Volume 1: Aaron Stark [1608-1685], Progenitor of our Stark Family in North America and the First Three Generations

Part 1: The First Generation in America

Chapter 1 Attachment: Aaron Stark: Common Genealogical Myths, Mistakes, & Misconceptions

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On the Rootsweb.com WorldConnect Project web sites will be found many files (at the time of this publication) reporting Aaron Stark had a spouse named Mary Holt. As discussed in Chapter 1, the encounter between Aaron Stark and Mary Holt occurred in 1639 and there is compelling evidence that Aaron Stark did not consummate a marriage to Mary Holt nor did they have children. However, a large number of these files report the following disputable data related to a Aaron Stark born about 1608 in New London County, Connecticut:

These reports of place and time cannot be supported by historical facts. Permanent English settlements in New England did not appear until after the Mayflower landed in 1620. Prior to that year, the region — which much later than 1582 became Connecticut — consisted of a few Dutch outpost trading with the Indians for furs. The source of this genealogical myth can be found in the Church of Latter- day Saints of Jesus Christ Ancestral File entitled Aaron Stark (AFN FS8H-PL). This source is presented in most of the referenced files on the files presented on WorldConnect Project web sites. However, having visited the LDS web site which reports this genealogical myth, the site does warn visitors as follows:

"About Ancestral File: Ancestral File is a collection of genealogical information taken from Pedigree Charts and Family Group Records submitted to the Family History Department since 1978. The information has not been verified against any official records. Since the information in Ancestral File is contributed, it is the responsibility of those who use the file to verify its accuracy."

It is most obvious those who copy the data from this source have not heeded this warning nor have they attempted in anyway to research the historical facts of that time. Therefore, one must conclude:

The Latter-day Saints file further reports the mythical parents of Aaron Stark [1608-1685] had the following children:

The LDS file reported all of these children were born in New London, New London County, Connecticut — all but two born before the Mayflower landed!! Some of these given names agree with children of Aaron Stark [1608-1685] and his wife, Sarah; their children born from about 1653 to about 1680. Aaron's name is the only Stark we find in the Connecticut records beginning in 1639 accept for several publications which report the name Henry Stark or Starks — most likely an individual named Henry Packs, Perks or Park. Therefore, the above Ancestral files on the Church of Latter-day Saints of Jesus Christ web site have apparently created and mixed two generations — one generation being the mythical parents of Aaron Stark [1608-1685] with several children who were actually children of Aaron Stark [1608-1685] and his wife, Sarah.

"The house clock, moving relentlessly in step with the stars, was the first to cross the Atlantic to the New England colonies. The earliest known reference to a clock movement in the Connecticut River valley underscores the community value of timekeeping and its traditional association with the church. When Henry Packs (Parks?) died in Hartford, his will of September 4, 1640, "bestow[ed] uppon the Church the Clocke that Brother Thornton had bought." The rare clocks of the wealthy were accorded a prominent place on the wall of the parlor, which was intended for both public entertainment and family sleeping. When the probate inventory of Connecticut's founder, Reverend Thomas Hooker (1586-1647), was taken in 1649, the "new parlor" contained "3 chaires, 2 stooles, 6 cushions, a clocke, a safe [probably a wooden cabinet], a table, window curtaines, &c.," appraised at £ 5."

It would appear the above two references, transcribed from the original, are not in agreement on the surname recorded . Based on no other existing records with the name Henry Stark, the surname was probably not Stark but most likely Packs or Parks. Therefore, unless contrary evidence is found, Henry Stark or Starks (as presented in the R. R. Hinman publication) will not be considered to have been the person who Willed a clock to the Hartford Church in 1640 — but will be presumed to have been a man named Henry Packs or Henry Parks.

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The Charles R. Stark publication titled, "The Aaron Stark Family, Seven Generations," on pages 1 and 2 report the following:⁴

Aaron Stark [1608-1685], Aaron Stark (Junior), and John Stark [Lieutenant], according to this publication, were all three given land in Voluntown for their volunteer service in King Philip's War. October 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 October of 1700 a committee was selected to run the affairs of the new town named Voluntown.⁵

July 1, 1701, at a meeting in Stonington Township, the committee chose Captain Richard Bushnell as clerk. He was given the responsibility of making a list of the volunteers in King Philip's War. A separate committee was appointed to review the list of names and vote on those qualified to be granted a parcel of land in Voluntown.⁶ July 2, 1701, the list of names was presented and accepted by the committee. On the list were the names Aaron Stark, deceased, and John Stark, deceased.⁵ 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, later described as Lot #124, for services rendered in King Philip's War while John Stark, deceased, was issued Lot #126.⁷ If it's true Aaron Stark [1608-1685], Aaron Stark (Junior), and John Stark [Lieutenant] all fought in this war, as reported in the Charles R. Stark publication, then why would there not be three Voluntown lots awarded to Stark family members instead of only two?

However, this presumption could be a misconception of other possible events. Suppose Aaron Stark (Junior) was deceased before 1701. Many Stark family genealogical files report Aaron Stark (Junior) died April 24, 1721. The source of this date of death or approximate date of death was a New London Deed dated April 24, 1721 which stated "… 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..."⁸ Cozen Aron Stark was Aaron Stark [the third]. His father was Aaron Stark (Junior). The deceased brother of William Stark (Senior) was Aaron Stark (Junior) and the father of the brothers was Aaron Stark [1608-1685]. Therefore, this document clearly reports Aaron Stark (Junior) was deceased by April 24, 1721.

There is an earlier deed between Aaron Stark [the third] and his siblings dated May 29, 1716 which states "received our full parts of shears of all ye estate that was our father Aaron Starks of Groton deceased."⁹ The siblings named in this deed record were John Stark, Aabiel Stark, Joseph Collver (spouse of Mary Stark), and Sarah Stark, all known to be children of Aaron Stark (Junior). Therefore, this document reports Aaron Stark (Junior) was deceased before May 29, 1716 — at least five years earlier than  April 24, 1721. Other genealogists report Aaron Stark (Junior) died in New Jersey after 1744 because of a Groton deed record between two men named Aaron Stark, Sr. and Aaron, Jr., both residing in New Jersey.¹⁰ However, the previously discussed Groton deed record most certainly reports Aaron Stark (Junior) was deceased before May of 1716, well before this 1744 deed was made. Would there be earlier records suggesting how many years before 1716 Aaron Stark (Junior) may have died.

Helen Stark in a 1937article titled, " Aaron Stark Family, Known Facts & Authorities," reported on page 3:¹¹

"June 9, 1707. (Aaron Stark (Junior)) Mentioned as deceased in a petition by the daughters of his deceased brother John, in regard to their share of the estate of their grandfather, Aaron 1 (Aaron Stark [1608-1685])."

Helen's source of this document was the New London Probate Records found at Hartford. This document reports Aaron Stark (Junior) was deceased before 1707. Based on her research, Helen Stark theorized the following in her "Facts & Authorities" article:

"Aaron Stark 2 (Aaron Stark (Junior)), was dead before Groton was set off from New London in 1705. This seems absolutely certain, because a study of Groton records proves that the only Aaron Stark appearing on them in the early years, was not Aaron 2, but his son Aaron 3 (Aaron Stark [the third]). In one record he establishes the bounds between his property and that of William Stark (William Stark (Senior)), stating that he had received his from his father, Aaron, deceased.

A large tract of land, part of the Aaron Stark (Aaron Stark [1608-1685]) homestead, was in the family's possession, but in every case it was already in the earliest records, in the possession of the children of Aaron 2, not in his own possession - Therefore, he must have died before these records began. Most of the children gave receipts to their brother, Aaron (Aaron Stark [the third]), for their share of their father's estate. And it must have been Aaron 2, and he alone who fought in King Philip's war; Aaron 1, was already an old man when that war began, and it seems much more fitting for Aaron 2 to have been the soldier."

But for proof, the heirs of John Stark received a lot at Voluntown, which they sold. The only other grant to a Stark, was lot #124, about 122 A. granted to "Aaron Stark deceased" in 1696 Because we did not believe that Aaron 2 died until many years later, we have assumed, I think, that this must have referred to Aaron 1. But the last time we can know that he was a live was in 1691, and he may easily have been dead in 1696, certainly he was by 1705."

Helen's research agrees with the above information and if her research revealed Aaron Stark (Junior) was deceased before June 9, 1707, then he was probably the "Aaron Stark, deceased" awarded a lot in Voluntown in 1701 for his service in King Philip's War. Therefore, Aaron Stark [1608-1685] most likely was not the recipient of a Voluntown lot for his service in King Philip's War, although he might have served in that conflict. Aaron Stark (Junior) was the most likely recipient of Lot #124 for his service in King Philip's War.

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1. Royal R. Hinman. "Catalogue of the Names of the First Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut with the Time Of Their Arrival In the Colony, and their Standing in Society, Together With Their Place Of Residence, As Far As Can Be Discovered By The Records". First published 1846. (Reprinted Baltimore Genealogical Publishing Company, 1968). Return to Text
2. J. Hammond Trumbell, "The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, Prior to the Union With New Haven Colony, by J. Hammond Trumbell." Published Hartford Brown & Parsons, 1850. Volume 1. Return to Text
3. Web Site <http//outdoorhistory.org/learning/DocumentViewer.php?Action=View&DocID=882>. Philip M. Zea, "Timekeeping The Lifestyle of Accuracy--An Interpretive Essay for the J. Cheney Wells Collection of New England Clocks at Old Sturbridge Village." Published 1986. Return to Text
4. Charles R. Stark, "The Aaron Stark Family, Seven Generations." Published 1927, Wright and Potter, Boston, Massachusetts. Return to Text
5. Bodge, George M., "Soldiers in King Phillip's War," Boston, 1906. "Narragansett Township Granted to Connecticut Volunteers in the Narraganset War, now Voluntown, Connecticut." Pages 441-442. Return to Text
6. 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... [Transcribed by Gwen Boyer Bjorkman. Among the names were Aaron Stark Deceast, John Stark, Deceast...] Complete list of names can be found at <http//genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/Ct/NewLondonDeed/10049>. 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 iswithin 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) Return to Text
7. 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."Return to Text
8. Groton, New London County, Connecticut Deed Records, Book 1, pages 551-552. (Transcribed by Gwen Boyer Bjorkman). Return to Text
9. Ibid. Page 310. Return to Text
10. Stark, The Aaron Stark Family, page 8. Return to Text
11. Helen Stark, "Aaron Stark Family, Known Facts & Authorities," Unpublished typed manuscript dated 1937. Archived Connecticut State Library, Hartford, Connecticut. Call Number 929.2 St 2664 & shelved in archive box. Return to Text

Other than that work created by other acknowledged contributors or sources, the articles and genealogical data presented in this publication were derived from the research of Clovis LaFleur; Copyright © 2007. All rights are reserved. The use of any material on these pages by others will be discouraged if the named contributors, sources, or Clovis LaFleur have not been acknowledged.

This publication and the data presented is the work of Clovis LaFleur. However, some of the content presented has been derived from the research and publicly available information of others and may not have been verified. You are responsible for the validation of all data and sources reported and should not presume the material presented is correct or complete.