William Shepard
| General William Shepard | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 2nd district |
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In office March 4, 1797 – March 3, 1803 |
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| Preceded by | William Lyman |
| Succeeded by | Jacob Crowninshield |
| Massachusetts Governor's Council | |
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In office 1792–1796 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
December 1, 1737 Westfield, Massachusetts |
| Died | November 16, 1817 (aged 79) Westfield, Massachusetts |
| Resting place | Mechanic Street Cemetery |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Spouse(s) | Married January 31, 1760 Sarah Dewey |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 Kingdom of Great Britain United States
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| Service/branch |
 British Army Continental Army
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| Years of service | 1754–1763 1775–1777 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | 4th Massachusetts Regiment |
| Battles/wars |
French and Indian War |
French and Indian War
American Revolutionary War
William Shepard (December 1, 1737 [O.S. November 20, 1737] - November 16, 1817) was a United States Representative from Massachusetts (1797–1802), and a military officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. As a state militia leader he protected the Springfield Armory during Shays' Rebellion, firing cannon into the force of Daniel Shays and compelling them to disperse. He was also served in town and state government and was a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council.
Born in Westfield, he attended the common schools, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and served in the French and Indian wars for six years. He was a member of the committee of correspondence for Westfield in 1774, and was a lieutenant colonel of Minutemen in April 1775 and served under Colonel Timothy Danielson. He entered the Continental Army in May 1775 as lieutenant colonel and was commissioned Colonel of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment on October 6, 1776, serving throughout the Revolutionary War, including winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where he commanded the 4th Division of the Massachusetts militia, under the overall command of General John Glover. His name is immortalized along with his comrades on stone monuments there. Many letters still exist between Shepard and other commanders, including General George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, General Henry Knox and other illustrious founding fathers.
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Wikipedia