| Robert Starkweather 1610 - 1674 |
Robert Starkweather was born in Wales, Scotland on the Isle of Man in 1610, settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts being there as early as 1640. He owned land in that place and according to tradition, also
in Boston, a part of what is now known as “Cornhill”. He eventually disposed of his estates in Boston and Roxbury, and removed to Ipswich, Massachusetts where he died November 1674. He married
Jennett Roberts born 1612 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, daughter of John Roberts of Roxbury and all his children were born there.
In the olden days, until September 1752, the year began with March as its first month, and that all prior dates are in old style.
In 1643, Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Starkweather, was baptized, month 5, day 23 (church record) July 23 (town record) in Roxbury. In 1644, Lidea, daughter of Robert Starkweather, was born, 23
June (town record) in Roxbury. In 1646, John, son of Robert Starkweather, was baptized “month 6, day 2” (church record) [Aug 2] in Roxbury. In 1648, Deborah, daughter of Robert Starkweather,
was baptized “month 6, day 27” (church record) [Aug 27] in Roxbury.
The Rev. John Elliot’s record of church members of Roxbury, gives without date ‘Jenet Starkweather, the wife of Robert Starkweather.” Her admission is prior to 1644, as is determined by minute of
one sort or another in the record. This same church record gives also, under date 1636, the following “John Roberts, he came to New England in this year; he brought with him his aged mother, wife and
seven children; Thomas and Edward, sons; Elizabeth, Margery, Jenet, Alce, Lidea, Ruth, Deborah, daughters; he was one of the first fruits of Wales ye came to N. E., called to Christ by ministry of y
Revernd and worthy instrument, Mr. Wroth.” Under date, 1645, is read ‘month 11, day 7, Old Mothr Roberts, a Welch woman, she had lived about nin years in this country and dyed the hundred and
third year of her aige. She was above 90 years ould when she left her native country”. This was under the caption “deaths” 1651, month 9, day 27, John Roberts dyed of dropsy.
All church records are transcribed from the printed copy, as the originals are in sealed packets in a safe and not open to public inspection.
Ellis’ “History of Roxbury” which says (page 3) that we learn it from John Elliot’s diary, states that in “1645 toward ye end of ye 1st month (called March) there happened…a dreadful fire in Roxbury
street.” This may account for the lack of further mention of Robert Starkweather in Roxbury records.
We excerpt the following from Ipswich Town Records: “ at a meeting of the 7 men the 6th(8) 1654, Liberty is granted to Robert Starkweather to run a fence in the lyne betweene us and Wennam.”
“April 16, 1655. It was ordered that “Goodman Starkweather shall have the herbage of such Comon Land as lyeth neare Wennham line, so long as he shall keep a common heard of young Cattle for this
Townes use, and it is agreed that Goodman Starkweather shall constantly find a careful keeper to follow the said Cattle, who shall have such allowance as the seven men shall think meet. And may sett up
such fences upon the sd Comon Lands as shall be necessary or useful for the benefit of the said heard.”
“Att a Town meeting the 17th of November, 1673. where as sundry þ’sons for their þ’ticular advantage, are redye to entertain into their houses or to let out Land or tenements to such þ’sons as are no
way desirable, and may prove burdensome in several respects to this Towne, for the prevention whereof, it is ordered that no þ’sons inhabitting in this Towne, or the bounds thereof shall suffer any
stranger coming from other Townes to continue or live more than one week in his owne dwelling house, or any tenement of his, or whereof he hath the disposing, under the penalty of twenty shillings
for every weeke he shall suffer any such þ’son to continue or abyde in any of his possessions, to be distrained by Constable, by oder of the Selectmen unlesse such þ’son doe give satticefaction and
security of there honestie and abillity to the Selectmen or the major part of them at a full meeting, and obtaine their license to be entered in the Towne book for the entertaining of such þ’sons, þ’vyded
allways this order, shall not restrain any of the inhabitants for entertaining any of their friends or relations that come to visit them, at their owne dwellinghouses or household servants that are single þ’
sons.
Edward Bragg doe acknowledge himself, his heirs, and executors to stand bound to the treasurer of the County in the sum of fiftie pounds. The condition is that he the sd Edward Bragg shall save, and
keep harmless the Towne from any charge that shall or may come upon the Towne by his entertaining of Robert Starkweather, and his family into the Towne.”
Witness his hand
“Witness: John Whipple, Robert Lord the marke of Edward X Bragg
(This last record tells a tale of extreme poverty, also that Robert Starkweather, after his original entry into the town, removed and so lost his rights as a inhabitant, as well as his alleged wealth)
“The Towne meeting, the 10th February, 1673. Robert Starkweather desired in a paper to have liberty to hould the house of Tho: Perrin, and little Neck, for seven years &C as is exprest in his paper.
Wich was granted he agreeing with Thomas Perrin about his interest.”
“Att a meeting of the Selectmen the 24 of March 1673/74 greed with Robert Starkweather to keep the flock of sheepe at the Neck from the first of Aprill, till the middle of November, he to pay for any
sheepe killed by leaveing out in the night, or kild in the daytime, and to have for his wages seaven shillings y weeke, to be payd by the owners of the sheepe, he to looke carfully, to dog them when there
is need. Those that pay in malt to pay it at either Capt. Appletons or Cornett Whipples, and those that pay in other corne, to pay it at Cornett Whillples, for his use. He to clense the pen once a month, and
in wett wether to remove them into a pen of five rayless, he lodgeing by them when foulded there, those that shall not pay as aforesaid by the last of February to pay halfe soe much more, being
demanded.
The marke of Robert X Starkweather”
in Boston, a part of what is now known as “Cornhill”. He eventually disposed of his estates in Boston and Roxbury, and removed to Ipswich, Massachusetts where he died November 1674. He married
Jennett Roberts born 1612 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, daughter of John Roberts of Roxbury and all his children were born there.
In the olden days, until September 1752, the year began with March as its first month, and that all prior dates are in old style.
In 1643, Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Starkweather, was baptized, month 5, day 23 (church record) July 23 (town record) in Roxbury. In 1644, Lidea, daughter of Robert Starkweather, was born, 23
June (town record) in Roxbury. In 1646, John, son of Robert Starkweather, was baptized “month 6, day 2” (church record) [Aug 2] in Roxbury. In 1648, Deborah, daughter of Robert Starkweather,
was baptized “month 6, day 27” (church record) [Aug 27] in Roxbury.
The Rev. John Elliot’s record of church members of Roxbury, gives without date ‘Jenet Starkweather, the wife of Robert Starkweather.” Her admission is prior to 1644, as is determined by minute of
one sort or another in the record. This same church record gives also, under date 1636, the following “John Roberts, he came to New England in this year; he brought with him his aged mother, wife and
seven children; Thomas and Edward, sons; Elizabeth, Margery, Jenet, Alce, Lidea, Ruth, Deborah, daughters; he was one of the first fruits of Wales ye came to N. E., called to Christ by ministry of y
Revernd and worthy instrument, Mr. Wroth.” Under date, 1645, is read ‘month 11, day 7, Old Mothr Roberts, a Welch woman, she had lived about nin years in this country and dyed the hundred and
third year of her aige. She was above 90 years ould when she left her native country”. This was under the caption “deaths” 1651, month 9, day 27, John Roberts dyed of dropsy.
All church records are transcribed from the printed copy, as the originals are in sealed packets in a safe and not open to public inspection.
Ellis’ “History of Roxbury” which says (page 3) that we learn it from John Elliot’s diary, states that in “1645 toward ye end of ye 1st month (called March) there happened…a dreadful fire in Roxbury
street.” This may account for the lack of further mention of Robert Starkweather in Roxbury records.
We excerpt the following from Ipswich Town Records: “ at a meeting of the 7 men the 6th(8) 1654, Liberty is granted to Robert Starkweather to run a fence in the lyne betweene us and Wennam.”
“April 16, 1655. It was ordered that “Goodman Starkweather shall have the herbage of such Comon Land as lyeth neare Wennham line, so long as he shall keep a common heard of young Cattle for this
Townes use, and it is agreed that Goodman Starkweather shall constantly find a careful keeper to follow the said Cattle, who shall have such allowance as the seven men shall think meet. And may sett up
such fences upon the sd Comon Lands as shall be necessary or useful for the benefit of the said heard.”
“Att a Town meeting the 17th of November, 1673. where as sundry þ’sons for their þ’ticular advantage, are redye to entertain into their houses or to let out Land or tenements to such þ’sons as are no
way desirable, and may prove burdensome in several respects to this Towne, for the prevention whereof, it is ordered that no þ’sons inhabitting in this Towne, or the bounds thereof shall suffer any
stranger coming from other Townes to continue or live more than one week in his owne dwelling house, or any tenement of his, or whereof he hath the disposing, under the penalty of twenty shillings
for every weeke he shall suffer any such þ’son to continue or abyde in any of his possessions, to be distrained by Constable, by oder of the Selectmen unlesse such þ’son doe give satticefaction and
security of there honestie and abillity to the Selectmen or the major part of them at a full meeting, and obtaine their license to be entered in the Towne book for the entertaining of such þ’sons, þ’vyded
allways this order, shall not restrain any of the inhabitants for entertaining any of their friends or relations that come to visit them, at their owne dwellinghouses or household servants that are single þ’
sons.
Edward Bragg doe acknowledge himself, his heirs, and executors to stand bound to the treasurer of the County in the sum of fiftie pounds. The condition is that he the sd Edward Bragg shall save, and
keep harmless the Towne from any charge that shall or may come upon the Towne by his entertaining of Robert Starkweather, and his family into the Towne.”
Witness his hand
“Witness: John Whipple, Robert Lord the marke of Edward X Bragg
(This last record tells a tale of extreme poverty, also that Robert Starkweather, after his original entry into the town, removed and so lost his rights as a inhabitant, as well as his alleged wealth)
“The Towne meeting, the 10th February, 1673. Robert Starkweather desired in a paper to have liberty to hould the house of Tho: Perrin, and little Neck, for seven years &C as is exprest in his paper.
Wich was granted he agreeing with Thomas Perrin about his interest.”
“Att a meeting of the Selectmen the 24 of March 1673/74 greed with Robert Starkweather to keep the flock of sheepe at the Neck from the first of Aprill, till the middle of November, he to pay for any
sheepe killed by leaveing out in the night, or kild in the daytime, and to have for his wages seaven shillings y weeke, to be payd by the owners of the sheepe, he to looke carfully, to dog them when there
is need. Those that pay in malt to pay it at either Capt. Appletons or Cornett Whipples, and those that pay in other corne, to pay it at Cornett Whillples, for his use. He to clense the pen once a month, and
in wett wether to remove them into a pen of five rayless, he lodgeing by them when foulded there, those that shall not pay as aforesaid by the last of February to pay halfe soe much more, being
demanded.
The marke of Robert X Starkweather”
This page was transcribed exactly as it appears in the following source. Some words appear misspelled however, were transcribed as such.
A brief genealogical history of Robert Starkweather of Roxbury and Ipswich, Massachusetts : who was the original American ancestor of all those bearing the name of Starkweather, and of his son,
John Starkweather, of Ipswich, Mass. and Preston, Conn., and of his descendants in various lines, 1640-1898 (1904)
Author: Starkweather, Carlton Lee, 1864-
Subject: Starkweather, Robert, d. 1674?; Starkweather, John, d. 1703; Starkweather family
Publisher: [Auburn, N.Y. : Press of Knapp, Peck & Thomson]
Language: English
Call number: DGP7169
Digitizing sponsor: Brigham Young University
Book contributor: Harold B. Lee Library
Collection: americana
Link to book at the Library of Congress
A brief genealogical history of Robert Starkweather of Roxbury and Ipswich, Massachusetts : who was the original American ancestor of all those bearing the name of Starkweather, and of his son,
John Starkweather, of Ipswich, Mass. and Preston, Conn., and of his descendants in various lines, 1640-1898 (1904)
Author: Starkweather, Carlton Lee, 1864-
Subject: Starkweather, Robert, d. 1674?; Starkweather, John, d. 1703; Starkweather family
Publisher: [Auburn, N.Y. : Press of Knapp, Peck & Thomson]
Language: English
Call number: DGP7169
Digitizing sponsor: Brigham Young University
Book contributor: Harold B. Lee Library
Collection: americana
Link to book at the Library of Congress
The children of Robert and Jenet [Roberts] Starkweather, all born in Roxbury, are:-
2. x. Elizabeth, bapt. 23 July, 1643: untraced
3. x. Lydia, born 23 June, 1644; untraced
4. John, bapt 2 Aug., 1646; m. Ann [----]
5. x. Deborah, bapt. 27 Aug., 1648; untraced
That there were four other children, and perhaps more, according to tradition, is stated in Vol. IV of Savage’s “Genealogical Dictionary;” we do not know on what authority.
2. x. Elizabeth, bapt. 23 July, 1643: untraced
3. x. Lydia, born 23 June, 1644; untraced
4. John, bapt 2 Aug., 1646; m. Ann [----]
5. x. Deborah, bapt. 27 Aug., 1648; untraced
That there were four other children, and perhaps more, according to tradition, is stated in Vol. IV of Savage’s “Genealogical Dictionary;” we do not know on what authority.
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