Shead Cemetery

In 1835, William and Manson Sheid left their parent's home in Coffee County, Tennessee. Manson was a single man.  William was married, but his wife and children remained in Tennessee with his parents, James and Sybil Sheid. William had an interest in law and settled in Liberty, to pursue that career. William B. Travis, David Burnett and Sam Houston were practicing law in that town when William arrived to learn the trade. He changed the spelling of his last name as was often done in the family since arriving from Scotland in 1740. Manson settled in San Augustine where he was listed as a carpenter on the first Texas census.

Early in the war for Texas Independence, Manson and William followed the example of their grandfather, William Shed, who served in Captain McBee's company, Roebuck's Regiment during the American Revolution. Republic of Texas Claims files in the Texas State Library and Archives show that in the latter part of 1835 William rode with the Liberty Safety Committee to the Siege of Bexar, which lasted through December 11th, 1835.  William remained there for the duration. Manson left civilian life in San Augustine and joined Captain Carey's Artillery command, known as The Invincibles. At the start of 1836, he was stationed inside the Alamo in San Antonio and was among those who died at the Alamo.

William survived the revolution and returned to his family in Tennessee where he completed his law studies. In 1850, he and his cousin, James Austin Shed, move their families to Texas. William collected on Headrights land grants for himself and Manson, as his brother's heir. He also collected on Manson's military service grants. In Limestone County, William patented land grant Abstract 507 ﴾Headrights W. Shoed﴿, and the bordering Abstract 494 ﴾Headrights heirs of Manson Sheid﴿. He settled the family there and established a cemetery for the family and surrounding settlers. William worked as a lawyer and also served as justice of the peace, remaining on the Limestone County homestead until his death.