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The documents below are displayed in chronological order, though each appears in a different vital register kept by King’s Chapel. In cross-referencing each of these pages, major moments in one man’s life begin to come into focus. Look closely to determine what each page below is. Are you able to locate any similarities across each document?
In order, these sources illustrate major moments in the life (and death) of Addison Shepard over a span of 15 years. Shepard first appears in King’s Chapel records on August 19, 1798 when he was baptized as an adult. Four years later, Shepard is again seen at King’s Chapel -- this time for his marriage to Prudence Foster on October 21, 1802. When he died in 1813, Shepard’s burial service was held at King’s Chapel.
Although currently we only are aware of the above church records related to Addison Shepard’s life, they reveal his sustained relationship with King’s Chapel. By researching Shepard across these three different church registers, we learn that he is the only Black person of whom we are aware at this time who was baptized, married, and buried by King’s Chapel. Prudence Foster only appears explicitly at King’s Chapel at the time of her marriage. If Addison Shepard and Prudence Foster had any children, they were not baptized at King’s Chapel. That said, the couple served as baptismal sponsors for the child of another couple. On September 30, 1804, Addison and Prudence  were present for the baptism of Elizabeth, a young daughter of John Jackson and Nancy Lewis. Without further information available at this time, we can only speculate about the nature of the relationship between the two families.
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Sometimes the only sources known for Black individuals during this time period are church vital records, like these which share details of Shepard and Foster’s lives. The frequent scarcity of other textual records underscores how important church records can be in uncovering their stories through text. This example also shows the significance of carefully making note of the dates records were made.  Unlike other people discussed in this exhibit such as Richard and Phillis, Addison Shepard’s connections with King’s Chapel were likely intentional. While enslaved people in the 18th century were often forced into baptism at predominantly white churches like King’s Chapel by their enslavers, after abolition in Massachusetts in 1783, we see people like Shepard forging their own relationships with religious institutions on their own terms, particularly during this time before Boston’s first African American  congregation acquired its own building in 1806, the African Meeting House on Beacon Hill (now a museum).
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Est. 1686
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  • Home
    • About Us >
      • Welcome
      • Calendar
      • Clergy & Staff
      • Contact Us & Directions >
        • Send A Message
      • Employment Opportunities >
        • Pianist/ Music Leader
        • Verger Position
  • Worship
    • Holy Week 2022
    • Sunday at 9 AM
    • Sunday at 11 AM
    • Lent 2022
    • Sermons
    • Special Annual Services
    • Book of Common Prayer
  • Music
    • Tuesday Recitals
    • Concert Series
    • Musical Inquiries
  • History & Tours
    • Plan Your Visit >
      • 2023 At A Glance
      • Guided Tour Offerings >
        • Group Tours
    • Explore Our History >
      • A Brief History
      • The Stone Chapel: Art & Architecture >
        • The Wooden Chapel
        • Georgian Architecture
        • Box Pews
        • Interior Colors
        • Memorials
        • The Chancel Windows
        • The Last Supper Painting
      • Crypt and Burying Ground >
        • Crypt >
          • Crypt Highlights: Crypt Entrance
          • Crypt Highlights: Tomb Structure
          • Crypt Highlights: The Stranger's Tomb
          • Crypt Highlights: Research and Family Connections
          • Crypt Highlights: Remaining Memorials
          • Crypt Highlights: Hand-Hewn Beams
        • Burying Ground
      • Religious History >
        • Online Exhibit: Independent Country, Independent Church
        • 334 Years of Ministry
      • Slavery at King's Chapel
    • Online Exhibits >
      • Revolutionary King's Chapel: Online Exhibit
      • Literary King's Chapel
      • Uncovering the Past: Exploring Black History Through Primary Sources
    • History Events & Programs >
      • Past Events & Programs
      • Recorded History Programs
    • Christmas History at King's Chapel >
      • Decking the Halls: The History of Decorating with Greens
      • Christmas Lights: Then and Now
      • 18th & 19th Century Christmas Services & Music
      • Christmas Feasts & Treats Throughout History
      • Holiday History Trivia
    • History Program Blog
    • About Us >
      • History Program Staff
      • Contact Us
    • Support the History Program
  • Community
    • News & Updates >
      • Parish Community News
    • Community from Home
    • Community Action Committee >
      • Anti-Racism Resources
    • Memorial to Enslaved Persons
    • Environmental Action Initiative
    • Join King's Chapel
    • For Members >
      • Budget Meeting 2023
      • Partner Church Sunday 2022
      • KC Bylaws
      • 2022- 2023 Church Leadership
  • Giving
    • Why Give
    • Ways to Give
    • Stewardship >
      • Pledge
  • Weddings & Baptisms
    • Weddings >
      • Dear Prospective Couple
      • Wedding Inquiry
      • Wedding Service
    • Baptisms
  • Space Rentals