William Shepard

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William Shepard (December 1, 1737 - November 16, 1817) was a United States Representative from Massachusetts. 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. He entered the Continental Army in May 1775 as lieutenant colonel and was commissioned colonel of the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment on October 6, 1776, serving throughout the Revolutionary War.

Shepard was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1785 and 1786 and was selectman for Westfield from 1784 to 1787. He was chosen major general of the Fourth Division, Massachusetts Militia, in 1786 and defended Springfield Arsenal during Shays' Rebellion. He was a member of the Governor's council of Massachusetts from 1792 to 1796, and was appointed in 1796 to treat with the Penobscot Indians and, in 1797, with the Six Nations.

Shepard was elected as a Federalist to the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Congresses, serving from March 4, 1797 to March 3, 1803; he resumed his agricultural pursuits and died in Westfield. Interment was in the Mechanic Street Cemetery.

[edit] References

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress