The Shepard Families of Erie 

and Crawford Counties

Family Histories

Submitted by Nancy Page Richings

THE SHEPARD FAMILIES IN ERIE COUNTY

             Mason, Hazen and Daniel Shepard were born in Strafford, VT, the sons of Elisha Shepard and his wife Mary_________.   The three brothers came to Erie County, PA sometime in the 1820’s.  In the Erie County History p. 835, “Early settlers of Amity Township, Hazen and Betsy Shepard located in the township in 1812.  The old lady was still living in 1880 at the age of 92.” 

Mason reported that he left Vermont in 1818.  From information found on land records and deeds in Erie County and in Strafford, VT, I believe he arrived in Erie County about 1825.   Mason appears on the 1820 census in Onondaga County, NY.  All of the brothers are listed in the 1830-40-50 censuses of Erie County with their wives and children. 

I have checked all of the indexes for both Hazen and Betsy and I cannot find them on any but the 1850 census for Erie County, PA.  I also cannot find any burial records for them in either Erie or Crawford County.  I don't know the names of any of their children for sure.  On the 1850 census Harriet Middleton and her presumed husband are listed with them, but that is the only one that I have found that might be their child.  There is scant available information on them.  Hazen might have died between 1850 and 60, but I cannot find a burial for him.  He owned real estate worth $1200 in 1850, so there must be some land transactions. 

Daniel Shepard,

Mercer County, 1860, Hempfield Township.

Daniel Shepherd age 68, Real estate 2500 born Vermont.

Lucinda age 62                                     born in NH

William, age 38 Laborer, born in Erie County, PA

James, age 36, Laborer, born in Erie County, PA

In Mercer County in the 1870 census, Daniel is listed with wife Lucinda, in Hempfield Twp.

The index lists 

My ancestor was Mason Shepard, listed in Amity twp. 

Mason Shepard, age 61, farmer, $1200 worth of property, born in VT.

Mason married Jane Smith, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Harvey) Smith of Venango Township.  They had the following children, all born in Erie County.  

John Shepard b cir 1825 married Mary Jane Fales daughter of Coit Fales and Hannah Cole moved to East Fallowfield, Crawford County before 1860, had the following children as listed on the census of 1870:            

Sarah Shepard b July 1827, married Orrin Andrews, son of Nathan and Philena (Ames) Andrews, in 1852 in Erie County.  Orrin and Sarah Andrews moved to Johnson County, Iowa in 1854 and remained there the rest of their lives.

They had three children:

Nancy Shepard born cir 1830, married Almon Woodworth, they moved to E. Fallowfield Township, Crawford County and remained there until she died (I have not located a burial for her).  Their children from the 1870 and 80 censuses are:          

James S. Shepard b cir 1833 worked for a time at Oil Creek, moved to California, married Katie_______, they had one son, named Charles, b. ca 1867, lived in Colusa County, Indian Valley twp.  James moved to Iowa around 1900, where he lived with his sister, Sarah Shepard Andrews in Johnson County.  He died in 1905 and is buried in the Morse Cemetery.

William Shepard born Jan. 1836 married Permillia Klingensmith dau.  of William Klingensmith, he died in Crawford County in June 1913.  William and his wife cared for his aged mother until her death in 1886.   He was a farmer in Crawford County, PA.  Their children were:

William’s mother, Jane Shepard is listed with them on the 1880 census, age 84, born in PA.

Joseph Ritner Shepard b. 1838 married Celia Hazen first and then Katherine_________.   Although Joseph died and is buried in Crawford County most of his children moved to North Dakota. 

Enlisted in Civil War, Jan 30, 1864 for a period of three years.  Rank: Private, Company H, 2nd Reg't; Heavy Artillery, Machinist, eyes: gray, Hair, Brown, Height 5 ft 6 inches.  Mustered out: Jan 29, 1866 - City Point, Virginia

Captured by the enemy Sept 29, 1864.  Escaped March 31, 1865 and returned to duty: April 30, 1865.  Was missing in action near Chapin’s Farm in Virginia.

Children of Joseph and Celia Shepard were:

David Shepard b 1842 enlisted in Company C of the 145^th Regt of the Pennsylvania Volunteers.  He served at Antietam, Fredricksburg and Chancellorsville where he was captured by the Confederates.  He was paroled a few weeks later and rejoined his unit.  At some time during his time in the Army he developed TB and he was in the hospital at York, PA when he died March 30, 1965, two weeks before the war ended.  

Mary Jane Shepard b 11 March 1844 went to visit her sister Sarah Andrews in Iowa, where she met and married Thomas Metcalf.  She died in 1895 and is buried in Iowa City, IA.  Their children were:            

Around 1862 Mason and Jane Shepard moved to Crawford County PA where Mason died in November of 1865 eight months after the death of his youngest son, David.  Jane lived first with her son, James and then William until her death in 1886.  They are both buried in Greenfield Cemetery in Porter’s corners, PA. 

Mason served in the militia in the War of 1812 and received a land warrant for his service at the Battle of Plattsburgh. 

Mason and Jane Shepard were active in the Middlebrook Congregation of the Wattsberg and Waterford Churches and are shown on the list of members in 1826-34.

However there are no christening records for the children in that church.