And one must give credit to past Stark Family researchers like Charles R. Stark and Helen Stark. Their early research into the Aaron Stark Families of America were the starting point for most of our research and provided us with data and material which enhanced our understanding of the times and places where our ancestors lived. Their early research is truly remarkable when one considers the complexity of compiling their family stories 100 years ago.

Without the research of Neal Lowe, we would not know today that Daniel R. Stark ¾ resident of West Baton Rogue Parish, Louisiana who died in 1820 ¾ was the father of our four Newton County, Texas siblings and further proved Daniel was the son of the above Asahel Stark. 

Contributors to our research in Newton County were the Newton County Historical Commission, Stark Family Association of Texas, Mary Stark, Bonnie Smith, Gladys Zachary Skinner, Floyd Boyett, Ruby Burkett, Lena Hughes, and many others. Finally, we are sure we have overlooked other major contributors to this publication for which we sincerely apologize.

November 4, 2003

Charles R. Stark wrote a book entitled “Groton, Conn. 1705 - 1905” which was printed in 1922 in Stonington, Conn. by Palmer Press. Chapter VII has an extensive history of the First Baptist Church of Groton, New London County, Connecticut  founded by others and our ancestor, William Stark, Senior in 1705. He also published a book in 1927 entitled “The Aaron Stark Family, Seven Generations” which was a compilation of the descendants of Aaron Stark, an ambitious undertaking for 1927.

Although there were several inaccurate placements of the ancestors of our four Newton County siblings, his publications contributed to the Colonial Years material presented in our book. This book is dedicated to him and all of the past and present Stark Family researchers who contributed their time, research material, and family histories to be found in this publication.

Introduction

Stark Family Association of Texas

These pages are also dedicated to past & present members of this association who contributed much of the genealogical data and family stories presented in this publication. Many have passed on while many are still living. By providing the information on these pages, the Association hopes to preserve and make available to the public, all of the many hours of research these dedicated members have contributed to our knowledge of this branch of Aaron Stark's descendants.

In 1981, Mary Burns Stark and Pauline Stark Moore were on a field trip to a cemetery in Franklin, Texas looking for information on their relatives. While there, they met a couple of women visiting the cemetery. During their conversation, Mary and Pauline enquired about the Stark family members they were researching. These women told them there was a one armed man who lived near Hearne, Texas named Otis E. Stark. When Mary and Pauline located him, they found the descendents of David Dewitte Stark (son of Asa Stark and his 2nd wife, Hester Ann Ford). Mary and Pauline were invited to join them in their next family reunion in Hearne. As a result of this reunion held In 1982, the "Asa Lafitte Stark Family Association of Texas" was founded and for several years thereafter, the reunions were held at the Fireman's Hall in Hearne. Many reunions were held until 1999. That year, the newsletter was published; but a reunion was not held due to illness and old age of the members.