Part 3 Introduction

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

Part 3: The Third Generation; Children of Aaron Stark (Junior) & Mehitable Shaw

Part 3 Introduction

2nd Edition; October 2006; by Clovis LaFleur, with Editorial Assistance by Donn Neal; Copyright © January 2007, Clovis La Fleur

Major contributors: Pauline Stark Moore & Gwen Boyer Bjorkman

[Home] [Table of Contents] [ Preface ] [ Part 1 Introduction ] [ Chapter 1 ] [ Part 2: Introdution ] [ Chapter 2 ] [ Chapter 3 ] [ Chapter 4 ] [ Part 3 Introduction ] [ Chapter 5 ] [ Chapter 6 ] [ Part 4 Introduction ] [ Chapter 7 ] [ Chapter 8 ] [ Chapter 9 ] [ Chapter 10 ] [ Aaron Stark Descendant Report ] [ Volume 1 Appendix ]

Last Update: May 18, 2008 Webmaster: Clovis LaFleur <clafleur1@austin.rr.com> Click HERE to see Copyright & Disclaimer.

[Previous: Chapter 4: The Life & Times of William Stark (Senior)[ [Next: Chapter 5: Aaron Stark (3rd) & Margaret Wells]

The Third Generation, A Summary

William Stark (Senior) and Aaron Stark (Junior) had sons who would pass down the Stark surname to their sons and grandsons. John Stark had two daughters and the other children of Aaron Stark [1608-1685] were female. All males living today with the surname Stark --- who descend from Aaron Stark [1608-1685] --- are descendants of one of these two men.

Aaron Stark (Junior) had sons named Aaron Stark (3rd), Stephen Stark (Senior), John Stark, and Abiel Stark. Aaron Stark (3rd) became a property holder, inheriting property from his father and purchasing the property inherited by his siblings. He joined the Baptist Dissenters about 1705 and was a member of this religious movement until about 1720, most likely joining the Rogerene Religious sect about 1720. Between 1720 and 1725 he moved to Colchester, New London County, selling all of his property in Groton Township, New London County. About 1732, Aaron (3rd) followed John Culver and the Rogerenes to New Jersey. His descendants continued to live in New Jersey and several moved to Northwest Vermont and Northeast New York after the Revolutionary War.

Stephen Stark (Senior) first appears in the Groton records in 1707 as a witness to several property transactions. He was a member of the Baptist dissenters for he and his wife along with several others were accused in 1709 of holding unlawful meetings and assisting the settlement of Baptist minister Valentine Wightman in Groton Township. Stephen was accepted as a freeman in 1712 and was a witness to many deed transactions over the years in Groton. He was a member of the Baptist Church as late as 1717, being one of several who purchased 1 and 1/2 acres from William Stark (Senior) for the purpose of building a Church and providing a burying ground. After 1722, Stephen and his family had moved to Lebanon, New London County, where he resided until his death after 1755. After the Revolutionary War, a grandson moved to the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania; while several other grandsons moved to Northeast New York.

Abiel Stark first appears in the record in 1710 as a witness to a deed transaction and was one of the members of the Baptist Church who purchased 1 and 1/2 acres from William Stark (Senior) in 1717. In 1721, he appears in the records as a resident of Lebanon, New London County, where he resided until his death in 1755.

John Stark first appears in the record in 1712 as a witness to a deed transaction and was a the members of the Baptist Church that purchased 1 and 1/2 acres from William Stark (Senior) in 1717. IN 1722, John Purchased property in Lebanon and the records reveal he is a resident of Lebanon in 1726. Between 1739 and 1746, John moved from Lebanon to Waterford, where he was a member of the New London Baptist Church (the 2nd Baptist Church). He died in New London in 1753. His son, John Stark (Junior) died soon after his father. The son of John (Junior), Benajah Stark, moved to South Hero, Chittenden County, Vermont after the Revolutionary War and later to Clinton County, New York.

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The Children of Aaron Stark (Junior) & Mehitable Shaw

The publication entitled “The Aaron Stark Family, Seven Generations,” compiled by Charles R. Stark and published in 1927, states that Aaron Stark (Junior) and Mehitable Shaw had the following children:¹⁴²

	Aaron, born in 1678, who married Margaret
	Stephen, born in 1685, who married Hannah Culver (born in 1682) on February 13, 1708
	Mary, who married Joseph Colver (born in 1680) on January 29, 1707
	John, born in 1694, who married Martha Walworth on November 10, 1715
	Abiel, born in 1696, who married Mary Walworth (born February 6, 1685, died August 23, 1771) before April of 1721
	Hannah, born in 1678, died April 27, 1734 at the age of 56 years, who married Abraham Waterhouse (born December 23, 1674/5, died May 1750 at the age of 76 years) on November 12, 1697
	Sarah

There are surviving documents to confirm these were children of Aaron Stark (Junior) and Mehitable Shaw. An especially important one is a Groton deed on April 24, 1721, which states:¹⁴³

"… 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…”

This document tells us: Cozen Aron Stark was the son of a deceased father named Aron Stark; the deceased father of Cozen Aron Stark was the brother of William Stark; and the two brothers were sons of a deceased father named Aron Stark. Undoubtedly, the deceased father of the two brothers was Aaron Stark [1608-1685] and the deceased father of Cozen Aron Stark was Aaron Stark (Junior); thus, Cozen Aron Stark was the nephew of William Stark (Senior). Assuming this deduction is indeed correct, then we can confidently state that Aaron Stark (Junior) was deceased before April 24, 1721, and had a son with the same name – hereafter referred to as Aaron Stark (3rd).

On May 29, 1716, the Groton Deed Books show that several of the siblings of Aaron Stark (3rd) acknowledged receiving their fair share of their deceased father’s estate:¹⁴⁴

"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.."

The said “subscribers” who signed this document could not have been children of Aaron Stark [1608-1685], for his 1685 probate record names those sons. All those mentioned were children of Aaron Stark (Junior), except for Joseph Collver, the husband of their sister, Mary (Stark) Culver. This document provides persuasive evidence John Stark, Abiel Stark, Mary Stark, and Sarah Stark were children of Aaron Stark (Junior).

Another Groton deed indicates that Stephen Stark was the son of Aaron Stark (Junior):¹⁴⁵

"Stephen Starke of Groton, for 16L,… by Capt. Samuell Fish of Groton, all the right, all the estate that was my father Aaron Starks, ? Feb 1714

Signed: Stephen Stark.

Wit: John Wood, John Morgan.

Ack. and recd 3 Feb 1714."

This deed shows that Stephen Stark had sold the property inherited from his deceased father, Aaron Stark (Junior). This was the same Stephen Stark who on May 20, 1751, sold a “Tract of Land which did formerly belong to my Honoured Grand Father Thomas Shaw Late of Said Stonington Deceasd.”¹⁴⁶ Thomas Shaw of Stonington was most likely the father of Stephen’s mother, Mehitable Shaw – further suggesting that Stephen was the son of Aaron Stark (Junior).

According to Connecticut records, “Hannah Starkie” married “Abraham Watrous” on November 12, 1697, in Saybrook, Connecticut.¹⁴⁷ On September 12, 1697, two months before the wedding, Hannah Stark was baptized by Reverend James Noyes at the Stonington Road Church.¹⁴²

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Religious Affiliations

The third generation became religious dissenters early in the 18th century, openly choosing to become Baptist or Rogerene Quakers, in defiance of the Connecticut theocracy (Congregationalist Church). William Stark (Senior) became supported the Baptist movement and was instrumental in the founding of the First Baptist Church in Groton in 1704. Many of those in the third generation joined the First Baptist Church and were members as late as 1717. However, by 1720, several of the sons of Aaron Stark (Junior) and Mehitable Shaw became active with the Rogerenes.

In the book entitled: Groton, Conn., 1705-1905, Charles R. Stark had this introduction to the religious sect known as the "Rogerene Quakers."

Among the sects which have found a home in Groton should be mentioned the "Rogerene" Quakers. Founded by John Rogers in New London about 1675, their peculiar beliefs and practices soon brought then into conflict with the standing order church, which dealt with them with no gentle hand. A branch of this society was established in Groton early in the eighteenth century. Great and varied has been the comment on the customs of the Rogerenes, but the commonly accepted view of the community was tersly stated by a neighbor who when asked what their beliefs were answered: "To rejoice at everybody's downfall and not go to training." Time has softened men's judgment and today we look upon their work in the community as of constructive value.

The Rogerenes were best described by Francis Manwaring Caulkins in the publication entitled “History of New London:”¹⁴⁸

In respect to the most important articles of Christianity, Rogers was strenuously orthodox. He held to salvation of the just and unjust, and an eternal judgment. He maintained also obedience to the civil government, except in matters of conscience and religion. A town or country rate the Rogerenes always considered themselves bound to pay, but the minister rate they abhorred denouncing as unscriptural all interference of the civil power in the worship of God. Of their peculiar characteristic a brief summary must here suffice.

In respect to baptism, and the rejection of the first day Sabbath they agree with the Sabbatarians, but they diverge from them on other points. They consider all days alike in respect to sanctity, and though they meet for religious purposes on the first day of the week, when the exercise is over, they regard themselves as free to labor as on any other day. They have no houses set apart for public worship, and regard a steeple, a pulpit, a cushion, a church, and a salaried minister in a black suit of clothes, as utter abominations. They hold that a public oath is like any other swearing, a profanation of the Holy Name, and plainly forbidden in Scriptures. They make no prayers in public worship or in the family: John Rogers conceived that all prayers should be mental and not vocal, except on special occasions when the Sprit of God moving within, prompted the use of the voice. They use no means for the recovery of health, except care, kindness and attention, considering all resort to drugs, medicines and physicians, as sinful.”

In the summer of 1721, Boston experienced an epidemic of smallpox. John Rogers, then in his seventy-fourth year, had many times previously traveled to places in New England that were plague-stricken, administering to the sick and trusting that God would protect him from the pestilence. On this occasion, he traveled to Boston and went about his ministrations to the sick and infirm until early October. As the number of new cases dwindled, he returned to New London in early October, unaware he had contracted the disease; unfortunately, he arrived at his home (called Mamacock) in New London with the disease fully developed. The alarm spread throughout the community and Mamacock was quarantined, the number of persons living on the property being thirteen including the servants living in separate houses on the place. John Rogers, the leader of the Rogerenes, died on October 17, 1721, of smallpox.

Anna Williams described the ordeal:¹⁴⁹

“The day after his death [John Rogers], at another special meeting of Governor and Council, it is enacted that ‘constant watch be kept about the house, to seize and imprison all persons who may attempt to hold intercourse with the quarantined family.’ Little do those who have been forced to take charge at Mamacock and to punish all friendly ‘intruders about the premises’ appreciate the deep sorrow and sympathy of these long-time neighbors and friends, who desire to hear the particulars, to show respect for the departed and to render aid to the family. Rudely rebuked, no doubt, are the most reasonable efforts of the part of these friends, to prove their love and fellowship in grief, although as yet no one else has the contagion and all thoughts are centered on this one great bereavement.

When shortly Bathsheba, wife of John Rogers (now 2d) and their eldest son, John, are stricken, the dark shadows deepen over Mamacock, and friends of the family would fain show some sign of fearless fidelity, not only to those afflicted, but to the teachings of the New Testament and the Old, in regard to the power and good will of God to hold even the direst pestilence in His hand. Much of the endeavor on the part of these friends appears to be to provide the family with such necessaries for their comfort as have not yet been supplied by the authorities.

John Waterhouse and John Culver come over from Groton to secure news regarding the sick and bring something likely to be needed in the quarantine. The slightest attempt at such friendly aid excites indignation and terror on the part of the authorities.

At one of the special meetings of Governor and Council (October 31) ‘action is taken regarding the fact that several of the followers of John Rogers have, contrary to express orders to the contrary, presumed to go into the company of some that live in the Rogers house, and further express orders are issued to these obdurate persons, particularly John Culver and wife, John Waterhouse and Wife of Groton, Josiah Gates and wife of Colchester and John Bolles and wife.”

From the earliest days of New London County, the Culver and Stark families had been neighbors and friends. John Culver and his wife along with Aaron Stark (3rd) and his wife Margaret, had been accused in 1709 of assisting Valentine Wightman in settling in Groton and having meetings separate from the Congregational Church. Aaron’s sister married Joseph Culver (Junior), and several Culver families could be counted as members of the Baptist Church when they purchased land from William Stark (Senior) on which to erect a church building.

After the death of John Rogers, John Waterhouse and John Culver became the leaders of the Rogerenes, who were living in the northeastern part of Groton. Anna Williams described them as follows:¹⁵⁸

“This is a sparsely populated district [northeastern Groton Township], where the nonconformists are less exposed to such molestations and extortions as assail those of New London. These Groton Rogerenes have Baptists for their nearest neighbors, a sect agreeing with them in certain particulars, but equally with the ruling order holding to the observance of a ’holy Sabbath.’ It is certain that the Groton Rogerenes have, sooner or later, some grievance against these Baptists, evidently in connection with the question of Sunday sanctity.”

Another passage in the Anna Williams publication states:

“About 1735, John Culver and wife, with their sons and families, together with other Rogerenes of Groton, emigrated to New Jersey, where they founded a Rogerene settlement. (The cause of this removal is unknown. The theory that it was to escape persecution is weakened, not only by proof that the Culvers had proven themselves of heroic mould in this struggle, but by the fact that there was a cessation of virulent persecution at this time.) In the course of a few years, they are found, with quite a following, at Watertown [Note2] (in the southern part of what is now Ocean County) , holding their meetings in a schoolhouse.

[Content of Anna Williams Note 2: They first settled in Morris County, N, J. Schooley’s Mountain but soon moved south to above location. About eleven years later, they seem to have returned to Schooley’s Mountain. In the latter part of the eighteenth century, many of these New Jersey Rogerenes are said to have moved to the “red stone country,” supposed to be Virginia. Most of them had names indicative of Groton origin, as Waterhouse, Mann, Lamb, etc., showing that other Groton people either accompanied the Culvers to New Jersey or joined them there. It would be interesting to know more of the New Jersey Rogerenes than has been discovered. Very naturally, various fabrications regarding the New London Rogerenes have become attached to them also, simply because they were of the same sect.”

Author’s note: Most likely “the red stone country” was the southeastern region of present-day Washington County, Pennsylvania, near Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania on the Monongahela River. Until 1782, this region was claimed by Virginia.

[Previous: Chapter 4: The Life & Times of William Stark (Senior)[ [Next: Chapter 5: Aaron Stark (3rd) & Margaret Wells]

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Sources, References, and Footnotes

Charles R. Stark, “The Aaron Stark Family, Seven Generations of the Descendants of Aaron Stark of Groton, Connecticut.” (Wright and Potter, Boston, Massachusetts; 1927). Page 2 identifies the children of Aaron Stark (Junior) – reported in this publication as Aaron [ID#2]. Return to Text
Groton, New London County, Connecticut; First Book of Records, 1705-1723. Church of Latter-day Saints of Jesus Christ Family History Library Film #4293, pages 551 &552 (Transcribed by Gwen Boyer Bjorkman). Return to Text
Ibid. Page 310. Return to Text
Ibid. Page 203. Return to Text
Stonington, New London County, Connecticut Deeds, Volumes 5 & 6. Church of Latter-day Saints of Jesus Christ Family History Library Film #5595; Volume 6, page 217 (Transcribed by Gwen Boyer Bjorkman). Return to Text
Lucious Barnes Barbour, “The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records.” Vol. 1-55. White, Lorraine Cook, ed.Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002. Return to Text
Caulkins, Frances Manwaring, History of New London, Connecticut. From the First Survey of the Coast in 1612 to 1860. Published in 1895, 696 pp., 2 vols. Return to Text
Anna B. Williams, “The Rogerenes: Part II, History of the Rogerenes.” Boston: Stanhope Press, 1904. Pages 264 & 265, 270, 272. Return to Text

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Copyright

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.

Disclaimer

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.

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