Shelton was born and raised in her family's home of thirteen rooms in Rural Plains in Hanover County, Virginia.
Sarah Shelton did not start to show signs of mental illness until after the birth of her last child, Edward, whom many called Neddy.
Patrick Henry's mother sent a letter to his sister which stated, "We feel Sarah is losing her mind after the birth of little Neddy".
It is unknown when Sarah's private doctor strongly suggested that she be sent to the new Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia.
There are very few documents about the confinement of Sarah likely due to the fact that her husband became the governor of Virginia and this secret was kept from society.