Shawhan Family History
Menu
People / Generation 4

John Shawhan

1771 – 1845

Direct-line ancestor, Generation 4. Son of Daniel Shawhan Jr. and Margaret Bell. Cared for his widowed mother and younger siblings on the family's 130-acre Bourbon County, Kentucky property; War of 1812 veteran; central figure (and eventual defendant) in the 30-year "Pugh Heirs vs. John Shawhan" land-title lawsuit.

Life events

  1. 23 Oct 1771Born, Hampshire Co., Virginia
  2. Jul 1788In Bourbon County, Kentucky with his father Daniel as early as this date; per his own gravestone, "came to Ky. 1789"
  3. 1791Father Daniel Jr. died intestate; John, about 20, became acknowledged head of the family, clearing land and raising crops for his widowed mother, two younger sisters (Jane, Elizabeth), and youngest brother Joseph (then about 9)
  4. 24 Oct 1793Married Margaret "Peggy" McCune, Bourbon Co., Kentucky, with her father William McCune's consent
  5. 1796 (as early as)Began purchasing his siblings' individual shares of the family's 130-acre tract, starting with brother Daniel (III)'s share
  6. 22 Jul 1799Purchased sister Elizabeth (and husband Eli Robertson)'s 1/7th share for a horse and note
  7. 1800 (about)Obtained a deed for the full 130 acres from William Miller (the original patentee) in his own name alone, without formally including his co-heirs — the act later challenged in the Pugh lawsuit
  8. 1801Attended Rev. Barton Stone's Cane Ridge Revival; one of five Old Stoner Mouth Presbyterian congregants publicly denounced from the pulpit for it by Rev. Samuel Reynolds (Rannels)
  9. 1809Purchased Jane's interest; mother Margaret and youngest brother Joseph moved out to live together nearby (shortly after, per a July 1809 dated contract with sister Jane)
  10. 1810Census: 3 boys and 2 girls under 10, 2 children age 10-16, 2 family members 26-45, 1 member 45+ — presumed to include his mother and a sister/sister-in-law still in the household at that point
  11. 1812Served in the War of 1812, Capt. James Johnson's Co., 3rd Regiment, KY Mounted Militia (Sept. 1 - Oct. 15)
  12. 1814 (about)Purchased brother Joseph's 50-acre share (the portion Joseph and their mother had settled after 1809) for $800 and a horse
  13. 1818 (about)A camp meeting held on John's own farm; converts from it later formed Mt. Carmel Church
  14. 4 May 1823John's first sworn answer to the Pugh suit
  15. Nov 1826John's amended, more legally sophisticated response, after Pugh caught inconsistencies in his first answer
  16. 7 Mar 1845Will dated
  17. 5 Apr 1845Died, Bourbon County, Kentucky, age 73
  18. 7 Apr 1845Will proved, witnessed by Joseph Shawhan Sr. (his brother) and Samuel Ewalt (his sister-in-law Sarah Ewalt's family)
  19. 24 Mar 1857Wife Margaret "Peggy" died, Bourbon County, Kentucky, age 80

Sources

  • History and Genealogy of the Shawhan and Related Families
  • The Shawhans by Ron T Shawhan 1983
  • 1999 KC Star Spirit of America Feature