - Brook Street, Wymeswold.

Living With Father John James - Head . Age 31.

Butcher & Farmer of 30 acres.

Mother Eliza James - Wife. Age 26 

 Siblings -

 Fanny James(3) - Scholar.

  Eliza A James(1)

  Alice A James(2 Mnths)

  Servants - Thomas Smith(18), Mary A. Woodford(14)

Census 1891. John James Age 14.  

Address - Brook Street, Wymeswold.

Living With Father John James - Head . Age 41.

Mother Eliza James - Wife. Age 37 

Siblings - 

Fanny James(12)

Annie James(10)

Edith James(8)

Edward James(6)     

Harry James(3)

Florence James(1)

Marriage 29 May 1899.  John Giles James to Fanny Sheppard
St Mary's Church, Wymeswold.

Kelly's Directory of  Leicestershire & Rutland 1900
James John, jun, Butcher, Brook Street

Census 1901. John James Age 24.  

Occupation - Butcher & Farmer.

Address - Church Street, Wymeswold.   

Living With Fanny James - Wife. Age 24

Daughter Fanny May James(3 mnths)

Census 1911. John Giles James Age 34.  

 Occupation - Cattle Dealer.

 Address - Church Street, Wymeswold.   

 Living With Fanny James - Wife. Age 35

 Daughters -

 Fanny May James(10) - School

 Phyllis Annie James(5) - School

 Alice Eliza James(4) - School

 Lillian Eadith James(2)

Kelly's Directory of  Leicestershire & Rutland 1908
James John, jun, Butcher, Brook Street

Kelly's Directory of  Leicestershire & Rutland 1912
James Jn, jun, cattle dlr, Brook Street

Register 1939. Giles J James - born 10 Jul 1876

Married Farmer & Butcher Heavy Work

Fanny James - born 8 Sep 1875

Married Domestic Duties Unpaid

Oliver D. James - born 12 Mar 1918

Single Cowman Assisting Father Heavy work

Arthur R James - born 2 Jan 1921

Single Butcher Assistant Father

John Giles James - Died - 10 October 1961

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John was born on the 10th June 1876. His family were traditionally Butchers in Wymeswold.

Notes from 'Memories of a Country Childhood' by  Ellen Smith   :-

*There were three butchers (in Wymeswold), one of which was run by the James family for three generations. We called them old John James, young John James and young John James's Son John James (this John James). They also had a meat stall in Loughborough Market every Thursday and Saturday, but now that young John James's son has retired, his sons have taken up farming, so the James's butcher business is no more.*

John and Fanny had many children, at least 11, starting with Fanny May James, born in 1900 and ending with Doug in 1918 & Richard (Dick) in 1921. Jean Eggleston remembers her Mother Kate telling her that when she was a young girl she went to help at the James's house around the time John was born (Son of the above John), there was always a stack of Ironing to do as you would imagine !

As the locals say, John was by all accounts a bit of a rum charachter. He did have some brushes with the law to do with the butchery business and he certinanly liked a drink or two, althought Fanny saw no wrong in him. He ran a butchery and cattle dealing business, this was ran up until he retired and it was handed over to his son John. The butchers shop was at 90 Brook Street, Wymeswold. As well as running the shop he would be cattle dealing all over the county.  Cattle would be bought and sold at Melton, Loughborough and Leicester cattle markets and then he would walk them back to land kept at Keyworth and Ashfordby. Once a year Cattle would be bought and sold at the Cattle Fair held at Loughborough on land near the old Brush Works bridge.

Fanny died on the 4th January 1953, she was living at South View, Wymeswold at the time. She passed away after a year of illness which she suffered without any complaint. John passed away on the 10th October 1961.

Children of John & Fanny James (nee Sheppard).

Fanny May James              - b. 1 Dec 1900

Florence Caroline James - b. 22 Mar 1902

Dinah Elizabeth James    - b. 19 Sep 1904

Phyllis Annie James        - b. 21 Feb 1906

Alice Eliza James              - b. 16 Jun 1907

Lilian Edith James            - b. 5 Dec 1909

John Edward James         - b. 5 May 1911

Doris Mary James            - b. 22 Mar 1914

Frederick Henry James   - b. 23 Sep 1915

Douglas Oliver James      - b. 8 Mar 1918  (tbc)

Richard Arthur James     - b. 2 Jan 1921

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