Meet the Shephards

I have recently posted a new page about my Shephard ancestors. My Shephards can be summarised as: from Birmingham and later from London; mainly brass founders; and Quakers. Do go have a look!

I must admit that I go into more detail about where Quaker (or Society of Friends) records can be found than about the Shephards themselves, as Quaker records are very useful for family history research before 1837.

My favourite Shephard family so far is that of Richard Shephard (c1743-1800) and Mary Jarrett (c1742-1820). They married on 30 November 1770 at the Publick Meeting House in Eatington (now Ettington), Warwickshire. This was after a two month period of seeking permission to marry, and being checked by members of the Society. A quote from the Meeting’s Minute Book illustrates this (see note 1 for full reference):

At our Monthly Meeting held at Long Compton of 29th of ye 10mo 1770 …

… Richd Shepherd and Mary Jarrett continuing their Intention of Marriage and no obstruction appearing they are left to their Liberty to accomplish the same according to good order, and we appoint Wm Marshall and Jn Bevington to attend on the day of Marriage to see that good order is Preserved and Report the same at our next [meeting]

Richard (a brass founder) and Mary duly married, lived in Hill Street and Litchfield Street in Birmingham, and had nine children.

They chose an interesting mix of names for their children (one of the reasons I find them interesting): Mary, Sarah, Martha, Rebecca (died age 1), Gulidina twice (both died under a year old), Kerenhappuch, Richard (died at 6 weeks), and Hannah.

Most of the names are obvious family or biblical names. Of the others, Kerenhappuch is also bibilical (she was a daughter of Job), and I haven’t managed to trace any information on Gulidina… so if you know something, please let me know!

Note 1: full reference for 29 Oct 1770 quote from Minute Book

Warwickshire South Monthly Meeting Minute Book, Ref No. 142 Vol. 1704-1779 (no page numbers, entries in date order); from Microfilm copy held at Birmingham Central Library, Microfilm Ref: PG 3568.