According to his Compiled Military Service Record (CMSR), James Shepperd, a farmer, was free as of April 19, 1861. Spelling variants of his surname abound: “Shepard,” “Sheperd,” “Shepherd,” “Sheppard.” Researchers should also be aware of spelling variations in geographic places; Shepperd’s CMSR misspelled his birthplace/residence as “Isle White.”
— Compiled military service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served with the United States Colored Troops [microform]: 1st through 5th United States Colored Cavalry, 5th Massachusetts Cavalry (Colored), 6th United States Colored Cavalry (1997). Reel 0012 – 1st United States Colored Cavalry: Sample, Abraham (Abram) – Smith, Ives (online at http://www.archive.org/details/compiledmili0012akesunit). Shepperd’s Compiled Military Service Record (CMSR) can be viewed at n811-n828.
Invalid – 1,167,644 / 919,477
Declaration for Original Invalid Pension, James Shepherd, 21 May 1895
52 years old; residence, Smithfield, Isle of Wight, Virginia … also personally appeared Edward Boykin, residing at Smithfield, and John Lloyd, residing at Smithfield …”
General Affidavit, James Shepherd, 31 July 1895
“he has lost his discharge certificate … witnesses Edward Boykin, John J. Cofer”
Questionnaire (Form 3-402), James Shepherd, 4 June 1898
[married] yes, Nannie Taylor
[where, when, by whom] December 18th 1891, Smithfield, Rev. R. C[?illegible]
[record] record of marriage at courthouse
[previously married] yes, Lou Hines died September 16, 1889
[living children] Eva, October 16, 1875; John, October 9, 1877; Emma, Sept 15, 1882; Alec, Jany 9, 1889; Julia, Jany 1, 1887
Declaration for Invalid Pension, James Sheppard, 24 May 1900
54 years old; residence, Smithfield, Isle of Wight Co., Va…. honorably discharged at City Point, Va…. January 1966 … he is partially unable to earn a support by reason of rheumatism … also personally appeared W.H. Godwin, residing at Smithfield, Va. and Eley Day, residing at Smithfield, Va. … [acquainted with the soldier] ten years and fourteen years, respectively … ”
Letter from James G. Martin, Attorney, Law Building, Norfolk, Virginia to Commissioner of Pensions, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, DC, 20 May 1908
“Dear Sir,
“Kindly find enclosed papers in the matter of Nannie Shepherd, widow of James Shepherd. If anything further is required please let me know; but as the amount coming to her is doubtless very small, I should be glad to avoid as much formality and expense as is consistent with orderly and safe conduct of your affairs. She is an old colored woman, and seems not accurate in her memory as to dates, etc.
“Yours truly,
Jas. G. Martin”
Declaration of a Widow for Accrued Pension, Nannie Shepperd, 20 May 1908
age unknown, probably about 60 years old; post-office address, 22 Greens Court, Norfolk, Virginia … “she is the widow of James Shepherd … the last payment of his pension was made on a date unknown to the applicant, probably in 1907; that he died on the 8th day of 1908 (not in the presence of applicant). That she was married under the name of Nannie Lee to said pensioner at Petersburg, Virginia, about 25 years ago; that there was no legal barrier to the marriage; that she had been previously married to Lee; that the soldier had been previously married. That her former husband, Lee, died in said Petersburg …
“Also personally appeared John Shepherd & Robert Johnson residing at Norfolk Co. & Norfolk City, Va. … [acquainted with widow] 14 years and 14 years, respectively … and said John Shepherd, further swore that he was present at the death of his father, said James Shepherd, on the 8th day of February 1908 at Smithfield, Va.”
Letter from James G. Martin, Attorney, Law Building, Norfolk, Virginia to Commissioner of Pensions, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, DC, 13 July 1908
“Dear Sir,
“In the matter of the claim of Nannie Shepherd, widow of James Shepherd … your letter to her calling for further evidence dated June 23, 1908, received. Will you be so kind as to write me what amount she would obtain if she should be able to provide all satisfactory evidence, as I think it probable that the amount will be so small that it will scarcely justify her in going to the expense and trouble of looking further into the matter.
“Yours very truly,
Jas. G. Martin”
[A handwritten note in pencil reads “In. Certf. 919,477 / no widow’s claim filed” — Leslie]
1st U.S. Colored Cavalry 