1860 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Dwelling 828, Family 803
Shearwood, Lucy, 45, farmer, $500 real estate, $915 personal estate
Shearwood, Mary, 22
Shearwood, James, 21
Shearwood, Fannie, 19
Shearwood, Lucy, 16
Shearwood, Ella, 12
Shearwood, Thyna, 10
Shearwood, Richard, 7

On 15 February 1872, John R. Shearwood married Amanda J. Dyke. He was 21, single, a farmer, born in Essex County and residing there, son of Richard Shearwood and Lucy Boughan. She was 22, single, born in Essex County and residing there, daughter of Warner Dyke and Mary E. Beazley. They were married by Howard W. Montague. [Essex County, Virginia, Marriage Register 1, page 30.]

1900 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Rappahannock District, Enumeration District 28, Sheet 11
Dwelling 213, Family 215
Shearwood, John R., head, white, male, born January 1851, 49, married, married for 16 years, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, farmer, not in school, can read and write, speaks English, owns farm free of mortgage, 193 on farm schedule
Shearwood, Mollie K., wife, white, female, born November 1852, 48, married, married for 16 years, mother of 2 children of whom one survive, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, can read and write, speaks English
Shearwood, Letha L., daughter, white, female, born October 1886, 13, single, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia, at school, attended school for 5 months previous year, can read and write, speaks English

1910 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Rappahannock District, Dwelling 223, Family 226
Shearwood, John R., 58, second marriage, this marriage 25 years, farmer on general farm, owns farm free of mortgage, farm schedule 214
Shearwood, Mollie K., 56, first marriage
Shearwood, Letha L., 22 [no relationship listed to above]

1920 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Rappahannock District, E.D. 44, Dwelling 135, Family 136, Essex Mill Road
Sherwood, J. R., head, 68, farmer, general farm
Sherwood, M. K., wife, 66
Boughan, L. S., daughter, 32, seamstress, working at home
Boughan, Joseph, son-in-law, 31, teamster, lumber yard

1940 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Rappahannock District, Enumeration District 29-7, Sheet 2B
Household 31, owned, valued at $500, family lives on a farm
Shearwood, J. R., head, male, white, 89, widowed, not in school, highest level of education completed 4th grade, born in Virginia, lived in same house in 1935, lives on farm, at work week of March 24-30, worked 40 hours that week, occupation farmer, works on own account, 52 weeks worked in 1939, received money other than through wages and salary, 16 on farm schedule
Baughan, Letha, daughter, female, white, 50, married, not in school, highest level of education completed 4 years of high school, born in Virginia, lived in same house in 1935, lives on farm, not at work, not seeking work, engaged in housework, no income from outside sources
Baughan, J. Edward, son in law, male, white, 52, married, not in school, highest level of education completed 6th grade, born in Virginia, lived in same house in 1935, lives on farm, at work week of March 24-30, worked 40 hours that week, 26 weeks worked in 1939, income $500 in 1939, no income from outside sources
Baughan, Polly Anna, granddaughter, female, white, 16, single, in school, highest level of education completed 3 years of high school, born in Virginia, lived in same house in 1935, not at work, not seeking work, received income other than wages and salary
Baughan, J. Edward Jr., grandson, male, white, 13, single, in school, highest level of education completed 7th grade, born in Virginia, lived in same house in 1935

An obituary reads [paper unknown, no date]:
John Shearwood Dieds In County
On October 19, 1945, John R. Shearwood, one of Essex County’s oldest and most esteemed citizens died at his home at Howertons, Va. He was laid to rest in Howertons Cemetery beside his wife who had preceded him eleven years ago. ¶Funeral services were conducted by Rev. James W. Durham, of Richmond, who paid him such loving and befitting tributes, having known Mr. Shearwood since childhood. The many beautiful flowers and the host of friends and relatives who attended shows the esteem in which he was held. ¶Active pall bearers were: Morton Owen, Evans Brizendine, Walter Brizendine, James Brizendine, Lantie Wright and Ernest Taylor. The honorary pall bearers were: Mr. Cabiness, Emmett Brooks, Joseph Davis, Ben Lumpkin, Nelson Johnson, W. G. Balderson, Jr., Luther Brizendine, Frank Brizendine, Roland Durham, Mr. Delano, Tom Shearwood and Chris Lumpkin. ¶Mr. Shearwood was born at Howertons, Va., on January 25, 1851, and in early life married Mollie Brizendine also of Howertons. He lived his entire life in this community and was a long and faithful member of Howertons Baptist Church, a senior deacon and for more than fifty years treasurer of the church. He was blessed with rare qualities and was loved by all who knew him. His face always wore a smile and he was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. How wonerful [sic] it would be if each of us would reach out after such a beautiful life as his, so kind and gentle. ¶Our sympathy goes out to Mrs. J. E. boughan, his only daughter who survives. Much credit is due her for her faithful, untiring and unselfish services rendered both mother and father during their declining years. Also surviving are two grandchildren, Mrs. Calvin Delano, of Howertons and Pvt. Joseph Boughan, of U. S. Army and one great-grand child, Carol Ann Delano.