James and Hannah Jones Starr and James and Ann Smith Starr
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James and Hannah Jones Starr and James and Ann Smith Starr
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Hannah Jones was daughter of Evan and Sarah Woodward Jones of Chester County, Pennsylvania.

James Starr, Jr., was son of James and Rachel Layburne Starr of Ireland and Pennsylvania. The Starr ancestry, as with many Irish Quakers, is of England. James Starr, Jr. married (1) Hannah Jones and (2) Ann Smith.
Hannah Jones
born Pennsylvania
died 2/19/1766 Chester Co, Pa
burial Bradford MM
James Starr
born 10/3/1715 Ireland
died 1/13/1781 Chester Co, Pa
burial Bradford MM


Married: James Starr, son of James Starr of Charlestown, Chester Co (certificate from Gwynned), married Hannah Jones, daughter of Evan Jones of Bradford, 7th day, 6th mo. 1746; at Bradford Monthly Meeting, Chester County Pennsylvania.

Children:
Sarah Starr, born 12/10/1751, married Benjamin Leonard son of Daniel and Ruth Harlan Leonard
Rachel Starr born 6/25/1754, married Thomas Woodward, son of Thomas and Mary Gilbert Woodward
Hannah Starr, born 9/9/1756, married Elisha Baily, son of John and Mary Marsh Baily

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James Starr of East Bradford married next Ann Smith, daughter of Samuel Smith late of Baltimore County, Maryland, 28th day, 8th mo. 1766, at Bradford Monthly Meeting.

Children:
Samuel Starr born 5/30/1767, never married, died 2/13/1852, buried West Bradford.
Ann Starr born 6/8/1769 ; died 11/25/1832, never married, buried West Bradford
Rebecca Starr born 10/20/1771; married Aaron Durnall
Mary Starr born 10/16/1775 ; died 6/13/1779, buried Bradford MM

Mother Ann Smith Starr died 12/18/1833, aged 95 years, 2 months, 7 days, buried West Bradford.

Family Records in Pennsylvania

The birth of James Starr, Jr., is documented at New Garden Monthly Meeting in Pennsylvania, along with his brothers and sisters. James Starr, Sr. was first Clerk of the New Garden Monthly Meeting which was erected in 1718 and he served until 1726. He is shown on the 1715 tax list in New Garden. His brother Jeremiah Starr served as a representative of Chester County in the Pennsylvania Assembly from 1738 to 1743 and then became Collector of Excise until 1756. There are several Starr Web Sites documenting the Starr ancestry - probably the best is at http://www.myfamily.com (unfortunately you must be a member of Myfamily.com to access it.)

According to a history of Phoenixville (sketch at bottom of page) and vicinity, Moses Coates purchased land along the northern bank of French Creek. Shortly after his arrival, he induced his friend James Starr ,Sr., a miller, of NewCastle,(on the)Delaware, to follow him hither. In December, 1731, James with his two sons James and Moses Starr, purchased for 230 pounds the land included between the French Creek and a line running from French Creek bridge, along Nutt's Road to the Corner Stores and from there, by way of the White Horse Road, to the Schuylkill. (This was in the Charlestown Township mentioned in James, Jr.'s marriage record.) He built a dwelling...and commenced clearing the ground for agricultural purposes. In 1734, he erected a mill which was placed under the control of his two sons, and was the first use of the water power on the French Creek. The wolves were so numerous that Moses Coates' sheepfold for security, was placed against the house, and for many years afterward, in the winter mornings, the snow would be found beaten down by the struggles of these animals in their efforts to effect an entrance. When they became too daring, a gun discharged from the window into the pack would disperse them temporarily. The Indians were also numerous and at night he slept with a loaded gun at his side, and a servant lay at the door of his hut with a pitch fork. Upon longer acquaintance, however, he found the natives disposed to be friendly, and his fear of their hostility dissipated. During the winter in 1730-31 he caught, upon the island in the river opposite Phoenixville, twenty-four beavers.

The residents near the Schuykill followed the practice of fishing by means of sturdy racks placed in the river and weighted down by stones. There was objection as Penn had always been against dams and weirs as obstructions to navigation, and racks were worse than weirs. There was also the concern that all the fish would be exterminated. There was also moral objection as the erection of racks was attended with tumultous meetings, riotous behaviour, quarrels, contentions; even outrages amonst the young people and others who assemble as to a merry making or a public diversion, at the time of fishing by racks, which are so unseemly returns for the benefits conferred. The controversy continued until finally the township constable received a warrant from George Boon (ancestor of Daniel Boon) one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace of said County requiring the constable and his assistants to go down the River Schuylkill and remove all obstructions in the river. About the time the racks were removed about two hundred men came down both sides of the river and were rude and abusive to the constable and his assistants. The constable commanded the said men to keep the peace but some of the said men damned the laws and the lawmakers and cursed the constable and his assistants. One James Starr, Jr knocked the constable down in the river with a large club or stake after which several more men attacked them with clubs. The constable was forced to flee and went to Philadelphia to complain of their poor usage. William Richards, the constable, made a deposition of this information on 27th day of April, 1738.

The behavior of James in this conflict hardly seems Quaker-like, but may have been due to the impetuosity of youth. A few years afterward the young man gave up milling and leased the French Creek grist mill to Rowland Richards.; James ultimately sold the property and moved to Bradford Township. The house at No. 10 N. Main Street in Phoenixville that was part of the property still stands although it has changed much over the years, and the mill continued to operate. It was increased in size and allowed the Phoenix Iron works to be developed, an industry that would last for 200 years. An iron fence was added around No. 10 N. Main Street from the Phoenixville Iron Works. The Starrs are memorialized by a Starr Street in Phoenixville.

Wedding of James and Hannah

The wedding of James and Hannah Jones Starr is documented at Bradford Monthly Meeting. James brought a certificate from Gwynedd Monthly Meeting, verifying his clearance to marry. The wedding certificate was signed by James and Rachel Starr, parents of the groom, and by Evan and Sarah Jones, parents of the bride. Also signing was Hannah's grandfather, Richard Woodward. The story of Moses Coates above is lent credence as Moses Coates, Jr. was a guest at the wedding. Other family members signing were: Thomas Wilson, James Milleson, John Starr, Nicholas Newlin Junr, James Woodward, Mary Newlin, Israel Jacobs, Richd Richardson, Isaac Hayes, William Woodward, Jos. Woodward, Jos. Underwood.

Death of Hannah Jones Starr

James and Hannah Jones Starr moved to East Bradford, Chester County, and their records are contained in Bradford Monthly Meeting Records in West Bradford. Their removal certificate is documented there: James Starr and Hannah his wife, with children Sarah, Rachel and Hannah from Uwchlan, 9th of 8th mo. 1765. The record then continues that Hannah, 1st wife of James Starr, died 19th of 2nd month 1765. This is no doubt an error promulgated by the use of dual dates in that time period, i.e. 1765/1766. If Hannah was alive when their certificate was prepared in Uwchlan 9th of 8th mo. 1765 then Hannah's death was no doubt 19th of 2nd mo 1766.

Marriage of James Starr and Ann Smith

It would have been customary for James to wait a year before marrying again, but James married Ann Smith 28th day 8th mo 1766. However, he may have obtained a dispensation for the marriage due to needing care for his young children.

Death of James Starr

James Starr's death is recorded at Bradford Monthly Meeting: died 13th day 1st mo 1781, aged 65 y, 2m, 21 d., residence East Bradford. His will provided:
To Sarah Leonard 25 pounds after three years;
To Rachel Woodward 5 pounds after five years;
To Hannah Starr 15 pounds after six years;
To son Samuel to have 100 acres when he became 21, the land to be rented until Samuel turned 21. (this may be the source of income for the above bequests?)
To wife Ann Starr all personal estate after debts and have the remainder of land until Rebecca is 20 years of age, then said land to be sold and money divided between daughter's Ann and Rebecca Starr.
Son Samuel and daughter Ann to have 9 months schooling and Rebecca to have 12 months schooling.

Inventory of Goods and Cattles [chattels?] of James Starr, hackney horse, saddle and bridle, chestnut colored mare, and black mare, colt, 4 cows, 8 sheep, wagon cart, bed and irons, horse gear, lots of tools, 2/3 of the winter grain, 6 pewter dishes, 15 plates, 1 carson, 1 quait, teapots, kettles, earthen ware, cedar ware, case of drawers, cupboard and tea ware, walnut oval table, 8 chairs, one feather bed, bedding, bedstead and curtains in the west room, one trundle bed, etc., in the east room old act of land by consumption 85 acres.

More on the Children of James Starr

Sarah Starr Leonard

We have heard from Richard Konkel, a descendant of Sarah Leonard, who gave us the name of her husband, Benjamin. The only information we had was a Bradford Monthly Meeting record: 14th of 11th mo. 1777, Sarah Leonard, formerly Starr, disowned for marrying out. Richard tells us that they had two known daughters: Hannah Leonard and Ruth Leonard. Hannah Leonard married John Rees and lived in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They had a large family, most of whom moved to Ohio.

Because of the naming of a daughter Ruth, we suspect that Benjamin was the son of Daniel and Ruth Harlan Leonard, born 1753 in Chester County. There was also a Benjamin Leonard who was an officer of the line in Virginia and listed among those receiving bounty land in Kentucky and Ohio, which might also be him. Neither his parentage nor the Revolutionary War Service is proven yet.

Hannah Starr Baily

Hannah married Elisha Baily 31 March 1785 at Bradford Monthly Meeting. We believe him to be Elisha Baily born 1751 to John and Mary Marsh Baily per New Garden Monthly Meeting Records. We are not certain as John Baily was still alive in 1785 and did not sign the wedding certificate; however he was elderly and may not have been able to attend. John Baily wrote his will June 19, 1790 at W. Marlborough and names granddaughters Ann and Mary, daughters of son Elisha when they reach age 18. Elisha Baily had a sister Ann who married Richard Jones, brother of Hannah Jones Starr. When Richard Jones died he left his plantation in Londonderry to Elisha Baily and Hannah, his wife. Ann Baily Jones gave $50 to her bro. Elisha�s wife Hannah in her will written Sept 24, 1815. All this constitutes fairly solid proof of the parentage of Elisha. She also left $50 to Richard, son of brother Elisha Baily. From the two wills we then know that Hannah and Elisha had children Ann, Mary, and Richard Baily. There may have been more.

Phoenixville and vicinity