Richard Shearwood was mentioned in the 6 August 1828 will of his brother, Horace Shearwood, proved 15 September 1828. To brother Richard my gun and chest. (After other bequests) the balance of my estate to my brother and sister, but if they die without heirs then estate to my uncle Josiah Minter and his heirs. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 21, pages 289–290.]

On 31 July 1834, Richard Shearwood made purchases at the sale of the estate of Major Arthur L. Barnes. [Essex County, Virignia, Will Book 24, pages 12–20.]

On 15 December 1834, the execution of the last will and testament of Elizabeth Howerton was renounced by Frances Boughan. A certificate of probate was granted to John Boughan with Richard Shearwood his security. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 23, pages 298–299.]

On 15 December 1834, John Boughan and Richard Shearwood were bound in the penalty of $1,200 for John Boughan’s administration with the will annexed of the estate of Elizabeth Howerton. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 23, page 308.]

“Lucy Monday Boughan the Dauter of John Boughan and Frances his wife was maried the 18 of December 1834” [Boughan family Bible at the Virginia State Archives, Acc. 24166]

On 10 November 1835, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of Gabriel Boughan, deceased, was made by L Noel DS [deputy sheriff] for R Rowzee shff & Com, Richard Shearwood, H H Boughan, and Wm S. Croxton. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 1.]

On 10 November 1835, Richard Shearwood purchased property at the sale of the estate of Gabriel Boughan, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 1–2.]

On 13 and/or 14 November 1834, Richard Shearwood purchased property at the sale of the estate of Major Arthur L. Barnes. [Essex County, Virignia, Will Book 24, pages 12–20.]

On 4 April 1837, sales of the estate of John Boughan were made, with purchases by Mrs John Boughan, Richd Sherwood, Thos Boughan, Jas Croxton, Thos N Clarke, H H Boughan, Lucy Boughan, William Bezley, Robert Brooks, Mrs Minter, Dr J Miner, Frank Coleman, Jas Semple, Jas Phillips, John Rouzee, Jos Wilmore, Robert Moody, Mrs Frances Boughan, Ro: G Haile, Charlott Howerton, Susan Jones, and John Coleman. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 118–119.]

1840 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Shearwood, Richard
1 male under 5 [this could be James]
2 males 15-20
1 male 20-30 [this would be Richard]
1 female under 5 [this could be Mary]
1 female 20-30 [this would be Lucy]

In the name of God amen! I John Minter of the County of Essex and State of Virginia do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following, viz: I lend to my beloved Wife Ann Minter during her life the whole of my estate both real and personal to be used and enjoyed by her agreeably to her discretion. After the death of my wife the whole of my estate both real and personal that may be left after the payment of my just debts I give and bequeath to James Durham junr. who now lives with me to him and his heirs forever. Lastly I hereby constitute and appoint the said James Durham junr. executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all wills heretofore made by me. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 29th day of April 1833. Signed John Minter. Witnesses: Richard Harper, Chaney his x mark Broach, William his x mark Brooks. On 20 April 1840, presented in court by James Durham and proved by Richard Harper, “and the proof of said Writing being contested by Richard Shearwood a great Nephew of the Testator, Jane Isabella Broach and Joanna Broach children of Frances Broach who was Frances Fletcher a Niece of the Testator by Chaney Broach their Guardian and next friend by consent of the parties, the proof of the said writing was continued till the next Court.” “At a Court of Quarterly session begun and held for Essex County at the Courthouse in Tappahannock on the 18th Day of May 1840. This Writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of John Minter decd. being again brough into Court and offered for proof by James Durham Jr. and the proof of said writing being contested by Richard Shearwood and others. On the motion of the said James Durham Jr. the proof of the said writing was continued till the next court; and on the further motion of the said Durham it was ordered that Chaney Broach be summoned to appear here on the first day of the next Court…” At court of 15 June 1840, “This Writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of John Minter decd being again brought into Court and offered for proof by James Durham Jr. was further proved by the oath of Chaney Broach another subscribing Witness to the same and was Ordered to be Recorded—” [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 488–489.]

On 17 November 1841, Lucy Boughan, Catharine Minter, Frances Boughan widow of John Boughan deceased, Richard Shearwood and Lucy M his wife, Frances Ann Boughan, Charles Lewis Boughan, Cary Caston Boughan, John Boughan, Catharine Boughan, Henry Caston Boughan and John Thomas Boughan, the ten first named persons of the County of Essex, and the two last named children of the late Thomas Boughan deceased and residents of the County of Buckingham, all of the first part, sold to Thomas Boughan, Caston Boughan, Silas Connelley and Elizabeth his wife, all of the County of Essex, of the second part. For $120 paid by Gabriel Boughan deceased, the father of the parties of the second part, in part of the sum aforesaid and the balance in full paid by the said parties of the second part, a tract of land situate and lying in Southfarnham parish Essex containing Twenty four acres by actual survey and bounded by the lands of Jno H Upshaw deceased, John A Parker, James Croxton, and the lands of Gabriel Boughan deceased, as will more fully appear by reference to the division plot of the lands of the late Major Boughan deceased made about the year 1818, it being the lot of parcel of land allotted in said division to Caston Boughan who has since died intestate and the parties of the first part are his lawful heirs and distributees. Signed Lucy Boughan, Catharine Minter, Frances Boughan, Richard Shearwood, Lucy Munday Shearwood, Frances A Boughan, Charles L Boughan. On 17 November 1841, Lucy M Shearwood and Miss Lucy Boughan acknowledged this to be same to be their act. On 17 July 1843, with the acknowledgment of Lucy M Shearwood the wife of Richard Shearwood, ordered to be recorded. On 6 September 1843, Catharine Minter acknowledged the same to be her act. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 48, pages 76–78.]

On 27 October 1843, orator Philip Montague executor of the last will and testament of Elizabeth M. Boughan deceased and of Lucy Boughan deceased complained that the said Elizabeth M. Boughan died on or about 2 February 183[blank] having left a last will and testament making various bequests. But she survived her brothers Gabriel Boughan and John Boughan, to whom bequests were made. The said Elizabeth M. was not much in debt, and debts and legacies have now been paid. The said Lucy died about 4 October 1841 having left a last will and testament in which she gave to her sister Elizabeth M. Boughan and to Gabriel and John, all of whom predeceased her. Both Elizabeth and Lucy died unmarried and without issue. Their heirs are Thomas Boughan, Caston Boughan and Elizabeth Ann wife of Silas Conaly children of Gabriel Boughan deceased a brother of the whole blood; Lucy M. wife of Richard Shearwood, Frances Ann wife of Ephraim Beazley, Charles L., Carey, John T and Catharine Boughan children of John Boughan deceased a brother of the whole blood; Catharine Minter a sister of the half blood; Henry Caston and John T. children of Thomas Boughan a brother of the half blood. For division of the estate. Filed as Montague vs. Minter. All answers were filed on the same day. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 49, item 49-E-25.]

On 1 January 1845, Richard Shearwood of the County of Essex sold to Charles L. Boughan. For $200, right and title in the estate of Elizabeth Howerton deceased and which is now in the possession of Frances Boughan. Signed Richard Shearwood. Witness: ZMP Carter. Ordered recorded 13 March 1845. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 48, page 361.]

On 17 March 1845, a chancery case was concluded concerning the division of the lands of Elizabeth and Lucy Boughan, deceased. Plaintiffs were Thomas Boughan; Caston Boughan; Silas Conly [sic] & Elizabeth A. his wife who was Elizabeth A. Boughan and daughter of Gabriel Boughan, deceased; Richard H. Shearwood and Lucy M. his wife who was Lucy M. Boughan, daughter of John Boughan deceased; Ephraim Beazley and Frances A. his wife who was Frances A. Boughan and daughter of John Boughan; Charles L. Boughan; Cary C. Boughan; John T. Boughan; Catharine Boughan; the last three infants of John Boughan by Frances Boughan their next friend; Henry C. Boughan son of Thomas Boughan deceased; John Thomas Boughan infant by Washington H. Purkins his next friend, against Catharine Minter. [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 50, pages 458–459.]

1850 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Page 71
Dwelling 93, Family 93
Shearwood, Richard, 39, bricklayer, born in Virginia
Shearwood, Lucy, 38, born in Virginia
Shearwood, James, 15, born in Virginia, in school
Shearwood, Mary, 13, born in Virginia, in school
Shearwod, Ann, 10, born in Virginia, in school
Shearwood, Lucy, 9, born in Virginia, in school
Shearwood, Margaret, born in Virginia, 6
Shearwood, Thursday, born in Virginia, 2