Person Page - 33

     Mary STARR was born in May 1768 at Pennsylvania, USA. She died on 19 August 1864 at age 96.

     Samuel STARR was born circa 1771. He died in 1837 at Pike County, Ohio, USA.

     Deborah STARR was born in 1773. She died in 1859.

     Shedlock Pancoast was born on 16 February 1736 at Burlington County, New Jersey, USA.² He married Hannah Atkinson on 5 November 1763 at Burlington County, New Jersey, USA.²

     Jeremiah STARR was born on 24 August 1776 at Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA. He died on 12 March 1852 at Harrison County, Indiana, USA, at age 75.

     James Starr
M, b. 28 October 1676, d. 1 March 1748/49
James Starrb. 28 Oct 1676nd. 1 Mar 1748/49
p1468.htm#i5324
John Starr
b. c 1648
p1471.htm#i5333
Mary Thompson
b. 1645nd. bt 1699 - 1744
p1627.htm#i5334
Captain John C. Starr
b. bt 1615 - 1625
p1473.htm#i7191








Note: James and Rachel came to Pennsylvania in 1712 and settled in New Garden. Afterwards they removed to the site of Phoenixville, Pa.
James Starr was a farmer in county Cavan, Ireland, but due to the many hardships by the Quakers there, he brought his family to PA, where they could worship the way they wanted and live in peace.

James and Rachel made the long and tiresome journey with their two small children, Mary, born in 1701 and Joseph, born in 1710. They arrived in America to a vast wilderness which was inhabited only by Indians.

They presented a certificate from the Quaker Catterlough Monthly Meeting in Ireland dated 4th mo 7th day 1712 to the Newark Meeting, which was later know as the Kennett Meeting in Chester Co., PA.

Records are at the Newgarden Monthly Meeting.

In 1713 James Starr bought land in New Garden, Twp., Chester Co. Pa from William Penn for 20 lbs. per 100 acres. Others buying land at the same time were Michael Lightfoot, brother of Margaret Lightfoot Starr, Joseph Hutton, stepbrother of Rachel Laybourne Starr, and Thomas Jackson. Many of them lived on their farms for several years before getting titles for their land.

In 1714 James Starr was chosen clerk of the Newark Meeting, however as other Quakers settles in the area they decided a new meeting place was needed, thus the New Garden Mtd. was established in 1718 with James being elected the clerk and overseer. He served until 1726

In 1731 James and Rachel left New Garden Twp. and removed to the present site of Phoenixville, PA, where he purchased 230 acres of the "Manovan Tract" from the widow of David Lloyd. The land was located at the junction of the French Creek and the Schuylkill River. It commenced on Main Bridge St. and the Fountain Inn, then crossing the north side of French Creek, eastward within a few feet of the water and back again to the canal; Starr St. in Phoenixville was named in honor of James Starr. He gave land at the corner of Church and Main St. for a burial ground which was to be held by the Starr family for as long as it was needed by them. It is mentioned in article written by Samuel W. Pennypacker in the Annals of Schuylkill Twp.

Owning all the ground for a mile about him, he could well afford to give one acre to the dead, and probably thought as he separated it from the wilderness, that in this spot he and his children would rest until the final awakening. One after another of the Starr family passed away without leaving descendants to inherit their lands or their name and when the last of them had been carried to the family yard, the streets of a growing and busy town had stretched around and about it.

After a decline of the race for whom it was intended, it at first met with neglect and then became a kind of Potter's field. In it were buried the British who died or were killed in the neighborhood during the Revolutionary War, and the foreign workmen who perished from a fatal fever while digging the Schuylkill Canal.

This Cemetery was been removed to Maiden Creek, PA, and an act of Assembly was obtained to untwist the slight knots tied by the will of James Starr. The story goes that when clearing the land to build a drygoods store upon the site of the burying place it was disclosed that a careless worker had thrown the bones together in a box and carted them away.

James Starr was chosen a member of the Board of commissioners by the Assembly for the purpose of improving the navigation of the Schuylkill river, having as fellow commissioners, among others, were David Rittenhouse and Abraham Lincoln. The latter was probably the grandfather of Abraham Lincoln who later became president of the United States.

James is thought to have been the first setteler on the south side of French Creek and the first to make use of its water power. He built a saw mill, grist mill and a log cabin for the Miller.

In 1731 the business was placed under the control of his two sons, James and Moses Starr. They carried on the business for several years and finally rented it to Rowland Richards. In 1748 the Starr brothers sold the mill to Jacob Hilderband and Samuel Jones.


James Starr's Will:
Chester Co.

I James Starr of Charles Town in the county of Chester and province of Pennsylvania being of perfect senses and sound memory, but weak body and calling to mind the mortality of all of us, am now minded to settle my affairs and do make and constitute this my last will and testament in manner and form following:

First I commit my soul to God that giveth and my body to be decently interred.

Item: I will to my dear and loving wife all my household goods except the bed and bedding I now lie on and my desk which I will to my son Samuel Starr.

Item: I will one half of the whole plantation (the rest of this line could not be read as the copy of the orginal will was folded at this point) to my dear wife and to her heirs and asigns during her natural life.

Item: I will all the other half of the plantation to my son Samuel together with half the housing on it and to his heirs and asign forever that is to say the whole plantation to him forever at her decease.


Item: I will all my stock both horses, mares and colts and cows, young cattle and sheep and crops in the ground and corn and foder in the barn together with half the wagon and half all the utensils of husbandry on the plantation to my dear wife.

Item: I will the other half of the wagon and the other half of all the utensils of husbandry to my son Samuel Starr and also my gun.

Item: I will all my bonds, bills and all manner of debts due to me to my wife. I also will the servant man and servant maid to my wife.

Item: I will to my son Joseph Starr, twenty shillings and no more.
Item: I will to my son John Starr, one pound and no more.
Item: I will to my son James Starr, one pound and no more.
Item: I will to my son Moses Starr, five pounds and no more.

Item: I will to my grandchild, Rachel Starr the sum of ten pounds to be put into interest for her into year after the date hereof to be paid to her at her marriage or at the age of eighteen years.

Item: I will to my son Richard Richerson and his wife Mary the sum of ten pounds.

Item: I will to my son Rees Williams and his wife Rachel the sum of ten pounds.

Item: My will is that all the leagiseys be paid in two years after the date here of and not till then.

Item: My dear and well beloved wife is to pay all the above leagiseys and lastly I will and appoint my dear wife and my son Joseph Starr sole executors at this my last will and testament given under my hand and seal this 2nd day of the 10th month one thousand seven hundred and forty nine (1749).

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of: Signed
James Starr
Jacob Hilderbrand Note: the name James was
Bryan Keegan executed before the signing
Jeremiah Starr and sealing hereof.
Rachel Starr
Joseph Starr
(7th March 1749)

Philadelphia 7th March 1749 then personally appeared Jacob Hildebrand and Bryan Keegan two of the wittness to the forgoing will and on thier solemn affirmation according to law did declare and affirm they saw and heard James Starr testify for there in named sign, seal, publish, and declare the same will for and as his last will and testament and at the doing there of he was of sound mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and that Jeremiah Starr the other witness thereof did also subscribe his name as a witness in the presence of and at the request of the testator.

Signed- Corma
Wm. Clumsted

Will recorded Philadelphia book 1 page 234 City Hall

Also see Rachel's will in her notes
James was the first Starr to emigrate to the United States. He arrived in 1712.
"Immigration of Irish Quakers to PA" by Albert C. Myers, p328-29

"History of Chester & Delaware Co, PA" by Gilbert Cope, p570

Records of Kennett Monthly Meeting, Soc. of Friends, PA - p132 [FHL #562,992]

Birthdate: "10 mo, 28, 1676" in Old Style (Quaker) notation
Marr date: "6mo, 22, 1705"

Occupation: Farmer in Co. Cavan, Ireland

Residence: To US 1712
Settled in New Garden Twp, Chester Co, PA
To Phoenixville, Charlestown Twp, Chester Co, PA - 1731

Religion: Member of Soc. of Friends in Ireland
Recd w/wife on cert from Catterbaugh, Ire. - "4, 7, 1712"
Appointed Clerk of Kennett Meeting - 5mo, 1713 - & Overseer 1714
Clerk of New Garden Meeting. 1718-1726 (when Meeting first established)

Marriage place: His brother was marr at Ballytore Mtg, Co. Kildare, Ireland

Will of Rachel -- see her notes. James Starr was born on 28 October 1676 at Ballyhaes, County Cavan, Ireland. He was the son of John Starr and Mary Thompson. James Starr married Rachel June Laybourne, daughter of Joseph Laybourne and Rachel Marchant, on 22 August 1705 at Ardnahue, County Carlow, Ireland. James Starr died on 1 March 1748/49 at Phoenixville, Chester Co., PA, at age 72. He was buried in March 1749 at Maiden Creek Quaker Cemetery, Maiden Creek, Chester Co., PA.¹ Save to my tree
James Starr's Irish Roots
In the 17th century, changes to social, economic and cultural/religious life made Ireland a land of great estates and, except for Dublin, of small towns decaying under the impact of British restrictions on Trade. Except on the Ulster plantations, the tenantry was relatively poor in comparison with that of England and employed inferior agricultural methods. Over large parts of the east and south, tillage farming had given way to pasturage. In the North, a somewhat similar tendency, creating a decline in the demand for labor, led in the early 18th century to migration of substantial numbers of Irish people to North America.
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, established as a result of the Ulster plantations in the early 17th century, when English and Scottish Protestants settled in the north of Ireland, led to oppression of the Catholic population. As a result, a large number of Irish migrants found their way to Pennsylvania where William Penn, a Quaker, had established a religious tolerant society, the Society of Friends.

Starr Family - John Starr was born in 1650 in Old Castle, Meath Ireland. His wife Mary was also born in Meath. They married on July 10, 1671, in Jon Bell’s Ballyhaise, Ireland. They had 10 children. All of them were born in County Meath or Ballyhaise, Meath, Ireland. Both parents died in Ireland. But five of their children died in Chester County, Pa. so we can assume that these five children immigrated to the USA sometime in the late 1600s or early 1700s.
'ckson Family - Isaac Jackson was born in 1665, in Cavan County, Armagh, Ireland. In Feb. 1695/96 he married Anne Evans, who was born about 1677, in Wicklow, Ireland. They had 11 children, six died in Ireland and the remaining five in Chester County, Pa. Isaac died in 1750, in London Grove Township, Chester County, Pa., his wife died in Harmony Grove, Chester County, Pa. We follow the fortunes of the eldest daughter, Rebecca Jackson, born on March 25, 1697 in Old Castle Meath, Ireland.
Moore Family - James Moore was born in 1650 in Ballymacree, Ireland. In about 1687 he married Elizabeth. She was born in 1652 in County Antrim, Ireland. We know nothing of Elizabeth’s pedigree. They had 14 children, all born in Ballymacree, Antrim, Ireland. We know that at least two of the brothers died in Chester County, Pa. We follow the fortunes of the sixth son of this marriage, Andrew Moore, born in June 1688 in Ballymacree, Antrim, Ireland.
Miller Family - Gayen Miller was born in 1674 in Ballynalich, Antrim, Ireland. He married Margaret Henderson, born 1675, Armagh, Ireland. They had 13 children. All the children except one were born in Kennett Township, Chester County, Pa,
Their eldest daughter, Margaret Henderson Miller was born in 1694 in Ballymacree, Ireland.
1716
Starr/Jackson Family - On Nov. 10, 1716, Jeremiah Starr married Rebecca Jackson, in Ballitore, Kildare, Ireland. They had 12 children. All of them were born in London Grove, Chester County, Pa. Jeremiah died on Jan. 6, 1775 in London Grove Township, Chester County, Pa. and his wife Rebecca died in London Grove Township, Chester County, Pa. in 1761.² James STARR was born on 28 October 1676 at Ireland. Marriage banns for James STARR were published in 1705; James Starr and Rachell Laybourn Marriage Banns
Transcribed from a copy in the Chester County Historical Society, West Chester, Pennsylvania: This is to Satisfy all whom it may concern that whereas James Starr in this County of Cavan, Farmer, and Rachell Laybourn of Ardnahue in the County of Carlow having intention of taking each other in Marriage did signify the same before a man and womans meeting of the people of God in ____ called Quakers held at Wicklow the 23rd of the 4th mo. called June, and in the year according to the Account now used in England 1705, which matter being taken into Serious consideration with reference to the holy Law of God worded in the Scriptures of faith, some persons was appointed to make Enquiry (who their persons) now is, or of (late) hath been concerning their (choosing formal ____) on the Account of Marriage, and of their Parents and Relations consent, And the said James Starr and Rachell Laybourn presenting themselves a second time before a man and womans meeting of the aforesaid People held at (Mountinslick) the 4th of the 6th mo. commonly called August for the (Province of Lewistor) and in the year according to the Account now now used in England 1705. And did then and there Signify the continuation of the aforesaid intention of taking each other in Marriage, whereas a full Account was given by those before appointed to make Enquiry, and that they found nothing but that (they word choose) from all others on that (Acc.) and that they have their Parents and Relations consent, So nothing appearing to hinder their Proceedings their intended Marriage being published two overall times in the respective monthly meetings they belong unto, It was therefore Appointed by the aforesaid people for the full Accomplishment of their said marriage upon the 22nd day of the 6th mo. commonly called August, 1705, they (being first Contracted had) the said James Starr taking the said Rachell by his hand Expressed words to this purpose, Friends in the presence of God, and before this Assembly I take Rachell Laybourn to be my wife, promising as God shall enable (me) to be an ____ and loving husband till death separate us, And the said Rachell Laybourn Expressed words to this purpose, Friends in the presence of God and before this Assembly I take James Starr to be my husband, and do give myself unto him to be his wife, promising with the Lords Assistance to be ____ ____ and obedient wife till death separates us and as a further Confirmation that they will live in love and faithfulness with each other till death doth separate them, they have hereunto subscribed their names as man and wife and (those) who are under written as witnesses of this S____. [signed] James Starr Rachell Starr





[witnesses]


John Starr, Edward Cooper, Ann (Duckett)
John Starr, Katherine (Frode), Mary Sparrow
George Starr, John Thompson, James (Duckett), Samuel Laybourn, John Boles, Ann Harvey
Merrick King, Benj.(Todd), Eliz (Wolton)
Gregory Russell, Thomas White, John (Thatcher)
Eliz. (Brewster), Samuel P. Watson, Henry (Brewster), James Hall, Susanna Laybourn, Samuel White
Jos. Russell, Wm. Cooper, Mary Russell
John Butcher, Thomas Watson, Ephraim (Harilage) Sr., Ephraim (Harliage) Jr., BR>Francis (Armsloy) Thomas (Duckett.)³ He married Rachel LAYBOURNE, daughter of Joseph LAYBOURNE, on 22 June 1705 at County Carlow, Ireland. James STARR died in 1749 at Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA. He left a will on 7 March 1749; Will of James Starr

The wills of James and Rachael Starr are on record in the City Hall in Philadelphia, Pa. James's will is in Will Book 1, page 234, and Rachel's is in Will Book M, page 278.



Chester Co.

Dated October 2, 1749.

Proved Mar 7, 1749.





I James Starr of Charles Town in the county of Chester and province of Pennsylvania being of perfect senses and sound memory, but weak body and calling to mind the mortality of all of us, am now minded to settle my affairs and do make and constitute this my last will and testament in manner and form following: First I commit my soul to God that giveth and my body to be decently interred. Item: I will to my dear and loving wife all my household goods except the bed and bedding I now lie on and my desk which I will to my son Samuel Starr. Item: I will one half of the whole plantation (the rest of this line could not be read as the copy of the original will was folded at this point) to my dear wife and to her heirs and assigns during her natural life. Item: I will all the other half of the plantation to my son Samuel together with half the housing on it and to his heirs and assigns forever that is to say the whole plantation to him forever at her decease. Item: I will all by stock both horses, mares and colts and cows, young cattle and sheep and crops in the ground and corn and fodder in the barn together with half the wagon and half all the utensils of husbandry on the plantation to my dear wife. Item : I will the other half of the wagon and the other half of all the utensils of husbandry to my son Samuel Starr and also my gun. Item : I will all my bonds, bills and all manner of debts due to me to my wife. I also will the servant man and servant maid to my wife. Item: I will to my son Joseph Starr, twenty shillings and no more. Item: I will to my son John Starr, one pound and no more. Item: I will to my son James Starr, one pound and no more. Item: I will to my son Moses Starr, five pounds and no more. Item: I will to my grandchild, Rachel Starr the sum of ten pounds to be put into interest for her into year after the date hereof to be paid to her at her marriage or at the age of eighteen years. Item: I will to my son (in law) Richard Richerson and his wife Mary the sum of ten pounds. Item: I will to my son (in law) Rees Williams and his wife Rachel the sum of ten pounds. Item: My will is that all the leagiseys be paid in two years after the date here of and not till then. Item: My dear and well beloved wife is to pay all the above leagiseys and lastly I will and appoint my dear wife and my son Joseph Starr sole executors at this my last will and testament given under my hand and seal this 2nd day of the 10th month one thousand seven hundred and forty nine (1749).



Signed sealed and delivered in the presents of: Signed

James Starr

Jacob Hilderbrand Note: the name James was Bryan Keegan executed before the signing Jeremiah Starr and sealing hereof. Rachel Starr, Joseph Starr (7th March 1749) Philadelphia then personally appeared Jacob Hildebrand and Bryan Keegan two of the witnesses to the forgoing will and on their solemn

affirmation according to law did declare and affirm they saw and heard James Starr testify for there in named sign, seal, publish, and declare the same will for and as his last will and Testament and at the doing there of he was of sound mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and
that Jeremiah Starr the other witnesses thereof did also subscribe his name as a witness in the presence of and at the request of the testator.





Signed- Corma
Wm. Clumsted.⁴

     Rachel LAYBOURNE was born on 7 August 1686 at Ramestown, County Carlow, Ireland. She married James STARR, son of Mary (?), on 22 June 1705 at County Carlow, Ireland. As of 22 June 1705,her married name was STARR. Rachel LAYBOURNE died in 1762 at Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA.

     Mary STARR was born on 25 February 1706/7 at Ireland. She died in 1749.

     Joseph STARR was born on 19 October 1707 at Ireland. He died in 1790 at Charlestown Twp, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA.

     Jarvis Pancoast was born on 10 April 1738 at Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, USA.¹

     James STARR was born on 3 October 1715 at Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA. He died on 13 January 1781 at Pennsylvania, USA, at age 65.

     Samuel STARR was born on 19 December 1723 at Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA. He died in 1755.

     Susanna STARR was born on 14 May 1726 at Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA. She died before 1749.

     Mary (?) died at Ireland. She was born circa 1650.

     Mary Pancoast was born on 16 December 1740 at Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, USA.² As of 18 December 1764,her married name was Bryan.²

     Jeremiah STARR died at Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA. He was born on 17 August 1690 at Ireland.

     Moses STARR died after 1692 at Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA. He was born on 27 August 1692 at Ireland.

     Isaac STARR was born on 23 September 1697 at Ireland. He died in 1753 at Goshen, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA.