Evidence which may link Nathan Stark of Granville, Washington County, New York to Christopher Stark, Jr. is circumstantial. From military records [Nathan Start's Revolutionary War Pension Application W 20067], Nathan was born about 1762 and died September 19, 1812 in Granville. He married Jemima Farnsworth between 1779 and 1782 as sworn  to by several of the Pension Application witnesses. That Nathan could be the son of Christopher. Jr. is based primarily on two different Pay Vouchers, one made to William Stark and the other to Nathan Stark by the State of New York. William Stark who served in Capt. Harrison's Company, which was part of Colonel John Harper's Regiment of the New York Levies has been shown to most likely be a son of Christopher Stark, Jr. and brother of Asahel Stark. From the New York Pay Vouchers, Manuscript #12276 [Vol. 2, page 29], prepared on June 21, 1784, William requested; "Please to pay to William Wilson ... wagers due ... year 1780 in Capt. Harrison's Company, Col. Harpers Regiment of Levies ... signed William Stark, Witness James McClannan." From Manuscript #7516 [Vol. 2, page 117] we find that, "State of New York to Nathan Stark; 1781 Nov. 26. For my pay as a Private in Col. Harper's Regiment Levies during my captivity from 23 Oct. 1780 to this day is 13 months and 3 days @ 53/4 per month, 34 pounds, 18 shillings, and 8 pence. Audited 4 Mar 1786."

From the 1904 publication titled, "New York In The Revolution as Colony and State", compiled by the New York State Comptroller, we find there was a Nathan Stark, William Stark, and Nathan Start who served in Colonel John Harper's Regiment of Levies, the names Nathan Stark/Start probably being the same person. The names in this publication were compiled from original records from the Revolutionary War period. Nathan's Records showed his name spelled either as Stark or Start in these documents which would have caused his name to appear twice. During the Revolutionary War there were three classifications of military forces operating in the Continental Armies. The "Line" regiments were in the United States service under General Washington. The "Levies" regiments consisted of men drafted from the different militia regiments, and from the people direct as well. These men could be called upon to serve outside the State where they resided for the entire term of their enlistment. The "Militia" regiments could only be called out of the state for three months at a time.

Nathan and William both indicate in their Pension Applications they began service under Seth Warner, leader of the "Green Mountain Boys" of Vermont, who saved the day at the end of the battle of Bennington, Vermont in 1777 when his regiment arrived to reinforce General Stark's troops. Granville, Cambridge and Pittstown, New York are only about 20 miles from Bennington and this area of New York, east of Albany and in southern Vermont was claimed by both New York and New Hampshire before the war. However, Seth Warner and Ethan Allen, along with many others living in and around present day Bennington, Vermont, wanted the land to be a new colony not belonging to either. Before the war, Seth Warner's opposition to the New York authorities had made him a wanted man in the colony of New York. Therefore, in this region both sides of the present day state line between Albany and Bennington, many of the settlers in the region supported Seth Warner and Ethan Allen. However, when hostilities began with the British, these differences were put aside but not forgotten

William Stark's Pension Application mentions he served in Captain Joseph Harrison's Company, Colonel Warner's Regiment, for nine months from the spring of 1780. The Text, "New York In The Revolution as Colony and State", however, shows there was a Capt. Joseph Harrison in Harper's Regiment of Levies. Nathan's Pension Application, made by his widow, Jemima Farnsworth in 1840, indicates Nathan was a prisoner from Oct. 23, 1780 to Nov. 26, 1781, the same time interval in Nathan's Pay Voucher shown above and this pay voucher shows he was a member of Harper's Regiment of New York Levies. The facts of her statements on Nathan's service were subscribed to by Lyman B. Mason. In his statement he recalled; "That he with Nathan Start, William Preston, James Srout, John Babcock, Daniel Brown, and Roger Starkweather went from Cambridge, NY [Located about 20 miles northwest of Bennington, Vermont] in March of 1780 to join a company commanded by Capt. John Chipman [Also listed as a member of Harper's Regiment]. In the summer they went from Fort Edward under Col. Seth Warner [Warner was in charge of several of the Regiments operating in the eastern region of the Mohawk Valley from the spring of 1780 to about mid 1781] to Ft. George with Capt. William Brown, Dudley Morse. Later John Harper and Seth Sherwood were Captured." William Preston recalled; "That on account of courage, Nathan Start was given the nickname of General Stark."

The records in the text, "New York In The Revolution as Colony and State", shows there was a William Preston who served in Harper's Regiment. Clearly, from these documents, Nathan and William joined and served in Colonel John Harper's regiment which, along with several other Regiments, came under the command of Colonel Seth Warner in March of 1780. Capt. Harrison's Company became or was already part of Col. John Harper' Regiment. Further, we find from the same records Capt. Seth Sherwood served in Colonel Harper's Regiment and was captured Oct. 10, 1780. From these same records we find, "Harper, Capt. of Rangers; prisoner 18 months; shot through left arm and taken prisoner October 29, 1780 at German Flats, near Fort Dayton. Kingsland Distr." Therefore, Nathan and William's service in Harper's Regiment must have overlapped until Nathan was captured October 23, 1780 and that Nathan was probably captured in the same action as Capt. John Harper and Capt. Seth Sherwood . [Source: "Documents Relating to The Colonial History of the State of New York", Edited by Berthold Fernow, Volume XV, State Archives, Vol. I, Albany N.Y., Wood Parsons and Company, Printers, 1887. Section Titled, " Prisoners, From Regiments Of Levies."]

Nathan's widow, Jemima Start [Sometimes called Stark] further declared, "on July 15, 1840, at the age of 80 years old on the next August, she was the widow of Nathan Start, who was a private in the Militia of the state of Pennsylvania at the Battle of Wyoming in 1778." From records of those who participated in the Wyoming Valley Massacre July 3, 1778, all were listed as being in the 24th Regiment of the Connecticut Militia from what was then called Westmoreland County, Connecticut. If Nathan had seen service in this battle, then he would not have been in the Pennsylvania Militia. However, by 1790, the area was declared to belong to the State of Pennsylvania. By 1840, and even today, many people believe those who served in the Battle were part of the State of Pennsylvania Militia. Therefore, Mrs. Stark could have been mistaken in her belief Nathan had served with the Pennsylvania Militia.

From page 40 of the Text titled, "The Aaron Stark Family, Seven Generations," by Charles R. Stark, published in 1927, there is listed Individual #236, which says, "Nathan Stark [Aaron, Christopher, William, Aaron]; There is considerable uncertainty about this name, it being claimed by some that there was no son by that name [Son of Aaron Stark]. The records of the Pension Office at Washington show that a Nathan Stark served as a private in Lieutenant Simon Spalding's Company in a battalion of Connecticut troops commanded by Colonel John Durkee. His name on the roll for 1778 bears the remark "Enlisted for the war." Phebe Shaw, last surviving child of Polly [Stark] Beach, said she had heard her mother talk many times about her brother Nathan, but no further record of him or his descendants has been found." There is a record of a Nathan Stark serving in the 4th Connecticut Regiment raised in the Wyoming Valley who served first in Captain Ramson's Company and as late as December, 1780 in Captain Spalding's Company in the 24th Regiment of Connecticut. This Nathan Stark was most likely the son of William Stark who was the son of Christopher Stark, Sr.

We know that after the Wyoming Valley Massacre, Aaron Stark's widow returned to Dutchess County and later, her children  returned to the Valley after the war was over. There is no evidence any members of this family moved north to the Albany County Area of New York. I suspect Jemima, because of her advanced age and perhaps not knowing the family origins, stated or misinterpreted what she had heard from other Stark family members. Aaron Stark, son of Christopher Stark, Sr. was killed in the Wyoming Valley Massacre, his death witnessed by his son, Aaron, Jr. The CRS text clearly is not sure the Nathan Stark cited above was a son of Aaron. His reasoning is based on the statements of Aaron's granddaughter, Phebe "Beach" Shaw, daughter of Mary "Polly" Stark who married David Beach which says, "Phebe Shaw, last surviving child of Polly (Stark) Beach, said she had heard her mother talk many times about her brother Nathan, but no further record of him or his descendants has been found."

Jemima's Pension Application then relates Nathan "enlisted in the army of General Sullivan, which went to the Susquehanna and West against the Indians." General Sullivan began this operation in July of 1779, moving from Eastern Pennsylvania to the Wyoming Valley and north on the Susquehanna River. The campaign was completed by September of 1779. Sullivan was given 2,500 men from Washington's army, some of whom were probably the first two Companies raised in Westmoreland County and sent to join Washington's Army before the Wyoming Valley Massacre. However, as shown above, we know Nathan could not have been one of these men. Another Army of 1,600 men under General Clinton went west by boat on the Mohawk River from Schenectady, New York, a few miles northwest of Albany, to the Susquehanna River and then south to meet Sullivan coming north on the same river. These 1,600 men were raised in and around Albany County, New York. Assuming Jemima has her facts correct, then Nathan could have been a member of this group of men from New York, raised in the Albany area. Another group was also raised from around Dutchess County which joined with Sullivan's Army by August, 1779 after a long march from southeastern New York. Nathan could have been a member of this militia group.

Jemima's next statement says, "He was discharged and returned to Wyoming and together with his father's family, moved to the town of Granville in Washington County, New York." This doesn't seem to coincide with the the Stark family histories of those driven from the Wyoming Valley after the massacre. The survivors of the families of James Stark, Aaron Stark, and William Stark all appear to have returned to Dutchess County after the massacre and did not return to the Valley until much later than 1779, many not until after the Revolutionary War. The residence of Aaron, James, and William in the Wyoming Valley before the massacre is confirmed by the 1776 Westmoreland County, Connecticut Tax list which records James and William Stark living in Wilkes-Barre District and Aaron Stark living in Pittston District.

Therefore, the Pension Application made by Nathan's widow in 1840 doesn't seem to completely match the historical facts. I would speculate Nathan Stark of Granville came north to Albany County around 1776 from Dutchess County with the family of Christopher Stark, Jr. This is somewhat supported by research done on the Overock Family. We know Michael Overock served in the 14th Albany Militia with Christopher, Asahel, and William. According to the family history of the Overock family, they left Beekman, Dutchess County, New York between 1768 and 1772 and moved to the Albany County Area of New York, setting up residence on the Hudson River. It would seem possible Christopher Stark, Jr. and his family could have moved at about the same time to Albany or soon after, for the records on the whereabouts of Christopher are lacking from 1770 to at least 1780. ["From Liedolsheim to America, The story of my Oberacker ancestors who left Germany about 1739 to make a new life in America," by Joan Marie Reichling, Written in the year 2000.] December 9, 1787, a William Stark witnessed the Last Will & Testament of Michael Overocker in Tomhannock, Rensselaer County, New York, the approximate area where the Overock family moved after leaving Dutchess County.

The above evidence moderately supports the theory Nathan Stark of Granville could be related to Christopher Stark, Jr., Asahel Stark, and William Stark, but is by no means conclusive. I believe, based on the above analysis, that Nathan Stark was living in or near Pittstown, NY in 1778 and joined Colonel John Harper's New York Levies in time to participate in General Sullivan's campaign up the Susquehanna River, being a part of General Clinton's army which departed from Schenectady, New York and moved south down the Susquehanna to join Sullivan. At the conclusion of this campaign, he had probably completed his nine month tour of duty with Harper's Regiment. In the spring of 1780, hostilities along the Mohawk River and Valley west of Albany prompted Nathan and William to join Harper's Regiment for nine months. During this tour of duty, Nathan was captured in October of 1780 and not released until November of 1781. Nathan's brother, William, served out his nine months in the Levies from March of 1780 to January of 1781 and returned to other duties, most likely serving in the 14th Albany County Regiment of Militia after January of 1781. Meanwhile, in the spring of 1780 to the end of 1781 and into early 1782, the 14th Albany Regiment of Militia was called out many times. We know there was a Christopher Stark, Jr., Asahel Stark, and William Stark who served in this unit, the William Stark most likely the same William Stark who served in Harper's Regiment of Levies.

Therefore, because of time and place, Nathan is considered to be a son of Christopher Stark, Jr. until more evidence becomes available. Below is a list of other Nathan Stark sightings in New York not mentioned above.

Nathan [William, Christopher, William, Aaron] From CRS text; ", b. Dec. 25, 1763; d. May 23, 1837; m. Dorcas Dixon, b. Apr. 16, 1768, d. June 19, 1829. Nathan Stark served as a private in the Revolutionary War. He was wounded in both feet by an accidental shot June 10, 1781. He was a farmer in Westchester County, N. Y. as shown by the Revolutionary archives. He and three of his sons served in the War of 1812.

1. Granville, Washington County, New York 1790 Census; Nathan Stark
2. Ontario County, New York, 1810 Census; Nathan Stark; 1 male 26-45, 1 male, 16 - 26, 1 male, 10 - 16, 1 male under 10; 1 female 26 - 45, 1 female 10 - 16, 3 females under 10.

1. Manuscript #12273 Jul. 12, 1784 [Vol 2, p. 23] Whitecreek [Very near St. Coic and 10 miles northeast of Pittstown] Sir Please to pay unto Nathan Stark ... all my wagers to me for servis ... year 1780 as private in Capt. Herrison Company, Col Harpers Regment of New Levies. Joseph Bertley, Witness William Gelder. New Canaan [Connecticut near New York City] Jul. 15, 1784. I Nathan Starks do order the contents of the within order to be paid to the sd Elihu Phinney and I do acknowledge myself fully satisfied with the property I have received therefor. Nathan Starks, Joseph Chapman. Witness Samuel Attier, William Fraser. [Note Both William and Nathan Stark were in Col Harper's Regiment for overlapping periods; they are tentatively considered brothers to Asahel Stark.]
2. Manuscript #1009 Nov. 16, 1781 [Vol XIV p. 29] Tom Hanock [Note Tomhannock is 5 miles northwest of Pittstown and within Pittstown Township.] Sir, please to pay to James Stormes seven months wages this order shall be your discharge from me, Nathan Stark. Witness James Storm. Stilwater [About 8 miles northwest of Pittstown where Paul Hammond, brother-in-law of William Stark, enlisted in 1776.] Sir pleas to pay within to Mr. Willson on order it being for Value Recd. James Steven. Witness Zacheus Ray.
3. Manuscript #10163 Oct. 15, 1784/5. Sir, Please to Pay George Brinkerhoff ... your Ridgiment in the year 1779 and this order shall be your discharge from me. To Col Hopkins. Signed Nathan Stark. Witness Jacob Banker and Peter Banker.
4. Manuscript # 11561 [Vol 3, p. 107] Sir, please to pay into John Stark ... pay due to me for servises rendered ... 1780 ... as Sargent in Capt. Duboises Co and Col Dubois Regment of New York Levies 3 months Jul 20th AD 1784. Gideon Omsted. Witness Richard Wight, Benjamin dibbel. August 5, 1784, New City [Near New York City] By witness of within order - pay contents to James Rice. John Stark. Witness Henry Spencer. [Nathan Stark's wife was Jemima Farnsworth; her sister, Patience married Jabez Spencer.] August 14, 1784, Pay to William Wilson. Signed James Rice. Witness Henry Spencer. August 13, 1786, New City. Pay to Capt. Stephen Jonston. Signed James Rice. Sept. 1, 1786, Rec'd from Gerard Bancker, Sr., a certificate for 6 pounds, 18 shillings, full for this order.

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