Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-04-12
A BIT OF HISTORY.

The following statement was placed
in the Corner Stone of the building
now known as Shepherd College:
The site upon which this Hall is erec-
ted is part of the original tract OF
land purchased of Lord Fairfax by
Thomas Shepherd-grand- father of
r. ID. Shepherd-by whose munifi-
cence this building is erected and pre-
sented 10 the town, for its convent
ence and use. There is connected with
this site historic interest, aside.from
a peculiar attachment entertained by
the whole of the Shepherd family. In
the year 1745. Thomas Shepherd-a
inill-wright by oeeupation-seeking IA
fall of water eligible for the erection
of mill, came TO this region, then a
dense wilderness, inhabited only by
savages, and erected upon the very
ground this foundation occupies)
! strong stone house, intended as well
for defence against the hostile at
tacks of unfriendly Indians, as adwell-
ing for himself and family. This build
ing from its simpregnability was known
as The Fort, and was a place ofren-
devious in times of imminent danger
for the neighboring families which
subsequently settled in this portion of
the valley. In this Fort Abraham
! Shepherd-father Of r. ID. Shepherd
was born in the year 1854, and after
the death of Thomas Shepherd
(Which occurred about the year 1850,
was occupied by him as a dwelling.
! In 1884. in the same stone house,
r. ID. Shepherd was born (as well as
his brothers and sisters), and here he
lived until the year 1898, when but IA
wears OF age-a mere boy-he started
for Baltimore TO assume clerks po-
sition in a large commercial house oil
a gentleman by the name OF Taylor.
| This Fort remained as a dwelling
until the year 1912. when il was torn
down. and the stones composing II
were placed in a wall around this lot.
The Shepherd family from the grand
father down have never been second
in stepping forward TO assist in any
want. or TO defray any expense neces-
sarv in furtherance of every laudable
enterprise for the good of the town.
The mother OF Mr. X. ID. Shepherd,
whose piety and self-denial are well
known TO every one in the Valley ol
Virginia to the day OF her death, dis
persed her charities freely 10 those In
want. especially TO the church, to
which she was devotedly attached,
and Of which she was for years it,
brightest ornament. Mr.. Il. ID. Shep-
herd (at whose invitation Mount Ne
bo Lodge, No. 81, A.. L. 4 a. NJ, this
9Th day Of October, A. J.. 5S59, A. ID.
1859, lay the corner stone) is now
hale. hearty old gentleman in his 'oth
year. retaining perfectly his physical
and intellectual faculties-abstemious
in his habits, devoted TO agriculture
pursuits. and the sole management OF
a large estate. In addition to this
building. he is now erecting in the
city Of New Orleans, in conjunction
with funds left by his friend Judah
Tuoro, deceased, magnificent Aims
House, to be presented, upon Its com
pletion, to the city 1t is the sincere
wish Of all, as well we who know him
in the quiet, unostentatious hospital
ity Of his beautiful home, az those
who know him only by his benefac-
tions, Long may he live and enjoy
that ease, which a life OF indefatiga-
BILE energy and exertion has given him
the means TO enjoy