Shopher Mystery

Emails sent to me are duplicated exactly as I received them including typos.

Subject: Frederick Shopher
Date:Tue, 7 Jul 1998 21:17:39 -0500
From: "E. Clyde Mayfield" <ecmayf@netusal.net.netusa1.net>
To: <Cody@Safeweb.net> NOTE: THIS WAS A PREVIOUS EMAIL

Hi Carol,
While browsing the Hardeman Co. page tonight I discovered your inquiry of July 97 Perhaps you have the following info by now but, if not, here is what I have on Shopher.

The 1850 census of Hardeman County Lists my ggrandfather, Archabald Mayfield, as having in his household "A. Shofin (55) laborer, born in France" I have an additional note that he is a.k.a. Frederick Shopher.

I found that Frederick Shopher and my gggrandfather, Randolph Mayfield, were granted a joint deed to land in 1847 The documenation is as follows:

Settlement of Real Property is in Hardeman County Clerk Office RD#189 entitled "R. Mayfield vs. Sholfer et al."

Real Estate

By virtue of Entry # 437 dated 12 Jan 1847 Made in pursuance of the 2nd section of an Act passed 17 Nov 1847 chapter 8 and by virtue of Eighty Dollars 12 1/2 cents in hand and paid I have this day sold to Fred Shophert and Randolph Mayfield this plot and certificate of Survey containing one hundred and forty six and one half acres of land situate in the county aforesaid in Range 1 of d Section 4 of the 10th Surveyors Dist. (boundaries described)

Survey Dec 25 1846 By T.P. Marsh Deputy Surveyor \

(Signed) Jan 12 1847 Muriel Crisp Entry Taker and E. C. Crisp Dep E.T.

Witnesses: Arch Mayfield and Calvin Shopher

I do not have further info on when the land was divided. Nor do I have any of the info you submitted regarding the wife and descendants of Frederick Shopher.

Hope this gives you a lead or two. I would like to know how Randolph Mayfield and Frederick Shopher came to be granted title to the same tract of land.

E. Clyde Mayfield

He didn't mention why he thought "A. Shofin" was Frederick Shopher.
Frederick Shopher is listed in 1850 Hardeman County census as head of household with his family (below is how both families appear in the 1850 Hardeman County Tennessee Census)

33 109 109 MAYFIELD Anchabald 20 M . Farmer . Tennese X X . . .
34 109 109 SPURLIN Salley 40 F . . . Ky . . . . .
35 109 109 SPURLIN Elry 15 M . Farmer . Tenn . X . . .
36 109 109 SPURLIN George 8 M . . . Tenn . X . . .
37 109 109 SHOFIN A. 55 M . Laborer . France

19 1548 1548 SHOFER Fedrick 55 M . Farmer 200 France . . . . .
20 1548 1548 SHOFER Calvin 23 M . Laborer . Ten . . . . .
21 1548 1548 SHOFER John 19 M . Laborer . Ten . . . . .
22 1548 1548 SHOFER James 16 M . Laborer . Ten . . . . .
23 1548 1548 SHOFER Nancey 13 F . . . Ten . . . . .
24 1548 1548 SHOFER Rufus 10 M . . . Ten . . . . .
25 1548 1548 SHOFER Elizabeth 9 F . . . Ten . . . . .
26 1548 1548 SHOFER Marion 3 M . . . Ten . . . . .

Yes Frederick is 55 in 1850 but a farmer in his household and Calvin, John and Rufus are listed as laborers. But then again, A Shofin and Frederick Shofer are both 55 and say they were born in France.
If indeed Frederick contracted himself out as a laborer, was he at the Mayfield house when the census taker came and the census taker took down his name. And Freddy's family back at 1548 gave the family information, therefore him showing up twice? If so, did he take it down wrong, or does Frederick have an alias? (Twilight Zone theme now---do do do do do do do do)
Maybe "A. Shofin" actually is that and it was misinterpreted by the researcher that he was Frederick Shopher because Fredericks name appears on a land deed.
Better yet, disregarding "A Shofin", what happened to the almost 150 acres of land Frederick was co-owner of hummmmmmm????????
Okay......discussed amongst yourselves.

Thank you for viewing!