SHEPHERD, RICHARD (1803-1891)

SHEPHERD, RICHARD, Methodist minister, Miramichi circuit, 1843-47; b. England, c1803; m. Maria Bemister, of Carbonear, Nfld; d. Perry, Ohio, 3 May 1891.

Richard Shepherd came to New Brunswick from Newfoundland in 1834 as a probationer and was ordained in 1835. He served for shorter periods at St Andrews, St Stephen, Saint John, and Fredericton. He was based at Sackville for two years immediately before accepting assignment to the Miramichi circuit in 1843, as successor to the Rev. Arthur McNutt. "He was a very conscientious worker, diligent in the discharge of his duties." While based on the Miramichi he displayed an interest in agriculture and served as town clerk of Chatham parish. He withdrew from the ministry in 1851 to farm in Ontario, but he was ministering again in 1860 in Perry, Lake County, Ohio. He and his wife, Maria Bemister, raised a large family.