Hi y'all. I just joined your list. I have a mystery Starnes. She has stumped the Starnes Experts. Martha Starnes was born about 1839 in probably Cabarrus or Rowan Co, NC. In 1854 she married Eli LINKER in Cabarrus Co., NC. After Eli's death (CW) in 1863, she may have married Calvin ALLMAN in 1864, and then died in childbirth the next year. One of her 3 sons was living with the Frederick and Betty STARNES family after Eli's death, so Martha was possibly related to this family. In 1850 Cabarrus Co Census there is a Martha Starnes 16 living in the home of Martin Widenhouse, and another age 15 living in the home of Henry Bangles. Either of these "could be" our Martha, but we believe she was younger than this in 1850, based on her 1860 age as 20 years. I'd love some help solving this mystery! Thanks! Peggy Sue pwilson411@aol.com http://members.aol.com/PWilson411/indexe.html

Joy, I can't prove it, and I have no information on any marriage for her, (or death either). but there's a _possibility_ that your Hannah is the daughter of Shubael Stearns, Jr (of the Charles Stearns lineage). and Rebecca Lariby. This Hannah was b. 6 Mar 1718 in Tolland, CT. The majority of this family was known to have moved to VA (now WV), probably in the 1750s, and most settled in NC by about 1760. Undortunately, I'm forced to guess at the dates, since I don't seem to have anything specific other than the founding of a church ca. 1758 in NC. Hannah could have split from the group based on her husband's preferences. Alternatively, the association of your Hannah and Joseph Bennett with Lutherans in settlement later called "Germany Valley" in WV might suggest that Hannah was from the German Starnes family (of which I know very little except the name of their book, "Of Them that Left a Name Behind" by H. Gerald Starnes and Herman Starnes, 1983). Hope this helps! Jim ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: Polly Starnes B:1808 Author: STEARNS-L@rootsweb.com at Internet Date: 7/11/97 9:30 PM (snip) This is an interesting query - I'm looking for a Hannah Starnes who m a Joseph BENNETT, Jr., ca 1750/60 - maybe in the Shenandoah Valley. Joseph's father (Joseph Sr., of course) is believed to have been a Quaker but the family became Lutheran about the time they moved into what is now Germany Valley of Randolph County, W.Va. ca 1765. Any help on this Bennett-Starnes connection would be appreciated. Joy Gilchrist

At 02:33 AM 7/11/97 -0700, Tami Bearden wrote: >I'm looking for info on Polly STARNES who was born 1808 in Tennessee. > Polly married William Bennett CURTIS on 27-Mar-1827 in Trigg County, > Kentucky. Any information would be appreciated. > > This is an interesting query - I'm looking for a Hannah Starnes who m a Joseph BENNETT, Jr., ca 1750/60 - maybe in the Shenandoah Valley. Joseph's father (Joseph Sr., of course) is believed to have been a Quaker but the family became Lutheran about the time they moved into what is now Germany Valley of Randolph County, W.Va. ca 1765. Any help on this Bennett-Starnes connection would be appreciated. Joy Gilchrist

I'm looking for info on Polly STARNES who was born 1808 in Tennessee. Polly married William Bennett CURTIS on 27-Mar-1827 in Trigg County, Kentucky. Any information would be appreciated.

Hi Everyone, I'm looking for the ancestors of John STARNS, Sr. b. about 1830 in Bowie County, TX m. 14 Sept 1851 to Samantha ? (we thinks HANKS but haven't found proof of that yet). He moved to Judsonia, White County, AR and settled there. I would also appreciate hearing from any of his other descendants. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Don Latham

STEARNS of Plymouth New Hampshire. I am attempting to determine the relationship, (if any), of my Great grandmother Ellen M STEARNS, (born 15 Feb 1831 in Plymouth N.H., married Joseph Bixby in Plymouth in 1854. Ellen was daughter of James Stearns and Roxanne Bailey both from Plymouth) to Richard G. STEARNS also of Plymouth. Richard (son of Anthony T Stearns and Nancy Gore all of Plymouth) was born 22 Oct 1838 in Plymouth, and died there in Jan 1893. (Both Joseph Bixby and Richard Stearns enlisted in Aug 1862 and served with the 12 th NH Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War). If anyone can shed light on relationship of Ellen and Richard Stearns, would appreciate reponse. Thanks in advance.

Below is a three generation outline for John Stearns(Sternes). He is a son of Isaac and Mary (Barker) Stearns. I welcome any corrections or additions. Jeanne email: j-hayes@mindspring.com ______________________________________ Descendants of John Stearns 1 John Sternes b: Abt 1630 in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts d: 5 March 1668/69 in Billerica, Middlesex County, Massachusetts . +Sarah Mixer b: 1634 m: Bef December 1656 d: 14 June 1656 Father: Isaac Mixer Mother: Sarah ??? ....... 2 John Stearns b: May 1654 in Billerica, Middlesex County, Massachusetts d: 26 October 1728 ........... +Elizabeth Bigelow b: 18 June 1657 m: 6 September 1676 d: 18 April 1694 Father: John Bigelow Mother: Mary Warren ................ 3 Elizabeth Stearns b: 23 September 1677 in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts ................ 3 John Stearns b: 22 January 1679/80 in Billerica, Middlesex County, Massachusetts d: 4 April 1680 ................ 3 Sarah Stearns b: 21 March 1681/82 ................ 3 Mary Stearns b: 23 July 1684 .................... +Samuel Barron m: 28 May 1705 Father: Mother: ................ 3 John Stearns b: 26 November 1686 d: 2 August 1776 .................... +Esther Johnson b: January 1690/91 d: 13 April 1786 Father: Edward Johnson Mother: ................ 3 Isaac Stearns b: 1 May 1689 d: 1711 ................ 3 Abigail Stearns b: 22 August 1691 d: Bef December 1719 .................... +William Wyman b: 1685 m: 23 October 1712 in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts d: 1753 Father: William Wyman Mother: Prudence Putnam ................ 3 Samuel Stearns b: 8 January 1693/94 .................... +Rachel Crosby Father: Joseph Crosby Mother: Sarah French ....... *2nd Wife of John Stearns: ........... +Joanna Call b: Abt 1655 m: 22 April 1696 in Malden, Massachusetts d: 4 December 1737 Father: Thomas Call, Jr. Mother: Joanna Shepherdson ................ 3 Joanna Stearns b: 24 June 1697 *2nd Wife of John Stearns: . +Mary Lathrop b: 4 October 1640 m: December 1656 in Barnstable d: 1735 Father: Thomas Lothrop Mother: Mary ??? ....... 2 Isaac Stearns b: 17 April 1658 d: 9 October 1659 ....... 2 Samuel Stearns b: 3 September 1659 d: 1735 ....... 2 Isaac Stearns b: 23 December 1661 d: 1739 ........... +Mary Merriam Father: Mother: ................ 3 Isaac Stearns b: 21 August 1701 d: 1739 .................... +Alice Wilson Father: Mother: ................ 3 Mary Stearns b: 26 January 1702/03 ................ 3 Sarah Stearns b: 26 March 1704 ................ 3 Miriam Stearns b: 5 August 1705 ................ 3 Lydia Stearns b: 21 April 1707 ....... 2 Nathaniel Stearns b: 30 November 1663 ....... 2 Thomas Stearns b: 6 December 1665 d: 9 February 1696/97 ........... +Rebecca Chamberlain m: 20 June 1688 Father: Mother: ................ 3 Rebecca Stearns b: 23 April 1689 ................ 3 Mary Stearns b: 18 June 1692 .................... +Benjamin Frost Father: Mother: ................ 3 Sarah Stearns b: 27 April 1694 .................... +Joshua Child m: January 1719/20 Father: Mother: ................ 3 Hannah Stearns b: August 1696

Any information on Mary HEALD greatly appreciated. 1. MARY1 HEALD was born in Chelmsford, MA., and died 1809. She married THOMAS STEARNS, son of Samuel STEARNS and Phoebe WAITE. Marriage Notes Mary was the 3rd wife of Thomas. Children of Mary HEALD and Thomas STEARNS are: i. NOAH2 STEARNS, b. 12 March 1753, Littleton, MA.; d. 22 September 1829, Littleton, MA.. ii. ABIGAIL STEARNS, b. 19 March 1755, Littleton, MA.; d. July 1825, Littleton, MA.. iii. LYDIA STEARNS, b. 09 April 1758, Littleton, MA.; d. 25 January 1813, Springfield, VT.; m. JOSHUA CHEEVER FOWLER, 1778, Littleton, MA.. iv. MOLLY STEARNS, b. 12 February 1760, Littleton, MA.; d. 14 October 1813; m. SILAS SMITH, 1780. v. SAMUEL STEARNS, b. 25 May 1762, Littleton, MA.; d. 02 August 1832; m. PHOEBE WHITTEMORE, 1791. vi. LEVI STEARNS, b. 12 January 1765, Littleton, MA.; d. 25 December 1850, Lunenburg, MA.; m. ELIZABETH GOODRICH, 07 January 1794, Lunenburg, MA.. Thanks Fred Fred Kunchick GSCS USN Retired Pennsauken NJ

I appreciate all the help I have had in locationing Ottumwa, SD. However, what I need is someone from Haakon County SD to do a lookup for me. I need the obit for Lydia A. Faye STEARNS who died in the Ottumwa, SD area sometime after 1910. All help is appreciated. Don't need a copy, just the information from the obit: birth place dates spouse: Moses Faye any info on Moses and or any family members Again, thank you all!!!

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Please unsubcribe me. I receive the digest as well. Thank you. hgh16@aol.com

Jim, I hope you don't think I'm flaming you or trying to embarrass you. I'm really just trying to get at the facts. B>I don't even find any mention at all of Daniel. J>Daniel is mentioned in Avis Stearns VanWagenen's book, "Genealogy and Memoirs J>of Charles and Nathaniel Stearns": J>"there is a tradition prevalent in Lynn, Mass., that three brother(s), named J>Daniel, Isaac and Shubael Stearns, came from England to America in 1630, and Ah....it's just a "tradition" then, not backed up by fact? I know that Ms VanWagenen probably felt that she had to mention it, but was she doing any favors for descendants then who cling to the old traditions to the point of disregarding the facts? I welcome anyone who can come forth with any proof of any kind which would support this old "tradition." J>.. Isaac, Charles and Nathaniel all named their sons John, Isaac and J>Samuel..." Savage did not list a son Isaac for Nathaniel. Did he miss him? He named only Samuel, Nathaniel and James. Only Samuel was a name common to all three men. However, Charles named a daughter Martha (for his mother?). Naturally he would have named a son Charles. Charles is mentioned as having gone to Lynn soon after 1681 where he died in 1695. >B>What source can you cite which lists Charles, Daniel and Nathaniel as >siblings? J>None. Thank you for your honesty. :) >B>So at least we can now scratch that first Shubael? J>Not yet. Let's see what unfolds. I'm very anxious to see what unfolds. C'mon people! Barb Petty bpetty@erols.com

Hi all, james_blain@hq.dla.mil said.. >First of all, Barb, I respect John Threlfall's work; So do I. He is also cited by another respectable researcher, Robert Charles Anderson in his THE GREAT MIGRATION BEGINS as having identified the parents of Isaac's wife Mary BARKER. >however, it this case there are two glaring omissions - Daniel, the "brother >of Isaac & Shubael" who died unmarried after immigrating, Glaring? I don't even find any mention at all of Daniel. What source (and I'm looking for some primary source - is there a death record somewhere?) refers to him? I find nothing about him in Bond's WATERTOWN, but I don't have all the STEARNS pages. Was he mentioned by Bond? Neither a Daniel or Charles (except the latter referred to in Isaac's article) were mentioned by Anderson in TGMB as having come before 1633. Savage mentions no Daniel. He only refers to Charles, Isaac and Nathaniel (and does not connect the latter man, who showed up in Dedham about 1647, with the other two immigrants). But Savage did occasionally miss some immigrants. >and Nathaniel, What source can you cite which lists Charles, Daniel and Nathaniel as siblings? >Charles' brother. (I'm excusing the first Shubael, since he seems to have >been more a legend than a reality). So at least we can now scratch that first Shubael? >I konw there are a lot of Isaac Stearns' descendants on this list, and I >don't think any of them identifies his parents as Thomas and Dorothy. I >believe Isaac's parents are identified as William and Emma (Ramsford) Stearns >(Stearne), and that there is reasonable confirmation of this, although I have >none of it. I implore someone, anyone, who has any good primary or published sources to verify this or tell me what that source is? I have asked several times to no avail. What other children did William and Emma have? Where were they? Parish, county in England, etc? Does anyone have Isaac's exact date of birth like Mr. Threlfall gave it? Did he have a brother (Shubael?? or ?) listed who had a son Charles listed in a parish register? Any more information about Emma's ancestry? Robt. Charles Anderson did not mention these people in his TGMB. But he's also robbed me of several ancestors too. I'd hate to look very foolish later when most savvy researchers are accepting Threlfall's research on this. >What about it, listmembers? What's your viewpoint on the Threlfall data >(below) relating to Isaac & Charles? > >Jim Me too! I'd love to see some good resourceful dialogue on the above. Right now I'm from Missouri so show me. Barb Petty bpetty@erols.com

Replying to Barb Petty's message: (snip) B>I don't even find any mention at all of Daniel. What source (and I'm B>looking for some primary source - is there a death record somewhere?) B>refers to him? I find nothing about him in Bond's WATERTOWN, but I don't B>have all the STEARNS pages. Was he mentioned by Bond? Neither a Daniel or B>Charles (except the latter referred to in Isaac's article) were mentioned B>by Anderson in TGMB as having come before 1633. Savage mentions no Daniel. B>He only refers to Charles, Isaac and Nathaniel (and does not connect the B>latter man, who showed up in Dedham about 1647, with the other two B>immigrants). But Savage did occasionally miss some immigrants. Daniel is mentioned in Avis Stearns VanWagenen's book, "Genealogy and Memoirs of Charles and Nathaniel Stearns": "there is a tradition prevalent in Lynn, Mass., that three brother(s), named Daniel, Isaac and Shubael Stearns, came from England to America in 1630, and settled near Watertown, Mass.; that Daniel died, unmarried; that Shubael and Isaac each brought their families with them; that, soon after landing, Shubael and wife both died, leaving two sons, named Charles and Nathaniel, eight or ten years of age, who were reared and cared for by their Uncle Isaac ... Isaac, Charles and Nathaniel all named their sons John, Isaac and Samuel..." B>What source can you cite which lists Charles, Daniel and Nathaniel as siblings? None. Daniel was supposedly the uncle of Charles and Nathaniel per above cited source. I believe this is also repeated in the book on the German Starnes line, "Of Them that Left a Name Behind" by H. Gerald Starnes & Herman Starnes. B>So at least we can now scratch that first Shubael? Not yet. Let's see what unfolds.

Just to protect my rep here, so Bryan's message isn't misinterpreted - I said that I believe that some of you had reasonable confirmation of the William - Emma Stearns thing. I've never seen it. Jim ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: The Great Debate Author: STEARNS-L@rootsweb.com at Internet Date: 6/22/97 1:53 AM I would like to add my two-cents worth to the debate over the parentage of Isaac, et al. I have found no factual evidence (or otherwise) of the existence of Shubael (the supposed father of Charles and Nataniel) in any published work. As was said, Shubael appears to be a "tradition" and not a factual ancestor of Charles. In fact, there was supposed to be another brother of Isaac, named Daniel, whom I have found no data on either. The only reasonable data I have found to date is Threlfall's book which lists Isaac as the son of Thomas and Dorothy and as Barb Petty states, Mr. Threlfall is a highly respected genealogist with many years of research. In that light, I tend to go along with the Thomas/Dorothy parentage as documented by Threlfall. As to Charles' parentage, again I must lean towards Threlfall's findings. Jim Blain says that there is reasonable confirmation that Isaac's parents were William and Emma (Ramsford) Stearns but I have not seen any of it. Does anyone have documentation or a good reference that supports this? Other than Threlfall's book, does anyone have any documentation on these elusive individuals?? How about it, listmembers? Anyone else have an opinion on this? Bryan Duchesne

I have the Van Wagenen book about Isaac Stearns, the Willard Stearns book about Isaac Stearns, a book about the Winthrop Fleet, a book about the first settlers of Massachusetts, a book about Watertown, Mass. Records, and photocopied pages from Bond's book about Massachusetts. None of these even mention who Isaac Stearns parents are. I have been told by others that his mother is : Emma Ramsford, Emma Ramsden, and Dorothy Plamplin. I also have numerous CDs of official records . None of them mention who Isaac's parents are. So . . . . I leave it blank in my database. Jeanne email : j-hayes@mindspring.com

I would like to add my two-cents worth to the debate over the parentage of Isaac, et al. I have found no factual evidence (or otherwise) of the existence of Shubael (the supposed father of Charles and Nataniel) in any published work. As was said, Shubael appears to be a "tradition" and not a factual ancestor of Charles. In fact, there was supposed to be another brother of Isaac, named Daniel, whom I have found no data on either. The only reasonable data I have found to date is Threlfall's book which lists Isaac as the son of Thomas and Dorothy and as Barb Petty states, Mr. Threlfall is a highly respected genealogist with many years of research. In that light, I tend to go along with the Thomas/Dorothy parentage as documented by Threlfall. As to Charles' parentage, again I must lean towards Threlfall's findings. Jim Blain says that there is reasonable confirmation that Isaac's parents were William and Emma (Ramsford) Stearns but I have not seen any of it. Does anyone have documentation or a good reference that supports this? Other than Threlfall's book, does anyone have any documentation on these elusive individuals?? How about it, listmembers? Anyone else have an opinion on this? Bryan Duchesne

Jim Blain posted the following on June 21, 1997... JB>A while ago, I promised to post some information I found in a book entitled JB>"A History of the Sandy Creek Baptist Association, from its Organization in JB>A.D. 1758 to A.D. 1858" by George W. Purefoy (1859). Before I begin with the JB>excerpts, let me identify, in an abbreviated fashion, the line that is JB>represented here: JB>1-- Shubael STEARNS ( -1630/1) (man of tradition but not record) Pardon me Jim, but in view of the fact that he was only a traditional and not a factual ancestor or father of Charles STEARNS (next listed)... JB> 2-- Charles STEARNS (1626-1680) JB> sp-Hannah ( -1651) JB> sp-Rebecca GIBSON (1635) ..perhaps we should take another look at Mr. John B. Threlfall's English research on the STEARNS family? I'll again list the family of Isaac STEARNS, uncle of Charles STEARNS here as found in parish records in Fordham, Essex England which are a good match for the American immigrants. Essex was the county just below Suffolk. - Father: Thomas STERNE Born: Abt 1550/1555, (probably near) Raydon, Suffolk, Eng Died: Bef 28 May 1599, (Will proved), Fordham, Essex, Eng Marr: Dorothy PLAMPIN Born: Abt 1555/1557, Stoke by Nayland, Suffolk, Eng (dau. of John) Died: Feb 1617/1618 (m. 2. Francis ELLIOT 7 Aug 1604) Children: 1. Thomas STERNE Born: Abt 1577, Fordham, Essex, Eng Died: Abt 27 Aug 1637, Fordham, Essex, Eng Bur: 27 Aug 1637, Fordham, Essex, Eng Spouse: Alice WALKER Marr: 23 Apr 1599, Fordham, Essex, Eng 2. William STERNE Born: Abt 1579, Fordham, Essex, Eng Died: Abt 18 Nov 1619, Fordham, Essex, Eng Bur: 18 Nov 1619, Fordham, Essex, Eng Spouse: Ann WALKER Marr: 14 Sep 1606, Fordham, Essex, Eng 3. Charles STERNE Born: Abt 1581, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Abt 7 Nov 1619, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Bur: 7 Nov 1619, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Spouse: Martha HASALL/LASALL (died: Abt 19 Feb 1626, Fordham, Essex, Eng.) Marr: 6 Jun 1609, Fordham, Essex, Eng. This couple had the following children: (a) Thomas, bp. 5 Aug 1610, Fordham, Essex, Eng (b) John, bp. 10 Dec 1612, Fordham, Essex, Eng (c) Charles, bp. 7 Jan 1615/16 (he went to Massachusetts with his uncle Isaac Stearns on the Winthrop Fleet or shortly after; mentioned as Isaac's "kinsman") (e) David, bp. 22 Mar 1617/18, Fordham, Essex, Eng 4. Richard STERNE Born: Abt 1583, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 20 May 1599 5. Mary STERNE Born: Abt 1585, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 20 May 1599 6. David STERNE Born: Abt 1587, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 20 May 1599 7. Dorcas STERNE Born: Abt 31 Aug 1589, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Chr: 31 Aug 1589, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 20 May 1599 8. Susan STERNE Born: Abt 1 Nov 1590, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Chr: 1 Nov 1590, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 1618 9. Felix STERNE Born: Abt 26 Nov 1592, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Chr: 26 Nov 1592, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 20 May 1599 10. Anis/Anne STERNE Born: Abt 8 Jan 1593, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Chr: 8 Jan 1593, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Abt 28 Mar 1628, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Bur: 28 Mar 1628, Fordham, Essex, Eng. 11. Isaac STEARNS Born: Abt 3 Oct 1595, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Chr: 3 Oct 1595, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: 19 Jun 1671, Watertown, Middlesex, MA Spouse: Mary BARKER Marr: 20 May 1622, Eng. 12. Dorothy STERNE Born: Abt 1597, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Chr: 14 Oct 1599, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 20 May 1599 The Will of Thomas STERNE was written 20 May 1599 and proved 30 Jun3 1599 (Wills at Chelmsford, 63 BW 35) Mr. Threlfall enjoys a respected reputation for his English research. I'm sure if Mr. Anderson had known about this before composing his last volume of The Great Migration Begins, the STEARNS coverage might have had a different look about it. And I'm sure that Mr. Threlfall stands behind his own findings. He would not spread this stuff around if he wasn't positive that he had found the immigrants. He is a cautious genealogist. He's been doing English research for more than 30 years. Barb Petty bpetty@erols.com

Ah, the debate begins. First of all, Barb, I respect John Threlfall's work; however, it this case there are two glaring omissions - Daniel, the "brother of Isaac & Shubael" who died unmarried after immigrating, and Nathaniel, Charles' brother. (I'm excusing the first Shubael, since he seems to have been more a legend than a reality). I show Charles as being born before 1626, based on his taking the freeman's oath in 1646, so I have no quarrel with the 1615/6 date proposed by Threlfall. I konw there are a lot of Isaac Stearns' descendants on this list, and I don't think any of them identifies his parents as Thomas and Dorothy. I believe Isaac's parents are identified as William and Emma (Ramsford) Stearns (Stearne), and that there is reasonable confirmation of this, although I have none of it. What about it, listmembers? What's your viewpoint on the Threlfall data (below) relating to Isaac & Charles? Jim ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Unidentified subject! Author: STEARNS-L@rootsweb.com at Internet Date: 6/21/97 4:01 PM Jim Blain posted the following on June 21, 1997... JB>A while ago, I promised to post some information I found in a book entitled JB>"A History of the Sandy Creek Baptist Association, from its Organization in JB>A.D. 1758 to A.D. 1858" by George W. Purefoy (1859). Before I begin with the JB>excerpts, let me identify, in an abbreviated fashion, the line that is JB>represented here: JB>1-- Shubael STEARNS ( -1630/1) (man of tradition but not record) Pardon me Jim, but in view of the fact that he was only a traditional and not a factual ancestor or father of Charles STEARNS (next listed)... JB> 2-- Charles STEARNS (1626-1680) JB> sp-Hannah ( -1651) JB> sp-Rebecca GIBSON (1635) ..perhaps we should take another look at Mr. John B. Threlfall's English research on the STEARNS family? I'll again list the family of Isaac STEARNS, uncle of Charles STEARNS here as found in parish records in Fordham, Essex England which are a good match for the American immigrants. Essex was the county just below Suffolk. - Father: Thomas STERNE Born: Abt 1550/1555, (probably near) Raydon, Suffolk, Eng Died: Bef 28 May 1599, (Will proved), Fordham, Essex, Eng Marr: Dorothy PLAMPIN Born: Abt 1555/1557, Stoke by Nayland, Suffolk, Eng (dau. of John) Died: Feb 1617/1618 (m. 2. Francis ELLIOT 7 Aug 1604) Children: 1. Thomas STERNE Born: Abt 1577, Fordham, Essex, Eng Died: Abt 27 Aug 1637, Fordham, Essex, Eng Bur: 27 Aug 1637, Fordham, Essex, Eng Spouse: Alice WALKER Marr: 23 Apr 1599, Fordham, Essex, Eng 2. William STERNE Born: Abt 1579, Fordham, Essex, Eng Died: Abt 18 Nov 1619, Fordham, Essex, Eng Bur: 18 Nov 1619, Fordham, Essex, Eng Spouse: Ann WALKER Marr: 14 Sep 1606, Fordham, Essex, Eng 3. Charles STERNE Born: Abt 1581, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Abt 7 Nov 1619, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Bur: 7 Nov 1619, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Spouse: Martha HASALL/LASALL (died: Abt 19 Feb 1626, Fordham, Essex, Eng.) Marr: 6 Jun 1609, Fordham, Essex, Eng. This couple had the following children: (a) Thomas, bp. 5 Aug 1610, Fordham, Essex, Eng (b) John, bp. 10 Dec 1612, Fordham, Essex, Eng (c) Charles, bp. 7 Jan 1615/16 (he went to Massachusetts with his uncle Isaac Stearns on the Winthrop Fleet or shortly after; mentioned as Isaac's "kinsman") (e) David, bp. 22 Mar 1617/18, Fordham, Essex, Eng 4. Richard STERNE Born: Abt 1583, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 20 May 1599 5. Mary STERNE Born: Abt 1585, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 20 May 1599 6. David STERNE Born: Abt 1587, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 20 May 1599 7. Dorcas STERNE Born: Abt 31 Aug 1589, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Chr: 31 Aug 1589, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 20 May 1599 8. Susan STERNE Born: Abt 1 Nov 1590, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Chr: 1 Nov 1590, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 1618 9. Felix STERNE Born: Abt 26 Nov 1592, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Chr: 26 Nov 1592, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 20 May 1599 10. Anis/Anne STERNE Born: Abt 8 Jan 1593, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Chr: 8 Jan 1593, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Abt 28 Mar 1628, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Bur: 28 Mar 1628, Fordham, Essex, Eng. 11. Isaac STEARNS Born: Abt 3 Oct 1595, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Chr: 3 Oct 1595, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: 19 Jun 1671, Watertown, Middlesex, MA Spouse: Mary BARKER Marr: 20 May 1622, Eng. 12. Dorothy STERNE Born: Abt 1597, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Chr: 14 Oct 1599, Fordham, Essex, Eng. Died: Aft 20 May 1599 The Will of Thomas STERNE was written 20 May 1599 and proved 30 Jun3 1599 (Wills at Chelmsford, 63 BW 35) Mr. Threlfall enjoys a respected reputation for his English research. I'm sure if Mr. Anderson had known about this before composing his last volume of The Great Migration Begins, the STEARNS coverage might have had a different look about it. And I'm sure that Mr. Threlfall stands behind his own findings. He would not spread this stuff around if he wasn't positive that he had found the immigrants. He is a cautious genealogist. He's been doing English research for more than 30 years. Barb Petty bpetty@erols.com

A while ago, I promised to post some information I found in a book entitled "A History of the Sandy Creek Baptist Association, from its Organization in A.D. 1758 to A.D. 1858" by George W. Purefoy (1859). Before I begin with the excerpts, let me identify, in an abbreviated fashion, the line that is represented here: 1-- Shubael STEARNS ( -1630/1) (man of tradition but not record) 2-- Charles STEARNS (1626-1680) sp-Hannah ( -1651) sp-Rebecca GIBSON (1635) 3-- Shubael STEARNS (1655-1734) (m. (2) Mary Upton) 4-- Shubael STEARNS Junior (1683) (possibly mentioned) sp-Rebecca LARIBY (1684) 5-- Shubael STEARNS Reverend (1705-1771) (Key person) sp-Sarah JOHNSON 5-- Rebecca STEARNS (1707) sp-Johnathan POLK (mentioned) 5-- Peter STARNES (1710-1791) (my 6ggf) (mentioned) sp-Hannah STIMSON (1716-bef 1773) sp-Margaret (Parr) Widow ( -aft 1791) 5-- Isaac STEARNS (1713) sp-Rebecca JOHNSON 5-- Elizabeth STEARNS (1715) sp-Enos or Eneas STIMSON (1717) (mentioned) 5-- Hannah STEARNS (1718) 5-- Sarah STEARNS (1720) 5-- Ebenezer STEARNS (1722) (mentioned) sp-Anna FIELD sp-Elizabeth YOUNG 5-- Mary STEARNS (1724) 5-- Martha STEARNS (1726) sp-Daniel MARSHALL Reverend (1706-1784) (key person) 4-- Samuel STEARNS (1685-1759) sp-Sarah BURNAP ( -1724) sp-Tabitha BRYANT ( -1758) 4-- Hannah STEARNS (1687) sp-James STIMSON Doctor (1669) 5-- Ichabod STIMSON (1713) sp-Margaret PACK 5-- Enos or Eneas STIMSON (1717) sp-Elizabeth STEARNS (1715) *** SEE ABOVE *** 5-- Hannah STIMSON (1716-1773) sp-Peter STARNES (1710-1791) *** SEE ABOVE *** 5-- James STIMSON (1719) 5-- Naomi STIMSON (1722) 5-- Thomas STIMSON (1725) ... Begin excerpts: Chapter IV, p. 45: "The first settlement of Baptists in the bounds of the Sandy Creek Baptist Association". The third company of Baptists that settled in this state was [headed] by Elder Shubal Stearns. He was a native of Boston, Mass., joined the New Lights ... Elder Stearns was baptized by Elder Wait Palmer, and soon after was ordained by Palmer and Joshua Morse, In Tolland, Conn. This distinguished man left New-England under strong impressions that God had, for him, a great work south. He first stopped at Opeckon, in Berkley County, Va.... he met with his brother-in-law, Rev. Daniel Marshall ... Mr. Stearns settled awhile on Cacapon, in Hampshire County, Virginia ... moved to North Carolina ... [I'll interrupt briefly here to state that I believe the VA locations mentioned above are now in WV.] p.46: Elder Stearns and his party came to Sandy Creek, in Guilford (now Randolph) county. Here he made his permanent residence. The number of families was 8 and the number of Baptists was 16, namely: Shubal Stearns and wife, Peter Stearns and wife, Shubal Stearns, Jr., [not sure whether this means a son of Rev. Shubael or his father, who reportedly died in NC] and wife, Ebenezer Stearns and wife, Daniel Marshall and wife, Joseph Breed and wife, Enas Stinson and wife, and Jonathan Polk and wife ....these 16 persons formed a church and chose Elder Stearns for their pastor, assisted by Daniel Marshall and Joseph Breed, who were licensed preachers... p. 47: Sandy Creek Church soon swelled from 16 to 606 members ... in 17 years Sandy Creek Church had spread her branches southward as far as Georgia, and eastward to the ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, and northward to the waters of the Potomac .... p. 291 (Biographical Sketches): Elder Shubael Stearns. Concerning his early history little or nothing is known. About the year 1740 and extensive revival of religion prevailed in the New-England states, through the instrumentality of George Whitefield and others. Owing to some peculiarities in the views and manner of the laborers in that work, they, with their followers, were called New Lights, and afterwards Separates. With this body of Christians Mr. Stearns connected himself, in the year 1745... in 1751 he left the Pedobaptists ... futility of infant baptism ... united with the Baptists on the 20th of May, 1751 ... immersed by Elder Wait Palmer, at Tolland Conn., and was ordained to the work of the ministry the same year, by Elders Palmer and Joshua Morse ... was a native of Boston ... p. 292: ... settled on Sandy Creek... traveled extensively in Virginia and North Carolina ... p. 294: ...died in the midst of his flock, at Sandy Creek, on the 20th of November, 1771. His body was interred near the meeting-house. p. 294: Daniel Marshall. Mr. Marshall was the brother-in-law of Mr. Stearns ... born in 1706 at Windsor, in Connecticut ... joined Presbyterians in his native place ... 18 months a missionary among the Mohawk Indians p. 295: ... lived for a while at Connogogic, in Pennsylvania ... moved to Winchester, in Virginia. Here he became acquainted with Baptists ... he and his wife were immersed, in the forty-eighth year of his life... moved from Virginia to North Carolina, and settled fro a while on Uwhary; he afterward moved to Abbott's Creek, in Davidson County, NC ... instrumental in planting what is now called Abbott's Creek church... ordained pastor in the fifty-second year of his age by Elders Henry Ledbetter and Shubael Stearns... moved to and settled on Beaver Creek, in South Carolina ... raised a church ... removed to Horse Creek, about 15 miles north of Augusta, Georgia ... seized for preaching in the parish of St. Paul ... on the trial he was ordered not to come again as a preacher into Georgia ... on the 1st of January, 1771, he, with his family, settled at Kioke, and the following spring formed a church. ... During Revolution ... made a (p. 296) prisoner ... commenced an supported so heavy a charge of exhortation and prayer that ... while his enemies stood counfounded, he was safely and honorably delivered from this den of lions.... He closed his eyes in death at the dawn of the 2d day of November, 1784. I hope this helps someone! Jim