Stark ¾ Scotland and America

A Bull's head, erased a, r,

(Distilling blood, p, p, r):

Fortiorum fortia tacta.

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REPORT OF HISTORIAN

My Dear friends of the Stark Family Association:

As your historian I have to confess to a decided failure, as I have been able to obtain historic information in regard to the family, other than what I have given you on previous years.

The origin and meaning of the name ¾ Stark ¾ are too well known to admit of even a review, and without boasting we can justly claim, no ordinary pedigree.

My paper then, of necessity will touch on a few subjects of historic interest, as in them, doubtless, lay the chief interests of our ancestors. Some have even conjectured that our first known American ancestor, Aaron Stark, came to this country with the Puritan Exiles in 1630, of this I have no proof, but as has been previously stated, he was known to have been here in 1637, and in the Pequot war, and so identical was the history of Connecticut with that of Massachusetts Bay Colony, that we can easily imagine him being thrown in contact with the sturdy Pilgrim survivors, possibly with the first governor, John Carver, or with the second, Edward Windslow, who was also the first bridegroom in the colony. John Howland and Elizabeth Tilley

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were the second couple married, and John Alden and Priscilla Mullins the third; they remind us of the soldier, Miles Standish, who is described as short of stature, but very sinewy and robust.

The old Alden house, built by their direct descendants 250 years ago, is still standing at Duxbury, Massachusetts, where General Israel Putnam was born. He married Hannah Pope in 1739, and soon after moved to Pomfret, Conn.

Just across the Salem line, is the last witchcraft landmark, a weathered old house on the Jacob's farm. Manchester, N. H., boasts of the house in which General John Stark lived when the war broke out, and where he carried on his sawmill, and where he was working when the first shot was fired at Lexington. It is now known as the Paige house, and is a landmark the city may well be proud of.

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and the General though annoyed at his coming, recognized that he had only done what a Stark must do at such time, and permitted him to take part in the fight. So ably did he serve, that he was made aid-de-camp when his father was made Brigadier General, and by the time the war closed, was himself Major Stark, though scarcely twenty-four years old. He married Miss Sarah Mc Kinstrey, in 1787. Besides building the homestead, he entertained Lafayette, and accumulated the family fortune, both these things were accomplished at Pembroke, where he had early established successful cotton mills.

The bed where the great Frenchman slept during his visit to the Starks, is carefully preserved at the present mansion. The second Caleb who inherited the estate when his father died in 1838, was a Harvard graduate and a writer of repute. When he died in 1865, his sisters Harriet and Charlotte succeeded him, and recently the place has come into possession of the present owner.

The portrait of Major Stark, which hangs in the parlor on right of the square entrance hall, was painted by Prof. Samuel Morse, the discoverer of the Electric telegraph, a man who wished to come down to posterity as an artist, but who is remembered only as an inventor.

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to state, but it may be regarded as another link in the chain of evidence, that Archibald was a descendant of the same Muirhead of whom we claim descend on unquestionable authority.*

We have but to follow the example given us by the Pilgrim Fathers and the great problem of the Sabbath desecration will be solved at once.

On Election Rock is found this inscription commemorative of the Pilgrims' first Sunday in Plymouth Harbor.

ON THE

SABBATH DAY

WE RESTED

20th DECEMBER

1620

The first Puritan Meetinghouse was erected in 1634, at Salem. America has no more interesting landmarks than some of its old churches. They are closely connected with the religious and historic of our country, and always represent that which has counted for most in the growing good of the world, and we do well to pay them our meed of love, honor and respect.

The history of the Old South and Old North Churches in Boston, are too well known to repeat here.

The First Church belonging to the St. John's Society, Portsmouth, N. H., was built in 1638, at this church is a marble font presented by Sarah Catherine, and Anna Elizabeth, daughters of Capt. John Mason (and of whom we are direct descendants.)

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*Editor's Comment: A recent Stark Family DNA project has revealed the direct male descendants of Aaron Stark, when compared to the DNA results of direct male Descendants of Archibald Stark of New Hampshire and James Stark of Stafford County, Virginia ¾ are not related and the odds greatly favor that they have not shared a common male ancestor within thousands of years. However, the direct male descendants of James and Archibald were found to be related and may be descendants of the Stark Family of Killermont; most likely descended from John Muirhead. (Click HERE to go to the Stark Family Y-DNA Project Home Page for more information.)

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Arthur Brown, pastor of the church was the minister referred to, who married Gov. Wentworth to his kitchen maid, Martha Hilton, the story of which Longfellow has told in "Lady Wentworth of the Hall."

In Richmond, Va., is a old church built in 1741, that may well be called an historic landmark, for it was here in 1775, that Patrick Henry gave utterance to his never-t-be-forgotten speech, in which he said, "Give me liberty or give me death."

One fact of especial interest, connected with the Park St. Church, Boston, Mass., is, that it was here that our National anthem, America, was sung for the first time in public, the author of the hymn was S. F. Smith, then a young college student at Andover. His friend, Mr. Lowell Mason, had the words set to music, and trained the children to sing it at a concert, July 4th, 1832.

Some interesting facts in the life of Paul Revere have lately come to my notice, one of which was the transference from Worchester to Boston in Aug. 1777, of seven hundred prisoners captured at Bennington, by Col. Stark.

Through Longfellow we have heard of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, and a few cherished pieces of silverware, have reminded us of his trade, but I had never before realized his remarkable abilities, and the extent and importance of the services he rendered the cause of liberty, previous and subsequent to his memorable ride; indeed he took many others almost as

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important. He was of the first to practice copperplate engraving, and to his pictorial illustrations in the papers, may be traced much of the enthusiasm for Colonial rights. He was one of the twenty-five men who watched the Dartmouth on the night of Nov. 29th, 1773, so that no tea should be unloaded, and was also one of the instigators and leaders in the act that made Boston Harbor a teapot on the 16th of the following Dec. He manufactured gunpowder when the only other supply was in the vicinity of Philadelphia, and the owner hostile to the American cause. He was employed to oversee the casting of cannon, and to engrave and print the notes issued by Congress, indeed there is no limit to the variety of his work, and at the beginning, so at the end, Revere was preeminent in establishing independence.

An American is not to be envied who has no pride in the fact that his ancestors lived and struggled through the harships of early colonial life, or who can think unmoved of the men and women whose deeds made their memory immortal. In a recent sermon the Rev. Frank DeWitt Talmage says, "God pity a man without a country, a man who does not feel that the land of his nativity is the best place in the world to be born, that his people are the best people in the world with whom to associate, and who does not hope that the place of his nativity will be the place of his sepulcher."

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Where're we roam,

His first best county,

Ever is at home.

Surely the Starks have a country, while a great many of American inhabitants have no America ancestry.

When the original thirteen states won their national independence, we had , all told, in the country between three and four millions  of people; to-day we have nearly eighty millions.

The American stork has builded her nest in in the chimney of many homes, but the American stork from four millions of people ,could not produce eighty millions of living descendants in one hundred and twenty-nine years.

Our Secretary has received very interesting letters from far away members of our family, one from Mrs. Mary L. Bailey of Whitehouse, N. J., a dear old lady of eighty years. She is a daughter of Nathan Stark, a native of Lyme, Conn., who graduated at Yale in 1810, and was a man of whom the family may well be proud. She also writes of her uncle James Stark of Courtland, N. Y., as a man respected and liked by everybody.

Mrs. Mary M. Stark of St. Louis, states that her husband belonged to the Gen. John Stark family, he was born in Lyme, N. H., and served during the Civil War in the 24th Missouri Volunteer Infantry. He was first Capt. of Co. 9, then Major and then Lieutenant, and was an officer upon the staff of Gen. Samuel R.

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Curtis. His grandfather Stark married his cousin Sarah Stark and served in the war of 1812.

Mr. Wm. D. Stark of Sparta, Ill., was born in Lyme, N. H., a son of Anson, who descended from Moses Stark, who came to Lyme in an early day from Conn. Mr. Stark writes, that for several years they had been trying to trace their ancestry, but could never get beyond Moses. As their record is the same as ours, he is convinced that they descended from Aaron of Mystic.

Moses Stark had thirteen children, from whom all the Lyme Starks descended, and of whom a complete record can be obtained.

Anson Stark and family evidently inherited the family patriotism, for he and his five sons were in the Union Army from 1861 to '65. Mr. Stark also states that he is proud to hear the name, and to be eligible to membership to the Association.

Mrs. Faris, a granddaughter of Capt. John Stark, speaks of an interesting historical fact. The Captain's sister Sarah, married a Willard, and at the time of the battle of Bennington, took her two children on the horse with herself, and with a young man to accompany her, rode all the distance to her old home in Conn. Mrs. Faris sends the genealogical record of Gen. John Stark, which is almost identical with the sketch given in "Generals of American Revolution." Some writer speaks of the Starks as coming of a hardy and determined ancestry, and as a conservative, as well as an old family, who do 

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not see fit to tell all they know at the first opportunity. 

Our Association is in a flourishing condition, having now sixty-seven members and we earnestly desire that it may continue to expand, and carry out its objects as defined in the constitution.

The remark is sometimes made, that we are not here to make history but to record it. this meeting seems to us unhistoric, but not so, history does not end in the making. the reunion of a year ago is history to-day, and we "wearing in colors all our own" as surely as did our Puritan forefathers and foremothers, whose life and religion laid the foundation of this great country.

We owe no little to the virtues and self-denying care of our ancestors, and we owe much to the tender care that surrounded our infancy, we never are and never can be, emancipated from our dependence to each other, and as a family may we resolve to cherish and maintain our Association, to foster true patriotism, and to be true to God and each other.

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ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The following named persons were duly elected for the ensuing year:

PRESIDENT

MOREAU J. STARK, North Lyme, Conn.

VICE-PRESIDENTS

W. H. GEER, R. F. D., Yantic, Conn.

S. E. ACKLEY, Chester, Conn.

C. S. JEWETT, North Lyme, Conn.

SECRETARY AND TREASURER

MRS. KATIE F. JEWETT, North Lyme, Conn.

HISTORIAN

MRS. HATTIE S. ACKLEY, Chester, Conn.

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DEATHS

Mrs. Elizabeth Stark Babcock, daughter of George and Mary Ann Roath, died September 29th, 1904, at her home, North Plain, Conn.

Mrs. Mary Anna Stark, widow of William H. Stark, died June 24th, 1905, at the home of her brother, James L. Raymond, at North Lyme, Conn., at the advanced age of 92 years.

INTRODUCTORY

We are pleased to present our friends with a portrait and sketch of our president, and three other members, representing different branches of the Stark family, hoping in the years to come, that this feature of our Annual may be more widely extended, adding interest and value to the publication.

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MOREAU JOHNSON STARK

Moreau Johnson Stark, son of Abial Stark and Juliaett (Johnson) Stark, was born at Lyme, Conn., Mar. 16th, 1854. His education was obtained from the district schools, and three terms at the Connecticut Literary Institution, at Suffield, Conn. On Nov. 30th, 1876, Mr. Stark married Esma W. Clarke, daughter of Benjamin F. Clarke and Abbey (Coon) Clarke, then of Salem, Conn. He was engaged in farming at the old homestead in Lyme, Conn., till the spring of 1881, when he moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, where they spent seven years, on a prairie farm with fair success.

Mrs. Stark died in Illinois, Jan. 24th, 1888. After her death the home was broken up, and Mr. Stark with two daughters, May Esma and Della Emily, returned to the home of his parents in Connecticut, where he now resides. His daughter, May Esma Stark, married Nathan S. Strong, son of Gilbert H., and Jane (Sisson) Strong, Dec. 27th, 1904.

Mr. Stark is a man of sterling qualities and a leading member of the North Lyme Baptist Church, having been its treasurer for many years. He was one of the prime movers in organizing the Stark Family Association, and for seven years has most acceptably served as its president. Moreau Johnson Stark, descended from ¹ Aaron Stark, (the Mystic settler) ¾ ² Aaron, ³ Abial, ⁴ Nathan, ⁵ Abial, ⁶ Dennison, ⁷ Abial who married Juliaett Johnson.

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M. LEE STARKE

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M. LEE STARKE

Mr. Starke was born at Hathsville, Va., of Scotch-Irish parentage, and with his Southern vim and impetuosity, combines the Yankee stick-it-iveness which makes for success. "Our Southern states breed good horses and capable men," and M. Lee Starke is a conspicuously fine example of the product.

Mr. Starke is one of the most conspicuous individualities in the advertising world.

For several years he was manager of the general advertising departments of the five leading daily papers of the country ¾ viz: The Washington Star, The Baltimore News, The Indianapolis News, The Montreal Star, and the Minneapolis Journal. It is said that as special representative of these papers, that he drew a salary of nearly $30,000 a year, while in return for this, he increased the business of the papers from 40 to 300 per cent.

In 1904, he resigned this important position, and purchased a half interest in the Paul E. Deerick Advertising Agency, becoming American Manager of that great concern. The five papers he so ably represented made graceful acknowledgement of his services by presenting him with a magnificent set of engrossed resolutions, and a handsome silver service with the repousse work hand hammered.

As an advertising man he stands out preëminate from among the corps of the most able men in the field. He has the practical knowledge of what is indeed an art, the business ability that does things, and the vigorous energy which knows no pause until the object aimed at has been achieved.

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WILLIAM H. GEER

W. H. Geer is a native of the town of Lebanon, Connecticut; was born March 15th, 1853, a son of Erastus Geer and Almira H. (Saxton) Geer who was the daughter of Dea. N. C. Saxton and Almira (Stark) Saxton.

His mother died May 30, 1853. His father married Frances A. Geer of Ledyard, November 21, 1860.

Erastus Geer died April 26, 1895. W. H. Geer continued to live with his step-mother on the old homestead, known as Oakland Farm, purchased by his grandfather in 1817, and occupied by the family ever since.

Mrs. Frances A. Geer passed away August 28, 1905.

W. H. Geer and Martha S. Allyn of Norwich, a daughter of Calvin Allyn and Eunice Ann (Raymond) Allyn, were united in marriage February 14, 1906.

Mr. Geer is a wide-awake and progressive farmer, giving special attention to dairying, in which he has been very successful. He is always unostentatious, was never heard to boast of his achievements, is unassuming in deportment, but it is said of him "that few men possess the confidence of all classes and conditions of people in greater degree."

Mr. Geer represented the historic town of Lebanon in the General Assembly of 1905, and served as a member of the committee on education; is a trustee of Bacon Academy, Colchester, Conn.; a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and of the Connecticut Historical Society.

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Editor's Comment: Stark Linage: William H. Geer was the son of Erastus Geer & Almira H. Saxton; Almira H. Saxton was the daughter of Nathaniel C. Saxton and Almira Stark; Almira Stark was the daughter of Zophar Stark and Prudence Hicks; Zophar Stark was the son of Daniel Stark and Jemima Culver; Daniel Stark was the son of William Stark (Junior) and Experience Lamb; William Stark (Junior) was the son of William Stark (Senior) and Elizabeth ------; William Stark (Senior) was the son of Aaron Stark [1608-1685] and Sarah -----.

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CHARLES G. STARK

Charles Gager Stark, seventh son of nine children of Rev. Jedediah L. and Hannah (Gager) Stark, was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, May 22nd, 1835.

He spent the greater part of his early life in the state of New York, his father moving there when he was four years old.

He received a rudimentary education in the village of Mohawk and at Little Falls.

By his own efforts he accumulated money enough to pay for his education at the academies at Little Falls and Cazenovia.

When 19 years of age he decided to go West, proceeding to Milwaukee where he became an employee on the dry goods store of Bradford Brothers. In 1862 Mr. John Bradford, senior member of the firm, proposed the purchase of the carpet, curtain and linen stock of the firm, and an equal partnership under the firm name of Bradford and Stark.

In 1869, Mr. Bradford, desiring to retire from active business, the name of the firm was changed to Stark Brothers, Mr. Bradford continuing as special partner until 1875 when he retired and Edwards J. Stark became a partner.

This partnership continued until 1884, when the firm again changed to a corporation known as Stark Bros. Company. Chas. G. Stark was president of the Co.

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five days the Stark Bros., with their accustomed energy, reëstablished themselves in another store, and on March 21st, 1885, were able to again open at the old location in the store rebuilt.

In Aug. 1903, Mr. Stark retired from active business, which had been uninterruptedly successful. he still resides in Milwaukee, his home overlooking Lake Michigan, is pleasantly located at 308 Juneau Ave.

Mr. Stark has been identified with every movement calculated to advance the interest of Milwaukee.

He is a trustee of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., a trustee of Beloit College, was one of the founders of the Merchant's Association, The Young Men's Christian Association, and many other societies and organizations of the city.

He married in 1864, Miss Sarah T. Hayt, daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Chapin) Hayt of Milwaukee. Mrs. Stark died in 1889. His present wife, Mrs. Lucy A. (Hayt) Stark is a sister of his first wife. He has no children.

CHARLES GAGER STARK

Born May 22nd, 1835

Brattleboro, Vt.

Son of

Jedediah Lathrop Stark (1793-1862) and

Hannah (Cager) Stark (1799-1882)

Grandson of

Joshua Stark (1761-1839) and

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Olive (Lathrop) Stark (1764-1825)

Great-grandson of

Abial Stark (1724-1770) and

Chloe (Hinckley) Stark (1828-)

Great-great-grandson of

Abial Stark ( ---- ) and

Mary (Walworth) Stark

Great-great-great-grandson of

Aaron Stark (1654-) and

Mehitable (Shaw) Stark (----)

Great-great-great-great-grandson of

Aaron Stark (1602-1685) and

----------- Stark,

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CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE

In order to form a more perfect union and to become more closely identified with each other, we, the descendants of one Muirhead, a Scotchman, to whom King James the Fourth gave the name of Stark (meaning strong) for his great bravery, do hereby adopt the following as the constitution of the Stark family.

ARTICLE I

This organization shall be known as the STARK FAMILY ASSOCIATION.

ARTICLE II

The object of this Association shall be: To bring this widely scattered Family into closer fellowship, to promote fraternal feeling among its members, and the collection and preservation of facts and events in the history of the Stark Family.

ARTICLE III

SECTION 1.   The officers of the Association shall be: President, one ore more Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer, and Historian, who together shall constitute an Executive Committee, and whose duties shall be such as pertain to their several offices.

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SECTION 2.   Officers shall be elected at the annual reunion and shall hold their several offices for the term of one year, or until their successors are elected.

ARTICLE IV

SECTION 1.   An annual reunion shall be held at such time and place as the Executive Committee may deem for the best interest of the Association.

SECTION 2.   Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee, or by the request of five members of the Association.

ARTICLE V

SECTION 1.   All persons connected with the Stark Family, by birth or marriage, are eligible to membership.

SECTION 2.   Any person who is eligible may become a member of the Association by the enrollment of their name and the payment of an annual membership fee of fifty cents: Membership to expire at the annual reunion.

ARTICLE VI

This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting.

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LIST OF MEMBERS

*Mr. Graves died Feb. 11, 1906; Mrs. Geer died Aug. 28, 1905

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NAMES OF THOSE PRESENT AT TENTH REUNION

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