Pastor: Woodbridge, 1695 - 1707
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Reverend Shepard was the final independent clergyman to minister in Woodbridge. He accepted the call in October 1695. His salary was to be 50 pounds per annum - later raised to 60 pounds - or its equivalent in the “current pay of the country (peas, port, wheat, etc). William Webster, Freeholder, refused to pay his share. Whereupon, Captain John Bishop assumed the payment thereof. This staved off a battle over separation of church and state but not for long. By 1700, the town had passed laws removing the payment of the minister’s salary from the General Tax Rolls. This satisfied the Quakers who had by now a goodly representation in the town. On April 10, 1701, the Town Meeting voted to ordain Mr. Shepard as the Woodbridge minister. On July 23, he replied to the offer that “though he is otherwise willing to be ordained, he cannot admit of it to settle as a minister in the town because his wife is so adverse to his settling here.” No one could change her mind and so it was agreed that Mr. Shepard could preach on Sabbath Days until another minister could be found. He stayed until January of 1707. He was an excellent preacher, well liked by all.
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