Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts was settled in 1635 by English Puritans.
The town common (commons) was a small, open field at the center of the town which was jointly owned. It was used as a marketplace, a place for the militia to drill, or for grazing livestock.
John Shepard was born about 1637, probably in Dedham, Norfork County, Massachusetts. Winfred Shepard in Ancestors and Descendants of Albro Dexter includes John as a son of Ralph and Thanklord Shepard, but he is not included in the Kin of Mellcene Thurman Smith.
He married Sarah Goble in 1661. Sarah was the daughter of Thomas and Alice Goble of Concord.
Their children included:
John Shepard (1661),
Martha Shepard (1663),
Mary Shepard Streight (1663),
Rachel Shepard Stone (married John Stone),
Sarah Shepard Goble (married Thomas Goble),
Dorothy Shepard (1669), and
Daniel Shepard (1671, married Mary Smedley).
In 1661 he was granted 30 acres of land by the town
in consideration of the hand of God upon him in the loss of one of his arms.
On March 21, 1689/90 he was voted freeman by the court.
He died in Concord on December 15, 1699.
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
Any man entering a colony or becoming a a member the church, was not free. He was not forced to work, but his movements were carefully observed to see if they followed the Puritanical ideal. After this probationary period, he became a "freeman." Men then took the Oath of a Freeman where they vowed to defend the Commonwealth and not to overthrow the government.
