Hi Nelson This might interest you. FEB 19th 1754 I buried Abel SHEARD IN THE 93 rd year of his age baptised by Mr R Allenson Vicar 17 Dec 1661 born at a little house by Battye Ford, he could remember a Pest House or Cabin erected under Hall Bank for the use of Mary OWENGE,who came to her parents near that place from London soon after the plague of 1665.He could also remember being entered free at Knowl School when that Charity was first left by Mr THORP IN 1667. The first master was lame and walked with crutches. His name he thought was PICKLES, and that he had upwards of 60 scholars when Abel left. Nelson. Would seem the SHEARD'S were N/C as there's a reference to a Michael Sheard. In 1692 the house of Michael SHEARD(THORP property)was licensed as the meeting house. Reason that Richard THORP & WIFE were getting on in years. PS This Richard's g/g also Richard bought Hopton Hall (still standing) from Thomas Wentworth and used it as a meeting house. Thomas Wentworth married Joanne MIRFIELD daughter of Oliver Mirfield. Mirfield's occupied Hopton Hall as the book says into the mists of time. Bill Mirfield Avoca Beach Nsw