Family and Education

b. c.1681, 1st s. of James Sheppard of Honiton, attorney-at-law, by Mary Walrond of Payhembury, nr. Honiton. educ. M. Temple 1700, called 1705. m. (lic. 16 Mar. 1704) Elizabeth Fowler, 3s. 5da. Kntd. 14 May 1729.

Offices Held

Recorder, Honiton 1713; serjeant-at-law 1724-d.

Biography

The Sheppards, a Honiton family, held several properties in southern Devonshire, including the manor of Watton, near Honiton, which they acquired in 1632.1 A Tory and member of the October Club, Sheppard sat for Honiton in Anne’s last two Parliaments, but was defeated for it in 1715 and 1722. In 1727 he was returned after a contest, apparently as a government supporter, since he voted with the Administration on the civil list in 1729 and the Hessians in 1730. In the debate of 25 Feb. 1730 on the application of the surplus of the sinking fund, he spoke in favour of lessening the duty on soap to relieve the woollen industry.2 After his death from gaol fever, 10 Apr. 1730, aged 49,3 he was declared by the House of Commons to have been not duly elected, 15 Mar. 1731.4

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Shirley Matthews

Notes

• 1. Trans. Devon Assoc. lxiv. 54.
• 2. HMC Egmont Diary, i. 62.
• 3. Devon and Cornw. N. Q. xi. 316; Pol. State, xxxix. 448.
• 4. CJ, xxi. 671.