Shared Photo: Tom Shepherd on his farm.

Question

 

I wanted to share this family photo of James Shepherd with the community. Location: Jackson County, North Carolina. Date: about 1955.

This is my great grandfather, James Thomas Shepherd, who went by the name of Tom. He was descended from his ancestor, James Shepherd, four different ways. He was a true mountain man. He moved with his family to the Gastonia, NC, area to work in the cotton mills like so many other mountain folks in the early 20th century, but moved back to the mountains later. I only remember meeting once , in he 1960s, as a little boy. He is the only great-grandparent that I remember meeting.

 

His wife, Mary E. Patterson Shepherd, told him NOT to bury her in he Shepherd Cemetery, but she predeceased him, and that’s exactly where he put her.

Click here for the image details page.

Answer 1

It is wonderful that you remember your great grandfather. This picture will help you remember him for a long time. Tom looks like a very hard worker. Here with his cane, He looks like he could outwork our whole generation. He is a great man, and you have great memories. It looks like the photograph has many memories. I am sure the cemetery one will be passed down through the generations. I am glad that you are not letting that story fade. Thank you for sharing this man and a story.