The Aaron Stark Family Chronicles Volume 1 The First Three Generations In New England By Clovis LaFleur Copyright © August 2006 Map Revealing location of Pequot Fort, Mason Land Grant, and approximate boundaries of Aaron Stark's Homestead in Groton Township, New London County, Connecticut. Source: Connecticut, from actual survey / made in 1811 by and under the direction of Moses Warren and George Gillet, and by them compiled ; engraved by Abner Reed. By Clovis LaFleur Editorial Assistance provided by Donn Neal Copyright © 2006-2009 ______ All Rights Reserved. By posting this copyright it is my intention to date this material. Reproduction of portions of this text will be discouraged if I do not receive credit and credit is not given to those, past and present, who have made major contributions to our knowl- edge of the Stark Families presented in this text. Dedication This publication is dedicated to the memory of Charles Rathbone Stark, whose 1927 publication entitled “The Aaron Stark Family, Seven Generations”, was the beginning of this journey into the past. His compilation of the descendants of Aaron Stark — an ambitious undertaking for 1927 — was instrumental to my research and contributed to much of the material to be presented. I further dedicate these pages to past and present Stark family researchers who contributed to this publication. May future Stark family researchers improve on these pages — already obsolete as they are being written — producing research of their own which will surpass these humble efforts to preserve the history of Aaron Stark and his descendants. Clovis LaFleur September, 2009 Charles Rathbone Stark (1848-1931) ii Stark Family Chronicles Volume 1: The First three Generations In New England Table of Contents Preface.....................................................................................................................................................................5 Part 1: The First Generation In New England Chapter 1: Historical Introduction by Charles R. Stark .....................................................................................7 Chapter 2: The Life & Times of Aaron Stark.................................................................................................11 Author’s Introduction..................................................................................................................................11 Aaron’s Early Years....................................................................................................................................11 The Pequot War, Author’s Introduction......................................................................................................13 Excerpt from: A Brief History of the Pequot War, by Major John Mason..................................................14 Appearances before the Particular Court of Connecticut............................................................................17 Aaron Stark, Tenant Farmer on the John Mason Stonington Land Grant...................................................21 Aaron Becomes a Property Owner & Freeman...........................................................................................25 Aaron and Sarah's New London Homestead...............................................................................................27 More Indian Troubles..................................................................................................................................30 Sarah: Some Theories on Her Life & Origins..............................................................................................31 Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................32 Chapter 3: Aaron Stark: Common Genealogical Myths, Mistakes, & Misconceptions...................................33 Was Aaron Stark [1608-1685] the son of parents named Aaron Stark & Mary Holt???............................33 Who Was Henry Stark????.........................................................................................................................34 Did Aaron Stark [1606-1685] Receive a Voluntown Land Grant for Service in King Phillip's War???. .35 Part 2: The Second Generation; Children of Aaron Stark [1608-1685] An Introduction to the Second Generation:...................................................................................................37 Chapter 4: Aaron Stark (Junior) & Mehitable Shaw.......................................................................................39 Introduction................................................................................................................................................39 When Did Aaron Stark (Junior) Die?..........................................................................................................39 Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................42 Chapter 5: John, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Anna Stark........................................................................................43 John Stark [ca. 1658-1689] , Elizabeth Packer, and Their Children...........................................................43 Sarah Stark, Daughter of Aaron Stark [1608-1685]....................................................................................46 Elizabeth Stark, Daughter of Aaron Stark [1608-1685]..............................................................................47 Anna Stark, Daughter of Aaron Stark [1608-1685]?..................................................................................48 Chapter 6: The Life & Times of William Stark (Senior) [1664-1730]...........................................................51 Author’s Introduction..................................................................................................................................51 Did William Stark (Senior) have two Wives?.............................................................................................52 The First Baptist Church of Connecticut......................................................................................................55 The Sawmill................................................................................................................................................60 William Stark’s Gifts to his Children..........................................................................................................61 Boundary Disputes......................................................................................................................................64 Other Property Purchases and Sales of Interest...........................................................................................66 William Stark’s Last years..........................................................................................................................67 Part 3: The Third Generation; Children of Aaron Stark (Junior) & Mehitable Shaw An Introduction to the Children of Aaron Stark (Junior)..........................................................................69 The Third Generation, a Summary..............................................................................................................69 The Children of Aaron Stark (Junior) & Mehitable Shaw...........................................................................69 Religious Affiliations..................................................................................................................................70 Chapter 7: Aaron Stark (3rd) and Margaret Wells..........................................................................................72 Author’s Introduction..................................................................................................................................72 Early Years and Marriage of Aaron Stark (3rd)..........................................................................................72 Religious Affiliations of Aaron Stark (3rd)................................................................................................74 New Jersey..................................................................................................................................................75 iii Stark Family Chronicles Volume 1: The First three Generations In New England Table of Contents Continued Chapter 8:Aaron (3rd) and Margaret; Who Were Their Children and Grandchildren?...................................76 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................76 Aaron Stark (4th) and Margaret Stark.........................................................................................................76 Amos Stark and Hannah (Goble) Tompkins...............................................................................................77 Isaac Stark and Elizabeth Reed....................................................................................................................78 Lieutenant Colonel John Stark and Mary Dilla...........................................................................................79 Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................79 Chapter 9: Stephen, Abiel, & John Stark