John Holdershaw (abt. 1735 - bef. 1807)

Born about 1735 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts Bay [uncertain]

Husband of Sarah (Cole) Shaw — married 4 Dec 1760 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts Bay

Descendants

Died before May 1807 before about age 72 in Frankfort, Hancock, Massachusetts, United States

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Biography

John Holdershaw is only estimated to have been born about 1735. He was in 1760 married to Sarah Cole.^[1] The couples marriage intention, stating they were both of Eastham, was entered in the town book April 4, 1760 by Jabez Snow, Clerk. John's name appears to have been written as Holdenshaw but Jabez did not have the best penmanship skills.^[2]

John Holdershaw was recorded as received in communion in the 1st church of Orleans Massachusetts, (formerly 1st Church of Eastham) on 29 Sep 1773.^[3] There is much confusion over whether he and his family were named Holdershaw, Holder Shaw, or Shaw with most records, particularly those from his estate, recording them as Holdershaw. Examination of this primary source documentation clearly indicates some of the family was transitioning to using the middle name "Holder" as he is recorded as both John Holdershaw and John H. Shaw and sometimes in the same document by his family.

He served during the Revolution for six months as Corporal in Capt. Solomon Higgin's Eastham Company, and again as Sergeant in Capt. Samuel King's Company of the 10th Massachusetts Bay Regiment under the command of Col. Thomas Marshall.^[4] He was then recorded as "Sr." as his son was also serving and signified as Jr. on documentation.

By 1790 John was being recorded as a farmer and trader at Bald Hill Cove in Frankfort, Massachusetts (now Maine), where deed records indicate he sold lots of his land to his sons as they resided together as a family.^[5] The enumeration of the 1800 census additionally indicated he, his three sons John, Jr., Joseph, and William Holdershaw had emigrated to Frankfort town from Cape Cod. This was also noted for his son-in-law Richard Ellingwood.^[6][7] John's son-in-law, Israel Mayo, who married Mary Holdershaw in July 1790, also came to reside in Frankfort town.^[8]The latter witnessed a family deed there 24 December 1790 and also appeared on an 1807 petition to the Court after John's death to not "suffer" any of John's land for debts due from the estate and pledging himself with his brother-in-laws to cover any debts.^[9]

John appears to have passed away in the first part of 1807. His estate file shows his widow Sarah requested Asa Bean to be the administrator of her deceased husband on 4 May 1807.^[10] His heirs are documented as numbering six by deeds made before and after his death to include:

• Hope Ellingwood, widow of Richard Ellingwood
• Delilah Ellingwood, wife of Ralph Ellingwood
• John Holdershaw, Jr. thereafter John H. Shaw, mariner of Boston
• Joseph Holdershaw, sold land to Wm. described as at corner of his own lot and "my father John Holdershaw"
• William Holdershaw, signed documents Wm. H. Shaw
• Mary HolderShaw, m. 1790 Israel Mayo

• Note: Steven Atwood signed the Dec 1807 petition to the Court not to sell John's land for debts. This was because he was to receive 2 shares. Deed records show he had bought those two 1/6th shares a month prior from John's daughters, Hope and Delilah Ellingwood. This appears to have been his only interest.

Deed records indicate John's son John Holdershaw, Jr. had left Frankfort and was being styled as "Mariner of Boston" in 1807 deeds.^[11] John's son Joseph Holdershaw appears to have lost some land in Frankfort by a judgement executed against him in 1810 so he was likely still residing in Frankfort at this time.^[12] John's son William appears to have remained in Maine.

Deeds

• [13]24 Dec 1790 John Holdershaw Sr. quitclaim deed to John Holdershaw Jr. both of Frankfort, County of Hancock, 15 acre lot bounding said Holdershaw, Jr. Witnesses: Israel Mayo & Richard Ellingwood. Acknowledged by appearance of John Holdershaw [Sr.] and rec. 16 Oct 1804. Deed Book 15, p. 222.
• [14]15 Aug 1798 Joseph Holdershaw to William Holdershaw, both of Frankfort County of Hancock, $100 for all right, title, interest in certain tract bounded by "my father John Holdershaw" w/ location described. Deed Book 6, p. 249.
• [15]27 April 1802 John Holder Shaw of Frankfort to Joseph Wardwell, 42 sq. ft. lot on west side Penobscot River for $12. Relinquishment of wife Sarah Shaw. Deed Book 10, p. 402.
• [16]28 Dec 1802 John Holdershaw of Frankfort in Massachusetts to John Holdershaw, Jr. of the same, 1 acre bounding on Bauld Hill Cove for $20. Deed Book 12, p. 136.
• [17]28 Dec 1802 John Holdershaw Sr. & John Holdershaw, Jr. both of Frankfort County of Hancock to Jeremiah Wardwell of the same, land surrounding and excepting 42 ft. lot where Joseph Wardwell has his store for $225. Deed Book 12, p. 480.
• [18]16 Sept 1807 John Holdershaw of Boston County of Suffolk, mariner, to Asa Bean & Joseph Holdershaw of Frankfort County of Hancock, $40 for right, title, & interest in certain piece of land lying in town of Frankfort [described]. Deed Book 23, p.159.
• [19]4 Nov 1807 Hope Ellingwood, widow, of Frankfort County of Hancock to Steven Atwood, $90 for all right, title, interest I now have in the real estate of which my father John H. Shaw late of Frankfort died seized...1/6 undivided between heirs of John H. Shaw, also 1/6th reversionary interest in the widow's dower or share of estate after her decease. Deed Book 23, p. 286.
• [20]4 Nov 1807 Ralph Ellingwood & Delilah his wife, of Frankfort County of Hancock to Steven Atwood, $90 for all right, title, interest they have in 1/6th share of 2/3 of real estate of which Delilah's father John H. Shaw late of Frankfort died seized, also 1/6th reversionary interest in the widow's dower or share of estate after her decease. Deed Book 23, p. 287.
• [21]1 Dec 1807 John Holdershaw of Frankfort County of Hancock to Asa Been for $300 land "sold me by my father John Holdershaw" containing 75 acres bounded by William Holdershaw & Stephens Atwood. Acknowledged by John Holdershaw at Suffolk 2 Dec 1807 then recorded. Deed Book 23, p. 431.
• [22]John Holdershaw of Boston County of Suffolk, mariner, to Asa Bean, merchant of Frankfort, quitclaims all his right title & estate interest in described tract of land with house & barn standing which was taken up by John Holdershaw bounded by William Holdershaw containing 10 acres and another described 1 acre dated 16 Sept 1807, acknowledged in Court 5 Oct 1807. Hancock Co., Maine Deed Book 23, p. 160.

Sources

1. ↑ [1]"Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910," database, FamilySearch
2. ↑ [2]Image. April 4 1760 marriage intentions of John HolderShaw & Sarah Cole by Jabez Snow, Town Clerk. Massachusetts Town Clerk Records p. 174. Births, marriages, deaths, 1649-ca.1840; intentions of marriage, 1700-ca.1905 [Eastham and Orleans, Massachusetts] Family Search.
3. ↑ [3]The Mayflower descendant : a quarterly magazine of Pilgrim genealogy and history by Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants.
4. ↑ [4]Massachusetts soldiers and sailors of the revolutionary war. A compilation from the archives by Massachusetts. Office of the Secretary of State
5. ↑ [5]24 Dec 1790 John Holdershaw Sr. quitclaim deed to John Holdershaw Jr. both of Frankfort, County of Hancock, 15 acre lot bounding said Holdershaw, Jr. Witnesses: Israel Mayo & Richard Ellingwood. Acknowledged by appearance of John Holdershaw [Sr.] and rec. 16 Oct 1804. Deed Book 15, p. 222.
6. ↑ [6]1790 Residence of John Haldershaw, Frankfort, Hancock
7. ↑ [7]1800 Residence of John Haldershaw, Frankfort, Hancock
8. ↑ [8]Marriage of Israel Mayo & Mary Holder Shaw both of Eastham were married by Mr. Bascom July 18 1790, Orleans, Barnstable, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America. Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records. FHL Film # 007010726, image 14/279.
9. ↑ [9]Nov 7 1807 Frankfort. Petition of Stevens Atwood, Israel Mayo & William H. Shaw, heirs of the estate of John H. Shaw late of Frankfort in the County of Hancock farmer deceased to Honorable Job Nelson, Esq.
10. ↑ [10]Administration of Estate of John Holdershaw, dec'd, late of Frankfort, County of Hancock. Request of widow Sarah (X) Shaw for Asa Bean to Admin. estate of John Holdershaw. Payments to Wm. H. Shaw, Ralph Ellingwood, et al. Folder 15, images 626 thru 648. 1807/8.
11. ↑ [11]16 Sept 1807 John Holdershaw of Boston County of Suffolk, mariner, to Asa Bean & Joseph Holdershaw of Frankfort County of Hancock, $40 for right, title, & interest in certain piece of land lying in town of Frankfort [described]. Deed Book 23, p.159.
12. ↑ [12]Judgement & appraisal executed against Joseph Holdershaw dated 1810. Deed Book 29, p. 138 & 139.

• See images

• "Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FC4F-FZG : 9 February 2018), John HolderShaw and Sarah Cole, 04 Dec 1760; citing reference ; FHL microfilm 778,358.

• 1790 Residence of John Haldershaw, Frankfort, Hancock, Massachusetts. "United States Census, 1790," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYYY-94ZL?cc=1803959&wc=3XT9-3Y2%3A1584070931%2C1584070973%2C1584070981 : 14 May 2015), Maine > Hancock > Frankfort > image 2 of 4; citing NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• 1800 Residence of John Haldershaw, Frankfort, Hancock, Massachusetts. "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R8K-9LL1?cc=1804228&wc=3V1X-CX9%3A1585148803%2C1585149942%2C1585149515 : 10 June 2015), Maine > Hancock > Frankfort > image 5 of 6; citing NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• [23]Nov 7 1807 Frankfort. Petition of Stevens Atwood, Israel Mayo & William H. Shaw, heirs of the estate of John H. Shaw late of Frankfort in the County of Hancock farmer deceased to Honorable Job Nelson, Esq. Judge of Probate Court for County of Hancock to not suffer any of the real estate of the deceased to be sold for and charges or debts, "We hereby pledge ourselves that we will discharge all lawful demands against said estate." Maine, Hancock County, probate records, estate files Vol. 1, P. 428, Docket 2004. FHL Film # 004142074, image 814/2374.

• [24]Administration of Estate of John Holdershaw, dec'd, late of Frankfort, County of Hancock. Request of widow Sarah (X) Shaw for Asa Bean to Admin. estate of John Holdershaw. Payments to Wm. H. Shaw, Ralph Ellingwood, et al. Folder 15, images 626 thru 648. 1807/8.

Notes

• [25]Israel Mayo of Orrinton [sic] & Molly Shaw of Eastham was published 12 June 1790. Ancestry.com. Marriage Intentions Misc 1763-1905. Massachusetts, U.S., Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com
• [26]Marriage of Israel Mayo & Mary Holder Shaw both of Eastham were married by Mr. Bascom July 18 1790, Orleans, Barnstable, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America. Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records. FHL Film # 007010726, image 14/279.
• [27]Judgement & appraisal executed against Joseph Holdershaw dated 1810. Deed Book 29, p. 138 & 139.

• "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHR8-DFT : accessed 14 September 2022), John Haldershaw, Frankfort, Hancock, Maine, United States; citing p. 119, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 7; FHL microfilm 218,677.

Research

IF you are looking for John Shaw, Esquire, who moved with his wife Sarah to the "Town" of Cincinnati in the County of Hamilton in the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio prior to August of 1799, his family's records are here... beginning in Charls Town, Ohio County, Virginia.

[28] 3 Jan 1791 Indenture from Charles & Ruth Prather of Charls Town, Ohio Co., VA to Albin Shaw of the same place...5 messuages & Lots in the Town of Charls Town...Wit: Elzey Swearengin James Griffith. & Ohio Co., VA Deed Book 2, p.114.

[29] 3 Jan 1791 Indenture from Charles & Ruth Prather of Charls Town, Ohio Co., VA to Reuben Rood of the same place...4 messuages & Lots in the Town of Charls Town...Wit: Elzey Swearengin James Griffith. & Ohio Co., VA Deed Book 2, p.112.

[30] 7 Feb 1791 Indenture from Reuben Rood & Huldah his wife of Charls Town, Ohio Co., VA to William McKinley of West Liberty in the County aforesaid...two lots of ground in Charls Town...Wit: Charles Prather, Richard Spear & Joseph Wells. Ohio Co., VA Deed Book 2, p. 225.

[31] 4 April 1791 Indenture from Albin Shaw & Eunice his wife of Charls Town in the County of Ohio and Commonwealth of Virginia to Andrew Snider of the same place...one messuage & Lot in the Town of Charls Town...Wit: William McMachan & James Griffith. Ohio Co., VA Deed Book 2, p. 153.

[32] 16 April 1791 Indenture from Reuben Rood & Huldah his wife of Charls Town, Ohio Co., VA to Alexander Wells of the County of Washington and State of Pennsylvania...two messuages and lots of ground in Charls Town...conveyed by Charles & Ruth Prather to said Reuben Rood by deed dated 3 Jan 1791.

[33] 5 Aug 1799 Indenture from Aaron Cadwell Esq, of Cincinnati to John Shaw, Esq. of Cincinnati...106 2/3 acres in S20 T3 of Miami Purchase. Rec: 14 Feb 1800. Hamilton Co., Ohio Deed Book 2, p. 235.
This Indenture made the fifth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven-hundred and ninety nine between Aaron Cadwell of the Town of Cincinnati in the County of Hamilton and Territory north west of the River Ohio Esq of the one part and John Shaw of the same County & Territory Esquire of the other part witnesseth that the said Aaron Cadwell for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred sixty dollars to him in hand paid by the said John Shaw...all that certain lot tract or parcel of land containing one hundred and six acres and two thirds of an acre (strict measure) situate and being in the County aforesaid being a part of and in the North East corner of a Section of land containing six hundred and forty acres and numbered in the plan of the Miami Purchase the Twentieth Section in the Third Township East of the Great Miami and the second entire range of Townships North of the Ohio according to the plan of the said Miami Purchase as aforesaid...

[signed] Aaron Cadwell

Acknowledged in the presence of
Arthur St. Clair, Junr
John S. Wills.

[34] 18 July 1804 Indenture from Albin Shaw of Hamilton Co, State of Ohio to Jeremiah Butterfield of the same place, relinquishment of Eunice Shaw, wife of Albin. Wit: Sarah Shaw & Judah Willey. Rec: 10 Oct 1804. Hamilton Co., OH Deed Book F1, p. 24.

[35] 23 July 1804 Indenture from Albin Shaw of Hamilton Co, State of Ohio to Noah Willey of the same place, relinquishment of Eunice Shaw, wife of Albin. Wit: Judah Willey & Richard Willey. Rec: 10 Oct 1804. Hamilton Co., OH Deed Book F1, p. 26.

[36] 23 July 1804 Indenture from Albin Shaw of Hamilton Co, State of Ohio to Knowles Shaw of the same place, relinquishment of Eunice Shaw, wife of Albin. Wit: Richard Willey & Judah Willey. Rec: 10 Oct 1804. Hamilton Co., OH Deed Book F1, p. 28.

[37] 23 July 1804 Indenture from Albin Shaw of Hamilton Co, State of Ohio to Asa Harvey of the same place, relinquishment of Eunice Shaw, wife of Albin. Rec: 10 Oct 1804. Hamilton Co., OH Deed Book F1, p. 51.

[38] This Indenture made this Twenty sixth day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand eight-hundred and four between Albin Shaw of the County of Hamilton and State of Ohio of the one part and Knowles Shaw, John Shaw, Salla Shaw, Rueben Rood and Huldah Rood his wife [m. 8 June 1788 at Wilbraham] all of the County of Hamilton aforesaid and heirs at law of John Shaw, esquire, late of Hamilton County aforesaid deceased and the heirs at law of Sinai Newton [m. Phinehas Newton, Jr. int. pub. 21 Dec 1776 at Wilbraham], late of the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, deceased, who was an heir at law of the said John Shaw, deceased, of the other part Witnesseth that the said Albin Shaw for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred dollars to him in hand well and truly paid to him by the said John Shaw, Esq, in the lifetime of him the said John Shaw...Wit: Hartman Vantress & Judah Willey. Hamilton Co., OH Deed Book F1, p. 101.

The will of his widow Sarah Shaw was dated 1st October 1805. She named their two daughters; Sallie Shaw [also transcribed as Salla] and Huldah Rood, sons; John Shaw, Knoles Shaw, and Albin Shaw, and named Judah Willey [Justice of the Peace in Hamilton Co.] her sole executor. It was witnessed by Israel Willey and Elias Hedges and presented for probate 5th December 1805 in Hamilton County Court.[39] Will of Sarah Shaw, widow of John Shaw, dated 1 Oct 1805, proved 5 Dec 1805. Re-recorded from original probate record. Hamilton Co., OH Will Book 9, p. 487-489.