Individual Details
Thomas C Shephard
(Abt 1705 - Abt 1776)
FOUNDER OF SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV (Orig. VA):
Colonial settlers began their migration into the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley in the early 18th century. Many crossed the Potomac River at Pack Horse Ford, about one mile (2 km) down river from the site of Shepherdstown. The Colony of Virginia began issuing Valley land grants in the 1730s. In 1734, Thomas Shepherd was granted 222 acres (898,000 m²) on the south side of the Potomac (then called the Potowmack), along the Falling Spring Branch (now known as the Town Run). From that tract he selected 50 acres (202,000 m²) and laid out a town. Naming his town Mecklenburg, he petitioned the Virginia General Assembly for a charter, which was granted in 1762. Thomas Shepherd was the sole trustee, owning the town and being responsible for its government. When Thomas Shepherd died in 1776, he willed the town to his youngest son, Abraham, who was serving in Captain Hugh Stephenson's company. The new trustee was absent; the town had no government. It has been recorded that the citizens "just took care of each other." The residents decided in 1794, it was time to govern themselves. A petition to the Virginia Assembly resulted in the granting of a second charter, which allowed for the election of trustees and, in 1798, the name of the town was changed to Shepherd's Town. The year 1801 brought another change in county seats. Jefferson was partitioned from Berkeley and Shepherd's Town became part of that county. After the Civil War (1867), the town's name was officially contracted to Shepherdstown.
Among other accomplishments, Thomas built the first grist mill in Shepherdstown, in 1738.
-- MERGED NOTE ------------
Thomas and Elizabeth had seven children: David, William, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, John, and Mary. He and his six sons were in the Revolutionary War. Thomas Shepherd obtained grants of land in Virginia and was the founder of Mecklenburg and Shepherdstown. (Now in West Virginia)
Colonial settlers began their migration into the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley in the early 18th century. Many crossed the Potomac River at Pack Horse Ford, about one mile (2 km) down river from the site of Shepherdstown. The Colony of Virginia began issuing Valley land grants in the 1730s. In 1734, Thomas Shepherd was granted 222 acres (898,000 m²) on the south side of the Potomac (then called the Potowmack), along the Falling Spring Branch (now known as the Town Run). From that tract he selected 50 acres (202,000 m²) and laid out a town. Naming his town Mecklenburg, he petitioned the Virginia General Assembly for a charter, which was granted in 1762. Thomas Shepherd was the sole trustee, owning the town and being responsible for its government. When Thomas Shepherd died in 1776, he willed the town to his youngest son, Abraham, who was serving in Captain Hugh Stephenson's company. The new trustee was absent; the town had no government. It has been recorded that the citizens "just took care of each other." The residents decided in 1794, it was time to govern themselves. A petition to the Virginia Assembly resulted in the granting of a second charter, which allowed for the election of trustees and, in 1798, the name of the town was changed to Shepherd's Town. The year 1801 brought another change in county seats. Jefferson was partitioned from Berkeley and Shepherd's Town became part of that county. After the Civil War (1867), the town's name was officially contracted to Shepherdstown.
Among other accomplishments, Thomas built the first grist mill in Shepherdstown, in 1738.
-- MERGED NOTE ------------
Thomas and Elizabeth had seven children: David, William, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, John, and Mary. He and his six sons were in the Revolutionary War. Thomas Shepherd obtained grants of land in Virginia and was the founder of Mecklenburg and Shepherdstown. (Now in West Virginia)
Events
| Birth | Abt 1705 | Prince George's, Maryland, British America |  | ||
| Marriage | 1735 | Prince George's, Maryland, United States - Elizabeth Van Meter | | ||
| Death | Abt 1776 | Sheperdstown, British America | | ||
| Alt name | Thomas Shepherd |
Families
| Spouse | Elizabeth Van Meter (1715 - 1792) |
| Child | Capt Abraham Shephard (1754 - 1822) |
Endnotes
1. Unknown. A Story of a Van Matre Family. (Eleven pages copied by Shirley Lillie,
2. Unknown. A Story of a Van Matre Family. (Eleven pages copied by Shirley Lillie,
3. Unknown. A Story of a Van Matre Family. (Eleven pages copied by Shirley Lillie,