The Shepherds

1732 - 1818

Following his marriage to the twice-widowed Marsh heiress Mary in 1732, Samuel Shepherd promptly took over the running of the brewery, introducing an important era of growth. He led the acquisition of 21 pubs in Faversham, the surrounding villages, and on the Isle of Sheppey, five of which remain with Shepherd Neame to this day.

Samuel Shepherd was the first brewer in the business known to have retired when, in 1755, after more than 20 years at the helm, he left the business to his sons, John and Julius Shepherd, and moved to his Great Mongeham farm, near Deal. John withdrew from the business in 1777 and retired early whereas Julius would go on to work at the brewery for a staggering 65 years.

In 1789, Julius Shepherd was responsible for introducing steam power to the Shepherd Neame brewery when he bought a Sun and Planet steam engine - the work of Birmingham engineers and steam engine pioneers Boulton & Watt.