Shawhan Family History
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People / Generation 4

Daniel Shawhan

1765 – 1840
Also written as Daniel Shawhan (III)

Second child of Daniel Shawhan Jr. and Margaret Bell — sibling of John Shawhan (direct line, Gen 4), not himself part of the traced direct line to Spencer. Sold his interest in the family's Kentucky distilling business to his brothers John and Joseph in 1825.

Life events

  1. 8 Oct 1765Born, Hampshire County, VA/WV
  2. 1788 (by)In Bourbon County, Kentucky with his father per the July 1788 Bourbon Court House petition (which names Daniel Sr., Daniel Jr., and John Shawhan together); about 22 years old when the family moved
  3. 1790Took a flatboat of family whiskey to New Orleans, returning with Spanish doubloons — per the source, the first of many such trips
  4. 1791Father died; Daniel III became family head, continuing to manage the farm/distillery with brother John, both making further New Orleans whiskey runs
  5. 1792Married Mary McDowell, Mason County, Kentucky, shortly after Kentucky statehood
  6. 1798Fleming County created from Mason County; the family's residence fell in the new county while the stillhouse and barns remained in Bourbon County
  7. 1825After freeing his slaves and selling his share of the distillery to brother Joseph, moved his family to Rush County, Indiana, dividing most of his wealth among his children before leaving Kentucky
  8. 30 Jul 1829Entered an 80-acre tract in Salem Township, Delaware County, Indiana — more than two years before any other public-land purchase in that section
  9. 31 Dec 1839Will dated; final estate settlement August 1851. Left his wife household furniture, a named horse ("Flim"), a named cow ("Lill"), eight sheep, farm equipment, and life use of the remaining land — also providing a home for a "Mary Lightfoot and her children" for as long as they wished to stay. Remainder divided equally among his children after his wife's death; named son John M. Shawhan as Executor. Witnessed by David H. Drummond, William M. Shawhan, and Edward L. McGee.
  10. 2 Jan 1840Died, Rush County, Indiana, age 74

Sources

  • History and Genealogy of the Shawhan and Related Families. Carries an editorial note in the source itself: "NOTE: Exclude this family line from project".
  • 1999 KC Star Spirit of America Feature — identifies him and gives the 1825 business-sale detail
  • Rinehart Family Pedigree Chart — independently corroborates him and traces his descent several further generations