Husband: John SCHOPFFEL
Birthdate: Jun 22 1764
Birthplace: Maryland, United States
Death date:
Place of death: Harwich Township, Kent County, Ontario, Canada
Father: Michel SCHOPFFEL
Mother: Anna SCHMIDLER (SNIDER)

Marriage date: May 22 1793
Marriage place: Maryland, United States

Wife: Hannah MEISEMER
aka: (MESSMORE)
Birthdate: Sep 20 1776
Birthplace: Fredrick County, Maryland, United States
Death date: Sep 22 1844
Place of death: Harwich Township, Kent County, Ontario, Canada
Father: Rev. John MEISEMER (MESSMORE)
Mother: Mary Mageline LIEDERMANEN

CHILDREN

Child No. 1: Mary (Martha) SHEPLEY
Sex: F
Birthdate: Mar 25 1795
Birthplace: Harwich Township, Kent County, Ontario, Canada
Death date: Sep 3 1856
Place of death:
Marriage date: 1820
Marriage place:
Spouse's name: Rev. James D. DOLSON

Child No. 2: Solomon SHEPLEY Sr
Sex: M
Birthdate: Nov 17 1797
Birthplace: Harwich Township, Kent County, Ontario, Canada
Death date: May 17 1868
Place of death: Cedar Springs, Kent County, Ontario, Canada
Marriage date: Mar 9 1819
Marriage place: Gosfield Township, Essex County, Ontario, Canada
Spouse's name: Sarah WIGLE

Child No. 3: John SHEPLEY
Sex: M
Birthdate: Nov 17 1797
Birthplace: Harwich Township, Kent County, Ontario, Canada
Death date: Sep 15 1860
Place of death: Florence, Ontario, Canada
Marriage date: Feb 25 1823
Marriage place:
Spouse's name: Elizabeth LENOVER

Child No. 4: Jacob SHEPLEY
Sex: M
Birthdate: 1800
Birthplace: Harwich Township, Kent County, Ontario, Canada
Death date: Nov 25 1875
Place of death: Sombra, Lambton County, Ontario, Canada
Marriage date: Apr 29 1846
Marriage place: Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Spouse's name: Elizabeth DEVENY

Child No. 5: Daniel Frederick SHEPLEY
Sex:
Birthdate: 1805
Birthplace: Harwich Township, Kent County, Ontario, Canada
Death date: 1879
Place of death: Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada
Marriage date:
Marriage place:
Spouse's name: Elizabeth Melissa STEWART

Child No. 6: Nancy /SHEPLEY
Sex: F
Birthdate: 1805
Birthplace: Harwich Township, Kent County, Ontario, Canada
Death date: 1841
Place of death: Sombra, Lambton County, Ontario, Canada
Marriage date: Dec 2 1840
Marriage place:
Spouse's name: Jesse PALMER

Child No. 7: Samuel SHEPLEY
Sex: M
Birthdate: Dec 31 1807
Birthplace: Harwich township, Kent County, Ontario, Canada
Death date: Sep 21 1888
Place of death: Cedar Springs, Kent County, Ontario, Canada
Marriage date: Jan 6 1831
Marriage place:
Spouse's name: Hannah WHITE

Child No. 8: Joshua SHEPLEY
Sex: M
Birthdate: May 14 1810
Birthplace: Harwich Township, Kent County, Ontario, Canada
Death date: Oct 18 1885
Place of death: St. Mary's, Ontario, Canada
Marriage date: Nov 22 1832
Marriage place: Cedar Springs, Kent County, Ontario
Spouse's name: Elizabeth (Mary) WHITE

Child No. 9: Joseph SHEPLEY
Sex: M
Birthdate: 1813
Birthplace: Harwich Township, Kent County, Ontario, Canada
Death date:
Place of death:
Marriage date: Sep 23 1831
Marriage place: Howard, Ontario, Canada
Spouse's name: Sally Ann unknown
 
 
Documentation:
* All of the following info was provided to me by my dear cousins Patty Newman and Gail (Shepley) Heffernan.

Notes for John SCHOPFFEL/Hannah MEISEMER (MESSMORE):
These are some notes taken from the family Bible of John Schopffel-brought from Germany. Contents of some recordings are:
* "This Bible belongs to John Schopffel born in Mariland (Maryland) in Fredrick County in the year after the birth of the Gloriuos Birth of our Lord Saviou Jesus Christ, June 22, 1764;
* his parents were Michel Schopffel and his wife Annie--She was born a Schmidler (Snider)-- He (John) received the holy Baptism in the year of our Lord 1793, Nov. 21, by Rev. John Meisemer (Messmore) in the Word of our Lord Congregation of the United Brothers. He (John) was married to Hannah Meisemer (Messmore) in 1793, May 22.
* She was born in Mariland (Maryland) in Fredrick County in the year of our Lord 1776, Sept. 20. Her parents were Rev. John Meisemer (Messmore) and his wife Mary Mageline. She, Mary Mageline, was a Liedermanen."
These recordings were copied from the Museum at Amherstburg, Ontario and the Curstor said
* the family Bible may be in Kent county in the hands of Michael Shepley, a descendent of John Shepley, the twin brother of Solomon Shepley Sr.
* John Schopffel came to Ontario from Pennsylvania in 1793 and settled on some crown land 2 miles east of Chatham, Ontario on the south side of the Thames River, Lot 7, Conc. 3 (River Thames Survery, Harwich Township, Kent county). He received a clear title to his farm in 1802. They changed their names to Shepley. It appears that they changed their names when they came to Canada to shed the "draft dodger" past, as well as their "German" past. Both John and Hannah were of German ancestry and Mennonite up bringing.
* Death Notice, in the Christian Guardian Shepley,
Mrs. M. T. Hannah (nee Meisemer) was born of German parents in Fredrick County, Maryland in 1776. Married John Shepley and moved with him to Canada and died in Harwich Township, the 25 inst, 1844. Predeceased by her husband, survived by two brothers, one a local preacher, the other an itinerant, Rev. J. Messmore. Also 7 sons and one daughter; one son is a travelling Minister, one a local preacher, one an exhorter, her daughter is the wife of a local preacher. She passed away Sept. 22, 1844.

Notes for Mary (Martha)SHEPLEY/Rev. James D. DOLSON:
* Death Notice from Methodist Paper
Dolson, Mrs. Mary (Martha) (nee Shepley), daughter of John and Hannah Shepley and wife of Rev. James Dolsen, was born in Harwich Township Mar 25 1795 and was buried Sept 3 1856; survived by her husband and 6 children, all of whom are growen to years of maturity.

Notes for Solomon SHEPLEY Sr/Sarah WIGLE:
Solomon was a twin brother to John.
* Solomon, born on Lot 7, Conc. 3 Harwich Township, was a little adventurous and for a short time he ventured to, and worked in, Gosfield Township where he met and married Sarah Wigle. He then moved to Raleigh Township and settled next to his brother. The twin brothers operated a small inn. He also farmed around the Cedar Springs area Lot 131 (on the north side of Talbot Trail-NO. 3 HIGHWAY). In about 1848, Solomon, Sarah and the younger children moved from the farm in Cedar Springs, leaving Michael Ezra on the home farm, to Colchester South Township where they started farming there. I believe they settled on a farm on the west side of the township on the third concession. In the 1861 census, they are no longer shown in Colchester South. Some including Solomon Jr. are shown in Malden. It is uncertain where he went from Colchester South Township. Some records show that both he and Sarah are buried in Craford Cemetery in Cedar Springs, Ontario, He died in 1868 and Vital Statistics did not start keeping records until 1869.

Notes for John SHEPLEY/Elizabeth LENOVER:
* After marrying Elizabeth Lenover, they settled on the Lake Shore in Raleigh Township. He drew Lot 130 north side of Talbot Road East. He and his twin brother Solomon also operated a "Neat Inn-but-small" so wrote Anna Jamison. She stayed there on her way to Detroit Michigan, USA. He later moved to Florence, Ontario in Kent County and worked as a shoemaker. He died there and is buried in Butler Cemetery. They had 7 children.

Notes for Jacob SHEPLEY/Elizabeth DEVENY:
* 1881 Census of Ontario for Wallaceburg, Kent:
Elizabeth Shepley, birth year 1816, birthplace Ontario, age 65, widowed, Dutch origin, Dist 180, Sub-dist H, page 27.

Notes for Daniel Frederick SHEPLEY/Elizabeth Melissa STEWART:
* In 1848, Daniel acquired the farm on Lot 10 South Middle Side Road, Raleigh Township. In 1852, he moved his family to the north branch of the Sydenham in Sombra Township (just outside Wallaceburg). Daniel was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Wallaceburg, Kent County, Chatham Township, Reference KT-654-0 according to the Ontario Cemetery Finding aid web site.
* Elizabeth was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Wallaceburg, Kent County, Chatham Township, Reference KT-654-0 according to the Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid web site.
http://www.islandnet.com/ocfa/homepage.html

Notes for Nancy SHEPLEY/Jesse PALMER:
* Nancy was a twin to Daniel Shepley. Jesse Palmer was the son of David and Ann Palmer who emigrated from New Jersey. He was born in Clinton Township, Jan 11, 1810, and moved in 1835 with his parents to the North Branch of the Sydenham River in Sombra Township. In December 1840, he married Nancy Shepley, who died within a year. He died at the home of his brother-in-law, William Lawrence Jr. in Grimsby, Nov 9, 1844.

Notes for Samuel SHEPLEY/Hannah WHITE:
* Samuel Shepley was born in Harwich Township. He came to Raleigh Township about 1829, and drew Government land Lot 10 (Talbot Road) in the 11th concession. Upon this tract he built a home, cleared a goodly portion and carried on farming. He married on Jan 6, 1831, Hannah White. Samuel's brother Joshua married Hannah's sister Elizabeth. "Samuel and Hannah Shepley" This saintly old couple fell asleep within a week of each other at the advanced ages if 82 and 87 years, respectively. They were united in wedlock in the year 1831, and enjoyed nearly sixty years of happy married life. Ten children were born of them, four of whom preceded them to the better land. Mr. Sheply settled in the Middle Road Raleigh, Kent County, when it was perfect wilderness, with nothing but a 'blazed' path through the bush. But at that early day the Methodist ministers were found plodding through the Wilds, and Mrs. Shepley's house was always refuge for them and for many years a rallying point for Divine worship. Down to their latest days no one ever received a warmer greeting that the Methodist preachers did. They were each converted to God in early youth, Mr. Shepley at 13 years; hence grace had long years of hallowing and refining influence upon them. One thing in which they were a conspicuous example to the community was their loyalty in old age to the house of God. Tottering feebleness did not hinder them hitching up the old white mare, to be present with God's people in the sanctuary. A long life on consistent devotion has made their name to be venerated and respected far and wide. During the last year or two it beame evident that Mrs. Shepley's mind was gradually impaired through the weight of years, and after many months of great suffering she entered into rest on the 13th September, 1888. At the request of her aged partner, the friends sang "Jesus, lover of my soul", just as her spirit winged its flight to endless day. Immediately the other sweet-spirited and patient old pilgrim was stricken with paralyis, from which he never rallied. The day before he died, he requested his children to sing again for him, and bore distinct testimony to his complete rest in Christ. Even after his speech was gone, by pressure of the hand and a smile, he gave evidence to the supporting presence of the Master. Gently as a child in its mother's arms, he passed to rest on the morning of the 21st September, 1888, just one week later than his partner. Of them each it may well be said, "Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep, From which they shall not wake to weep; A calm and undisturbed repose, Unbroken by the last of foes". Tenderly they were each laid to rest, in the hopes of a glorious resurrection. God grant that the surviving children may, with the same fidelity and consistency, reflect the character of Jesus and follow the sainted parents to the kingdom of the blessed.

Notes for Joshua SHEPLEY/Elizabeth (Mary)WHITE:
* Joshua's brother Samual married Elizabeth's sister Hanna (two brothers married two sisters). Joshua and "Betsy" farmed in Kent County until 1851 then moved to St. Mary's where they purchased Lot 6, North Boundary, Blanshard Township, Perth County. Joshua farmed and was a local Methodist Minister. He donated the land where the stone school was built (now an attractive private home). Joshua, Elizabeth and some of their children were buried in the old cemetery in St. Mary's, Ontario. No stone marks their graves and no records exist. A daughter, Mrs. Shand, was the last surviving member of this family. Joshua acquired Lot 9, South Middle Side Road, Raleigh Township, Ontario. IN MEMORIAM: There is an inspiration and a wealth of suggestion in the record of a good man's life. This can truthfully be said of the live, eventful and stirring, which this brief articles notes. Joshua Shepley was born in the year 1810. On the 14th of May, in 1828, at one of the great religious awakenings, with which the early days of Methodism was so richly blessed, he was converted; and during his more than fifty years in God's service he was no idler, nor spasmodic worker. In May, 1841, the Quarterly meeting of the Gosfield and Howard circuit, the Wesleyan Methodist Church granted him an exhorter's license, this certificte, together with two others containing his local preacher's license-dim, and scarred by age-were lightly valued by him. They serve to link us with the heroic past. In the year of his conversion he was married, with the union, which was a most happy one, was blessed with eleven children, ten of whom, with their mother, preceded the deceased. Mrs. William Shand, of St. Mary's being the only surviving child. In 1852 Mr. Shepley moved into the township of Blanchard, where he filled several positions of trust. By hard toil and praiseworthy frugality, he secured a fine farm and beautiful home in the immediate neighborhood of St. Mary's. In August, 1876 he was seized with paralysis. The stroke was severe. From it he rallied, but never recovered. This date may be said to have closed his work. During the last few years of his life he resided in St. Mary's, where he enjoyed the faithful and loving companionship of the Rev. W.C. Henderson, M.A. and his predecessor. On the 18th October, 1885, he fell asleep in Jesus. He was quite ready. When questioned, during the last few hours, as to his hopes, he was able to assert, with the dignity of a loyal trust in a covenant keeping God "It is well." Brother Shepley leaves a good record, His life was not fruitless. He loved the church of his choice, and was due to ordinances, her Ministers, and her temporal demands. He remembered the most prominent Connexional Fund in his Will. Of him it can truthfully be said "Our loss is his infinite gain." W.H.G.

Notes for Joseph SHELEY/Sally Ann:
* In 1851, Joseph moved with his family to Blanchard, near St. Mary's, Ontario. Cornish's Encyclopedia of Methodism in Canada (1881) contains a long list of the various postings of the Rev. Joseph Shepley, being in Simcoe in 1841 and ending in St. Mary's (1881) where he was a superannuated minister. A Medthodist of the Methodists, converted young, decently educated, a correct speaker, a good penman, a correct writer, a sound preacher, and one of the most upright men who ever lived. Nothing but want of "cheek" prevented his taking a much more prominent position than he did. He was loyal to the church to the very core and accomplished much in a quite way. He farmed most of his life as well as being a Minister.