Samuel Shepheard (died 1748) facts for kids

Samuel Shepheard (1677–1748) was an important English politician from a place called Exning in Suffolk, near Newmarket. He was a member of the English House of Commons in 1701. Later, he served in the British House of Commons for nearly 40 years, from 1708 to 1748. This means he helped make laws and decisions for the country for a very long time!

Early Life and Family

Samuel Shepheard was born in 1677. He was the second son of a man also named Samuel Shepheard and his wife, Mary Chamberlayne. Mary's father was Edward Chamberlayne from Princethorpe.

Samuel Shepheard had an older brother named Francis. When Francis passed away in 1739, Samuel inherited his family's property. This included a large house called Exning House.

Working with the East India Company

From 1717 to 1720, Samuel Shepheard was a director of the East India Company. This was a very powerful company that traded goods like spices, tea, and textiles from India and other parts of Asia. Being a director meant he helped make big decisions for the company.

A Long Career in Politics

Samuel Shepheard spent many years as a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is someone elected by people to represent them in the House of Commons. This is where laws are discussed and made.

First Steps as an MP

Shepheard was first elected as an MP for Malmesbury in 1701. However, he did not run for election again right away.

Representing Cambridge

In 1708, Samuel Shepheard was elected as an MP for Cambridge. His election was later cancelled in February 1710, but he quickly won the re-election just a few weeks later.

He was very popular in Cambridge. He won his elections without anyone running against him in 1710 and 1713. In 1715, he lost the election at first. But after a special review, he was given his seat in Parliament in May 1715.

Moving to Cambridgeshire

In 1722, Shepheard did not run for Cambridge. Instead, he was elected as an MP for Cambridgeshire in a special election in 1724.

He was elected again for Cambridgeshire in 1727, this time alongside Henry Bromley. He continued to be elected without opposition in 1734 and 1741.

Return to Cambridge

In the 1747 election, Samuel Shepheard was once again elected as an MP for Cambridge. This showed how much people trusted him to represent them.

Later Life and Legacy

Samuel Shepheard passed away on April 24, 1748. He was at Hampton Court, on his way back from Bath, when he had a sudden stroke.

He never married. However, his daughter, Frances, inherited his property. She later married Charles Ingram, 9th Viscount of Irvine in 1758.