Sheppard

History and Genealogy of Medfield, Massachusetts

Baxter Homestead in Medfield

The History of Medfield, Massachusetts written by William Tilden in 1887 is a complete history of the town up to publishment. It is arranged chronologically, beginning with the lands of Chickatabot and the early settlement known as Boggestow, and continuing through colonial life, King Philip’s War, the Revolution, and the town’s nineteenth-century development. The genealogical section traces families residing in Medfield from 1650 to 1850, with attention to removals and corrections to earlier published errors, relying heavily on original town and probate records. Read or download the PDF for free.

History of Carbondale, Illinois, 1852-1905

A Business Corner, Carbondale

Carbondale, Illinois, spans about 6,000 acres, primarily in the southwest quarter of Carbondale Township, established following congressional guidelines. Early settlers settled near Little Crab Orchard and Piles Fork creeks. The city’s growth is intertwined with the contributions of its founders, highlighted through 330 biographical sketches in the book, which offer details into their lives during challenging times. Carbondale’s history reflects the influence of individual leadership on municipal progress, celebrated here in the context of the nation’s bicentennial.

1832 Cherokee Muster Roll

1834 Cherokee Muster Roll - page 1

This Muster Roll details Cherokee Indians who migrated west of the Mississippi River under B. F. Curry’s supervision. It includes payments made by Capt. Vashon, outlining the number of individuals and slaves receiving subsistence. Each Indian received $32.50, with payments occurring in April or May 1832. The document lists heads of families and their respective counts of males, females, and slaves, totaling 231 men, 193 women, and 157 slaves, with a cumulative total of 561 individuals.

Records of Pleasant Hill Methodist Church, 1829-1894

Pleasant Hill Methodist Church, 1953

This is a copy of a record book of the Pleasant Hill Methodist Church in Washington Township, Guernsey County, Ohio. The front portion of this manuscript contains the history of Pleasant Hill Methodist Church, which we provide here, and biographies of their pastors up to 1953. Starting on page 18 you will find the Membership Record for the church beginning in 1829 and through January of 1894.

Wistar Family: A Genealogy of the Descendants of Caspar Wistar, Emigrant in 1717

Wistar Family title page

The book “Wistar Family: A Genealogy of the Descendants of Caspar Wistar, Emigrant in 1717” delves into the fascinating history of the Wistar family, tracing its roots back to Caspar Wistar, who was born on February 3, 1696, to Hans Caspar and Anna Catharina Wüster in Hilspach, near Heidelberg in the Electorate of the Rhenish Palatinate. Caspar’s father served as a huntsman or forester for the Prince Palatine, a position that was hereditary in their family.

Weymouth ways and Weymouth people

Weymouth ways and Weymouth people

Edward Hunt’s “Weymouth ways and Weymouth people: Reminiscences” takes the reader back in Weymouth Massachusetts past to the 1830s through the 1880s as he provides glimpses into the people of the community. These reminiscences were mostly printed in the Weymouth Gazette and provide a fair example of early New England village life as it occurred in the mid 1800s. Of specific interest to the genealogist will be the Hunt material scattered throughout, but most specifically 286-295, and of course, those lucky enough to have had somebody “remembered” by Edward.

A Genealogy of the Lake Family

Ancestor Register of Esther Steelman Adams

A genealogy of the Lake family of Great Egg Harbour in Old Gloucester County in New Jersey : descended from John Lade of Gravesend, Long Island; with notes on the Gravesend and Staten Island branches of the family. This volume of nearly 400 pages includes a coat-of-arms in colors, two charts, and nearly fifty full page illustrations – portraits, old homes, samplers, etc. The coat-of-arms shown in the frontspiece is an unusually good example of the heraldic art!

Genealogy of the Spare Family of New Bedford Massachusetts

The Spare family, established in New Bedford from its origins in Boston-Canton, is marked by notable figures such as Dr. John Spare, a Civil War surgeon and prominent local physician. Following him, his son, John V. Spare, emerged as a successful merchant and community leader. The family’s lineage traces back to Samuel Spare, who arrived from England in the early 18th century. The Spares have contributed significantly to local business and civic life, emphasizing industry and service across generations.

Descendants of Alexander Bisset Munro of Bristol, Maine

Munro Family

Alexander Bisset Munro was born 25 Dec. 1793 at Inverness, Scotland to Donald and Janet (Bisset) Munro. Alexander left Scotland at the age of 14, and lived in Dimecrana in the West Indies for 18 years. He owned a plantation, raising cotton, coffee and other produce. He brought produce to Boston Massachusetts on the ship of Solomon Dockendorff. To be sure he got his money, Solomon asked his to come home with him, where he met Solomon’s sister, Jane Dockendorff. Alexander went back to the West Indies, sold out, and moved to Round Pond, Maine, and married Jane. They had 14 children: Janet, Alexander, Margaret, Nancy, Jane, Mary, Solomon, Donald, John, William, Bettie, Edmund, Joseph and Lydia.

Sons of Quebec 1778-1843

Fils de Quebec cover

The Sons of Quebec (Fils de Québec) were written by Pierre-Georges Roy and published in 1933 in a four volume set. They provide a series of short biographies of one to three pages of Quebec men from 1778-1843. Warning… this manuscript is in French!

Baldwin County Georgia Marriages 1806-1850

This index compiles 1,352 Baldwin County, Georgia marriage records from court documents covering 1806 to 1850. It lists groom, bride, and marriage date entries in chronological order, offering a valuable genealogical resource for tracing family history, local relationships, and early county residents across more than four decades.

Slave Narrative of Morris Sheppard

Morris Sheppard, born in November 1852, recounts his life as a slave on a Cherokee plantation in Oklahoma. His master, Joe Sheppard, was kind, and the plantation was small, leading to relatively light work for the slaves. Morris describes family ties, daily life, and the impact of the Civil War, including the sale of family members and the hardships faced afterward. Freed after the war, he struggled to navigate his new life, ultimately marrying and raising eleven children while recalling the kindness of his former master.

Canton Asylum, 1910, List of Patients

The Indian Asylum in Canton, South Dakota in 1905

A historical record of patients detained at the Canton Indian Insane Asylum in South Dakota in 1910, this page lists 61 inmates and reflects the troubled legacy of an institution where many Native Americans were confined without clear evidence of mental illness. The cemetery, now on a golf course, was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Biography of Henry Sheppard

Henry Sheppard, born on November 8, 1821, in New Jersey, was a prominent figure in Greene County known for his integrity and kindness. As a young man, he worked diligently to support himself and gained business acumen in Philadelphia. After moving to Springfield, he established a successful trade and served bravely as a Union officer during the Civil War, notably aiding in the defense of Springfield. Post-war, he enjoyed a serene life, engaging in writing and gardening until his death in 1879, leaving a legacy of honor and charity.