Jane Smallcorn was born in 1786 in Maine to Samuel Smallcorn and Jane Boothby. In September 1808, she married John E Shackford[i] and about ten years later they moved across the country in a carriage[ii] stopping in Kentucky[iii] for a while before settling in St Louis.[iv] They stayed in St Louis and John worked a merchant[v], operated a steamboat warehouse[vi], was an agent for an insurance company[vii], and invested in the Louisville and Portland Canal[viii]. The family also publically donated to the Bible Society[ix]and helped to open a new Sabbath school in Illinois[x].
In late 1833/early 1837 they moved from St Louis to Washington DC so her husband could serve in his new job as Doorkeeper of the United States Senate[xi]. Upon their arrival, the family maintained their visible interest in religion by publically committing to donate $1,000 to the Bible Society.[xii] In 1836, John was elected Sergeant at Arms to the US Senate but soon thereafter the family sold their household goods and returned to St Louis in March 1837 due to John's declining health. He died in August 1837 at the age of 50. His will which was shared in a previous blog, left significant sums to his wife and to each of his five living children Amelia Jane Ranney, Ann D Shackford, Charlotte Louisa Shackford, Cornelia W Shackford, and George R Shackford, clarifying that the money left to his daughters was to be free from the control or interference of the husband or husbands. He authorized his wife to dispose of the provision made for her "in absolutely such a manner as she pleased" and appointed her joint executor of his will along with his brother-in-law William M Shackford.
After John's death, Jane returned to Portsmouth New Hampshire where she and William M Shackford finalized the execution of the will living with and most likely caring for John's mother as requested in his will. It's unclear where she was in 1850 but in 1860 she was back in St Louis living with her daughter Amelia Jane Shackford Ranney in St Louis[xiii]. Jane died in St Louis on November 16, 1864 at the age of 78 from dysentery[xiv].
Jane's will written June 25, 1846 appointed her son George R Shackford and her brother-in-law William M Shackford as administrators responsible to distribute her assets equally to her four living children: Amelia Jane Ranney, Ann D Tucker, Cornelia W Rutherfurd, and George R Shackford.
The first codicil dated June 6, 1859 removes the distribution from her daughter Corneila W Rutherfurd and distributes Cornelia's share to Cornelia's son John Shackford Rutherfurd.
The second codicil dated March 6, 1861 states that her daughter Amelia Jane Ranney has built a home with $5,000 from the trust and specifies that upon Jane's death, Amelia shall be given the home with the $5,000 taken from her share of any distribution.
The third codicil dated Sept 8, 1863 states that she has loaned the husband of Ann D Tucker $5,000 and that this portion is to be taken from Ann's share of the distribution.
The probate records show that George R Shackford removed himself as an administrator of the will and include the very detailed records of William M Shackford's personal expenses as administrator followed by a distribution of $6157.64 to each person listed in the will (about $80,000 in today's dollars).
JANE'S WILL
Whereas my husband the late John Shackford, Esq declared in and by his last will and Testament gave fifteen thousand dollars or one hundred and fifty shares in the Louisville and Portland Canal to William M Shackford, George R Shackford and myself in trust for my ????? and another up now to dispose of said trust property absolutely by will and whereas I am desirous of exercising and authority of my disposing of my trust properly and all other property belonging to me by will. Therefore I Jane S Shackford of Portsmouth in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire widow of said John Shackford Esq deceased do make publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner and from following that is to say.
I give devise and bequeath unto my children Amelia Jane Ranney, the wife of Nathan Ranney of St Louis Missouri, Ann D Tucker the wife of Joshua T Tucker of Hannibal, Missouri, Cornelia W Rutherford of St Louis Missouri and George R Shackford all of my estate whether real personal or ???? to have and hold the same in equal parts to them the the said Amelia Jane Ranney, Ann D Tucker, Cornelia W Rutherford and George R Shackford and their respective heirs and ???? forever.
And I do nominate constitute and ???? permit William M Shackford and George R Shackford to be Executors of this my last Will and Testament.
In testimony where of I the said Jane S Shackford have ?????? set my hand and seal this; 25th day of June A. D. 1846.
Jane S Shackford
Signed sealed published and delivered by the said Jane S Shackford as for her last will and testament in our presence who ab??? in ??? and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as ????? thereto
W H Y Hackell
Macy A Havier
J C Shackford
1st Codicil
I Jane S Shackford of this city and county of St Louis in the State of Missouri, testator in the above and foregoing last will and testament executor in above and forgoing last will and testament executes on the twenty fifth day of June AD 1846 and Portsmouth in the state of New Hampshire, do make publish and declare this codicil to my said last will and testament, in manner and form following, that is to say it is my will and wish that portion of my estate devised and bequeathed to Cornelia R Rutherfurd mentioned to be held by said Cornelia W free from and control of her husband or any future husband that she may have, for and during her natural life for her separate and sole use and benefit and after her death to John Shackford Rutherford the son of said Cornelia W Rutherfurd, for his use and benefit. I do hereby give, devise, and bequeath said Cornelia W Rutherford, the one undivided fourth part of all my estate, wither real personal or mixed, to be used and enjoyed by the said Cornelia W Rutherfurd for and during her natural life, free from and independent of any control of her present husband or any husband that she may have in the future and after her death in my will and wish that the same shall go to the said John Shackford Rutherfurd to have and to hold unto him the said John Shackford Rutherfurd and to his heirs and assigns forever. And I do hereby, ratify, and confirm my said last will and testament in all respective except as herein altered. In testimony where of all hereto and my hand and seal this 6th day of June AD 1859.
Jane S Shackford seal.
Signed sealed and published and declared by the said Jane S Shackford as and for a codicil to her last will and testament, in our presence who at her request and in her presence, and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses, hereto.
Irving Smith
O???? R Tollier
J S Roberts
2nd Codicil
Whereas I Jane S Shackford have heretofore made and executed my last will and testament dated June 25, 1846 and a codicil thereto dated June 6th 1859, and whereas the Trustees under the will of my husband have recently purchased a house and lot in St. Louis Five thousand Dollars or one half of the purchase price many for which was taken from the fund in their hands in trust for me. And whereas the other half of said House and lot is intended for the accommodation of my daughter Amelia Jane Ranney, and I am desirous that the other half of said House at my decease, shall ensure to the benefit of said Amelia or so much thereof as will be equal to one fourth or her share of my estate.
Therefore I the said Jane S Shackford do make this codicil to my last will and testament and I do now order and direct that in distributing my estate said House and lot situate on the South side of Pine Street between Eleventh and Twelfth Streets Blocks Number 502 in the City of St Louis in Missouri there is to say the half thereof purchased by the funds held in trust for me, and which I am authorized to dispose of by will-be taken and deemed to be of the value of Five Thousand Dollars so instead of the bequest made to said Amelia in my last will I do now devise and bequeath the said half of said House and lot purchased with the funds held in trust for me unto my said daughter Amelia Jane Ranney upon the following conditions.
If my Estate at my decease including said House and lot that is to say said half thereof so purchased shall be less than twenty thousand dollars - she shall make up to my other children a sum which shall be equal to one fourth of the amount that my Estate shall fall short of Twenty Thousand Dollars - which sum to be made up (only upon the before named contingency) I give to my other children upon the conditions and ????? and by the used specifics in said will and codicil.
And if my estate shall exceed Twenty Thousand Dollars said Amelia Jane Ranney is to receive so much thereof including said half of said House and lot which I have the right to device valued at Five Thousand Dollars as will make her those equal with my other children's share.
2 To have and to hold the same to said Amelia Jane Ranney in trust free from the control of her husband for her own use for life with authority to sell the house upon the like trust as to the proceed therefore and with authority to sell the house upon the like trust as to the proceeds thereof and with authority to dispose of said House and lot - that is the half hereby bequeathed or the money arising from the sale or income thereof by her Cont will and testament.
3. In the event that my daughter the said Amelia Jane Ranney shall decease without a will the said house and lot that is to say the half thereof herein and hereby bequeathed on the money arising ???? the proceeds of the sale thereof shall go into equal parts to her children or their heirs to their and their heirs and assigns forever.
And to my last will and this codicil thereto except so far as they or either of their are herein and hereby must filed I do hereby ratify and confirm the same.
In witness whereof I Jane S Shackford the widow of John Shackford deceased have hereto set my hand and seal this 6th day of March A. D. 1861
Jane S Shackford [signature to right of words below, jsp]
Signed sealed published and and declared by said Jane S Shackford and for her last will and testament in our presence who at her request and in her presence did in the presence of each other here subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.
Basil Dirke
Ther Miller, Iv
3d Codicil
Having made and executed my last will and testament dated the 25th of June A. D. 1846 and having made a codicil thereto dated the 5th of June A. D. 1859 and a codicil dated the 5th of March A. D. 1861, I Jane S Shackford widow of the late John Shackford do hereby ratify confirm and execute said will and said two codicils however denatured I may heretofore executed the same and I do now make this my third codicil for the purpose of duly executing said several testamentary instruments and to direct how the distributive share of my my daughter Ann shall be paid.
Having at the request of both Ann D Tucker and of her husband Joshua T Tucker loaned him the sum of Five Thousand Dollars, and taken with the other trustees security therefore by mortgage or pledge and will appear from said Tucker's note no mortgage dated on or about the 7th date of September ?? A. D. 1863. I order direct & will that so much of the sum of Five Thousand Dollars as may, not be realized by said Trustees under said John Shackford's will at the settlement and distribution of my Estate shall he rejoined & estimated pro tarito as part of said Anne's distribution share of my estate or of the Estate which I am authorized to devise by will. And if the amount with ????? shall exceed said Anne's distributive share I order & will that she shall make up the deficiency.
In all other respects I do hereby ratify and confirm my said last will and said secured codicils.
In witnesses whereof I, the said Jane S. Shackford, have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of September A. D. 1863.
Jane S Shackford [her signature at right of words below]
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Jane S Shackford as add for a codicil to her last will and testament in our presence who at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
N. Ranney
Jas H Wallace
Annie S Wallace
REFERENCES
[i] "New Hampshire, Marriage and Divorce Records, 1659-1947," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 June 2013), Capt John Shackford m Jane Smallcorn
[ii] Williams William W and James Harrison Kennedy, The National Magazine: A Monthly Journal of American History, Volume 7 (Magazine of Western History Publishing Co, 1887), Page 293-4; digital images, Google eBooks (http://books.google.com : accessed 20 August 2013
[iii] "TAKE NOTICE," Louiville Public Advertiser (Louiville, KY), 25 December 1819; digital images, Godfred Memorial Library (http://godfred.com : accessed 20 August 2013).
[iv] Missouri Gazette, 19 April 1820; Reference to Newspaper, State Historical Society of Missouri (http://digital.library.umsystem.edu : accessed 29 July 2013). Page 3, Column 5
[v] Missouri Gazette, 31 October 1821; Reference to Newspaper, State Historical Society of Missouri (http://digital.library.umsystem.edu : accessed 29 July 2013). Page 1, Column 3
[vi] Missouri Republican, 4 July 1825; Reference to Newspaper, State Historical Society of Missouri (http://digital.library.umsystem.edu : accessed 29 July 2013). Page 4, Column 2
[vii] Missouri Republican, 20 July 1826; Reference to Newspaper, State Historical Society of Missouri (http://digital.library.umsystem.edu : accessed 30 July 2013
[viii] New Hampshire, County Probate Estate Files, John E Shackford; "New Hampshire, County Probate Estate Files, 1769-1936," digital images, Family Search (http://www.familysearch.org: accessed 29 July 2013); Rockingham, Case no 13449-13514 1837-1838, Image 792-794
[ix] Missouri Republican, 25 January 1827; Reference to Newspaper, State Historical Society of Missouri (http://digital.library.umsystem.edu : accessed 30 July 2013).
[x] The History of Jo Daviess County, Illinois (n.d.), page 453; digital image, Mocavo.com (http://www.mocavo.com : accessed 21 October 2013
[xi] "TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS.," Geneva Courier (Geneva, New York), 18 December 1883; digital images, Newspapers of the Rocester, New York Region (news.nnyln.ne : accessed 7 September 2013)
[xii] "DEFERRED ARTICLES. John Shackford, Esq. Sergeant at Arms of the U. S. Senate," Star (Gettysburg, Pennslyvania), 29 June 1835; digital images, Pennslyvania Civil War Newspapers (http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu : accessed 9 September 2013).
[xiii] 1860 United States Federal Census, St. Louis County, Missouri, population schedule, St Louis, 5th Ward, Page 2 of 4, dwelling 1177, family 1344, Nathan Ranney; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 December 2013).
[xiv] Missouri, Missouri Death Records, 1834-1910, REGISTRY OF DEATHS FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOV 19, 1864, page 11-12, Jane S Shackford, 14; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 December 2013)