John Shearin, Sr., ca (1710 – Nov 1795)
AKA John Shearing, John V. Shearing

John Shearin, Sr. was born in about 1710, probably in Virginia. In 1730, John Shearin, Sr. and Lucretia Rivers married in Virginia (1214, 1219).

On 27 Jan 1734, John V. Shearing received a land grant of 640 acres on both sides of the Three Creeks in Brunswick County, Virginia (1230). On 6 Mar 1739, John Shearin and his father Joseph Shearin were appointed to assist in clearing roads in Brunswick County, Virginia (1237). On 20 Aug 1740, John Shearing received a grant of an additional 400 acres on the north side of Maherrin River and on the south side of the Beaverpond Branch (1231).

By 25 Mar 1749, John Shearin was living in Granville County, North Carolina when he received a grant of 640 acres of land, beginning on both sides of Lyons Creek (969, 1218). He appears on a 1755 list of taxables in Granville County, North Carolina (1216).

In Bute County, North Carolina, on 16 Sep 1768, John Shearin witnessed a deed by David Megee and his wife Cresy to Anthony Street of Northampton County (1232). David Megee acquired 242 and 1/2 acres for £80 Virginia money. The land was at the south end of a tract on Lyons Creek adjacent to land held by John Shearin, Samuel Jones, and an Anderson family member. Joseph Shearin also witnessed the deed and proved it in Bute County Court in Nov 1768. The land was described as a tract taken up by Jinens Thompson and John Shearin as partners and sold by said Jinens Thompson to William Bell.

On 7 Nov 1771, John Shearin, Sr. witnessed the Will of Joshua Dawson in Bute County, North Carolina (1233). John and Lucretia Shearin’s daughter, Elizabeth Shearin, also witnessed this will. John Shearin, Sr. appears on a 1773 tax list for Bute County, North Carolina (1235). On 15 Apr 1776, John Shearin, Sr. and two sons, William and Charles Shearin, participated in a sale to settle the Estate of Henry Foote (468).

The 1786 Colonial Census of the Moses District of Warren County, North Carolina enumerates the John Shearin, Sr. household (1234) as does the 2 Aug 1790 federal census (1217). At the 1790 census, John Shearin was more than 15 years old. An additional male living in the household was also more than 15 years old.

In about 1794, John Shearin, Sr. made a will in Warren County, North Carolina (1223). He died in Warren County before Nov 1795 when his will was proved.

John Shearin, Sr. Census Summary

1790 U.S. Federal Census (1217)
John Shearin Household
Warren County, North Carolina
2 Aug 1790
John Shearin, a: > 15
Male, a: > 15
+ Female (Lucretia Rivers)
Female (Rebecca Shearin)
Female
Female
Female
Female

Will of John Shearin (1223)
Warren County, North Carolina
12 May 1794

In the name of God, Amen, I, John Shearin of the county of Warren and State of North Carolina, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say after my just debts is payd;

I lend to my son Joseph Shearin’s widow, one negro girl by the name of Philace during her lifetime or widowhood, and at her death or marriage I give it to her son, Danniel Shearin forever.

I also lend to my son William Shearin’s widow a negro girl name of Lucy, during her life or widowhood and at her death or marriage I give it to her son, Thomas Shearin forever, I also lend to my son Charles Shearen’s widow a negro girl by the name of Judah, during her life or widowhood and at her death or marriage, I give it to her son, Charles Shearin, forever I also lend to my son Moses Shearin, one negro Girl by the name of Tab and my still til his son Moses Shearin arrives at the age of twenty one and then the said negro and still be equally divided between his two sons, Moses and Aaron Shearin, I give to them forever. I also give a negro boy by the name of Coling to my son John Shearin Forever. I also give a negro boy by the name of Jack, to my son Aaron Shearing forever, I also leave my land and six negroes, to witt: Old Roger and Judah, Roger’s wife and Great Judah, young Roger, James, David to nine daughters; Mary Cimbrill, Elizabeth Thompson, Agnes Acree, Bekky Reggan, Curtice Kirk, Susanna Durham, Frances Bell, Sarah Crutchfield, Amy Walker, if living, if not for their children to have their parts intended for them and my will is my will is it should be equally divided, that is, the land and six negroes mentioned before. I also desire that my stock, household furniture, working tools, crop and such like things, may be sold and the money equally divided amongst all my children, both sons and daughters. My desire is that my negro Tom, may choose his master and not be sold as the other negroes are at publik sale, but to be sold by the executor to the master he chooses, for as much money as they can get and the money he fetches to be equally divided as the stock etc.

I hereby appoint Collen James Paine, Jesse Bell, Nathaniel Baxter executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I hereby publish and declare this to be contained my last Will and Testament.

John Shearin {locus sigilli}
In the presence of:
Polly Baxter
Peggy Baxter
Nathl Baxter

Proved Nov 1795