The fourth child and eldest daughter of Darby Shawhan and Sarah Meeks. Born 1715 in Kent County, Maryland. Already married to Edward Dyer (spelled Dier/Dial in the two 1735 wills) by October of that year, when both parents name her "Sarah Dier"/"Sarah Dial." Her mother's will placed her three youngest brothers — Darby Shawhan, David Shawhan, and William Shawhan — in the guardianship of Sarah's husband Edward, "to the age of one and twenty or during the life of his wife Sarah"; a later land-lease record shows Darby had already left (being over 21) by the time it was drawn up, while David, also 21, had stayed on with Sarah's household. Widowed when Edward died — the register gives two conflicting years for this, 1747 and 1749 — Sarah administered his estate and, together with brother David and her own daughter, continued leasing land "formerly rented by" Edward. Two daughters, Mary (b. 1738) and Sarah (b. 1745), are documented.
Life events
- 1715Born, Kent Co., Maryland
- by Oct 1735Already married to Edward Dyer (named "Sarah Dier"/"Sarah Dial," his wife, in both parents' wills)
- 3 Apr 1736 / 10 Apr 1736Parents die; her three youngest brothers placed in Edward's guardianship per their mother's will
- 1738Daughter Mary born
- 1745Daughter Sarah born
- 1747 or 1749Husband Edward Dyer dies (register gives both years — unresolved); Sarah administers his estate
- after Edward's death — Sarah, brother David, and her daughter continue leasing land "formerly rented by" Edward (per Eric Shawn Darby Shawhan and Sarah Meeks Historical Considerations)
Sources
- History and Genealogy of the Shawhan and Related Families — pp. 14-15
- Eric Shawn Darby Shawhan and Sarah Meeks Historical Considerations — individual biographical detail