Editing William Shepherd (section)

=William Shepherd (1796-1865) - Seventeenth Master of Corinthian Lodge=

==Overview==  
Brother William Shepherd, born on June 7, 1796, in Dedham, Massachusetts, served as the seventeenth Master of Corinthian Lodge from 1835 to 1840. Leading the Lodge through some of its most challenging years, Shepherd’s devotion to Masonry was instrumental in preserving its integrity during the height of the anti-Masonic period. 

==Early Masonic Career==  
Initiated in Meridian Lodge in Needham (now located in Natick) in 1816, Shepherd joined Corinthian Lodge on November 17, 1828. He quickly took on leadership roles, serving as Senior Warden from 1830 to 1834, before stepping into the role of Master. Shepherd also received his Royal Arch Degrees in St. John's Chapter of Groton in 1820.

==Professional Life and Community Involvement==  
Following his father's death in 1810, Shepherd moved to Needham and worked as a shoemaker until 1817. He then relocated to Concord, where he became involved in transportation, running a stage line between Concord and Boston. In Concord, he operated Shepherd’s Tavern (as of 1859 the residence of Colonel Joseph Holbrook) from 1829 to 1839, providing a popular establishment for travelers. The building is now a dormitory for Concord Academy. 

In 1839, Shepherd moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he took up proprietorship of the Manchester House at the corner of Elm and Merrimac streets, a role he held for nineteen years, serving residents and visitors with the same dedication he had shown in Concord.

==Legacy==  
William Shepherd’s leadership of Corinthian Lodge during a period of trial and his unwavering commitment to Masonry earned him deep respect within the fraternity. His contributions to the Lodge and his role in the Concord community reflect a life of service, resilience, and loyalty.

[[Category:Past Masters|1835]]  
[[Category:Biographies|Shepherd, William]]