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Introduction
William Stark, Jr. and Experience Lamb were the parents of Jonathan Stark. The article
entitled, "Jonathan Stark of Connecticut & Jonathan Stark of New Jersey, Same Person?" has illustrated Jonathan was most likely the patriarch of the Lost Kentucky Stark branches of the
family. William Stark, Jr. was the son of William Stark, Sr.
and his spouse Elizabeth. William Stark, Sr. was the son of Aaron Stark, Sr. [1608 - 1685]. For more on the father of Experience Lamb, see the article
entitled "Ancestry of Isaac Lamb." Use your browser "Back" button
to return to this page.
Biography
William Stark, Jr. was most likely born before 1689, the son of William Stark, Sr. and his wife, Elizabeth. [1] William was baptized June 19, 1698 in the Stonington, Connecticut Road Church along with his brother
Christopher Stark, Sr., father William Stark, Sr., and mother, Elizabeth. July 6, 1701, William's sister, Phebe was baptized at the same church. The youngest of the siblings was Daniel Stark who does not appear in the Stonington Church records, most likely born after his father became affiliated with the Baptist Church
in Groton [2]
Other than the above record where William, Jr. was a witness to a deed in 1710, there is little known about William's early years accept as can be related in the biography of his father. On April 13, 1710, William Stark, Jr. married Experience Lamb, daughter of Isaac Lamb, and as already related, on
December 10, 1710, William Jr. was a witness to a deed made between his father and Isaac Fox. [1][3]
On May 22, 1712, William Stark, Jr. and his cousin, Stephen Stark, at a Groton town meeting were "excepted {as} inhabitants in this towne of Groton." [4] July 4, 1712, William, Jr. drew for a lot at Nawayunk, drawing the 14th lot in the fifth "teer." [5] On December 10, 1712, the patriarch
of the Kentucky lost branches, Jonathan Stark, was born, who would later remove to New Jersey and marry Sarah Lacock, his descendants arriving in Kentucky during are just after the Revolutionary War. [3]
On May 9, 1713, William, Jr. sold the lot he obtained about a year earlier in Nawayunk to Edward Yates for 5 pounds and on the same date was a witness to a deed made between John
Shools and Nehemiah Smith, Jr. [6] December 21, 1713, William Stark, Jr.'s father gave him a gift of property, located just to the Northwest of William, Sr.'s home. [7]
In 1714, there were several deed transactions which most likely had a profound impact on the relationship between William Stark, Sr. and his son, William Stark, Jr. In effect, on April 1, 1714, William, Jr. purchased 50 acres with improvements from his father-in-law, Isaac Lamb for 170 pounds and on the same day, sold the
property he had received as a gift from his father to the same Isaac Lamb for the sum of 150 pounds. The difference in the purchase prices amounted to 20 pounds in favor of Isaac Lamb, not to mention the difference in the amount of acreage, although the 500 acres purchased by Isaac Lamb probably had little in the
way of improvements. [8] To understand the significance of this transaction to William
Stark, Sr. and his probable disappointment the land no longer belonged to the Stark Clan, one must understand the importance of land to the early settlers in America.
William Stark, Sr. was of the first generation born and raised in New England, his father, Aaron, arriving from England about 1630. Aaron Stark and many like him had left England for adventure and the possibility of obtaining land, which was almost impossible to purchase or own in England. the land in America was
cheap, and at that time, seeming less boundless. However, Aaron, because of his unfortunate encounters with the Particular Court of Connecticut, did not receive land of his own until 1664, Therefore, land must have been important to this family. When William Stark, Jr. sold part of the family land to his father-in-law,
I would imagine William Stark, Sr. was both dismayed an angry, for land adjacent to William Stark, Sr. was now owned by another family, and to this day, is still owned by descendants of Isaac Lamb.
November 3, 1715, William Stark, Jr. sold the property he purchased from his father-in-law to Daniel Elderidge for 180 pounds. Edleridge was the husband of Abigail Fish, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Stark) Fish, Sarah being William Stark, Sr.'s sister. Therefore, William Stark, Jr. made a profit of 30
pounds on the property in a short period of time, netting 10 pounds overall profit from the combined 1714 and 1715 deed transactions.[9]
After William, Jr. sold this property, he had no property and two months later, his father, for the sum of 125 pounds, sold him 40 acres. Therefore, after these deed transactions, William, Jr. and Experience owned 40 acres and had 55 pounds in their pocket as a result.[10]
On March 3, 1715/16, William Stark, Sr. deeded property as a gift to his son William
Stark, Jr. However, Senior inserted a clause which would not allow William, Jr. to sell this property during his life time: "To all Christian people to whom this present deed of
Gift may come William Stark Senior of Groton in ye county of New London in Connecticut
Collony in New England sendeth Greeting know ye that I ye abovesd William
Stark for ye good will and kinder affection I bear to my son William Stark Junr
and my Granchild Jonathan Stark both of Groton in ye County of New London
aforesd have fully freely and absolutely given granted aliened ensealled and
confirmed unto William Stark Jun aforesd a certain tract of land during his
naturall life and then to my grandchild Jonathan Stark...." Another phrase was even more explicit: "...edges and appurtenances to ye same belonging to him the sd William Stark Junr during his naturall life and after his decease to my Granchild Jonathan Stark and his heirs forever..." These phrases explicitly
and legally prevented William Stark, Jr. from selling the described property during his lifetime. Upon William Stark, Jr.'s death, Jonathan Stark would become the owner of the described property, thereby insuring William Stark, Jr. could not sell this property as William, Jr. had done earlier.[11]
A few weeks later, March 24, 1716, William Stark, Sr. sold one and one half acres to the Baptist Church for six pounds. This property was totally surrounded by William, Sr.'s property and became the site of the Wightman Burying Ground and the location of the Church building.
William Stark, Jr. and his brother, Christopher Stark, Sr., were among those named in the deed on behalf of the church and contributors of part of the six pounds needed to purchasing the property. [12]
June 12, 1716, Moses Stark was born, and on August 28th, William Stark, Jr. sold, for 140 pounds, the 40 acres he purchased from his father, making a profit of 15 pounds on the transaction. The buyer was Samuel Fish, husband of Sarah Stark, and William, Jr.'s Uncle. Therefore, at
this time, William Stark, Jr. and Experience Lamb only had the property provided as a gift from William Stark, Sr.[3][13]
[Timeline 1718- 1743
Follows Sources] [Top of Page]
Sources and Notes
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William Stark, Jr. witnessed a deed December 10, 1710 between his father, William
Stark, Sr. and Isaac Fox, husband of Hannah Stark who was the daughter of John Stark, William Stark,
Jr.'s deceased Uncle. He had to be 21 years old to be a witness, hence, his
latest year of birth was most likely 1689. Source: Groton, New London County, CT Deed
Records, Book 1, pages 86-87. Use browser "Back" button to return to this page.
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Records of the First
Congregational Church in Stonington. Found in "The Aaron Stark Family", by Charles R. Stark, published 1927, page 2. Will be referred to as CRS in the rest of this text.
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Groton, New London County, Connecticut Town Records.
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Source 1: Groton
Town Meeting Records, page 34 (Transcribed by Eva Butler); Source 2: Stark, Helen, 1937 Stark Family Association
Newsletter, pages 27-30; article titled, "More Theories and Some Questions".
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Groton, New London County, CT Deed Records, Book 1, page 115. Use browser "Back" button to return to this page.
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Source 1: Groton, New London County, CT Deed Records, Book 1, page 158. Source 2: Groton, New London County, CT Deed
Records; Book 1, page 166. Use browser "Back" button to return to this page.
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Groton, New London County, CT Deed
Records, Book 1, pages 225, 226. Use browser "Back" button to return to this page.
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Groton, New London County, CT Deed Records, Book 1, pages 232-233 & 234-235. Use browser "Back" button to return to this page.
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Groton, New London County, CT Deed Records, Book 1, pages 293-294. Use browser "Back" button to return to this page.
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Groton, New London County, CT Deed Records, Book 1, page 326. Use browser "Back" button to return to this page.
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Groton, New London County,
CT Deed Records, Book 1, pages 341-342. Use browser "Back" button to return to this page.
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Groton, New London County, CT Deed Records, Book 1, pages 374-375. Use browser "Back" button to return to this page.
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Groton, New
London County, CT Deed Records, Book 1, page 328. Use browser "Back" button to return to this page.
[Top of Page]
William Stark, Junior
Timeline After 1716
1718
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August 18; William Stark, Jr. sells 11 lots in a place called Nawayunk
Neck totaling 11 acres to James Packer for 60 pounds. Source: Groton, New London
County, CT Deed Records, Book 1, pages 386-387
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August 26; Elizabeth Stark, daughter of William Stark, Jr. and Elizabeth
Lamb was born. Source: Groton, New London County, CT Town
Records.
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December 13; Abial Stark, son of Aaron Stark, Jr. and William, Jr.'s
cousin, sells to William Stark, Jr. for a valuable consideration a tract of
land. Christopher Stark, Sr. is a witness to this transaction. Source: Groton,
New London County, CT Deed Records, Book 1, pages 469-470
1719
Experience Stark, a possible daughter of William Stark, Jr. and Experience
Lamb was born. Source: CRS, page 11
(Note: This birth recorded in the CRS book has not been confirmed
by the records. It has been speculated by Gwen Boyer Bjorkman she may have been entered as a
daughter because in the Stonington Congregational Church Records, it was reported a John Larkin
married an Experience Stark Dec. 13, 1738. The CRS year of birth may be
speculated and not based on fact. Some circumstantial evidence is beginning to
indicate this Experience Stark was the widow of William Stark, Jr. Therefore,
this daughter, Experience Stark, may have been one of several errors found in
the CRS text and never existed. Clovis LaFleur, Jan. 2002)
1721
April 26, 1721; William Stark, Jr. sells property to Nehemiah Smith for 11
pounds and a cow & calf. Source: Groton, New London County, CT Deed Records, Book 1, pages 547-548
1723
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October 15; William Stark, Jr. and wife Experience sell 35A to Joseph
Culver, husband of their cousin Mary Stark who was the daughter of Aaron Stark, Jr. and Mahitable Shaw, for
62 pounds. Source: Groton, New London County, CT Deed Records, Book 2, pages
28-29
William Stark, III, son of William Stark, Jr. and Experience Lamb is
speculated to have been born in this year.
Source: 1: CRS, page 11. Source: 2: Estate of Starke, William, Town of
Groton, Date 1737; Packet #5071, New London Probate District, Groton November 18, a.d. 1737;
"then Personally Appeared William Starke of sd Groton a minor & of
proper age to Chuse his Guardian & made Choice of Daniell Lamb of sd Groton
to be his Guardian before me, Humphre Avery Just. Peace, To the Honll ye Judge
of the Court of Probate in the C. of N.L." (Note: This appears to be William
Stark, III who is petitioning the court at about 14 years of age to be able to
live with his Uncle Daniel Lamb, Experience Lamb’s brother. This document
would seem to verify there was a child named William born to William Stark, Jr.
and Experience Lamb. It will be shown later William Stark, Jr. may have died
before 1736, most likely before the date of this probate record. William, III's choice of
Daniel Lamb as his guardian is one clue and since he is a minor in 1737, he
cannot be the son of William Stark, Sr. who died in 1730, for his son is William
Stark, Jr., the subject of this timeline. Clovis LaFleur, Jan. 2002)
1725
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April 10; Gideon Cobb quits claim to property William Stark, Sr. sold to
him in 1718. William Stark, Jr. and Christopher Stark, Sr. are witnesses.
Source: Groton, New London
County, CT Deed Records, Book 2, page 200
September 28; Capt. Samuel Fish sells 40A to Nathaniel Niles for 200
pounds. William Stark, Jr. is a witness.
Source: Groton, New London County, CT Deed Records, Book 2, pages
172-173
Daniel Stark was born in this year. He married Jemima Culver. The text "The Aaron Stark Family", by Charles R. Stark, on page 14, mistakenly records Daniel, No. 94 as the son of Daniel Stark, No. 20 who married Sarah Culver. However, research done by Ralph Stoughton has proven there was another Daniel Stark
in Groton, born about 1732, who
married Lois Culver and was most likely the son of Daniel Stark, No. 20 and his spouse, Sarah Culver. In the CRS text on page 24 will be found, "94. Daniel (Stark) b. 1725, d. Nov. 1787, age 62 yrs; m. Jemima Culver..." which would place his year of birth in 1725. However, he is most likely the son of William Stark, Jr., No. 17 on page
11of the CRS text and his spouse Experience Lamb, as revealed in my source which follows.
Source: "Three Daniel Starks of Groton, New London County, Connecticut, 1753 - 1758", by Ralph Stoughton, Gill, Massachusetts, 1956. See Volume 1; Appendix, article titled "Three Daniel
Starks." Use browser "Back" button to return to this page.
Also see Volume 1; "Daniel Stark Timeline."
1726
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Jan. 16; William Stark, Jr. for a mistake made in the setting forth the
bounds of a tract of land lying in Groton contained in a deed given by me the sd William Stark Junr unto Isaac
Lambe late of Groton Deceased . Source: Groton, New London County, CT Deed Records, Book 2, pages
521-522
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Possible year of birth of Obadiah Stark, son of William Stark, Jr. and
Experience Lamb. Source: CRS, page 11
(Note: The year of birth of Obadiah is also probably estimated by CRS.
Actual records have not been
found. Clovis LaFleur, Jan. 2002)
1729
John Stark, son of William Stark, Jr. and Experience Lamb was probably born
before 1729, if he is a son of this couple as suggested by CRS. However, CRS
indicates he was born in 1740, an obvious error as will be shown by the following
document which indicates John was at least 14 years old in 1743. Source: Estate
of Start, John; Town of Stonington; Date 1743; Packet No. 5107; New London
Probate District; 1 Misc.; 1 Total Documents; Deposited in Connecticut State
Library [printed card]. "To ye Honrll. Judge of ye Court of Probates for ye
District of New London, John Start now Belonging to Stonington in ye District
above sd Son of William Start Late of Long Island in ye Province of New York,
Deceased, Being a Minor under ye age of 21 years and upwards of 14 years
Personally appeared in Stonington, and made Choice of Mr. Richard Wheeler of sd
Stonington to be his Guardian. November ye 30th 1743 Before Simeon Minor Justice
Peace; New London Dec. 13th 1743; Richard Wheeler of Stonington acknowledged him
Selfe bound in Deed? To be faithfull in his Guardianship as within. Recog. L100,
(John Start)."
1730
William Stark, Sr. died September 8, 1730. Source: Tombstone Wightman Burying
Ground.
1731
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May 22, 1731 William Stark, Jr. received warring apparel and his portion
of the money due to him from his father’s estate. This statement found in the inventory of the
will, "Then, I William Stark, Jr. received of Christopher Stark the sum of nine pounds money and goods. I say
received by me, William Stark, received upon the account of money that was due from William Stark,
Sr. deceased. I William Stark, son of William Stark, deceased, have received all the warring apparel
which was given me by will which amounts to the sume of 6 pounds, 17 shillings,
1pence say received by me, William Stark" Source: FHL Film #1025051 CT New London Probate Packets, 1675-1850 Judith
Stark(1843) Nabby Stark (1844) to Steery, Packet # 5070
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Zephaniah Stark, son of William Stark, Jr. and Experience Lamb was
possibly born. Source: CRS, page 11 (Note: Although we know there was a Zephaniah
Stark who apparently died at sea, there is no proof he was the son of William
Stark, Jr. and Experience Lamb. Clovis LaFleur)
1733
The following deed suggests the property given to William, Jr. by William,
Sr. with the clause it would become the property of Jonathan Stark, son of
William, Jr. when William, Jr. died, is now described as being the property of
Jonathan. Could this suggest William Stark, Jr. died between May 22, 1731 and
the date of this deed, December 26, 1733? Source: Groton, New London, CT. Deed
Books, Book 3, page 125.
1736
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May 5; Jonathan Stark, son of William Stark, Jr. sells 16 acres to Aaron
Fish for 64 pounds. Could this have been the property given to him by William
Stark, Sr. in 1715? Looking at the descriptions of both transactions it would
appear they are the same property. This property was to be William Stark, Jr.'s until his death at which time it would become the property of Jonathan.
Therefore, this would suggest William Stark, Jr. had died before this date. Source: Groton, New London County, CT Deed Records, Book 4, page 26.
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William Stark, Jr. probably died before 1736 because Jonathan Stark would
not have been able to sell the property in (1) until his father died. William
Stark, Jr. could not sell the property during his natural life. John Stark's
Nov. 1743 request for Richard Wheeler to be his guardian would suggest William
Stark, Jr. and his family moved to Long Island, New York sometime after 1731 for
it says, "to John Start now Belonging to Stonington in ye District above sd
Son of William Start Late of Long Island in ye Province of New York,
Deceased." Source: Estate of Start, John; Town of Stonington; Date 1743;
Packet No. 5107; New London Probate District; 1 Misc.; 1 Total Documents;
Deposited in Connecticut State Library [printed card]. [See full content in year
1729]
1737
November 8 The son of William Stark, Jr., William, III, a minor, petitions
the court to name his Uncle, Daniel Lamb, his guardian further indicating William Stark, Jr. has died
before this date. William Stark, III, son of William Stark, Jr. and Experience Lamb is speculated to have been
born in 1723, making him 14 at the time of this request. Source: Estate of
Starke, William, Town of Groton, Date 1737; Packet #5071, New London Probate
District, Groton; November 18, a.d. 1737; "then Personally Appeared William
Starke of sd Groton a minor & of proper age to Chuse his Guardian & made
Choice of Daniell Lamb of sd Groton to be his Guardian before me, Humphre Avery
Just. Peace, To the Honll ye Judge of the Court of Probate in the C. of N.L. (Note: This appears to be William Stark, III who is petitioning the court at a
minimum of 14 years of age to be able to live with his Uncle Daniel Lamb,
Experience Lamb’s brother. This document would seem to verify there was a
child named William born to William Stark, Jr. and Experience Lamb. His choice
of Daniel Lamb as his guardian is one clue and since he is a minor in 1737, he
cannot be the son of William Stark, Sr. who died in 1730, for his son was
William Stark, Jr., the subject of this time line. Clovis LaFleur, Jan. 2002)
1738
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December 13; The Stonington Congregational Church Records show Experience
Stark married John Larkin. It is believed by Gwen Boyer Bjorkman this Experience
Stark is the widow of William Stark, Jr. No records have been found of children
born to this couple. The Stonington Barbour Collection shows the marriage of
John Larkin to Elizabeth Roos; Oct 30, 1720; Vol 2, pg 73 (This info supplied by
Carolyn Smith). The Stonington Congregational Church Records show that on Oct.
9, 1737,"Elizabeth Roos being very ill at her house, was baptized by Mr. Rosseter." This indicates she
may have died in that year and then John Larkin married the widow of William
Stark, Jr, Experience (Lamb) Stark. CRS shows this Experience Stark as the
daughter of William, Jr. and his wife Experience Lamb. However, I believe , as
does Gwen, she was the Widow of William Stark, Jr. and this is another error in
the CRS text. Source:s: 1)Stonington Congregational Church Records, 2) William
Harrison Larkin, Jr., Chronicle of the Larkin Family of the Town of Westerlie
and Colony of Rhode Island in New England, Number 3 (Arlington, MA, 1935)
retyped by Richard Fessenden Larkin, 1995.
December 27; Joseph Fish, Pastor of the North Stonington Congregational
Church, married Moses Stark and Elizabeth Holdredge. Moses was the son of
William Stark, Jr. CRS, on page 18, reports they were married May 29, 1739.
However, this date is not correct. Further evidence shows Moses Stark and his
wife, Elizabeth, were baptized April 8, 1739. Clearly, this shows they were man
and wife before May 29, 1739. Source: Film #5081 CT New London, North Stonington
Congregational Church Records; Vol. 1, 1727-1781; p. 73 Persons married in
Stonington pr Joseph Fish, Pastor; 27 Dec 1738 Moses Start & Elizabeth Holdridge.
1743
John Stark, son of William Stark, Jr. and Experience Lamb was reported born
by CRS in 1740 on page 11 and is individual #83 in his book. However the
following document shows this could not be possible. Source: Estate of Start,
John; Town of Stonington; Date 1743; Packet No. 5107; New London Probate
District; 1 Misc.; 1 Total Documents; Deposited in Connecticut State Library
[printed card]. "To ye Honrll. Judge of ye Court of Probates for ye
District of New London, John Start now Belonging to Stonington in ye District
above sd Son of William Start Late of Long Island in ye Province of New York,
Deceased, Being a Minor under ye age of 21 years and upwards of 14 years
Personally appeared in Stonington, and made Choice of Mr. Richard Wheeler of sd
Stonington to be his Guardian. November ye 30th 1743 Before Simeon Minor Justice
Peace; New London Dec. 13th 1743; Richard Wheeler of Stonington acknowledged him
Selfe bound in Deed? To be faithfull in his Guardianship as within. Recog. L100,
(John Start)."
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