Peter Shepherd's 900 Acre Tract

Peter Shepherd patented a 900 acre tract that would include the future site of Shepherdsville. His son, Adam Shepherd appears to have been the one who was actually present in Kentucky to do things in his father's name.

Below is a digital image of the original plat and description drawn by Benjamin Stansbury. It and the following patent are provided by the Kentucky Secretary of State's web site.

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Surveyed for Peter Shepherd 900 acres of land upon a treasury warrant in Jefferson County. Beginning at two white oaks and elm standing on the bank of Salt River at the lower part of the falls on the upper side of said river at the letter A in the plat and running up the river the following courses to the letter B, S 28° E 60 poles, S 27° W 64 poles, S 6° E 26 poles, S 32° E 20 poles, S 64° E 20 poles, S 80° E 86 poles, N 83° E 66 poles, S 75° E 202 poles, S 40° E 46 poles, N 82° E 28 poles, N 60° E 52 poles to 2 beeches and sugar tree at McGee's corner, thence up his line N 37° W 660 poles to three elms to the letter C, thence S 53° W 249 poles to three hickorys at the letter D, thence S 37° E 177 poles to the beginning at the letter A. March 22nd 1781. Benjamin Stansbury, assistant surveyor. Geo. May SJC

Note that this plat was drawn facing northwest instead of north. Shepherd's land was on the north or upper side of Salt River.

Although Standbury completed the survey in 1781, it was not until 1782 that Shepherd's patent was granted. A digital image of that patent, as written in Grant Book 1, pages 518-519, is shown below. A transcription appears beneath the image.

Grant Bk 1, p. 518
Peter Shepherd 900 acres in Jefferson County
Benjamin Harrison Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, to all to whom these presents shall come greeting. Know ye that in consideration of the sum of three hundred and sixty pounds paid by Peter Shepherd into the treasury of this Commonwealth there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said Peter Shepherd a certain tract or parcel of land containing nine hundred acres, part of a treasury warrant No. 928 and issued the 15th day of October 1779, Surveyed the 22nd day of March 1781, lying and being in the County of Jefferson, and bounded as followeth, to wit, Beginning at two white oaks and Elm standing on the Bank of Salt River at the lower part of the falls on the upper side of said river and running up the said river the following courses, South twenty eight degrees East sixty poles, South twenty seven degrees West sixty four poles, South six degrees East twenty six poles, South thirty two degrees East twenty poles, South sixty four degrees East twenty poles, South eighty degrees east eighty six poles, north eighty three degrees east sixty six poles, South seventy five degrees east two hundred and two poles, South forty degrees east forty six poles, North eighty two degrees east twenty eight poles, North sixty degrees east fifty two poles to two Beeches and Sugar trees in McGees Corner, thence up his line north thirty seven degrees West six hundred and sixty poles to three Elms, thence South fifty three degrees West two hundred and forty nine poles to three Hickorys, thence South thirty seven degrees East one hundred and seventy seven poles to the Beginning, with its appurtenances. To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land, with its appurtenances, to the said Peter Shepherd and his heirs forever. In witness whereof the said Benjamin Harrison Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia hath hereunto set his hand, and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond on the first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two, and of the Commonwealth, the Sixth.
Benjamin Harrison

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Below is an image insert from Google showing the approximate location of this tract Please note that while the location of its boundary is an estimation, we believe it is reasonably close to the original lines.

You can use the arrows in the upper left corner to move the image, or use the plus and minus signs to zoom in or out. You may also put the cursor on the map and drag the image to where you want it. This map may not work for you if you are using an older browser.

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