Notes:

Birth:
http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/h/u/n/Edward-Clarence-Hunter-jr/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0280.html

History - from Fischer Family History, Chapter IX, page 125. "Joseph
Shepard was born in the United States and came to Canada with his
family, Bay of Quinte area, in 1774 at the age of 9 [Note: this means he was born about 1765]. "About 1794 he moved to York and is said to have helped to build the first shanty when Toronto was founded as the Town of York. In 1795 what was to become the City of Toronto was surveyed into lots and at that time consisted of twelve houses. By 1802 the number of houses had increased to about 120. He is said to have been the oldest pioneer of this area. His first home was a log cabin erected in 1798 at the site where Dempsey's now stands at the corner of Yonge and Sheppard. In Council at York, on July 2, 1798, Lot 17, Concession I, West of Yonge, was confirmed to him. The statement of Settlers along Yonge Street in 1797 shows that he had about twelve acres partly cleared and had built his log house." In 1802 Joseph purchased 210 acres of land, Lot 16, Concession I, west of Yonge street.

Name:
http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/h/u/n/Edward-Clarence-Hunter-jr/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0280.html

History - from "The Toronto Telegram" - There's a piece of Canadian history for sale in North York. It's 90 Burndale Rd., the house in which William Lyon Mackenzie hid in 1837, when his reform rebellion was crushed. Not only does the old shiplap home reek with history but it carries scars of those angry days. Roof rafters still show the charring they got when troops, hopping to drive out the rebel leader, set the house afire. Records show a Crown grant of the 210 acres bounded by Yonge to
Bathurst Streets from Shepard Ave to Finch Ave in 1797 to James Johnson. Next year it was transferred to William Dickson. In 1802 it was taken over by Joseph Shepard (after whom Sheppard Ave. is named), and three years later he acquired a further 210 acres running up to Steeles Ave. One of the founding congregaton of St. John's Anglican Church in York Mills, Shepard is said in some circles to have built his house in either 1802 or 1805. An old friend of theShepard family, Mackenzie fled
to their house on Dec 7, 1837, after his plot to capture Toronto was put down in a one-death skirmish at Montgomery's Tavern, his headquarters. He was aided in his flight by Michael, Jacob and Thomas, sons of Shepard.
Death - date from Dorothy Milne (dhmilne@connection.com) Also got the following: Joseph of Yonge Street applied for a town lot in Kingston ON in 1790 (east of Toronto). To York 1793? very possible.

Joseph married Catherine Fischer on 11 Apr 1803 in St. James Log church, York, Toronto, On, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/h/u/n/Edward-Clarence-Hunter-jr/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0280.html

Marriage - Notes from Ted Granger - Married Catherine Fischer, 11 Apr 1803, at St. James Log church, York, the first church build in York (at the corner of the present King and Church).
CHILDREN: (Joseph & Catherine Fischer) Mary Shepard (1804-1884), Thomas Shepard (1805-1889), Jacob Shepard (1806-1854), Elizabeth Shepard (1807-1833), Michael Shepard (1809-1873), Catherine Shepard (1810-1897), Joseph Shepard (1814-1899), Sarah Shepard (1819-1892).

Thomas + Elizabeth Brew. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]