Re: Edward Starbuck's Journey to America
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In reply to:
Edward Starbuck's Journey to America
9/06/99
Just who Edward was before he arrived in what is now Dover, New Hampshire, has
been lost in the past. He was born in the year 1604, in either Derbyshire or Atten-
borough, England, and arrived in the New World about 1635. His wife, Katherine
Reynolds, daughter of Robert, is thought to have been Welch. Beyond this we know
nothing except what he became on these shores.
He was highly looked upon in Dover. In the town records as published in the
Dover Enquirer between 1850 (1650?) and 1888, his name appears time after time.
In 1647, and 1650, he was granted the right to erect sawmill; in 1652 he was granted
the right to use certain lands. In 1643, he was chosen as the first Representative from
Dover to the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and served again in 1647.
(This was before New Hampshire scisted as a separate colony.) On the other hand, Edward
had his problems in Dover. His religious views were not acceptable to his fellow townsmen,
but he was not a Quaker as had long been the tradition with his descendents. Rather,
he had evidently come under the influence of the Anabaptists who were disturbing the
colony. In 1648, he was charged with "denying to joyne with the churche in the ordin-
ance of baptisme."
But this was probably not the primary reason for his settling on Nantucket.
While his religious views may have rertained a point of issue in Dover, another
important factor may well have been that of the business opportunity of a new town.
Whatever the reason, Edward removed himself and his family to Nantucket in 1660.
While not an original purchaser, Edward and his son Nathaniel were a part of the
first group of associates chosen by the purchasers in 1659.
Edward became highly esteemed on the island. He was much respected by the Indians;
quieting than when it appeared there might be trouble. His name appears on the earli-
est Indian deed in 1660, and on many others until his death. A mill was established
through his efforts. He served as selectman in 1673, and was nominated to the position
of Captain though he was not chosen. During the thirty years of his life spent on
Nantucket, he was instr'nental in the development of that land.
He had lived a fruitful life for the sixty-five years he spent in the New World
at his death on February 14, 1691 (1690 old system). The date of his wife's death is
unknown, but is believed to have been prior to the move to Nantucket, as there is no
record of it there.
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Re: Edward Starbuck's Journey to America
Shirley Albert 3/20/00