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Nathaniel and Jesse Shepard papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2019-030

Content Description

This collection documents the activities of Nathaniel and Jesse Shepard of West Bloomfield, Ontario County, New York. Materials in this collection date from 1796 to 1877. Nathaniel, Jesse's father, was an earlt settler of West Bloomfield and a surveyor, while Jesse continued to farm his father's land. Items in this collection include letters, deeds and account logs. Materials from Nathaniel are primarily related to land transactions, while Jesse's materials are more diverse.

Dates

  • Creation: 1796-1876

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Biographical Note

Nathaniel Shepard was born in 1771, and lived in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. In 1805, he moved to West Bloomfield in Ontario County with his wife and children. There, he purchased 152 acres at the south end of Range No. 4. A trained surveyor, Nathaniel readily found work amongst his neighbors. He also had some political ambitions, as an 1822 article in the Ontario Repository records him as receiving votes for Assembly. Nathaniel Shepard passed away on April 15, 1829.

Jesse Fredrick Shepard was born September 28, 1804, in Massachusetts. He soon moved to West Bloomfield with his family. Jesse married Lucy Cottrell in 1829. They had four children together: William H. (1829-1831), Abby F. (1831-1852), Myron H. (1833-1925) and Elon G. (1842-1930). Jesse continued farming his father's property throughout his life. He also appears to have had some interest in local politics, as he unsuccessfully ran for Ontario County Superintendent of the Poor in 1848. He passed away on September 4, 1876, and is buried with his wife in West Bloomfield Rural Cemetery.

Extent

.124 Cubic Feet (Four legal-size folders.)

.124 Cubic Feet

.05 Cubic Feet

.1 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection consists of the records of Nathaniel and Jesse Shepard, father and son, of West Bloomfield, Ontario County, New York. The records consist of letters, deeds and accounts. They date from 1796 to 1876.

Arrangement

Three standard folders and one oversize folder.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Unknown; listed in manuscripts card file, no donor record.

Bibliography

Bowman, Fred Q. 10,000 Vital Records of Western New York, 1809-1850. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1985.

Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 22 August 2019), memorial page for Jesse Fredrick Shepard (28 Sep 1804–4 Sep 1876), Find A Grave Memorial no. 51536481, citing West Bloomfield Rural Cemetery, West Bloomfield, Ontario County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Butterfly~Kisses (contributor 46994799) .

McIntosh, W. H. History of Ontario Co., New York, With Illustrations Descriptive of Its Scenery, Palatial Residences, Public Buildings, Fine Blocks and Important Manufactories. J. B. Lippincott & Co.: Philadelphia, PA, 1876.

"Scattering Votes for Officers." Ontario Repository (Canandaigua, New York). November 26, 1822, page 3. "Statement In Relation to County Officers." Geneva Daily Gazette (Geneva, New York). December 2, 1848, page 2.

Condition Description

Generally good, with normal fading and wear from age.

Source

Title
A Guide to the Nathaniel and Jesse Shepard papers
Status
In Progress
Author
Brandon Fess
Date
2019-05-11
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Local History & Genealogy Division Repository

Contact:
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Rochester 14604 USA
585-428-8370
585-428-8353 (Fax)