Second of four sons and fourth of eleven children born to Nathaniel Shaw and Hannah Perkins.
Grandson of Jonathan Shaw and Elizabeth Atwood, Luke Perkins and Ruth Cushman.
Husband of Lydia Shaw, the daughter of Elkanah Shaw and Elizabeth Atwood. They were married 25 Apr 1776 in Middleboro and had the following children:
* George Shaw 1776-1810
* Lydia Shaw, Mrs Samuel Shaw 1778–1862
* Nathaniel Shaw 1780–1817
* Joseph Shaw Jr 1782–1855
* Oliver Shaw 1784–1861
* Ruth Shaw, Mrs Stephen Tilson 1786–1875
* Isaac Shaw Sr 1788–1851
* Betsy Shaw, Mrs Thomas Savery 1790–1885
* Waitstill Shaw, Mrs Ira Murdock 1792–1876
* Hannah Shaw, Mrs Charles Shurtleff 1794–1876
* Cephas Shaw 1797–1875
* Elkanah Shaw 1802–1875

Joseph carried the same sword for his military service that his grandfather, Jonathan Shaw (1689-1760) carried in the French War and his father, Captain Nathaniel Shaw (1717-1800) carried during the Revolutionary War. Source: History of Plymouth County, pg 520, found on ancestry.

Joseph was a Private in Capt William Shaw's 1st Company marching on the alarm of 19 April 1775 from Middleboro to Marshfield for three days. They were called the Middleborough Minutemen.
Joseph was a Private in Jeremiah Allen's Company, Jeremiah Hall's Regiment that marched 08 Dec 1776 to Bristol, service 92 days.
Joseph was a Private in Isaac Hood's Company, Thomas Carpenter's Regiment for service at Rhode Island 20 July 1777 to 27 Aug 1777, 1 month 6 days.
Joseph was made a Sergeant in Capt Perez Churchill's Company, Ebenezer Sprout's Regiment for service on the alarm in Dartmouth 06 May for three days and Sept 1778.
Joseph was a Private in Capt Abisha Tinkham's Company, White's Regiment entered into service 01 Aug 1780, discharged 07 Aug 1780 for 9 days. They marched on alarm at Rhode Island by order of Council of 22 July 1780.

1912 Shurtleff Genealogy ID #202