EDWARD SHEPHARD was born in 1596 in Elmstead, Essex, England. He married VIOLET STANLEY about 1620, in Erwarton, Suffolk, England. She was born in Mistley Parish, Essex, England in 1595.

They came from England in 1638, he being the captain of his own ship, and settled in Cambridge, Suffolk, MA. The following describes his property in Cambridge:

EDWARD was made a Freeman at Cambridge May 10, 1643, shortly after joining Rev. Mitchell's church. It was necessary to be a church member to be made a Freeman. The ages of his three youngest children were said to be 12, 10 and 7, in 1658, according to records made from memory at the time by Rev. Mitchell.

VIOLET died Jan. 9, 1648/49. EDWARD married second Mrs. Mary Pond, about 1650. Mary was the widow of Robert Pond of Dedham, who died in 1637. One of her sons, Daniel Pond, married Abigail, daughter of EDWARD and VIOLET.

EDWARD continued to be a mariner his entire life. Twice he asserts to being a mariner in deeds - to Richard Champney, Mar. 19, 1652/53, and to W. Fessenden, Feb. 18, 1679/80, as well as in his own will dated Oct. 1, 1674. Also, mention is made in the record of the steward of Harvard College 1654, of two importations of wheat "from aboard Edward Shephard's vessel." He reportedly carried on trade between Boston and Hartford, and probably other parts.

EDWARD's name appears in the town records of Cambridge in various relations until 1680. His will was proven Aug 20, 1680. His son, JOHN, sold the homestead Sep. 18, 1681, to Owen Warland. EDWARDS will is on file at the Middlesex Probate Office in East Cambridge, MA.

This biography relects information published in 1989 by Lawrence Shephard. It refutes some of the information published in Volume 32 of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register. In particular, it establishes the name of EDWARD's wife as VIOLET CHARNOULD, daughter of JOHN and JOANE CHARNOULD of Mistley Parish, Essex, England.