A working life · 1732
The brewer across the street was her father
Mary had brewing knowledge of her own.
When Richard Marsh II died soon after inheriting the brewery, his widow Mary kept the business going.
She knew the trade. Her father, Alexander Bax, ran a rival brewery across Court Street. The company’s history credits Mary with brewing knowledge of her own.
In 1732 she married Samuel Shepherd, who took over the business. His surname became part of the brewery name. Before following him, take a moment for Mary: the woman who kept it working between two husbands.
Sources & research notes · 2 records
Relationships and business events are attributed to Shepherd Neame’s company history. No primary family papers have yet been examined.
Follow the evidence
- Richard MarshShepherd Neame · company history · accessed 2026-10-07
- The ShepherdsShepherd Neame · company history · accessed 2026-10-07