Genealogical and Family History
of the
STATE OF MAINE

Compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little, A. M., Litt. D.

LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
New York
1909.

[Please see Index page for full citation.]

[Transcribed by Coralynn Brown]

[Many families included in these genealogical records had their beginnings in Massachusetts.]

SHAPLEIGH This ranks among the very early families which settled in Maine. The name was sometimes spelled "Shapley" and also "Sharpley." The earliest account of the family in this country was when Alexander Shapleigh located at Kittery Point, Maine. He came from Kingsweare, Devonshire, England, in 1635, or possibly a little earlier. He was residing at Kittery Point in 1635 and at Sturgeon Creek in 1639, and probably died in 1650. He was a man of more than ordinary importance in his community; was a ship-builder, owner and merchant. Children: Alexander (see forward); Catherine, b. 1608; Major Nicholas, b. about 1610. Some genealogical items on the family place the date of the American ancestor's birth at 1583. (II) Alexander (2), son of Alexander (1) Shapleigh, was born in 1640, and was an important factor in the early settlement of Kittery. He was a selectman, repesentative and an ensign, and was killed by the Indians, April 29, 1706. His wife Sarah was the daughter of Thomas Withers. Children; Alexander, Alice, Nicholas, Mary, Sarah and John. (IV) Captain John (2), youngest child of Col. John (1) and Sarah (Withers) Shapleigh, was born in 1689, in Kittery, Maine, and mararied Nov., 1733, Dorcas Littlefield, of Willis. They lived at what is now known as Eliot, where he died in 1759, having been an active man in all the trying days in which he lived. He was a captain of the militia, and united with the Congregational church in 1734. He resided with his grandson during his last years. Children: John, b. Nov., 1733; Nicholas, Sarah, James, Dependence, Dorcas, Mary, Alice, b. Feb. 20, 1752. (V) Dependence, fifth child of Capt. John (2) Shapleigh, born in Kittery, Maine, March 5, 1744, died Dec. 16, 1812. He married Catharine Leighton, in 1768. Children: John, Mary, Sarah, William, Dorcas (died young), Nicholas, Dorcas, Dependence, Alice, Tobias, James and Catharine. (VI) Nicholas, son of Dependence and Catharine (Leighton) Shapleigh, was born May 9, 1778, in Kittery, and married Betsey Ferguson. Children: Dennis F., Elizabeth, Sally C. and Catharine. (VII) Dennis F., son of Nicholas and Betsey (Ferguson) Shapleigh, born in Kittery, Aug. 14, 1803, died July, 1882. He married Ruth Chase, of Kittery, born 1796, died Nov., 1884. Children: Thomas C., Harriet H., Sarah E., Julia A., Charles F. and Dennis M. (VIII) Dennis M., son of Dennis F. and Ruth (Chase) Shapleigh, was born in Kittery, June 1, 1838, and received his educaiton in the town schools of his home neighborhood, and at Eliot Academy. He is a machinist and in that capacity was employed in the navy yard under President Harrison's administration. In politics Mr. Shapleigh is allied with the Republican party. He has served as a member of the board of selectmen for a number of years; been tax collector, representative in the Maine legislature, 1878-79 and in 1883. His fellow townsmen repeatedly insisted upon his reelection as town clerk until he has served in such capacity for twenty years. His patriotism was shown in 1862, when he enlisted in the cause of the Union as second lieutenant of Company G, Twenty-seventh Maine Regiment. He was mustered out of service in July, 1863. In his lodge relations he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of St. John's Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Portsmouth, N. H.; also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Grand Army of the Republic, at Kittery. Mr. Shapleigh was united in marriage in 1864 to Annie Elizabeth Peirce, of Kittery, born Jan. 24, 1844, died Dec. 24, 1901. Children: Annie E., died in infancy; and Edward Everett. (IX) Dr. Edward Everett, son of Dennis M. and Annie Elizabeth (Peirce) Shapleigh, was born in Kittery, Maine, March 3, 1868. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native town, and at Phillips Exeter Academy. After his primary training he entered the medical department of Bowdoin College, from which instituion he graduated in 1890. He began the practice of his profession at North Conway, N. H., locating in Kittery Oct., 1891, since which time his practice has been confined mostly to that community. He affiliates with the Republican party, and is interested in the development and welfare of his state and home county. He belongs to Riverside Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Dirigo Encampment, and is a member of the Aspinquid Tribe of Red Men. As a professional man he is connected with the York County (Maine) Medical Society. Dr. Shapleigh was married Feb. 18, 1891, to Mabel H., daughter of Charles C. Humphrey and wife, of Brunswick, Maine. Children: Edward E., born Jan. 8, 1892. Lloyd P., born May 26, 1895.