Shep's Place Family Tree

On 18 December 1777 John married Mary Atwood at Potsgrove Parish Church. At that time in England it was permissible for non-conformist families to conduct baptisms and burials, or to record births within their own church, whereas marriages were only recognized if performed by the Established Church, ie, the Church of England.

When his father's will was drawn up on 19 July 1777, John was living on the Potsgrove Farm leased from the Duke of Bedford. During the next twenty five years John Butfeild of Potsgrove was variously described as dairyman, farmer and grazier. In 1814 he was a "Gentleman, suggesting that he had retired from active business.

Although John and Mary lived at Potsgrove, the births of their children were recorded at the Baptist church at Thorn.