William
Starling/Sterling Family
England & Virginia
m. Margaret Edwards
1660 Hungars Parish, VA
b.____________ d. ____________
her possible father: John Edwards (in VA by 1654)
her possible mother: Mary
| Only Surviving Child | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Starling | b. c1669 Accomack Co., VA # | d. 1710 Accomack Co., VA | m. Martha |
William Starling probably came to the colonies as an indentured servant and was one of 9 persons brought to the colonies by Jonathan Gills prior to March 6, 1647 (Va. Patent Bk, 2, p. 112./also Nugent, Cavaliers and Pioneers, Vol. 1, p.170) Gills received a land grant of 450 acres on Higer's Creek in Northhampton County for transporting this group. It should have taken William Starling five to seven years to free himself from his indenturedness putting his freedom at about 1654. [Williams. p. 351]
1658 - William Starling leases 160 acres for 99 years from John Smith of Nuswattocks. This land was originally patented by Henry Pendenden later tranfered to George Smith and George Smith transfering to John Smith. It was located in Northampton County near Cowpen Branch and lands previously held by Jonathan Gills. [Williams. p. 351]
1660, September 20 - William is a member of the Hungars Parish Register when he now feels possible to marry Margaret Edwards. [Hungar Parish Register Returns for 1660-61 , W&M Q(1st Series) Vol. XVIII(18), p. 180 as referenced by Williams. p. 351]
1665 - William purchases 120 from William and Anne Mellinge, "part of the Thomas Graves 200 acre patent, which lay on_______."[Williams. p. 351]
1668 - He purchased another 200 acres from Henry Rosee which had been part of a patent of John Sturgis and lay adjacent to a 300 acres patent issued to Edward Smith on the Machipongo Creek. [Williams. p. 351]
1672 - He purchased
another 300 acres of a 600 acre patent of Daniel Foxcroft then of
Elizabeth City County. He is described as a "cooper" in these
documents. With these several purchases he becomes part of the "landed
class".
[Williams. p. 351]
William Starling was one the early colonial leaders who addressed a long protest over the act to the Colony's House of Burgesses. in 1675. Their protest was over the division of their county for the benefit of a few , the lack of protection from the Indians, sale of liquor near the courthouse, and the exemption of some from paying their fair share of the taxes. They further demanded freedom from some many features which also went against their ideas of proper social behavior and a better court system. [Williams. p. 351]
1693, November - At sixty eight years of age he writes his Last Will and Testament.
Will of William
Sterling 1693/98
ye Seale
Noth.ton P October
the 28th Anno Dom 1698 Then the last Will and Testam{en]t of Wiliam
Sterling Deced was Exhibeited to the Court by Elizabeth his Widoie and
Executrix: who desirred that a probate might me granted her thereon.
And was Accordingly proved in open court of the Said county by the
corporal oath of John Wescott and approved and attested of as and
authentick probate and orded to the county to give his Testimony
thereto for further confirmation of the said probate.
Test Dan Neechee Cl Ct) Recordt Test Dan Neechee Cl Ct)
North.ton Pt ______ By
Major Robbins
A Probate of the same tenour as these Recorde in Folio 506 in this
Booke granted to Elizabeth Sterlinge widow & Executrix of Wm
Sterlinge her late husband his last will and Testamt.
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