John Shoemake was listed in the 1850 census of Marion County with a wife, Mary, and children James A., Sarah, Sampson, John, Lorena, Morris K. and Mary. They were listed as mulatto, however, the same family is listed in 1840 in Bledsoe County in which John is white and the remaining members are free-colored. Sons Sampson and Morris K. were born in Bledsoe County in 1827 and 1832 respectively.