AMERICA THE GREAT MELTING POT
Contact information on HOME page
Direct descendant is highlighted in red
| Benning (Ben) Shepard | see FAMILY TREE |
||
| Born: Abt. 29 Oct 1808 Breckinridge Co. KY Married: 28 Jul 1835 Vermillion, IN Died: 11 Apr 1897 Newport, Vermillion, IN Buried: Memorial Chapel Newport, Vermillion, IN FATHER MOTHER WIFE |
 |
CHILDREN
| 1,. Hiran Shepard b. 1 Jan 1836 Newport, Vermillion, IN m. 9 Jul 1889 to Susan Hutson d. 16 Dec 1898 Newport, Vermillion, IN |
 Dr. Hiram Shepard |
| 2. Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) Shepard b. 10 Dec 1837 Newport, Vermillion, IN d. 22 Dec 1862 Newport, Vermillion, IN age 25 |
|
| 3. Lewis Shepard
b. 15 Nov 1839 Newport, Vermillion, IN m. 17 Jun 1874 to Susan R. Hannahs d. 22 Feb 1913 Dana, Vermillion, IN |
 Dr. Lewis Shepard |
| 4. Mary Elma Shepard b. 18 Jan 1842 Newport, Vermillion, IN m. 3 Nov 1869 to John Ellis Wright d. 26 Mar 1930 Indianapolis, Marion, IN |
 Mary Elma Shepard Wright |
| 5. Harriet
Ann (Hattie) Shepard b. 15 Mar 1844 Newport, Vermillion, IN m. 17 Oct 1871 to John Harlan d. 21 Mar 1919 Helt Twp, Vermillion, IN |
 Harriet Shepard Harlan |
| 6. Caroline (Callie) Shepard b. 8 Jul 1846 Newport, Vermillion, IN d. 10 Jan 1869 Newport, Vermillion, IN age 22 |
 Caroline Shepard |
| 7. Selina Wyatt
(Leria). Shepard b. 11 Nov 1848 Newport, Vermillion, IN m. 20 Sep 1871 to David Handley d. 2 Feb 1915 Indianapolis, Marion, IN |
 Selina Shepard Handley |
| 8. Ellen Virlinda Shepard b. Abt. 1850 Newport, Vermillion, IN d. 03 May 1876 Newport, Vermillion, IN age 25 |
 Ella Shepard |
|
9. Judson Porter Shepard |
 Judson Shepard |
| 10. Florence Shepard b. 25 Nat 1858 Newport, Vermillion, IN m. 26 Jun 1890 to Benjamin Sewell Bothwell d. 26 Aug 1923 Harter, Clay, IL |
 Florence Shepard Bothwell |
| 11. Susan M Shepard
b. 6 Aug 1860 Newport, Vermillion, IN d. 25 Aug 1880 Newport, Vermillion, IN age 20 |
 Susan Shepard |
Ben Shepard
by Susan Brooke
April 2023
Ben Shepard was born in Breckinridge Co., KY about 9 Oct
1808. (1) His father died in Jan 1810.
In June 1812, his mother was paid $39 for boarding "One year & three
months old (Benning) for one year & six months at 50 cents per week. $39.00" (2)
His mother, Lucretia Shepherd, was listed as a widow in the 1810 KY census with
five children under sixteen. Five
years later she married James G Jones in Perry County, Indiana.
Ben was seven years old. James G Jones had been a Coroner in Warrick
County, Indiana in 1814 and they were of the "Indiana Territory" in March
of 1816 when they relinquished their claim to land in the Missouri Territory.
(3) However, when James G Jones and Lucretia were selling land in Warrick County
IN in 1817 they are named as "of" Breckinridge County, KY.
(4) This is the last time there is any record on Lucretia, so Ben's
mother may have died shortly thereafter when he was about ten years old. .
When James G Jones sold land in Warrick County IN in 1823 there was no
mention of a wife.
Ben's sister Sophia married William Blanchard in Perry
County in 1824. However the other
three brothers remained in Breckinridge County. KY as they are all listed in
Breckinridge County tax record for 1821. (5)
Ben's brother Solomon,
according to a write-up on his son, moved to Boone County, MO in 1825.
Ben's other two brothers moved to Vermillion County, IN by 1826. Hiram
Shepherd purchased lot 54 in Newport in July 1826. John Shepherd signed as a
witness. (6) Ben seems to have followed his two brothers in Vermillion County
about the same time. Ben's obituary says he moved to Vermillion County about
1828 while the obituary of his daughter, Mary Elma, says Ben moved to Indiana in
1827.
In Jan.1830 Hiram was administering the estate of William S. Blanchard,
deceased so we know that Sophia had also moved to Vermillion County. (7) Sophia,
recently widowed, with her three children, was living with Ben in the 1830
census. (8) Just two listings away in that 1830 census was Jon Johnson,
father of Eliza Johnson. Ben
married the girl next door on July 28, 1835. (9)
He was twenty-six and Eliza was eighteen.
Ben and Eliza remained in Vermillion county but Ben's brothers eventually
moved west.
Ben prospered and
he and Eliza had eleven children.
We know he was a commissioner in 1843 when the Board of Commissioners licensed a
ferry boat to cross the Wabash just north of Newport. (10) He was listed
as a tanner in the 1850 census. In
1852 Ben went into partnership with Abel Sexton on Lot 72 in Newport. (11) Abel
had married Lucretia Blanchard, a daughter of Ben's sister Sophia, in 1845. They
operated a store there for six years until Sexton became the sole owner.
In a list of business and tradesmen in Newport in 1856 Abel Sexton is
listed as "Dry good and notions." (12)
In 1861 Ben and Abel Sexton won a law suit in civil court and won $224.00
from George W. Filson. (13)
According to Ben's obituary, "he had accumulated enough to buy a large farm in
the western part of the township, which he divided up a few years ago among his
7 children who survive him."
Ben and Eliza believed in education for their
children. The oldest two sons, Hiram and Lewis, became doctors in 1869.
Both graduated from the Miami School of Medicine in Cincinnati.
Both are listed as physicians in the 1870 census.
Ben and Eliza must have also encouraged education for their
daughters. According to the obituary of his daughter, Mary Elma Wright, "Mrs.
Wright's girlhood was prior to the establishment of our present efficient public
school system, much less were there high schools available to the young people.
During this period several heads of families in Newport, among which was
Mr. Shepard, formed an association and established an 'academy' to give their
children preparation for college." This "academy" must have been established
about 1856 for in 1858 when Mary Elma was seventeen she went to the Terre Haute
Female Academy. (14) This college for women was established in 1858 with
donations from local residents. We
know that Ben's daughters Mary Elma and Elizabeth were there in 1858.
In 1863 the school was sold and reopened at St Agnes Hall.
Ben's daughter, Callie, was a student there in 1866 rooming with Susan
Hannah's who later married Lewis Shepard a son of Ben, and kept a short diary.
(15) Most likely some of his other
daughters also attended before the school was closed in 1867.
"In 1874 the
Hoosier (State Newspaper) said 'Newport has two dry goods stores, three
groceries, one boot and shoe, one clothing, one flour mill, one hotel, two
boarding houses, one court house, one jail, one bank, two doctors, four lawyers,
eight bachelors, one old maid and twenty-six widows.
And 800 people.' " (16) All
three of Ben's sons were single, but Lewis married in June of 1874.
And two of Ben's sons were the two doctors.
Ben and Eliza were married
for fifty-five years. Eliza died in
1890 at the age of 74. Ben died 11
Apr 1897 at the age of 88. (17)
According to Ben's obituary "he was a member
of the Missionary Baptist Church."
White the obituary for Eliza, his wife, says she "joined the M.E Church in early
life."
Ben and Eliza had eleven children. From their obituaries we learn that Hiram remained a Baptist. Lewis, Mary Elma, Selina, and Ellen became Methodists. Harriet became a Methodist "in her girlhood" but later "went to the Baptist denomination." Callie died in 1869 apparently having not joined any church. Susie died in 1880 also not having joined any church. The religion of the other three children is not known.
Sources
(1) Memorial Chapel
His tombstone reads "Ben died April 11, 1897
aged 88 yr 5 m 13 days." .
(2) Inv. Appraisements & Sale Bills 1812 Bo 1 Folder 5
| Benjamin Shepard was born in Breckinridge Co., KY in 1808. His father died when he and his sister Sophia were very young In June 1812, his mother was paid $39 for boarding "One year & three months old (Benning) for one year & six months at 50 cents per week. $39.00" |
 Inventories & Sales Bills for estate of John Shepherd Box 1 Folder 5 |
(3)
Breckinridge Col Deed BK C page 467
9 Jan 1816
FHL film 822080
image 260
David
Curtis and Sophia his wife late Sophia Patterson, Isaac Patterson, of
Breckinridge County, and James G Jones and Lucretia his wife late Lucretia
Shepherd, widow and relict of John Shepherd, dec'd of the Indiana Territory, to
Benjamin Patterson of Breckinridge County, whereas Benning Patterson and Hiram
Patterson late of New Madrid County, Missouri Territory, died seized in fee of a
tract of land each situated in said New Madrid Territory, Territory of Missouri,
the said two tracts being the only lands confirmed and granted to the said
Benning or Hiram in the said County of New Madrid, and whereas the said Sophia
and Lucretia, sisters of the said Benning and Hiram, and Isaac Patterson,
brother of the said Benning and Hiram, are each entitled to 1/6th part of the
same tracts as heirs and legal representatives, Now the said
David Curtis and Sophia his wife, James G. Jones and Lucretia his wife, and
Isaac Patterson, for and in consideration of the $5.00 paid by the said Benjamin
Patterson, have sold to the said Benjamin Patterson their undivided 3/6ths parts
of the said two tracts of land, to which they may be entitled as heirs and legal
representatives of the said Benning and Hiram Patterson. Certified and recorded
January 9, 1816." See original documents on page for
Benjamin Patterson
(4) Warrick County in deed BK A pages 128-130. See page for James G Jones
(5) 1821 Tax Record Breckinridge County, KY
Hiram Shepherd has 2 horses,
Solomon Shepherd has 1 horse. John Shepherd is listed with one horse but as not
over 21.
(6) Vermillion County Deed BK 1 pg 85
Between John Collett and Hiram Shepherd for $40.
can be
seen on pg for Hiram Shepherd
(7) Vermillion County, IN Probate Order BK 1
can be
seen on the page for Sophia Shepherd
(8) 1830
census
John Johnson is two names away
Hiram Shepard is on the next
page
(9)
Marriage License
Benjamin Shepard and Eliza Johnson
28 Jul 1835
(10) Newport and Vermillion Township The First 100 Years 1824-1924 by Harold L O'donnell, 1969 BK E
(11) Obituary from the Hoosier State, Wednesday
April 17, 1897 |
"Obituary: Death of an old and respected citizen Uncle Ben Shepard, who had recently been making his home with his son, Dr. Lewis Shepard, near Quaker, this township, died a few minutes after 9 o'clock on last Saturday night. He had been in poor health for several years, and of late his mind had been failing him. Since the death of his wife a few years ago he had made his home most of his time with his son-in-law, Rev. J. E. Wright, who resides just south of Dana. The deceased was born in Kentucky in 1808, and moved to this county in 1828, being one among the early settlers of this county. Only a very few, who came here as early as he did are still living. Probably they all could be counted on one's fingers. In the early days of this county Mr. Shepard and Abel Sexton formed a partnership and and kept a general store on the corner south of Nixon's bank, in the building now owned by attorney M. G. Rhodes. By economy and good business judgment he accumulated enough to buy a large farm in the western part of the township, which he divided up a few years ago among the seven children who survive him. Mr. Shepard lived an honorable and upright life, and was very highly respected by every one. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and always tried to live a consistent and Christian life. His faults, if he had any, were few. He lived an exemplary life, and in his death a noble citizen has passed from among us to his reward in a brighter and better world than this. His funeral occurred at his old home ay 10 o'clock yesterday morning, which was very largely attended, after which his remains were followed to the Vermillion Chapel cemetery, four miles southwest of town and quietly laid away to rest." |
(12) ) Newport and Vermillion Township BK O pg 129
| (13) About 1852 Ben entered into a partnership with Abel Sexton on Lot 72 in Newport. In 1861 he and Abel Sexton won a law suit in civil court and won $224.00 from George W. Filson. |
 Vermillion County, IN Civil Order Books 7-9 FHL film 2224687 Feb Term 1861 |
(14) Obituary Mary Elma Shepard Wright
Dana, Indiana News Thursday April 3, 1930
can be
seen on the pages for Mary Elma Shepard Wright
(15) Diary Kept by Susan Hannahs Feb 1866
can be seen on the pages for Susan Hannahs
(16) Newport and Vermillion Township BK O pg 129
(17) Memorial Chapel
%20(640x485).jpg) Shepard Family Plot at Memorial Chapel Left to right: Ben and Eliza, Lizzie, Callie, Ellen V, Susie |
%20(640x480).jpg) Ellen V and Susie (repeated), Lewis Shepard and Susan Hannahs Shepard (two large stones), infant Shepard (small stone) and Elizabeth Johnson |
Memorial Chapel Tombstone reads "Ben died April 11, 1897 aged 88 yr 5 m 13 days." |
 Ben and Eliza Shepard |
 Ben Shepard |
 |
Old Shepard Home near Quaker
 |
 |
.