Aaron Stark Jr (1655 - abt. 1721)

Born 1655 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut

Husband of Mehitable (Shaw) Stark — married 27 Nov 1676 in Groton, New London, Connecticut

Descendants

Died about 29 Apr 1721 at about age 66 in New London, New London, Connecticut

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Biography

Name

Name: Aaron /Stark/ (Junior)^[1]

Birth

Date: BET 1654 AND 1657

Place: Stonington, Newton London County, Connecticut^[2]

Imported only 1654 from Birth Date and marked as uncertain.

Marriage

Date: 27 NOV 1676

Place: Groton, Connecticut^[3]

Death

Date: BET 1691 AND 1701

Place: New London, Connecticut, USA^[4]

Note N2118Biography of Aaron Stark, Jr. by Clovis La Fleur, February, 2001Please give credit to the researchers who have contributed family data for this individual. Thank you!!!

Aaron Stark, Jr. was born about 1653-57, probably on the John Mason grant located at the mouth of the Mystic River in Connecticut. He married Mehitable Shaw, daughter of Thomas and Mary Shaw November 28, 1676, probably in Stonington, Connecticut. [Notes 1,1a] They had sons named; 1) Aaron, III who married Margaret Wells, 2) Stephen who married Hannah Culver February 13, 1708, 3) Abiel, who married Mary Walworth and 4) John who married Martha Walworth November 10, 1715.2 Their daughters were; 1)Mary who married Joseph Culver January 29, 1707, 2) Hannah who married Abraham Waterhouse November 12, 1697, and 3) Sarah. [Note 2] A fourth daughter may have been Anna Stark who married William Read. See the notes for Anna Stark for more information. Aaron, Jr. fought in King Philip's war in 1675/76. Early researcher, Charles R. Stark, mentioned Aaron, Sr. also fought in this war. [Note 2] However, later evidence to presented in this text will suggest otherwise.

The records show he was a resident of New London April 11, 1678 and appeared in court with his brothers John and William June 2, 1685 in regard to his father's will. He received a bounty November 23, 1691 for killing wolves. After 1691, references to individuals named Aaron Stark become confused because by 1699, Aaron, III, born in 1678, reaches the age of twenty-one which allows him to own property. [Note 3]

When did Aaron Stark, Jr. die? Some researchers say he died April 24, 1721 due to a boundary dispute recorded on that date between William Stark, Sr., Aaron Stark, Jr.'s brother, and most likely Aaron Stark, III, Aaron, Jr.'s son. [Note 3a] Close examination of this document reveals, "to fix a deviding lane between Mr. William Stark of sd Groton and his Cozen Aron Stark son to Aron Stark decd ye brother of ye sd William Stark according to ye last will & testament of Mr. Aron Stark decd." From this statement, Aaron Stark, Jr. has died before this date. However, this is not about Aaron Stark, Jr.'s estate being probated, but a dispute between William, Sr. and probably Aaron, III and cannot be implied as the death date of Aaron, Jr. other than he was deceased before this date.

There is a deed between Aaron, III and his siblings dated May 29, 1716 which states, [Note 3b] "received our full parts of shears of all ye estate that was our father Aaron Starks of Groton deceased." This record establishes Aaron, Jr. died before May 1716. Others say he died in New Jersey after 1744 because of a Groton Deed Record between an Aaron, Sr. and Aaron, Jr., both residing in New Jersey (This deed will be addressed later). [Note 4] However, the previously discussed Groton Deed Record assures us Aaron, Jr. was deceased by 1716, well before this 1744 deed. However, the Author believes he died much earlier, probably before 1707, quite possibly between the years of 1691 to 1701.

On June 9, 1707, the daughters of John Stark (Aaron Stark, Sr.'s brother), Hannah Stark who married Isaac Fox, and Elizabeth Stark who married John Newbury, presented a petition in the New London Probate Court in regard to their share of the estate of their grandfather inherited by their father, John. In this petition, they mention Aaron is the deceased brother of their father, John. [Note 5] From this probate record it would appear Aaron, Jr. was deceased before 1707.

October of 1696, the Court of Connecticut approved a land grant of six square miles to be divided among those who fought in King Philip's War. This land was to be taken from the Indians conquered in that war. On October 14, 1697, Captain Samuel Mason, Mr. John Gallop, and Lieutenant James Avery were appointed as a committee to view the tract and in October of 1700, a committee was selected to run the affairs of the new town named Voluntown. [Note 6]

At a July 1, 1701 meeting at Stonington, the committee chose Captain Richard Bushnell as clerk with the responsibility of making a list of the volunteers in King Philip's War. Another committee was appointed to review the names an vote on their acceptance as qualified to be granted a parcel of land in Voluntown. [Note 7]

On July 2, 1701, the list of names was presented and accepted. On the list were the names of Aaron Stark, deceased, and John Stark, deceased. [Note 7] On April 17, 1706, the final approval was made and a drawing of lots was made for those approved to receive grants. Aaron Stark, deceased, was issued a grant of 122 acres, described as Lot #124, for services rendered in King Philip's War while John Stark, deceased, was issued Lot #126.[Note 7a] John Stark's heirs later sold the lot. New London County Probate records show John died in 1689.

Although Charles R. Stark's book says Aaron, Sr. and Aaron, Jr. received grants, it would seem there were only two given to Stark Family members. The Author's question is which Aaron Stark is deceased when this grant is issued? We know Aaron, Sr. died in 1685 which would make him a likely candidate. Could he have fought in this war? If so, he was 67/68 years old. One can say this is not impossible, for several others Aaron's age did participate. If it's true Aaron, Sr., Aaron, Jr. , and John fought in this war, then why would there not be three Voluntown lots to Stark family members instead of two?

However, as further proof, consider Aaron Stark, Sr. died in 1685, dividing his known property at that time between the three brothers, Aaron, Jr., John, and William, Sr. The Volunteers were selected in 1701. It would seem apparent if the Voluntown Lot became part of Aaron, Sr.'s estate at a later date, it would have been divided among the children of Aaron, Sr. or their descendants. The lots were laid out in 1706, and March 22, 1709/10 an Aaron Stark sold the 122 acre lot for "5 pounds silver money of Boston … to Samuell Avery". [Note 8] How would Aaron Stark, Jr. be able to sell this lot if it was part of the estate of Aaron Stark, Sr. without first dividing the 122 acre lot three ways with William, Sr. and the descendants of John Stark, Hannah (Stark) Fox and Elizabeth (Stark) Newbury? I use the married names of Hannah and Elizabeth because both married their respective husbands in April of 1707.

From this analysis, we can confidently say Aaron, Jr. is the deceased Aaron Stark mentioned in the Voluntown list and died between the years 1691 and 1701. Therefore, any mention of Aaron Stark in the records, perhaps after 1701, could be Aaron Stark, III.

Notes:

1) Miner, John A., The Minor Diaries, Stonington, CT Thomas Minor 1653 to 1684, Manasseh Minor 1696 to 1720 (1976); Original publishers of the Diaries Sidney H. Miner and George D. Stanton, publishers of Thomas' Diary in 1899; and Frank Denison Miner and Hannah Miner, publishers of Manasseh's Diary in 1915; page 138; 1676; "The Ninth moneth is November.... monday the 27th, Aron Start Junior and Methitabel Shaw were married the 28th."

1a) LDS Microfilm #5595; Stonington Deeds Vol. 5 & Vol. 6; (Note Some early researchers suggested Mehitable Shaw's father was not Thomas Shaw, but another Shaw named Samuel. The following deed transaction of Stephen Stark, son of Aaron, Jr. and Mehitable Shaw clearly shows Stephen's grandfather was Thomas Shaw. CLL); Vol 6, page 217; Elisha Gays quit claim deed from Stephen Stark; "Know all men by these Presents that I Stephen Stark of Groton for 30L recd. of Elisha Gay of Lebanon in the County of Windham quit claim unto him all the right that I have in one certain tract or farm of Land situate in Stonington 500A and is the same farme or Tract of Land which did formerly belong to my Honoured Grand Father Thomas Shaw Late of Said Stonington Deceasd and is Known by the Name of the Long Swamp and is bounded as follows Easterly by the Lands of Joshua Holmes and Westerly by the Land of John Holmes and Northerly and Southerly 20 May 1751. Signed Stephen Stark. Wit Isaac Huntington, Rebeckah Huntington. Ack 20 May 1751. Recd 30 May 1751."

2)Stark, Charles Rathbone, The Aaron Stark Family Seven Generations of the Descendants of Aaron Stark of Groton, Connecticut, Wright and Potter, Boston, Mass., 1927 (On LDS microfilm #1018909); page 2.

3)Stark, Helen; Article prepared in 1937 titled, "Known Facts & Authorities"; Helen's source April 11, 1678, New London Town Records; for June 2, 1685, New London County Court Records; for November 23, 1691, New London County Town Records.

3a) Groton, New London County, CT Deed Records, Book 1, pages 551-552; We underwritten free holders of ye town of Groton & Stoningtown being appointed by Nehemiah Smith Esqr. One of his majestie's justices of the peace to fix a deviding lane between mr. William Stark of sd Groton and his Cozen Aron Stark son to Aron Stark decd ye brother of ye sd William Stark according to ye last will & testament of Mr. Aron Stark decd. Father to ye above said Brothers ye boundary --- being lost and we being sworn according to that Law page 246 to a faithfull discharge of our duly and having heard ye severall pleas made to them & Evedences given in and informed our selves by Runing dividing lines by ye Surveyors We have fixed and stated the deviding line between ye sd William Stark and his Cozen Aron Stark as follows to say Aron Stark his land on ye west & William Stark's Land on ye East We began on a Ledge of Rock South Westerly from ye now dwelling house of sd William Stark in Sight of his house at an old ---- that by ye brinck of ye Ledge by a Rock wch a heap of stones by itt to --- Living Evedences to be ye north East Corner of ye Land given by sd Will to Aaron stark decd. Thence to Run a South Line two hundred & Twenty Six Rods by marked trees to another stone standing by a whit oak tree markt with ye Leters M MM W wch Line is the Deviding line between the parties as Wittness our hands & sealls this 29th of Aprill anno 1721. Present John Plumb Surr. Signed John Morgan, William Morgan, Jno. Williams.

3b) Same ref. as (3a), page 310; Be it known the subscribers do acknowledge that we have received our full parts of shears of all ye estate that was our father Aaron Starks of Groton deceased and acquit all our right title claim or demand whatsoever of or unto the estate of our sd father Aaron Starke and to

every part therof unto our brother Aaron Stark of said Groton 29 May 1716. Signed John Stark, Aabiel Stark, Joseph Collver, Sarah Stark. Wit Samll. Fox, David Collver. Ack and recd 29 May 1716.

4) Same ref. as (2), page 8

5) Same Ref. as (3); Helen's source was New London County Court Records, (Formerly at Norwich, now (In 1937) in State Library at Hartford)

6) Bodge, George M., "Soldiers in King Phillip's War", Boston, 1906, pages 441-442; "Narragansett Township Granted to Connecticut Volunteers in the Narraganset War, now Voluntown,Connecticut"

7) Generall Court orders starting 1696, 1697, 1700, 1701, pages 1 thru 3; 1) Stonington Att a meeting of the volunteers July the 1st 1701, "Captn. Richard Bushnell was chosen Clerk to make a list of the names of the volunteers, and to make entrey of all votes as shall be passed by sd Volunteres. At the same Meeting above said the Companey proseeded to the choice of a committee Who are empowered to pass all those that shall offer themselves as volunteers and desire theire names to be entred accordingly, and the Clerk to enter no persons names as volunteers, without the approbation of the Committee, hereafter named, or the major part of them, The persons made choice of to do the above sd work are, Liut. Thomas Leffingwell, Liut. James Avery, Sarjt. John Frink, Richard Bushnell and Deacon Caleb Fobes. Voted." 2) Stonington, att a meeting of the volunteers July 2d 1701, "The Company Granted to Capt. Samuell Mason an equall share or interest with them in that Tract of Land Granted to them by the generall Court. Voted. A list of the names of the English volunteers in the late Narragansitt Warr as followeth [Gwen Boyer Bjorkman only transcribed names of interest. To view complete list go to http//genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/Ct/NewLondonDeed/10049] Ephraim Colver, Edward Colver, John Fish, Samuell Fish, John Waterhouse, Nathaniel Park, Manasseth Minor, John Stanton, Joseph Stanton, Aaron Stark Deceast, John Stark Deceast, Solomon Tracy, Roburt Park, Thomas Park Deceast, Caleb Fobes, John Ashcroft, De Daniel Tracy, Mathew Griswould, John Griswould, Nehemiah Smith, Samll. Fox, Joseph Waterhouse, Thomas Hungerford, John Packer, Samuell Packer, Richard Smith Senior, Joseph Colver, John Shaw, Turne to ye first lease." 3) New London November 14th 1705, " At a meeting of the volunteers, the sd volunteers being sencible that the tract of Land formerly granted to them, by the Honoll Generall Court of Conecticutt to settle a plantation upon is so broken by the late agreemnt made by the Committees for the Colonyes of Conecticut and Road Island, that they feare their intended purpose of settling a plantation so accomadable for a Christian Society as they desire is frustorated ---"

4) New London At a Meeting of the volunteers Aprill the 17th 1706, " The Companey unanimously agreed (and Declared by their vote) to go on to draw lotts, upon that part of the Land laid out, which is within the Tract of Land Granted to the said volunteers by the Genll Court October the 10th 1700. …Att

the same Meeting the Company Granted Samuell Fish Liberty to take his lott where he hath made emprovement by virture of a grant from Stonington, the lot being already laid out by the Committee." (Transcribed by Gwen Boyer Bjorkman)

7a) Film #5881 CT New London Co. Voluntown; 1) Page 69, 124th Lot. "Lands Belonging to Aaron Stark his heires & assignes one hundred & twenty-two acres, more or less, beginning att a white oake tree, thence running west one hundred & twenty-two rodds to a white oake tree marked on four sides and is in length, from the South to the North, one hundred & sixty rodds. Laid out March 1706 Pr James Avery, John Prentts & Manassah Minor. Entred July 1706. 2) Page 69 126th Lot. "Lands Belonging to John Stark his heires & assignes one hundred & twenty-six acres, more or less, Beginning att a white oake tree, by a Ceder Swamp, thence running east one hundred & twenty-six rodds to a white oake tree by a swamp, and is in length, from the South to the North, one hundred & sixty rodds. Laid out March 1706 Pr James Avery, John Prentts & Manassah Minor. Entred July 1706."

8) Same as (3a), Book 1, page 77; Aron Starke of Groton for 5 pounds silver money of Boston to Samuell Avery a certain tract of land lying in that tract of land granted to those persons who were vollenteers in the last war with the Narraganset Indians in the town of Vollentowne and in the 69th -?-?-?- 122a 22 Mar 1709/10 Signed Aaron Stark. Wit James Morgon Junr, Wm. Latham. Ack 22 Mar 1709/10. Recd 28 Mar 1709/10.

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S3651 Page: Vol. 5, page 109 Data: Text: Probate record of Aaron Stark, Sr. mentions his sons, Aaron, William, and John
2. ↑ Source: #S1751 Data: Text: Based on marriage to Mehitable Shaw in 1676 and parents move to John Mason Land Grant in Nov.. of 1653. Probable date of arrival in Stonington based on Thomas Miner Dairy
3. ↑ Source: #S3569 Page: page 138 Data: Text: Reports Nov. 28, 1678, Aaron Stark and Mehitable Shaw were married
4. ↑ Source: #S3657 Page: Pages 1 thru 3 Data: Text: Record shows Aaron Stark, deceased, July 2, 1701 when he was named as participant in King Philip's War. Evidence has shown this Aaron Stark was not Aaron, Jr.'s father. Only Aaron Stark and John Stark shown as receiving land.

See also:

• Source: S1751 Title: Clovis La Fleur, Jr. Estimate
• Source: S3651 Title: New London County, Connecticut Court Records
• Source: S3657 Title: New London, Connecticut, General Court Orders

Notes

NI02653Introduction To The Aaron Stark Family Web Site

Welcome!!!!

If you are visiting this Web Site for the first time, it is suggested you read the introduction which follows to gain some insight into the organization of Aaron's descendants.

Click Here to Enter the Web Site (LINK NEEDS TO BE ADDED!)

Introduction

We do not claim that this work is either perfect or complete, for, alas, such is the nature of genealogy. Every effort has been made to have all names, dates and other information as near correct as possible. However, being human, there will be mistakes, both in data and typing, for which we apologize. Most of the documented records to be presented have been transcribed as found. If you find errors on these web pages, please report them to the site manager, Clovis LaFleur.

Aaron Stark [1608-1685] was born in England and migrated to Colonial Connecticut after 1630 and before May of 1637. These pages are dedicated to his family and all of his known descendants and is based on the research of many past and present researchers of the Stark Family. For descendants of Aaron, we hope this web page will be useful in your research of the Aaron Stark Family and you will share your data with the Association to help us provide the most complete and accurate accounting of this family possible.

Careful research has shown the well known New Hampshire Stark family of General John Stark of Revolutionary War fame is not connected to the Aaron Stark family, although many descendants of Aaron, by family tradition, have claimed John as their ancestor. Many of Aaron's descendants who lived in Virginia and Kentucky have also been confused with the descendants of James Stark of Stafford County, Virginia, also not not related to Aaron. Again, careful analysis of the available data has, hopefully, provided a more accurate picture of which of the Stark families in Virginia and Kentucky were descendants of Aaron.

Many researchers are aware of the 1927 publication, "The Aaron Stark Family, Seven Generations," prepared by Charles R. Stark and published in 1927 by Wright and Potter, Boston, Massachusetts. While an excellent reference document, there are many errors to be found related to several branches of Aaron's descendants which continue to influence the organization of these families, even today. Many new present day researchers will "find" the Charles R. Stark book again, and then commit the same errors in their research efforts. This web page will attempt to reveal these errors based on later research not available to Charles R. Stark at the time of his publication. We hope future genealogy researchers will examine these pages first, to finally break this circle of Error and Correction which occurs with each new generation looking for their Stark Family Ancestors.

The research of Walter Owen Shriner and his spouse, Mary Virginia "Cuppy" Shriner was influenced by the Charles R. Stark text and will have many of the organizational errors revealed in this text, especially related to the Christopher Stark who married Martha Vineyard/Venard [See: Who Was Who Named Christopher Stark]. While an excellent genealogical reference for the Virginia, Pennsylvania, & Kentucky Stark brothers named James, Joseph, Jonathan, Daniel, Christopher, and John Stark and their descendants, his earlier work on the origins of the brothers has many errors. [See: Jonathan Stark of Connecticut & Jonathan Stark of New Jersey, The Same Person?] Again, we hope to illustrate those errors and set the record straight.

The same will be true of the Indiana research of the Stark families presented in the Roy B. Hardin papers. His speculation on the origins of these families will also have many of the same errors, his work influenced by both the Shriner's and Charles R. Stark. However, his material is excellent for most of the Starks who resided in Indiana and their descendants.

We hope our audience will approach the research to be found on these web pages with a open mind and will join our group in creating web pages that will accurately tell the story of Aaron Stark and his descendants.

Acknowledgments

• Thank you to Nova Weller for creating WikiTree profile Starke-106 through the import of smith_eugene.GED on Apr 15, 2013.
• American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI), Godfrey Memorial Library, comp., Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Provo, Utah,1999; Family Data Collection - Births, Edmund West, comp., Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Provo, Utah, 200; Colver-Culver Genealogy,Ancestry.com. North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.;Source number: 2442.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: CEW, Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. ; Walworth/Walsworth Genealogy 1689-1962, Reginald Wellington Walworth, Queen Anne's Publishing, Centreville MD, 1962