Authors: Ed and  Don Guenther

Captain Thomas Shepherd(1600?- 1679?)

Thomas Shepherd was born around 1600 in Shropshire, England. He was a devout Baptist. Captain Thomas Shepherd fought in The Battle of Boyne in 1649 under Oliver Cromwell when the English took control of Ireland. The English army was known as Roundheads because of their short cropped hair. Once the Irish Catholics were defeated by the English army, many Catholic landowners had their land stripped from them and given to Protestant Englishmen sent to occupy Ireland. Thomas Shepherd was given 1439 acres in Tipperary County. This is how the English kings paid their army oftentimes, with land rather than money.The Irish resented and hated the English and to this day resent the name of Cromwell. 

At one point the census shows Thomas Shepherd, along with other soldiers, residing at Castle John in Tipperary County, which Shepherd had purchased. Castle John, earlier called Tobin Castle when built in the 1400’s, was not part of the original land grant given to Thomas. Thomas was designated Esquire, making him a gentleman.

There was a time when the title Esquire meant knight, minor nobility, or better, landed nobility. Nowadays, it is used after a lawyer’s name. At the time of Thomas Shepherd, it would have meant that he had money, importance, and land. He was somebody and he was proud of it. The impoverished Irish lived around the castle and served the English. Many soldiers sold their property in Ireland and returned to England in the 1650’s. 

Thomas and his family remained in Ireland. Ireland became their home. Being Baptist of that time, Thomas would have sought to convert the Irish. In 1650 Thomas and his wife had a son. They named him Thomas.

Thomas Shepherd(1650-1698)

Thomas Shepherd was born in Clough Keating, Tipperary County, Ireland. He came to America some time in the late 17th century.

Ireland went back to the Catholics with King James in the late 1600s.  The Shepherds didn’t have to give their lands back but many took flight.  Not just the Shepherds but a number of Irish came to America. The Shepherds were warriors. When the Irish came over they came in large groups, whole villages or parishes oftentimes.

England and Ireland were troubled by a bad economy and an unstable political situation. America looked like a bright, sunny shore with lots of opportunities. Once on board the ship, though, reality struck. The voyage may include pirates or enemy warships, storms and shipwrecks, disease and accidents, sickness and oftentimes death. The conditions were unsanitary at best and ships were at tremendous peril in storms. The passengers were packed in like cargo, unless you had money. The Shepherds may have been somewhat fortunate in this respect, but the journey was daunting nonetheless.

Aside from the hazardous physical conditions, there was the psychological challenge. There was the methodical boredom and monotony of the endless rolling sea. There was no change in the scenery, only the endless waves, the creaking of the hull, and the beating of the wind in the rigging. The Captain used the stars and the sun and the moon for bearings. Need a doctor? Small chance. Sea sickness was a nightmare of endless vomiting on the small tumbling ships.

Thomas likely came in at the Port of Annapolis, Maryland. He probably married Anne Ellis in Tipperary, Ireland, coming to America with his wife and his brothers. Thomas’s brothers settled in the West Jersey area. Thomas and his wife had a son in 1679. They named him Willliam. Thomas died in 1698 in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

William Shepherd(1679-1741)

William was born in 1679 in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He married Sara Cochran, presumably in Prince George’s County.

In 1696 William witnessed the Council of Maryland creating the county. He was a carpenter. William died in 1741 in Prince George’s County. William and Sara had a son in 1705. They named him Thomas.

Captain Thomas Shepherd(1705-1776)

Thomas Shepherd was born in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He married Elizabeth Van Meter in 1733, probably in Washington County, Maryland. 

They settled in Virginia on the west bank of the Potomac River on 222 acres, patented on October 3, 1734. A little town grew near here called Pack Horse Ford. Thomas purchased 457 acres from Lord Fairfax on a land grant in 1751. An act by the Assembly of Virginia granted him permission to establish a ferry across the Potomac in 1762.

Founded Shepherdstown 

Thomas and Elizabeth inherited a large piece of property from the Van Meters in 1762. Thomas was authorized to erect the town of Mecklenburg, but after his death in 1776 it was renamed Shepherdstown, West Virginia. He built a grist Mill, said to be the beginning of Shepherdstown.

Thomas Supported George Washington

The first lots in the town were sold on 21 July 1764. These were the times of George Washington, land surveyor and Virginia militiaman. Captain Thomas Shepherd Sr., based on the records, was an acquaintance of George Washington. Voting records for the election of the Commanding Officer of the Virginia Militia exist showing that Thomas voted for George to be Commanding Officer.

Shepherd’s Crest: pg. 140, Smyth, Samuel Gordon.  A Genealogy of the Duke-Shepherd-Van Meter Family, 1909

George Washington’s surveys were done under the assumption that the earth was flat. Of course, he knew it was not, but the general assumption was, the earth was so large that you could make that assumption and not be too far off. Besides, none of those folks knew how to do geometry on a sphere, or actually, kind of a “flattened sphere”. George’s surveys had to be redone. It is not certain whether or not he did any of the surveys for Thomas Shepherd, but likely he did.

Thomas’s Will

When Thomas died, he left a large estate.His will was written March 23, 1776 and was proved on August 20, 1776. He bequeathed the saw mill and acreage to son William, the grist mill and acreage to son Thomas, the new mill and acreage to son John, the remaining land to son Abraham, two acres and a house to wife Elizabeth, a Mecklenburg lot to grandson Thomas Thornburg and 100 pounds each to his daughters Mary, Sarah, and Elizabeth plus lots in Mecklenburg to Susannah and fifty pounds to Martha.

Shepherdstown Resident Builds Steamer, 1787

James Rumsey was another famous resident of present-day Jefferson County. He lived in Shepherdstown and was the first man to propose using steam instead of wind to propel vessels. He built a steamer and sailed it on the Potomac River in the presence of George Washington and others on December 3, 1787, twenty years before Robert Fulton, who is generally regarded as the inventor of the steam boat, made his first successful steam voyage. Rumsey patented his invention and traveled to London in 1790 in an attempt to find investors willing to finance the construction of additional steam ships. Several ventures failed, primarily due to poor workmanship on the steam engines. He remained in London for nearly two years. On December 20, 1792, he made a presentation explaining his invention to the Society of Mechanic Arts in London. During the presentation, he burst a blood vessel and died the next morning. During his time in London, Rumsey met Robert Fulton who later modified Rumsey’s design and made steam navigation a success.

Modern Day Shepherdstown

In the 2018 census, the population of Shepherdstown was 1860 people.

Thomas’s Death

Thomas died in March of 1776. He probably dreamed of the American Revolution but he did not see it. His sons did.

Thomas and Elizabeth had 5 sons who fought in the American Revolution: David(1733-1795), William(1740-1824), Thomas(1743-1792), John(1749-1812) and Abraham(1754-1822). It is thought that Thomas and Elizabeth were the only parents to have had five sons fight in the American Revolution. Their daughters were Sarah(1736-1780), Elizabeth(1738-1788), Martha(1752-1825), Mary(1752-1825), and Susanna(1758-1835). These women no doubt loaded guns and made bullets during the American Revolution.  

Colonel David Shepherd(1733-1795)

David Encounters Black Bob

At one time during David’s early life he acted as an assistant to a surveyor doing work out among the mountains. One day a sudden snow storm, a blizzard, drove them into their tent for shelter and while there a runaway slave came to them ragged, hungry, barefooted and in pitiful condition. They, of course, took him in and fed him, gave him a place to sleep in a bed of leaves… with the intent of returning him to his master the next day for the reward. But while they slept, Black Bob stole David’s boots and fled.

Many years later David ran into Black Bob. Black Bob thanked David for the boots, which had allowed him to get away. Bob had made a place for himself among Indians, where he took Indian wives. His progeny were called Black Bob’s Band. (This account has been preserved by Wilton Shepherd of Lawrence, Kansas.)

David Shepherd Marries Rachel Teague

David Shepherd married Rachel Teague around 1752. Their first born was a son they named William in 1753. Then they had a daughter, Ruth, who married Revolutionary War hero Captain John Mills. Following the Revolutionary War John embraced and kissed his close friend, George Washington! 

David Shepherd was an Episcopalian. He stood a little short of six feet. Good sense, brave, honest, liberal and benevolent ; cheerful and good natured, and reportedly greatly beloved. He spent much of his later time on Wheeling Creek, tending his mill. His old houses had been burned from the war, but his mill was unmolested, except, sometimes the Indians would set it running and leave it. (Draper’s Notes, Vol. II., No. 4, 1845, p. 37).

In 1758 David voted for an up and coming George Washington for a county electorate position in Virginia. In 1770 David left Shepherdstown and settled near Wheeling, West Virginia, at the forks of Big and Little Wheeling creeks. There he built Shepherd’s Fort and block house. In 1774 he received a land grant of over 1000 acres from Lord Dunmore under the King of Great Britain’s land act of 1863. Lord Dunmore was the last colonial governor of Virginia. David enlisted in 1775 into the King’s army.

Appointed by Governor Patrick Henry

In 1776 David was appointed Commissary Officer for all of the frontier in an order signed by Dorsey Pentecost. That same year of 1776 he was appointed County Lieutenant by Virginia Governor Patrick Henry.

On June 2 he took the oath as Colonel of Ohio County in open court (Annals of Carnegie Museum, Dec, 1904). When considered that this was a military colony, it was an outstanding honor to be so appointed. David was a leader, a trustworthy man. He fought for America. 

Colonel David Shepherd, 1776

In 1776 Americans declared independence from England. The American militia was called to arms. The Shepherds were experienced military leaders and so it was no big surprise when Patrick Henry wrote to Colonel David Shepherd in Ohio County with the words, “You are to take command of 300 men drawn from the militia of Monongalia, Yohogania and Ohio Counties or either of them and to march with utmost secrecy and expedition to punish the Indians of Pluggy’s Town for their late cruelties committed upon the people of this state.” 

General Hand assigns David Shepherd

On March 4, 1777 David was commissioned Commander in Chief of Ohio County. June 2, 1777 he took oath as Colonel in open Military Court. In August of 1777, he was given command of Fort Wheeling, West Virginia, by order of General Hand.

The Siege of Fort Wheeling, 1777

Fort Wheeling enclosed one-half acre, with log barracks, storehouse, cabins, and a well. The most famous attack was in September of 1777 by about 300 Sageous Indians under British Commander Simon Girty. (Fort Wheeling, Ohio County Public Library, Danske Dandridge in 1910).

Simon Girty was known as the White Savage, having lived with the Indians. Growing up in Pennsylvania, he sided with the British during the American Revolution. Next to Benedict Arnold he is perhaps America’s greatest traitor.               

On August 31, 1777, there were 23 hours of continuous firing upon the fort. Fifteen men were killed. Colonel David Shepherd’s son William and David’s son-in-law Francis Duke were both killed.

The Siege of Fort Wheeling: pg. 307, Smyth, Samuel Gordon. A Genealogy of the Duke-Shepherd-Van Meter Family, 1909

In the night David Shepherd, with his son William, were searching without the fort. On their return William caught his foot in a grapevine and he fell. Immediately, before help could arrive, the Indians tomahawked and scalped him.

William Shepherd was only 20 years old with a wife, Rebecca McCulloch, and young daughter. Wives and daughters loaded guns and molded bullets. In David’s own account of the battle he states that a Lieutenant and 14 privates were killed, others were wounded. The number of Indians he estimated at 200-300. Many homes were devastated in the area. Major Chew came from General Hand for assistance and noted that the devastation was great and the burying of the dead tragic, as many of the bodies were mutilated even after death by the Indians.

Fort Wheeling Abandoned

David moved his large family to Redstone after the Battle of Wheeling. The Indians forthwith burned it to the ground, but in 1786 he would return to rebuild Fort Shepherd. 

In 1779 David was appointed President of a court martial. In 1780 he attended a peace conference with Delaware Indians. From 1783-1785 he was a member of the Virginia Legislature.

David’s Daughter Elizabeth(1755-  )

David Shepherd’s daughter, Elizabeth, married Major William McIntyre around 1780. William was in pursuit of an Indian band led by a celebrated Chief Tecumseh. Then the pursuers became the pursued and William was run down by the Indians, tomahawked and scalped. That was the end of Elizabeth’s husband.

Colonel David Shepherd Visits George Washington, 1785

In the year 1785 George Washington was devoting his time to the Potomac Company, then engaged in an attempt to canalize the Potomac River. Washington traveled to Harpers Ferry in August. One of his many visitors was Colonel David Shepherd. (Wheeling Public Library flat file on David Shepherd, Washington’s Western Lands).

George Washington Writes David Shepherd a Letter

On February 25, 1792, Colonel David Shepherd received the following letter from America’s first President, George Washington:   

To David Shepherd

Philadelphia February 25th 1792.

Sir,

I thank you for the information which you have given me in your letter of the 30th of Decr respecting the intention of the Tomlinsons and others to dispute my title to a tract of land called the Round Bottom.

I wish these persons, and any others who may be disposed to dispute my title to that land, to be informed in the most explicit and pointed manner, that it is my fixed determination to defend, at all events, every inch of that land which is within the lines of my patent.

If, therefore, any encroachments are made thereon, the person or persons by whom they are made may depend upon being prosecuted as long as there shall be a shadow of right or justice in so doing.

I have nothing to say respecting any surveys which may be made without the lines of my patent; but let them beware of the consequences of coming within them.

 I am Sir, with very great esteem, Your most obedient servant,

Geo.  Washington

(Wisconsin Historical Society Draper Manuscripts)

David’s Final Campaign

In 1793 David led which was perhaps his final military campaign against the Tuscaroras. He held the offices of Justice, High Sheriff, County Lieutenant, and Colonel of the Militia all at the same time, carrying out the duties of each office.

David’s Last Will and Testament:

David’s Death, 1795

David Shepherd’s Gravestone reads:

CMDR/COL David Shepherd

Battle of Fort Henry 1777

Revolutionary War

Father of William and Moses

Husband of Rachel Teague

1734- 1795

David and Rachel Shepherd had five children: William(1753- 1777), Elizabeth(1755-  ), Sarah(1755- 1832), Moses(1763- 1832), and Ruth(1767- 1846).

Sarah Shepherd(1755-1832)

Sarah Shepherd found a likely husband in one of the fighting Duke family, Francis Duke(1751 – 1777). Francis came from a family in Northern Ireland, he just needed a little leverage up in officer status. What better place to look than Colonel Shepherd’s daughter Sarah? Not only was there military prestige with Sarah, you can bet she was an eye popper. Sarah was the oldest daughter of Colonel David Shepherd. Together Francis and Sarah would conquer the world, the same way most young married people start out. They made their home at Beech Bottom, about twelve miles from Fort Wheeling.

Sarah’s Father Boosts Francis Duke’s Career

So David Shepherd gave Sarah’s husband Francis a title, Deputy Commissary. That gave Francis a little jump in the right direction. He was in command of the Fort at Beech Bottom. Francis took this role very seriously in serving the new found nation of the United States of America. So much so that when aid was needed at Fort Henry in the American Revolutionary War, Francis did not hesitate. He went. It was at this point that he gave his life for his country. The Sagious Indians killed, stripped, and scalped Francis. It was September of 1777. He was only 26 years old. Accounts have him dashing on horseback toward the gate of Fort Henry and being shot just outside the gate.  This left Sarah with 3 year old John and another on the way. After Francis died, Sarah bore him another son, Francis Junior. 

Sarah Marries Levi Springer(1744- 1825), 1780

Three years after Francis died, Sarah being only 25 years old, got wind of Levi Springer’s wife having died. Sarah married Levi in 1780. She had two children and Levi may have had six. Throw on top of that Sarah and Levi had 8 more and you have a whopping family!

Levi built a massive log house for Sarah.

Later, in 1817, Levi built Sarah a new house in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. It had 8 windows and was valued at $300!(HABS No. PA-5482, page 9).

Sarah had eight children by Levi Springer:  Sarah, David, Dennis, Rachel, Job, Elizabeth, Lydia, and Hannah. Her son Dennis bought the house which allowed Sarah to remain there until her death in 1832.

Sarah’s Siblings

Sarah had 2 brothers, William and Moses, and 2 sisters, Elizabeth and Ruth. Elizabeth, the oldest, married Major William McIntire. Ruth married Captain John Mills. Military ran big in the family. William married Rebekah McConnell, but at age 24 gave his life for his country at the Battle of Fort Wheeling. Moses was only 14 years old during the Battle of Fort Wheeling, and was probably packing iron. When he came of age he joined up, fighting in the Revolutionary War and also in the War of 1812. Moses married Lydia Bogg. Lydia, at age 11, had helped make bullets for the war effort. Right down Moses’ alley! A fighting girl!

Lydia and Moses [ Mr. Arch T. Hupp, Jr. (n.d.) ]

Moses fought in the American revolution and defended Fort Wheeling in what some consider to be the last battle of the American Revolutionary War in 1782. Moses built Shepherd’s Hall  in 1798 in Wheeling, West Virginia. It still stands today. 

Sarah Shepherd Duke Springer’s Death

Sarah died at age 77 in the house Levi built for her.

John S. Duke(1774 – 1849)  married Catherine Hoover in Johnstown, Ohio, in about 1796. They had George in 1807.

George Duke(1807 – 1873) married Hannah Jackson in Columbus, Ohio, in 1809. They had Matilda in 1843.

Matilda Duke(1843 – 1907)  married William Stead in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1861. They had Alice A. Stead in 1871.

Alice A. Stead(1871 – 1925) married Samuel Guenther in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1902. They had John Guenther in 1912.

John Emmel Guenther(1912 – 1991) married Geraldine Clara Delsman in 1935. They had 14 children.

Bibliography

Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, p 248  

Brooks, A. B.,  Story of Fort Henry, Volume I, Number 2 (January 1940), pp. 110-118:  

History of Wheeling City; published by BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY,

George Richmond, Pres.; S. Harmer Neff, Sec’y; C.R. Arnold, Treas.

Chicago, Illinois; 1902; web page by Linda Cunningham Fluharty

Nasby, Dolly. Shepherdstown, Arcadia Pub., Charleston, South Carolina, 2005

Shepherd, David, personal history: http://books.google.com/books?id=p7I-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA68&lpg=PA68&dq=col+david+shepherd+patrick+henry&source=bl&ots=8cyDE4TlIO&sig=XiNpvQMzV6qkdjYapJQKoJv8WtA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=izUpVOuBDJLIggSny4KIDA&ved=0CEgQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

Shepherd family accounts: From the Library of Princeton University, West Virginia Historical Magazine quarterly, January 1903, Volume 2 & 3 with W.S. Laidley 

Smyth, Samuel Gordon; Samuel Gordon Smyth scrapbooks, Last updated on November 09, 2012; prepared by Celia Caust-Ellenbogen and Michael Gubicza through the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; also, Conshohocken Historical Society: http://dla.library.upenn.edu/cocoon/dla/pacscl/ead.pdf?id=PACSCL_HSP_CHS12

Smyth, Samuel Gordon.  A Genealogy of the Duke-Shepherd-Van Meter Family, Lancaster, Pennsylvania: The New Era Printing Company, 1909