Thanks for your reply. The information in Paul Heineggs books is very useful information, with respect to all of the individuals who lived in Virginia and North Carolina areas. This is excellent insight into our ancestors. With respect to his documentation on the Stewarts and Basses, I couldn't ask for more. The Stewarts and Basses that settled here, are covered in his book, as well as about 25 other families. But, the documentation on the Shepherd's/Shepard's is slim. My Gr. Grandfather changed the spelling to Shepard in 1895, from Shepherd, BTW. None of the individual in Paul's book have a direct link to Thomas Franklin Shepard. When the early settlers arrived in this area, many bought land from a Margaret Shepherd. I have no idea what the relationship was.