Shepherd Heirs to Benjamin Chapeze

We know from the 1830 census that Rachel Shepherd, widow of Adam Shepherd, was alive at that time. However, on 28 Apr 1831, apparently sometime after Rachael's death, Sarah Shepherd, Julia M. Shepherd, Charlotte G. (Shepherd) Benthall, daughters of Adam and Rachel Shepherd, and Elizabeth S. Pryor and Jane B. Pryor, daughters of Mary Shepherd (deceased) and granddaughters of Adam and Rachel, deeded most of a 290 acre tract to Benjamin Chapeze, husband of Elizabeth Shepherd Chapeze, another daughter of Adam and Rachel Shepherd.

This appears to have been part of the original 400 acre patent of Henry Spelman and John Cockey Owings. Both of those men signed over their claim to the land to Adam Shepherd which is how it became Shepherd land.

It appears from the deed that the Shepherd heirs owed two thousand dollars to a Jacob Yoder (perhaps a Spencer County resident), and in exchange for paying the debt, Benjamin Chapeze took possession of the land. He also received ownership of two female slaves, Lydia and her daughter Lucinda. Lydia appears to be one of the slaves listed on the inventory of Adam Shepherd's estate in 1819. Also listed on that inventory were Bobb, Tom, George, Jeany, Alsy (a girl), Anthony, Hagar(?), and Umber(?).

It also appears that, without any living male Shepherd heirs, the vast holdings of Adam Shepherd were slowly but surely sold off to support his descendent daughters and their families, with a significant part passing into the hands of his son-in-law, Benjamin Chapeze. This is just one example. The deed is transcribed below.

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Bullitt County Deed Book H, Page 16
Shepherd Heirs to Benjamin Chapeze
28 Apr 1831

This indenture made this twenty eighth day of April, One thousand eight hundred and thirty one between Sarah Shepherd, Julia Shepherd, Jane Pryor and Elizabeth Pryor, Samuel Benthall and Charlotte his wife late Charlotte Shepherd, heirs and legal representatives of Adam Shepherd deceased of the one part and Benjamin Chapeze of the second part. Witnesseth: That the parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of Two thousand dollars current money of the United States to them in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained and sold and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell and convey unto the said Benjamin Chapeze the following described tract or parcel of land lying in Bullitt County on the waters of Long Lick creek containing two hundred and ninety acres more or less, being a part of the farm of which Adam Shepherd died seized and bounded as follows: Beginning at a small hoop ash standing on the south bank of Long Lick, thence up said creek with its several meanders and binding thereon seventy two poles to a sugartree and elm lower corner of Charles Chinn's One thousand acre survey, thence with said Chinn's line South fifty degrees East three hundred poles to a poplar and beech, thence with Froman's patent line South five degrees East one hundred poles to a stake in Caldwell's field, thence South seventy degrees West two hundred and fifty two poles to three beeches and black gum, thence North fifteen degrees West two hundred and ten poles to a crab apple tree, thence North twenty five degrees West one hundred and fifty six poles, thence North to the Beginning. But out of this boundary is reserved thirty acres not here conveyed which was conveyed or contracted to be sold and conveyed to William Caldwell and others. And also the parties of the first part do further sell and convey unto said Chapeze for and in consideration of the consideration money before mentioned one negro woman slave named Lydia and her child named Lucinda which said slaves the parties of the first part covenant to and with Chapeze to warrant and defend to him said Chapeze as slaves for life and sound in body. The consideration of two thousand dollars mentioned in this conveyance is so much money paid by said Chapeze to Jacob Yoder(?) for and on account of said Shepherds heirs. To have and to hold the land and slaves here conveyed unto him the said Benjamin Chapeze and his heirs forever. And the parties of the first part covenent to and with the said Chapeze to forever warrant and defend said land to him said Chapeze against the claim of themselves and against the claims of all other persons. Witness the hands and seals of the grantors the date aforesaid.
(signed)
Sarah Shepherd
Julia M. Shepherd
Elizabeth S. Pryor
Jane B. Pryor
Samuel Benthall
Charlotte G. Benthall

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A scanned image of this deed is shown below.

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