Shawhan Family History
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Kent County, Maryland · 1707

One line in a parish register. Three centuries of family.

The descendants of Darby Shawhan and Sarah Meeks — their people, places, and records, from Maryland’s Eastern Shore to the frontier and beyond.

The first family

Darby Shawhan c. 1673 – 1736 married 20 November 1707 Sarah Meeks St. Paul’s Parish, Kent County
Danielb. 1709Johnb. 1711Dennisb. 1713Sarahb. 1715Elizabethb. 1722Darbyb. 1724Davidb. 1726Williamb. 1728
People106 Shawhans and the families they married into, born before 1900. DocumentsThe records behind the story — what each one says, and why it matters. Places & MapsShad’s Hole, Kent County, and where the children went after 1736. Open questionsWho were Darby’s parents? How did he reach Maryland? What the records don’t yet say.

Timeline

1707
Darby and Sarah marry at St. Paul’s Parish, Kent County.
1709
Darby buys Shad’s Hole. Daniel is born.
1735
Darby and Sarah make their wills.
1736
Darby dies. His will is proved in Kent County.
1740
Daniel sells his land to John and moves west.

This site grows as the research does. New people are added as they are researched. Documents, places, maps, and open questions are added only after a detailed review of the research, done while writing one of the books — so everything in those sections has been checked for a book. Records from From Shad’s Hole will be added once that book is final. More about this site.

Do you have a piece of this story?

A family Bible, an old photograph, a letter, a correction. It comes straight to Spencer, and nothing goes on the site without your permission.

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Cover of Two Roads from Munster

The full story, in book form

Two Roads from Munster tells the story at length, and is free to read online. From Shad’s Hole is coming soon.

About the books →