The sixth child of Darby Shawhan and Sarah Meeks. Raised in his sister Sarah's household after his parents' deaths. Named, with brother David Shawhan, as joint heir of the 110-acre Shad's Hole dwelling plantation in their father's 1735 will, after their mother's life estate. Never married. Assessed a Bachelor's Tax of 100 pounds in 1759 (levied on unmarried men over 25). Spent his final six months gravely ill in the household of brother Dennis Shawhan, who nursed him; died there in 1767 (age ~43), yet left his entire estate (£710) not to Dennis but to nephew Joseph, son of brother John Shawhan — a choice pointed enough that Dennis later sued Joseph, as executor, over the cost of Darby's care. Note: the register's own text names his place of death as "Indiana," almost certainly a transcription artifact rather than a real relocation.
Life events
- 1724Born, Kent Co., Maryland
- Oct 1735Named joint heir (with David) of the 110-acre Shad's Hole plantation in father's will; placed under mother's/Edward Dial's guardianship in mother's will
- by ~1745Reached 21; per a family land-lease record (see Sarah Shawhan's note), had already left sister Sarah's household by the time it was drawn up
- 1759Assessed Bachelor's Tax (100 pounds), Kent Co.
- 1767 (final ~6 months)Gravely ill in brother Dennis's household
- 18 Sep 1767Wrote his will, naming nephew Joseph (John's son) sole heir and executor
- 1767Died (age ~43), Kent County
- 6 Oct 1767Joseph's executor's bond recorded
Sources
- History and Genealogy of the Shawhan and Related Families — pp. 15-16
- Eric Shawn Darby Shawhan and Sarah Meeks Historical Considerations — individual biographical detail