Second son of Darby Shawhan and Sarah Meeks. Born 1711 in Kent County, Maryland; remained on the family plantation his whole life, one of only two siblings (with Dennis Shawhan) who never left Kent County. Married Elizabeth Peach on 8 October 1730 at Shrewsbury Parish. Bought out brother Daniel's 50-acre share of the Shad's Hole tract in October 1740, keeping the family land under his own name (see Daniel Shawhan). Wrote his will 1 Aug. 1783, "sick and weak in body"; died the same date or shortly after. John's lineage continues into the present; many present-day descendants use the surname "Shawn" and remain on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Life events
- 1711Born, Kent Co., Maryland (per an 1733 deposition placing father Darby at age 38)
- 8 Oct 1730Married Elizabeth Peach, Shrewsbury Parish, Kent Co.
- 13 Sep 1732Son John Jr. (first child) born, Shrewsbury Parish
- 12 Apr 1735Son Daniel born, Shrewsbury Parish, per the register
- 3 Apr 1736 / 10 Apr 1736Parents Darby and Sarah (Meeks) Shawhan die
- 27 Oct 1736Named next of kin, with sister Sarah Shawhan, in father's estate appraisal
- 14 Oct 1740Bought brother Daniel's 50-acre Shad's Hole share
- 1743Held lot 26, "His Lordship's Manor," Kent Co.
- 1766Listed on the Manor's rent roll with wife Elizabeth and son John Jr.; ages given as 51, 50, and 27 — consistent with a 1711 birth
- 1 Aug 1783Wrote his will, "sick and weak in body"; died at or shortly after this date
- 15 Oct 1783Will proved, Kent County
Sources
- History and Genealogy of the Shawhan and Related Families — pp. 7-13
- Eric Shawn Darby Shawhan and Sarah Meeks Historical Considerations — individual biographical detail
- The Shawhans by Ron T Shawhan 1983 — names him among Revolutionary War Shawhans: "served with the Continental troops enlisted out of Kent Co., Md."