Jerry Spinrad wrote (snipped):
In fact, Edgar Sheappard did play chess. The Chess Player's Chronicle
of 1854 gives a game in which he loses to Loewenthal, who gave him odds
of the exchange...

So he was a chess player after all. It is interesting that he played
Loewenthal. Just before the latter's match against Harrwitz, Staunton "had
Loewenthal down to stay with him for a few days at his house in Cheshunt,
and gave him some coaching in the openings" (Sergeant, p. 86). Edgar
Sheppard wrote letters about that time from Enfield, which is only a few
miles from Cheshunt. So it seems quite possible that Sheppard's game
against Loewenthal was played at Staunton's house during those few days. I
have not identified where Staunton's house in Cheshunt was exactly.

Seconds in those days were not like seconds of today. There would have
been no help in analyzing adjournments; this would have been considered
very unethical.

I don't suppose there were many adjournments. When they did arise, I
imagine they must have favoured the player on move, as sealed moves were not
introduced until Paris 1878.

Best wishes,

John Townsend
Howard Staunton research project:
http://www.johntownsend.demon.co.uk/page7.html