William J. Rankin

In December 1845, William J Rankin wrote his will and left most of his property including enslaved people to his brother and executor Joseph F Rankin. He also stated: "I furthermore require my Executor to appropriate the sum of Five hundred dollars first in purchasing a Boy the son of the Girl known as Maria Shelton named John Marshall Shelton whenever the said boy can be sold and set him Free. After the said purchase money is paid the remainder of the five hundred dollars to be appropriated to his use as my said Executors may think needful or if Maria should wish to retain the boy to furnish her with such sums from time to time as may be needful until the above named sum is expended. In the event of the Boys death then my Executor to give all or such portion of the above sum of five hundred dollars as remains in his hands to the Boy's mother Maria Shelton and her child Sarah Frances Shelton."

In January 1847, the estate of John Shelton was sold at auction in Maury County, Tennessee. He owned three slaves (Maria, Sarah, and John). Maria and Sarah were sold to William D Shelton for $500 and $576 respectively. John was sold to Joseph F Rankin for $325.

John Marshall Shelton and his mother Maria Shelton were listed as free people of color in the 1860 census in Nashville, Tennessee.

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William J Rankin was born on 5 January 1811 in Lexington, Kentucky. He was the son of Mary "Polly" Fleming and Samuel Rankin.

In the 1840 census, he and his brother Joseph Fleming Rankin were enslaving two people in Maury County, Tennessee.

He passed away on 13 December 1846 in Maury County, Tennessee, and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Columbia, Tennessee.

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1840 Census: "United States, Census, 1840"

citing Page: 318; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M704; Digital film/folder number: 005154903; FHL microfilm: 0024548; Image number: 643

FamilySearch Record: XHRY-YXD (accessed 17 January 2025)

FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9YYL-9P3B

W J J J F Rankin in Maury, Tennessee, United States.

Find a Grave - database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11345651/william_j-rankin: accessed January 17, 2025), memorial page for William J Rankin (5 Jan 1811-13 Dec 1846), Find a Grave Memorial ID 11345651, citing Greenwood Cemetery, Columbia, Maury County, Tennessee, USA; Maintained by Mary Bob McClain (contributor 46546099).

Will of William J Rankin - "Tennessee, Probate Court Books, 1795-1927," Maury County > Wills, 1847-1850, Vol. B > Page 178. Image 119 of 701. FamilySearch Link - FamilySearch Link

1847 Court File - "Maury County, Tennessee, Chancery Court cases 1807-1890." Court cases 1807-1874 Scott, James B. - Shires, Joel Admr. Image 2988 of 3178. FamilySearch Link