According to Branch County, MI marriage records, Sally Shay married Daniel McCain on April 10, 1836. I have found the following passage in the "History of La Salle County Illinois: Its topography. . . and a sketch of the pioneer settlers of each town to 1840, ... and institutions" The book was published by Rand McNally in 1877.

"Daniel McCain, from Michigan, married Sarah Shay: died 1840; the widow married William Perygo; after his death she went to Michigan. Stephen Shay died in Michigan."

Illinois marriage records list William Perygo married Sarah McKean on February 27, 1844 (in La Salle county?).

I am certain that Sarah and Sally are the same person. Is this Sarah Shay the widow of Perkins Shay (Sr.) who died in Branch County, MI in September 1834 or is she his daughter?

Does anyone have any additional information on any of these individuals?

Sorry, I did not read your message prior to sending the information about Carroll Co., IL. We just stopped there on Saturday and found little as they were there early in that county.

I think we are dealing with the same families. There are some Civil War letters at Western Michigan University that just might deal with some of the people mentioned. The letters are from George Martin White to his wife Enfield Viana Bates. My husband and I have to go over the letters again as we were searching for names on the Bates side. If we find anything regarding the Shays, we will post that information on this site. The Whites were from Branch Co., MI and they sent numerous letters back and forth.