Jonathan Shepardson

Other Events and Attributes:

• History: According to Murder and the Death Penalty in Massachusetts, by Alan Rogers, chapter one, page 28, "Just one year after Bristol's execution [Robert Treat] Paine represented another murder defendant and in doing so effected a change in the rules of criminal procedure. Bail normally was prohibited in a capital case, but in 1764 Paine petitioned Chief Justice Thomas Hutchinson to allow an indicted murderer, Jonathan Shepardson, to remain free until his trial. Paine argued the murder indictment against Shepardson would not be sustained at trial, and, therefore, to hold him until the court's next circuit would violate the defendant's right to due process. Shepardson was an Attleboro resident whose rumored sexual misconduct came under attack by his neighbors. Late in October [Oct. 23, 1764], a group of men in blackface and disguise surrounded Shepardson as he worked in his field.'ride Skimmington,' a wooden horse on which they planned to parade him through town. Shepardson had been warned, however, and he was armed with a knife. During the scuffle that followed, Shepardson killed Benjamin Ide, one of his taunters. Under the circumstances, Paine asked that his client be granted bail and the chief justice agreed, allowing Shepardson to remain free until his trial in October 1765. At trial, Paine argued that Shepardson acted in self-defense and he was acquitted."
• Moved to: 1768, Templeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts; The moved from Cumberland, Rhode Island.
• Moved to: 1790, Royalston, Worcester County, Massachusetts
• Will: 19 Oct 1799

Notes:

Birth:
Father: Nathaniel Shepardson (1680-1718)
Mother: Mary _____

Died:
He died the same day as his wife.

Jonathan married Miriam Follett on 4 Mar 1756 in Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Miriam was born on 11 Feb 1733 in Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts; died on 3 Dec 1804 in Royalston, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Jonathan Shepardson was born on 23 Apr 1758 in Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts; died on 18 Jun 1818 in Warwick, Franklin County, Massachusetts.