CHICKERING (f): Derived from the surname, likely indicating descent from Francis Chickering of Dedham, Mass. Chickering Shepard, named for her paternal grandmother Mercy (Chickering) Shepard, was b. Wrentham, Mass. 22 Oct. 1738, daughter of David and Hepsibah (Blake) Shepard (Wrentham, Mass. VRs to 1850, 1:186). She m. Attleborough, Mass. 2 Jan. 1758 William Bolcom, Jr. (Attleborough, Mass. VRs to 1850, pp. 550, 338; also Wrentham VRs, 2:370, 257), and died at Attleborough 19 March 1814 ae. 76 (Attleborough VRs, pp. 631, 338). Chickering Bolcom (Attleborough 19 Sept. 1781–19 April 1783 ae. 1–7–11) was a granddaughter (Attleborough VRs, pp. 38, 631) (see also Gerald Faulkner Shepard, [Donald Lines Jacobus, ed.], The Shepard Families of New England (3 vols.), vol. 1, Ralph Shepard of Dedham [New Haven: The New Haven Colony Historical Society], pp. 67-68, 24, 9-10).
Such use of a surname as a female given name is very rare in New England at this early date. “Chickery” Shepard (ca. 1784–1855), son of John and Lois (Blake) Shepard (Ralph Shepard, p. 137), was a somewhat distant male cousin, apparently also a descendant of Mercy (Chickering) Shepard.