Person:Nathaniel Shepherd (5)

Nathaniel Shepherd was born on 28th June 1866 at Hatfield in Hertfordshire, son of Mary Ann Shepherd, formerly Wright, and her husband David Shepherd, a shepherd. The family did not live in the town itself but at Hatfield Hyde, a hamlet to the north of the parish. The 1871 and 1881 censuses each find Nathaniel living in that area with his parents and siblings. In 1881 he was working as a farm labourer.

In January 1885, aged 18, Nathaniel joined the Army. He was described as being 5'4¾" tall with bluish-grey eyes and light brown hair when he joined up. He served in both the 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment and the 15th Royal Sussex Regiment at different times. Between 1886 and 1892 he was posted to India. Back in Britain, Nathaniel was married in 1895 to Mary Ann Rixon. She was originally from Bath, but they married at Stonehouse in Devon, near Plymouth. They had six children together between 1897 and 1912, although one died young. The children seem to have all been born in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Nathaniel was posted to South Africa between 1900 and 1902, where he served during the Second Boer War.

The 1911 census finds Nathaniel living with Mary and their children in Luton, with Nathaniel described as an Army Colour Sergeant, working as an instructor for the Territorial Force, being the volunteer reserve force of the British Army at the time. Nathaniel was promoted to Company Sergeant Major in 1915. He was discharged from the Army in May 1918, towards the end of the First World War. He was 51 at the time, and had served for 33 years.

Nathaniel's wife Mary died in Luton in 1927, aged 54.

Nathaniel then appears to have left Luton and moved to the village of Arlesey, about 14 miles north-east of Luton, where he became a publican, running the True Briton public house. In 1934 he successfully secured a licence from the authorities allowing him to sell a broader range of drinks, despite opposition from the landlords of two nearby public houses. A solicitor from Luton represented Nathaniel, describing him as "a very old comrade of war days". Later that year Nathaniel transferred the licence of the True Briton to his son Leonard.

In 1935, aged 69, Nathaniel married again. His second wife was a widow called Sarah Dexter, formerly Marshall. They married in the Biggleswade district, which included Arlesey, but then appear to have returned to Luton. Sarah died in Luton in 1938. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Nathaniel was living alone at 68 Highbury Road in Luton. He died in Luton in 1941, aged 74.

1. ↑ Births index, in General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration. (London: General Register Office).

   b. Nathaniel SHEPPARD, September Quarter 1866, Hatfield Registration District, Volume 3a, page 280, mother's maiden name Wright

2. ↑ Baptisms register, in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. Parish Registers.

   BAPTISMS solemnized in the Parish of Bishops Hatfield in the County of Hertford in the year One thousand eight hundred and sixty nine
   No.	When Baptized	Child's Christian Name	Parents' Name		Abode	Quality, Trade, or Profession	By whom the Ceremony was performed
   			Christian	Surname
   29	Oct[ober] 31	Nathaniel	David & Mary	Shepherd	Hatfield Hyde	Labourer	J. Cross, Curate

3. ↑ England. England and Wales. 1871 Census Schedules. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class RG10; Piece 1374; Folio 45; Page 10, 2 Apr 1871.

   Address: near West Hyde, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
   David Shepperd, head, married, male, 49 [1821/2], Farm Labourer, b. Ware Side, Hertfordshire
   Mary Ann Shepperd, wife, married, female, 47 [1823/4], b. Hatfield, Hertfordshire
   John Shepperd, son, unmarried, male, 18 [1852/3], Farm Labourer, b. Hatfield, Hertfordshire
   George Shepperd, son, unmarried, male, 13 [1857/8], Farm Labourer, b. Hatfield, Hertfordshire
   David Shepperd, son, unmarried, male, 11 [1859/60], Under a Shepherd, b. Hatfield, Hertfordshire
   William Shepperd, son, unmarried, male, 7 [1863/4], Bird Keeper, b. Hatfield, Hertfordshire
   Nath[anie]l Shepperd, son, unmarried, male, 4 [1866/7], Scholar, b. Hatfield, Hertfordshire

4. ↑ England. 1881 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands: . (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class RG11; Piece 1426; Folio 40; Page 12, 3 Apr 1881.

   Address: Hatfield Hyde, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
   David Sheppard, head, married, male, 60 [1820/1], Farm Labourer, b. Ware, Hertfordshire
   Mary A. Sheppard, head [sic], married, female, 57 [1823/4], Wife Labourer Farm, b. Hatfield, Hertfordshire
   Geo[rge] Sheppard, son, unmarried, male, 23 [1857/8], Farm Labourer, b. Hatfield, Hertfordshire
   William Sheppard, son, unmarried, male, 17 [1863/4], Farm Labourer, b. Hatfield, Hertfordshire
   Nathanield Sheppard, son, unmarried, male, 14 [1866/7], Farm Labourer, b. Hatfield, Hertfordshire

5.   British Army Pension Records.

   Summary of information
   Nathaniel Shepherd, labourer, born Hatfield, Hertfordshire, joined Bedford Regiment at Bedford on 21 Jan 1885, aged 18y6m, height 5'4¾", eyes bluish grey, hair light brown. Also served in 15th Royal Sussex Regiment. Served in India 1886-1892 and South Africa 1900-1902. Promoted to 'CSM' 31 May 1915. Left Army 6 May 1918.
   Father: David; Mother: Mary Ann; Brothers: James, John; Sisters: Charlet, Ruthe of The Hyde near Hatfield, Herts
   Wife: Mary Ann Rixon, married 17 Jan 1895, Stonehouse, Devon
   Children:
   Ada Lillian, b. 11 Jun 1897, Bedford
   Arthur Nathaniel, b. 5 Sep 1900, Hertford
   Alfred William, b. 10 Dec 1903, Hertford
   Leonard John, b. 12 Dec 1910, Luton
   Ronald Charles Rixon, b. 8 Jul 1912, Luton

6. ↑ England. 1911 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom: The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), (formerly the UK General Register Office.))
   Class RG14; Piece 8996; Schedule 341, 2 Apr 1911.

   Address: 61 Tennyson Road, Luton, Bedfordshire
   Six rooms occupied
   Nathaniel Shepherd, head, male, 44 [1866/7], married, Army Color Serg[ean]t, Instructor Territorials, b. Hatfield Hyde, Hertfordshire
   Mary Ann Shepherd, wife, female, 37 [1873/4], married 16 years, 5 children born to marriage, 4 children still living, b. Bath, Somerset
   Ada Lillian Shepherd, daughter, female, 13 [1897/8], School, b. Bedford, Bedfordshire
   Arthur Nathaniel Shepherd, son, male, 10 [1900/1], School, b. Hertford, Hertfordshire
   Alfred William Shepherd, son, male, 7 [1903/4], b. Hertford, Hertfordshire
   Leonard John Shepherd, son, 3/12 [1900/1], b. Luton, Bedfordshire

7. ↑ General Register Office. 1939 Register
   Luton Municipal Borough, 29 Sep 1939.

   68 Highbury Road, Luton, Bedfordshire
   Shepherd, Nathaniel / male / 28 Jun 1866 / widower / Army Pensioner Retired

8. ↑ Deaths index, in General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration. (London: General Register Office).

   d. Nathaniel SHEPHERD, March Quarter 1941, Luton Registration District, Volume 3b, page 1181, aged 73 [1867/8]

9.   Luton News and Bedfordshire Chronicle
   Page 11, 20 Nov 1919.

   CHIMNEY FIRE SEQUEL.-As the result of a chimney fire at 4, Francis-street, on Nov. 8th, Nathaniel Shepherd, of that address, was summond to attend at the Borough Court on Saturday.-P.c. Graves stated that the flames were subdued by Chief Officer Andrew, of the Fire Brigade, with his first aid apparatus, defendant stating that he had been burning paper. Shepherd admitted the offence, and was ordered to pay 5s.

10.   Biggleswade Chronicle
    Page 2, 19 Jan 1934.

    IN THE COUNTY OF BEDFORD.
    PETTY SESSIONAL DIVISION OF BIGGLESWADE.
    To the Chairman of the Parish Council of Arlesey in the County of Bedford.
    To the Clerk of the Licensing Justices of the Division of Biggleswade.
    To the Superintendent of Police of the District of Biggleswade in the County of Bedford; and
    To all whom it may concern:
    I, NATHANIEL SHEPHERD now residing at The "True Briton" Beer House in the Parish of Arlesey in the Licensing District of Biggleswade, Licensed Victualler, do hereby give notive that it is my intention to apply at the General Annual Licensing Meeting for the said Division to be holden at The Court House, Biggleswade, on the 14th day of February next for the grant to me of a Justices' licence authorising me to apply for and hold an excise licence to sell wine by retail for consumption either on or off the premises situated at Arlesey and known by the sign of The "True Briton" and of which premises Messrs. J.W. Green Limited of The Brewery, Luton, are the owners of whom I rent them and which premises are now occupied by me as a Beerhouse.
    GIVEN under my hand this 10th day of January 1934.
    NATHANIEL SHEPHERD.

11.   Biggleswade Chronicle
    Page 3, 16 Feb 1934.

    WINES AND SWEETS.
    Nathaniel Shepherd, licensee of the "True Briton" beerhouse, Arlesey, applied for a license to sell wine and sweets in addition to beer.
    Mr. F.W.F. Lathom, solicitor, Luton, was for the applicant and Mr. H.N. Tebbs, solicitor, Bedford, opposed on behalf of the licensees of the "Brickground" and "Lamb," at Arlesey.
    Mr. Lathom said that this was a seven days beer house. He asked that those people who were accustomed to come to the "True Briton" for refreshment might have a glass of port and lemon or a glass of sherry as well. He was surprised that there should be trade opposition. The application was not an unusual one, for these applications were made frequently to the Licensing Justices.
    There was a petition signed by 196 people, 140 of whom were living at Arlesey.
    Mr. Lathom remarked that the applicant was a very old comrade of war days. Mr. Shepherd was always Sergt.-Major Shepherd to him then and he knew him extraordinarily well.
    Applicant gave evidence on his own behalf. He had no desire to take anybody else's trade, but he did not want to lose the trade of his own customers.
    John Kingsley Daniels, tenant for 11 years of the "True Briton," and now a customer, testified to the need of the alteration.
    The Bench indicated that they did not deem it necessary to hear other evidence.
    Mr. Tebbs said that his clients kept fully licensed houses just 100 yards away from the "True Briton." His submission was that these two houses, apart from the other houses in Arlesey, were sufficient to supply the needs of the neighbourhood. It was for the applicant to satisfy the Justices that it was the public who required this license, not the licensee himself. He was not out for more customers and Mr. Shepherd had said that he did not want to get more customers. On the other hand his clients had got full licences and they thought that they were entitled to maintain the trade that they had. In 1925 the Justices dealt fairly well and to the best of their knowledge with the whole of the licenses in Arlesey. They took a number of licenses away and to-day they were asked, in effect, to add another license to existing premises.
    Mr. Lathom: If you are calling no evidence and don't want to take my customers, I cannot see what your objection is.
    The application was granted.

12.   Biggleswade Chronicle
    Page 3, 1 Jun 1934.

    TRANSFERS.
    Applications were made for the full transfer of the licence of... "The True Briton," Arlesey, from Nathaniel Shepherd to Leonard John Shepherd..."