Sheppard, J. H. (John Hannibal), 1789-1873
Biography
John Hannibal Sheppard, son of John Shepard and Sarah Collier, was born 17 March 1789 in Cirencaster, England; and he died 25 June 1873 in Boston, Massachusetts. John was married first 13 May 1819 in Wiscasset, Maine, to Helen Wood. Helen, daughter of Abiel and Hannah (Hodge) Wood, was born 13 June 1799 in Wiscasset; and she died 26 June 1843 in Boston, age 44 years. John was married second on 21 November 1846 in New York City, to Orissa B (Wilmarth) Foster. Orissa, daughter of Rev. Ezra and Mary Wilmarth, was born ca. 1811 in Rumney, NH; and she died 4 May 1864 in Boston age 53 years. Orissa was married first on 3 April 1831 in Rowley, Massachusetts, to Ephraim Foste. Ephraim died 6 February 1835 in Boxford, Massachusetts age 28.
John Hannibal Sheppard attended Harvard College from 1804-1807, leaving after three years to study law in Wiscasset. He was active as a lawyer in Wiscasset and Lincoln County, Maine until 1841 when he removed to Boston because of his wife’s health. There he was active as a lawyer and writer. From 1861-1869 he was the librarian of the New England Historical Genealogical Society.