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Joseph Sheard Parkette

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2006

This small park on the east side of Sheard Street a block east of Yonge Street was once the land of Joseph and Sarah Sheard. This 1986 Toronto Historical Board plaque can be found in the park. [Note: On September 9, 2013, Heritage Toronto reports that the plaque is missing.] It has this to say:

Coordinates: 43.660351 -79.381928

Click here for a larger map

This is the site of the homestead of Joseph and Sarah Sheard which they cleared from the forest, and where they raised their seven children. Joseph Sheard (1813-83) arrived in York (Toronto) in 1833, a penniless immigrant from Yorkshire and rose from carpenter to prominent politician and architect. As Foreman of Public Works, he refused at great personal risk, to build the gallows to hang Lount and Matthews, two of the leaders of the 1837 rebellion. Sheard, leading proponent of the August Civic Holiday (now Simcoe Day) served as an alderman for many terms and was Mayor of Toronto 1871-72. He helped design the first Parliament Buildings of Canada and erected many notable Toronto buildings including the former Cawthra Mansion, Bay and King Streets, considered to have been Toronto's finest house.

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Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted October 10, 2016
Michelle Sarah Sheard was the wife of my great great grandfather and mother to my great grandfather. Would love copies of any pictures or information.
PO box 383 Agassiz BC V0M1A0
[email protected]

> Posted May 25, 2015
Hello, I saw an email below from [email protected]. I wrote her this note but the email address no longer works. I would be grateful if there's any way I can get in touch with anyone who might have information on this branch of the Sheards. I am Sarah Sheard, (named after Sarah Tuke) and Joseph Sheard, the once-mayor, was my great-great grandfather. My father was Joseph David Sheard, a Superior Court judge, who died this past January. His father was Joseph Louis, son of Dr. Charles, son of Joseph from Yorkshire. I am now researching the family in order to write a memoir about the Sheard side of my family. I would be very happy to make contact with anyone and hear more of any information about the Sheard family that you might have.
All best, Sarah [email protected]

> Posted July 14, 2012
Alice and Jack (and Michael) you are in luck, My grandmother (Mary Sheard) has spent a great deal of time working on a complete Sheard family history. She has a boxes and boxes of information and pictures etc. She would be better able to help you than I. Perhaps this is something that would be achieved easier if we had each others mailing addresses. I would love to send you some scanned photos and any information that my grandma can give to me. In return, perhaps you would be able to help my grandma find any missing pieces she has. You can email me at [email protected] and I would be glad to assist in any way. Michael, it would be especially interesting to get your mailing address, as it is always a pleasure meeting/conversing with lost relatives!

> Posted May 15, 2011
To GGdtr of Joseph Sheard ... Would you have any other info re Sheard family .. I'm trying to piece family hisory on very little info .. Alice and Jack ..

> Posted March 10, 2011
my name is michael frank sheard in hull east yorkshire im trying to close any gaps in my family history can you help I know joseph came from yorkshire was it leeds or hull or castleford thank you m f sheard

> Posted March 19, 2010
I am the Great Granddaughter of Joseph Sheard, I can get you more information, I would just like to know what you would like this information for.

> Posted October 24, 2009
I am researching the Sheard family history and would like to know where I can obtain more info on this Joseph Sheard

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