diff --git a/src/ripple/app/main/Application.cpp b/src/ripple/app/main/Application.cpp
index a9bda926a..cac31fc92 100644
--- a/src/ripple/app/main/Application.cpp
+++ b/src/ripple/app/main/Application.cpp
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@
 #include <ripple/basics/PerfLog.h>
 #include <ripple/json/json_reader.h>
 #include <ripple/nodestore/DummyScheduler.h>
+#include <ripple/nodestore/DatabaseShard.h>
 #include <ripple/overlay/Cluster.h>
 #include <ripple/overlay/make_Overlay.h>
 #include <ripple/protocol/BuildInfo.h>
@@ -419,9 +420,11 @@ public:
 
         , m_nodeStoreScheduler (*this)
 
-        , m_shaMapStore (make_SHAMapStore (*this, setup_SHAMapStore (*config_),
-            *this, m_nodeStoreScheduler, logs_->journal("SHAMapStore"),
-            logs_->journal("NodeObject"), m_txMaster, *config_))
+        , m_shaMapStore(make_SHAMapStore(
+            *this,
+            *this,
+            m_nodeStoreScheduler,
+            logs_->journal("SHAMapStore")))
 
         , accountIDCache_(128000)
 
@@ -443,14 +446,15 @@ public:
             m_collectorManager->group ("jobq"), m_nodeStoreScheduler,
             logs_->journal("JobQueue"), *logs_, *perfLog_))
 
-        //
-        // Anything which calls addJob must be a descendant of the JobQueue
-        //
-        , m_nodeStore (
-            m_shaMapStore->makeDatabase ("NodeStore.main", 4, *m_jobQueue))
+        , m_nodeStore(m_shaMapStore->makeNodeStore("NodeStore.main", 4))
 
-        , shardStore_ (
-            m_shaMapStore->makeDatabaseShard ("ShardStore", 4, *m_jobQueue))
+        // The shard store is optional and make_ShardStore can return null.
+        , shardStore_(make_ShardStore(
+            *this,
+            *m_jobQueue,
+            m_nodeStoreScheduler,
+            4,
+            logs_->journal("ShardStore")))
 
         , family_ (*this, *m_nodeStore, *m_collectorManager)
 
@@ -535,8 +539,13 @@ public:
             logs_->journal("Application"), std::chrono::milliseconds (100), get_io_service())
     {
         if (shardStore_)
+        {
             sFamily_ = std::make_unique<detail::AppFamily>(
-                *this, *shardStore_, *m_collectorManager);
+                *this,
+                *shardStore_,
+                *m_collectorManager);
+        }
+
         add (m_resourceManager.get ());
 
         //
@@ -853,9 +862,6 @@ public:
                 setup.startUp == Config::LOAD_FILE ||
                 setup.startUp == Config::REPLAY)
             {
-                // perform any needed table updates
-                updateTxnDB();
-
                 // Check if AccountTransactions has primary key
                 std::string cid, name, type;
                 std::size_t notnull, dflt_value, pk;
@@ -913,14 +919,6 @@ public:
     bool
     initNodeStoreDBs()
     {
-        if (config_->section(ConfigSection::nodeDatabase()).empty())
-        {
-            JLOG(m_journal.fatal()) <<
-                "The [node_db] configuration setting " <<
-                "has been updated and must be set";
-            return false;
-        }
-
         if (config_->doImport)
         {
             auto j = logs_->journal("NodeObject");
@@ -1251,7 +1249,6 @@ private:
     // and new validations must be greater than this.
     std::atomic<LedgerIndex> maxDisallowedLedger_ {0};
 
-    void updateTxnDB ();
     bool nodeToShards ();
     bool validateShards ();
     void startGenesisLedger ();
@@ -1632,6 +1629,9 @@ int ApplicationImp::fdlimit() const
     // doubled if online delete is enabled).
     needed += std::max(5, m_shaMapStore->fdlimit());
 
+    if (shardStore_)
+        needed += shardStore_->fdlimit();
+
     // One fd per incoming connection a port can accept, or
     // if no limit is set, assume it'll handle 256 clients.
     for(auto const& p : serverHandler_->setup().ports)
@@ -2068,111 +2068,6 @@ ApplicationImp::journal (std::string const& name)
     return logs_->journal (name);
 }
 
-void
-ApplicationImp::updateTxnDB()
-{
-    auto schemaHas = [&](std::string const& column)
-    {
-        std::string cid, name;
-        soci::statement st = (mTxnDB->getSession().prepare <<
-            ("PRAGMA table_info(AccountTransactions);"),
-            soci::into(cid),
-            soci::into(name));
-
-        st.execute();
-        while (st.fetch())
-        {
-            if (name == column)
-                return true;
-        }
-
-        return false;
-    };
-
-    assert(schemaHas("TransID"));
-    assert(!schemaHas("foobar"));
-
-    if (schemaHas("TxnSeq"))
-        return;
-
-    JLOG (m_journal.warn()) << "Transaction sequence field is missing";
-
-    auto& session = getTxnDB ().getSession ();
-
-    std::vector< std::pair<uint256, int> > txIDs;
-    txIDs.reserve (300000);
-
-    JLOG (m_journal.info()) << "Parsing transactions";
-    int i = 0;
-    uint256 transID;
-
-    boost::optional<std::string> strTransId;
-    soci::blob sociTxnMetaBlob(session);
-    soci::indicator tmi;
-    Blob txnMeta;
-
-    soci::statement st =
-            (session.prepare <<
-             "SELECT TransID, TxnMeta FROM Transactions;",
-             soci::into(strTransId),
-             soci::into(sociTxnMetaBlob, tmi));
-
-    st.execute ();
-    while (st.fetch ())
-    {
-        if (soci::i_ok == tmi)
-            convert (sociTxnMetaBlob, txnMeta);
-        else
-            txnMeta.clear ();
-
-        std::string tid = strTransId.value_or("");
-        transID.SetHex (tid, true);
-
-        if (txnMeta.size () == 0)
-        {
-            txIDs.push_back (std::make_pair (transID, -1));
-            JLOG (m_journal.info()) << "No metadata for " << transID;
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            TxMeta m (transID, 0, txnMeta);
-            txIDs.push_back (std::make_pair (transID, m.getIndex ()));
-        }
-
-        if ((++i % 1000) == 0)
-        {
-            JLOG (m_journal.info()) << i << " transactions read";
-        }
-    }
-
-    JLOG (m_journal.info()) << "All " << i << " transactions read";
-
-    soci::transaction tr(session);
-
-    JLOG (m_journal.info()) << "Dropping old index";
-    session << "DROP INDEX AcctTxIndex;";
-
-    JLOG (m_journal.info()) << "Altering table";
-    session << "ALTER TABLE AccountTransactions ADD COLUMN TxnSeq INTEGER;";
-
-    boost::format fmt ("UPDATE AccountTransactions SET TxnSeq = %d WHERE TransID = '%s';");
-    i = 0;
-    for (auto& t : txIDs)
-    {
-        session << boost::str (fmt % t.second % to_string (t.first));
-
-        if ((++i % 1000) == 0)
-        {
-            JLOG (m_journal.info()) << i << " transactions updated";
-        }
-    }
-
-    JLOG (m_journal.info()) << "Building new index";
-    session << "CREATE INDEX AcctTxIndex ON AccountTransactions(Account, LedgerSeq, TxnSeq, TransID);";
-
-    tr.commit ();
-}
-
 bool ApplicationImp::nodeToShards()
 {
     assert(m_overlay);
diff --git a/src/ripple/app/misc/SHAMapStore.h b/src/ripple/app/misc/SHAMapStore.h
index da8f320c3..8a647a97a 100644
--- a/src/ripple/app/misc/SHAMapStore.h
+++ b/src/ripple/app/misc/SHAMapStore.h
@@ -31,28 +31,12 @@ class TransactionMaster;
 
 /**
  * class to create database, launch online delete thread, and
- * related sqlite databse
+ * related SQLite database
  */
 class SHAMapStore
     : public Stoppable
 {
 public:
-    struct Setup
-    {
-        explicit Setup() = default;
-
-        bool standalone = false;
-        std::uint32_t deleteInterval = 0;
-        bool advisoryDelete = false;
-        std::uint32_t ledgerHistory = 0;
-        Section nodeDatabase;
-        std::string databasePath;
-        std::uint32_t deleteBatch = 100;
-        std::uint32_t backOff = 100;
-        std::int32_t ageThreshold = 60;
-        Section shardDatabase;
-    };
-
     SHAMapStore (Stoppable& parent) : Stoppable ("SHAMapStore", parent) {}
 
     /** Called by LedgerMaster every time a ledger validates. */
@@ -62,13 +46,9 @@ public:
 
     virtual std::uint32_t clampFetchDepth (std::uint32_t fetch_depth) const = 0;
 
-    virtual std::unique_ptr <NodeStore::Database> makeDatabase (
-            std::string const& name,
-            std::int32_t readThreads, Stoppable& parent) = 0;
-
-    virtual std::unique_ptr <NodeStore::DatabaseShard> makeDatabaseShard(
-        std::string const& name, std::int32_t readThreads,
-            Stoppable& parent) = 0;
+    virtual
+    std::unique_ptr <NodeStore::Database>
+    makeNodeStore(std::string const& name, std::int32_t readThreads) = 0;
 
     /** Highest ledger that may be deleted. */
     virtual LedgerIndex setCanDelete (LedgerIndex canDelete) = 0;
@@ -88,19 +68,12 @@ public:
 
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-SHAMapStore::Setup
-setup_SHAMapStore(Config const& c);
-
 std::unique_ptr<SHAMapStore>
 make_SHAMapStore(
     Application& app,
-    SHAMapStore::Setup const& s,
     Stoppable& parent,
     NodeStore::Scheduler& scheduler,
-    beast::Journal journal,
-    beast::Journal nodeStoreJournal,
-    TransactionMaster& transactionMaster,
-    BasicConfig const& conf);
+    beast::Journal journal);
 }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/ripple/app/misc/SHAMapStoreImp.cpp b/src/ripple/app/misc/SHAMapStoreImp.cpp
index 00ca2cb9b..5f4a06a7e 100644
--- a/src/ripple/app/misc/SHAMapStoreImp.cpp
+++ b/src/ripple/app/misc/SHAMapStoreImp.cpp
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@
 #include <ripple/beast/core/CurrentThreadName.h>
 #include <ripple/core/ConfigSections.h>
 #include <ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseRotatingImp.h>
-#include <ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseShardImp.h>
+
+#include <boost/beast/core/string.hpp>
 
 namespace ripple {
 void SHAMapStoreImp::SavedStateDB::init (BasicConfig const& config,
@@ -160,100 +161,78 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::SavedStateDB::setLastRotated (LedgerIndex seq)
 
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-SHAMapStoreImp::SHAMapStoreImp (
-        Application& app,
-        Setup const& setup,
-        Stoppable& parent,
-        NodeStore::Scheduler& scheduler,
-        beast::Journal journal,
-        beast::Journal nodeStoreJournal,
-        TransactionMaster& transactionMaster,
-        BasicConfig const& config)
+SHAMapStoreImp::SHAMapStoreImp(
+    Application& app,
+    Stoppable& parent,
+    NodeStore::Scheduler& scheduler,
+    beast::Journal journal)
     : SHAMapStore (parent)
     , app_ (app)
-    , setup_ (setup)
     , scheduler_ (scheduler)
     , journal_ (journal)
-    , nodeStoreJournal_ (nodeStoreJournal)
     , working_(true)
-    , transactionMaster_ (transactionMaster)
     , canDelete_ (std::numeric_limits <LedgerIndex>::max())
 {
-    if (setup_.deleteInterval)
+    Config& config {app.config()};
+    Section& section {config.section(ConfigSection::nodeDatabase())};
+    if (section.empty())
     {
-        auto const minInterval = setup.standalone ?
-            minimumDeletionIntervalSA_ : minimumDeletionInterval_;
-        if (setup_.deleteInterval < minInterval)
+        Throw<std::runtime_error>(
+            "Missing [" + ConfigSection::nodeDatabase() +
+            "] entry in configuration file");
+
+    }
+
+    // RocksDB only. Use sensible defaults if no values specified.
+    if (boost::beast::detail::iequals(
+        get<std::string>(section, "type"), "RocksDB"))
+    {
+        if (!section.exists("cache_mb"))
         {
-            Throw<std::runtime_error> ("online_delete must be at least " +
+            section.set("cache_mb", std::to_string(
+                config.getSize(siHashNodeDBCache)));
+        }
+
+        if (!section.exists("filter_bits") && (config.NODE_SIZE >= 2))
+            section.set("filter_bits", "10");
+    }
+
+    get_if_exists(section, "delete_batch", deleteBatch_);
+    get_if_exists(section, "backOff", backOff_);
+    get_if_exists(section, "age_threshold", ageThreshold_);
+    get_if_exists(section, "online_delete", deleteInterval_);
+
+    if (deleteInterval_)
+    {
+        get_if_exists(section, "advisory_delete", advisoryDelete_);
+
+        auto const minInterval = config.standalone() ?
+            minimumDeletionIntervalSA_ : minimumDeletionInterval_;
+        if (deleteInterval_ < minInterval)
+        {
+            Throw<std::runtime_error>("online_delete must be at least " +
                 std::to_string (minInterval));
         }
 
-        if (setup_.ledgerHistory > setup_.deleteInterval)
+        if (config.LEDGER_HISTORY > deleteInterval_)
         {
-            Throw<std::runtime_error> (
+            Throw<std::runtime_error>(
                 "online_delete must not be less than ledger_history (currently " +
-                std::to_string (setup_.ledgerHistory) + ")");
+                std::to_string (config.LEDGER_HISTORY) + ")");
         }
 
-        state_db_.init (config, dbName_);
-
+        state_db_.init(config, dbName_);
         dbPaths();
     }
-    if (! setup_.shardDatabase.empty())
-    {
-        // The node and shard stores must use
-        // the same earliest ledger sequence
-        std::array<std::uint32_t, 2> seq;
-        if (get_if_exists<std::uint32_t>(
-            setup_.nodeDatabase, "earliest_seq", seq[0]))
-        {
-            if (get_if_exists<std::uint32_t>(
-                setup_.shardDatabase, "earliest_seq", seq[1]) &&
-                seq[0] != seq[1])
-            {
-                Throw<std::runtime_error>("earliest_seq set more than once");
-            }
-        }
-
-        boost::filesystem::path dbPath =
-            get<std::string>(setup_.shardDatabase, "path");
-        if (dbPath.empty())
-            Throw<std::runtime_error>("shard path missing");
-        if (boost::filesystem::exists(dbPath))
-        {
-            if (! boost::filesystem::is_directory(dbPath))
-                Throw<std::runtime_error>("shard db path must be a directory.");
-        }
-        else
-            boost::filesystem::create_directories(dbPath);
-
-        auto const maxDiskSpace = get<std::uint64_t>(
-            setup_.shardDatabase, "max_size_gb", 0);
-        // Must be large enough for one shard
-        if (maxDiskSpace < 3)
-            Throw<std::runtime_error>("max_size_gb too small");
-        if ((maxDiskSpace << 30) < maxDiskSpace)
-            Throw<std::runtime_error>("overflow max_size_gb");
-
-        std::uint32_t lps;
-        if (get_if_exists<std::uint32_t>(
-                setup_.shardDatabase, "ledgers_per_shard", lps))
-        {
-            // ledgers_per_shard to be set only in standalone for testing
-            if (! setup_.standalone)
-                Throw<std::runtime_error>(
-                    "ledgers_per_shard only honored in stand alone");
-        }
-    }
 }
 
 std::unique_ptr <NodeStore::Database>
-SHAMapStoreImp::makeDatabase (std::string const& name,
-        std::int32_t readThreads, Stoppable& parent)
+SHAMapStoreImp::makeNodeStore(std::string const& name, std::int32_t readThreads)
 {
+    // Anything which calls addJob must be a descendant of the JobQueue.
+    // Therefore Database objects use the JobQueue as Stoppable parent.
     std::unique_ptr <NodeStore::Database> db;
-    if (setup_.deleteInterval)
+    if (deleteInterval_)
     {
         SavedState state = state_db_.getState();
         auto writableBackend = makeBackendRotating(state.writableDb);
@@ -267,40 +246,32 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::makeDatabase (std::string const& name,
 
         // Create NodeStore with two backends to allow online deletion of data
         auto dbr = std::make_unique<NodeStore::DatabaseRotatingImp>(
-            "NodeStore.main", scheduler_, readThreads, parent,
-                std::move(writableBackend), std::move(archiveBackend),
-                    setup_.nodeDatabase, nodeStoreJournal_);
+            name,
+            scheduler_,
+            readThreads,
+            app_.getJobQueue(),
+            std::move(writableBackend),
+            std::move(archiveBackend),
+            app_.config().section(ConfigSection::nodeDatabase()),
+            app_.logs().journal(nodeStoreName_));
         fdlimit_ += dbr->fdlimit();
         dbRotating_ = dbr.get();
         db.reset(dynamic_cast<NodeStore::Database*>(dbr.release()));
     }
     else
     {
-        db = NodeStore::Manager::instance().make_Database (name, scheduler_,
-            readThreads, parent, setup_.nodeDatabase, nodeStoreJournal_);
+        db = NodeStore::Manager::instance().make_Database(
+            name,
+            scheduler_,
+            readThreads,
+            app_.getJobQueue(),
+            app_.config().section(ConfigSection::nodeDatabase()),
+            app_.logs().journal(nodeStoreName_));
         fdlimit_ += db->fdlimit();
     }
     return db;
 }
 
-std::unique_ptr<NodeStore::DatabaseShard>
-SHAMapStoreImp::makeDatabaseShard(std::string const& name,
-    std::int32_t readThreads, Stoppable& parent)
-{
-    std::unique_ptr<NodeStore::DatabaseShard> db;
-    if(! setup_.shardDatabase.empty())
-    {
-        db = std::make_unique<NodeStore::DatabaseShardImp>(
-            app_, name, parent, scheduler_, readThreads,
-                setup_.shardDatabase, app_.journal("ShardStore"));
-        if (db->init())
-            fdlimit_ += db->fdlimit();
-        else
-            db.reset();
-    }
-    return db;
-}
-
 void
 SHAMapStoreImp::onLedgerClosed(
     std::shared_ptr<Ledger const> const& ledger)
@@ -359,7 +330,7 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::run()
     transactionDb_ = &app_.getTxnDB();
     ledgerDb_ = &app_.getLedgerDB();
 
-    if (setup_.advisoryDelete)
+    if (advisoryDelete_)
         canDelete_ = state_db_.getCanDelete ();
 
     while (1)
@@ -393,12 +364,12 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::run()
         }
 
         // will delete up to (not including) lastRotated)
-        if (validatedSeq >= lastRotated + setup_.deleteInterval
+        if (validatedSeq >= lastRotated + deleteInterval_
                 && canDelete_ >= lastRotated - 1)
         {
             JLOG(journal_.debug()) << "rotating  validatedSeq " << validatedSeq
                     << " lastRotated " << lastRotated << " deleteInterval "
-                    << setup_.deleteInterval << " canDelete_ " << canDelete_;
+                    << deleteInterval_ << " canDelete_ " << canDelete_;
 
             switch (health())
             {
@@ -498,8 +469,8 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::run()
 void
 SHAMapStoreImp::dbPaths()
 {
-    boost::filesystem::path dbPath =
-            get<std::string>(setup_.nodeDatabase, "path");
+    Section section {app_.config().section(ConfigSection::nodeDatabase())};
+    boost::filesystem::path dbPath = get<std::string>(section, "path");
 
     if (boost::filesystem::exists (dbPath))
     {
@@ -536,7 +507,8 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::dbPaths()
             (writableDbExists != archiveDbExists) ||
             state.writableDb.empty() != state.archiveDb.empty())
     {
-        boost::filesystem::path stateDbPathName = setup_.databasePath;
+        boost::filesystem::path stateDbPathName =
+            app_.config().legacy("database_path");
         stateDbPathName /= dbName_;
         stateDbPathName += "*";
 
@@ -550,7 +522,7 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::dbPaths()
                 << "remove the files matching "
                 << stateDbPathName.string()
                 << " and contents of the directory "
-                << get<std::string>(setup_.nodeDatabase, "path")
+                << dbPath
                 << std::endl;
 
         Throw<std::runtime_error> ("state db error");
@@ -560,8 +532,8 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::dbPaths()
 std::unique_ptr <NodeStore::Backend>
 SHAMapStoreImp::makeBackendRotating (std::string path)
 {
+    Section section {app_.config().section(ConfigSection::nodeDatabase())};
     boost::filesystem::path newPath;
-    Section parameters = setup_.nodeDatabase;
 
     if (path.size())
     {
@@ -569,15 +541,15 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::makeBackendRotating (std::string path)
     }
     else
     {
-        boost::filesystem::path p = get<std::string>(parameters, "path");
+        boost::filesystem::path p = get<std::string>(section, "path");
         p /= dbPrefix_;
         p += ".%%%%";
         newPath = boost::filesystem::unique_path (p);
     }
-    parameters.set("path", newPath.string());
+    section.set("path", newPath.string());
 
     auto backend {NodeStore::Manager::instance().make_Backend(
-        parameters, scheduler_, nodeStoreJournal_)};
+        section, scheduler_, app_.logs().journal(nodeStoreName_))};
     backend->open();
     return backend;
 }
@@ -608,7 +580,7 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::clearSql (DatabaseCon& database,
         "start: " << deleteQuery << " from " << min << " to " << lastRotated;
     while (min < lastRotated)
     {
-        min = std::min(lastRotated, min + setup_.deleteBatch);
+        min = std::min(lastRotated, min + deleteBatch_);
         {
             auto db =  database.checkoutDb ();
             *db << boost::str (formattedDeleteQuery % min);
@@ -617,7 +589,7 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::clearSql (DatabaseCon& database,
             return true;
         if (min < lastRotated)
             std::this_thread::sleep_for (
-                    std::chrono::milliseconds (setup_.backOff));
+                    std::chrono::milliseconds (backOff_));
     }
     JLOG(journal_.debug()) << "finished: " << deleteQuery;
     return true;
@@ -637,7 +609,7 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::freshenCaches()
         return;
     if (freshenCache (*treeNodeCache_))
         return;
-    if (freshenCache (transactionMaster_.getCache()))
+    if (freshenCache (app_.getMasterTransaction().getCache()))
         return;
 }
 
@@ -684,11 +656,11 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::health()
     NetworkOPs::OperatingMode mode = netOPs_->getOperatingMode();
 
     auto age = ledgerMaster_->getValidatedLedgerAge();
-    if (mode != NetworkOPs::omFULL || age.count() >= setup_.ageThreshold)
+    if (mode != NetworkOPs::omFULL || age.count() >= ageThreshold_)
     {
         JLOG(journal_.warn()) << "Not deleting. state: " << mode
                                << " age " << age.count()
-                               << " age threshold " << setup_.ageThreshold;
+                               << " age threshold " << ageThreshold_;
         healthy_ = false;
     }
 
@@ -701,7 +673,7 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::health()
 void
 SHAMapStoreImp::onStop()
 {
-    if (setup_.deleteInterval)
+    if (deleteInterval_)
     {
         {
             std::lock_guard <std::mutex> lock (mutex_);
@@ -718,7 +690,7 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::onStop()
 void
 SHAMapStoreImp::onChildrenStopped()
 {
-    if (setup_.deleteInterval)
+    if (deleteInterval_)
     {
         {
             std::lock_guard <std::mutex> lock (mutex_);
@@ -733,52 +705,15 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::onChildrenStopped()
 }
 
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-SHAMapStore::Setup
-setup_SHAMapStore (Config const& c)
-{
-    SHAMapStore::Setup setup;
-
-    setup.standalone = c.standalone();
-
-    // Get existing settings and add some default values if not specified:
-    setup.nodeDatabase = c.section (ConfigSection::nodeDatabase ());
-
-    // These two parameters apply only to RocksDB. We want to give them sensible
-    // defaults if no values are specified.
-    if (!setup.nodeDatabase.exists ("cache_mb"))
-        setup.nodeDatabase.set ("cache_mb", std::to_string (c.getSize (siHashNodeDBCache)));
-
-    if (!setup.nodeDatabase.exists ("filter_bits") && (c.NODE_SIZE >= 2))
-        setup.nodeDatabase.set ("filter_bits", "10");
-
-    get_if_exists (setup.nodeDatabase, "online_delete", setup.deleteInterval);
-
-    if (setup.deleteInterval)
-        get_if_exists (setup.nodeDatabase, "advisory_delete", setup.advisoryDelete);
-
-    setup.ledgerHistory = c.LEDGER_HISTORY;
-    setup.databasePath = c.legacy("database_path");
-
-    get_if_exists (setup.nodeDatabase, "delete_batch", setup.deleteBatch);
-    get_if_exists (setup.nodeDatabase, "backOff", setup.backOff);
-    get_if_exists (setup.nodeDatabase, "age_threshold", setup.ageThreshold);
-
-    setup.shardDatabase = c.section(ConfigSection::shardDatabase());
-    return setup;
-}
 
 std::unique_ptr<SHAMapStore>
-make_SHAMapStore (Application& app,
-        SHAMapStore::Setup const& setup,
-        Stoppable& parent,
-        NodeStore::Scheduler& scheduler,
-        beast::Journal journal,
-        beast::Journal nodeStoreJournal,
-        TransactionMaster& transactionMaster,
-        BasicConfig const& config)
+make_SHAMapStore(
+    Application& app,
+    Stoppable& parent,
+    NodeStore::Scheduler& scheduler,
+    beast::Journal journal)
 {
-    return std::make_unique<SHAMapStoreImp>(app, setup, parent, scheduler,
-        journal, nodeStoreJournal, transactionMaster, config);
+    return std::make_unique<SHAMapStoreImp>(app, parent, scheduler, journal);
 }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/ripple/app/misc/SHAMapStoreImp.h b/src/ripple/app/misc/SHAMapStoreImp.h
index 32146ac06..cbf876e33 100644
--- a/src/ripple/app/misc/SHAMapStoreImp.h
+++ b/src/ripple/app/misc/SHAMapStoreImp.h
@@ -84,10 +84,8 @@ private:
     // minimum # of ledgers required for standalone mode.
     static std::uint32_t const minimumDeletionIntervalSA_ = 8;
 
-    Setup setup_;
     NodeStore::Scheduler& scheduler_;
     beast::Journal journal_;
-    beast::Journal nodeStoreJournal_;
     NodeStore::DatabaseRotating* dbRotating_ = nullptr;
     SavedStateDB state_db_;
     std::thread thread_;
@@ -98,8 +96,15 @@ private:
     mutable std::mutex mutex_;
     std::shared_ptr<Ledger const> newLedger_;
     std::atomic<bool> working_;
-    TransactionMaster& transactionMaster_;
     std::atomic <LedgerIndex> canDelete_;
+    int fdlimit_ = 0;
+
+    std::uint32_t deleteInterval_ = 0;
+    bool advisoryDelete_ = false;
+    std::uint32_t deleteBatch_ = 100;
+    std::uint32_t backOff_ = 100;
+    std::int32_t ageThreshold_ = 60;
+
     // these do not exist upon SHAMapStore creation, but do exist
     // as of onPrepare() or before
     NetworkOPs* netOPs_ = nullptr;
@@ -108,17 +113,15 @@ private:
     TreeNodeCache* treeNodeCache_ = nullptr;
     DatabaseCon* transactionDb_ = nullptr;
     DatabaseCon* ledgerDb_ = nullptr;
-    int fdlimit_ = 0;
+
+    static constexpr auto nodeStoreName_ = "NodeStore";
 
 public:
-    SHAMapStoreImp (Application& app,
-            Setup const& setup,
-            Stoppable& parent,
-            NodeStore::Scheduler& scheduler,
-            beast::Journal journal,
-            beast::Journal nodeStoreJournal,
-            TransactionMaster& transactionMaster,
-            BasicConfig const& config);
+    SHAMapStoreImp(
+        Application& app,
+        Stoppable& parent,
+        NodeStore::Scheduler& scheduler,
+        beast::Journal journal);
 
     ~SHAMapStoreImp()
     {
@@ -129,22 +132,17 @@ public:
     std::uint32_t
     clampFetchDepth (std::uint32_t fetch_depth) const override
     {
-        return setup_.deleteInterval ? std::min (fetch_depth,
-                setup_.deleteInterval) : fetch_depth;
+        return deleteInterval_ ? std::min (fetch_depth,
+            deleteInterval_) : fetch_depth;
     }
 
-    std::unique_ptr <NodeStore::Database> makeDatabase (
-            std::string const&name,
-            std::int32_t readThreads, Stoppable& parent) override;
-
-    std::unique_ptr <NodeStore::DatabaseShard>
-    makeDatabaseShard(std::string const& name,
-        std::int32_t readThreads, Stoppable& parent) override;
+    std::unique_ptr <NodeStore::Database>
+    makeNodeStore(std::string const& name, std::int32_t readThreads) override;
 
     LedgerIndex
     setCanDelete (LedgerIndex seq) override
     {
-        if (setup_.advisoryDelete)
+        if (advisoryDelete_)
             canDelete_ = seq;
         return state_db_.setCanDelete (seq);
     }
@@ -152,7 +150,7 @@ public:
     bool
     advisoryDelete() const override
     {
-        return setup_.advisoryDelete;
+        return advisoryDelete_;
     }
 
     // All ledgers prior to this one are eligible
@@ -230,7 +228,7 @@ private:
     void
     onStart() override
     {
-        if (setup_.deleteInterval)
+        if (deleteInterval_)
             thread_ = std::thread (&SHAMapStoreImp::run, this);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/ripple/core/Stoppable.h b/src/ripple/core/Stoppable.h
index 61ee09f5a..cca36e013 100644
--- a/src/ripple/core/Stoppable.h
+++ b/src/ripple/core/Stoppable.h
@@ -209,6 +209,16 @@ public:
     /** Destroy the Stoppable. */
     virtual ~Stoppable ();
 
+    RootStoppable& getRoot() {return m_root;}
+
+    /** Set the parent of this Stoppable.
+
+        @note The Stoppable must not already have a parent.
+        The parent to be set cannot not be stopping.
+        Both roots must match.
+    */
+    void setParent(Stoppable& parent);
+
     /** Returns `true` if the stoppable should stop. */
     bool isStopping () const;
 
@@ -318,6 +328,7 @@ private:
     std::condition_variable m_cv;
     std::mutex              m_mut;
     bool                    m_is_stopping = false;
+    bool hasParent_ {false};
 };
 
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/ripple/core/impl/Stoppable.cpp b/src/ripple/core/impl/Stoppable.cpp
index 3c163f0b0..5a4755b4c 100644
--- a/src/ripple/core/impl/Stoppable.cpp
+++ b/src/ripple/core/impl/Stoppable.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@
 */
 //==============================================================================
 
+#include <ripple/basics/contract.h>
 #include <ripple/core/Stoppable.h>
+
 #include <cassert>
 
 namespace ripple {
@@ -34,16 +36,23 @@ Stoppable::Stoppable (std::string name, Stoppable& parent)
     , m_root (parent.m_root)
     , m_child (this)
 {
-    // Must not have stopping parent.
-    assert (! parent.isStopping());
-
-    parent.m_children.push_front (&m_child);
+    setParent(parent);
 }
 
 Stoppable::~Stoppable ()
 {
 }
 
+void Stoppable::setParent (Stoppable& parent)
+{
+    assert(!hasParent_);
+    assert(!parent.isStopping());
+    assert(std::addressof(m_root) == std::addressof(parent.m_root));
+
+    parent.m_children.push_front(&m_child);
+    hasParent_ = true;
+}
+
 bool Stoppable::isStopping() const
 {
     return m_root.isStopping();
diff --git a/src/ripple/nodestore/Database.h b/src/ripple/nodestore/Database.h
index 5a4f6fe06..e4394a79b 100644
--- a/src/ripple/nodestore/Database.h
+++ b/src/ripple/nodestore/Database.h
@@ -60,7 +60,8 @@ public:
         @param name The Stoppable name for this Database.
         @param parent The parent Stoppable.
         @param scheduler The scheduler to use for performing asynchronous tasks.
-        @param readThreads The number of async read threads to create.
+        @param readThreads The number of asynchronous read threads to create.
+        @param config The configuration settings
         @param journal Destination for logging output.
     */
     Database(std::string name, Stoppable& parent, Scheduler& scheduler,
@@ -282,7 +283,7 @@ private:
 
     // The default is 32570 to match the XRP ledger network's earliest
     // allowed sequence. Alternate networks may set this value.
-    std::uint32_t earliestSeq_ {XRP_LEDGER_EARLIEST_SEQ};
+    std::uint32_t const earliestSeq_;
 
     virtual
     std::shared_ptr<NodeObject>
diff --git a/src/ripple/nodestore/DatabaseShard.h b/src/ripple/nodestore/DatabaseShard.h
index 0af67d721..a6bd7dd28 100644
--- a/src/ripple/nodestore/DatabaseShard.h
+++ b/src/ripple/nodestore/DatabaseShard.h
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ public:
         @param name The Stoppable name for this Database
         @param parent The parent Stoppable
         @param scheduler The scheduler to use for performing asynchronous tasks
-        @param readThreads The number of async read threads to create
-        @param config The configuration for the database
+        @param readThreads The number of asynchronous read threads to create
+        @param config The shard configuration section for the database
         @param journal Destination for logging output
     */
     DatabaseShard(
@@ -89,9 +89,9 @@ public:
     bool
     prepareShard(std::uint32_t shardIndex) = 0;
 
-    /** Remove shard indexes from prepared import
+    /** Remove a previously prepared shard index for import
 
-        @param indexes Shard indexes to be removed from import
+        @param shardIndex Shard index to be removed from import
     */
     virtual
     void
@@ -219,6 +219,15 @@ seqToShardIndex(std::uint32_t seq,
     return (seq - 1) / ledgersPerShard;
 }
 
+extern
+std::unique_ptr<DatabaseShard>
+make_ShardStore(
+    Application& app,
+    Stoppable& parent,
+    Scheduler& scheduler,
+    int readThreads,
+    beast::Journal j);
+
 }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/Database.cpp b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/Database.cpp
index 2d7bdced4..5cf0ddf38 100644
--- a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/Database.cpp
+++ b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/Database.cpp
@@ -33,17 +33,16 @@ Database::Database(
     int readThreads,
     Section const& config,
     beast::Journal journal)
-    : Stoppable(name, parent)
+    : Stoppable(name, parent.getRoot())
     , j_(journal)
     , scheduler_(scheduler)
+    , earliestSeq_(get<std::uint32_t>(
+        config,
+        "earliest_seq",
+        XRP_LEDGER_EARLIEST_SEQ))
 {
-    std::uint32_t seq;
-    if (get_if_exists<std::uint32_t>(config, "earliest_seq", seq))
-    {
-        if (seq < 1)
-            Throw<std::runtime_error>("Invalid earliest_seq");
-        earliestSeq_ = seq;
-    }
+    if (earliestSeq_ < 1)
+        Throw<std::runtime_error>("Invalid earliest_seq");
 
     while (readThreads-- > 0)
         readThreads_.emplace_back(&Database::threadEntry, this);
diff --git a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseNodeImp.h b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseNodeImp.h
index 2458ddbd5..4e62f9ace 100644
--- a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseNodeImp.h
+++ b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseNodeImp.h
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ public:
         , backend_(std::move(backend))
     {
         assert(backend_);
+        setParent(parent);
     }
 
     ~DatabaseNodeImp() override
diff --git a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseRotatingImp.cpp b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseRotatingImp.cpp
index ea15494b3..4e83d8f48 100644
--- a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseRotatingImp.cpp
+++ b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseRotatingImp.cpp
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ DatabaseRotatingImp::DatabaseRotatingImp(
         fdLimit_ += writableBackend_->fdlimit();
     if (archiveBackend_)
         fdLimit_ += archiveBackend_->fdlimit();
+    setParent(parent);
 }
 
 // Make sure to call it already locked!
diff --git a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseShardImp.cpp b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseShardImp.cpp
index dbdbe05cb..291cc7399 100644
--- a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseShardImp.cpp
+++ b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseShardImp.cpp
@@ -17,12 +17,13 @@
 */
 //==============================================================================
 
-
 #include <ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseShardImp.h>
 #include <ripple/app/ledger/InboundLedgers.h>
 #include <ripple/app/ledger/LedgerMaster.h>
+#include <ripple/basics/ByteUtilities.h>
 #include <ripple/basics/chrono.h>
 #include <ripple/basics/random.h>
+#include <ripple/core/ConfigSections.h>
 #include <ripple/nodestore/DummyScheduler.h>
 #include <ripple/nodestore/Manager.h>
 #include <ripple/overlay/Overlay.h>
@@ -32,30 +33,24 @@
 namespace ripple {
 namespace NodeStore {
 
-constexpr std::uint32_t DatabaseShard::ledgersPerShardDefault;
-
 DatabaseShardImp::DatabaseShardImp(
     Application& app,
-    std::string const& name,
     Stoppable& parent,
+    std::string const& name,
     Scheduler& scheduler,
     int readThreads,
-    Section const& config,
     beast::Journal j)
-    : DatabaseShard(name, parent, scheduler, readThreads, config, j)
+    : DatabaseShard(
+        name,
+        parent,
+        scheduler,
+        readThreads,
+        app.config().section(ConfigSection::shardDatabase()),
+        j)
     , app_(app)
-    , ctx_(std::make_unique<nudb::context>())
-    , config_(config)
-    , dir_(get<std::string>(config, "path"))
-    , backendName_(Manager::instance().find(
-        get<std::string>(config, "type", "nudb"))->getName())
-    , maxDiskSpace_(get<std::uint64_t>(config, "max_size_gb") << 30)
-    , ledgersPerShard_(get<std::uint32_t>(
-        config, "ledgers_per_shard", ledgersPerShardDefault))
     , earliestShardIndex_(seqToShardIndex(earliestSeq()))
-    , avgShardSz_(ledgersPerShard_ * (192 * 1024))
+    , avgShardSz_(ledgersPerShard_ * kilobytes(192))
 {
-    ctx_->start();
 }
 
 DatabaseShardImp::~DatabaseShardImp()
@@ -85,36 +80,94 @@ DatabaseShardImp::init()
             "Already initialized";
         return false;
     }
-    if (ledgersPerShard_ == 0 || ledgersPerShard_ % 256 != 0)
+
+    auto fail = [&](std::string const& msg)
     {
         JLOG(j_.error()) <<
-            "ledgers_per_shard must be a multiple of 256";
+            "[" << ConfigSection::shardDatabase() << "] " << msg;
         return false;
+    };
+
+    Config const& config {app_.config()};
+    Section const& section {config.section(ConfigSection::shardDatabase())};
+    if (section.empty())
+        return fail("missing configuration");
+
+    {
+        // Node and shard stores must use same earliest ledger sequence
+        std::uint32_t seq;
+        if (get_if_exists<std::uint32_t>(
+                config.section(ConfigSection::nodeDatabase()),
+                "earliest_seq",
+                seq))
+        {
+            std::uint32_t seq2;
+            if (get_if_exists<std::uint32_t>(section, "earliest_seq", seq2) &&
+                seq != seq2)
+            {
+                return fail("and [" + ConfigSection::shardDatabase() +
+                    "] both define 'earliest_seq'");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (!get_if_exists<boost::filesystem::path>(section, "path", dir_))
+        return fail("'path' missing");
+
+    if (boost::filesystem::exists(dir_))
+    {
+        if (!boost::filesystem::is_directory(dir_))
+            return fail("'path' must be a directory");
+    }
+    else
+        boost::filesystem::create_directories(dir_);
+
+    {
+        std::uint64_t i;
+        if (!get_if_exists<std::uint64_t>(section, "max_size_gb", i))
+            return fail("'max_size_gb' missing");
+
+        // Minimum disk space required (in gigabytes)
+        static constexpr auto minDiskSpace = 10;
+        if (i < minDiskSpace)
+        {
+            return fail("'max_size_gb' must be at least " +
+                std::to_string(minDiskSpace));
+        }
+
+        if ((i << 30) < i)
+            return fail("'max_size_gb' overflow");
+
+        // Convert to bytes
+        maxDiskSpace_ = i << 30;
+    }
+
+    if (section.exists("ledgers_per_shard"))
+    {
+        // To be set only in standalone for testing
+        if (!config.standalone())
+            return fail("'ledgers_per_shard' only honored in stand alone");
+
+        ledgersPerShard_ = get<std::uint32_t>(section, "ledgers_per_shard");
+        if (ledgersPerShard_ == 0 || ledgersPerShard_ % 256 != 0)
+            return fail("'ledgers_per_shard' must be a multiple of 256");
     }
 
     // NuDB is the default and only supported permanent storage backend
     // "Memory" and "none" types are supported for tests
+    backendName_ = get<std::string>(section, "type", "nudb");
     if (!iequals(backendName_, "NuDB") &&
         !iequals(backendName_, "Memory") &&
         !iequals(backendName_, "none"))
     {
-        JLOG(j_.error()) <<
-            "Unsupported shard store type: " << backendName_;
-        return false;
+        return fail("'type' value unsupported");
     }
 
+    // Find backend file handle requirement
+    if (auto factory = Manager::instance().find(backendName_))
     {
-        // Find backend file handle requirement
-        auto factory {Manager::instance().find(backendName_)};
-        if (!factory)
-        {
-            JLOG(j_.error()) <<
-                "Failed to create shard store type " << backendName_;
-            return false;
-        }
-
-        auto backend {factory->createInstance(NodeObject::keyBytes,
-            config_, scheduler_, *ctx_, j_)};
+        auto backend {factory->createInstance(
+            NodeObject::keyBytes, section, scheduler_, j_)};
         backed_ = backend->backed();
         if (!backed_)
         {
@@ -123,9 +176,14 @@ DatabaseShardImp::init()
         }
         fdLimit_ = backend->fdlimit();
     }
+    else
+        return fail("'type' value unsupported");
 
     try
     {
+        ctx_ = std::make_unique<nudb::context>();
+        ctx_->start();
+
         // Find shards
         for (auto const& d : directory_iterator(dir_))
         {
@@ -166,7 +224,7 @@ DatabaseShardImp::init()
 
             auto shard {std::make_unique<Shard>(
                 *this, shardIndex, cacheSz_, cacheAge_, j_)};
-            if (!shard->open(config_, scheduler_, *ctx_))
+            if (!shard->open(section, scheduler_, *ctx_))
                 return false;
 
             usedDiskSpace_ += shard->fileSize();
@@ -250,7 +308,10 @@ DatabaseShardImp::prepareLedger(std::uint32_t validLedgerSeq)
         1, static_cast<int>(complete_.size() + 1)))};
     incomplete_ = std::make_unique<Shard>(
         *this, *shardIndex, sz, cacheAge_, j_);
-    if (!incomplete_->open(config_, scheduler_, *ctx_))
+    if (!incomplete_->open(
+            app_.config().section(ConfigSection::shardDatabase()),
+            scheduler_,
+            *ctx_))
     {
         incomplete_.reset();
         return boost::none;
@@ -422,7 +483,7 @@ DatabaseShardImp::importShard(std::uint32_t shardIndex,
     // Create the new shard
     auto shard {std::make_unique<Shard>(
         *this, shardIndex, cacheSz_, cacheAge_, j_)};
-    auto fail = [&](std::string msg)
+    auto fail = [&](std::string const& msg)
     {
         if (!msg.empty())
         {
@@ -434,8 +495,13 @@ DatabaseShardImp::importShard(std::uint32_t shardIndex,
         return false;
     };
 
-    if (!shard->open(config_, scheduler_, *ctx_))
+    if (!shard->open(
+            app_.config().section(ConfigSection::shardDatabase()),
+            scheduler_,
+            *ctx_))
+    {
         return fail({});
+    }
     if (!shard->complete())
         return fail("incomplete shard");
 
@@ -750,7 +816,10 @@ DatabaseShardImp::import(Database& source)
         auto const shardDir {dir_ / std::to_string(shardIndex)};
         auto shard = std::make_unique<Shard>(
             *this, shardIndex, shardCacheSz, cacheAge_, j_);
-        if (!shard->open(config_, scheduler_, *ctx_))
+        if (!shard->open(
+                app_.config().section(ConfigSection::shardDatabase()),
+                scheduler_,
+                *ctx_))
         {
             shard.reset();
             continue;
@@ -1192,5 +1261,36 @@ DatabaseShardImp::available() const
     }
 }
 
+//------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+std::unique_ptr<DatabaseShard>
+make_ShardStore(
+    Application& app,
+    Stoppable& parent,
+    Scheduler& scheduler,
+    int readThreads,
+    beast::Journal j)
+{
+    // The shard store is optional. Future changes will require it.
+    Section const& section {
+        app.config().section(ConfigSection::shardDatabase())};
+    if (section.empty())
+        return nullptr;
+
+    auto shardStore = std::make_unique<DatabaseShardImp>(
+        app,
+        parent,
+        "ShardStore",
+        scheduler,
+        readThreads,
+        j);
+    if (shardStore->init())
+        shardStore->setParent(parent);
+    else
+        shardStore.reset();
+
+    return shardStore;
+}
+
 } // NodeStore
 } // ripple
diff --git a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseShardImp.h b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseShardImp.h
index 68e3a4b19..841c17b0c 100644
--- a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseShardImp.h
+++ b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/DatabaseShardImp.h
@@ -37,11 +37,10 @@ public:
 
     DatabaseShardImp(
         Application& app,
-        std::string const& name,
         Stoppable& parent,
+        std::string const& name,
         Scheduler& scheduler,
         int readThreads,
-        Section const& config,
         beast::Journal j);
 
     ~DatabaseShardImp() override;
@@ -180,8 +179,8 @@ private:
     // Shards prepared for import
     std::map<std::uint32_t, Shard*> preShards_;
 
-    Section const config_;
-    boost::filesystem::path const dir_;
+    // The shard store root directory
+    boost::filesystem::path dir_;
 
     // If new shards can be stored
     bool canAdd_ {true};
@@ -193,10 +192,10 @@ private:
     bool backed_;
 
     // The name associated with the backend used with the shard store
-    std::string const backendName_;
+    std::string backendName_;
 
     // Maximum disk space the DB can use (in bytes)
-    std::uint64_t const maxDiskSpace_;
+    std::uint64_t maxDiskSpace_;
 
     // Disk space used to store the shards (in bytes)
     std::uint64_t usedDiskSpace_ {0};
@@ -204,7 +203,7 @@ private:
     // Each shard stores 16384 ledgers. The earliest shard may store
     // less if the earliest ledger sequence truncates its beginning.
     // The value should only be altered for unit tests.
-    std::uint32_t const ledgersPerShard_;
+    std::uint32_t ledgersPerShard_ = ledgersPerShardDefault;
 
     // The earliest shard index
     std::uint32_t const earliestShardIndex_;
@@ -218,7 +217,7 @@ private:
 
     // File name used to mark shards being imported from node store
     static constexpr auto importMarker_ = "import";
-
+    
     std::shared_ptr<NodeObject>
     fetchFrom(uint256 const& hash, std::uint32_t seq) override;
 
diff --git a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/Shard.cpp b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/Shard.cpp
index 376a5a7c1..53e085038 100644
--- a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/Shard.cpp
+++ b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/Shard.cpp
@@ -65,14 +65,7 @@ Shard::open(Section config, Scheduler& scheduler, nudb::context& ctx)
         return false;
     }
 
-    boost::system::error_code ec;
-    auto const preexist {exists(dir_, ec)};
-    if (ec)
-    {
-        JLOG(j_.error()) <<
-            "shard " << index_ << ": " << ec.message();
-        return false;
-    }
+    auto const preexist {exists(dir_)};
 
     config.set("path", dir_.string());
     backend_ = factory->createInstance(
@@ -85,6 +78,8 @@ Shard::open(Section config, Scheduler& scheduler, nudb::context& ctx)
             JLOG(j_.error()) <<
                 "shard " << index_ << ": " << msg;
         }
+        if (backend_)
+            backend_->close();
         if (!preexist)
             removeAll(dir_, j_);
         return false;
@@ -92,6 +87,7 @@ Shard::open(Section config, Scheduler& scheduler, nudb::context& ctx)
 
     try
     {
+        // Open/Create the NuDB key/value store for node objects
         backend_->open(!preexist);
 
         if (!backend_->backed())
diff --git a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/Shard.h b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/Shard.h
index b95ab9151..1e5666e38 100644
--- a/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/Shard.h
+++ b/src/ripple/nodestore/impl/Shard.h
@@ -152,8 +152,12 @@ private:
     // Path to control file
     boost::filesystem::path const control_;
 
+    // Disk space utilized by the shard
     std::uint64_t fileSize_ {0};
+
+    // NuDB key/value store for node objects
     std::shared_ptr<Backend> backend_;
+
     beast::Journal j_;
 
     // True if shard has its entire ledger range stored