Shep's Place Family Tree

1850: Thomas 36 and Caroline 29 had had seven children in eleven years: Georgiana 11,Julia E. 9, William B. 7, Susan C. 5, Moses H. 4, Silas W. 2 and John T. 9 mos. Their family farm was valued at $3,000.

1860: Georgiana 21 has left home. Thomas 45 and Caroline 42 still had ten children to keep them company: Julia 18, William 17, Susan 15, Henry 13, Silas 11, John 8, Emma 6, Roxena 4, Alfred 2 1/2, and baby Fanny.

1870: At ages 55 and 51 Thomas and Caroline still had six children at home. Silas W. 22 did farm work; John T. 20; Emma "helping mother;" Mary E., Alfred B. and Fanny were at school; Moses and Jane Alexander's boy Daniel 20 were doing farm work; and Elizabeth McCoy 30 was a domestic servant.

1880: Thomas 85 and Caroline 81 had been married for 62 years! Living with them were Joseph Ball 48, son-in-law, Emma Ball 47, daughter, and May R. Ball 16, granddaughter. May was attending school.

Grandfather Alexander, as he was familiarly known, was born only a short distance from where he died, and at his marriage began housekeeping in the house where he spent the remainder of his life, having lived in the same house for more than seventy years. He was an active member in church work until hindered by the infirmities of old age. Their seventy years of married life was one of happiness. During the last few years of their lives they were cared of by Mrs. DeGolley, assisted by the other children. An incident worth mentioning here, is, that the last sad obsequies of both Grandfather and Grandmother Alexander, were attended by Mrs. Hannah Jones, who is still very active at the age of eighty-two years; she was also present at their infair, seventy years ago.
Grandfather Alexander died Oct. 1, 1907, aged 92 years. 10 months and 28 days. The funeral was conducted by Rev. Cherrington ‎(all the children being present)‎ at the old home. where many friends and relatives assembled to say their last tributes of respect...‎[articled damaged]‎.