John Shier was baptised in Loders in 1743 and returned there fifty five years later to be buried. Loders is also where he married Elizabeth (Betty) Hansford in 1776. The first record of him in Netherbruy is in the Land Tax Return in 1784 where he is recorded as paying 3s 6d on a single plot which is thought to be the shop in Bridge Street which is now part of the house called The Redes.

John and Betty had their new born daughter Elizabeth and her one year old sister Sophia baptised in St Mary's on 17th September that year. Another girl, Anna Hanna, was born on Christmas Eve the following year and she was followed by Harriet a couple of years later in 1787.