Family history

It is believed that P. William Sheperd may be the father of Anthony Sheperd. It is known that he had lived in Essex County, Virginia and that he had purchased land there in 1762.

Anthony Sheperd was born 1779 in Virginia. Anthony's grandmother on his mother's side was Isabella Langston. The family history identifies Anthony Shepard as a well-to-do plantation owner in Albemarle County, Virginia. In 1808 he married Mary Eades, daughter of Abraham and Sarah Eades also of Albemarle County. Anthony and Mary's daughter Francis Parks Sheperd was born in 1809. Francis was the only child of this union. Anthony and his family are found in the 1810 U.S. Census as residing in St. Anns Township* of Albemarle County. It is believed that Anthony was a member of the Virginia Militia during the War of 1812. Records in the National Archives show an Anthony Shepard as belonging to 2nd Regiment (Ballowe's) Virginia Militia, holding the rank of Sergeant. In 1819 his wife Mary passed away leaving him a widower with a 10 year old girl to raise on his own. Probably because of this situation he soon married a woman named Lucy Thomas. There are no known off-spring of this union. Anthony continued to live in Albemarle County until his death in 1837.

Our 3^rd great-grandmother Francis Parks Sheperd was commonly referred to by the nickname of "Fanny". Fanny married Joseph C. Scruggs in 1824; she was 15 years old at the time. She and Joseph were married for almost 48 years and produced fifteen known offspring. Fanny lived most of her married life in neighboring Fluvanna County, Virginia. In 1872 she passed away at the family farm in Cunningham Township. Our lineage continues through her son Albea E. Scruggs.

*Saint Anne’s Parish (later Fredericksville Parish), Albemarle County, VA located twenty miles southwest of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, VA⁵

Origins of the surname

Research into the record of this Sheperd family line indicates that the meaning and history of this surname is most likely linked to that area of Europe where the English* language is commonly spoken.

Meaning of the Name

Our Sheperd surname is a variant spelling of Shepherd. Shepherd is from the pre 7th century word "sceap", with either "hierde" a herdsman, or "weard", a watchman. Which further developed into the Middle English word schepherde ‘shepherd’ (composed of words meaning ‘sheep’ + ‘herdsman’ or ‘guardian’), hence an occupational name for a shepherd. It is also an occupational name for someone employed as a town watchkeeper. Occasionally the modern surname may derive from an occupational name for a "shipward".

History of the Name

The Shepherd (Sheperd) surname of Anglo-Saxon origins. The Shepherd surname was first found in Oxfordshire and Dorset, England where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Sepherd. This was dated 1279, in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, during the reign of King Edward 1^st. Thomas Shypward in 1432, and John Shipward in 1467 being listed in the register of the skilled men of the city of Bristol are among the early recorded spellings of Shepherd or a variant. Amongst the recorded examples of the name in the early surviving church registers of the city of London is the christening of Jone Shepherd on August 3rd 1585, at St. Mary's, Whitechapel, Stepney. A coat of arms associated with the surname has the blazon of a black shield, charged with a silver fess, and in chief three silver poleaxes. The Motto, Fidelis translates as "Faithful".

Early Immigrants to North America

During the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries hundreds of thousands of Europeans made the perilous ocean voyage to America. For many it was an escape from economic hardship and religious persecution. For most it was an opportunity for to start over, own their own land, and make a better future for their descendents. Immigration records show a number of people bearing the name of Sheperd, or one of its variants, as arriving in North America between the 17^th and 20^th centuries. Some of these immigrants were: Edward Shepard settled in Cambridge Mass. in 1630; Thomas Shepard settled in Boston in 1635; with Samuel, Margaret, John; Humphrey Shephard settled in Boston in 1635; and Samuell Shepard was also early emigrant to the American colonies, leaving London on the "Defence" in July 1635.

*English Surname Meanings & Origins

Although the Domesday Book compiled by William the Conqueror required surnames, the use of them in the British Isles did not become fixed until the time period between 1250 and 1450. The broad range of ethnic and linguistic roots for British surnames reflects the history of Britain as an oft-invaded land. These roots include, but are not limited to, Old English, Middle English, Old French, Old Norse, Irish, Gaelic, Celtic, Pictish, Welsh, Gaulish, Germanic, Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Throughout the British Isles, there are basically five types of native surnames. Some surnames were derived from a man's occupation (Carpenter, Taylor, Brewer, Mason), a practice that was commonplace by the end of the 14th century. Place names reflected a location of residence and were also commonly used (Hill, Brook, Forrest, Dale) as a basis for the surname, for reasons that can be easily understood. Nicknames that stuck also became surnames. About one-third of all US surnames in the United States are Patronymic in origin, and identified the first bearer of the name by his father (or grandfather in the case of some Irish names). Acquired ornamental names were simply made up, and had no specific reflection on the first who bore the name. They simply sounded nice, or were made up as a means of identification, generally much later than most surnames were adopted. Source: http://www.obcgs.com/LASTNAMES.htm

Variations of the surname

Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to unfold and expand often leading to an overwhelming number of variants. As such one can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames because in early times, spelling in general and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized. Later on spellings would change with the branching and movement of families. Spelling variations of this family name include: Shepherd, Shephard, Sheppard, Sheppeard, Shepperd, and many others.

Source: Surname Resources at ROOTSWEB

Searching for more Information about this and other surnames?

Then take a look at our:

SURNAME LOCATOR

RESOURCES WEBPAGE

Direct ancestors

Descendant Register

Generation 1

?? P. William Sheperd-1. He died in Virginia ?. He married ??? Langston (First Nm. Unk.), daughter of Elizabeth Isabella Langston (Mdn. Nm. Unk.). She was born on Abt. 1754 in Virginia ??. She died on Aft. 1779 in Virginia?.

Child of ?? P. William Sheperd and ??? Langston (First Nm. Unk.) is:

2. i. Anthony Sheperd, B: 26 May 1779 in Albemarle County, Virginia, D: 28 Jun 1837 in Albemarle County, Virginia, M: 30 Sep 1808 in Albemarle County, Virginia.

Generation 2

Anthony Sheperd-2(?? P. William Sheperd-1) was born on 26 May 1779 in Albemarle County, Virginia. He died on 28 Jun 1837 in Albemarle County, Virginia. He married Mary Eades on 30 Sep 1808 in Albemarle County, Virginia, daughter of Abraham Eades Jr. and Sarah Eades (Mdn. Nm. Unk.). She was born on 04 Mar 1782 in Albemarle County, Virginia. She died on 10 Mar 1819 in Albemarle County, Virginia. He married Lucy Thomas on 01 Sep 1819 in Albemarle County, Virginia.

Child of Anthony Sheperd and Mary Eades is:

3. i. Francis Parks Sheperd, B: 31 May 1809 in Albemarle County, Virginia, D: 12 Nov 1872 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, M: 16 Dec 1824 in Fluvanna County, Virginia.

Generation 3

Francis Parks Sheperd-3(Anthony Sheperd-2, ? P. William Sheperd-1) was born on 31 May 1809 in Albemarle County, Virginia. She died on 12 Nov 1872 in Fluvanna County, Virginia. She married Joseph C. Scruggs on 16 Dec 1824 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, son of Samuel Scott Scruggs Sr. and Jane Childress. He was born on 14 Aug 1794 in Amherst County, Virginia. He died on 29 Jan 1879 in Palmyra, Fluvanna Co., Virginia.

Children of Francis Parks Sheperd and Joseph C. Scruggs are:

i. Mary Jane Scruggs, B: 04 Jun 1826 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: 24 May 1889 in Fluvanna County, Virginia.

ii. Joseph Anthony Scruggs, B: 21 Sep 1828 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: 23 Oct 1897 in Fluvanna County, Virginia.

iii. Calvin Scott Scruggs, B: 08 Dec 1830 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: 02 Jan 1863 in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania Co.,Virginia.

iv. James Egington Scruggs, B: 28 Jan 1833 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: 10 Mar 1901 in

Fluvanna County, Virginia, M: 03 Nov 1881 in Virginia.

v. Samuel Monroe Scruggs, B: 25 Oct 1835 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: 31 May 1913 in Charlottesville, Albemarle Co., Virginia, M: 21 Apr 1864 in Charlottesville, (Albemarle Co.) Virginia.

vi. William Perkins Scruggs, B: 10 Sep 1837 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: 21 Mar 1904 in Fluvanna County, Virginia.

vii. George H. Scruggs, B: 04 Jan 1839 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: 05 Jan 1839 in Fluvanna County, Virginia.

viii. Nelson Eldridge Scruggs, B: 01 Jul 1840 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: 15 Sep 1860 in Fluvanna County, Virginia.

ix. Abram Eades Theophilus Scruggs, B: 01 Jan 1842 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: 24 Sep

1916 in Crozet, Albemarle

Co., Virginia, M: 22 May 1872 in Louisa, Louisa Co., Virginia.

ii. Francis Mildred Scruggs, B: 19 Mar 1844 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: 10 Aug 1927 in Charlottesville, Albemarle Co., Virginia, M: 09 Oct 1866 in Fluvanna County, Virginia.

xi. Albea Edgar Scruggs, B: 04 Feb 1846 in Palmyra Twp., Fluvanna Co., Virginia, D: 23 Dec

1906 in Poplar, Tulare Co., California, M: 21 Oct 1875 in Tulare County, California.

iv. Martha Judson Scruggs, B: 24 Feb 1847 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: Bef. Apr 1915 in Charlottesville, Albemarle Co., irginia.

v. Elvia E. Scruggs, B: Dec 1849 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: Aft. 19 Aug 1850 in Fluvanna County, Virginia.

xiv. Emma "Sonora" E. Scruggs, B: 21 Sep 1850 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: 05 Dec 1928

In Fluvanna County, Virginia, M: 30 Jul 1872 in Fluvanna County, Virginia.

xv. Stevannah E. Scruggs, B: 10 May 1852 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, D: 23 Mar 1901 in

Coronaca, Greenwood Co., South Carolina, M: 24 Mar 1874 in Fluvanna County, Virginia.

Additional information about our DIRECT ANCESTORS as well as a complete listing of individuals with this surname may be reviewed by clicking on the following LINK.

MMPS Surname Locator

Free Genealogy Surname Search Help from Google

Use this free genealogy site to help you get the best genealogy searches from Google™ by using your family tree, for your research. It will create a series of different searches using tips or "tricks" that

will likely improve your results. The different searches will give you many different ways of using Google and the Internet to find ancestry information about this or any other Surname.

Ancestral locations

Researching the locations where our ancestors lived has provided us with valuable evidence needed to fill-in the gaps in our family trees. It has also led us to many interesting facts that enhance the overall picture of each family group.

The names of states and counties on the following list were derived from the known places where the persons in the “Direct Ancestors” list (see above) were born, married, and/or died.

COUNTRY

STATE

COUNTY / SUBDIVISION

UNITED STATES

OF AMERICA

Virginia

Albemarle Co.; Fluvanna Co.

Use this LINK to find out more about the locations listed above.

ANCESTRAL LOCATIONS

Source documents

The documents contained herein have been located during our research of this family, and used as evidence to prove many of the facts contained within the database of this family’s record.

Most of these documents can be considered as primary or secondary. Primary evidence is usually defined as the best available to prove the fact in question, usually in an original document or record. Secondary evidence is in essence all that evidence which is inferior in its origin to primary evidence. That does not mean secondary evidence is always in error, but there is a greater chance of error. Examples of this type of evidence would be a copy of an original record, or oral testimony of a record’s contents. Published genealogies and family histories are also secondary evidence.

Classifying evidence as either primary or secondary does not tell anything about its accuracy or ultimate value. This is especially true of secondary evidence. Thus it is always a good idea to ask the following questions: (1) How far removed from the original is it, (when it is a copy)?; (2) What was the reason for the creation of the source which contains this evidence?; and (3) Who was responsible for creating this secondary evidence and what interest did they have in its accuracy?

SOURCE: Greenwood, Val D., The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, 2^nd edition, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD 21202, 1990, pgs. 62-63

You are welcome to download any of the documents contained within this archive.

Should you encounter a problem obtaining a copy you may get in touch with

us via the contact information found at the end of this page.

Use the following LINK to view the source documents pertaining

to this family.

SOURCE DOCUMENTS

Web resources

This search engine may

provide you with additional

information to assist with

your research about this topic.

General Surname Resources

Your genealogy research of this surname can be facilitated by use of SURNAME WEB. This website links to the majority of the surname data on the web, as well as to individual family trees, origin and surname meaning if known, and many other related genealogy resources.

SURNAME FINDER provides easy access to free and commercial resources for 1,731,359 surnames. On each surname specific "finder" page, you can search a variety of online databases all pre-programmed with your surname.

Use ALL SURNAMES GENEALOGY to get access to find your surname resources . There are almost 1300 links in this directory.

Additional Sites That We Recommend

Linkpendium Surnames - Web sites, obituaries, biographies, and other material specific to a surname.

Cyndi's List - Surnames, Family Associations & Family Newsletters Index - Sites or resources dedicated to specific, individual family surnames.

FamilySearch.org - Family History and Genealogy Records - The largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world.

Top Genealogical Websites - These mighty roots resources compiled by “Family Tree Magazine”, will give you the power to bust through research brick walls and find answers about your ancestors—all from your home computer.

SurnameDB Free database of surname meanings - This site SurnameDB.Com contains a large FREE to access database (almost 50,000 surnames) on the history and meaning of family last names.

OUR GENEALOGY REFERENCE LIBRARY

The following Link will take you to our library of genealogy reference books. Here you will find bibliographies, family histories and books about names. In addition, there are texts that pertain to ethnic and religion groups, history, geography as well as other books that will assist you with your research.

Research Library – Table of Contents

Images gallery

During our research we have collected images and photographs that are of general interest to a particular family. Some of them are presented on this website because we believe they tend to provide the reader with additional information which may aid in the understanding of our ancestors past lives.

If you have any photographs or other images relating to this

ancestral family we would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

Use the following LINKS to ascertain whether we have any images that pertain to this family.

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS and IMAGES

Free Image Search

Help from Google

Use the power of Google™ to find more interesting images about this topic. A Click on this button will link you to the Google Images Search page.

Enter the topic you are searching in the box and click “Search Images”. At the “Images” display page you will see the image, as well as the website of which it is associated.

Email

Snail Mail:

Fred
889 Dante Ct.
Mantua, NJ 08051

USA

Email

Pony Express:

Tom
27 Christopher Dr.
Burton, NB E2V3H4
Canada