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
People109 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. More about this site.

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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 MunsterCover of From Shad’s Hole

The full story, in book form

Two Roads from Munster and From Shad’s Hole tell the story at length, and both are free to read online.

About the books →