On April 16, 1872, Benjamin B Batson makes the same request of the Probate Court. Although Benjamin's request was filed after Elizabeth's, his paperwork appears first in the probate records.
In these probate records, we see additional verification that Silas T Shackford, Maria L. Shackford, and Edward R Shackford were the heirs of Charles W Shackford (Benjamin's brother who died at sea about Dec 1863). We also see that by April 16, 1872, it is known that John L Shackford has died at St Thomas, West Indies. (He died Dec 20, 1871). For some reason Benjamin's request seems to list John's heir as Jennie, not Elizabeth which may just be an error or her nickname. (We're currently looking for John L's probate records and researching what ships he may have captained).
Elizabeth states that Silas T Shackford, Edward W Shackford, ad Marie Shackford cannot be found in the state. Since these are most likely her nieces and nephews, it is interesting that she does not identify their current locations as they seem to have been found by June 15, 2014 by the disinterested parties who were appointed to inventory John's estate. Silas and Marie are in New York and Edward W Shackford is in East Weymouth.
HERE'S THE PROBATE RECORDS SHOWING ELIZABETH AND BENJAMIN'S REQUESTS.
To the Honorable Judge of Probate for the County of Washington. Benjamin B Shackford of Eastport in said County of Washington respectfully represents that he his seized us on heir within others namely Silas T Shackford. Maria L Shackford and Edward R Shackford heirs of Charles W Shackford late of said Eastport deceased, Jennie? Shackford, heir of John L Shackford late of St Thomas West Indies deceased. In real estate, whereof John Shackford late of said Eastport in said County died seized and possessed an inventory whereof has been duly returned into the Probate Office that his portion of the same is one third, which he is desirous of hold-
ing and posing in serenity. He therefore prays your Honor to
grant a warrant to suitable persons authorizing them to make a division of said estate and set off to each his proportion.
Benjamin B Shackford.
April 16, 1872
To the Honorable Judge of Probate for the County of Washington. Elizabeth S Shackford of Eastport in said County respectfully repres-
ents that she is seized in fee of one undivided third part with others
namely Benjamin B Shackford, Silas T Shackford, Edward W
Shackford, and Marie Shackford in the Real estate whereof
John Shackford late of said Eastport died seized and possessed, an inventory of which has been duly returned into the Probate office
that has interest in one third in common and undivided which
she is desirous of holding and possessing in servitude. She freenice? Benjamin B Shackford resides in said Eastport. That Silas T
Shackford, Edward W Shackford and Marie Shackford
cannot be found within the State. She therefore prays that your Honor would or-
der notice in some newspaper for three successive weeks at least before such hear-
ing. And that your Honor would grant a warrant to suitable person authorizing
them to make a division of said estate and set off to each interested his or her por-
tion of the same. Elizabeth S Shackford
Eastport Feb 14. 1872
REFERENCE
Maine, Washington County, Probate Case Files, John Shackford; "Maine, Washington County Courthouse Records, 1795-1950," digital images, FamilySearch (FamilySearch.org: accessed 12 June 2014); Probate Records, Probate records, 1872-1874, v. 25 pt. 1, page 34-40 , image 37-43
Wiley Kenneth L., editor, Vital Records from the Eastport Sentinel of Eastport, Maine 1818-1900: Note: Cover and title page of my hard copy edition are misspelled as "Eastport Sentinal" (Camen, Maine: Picton, Press, 1996), page 260