CHILDREN

1. Solomon Shepherd
    b. Abt. 1710
    m. 15 Nov 1733 to Jane Wilson at New Garden Meeting, Chester, PA
    d. Bef. 29 Mar 1749 York, PA

2. William Shepherd
    b. Abt. 1720
    m. 31 May 1749 to Richmundy Wood at London Grove Meeting, Chester, PA

Solomon Shepherd
by Susan Brooke
Nov 2020

We know that Solomon Shepherd Sr. was a member of the Grange Meeting near Charlemont when his two sons were born.  His identity is known from the records of his children.  His son Solomon was "Solomon ye younger" when he emigrated and he named his brother, William Shepherd, in his will of 1748.  When William married in 1749 he was named as son of Solomon Shepherd of Ireland, deceased.
We know Solomon Jr. emigrated in 1729 and the history of that period may have influenced his decision.  The Quakers were being forced to pay the tithing tax for the upkeep of clergy and buildings for the Established Church. In 1729 several Friends "to the Charlemont Meeting" were taken with a warrant and sent to jail for protesting the tithing. (1)  Solomon Jr. obtained his certificate from the Grange Meeting in March of 1729.  William emigrated ten years later in 1739.   His certificate reads, "His parents removed "from this neighborhood (when he ye sd William was but young) to a small meeting some miles Distant from us, Yet under our Care, being in ye Compas our mens meeting."  So, possibly, sometime after all the uproar of 1729, Solomon Shepherd Sr. moved to a neighboring village.  There are two interesting marriages recorded in the Grange Meetings regarding a Solomon Shepherd of Bellis, Parish of Donagh, County Monaghan.  His daughter Elizabeth married William Whitten in 1733 and his son John married Elizabeth Dale in 1734 (2) Possibly Elizabeth and John are siblings of Solomon Shepherd Jr and William Shepherd.  When William emigrated in 1739 his certificate was signed by a John and a Benjamin Shepherd.  (3)
Another marriage possibly in Grange was of Elizabeth Shepherd to John McReynolds on 18 6th mo 1714.  This was his second marriage. In 1741 Elizabeth took her four children and moved to Lancaster, PA leaving John McReynolds with the children from his first marriage. (4) Many have assumed she is a sister of Solomon Shepherd Jr and William Shepherd.  More likely, however, is that she is an aunt.

Sources

(1) The following minutes of the Quarterly Meeting refer to members of Grange Meeting who were persecuted for non-payment of tithes.

PROVINCE AND QUARTERLY MEETING HELD IN LURGAN the 26th of the 2nd Mo. 1729.

Account given that several Friends belonging to Charlemont Meeting were taken with a warrant and sent to Omagh gaol for their testimoney against Tythes but by the favour of the gaoler there, because of a raging fever in the gaol at that time (of which several died) gave them liberty to go home till he would send for them: and several more of that meeting are under the like persecution for small matters, the greater being taken; and also severe taking of tythes in several other places, particularly upon Friends of Ballinderry meeting, account where of is desired may be sent in the Epistle to the half years meeting......

(2) Family Search film 571396 Grange Marriages image 176

(3)William Sheppard, unmarried, from Grange, near Charlemont, Ireland, dated 20 4th Mo 1739, received 18 8th Mo 1739. He is a birthright member.  His parents removed "from this neighborhood (when he ye sd William was but young) to a small meeting some miles Distant from us, Yet under our Care, being in ye Compas our mens meeting." Among signers were Benjamin and John shepherd, Jacob, Joseph, Benjamin Marshill, and Lawrence and Benjamin Hobson

 (4) A Short History of McReynolds