The first mention that has been found of William in New England is in the Essex County Records at Salem, Mass., where the names of five children are given as born at "Rowley Village at Mirimack." The village referred to was what is now Bradford, on the opposite side of the Merrimac river from Haverhill, where William lived many years. Bradford was settled in 1649; the name was soon changed to Merrimack and in Jan., 1672, to Bradford. (Memorial Hist, of Bradford, J. D. Kingsbury, '83.) Another Rowley Village on the Merrimac was what is now called Boxford, which was settled in 1645. Its name was changed in 1686. (Hist, of Boxford, Sidney Perley, '80.)
"Good: Starling " was taxed three shillings and ten pence, in Rowley, between the years 1660 and 1664. (N. E. Hist. Gene. Register, Vol. XV, p. 254.) This undoubtedly refers to William, who was living there during this time.
"Good" is a contraction of the obsolete term " goodman," a term inferior to that of "Mister."
William is called " Mariner " in the early records. He was also a ship carpenter and a miller. He bought land of Stephen Kent of Haverhill in 1662 and settled north of the land belonging to the "orphan Wilson children," near the Rowley line. In this year of 1662, there was deeded to "John Remington of Roxbury, Carpenter, from William Sterling of Rowley, 80 Acres of Rowley land, south of Mirimack River and on its bank."
William then settled on a ridge east of Haverhill, on the Merrimac River and near a small stream called Little River, which passes under what is now Washington Square. Here he probably had a house and a mill. There was also a spring on his ground which supplied his family and his neighbors with water.
A ferry across the Merrimac River, established in 1647, was operated from this land of William's. The same old ferry, one of the oldest in the country, still plies its small boats and does a brisk business in spite of the cars which cross the bridge.
In the early spring of 1669, William sold his Rowley property to Stephen Kent, with a provision that the " Road to ye Ferry be open for euer." (Vol. 2, p. 169, Salem Records.) This has so far been observed.
At the same time, Kent sold to William Sterling for £104, a house, barn, and orchard near the homes of Kent and Remington. At this sale, Hilliard and Henry West were witnesses ; both Salem seamen and traders. Possibly William built ships at Haverhill for the coast trade, as he afterward did at Lyme, as Haverhill is at the head of tide-water and sloop navigation.
Sometime before the year 1683 the town conveyed to William Sterling a lot of about twelve acres. On. this ground he erected a house, which stood for many years as an inn. The city hall of Haverhill now stands on its site. This house where William lived for some years was a two-story structure with a door in the center of the front facade and a hallway running through, a typical colonial residence of the period.
The history of this building is thus given in the Essex Antiquarian, Vol. Ill, pp. 167-8:
The town conveyed to William Sterling, a ship carpenter, this lot of about twelve acres before 1683. He sold to Francis Wainwright eleven acres of it (that part above the house), April 24, 1683, and it soon after came into the hands of Capt. John Wainwright. Mr. Sterling conveyed the rest of the lot and the house to Capt. Wainwright and removed to Lyme, Conn.
Cornet James Pecker of Haverhill was an innholder and had kept a public house in town for several years. He bought this estate of Capt. Wainwright, May 16, 1717. Mr. Pecker apparently erected a brick dwelling house just south of the old house soon after his purchase and removed to it. Some years later he turned over to his son John the business of a public house and resumed his original occupation of farming. He conveyed this estate, with the houses and barns, to John, Feb. 14, 1729-30.
John Pecker conveyed the old house and a small lot to Grant Webster of Haverhill, a trader, March 26, 1748, and just four years later Mr. Webster sold them to Benjamin Harrod of Boston, brazier.
Mr. Harrod died about 1781 and his son Joseph came into possession of the property and for many years conducted there in the inn known as the " Mason's Arms," its sign board consisting of a painting representing the Freemasons' arms. Here Washington stayed on his visit east in 1789. Mr. Harrod died and his heirs conveyed the premises to Phineas Foster, a merchant of Boston, Jan. 13, 1830. Mr. Foster died soon after and Dec. 31, 1836, his heirs sold them to James H. Duncan.
Mr. Duncan conveyed the house and middle of the lot to the town May 8, 1847. The house was then demolished and the townhouse built upon the site the same year.
John Pecker lived in the brick house and died possessed of it in 1757. A part was assigned to the widow as dower and the rest was occupied by Matthew Soley as a tavern in 1763. This ouse was situated on Main Street, about a hundred feet southeast of the city hall. Subsequently passing through many vicissitudes of conveyances, inheritances, mortgages and sheriffs' levies, the title finally came into the hands of John White just before the great fire of Sunday, April 16, 1775, in which the house was destroyed.
William Starling was married first, probably about 1659, to Elizabeth ___________, of whom we have no knowledge save that she d. in Haverhill, Feb. 6, 1675. She was the mother of twelve children. William m. 2d, in Haverhill, Dec. 19, 1676, Mrs. Mary (Blaisdell) Stowers, b. in Haverhill, Mar. 5, 1641-42, dau. of Ralph and Elizabeth Blaisdell and widow of Joseph Stowers. Ralph Blaisdell (Blasdale or Blesdale) was a tailor in Salisbury; received land there in 1640—41-44 and 45 ; bought rights of John arrison in 1642-43 ; was living in 1648 but died before 1650. He was in York, Me., 1637-40. He m. Elizabeth ___________, who was administrator of his estate. She d. Aug., 1667, in Salisbury; estate inventoried Oct. 8, 1667. The son-in-law, Joseph Stowers, was her administrator. (Old Families of Salisbury & Amesbury, Hoyt, p. 63.)
Joseph Stowers was b. in Charlestown in 1633 ; was a "felt maker" at Charlestown and Salisbury from 1658 to 1669. He d. in Charlestown, Nov. 16 or Dec. 29, 1672. Joseph and Mary Stowers were the parents of: Mary, b. ab't 1661, bapt. July 1, 1677 ; Samuel, b. Mar. 14, 1665, m. Hannah Sprague and d. Dec. 26, 1721, at Maiden; Joseph, b. Dec. 19, 1667; Richard, b. Oct. 30, 1669; John, b. June 17, 1672, m. Aug. 13, 1696,
Mary Blanchard, in Boston. (Ibid., p. 329.)
Mrs. Mary (Stowers) Sterling d. in Haverhill, May 29, 1681. William m. 3d, in Haverhill, Apr. 24, 1683, Mrs. Ann (Nichols) Neale of Salem, widow of John Neale, whom she m. in 1672. He
was bapt. Jan. 24, 1657-58, and d. Nov. 11, 1679. By this marriage Ann was the mother of: John, b. Apr. 15, 1673, d. before 1700, m. Martha Skerry; Thomas, b. Feb. 14, 1675;
Joseph, b. Dec. 4, 1677; Rebecca, b. Feb. 23, 1679. (Driver Gene., p. 444.)
John Neale was the son of John and Mary (Lawes) Neale. The "inventory of his estate was taken Nov. 24, 1679; it ammounted to £221, 00s 10d returned by Ann, the relict and administratrix; mentions son John to have £40 ; Thomas to have £20."
" A Petition of Ann Neale mentions that there is land to be given to her husband at the decease of his mother (who is now living) by his father's will and also land given to him by his grandfather in his will four years after the decease of my husband's mother, the value of both peaces of Land is 14-5 £." (Essex
Inst. Hist. Collection, Vol. Ill, p. 63.)
William Starlin and Ann Neale made the following marriage contract:
"Whereas, there is an intended marriage between William Sterling of Haverhill, and Ann Neale, widow, of Salem, and in order to the consummation thereof; in order to the settling of things between them, relating to their outward estate:"
"1st. They have mutually agreed as followeth: that what estate in house and land the said Ann is possessed of for her use and her children, as administratrix to estate of her former husband, John Neale, shall be and remain to her and her children and assignees and that said William Sterling shall have noe right,
title or interest therein; only the rent and improvement of ye said houses and land to be to the use of said William and Ann, after their marriage and soe long as they shall live togeather as man and wife."
"2nd. That for what household goods and moveables the said Ann shall bring with her on marriage, shall be to their use and
mutuall comfort togeather, while they both survive togeather; and if the said William decease before ye said Ann, and leave her
a widdow, that then the said Moveables return to ye said Ann: but if please God to give them a child or children, that shall then be surviving, at her decease, shall be and remain to those children to be and belong to her and her children by her first husband, what shall be remaining of ye said estate."
"3d. It is mutually agreed by and between them, that if it shall please God that he, ye said William, depart this life and leave ye said Ann a widdow, that she shall have and hold and injoy to her use, the third part of all ye estate of ye said William, in house and lands according as the law directs, soe long as ye
said Ann shall live a widdow; but in case of her marriage with another man then that third is to return to ye heires of ye said William.
4th. It is alsoe agreed mutually, that in case ye said Ann should depart this life before ye said William, and shall leave a child or children, by ye said William, that what moveables as above brought by her shall be and remain to her children; but in case she shall have no child by ye said William, that shall then be surviving, then what of those goods or estates, that shall lie then remaining to be to the use & delivered up into ye possession of
her children by her former husband:"
"memorandum, — it is to be understood, that when any of ye said Ann, her children by her former husband, shall come to age and demand their interest in ye land and housing aforesaid, that they are to have it delivered to them; and so the proportion of rent or improvement thereof no longer to be expected by
ye said William."
"5th. And, lastly, it is mutually agreed upon by and between ye parties above said, that whatever debts or legacies are due from the estate to any person or persons, whatsoever, or
whatever is owing to the estate from any person, the said William Sterling is not to be at all concerned with, or liable to make any
payments in that kind out of his own estate.
And it is further agreed, upon ye consumation of marriage as aforesaid, that ye said Ann may bring with her, her two youngest children, whom ye said William is free to take with her, his said wife, and maintain upon his own cost and charge, upon and in consideration of, in and by these articles before expressed."
"In witness whereof ye parties aforesaid, William Sterling and Ann Neale have sett to their hands, this two and twentieth day of March, Anno Domini 1682-3
William Sterling
Ann Neale
In the presence of
Hilliard Veren. John Norman. Jeremiah Neale."
(Salem Town Records.)
William Sterling married his fourth wife in Lyme. With her he made the following agreement:
"Where as there is A contract of marriage intended between Mr. William Sterling of Lyme in ye Colony of Connecticut and
ye weidow Mary Sayer of ye same town, it is mutually agreed between them, first is that all of ye estate, both Reall and personall: which ye sd weidow Mary Sayer is now owner of shall be and remain in her sole possion and be desposed at her pleasure, as she shall see meet after ye consumation of marriage with ye
sd Sterling, notwithstanding any custom or law to ye contery, and that all dispossals by her made shall stand vallid and good."
"2nd. Ye sd Sterling doth hereby ingage to his sd wife that duering her life she shall injoy all his estate, both lands and chattels and if it pless god to grant him a child or children by her the sd child or children shall injoy ye sd estate for them and their heirs for ever; In testimony whereof they have her unto set their hands January ye fifth— 1705/6.
William Sterling [Seal]
Signed sealed and Mary Sayer [Seal]
delivered in ye presence of us
Moses Noyes, Senior
Moses Noyes, Junior
John Noyes." (Lyme Town Records.)
delivered in ye presence of us
Moses Noyes, Senior
Moses Noyes, Junior
John Noyes." (Lyme Town Records.)
Mrs. Mary Sayer or Sawyer was b. Nov. 17, 1674, dau. of Hugh Hubbard of New London (about 1670), said to be from Derbyshire, England, who m. in 1673, Jane, dau. of Cary Latham. Mary m. 1st, Ichabod Sayer of New London, in 1697. (Savage's Gene. Dict.) She gave the following release of her husband's estate:
"Where as by the covenant within written Mrs. Mary is during her life to enjoy all ye estate both land and chattels of her husband Mr. William Sterling, it is agreed and consented to by ye sd Mary Sterling that if ye sum of fourteen pounds in money be paid to her after her husbands deceas by his excutors togeather
% with the house hold goods after specified besides what was her own before, Viz The set of curtains, three pair of sheets, a meal log, a meet Tub, an iron pot, a quart puter pot, and a cupple of poeringers and the lumber about ye houss as all so a cow with her increose which given to her when it was a calfe, that she will except it as full satisfaction and quit her clame to the rest of her husbands estate both lands and chattels in testimony wherof
she hos set to her hand and seal January ye 7 1715/17[sic].
Mary Sayer [Seal]
Signed and sealed
Witness
Moses Noyes.
Moses Noyes, Jur."
(Lyme Town Records.)
This release was given a couple of months after William and Mary Sterling made a deed of their property to William's son Daniel, probably in order to facilitate the settlement of the estate.
Two years after William's death, Mary gave the following receipt:
" Where as there was a writing made to Me, Mary Sterling of Lyme, that after ye Decease of my honored husband, Mr. William Sterling, I shoufd be paid the sume of fifteen pounds in money and some other consideration, I ye sd Mary Sterling, do here by acknowledge that I have received full satisfaction for all that was due me, or that I might demand on my own account,
what so ever, from ye estate of my sd Husband deceased, or from Mr. Daniel Sterling, and I do hereby ocquit and discharge Mr. Daniel Sterling and his heirs from all dues and demands whatsoever, and the estate of my sd husband, as witness my hand and seal in Lyme, Feb. ye 8th 1727/21[sic].
Mary Sterling " [Seal]
(Lyme Town Records.)
Mrs. Mary Starling witnessed a deed of sale, Apr. 24, 1706, and on Sept. 7, 1714, deeded to her "beloued son moses Sawyer," the portion of his father's estate due him. (Ibid.)
Mrs. Mary Starling witnessed a deed of sale, Apr. 24, 1706,
and on Sept. 7, 1714, deeded to her " beloued son moses Sawyer,"
the portion of his father's estate due him. (Ibid.)
Haverhill, where William Sterling lived for twenty-eight years, from 1669 to 1697, was first settled by twelve men from Ipswich and Newbury in 1640.
Peace and prosperity reigned in the settlement until 1675, at which time it had grown to rank twenty-fifth among the fortynine towns in the Colony. King Philip's War, the most general
and destructive ever sustained by the infant colonies, broke out in 1675. A meeting was held in Haverlull, Feb. 19, of this year, to take steps for protection against the Indians and to complete the fortifications around the meeting-house, begun several years before. The meeting-house was built in 1648, and was the only
place of worship of the settlers until 1699, when a new one was
constructed. This church stood to one side of the central portion
of what is now Pentucket cemetery. Back of it was laid out in 1660 a burial ground which is now a part of the Linwood and Pentucket cemeteries. Here undoubtedly were laid to rest William's first and second wives and those of his children who died in Haverhill.
The General Court of the Colony furnished the troopers and militiamen with arms and ammunition and a number of houses were barricaded and garrisoned. The first settlers of Haverhill to fall victims to the Indians were Ephraim Kingsbury and Thomas Kimball, who were killed by " converted Indians " early
in May. Kimball's wife and children were captured and hurried away by the savages. Haverhill suffered no further during this
war, which came to an end in 1678, although often threatened with attack. An armed watch was kept night and day during the whole three years.
We, of the present age, can have but a faint conception of the sufferings of the settlers during these years and the many following, constantly exposed to the attacks of savage hordes, surrounded on every side by an immense and unexplored forest, thinly scattered over a large area and isolated by three thousand
miles of water from their native soil. Communication between the settlements was difficult as the highways were at best merely paths or tracks, ungraded and without bridges. Appliances for carrying on the various trades and. occupations were of a primitive character and were chiefly brought from England at great expense. The houses were at first of logs. These were later supplanted by timbered structures, with clapboarded sides, between
the inner and outer sheeting of which bricks, brought from Europe, were placed. There were but two brick houses in the village before
1700. One huge fireplace in the middle of the house, with its roaring flames, kept out the cold of a rigorous climate, whose snows sometimes fell in early September. One of these fireplaces would hold from six to seven cords of wood and sixty to seventy cords of hickory or other hardwood were needed for the winter's
supply.
Cattle and sheep were introduced at an early date, but wolves and other wild animals were numerous and made many raids on the small herds and flocks.
A shoemaker established himself in the village in 1679, and a tanner somewhat earlier. A school master was employed at irregular
intervals until 1686, when a schoolhouse was built near the meeting-house.
Two orchards were set out in 1650 among the stumps of the clearings. Isaac Cousins asked admission to the town in 1650 to set up a blacksmith shop but it was not until several years later that a smith settled there.
A watch tower, stocks, and whipping post were erected in 1649. In 1677 Daniel Ela was licensed to keep a tavern and to sell wines and liquors. Intoxicating beverages were obtainable
long prior to this date, however, for Stephen Kent, of whom William Sterling bought his land, was fined £10 "for suffering five Indeans to be druncke in his house and one of them wounded"
in 1652.
After a period of ten years' peace with the Indians, they again began their attacks upon the settlements. On June 13 and Oct. 17, 1688, Haverhill citizens were waylaid and killed. In 1690 the French and Indians made an alliance and began the destructive campaign of murder and rapine which continued until May, 1698, during which five hundred and sixty-one persons were killed in the colonies of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and at Schenectady, New York, eighty-one were wounded and one hundred and
sixty-one captured.
Six garrisons were established and four houses of refuge designated, many private houses were barricaded and almost every man was a soldier. The inhabitants never ventured out except
in strongly armed parties or in the immediate vicinity of the garrisons in which soldiers were stationed night and day. So threatening
became the situation in March, 1690, that the advisability of abandoning the town was considered.
Occasional forays were made by the Indians and a settler killed or captured during 1690, 1691, and 1692. Several neighboring towns were attacked in 1694, but Haverhill was unmolested.
The Indians reappeared in 1695, when two men were killed and two boys captured in the northern part of the town, near where William Starlin lived and a few days later five persons
were captured.
On Mar. 15, 1697, Haverhill suffered its most severe loss from the savages. Thus far the village had escaped any general attack. Its sufferings had been from small parties of the enemy who were continually prowling around the frontier.
On this memorable day a party of about twenty redskins came suddenly upon the western part of the town and as swiftly disappeared after plundering and burning nine houses and killing twenty-seven persons and capturing thirteen. The first house attacked was the home of Thomas Duston of whose heroic exploits
and those of his wife, who was captured and carried away, much has been written. (Hist, of Haverhill, George W. Chase, 1861.) No further attack was made that year, but in 1698 two men were killed and a son of each was captured.
Haverhill experienced considerable difficulty in securing a sawmill and gristmill satisfactory to the needs of its people.
In December, 1651, permission was granted to build a sawmill on "Thomas Hales river" (Little River) and a corn-mill was established as early as 1665. Mar. 7, 1671, the town voted that
"John Haseltine or any other man hae [sic] free liberty to build a mill . . . either upon west riuer (Little River) called saw-mill river or upon east meadow river." These mills were so insufficient that in 1675 the town voted to prosecute the owners of the sawmill for non-fulfillment of their contract and in 1678 permission was given Richard Bartlett of Amesbury to erect a sawmill "on the North meadow river." In 1683 Stephen Dalton built a corn-mill and a party of four men secured permission to set a sawmill on Merries creek.
In 1692, Joseph Peasely erected a sawmill on a stream by or near "Brandy Brow." The location selected was the one still occupied. A gristmill was built in 1694 by Samuel Currier and Joseph Greeley on East Meadow River and was operated for many years.
We may quote verbatim from the town records regarding William Sterling's interest in milling and other matters:
"1684. According to the manner of voting for Selectmen, this day agreed upon and ordered ; Ensign Thomas Eatton, Sergeant John Johnson, Daniel Lead, Jr., Josiah Gage and William
Starlin are chosen Selectmen for the year ensuing."
"Daniel Ela and William Starlin making a proffer to the Town, as by their Bills then given in to the Moderator, to sell their Livings, house and land, for a situation for a Minister or the Ministry; Lieut. Brown, Corporal Peter Ayer and Thomas Whittier are chosen and appointed to treat with the said Ela and Starlin, in the time of intermission before the afternoon, to understand their terms and proposals, and in the afternoon to make report of them both to the Town, so that the Town according to their pleasure may act and determine which to treat further with, in the purchase of what they proffer, to be sold
for the use of the Ministry." The next day the Courtee, agreed to give Starlin one hundred pounds for the house and land, provided
he would give them a sufficient legal conveyance for the same.
His pay was as follows: Ten acres of land at the Fishing River, near to Robert Emerson's, which was to be laid out convenient for the setting up of a Corn Mill there, at three pounds per acre, and the remaining seventy pounds to be paid in merchantable corn, in two several payments, for which a rate was then ordered to be laid.
"In answer to the motion of Mr. Starlin for ten acres of land, at ye Fishing River, that he may set up a Corn Mill, and a Fulling Mill, one or both of them, at said Fishing River, near Robert Emerson's, the Town doth grant him the liberty to improve the stream proposed for the use, of said Mill or Mills, not hindering the Town from making any further grant of the same
nature to any other man or men, upon the same stream, if they shall see cause to do so : Provided always, that in setting down his dam or dams, he do not hinder the passage of the fish up the River to the pond, but make good provision for their Liberty, at the season of the year when they come to pass up."
" The Town doth also, for the encouragement of Mr. Starlin to build his Mill to grind corn, grant unto him the use of ten acres of land at the Wishing River, to be laid out on both sides
of said River, as convenient as may be for the setting up of his mill, which he is to enjoy to himself and to his heirs and assigns during such time as they may keep the said Corn Mill
fit for service, extraordinary, sudden disasters excepted," he and they acting also in some other particulars, as in the two papers
dated Dec. 19, 1684.
Fishing River is the outlet of Lake Kenoza and flows north from it to the Merrimac. William's mill site and lands were the subject of still further records:
" Thomas Whittier, Peter Ayer and Robert Swan, Sr., are appointed and empowered to be Lot Layers, to lay out to Wm Starlin the two ten acre lots at the Fishing River, this day
granted him, one of them being in part payment of the Town's purchase of him, and the other for encouragement to build a Corn Mill ; — which two Lots are to be forthwith laid out and
by distinct bounds, one being absolute and the other conditional."
The town records further state that:
" The Town having made a bargain with Wm Starlin and bought his house for the Minister of Haverhill and on the said bargain promised payment of twenty pounds in corn by the first
of May next: For the performance of that part of their covenant, the Selectmen chosen for the year ensuing [of which William was one] are ordered and empowered to make a rate upon the inhabitants forthwith to raise the said Twenty pounds in corn and to take care that it be paid to Said Wrm Starlin, and that in due time, so that the Bill given for the same may be taken up and cancelled and that the second payment of fifty pounds be by them in due time rated for and paid him by the Town."
The Rev. John Ward was Haverhill's minister for nearly fifty years, until his death, Dec. 27, 1693. In the latter part of 1684 the Rev. Benjamin Rolfe came as an assistant to Mr.
Ward. It was for Mr. Rolfe's use that the town bought the house and lot of William Sterling.
"By order and pursuant to an act of the Town made Feb. 24, 1684, granting two ten acre Lots to Wm Starlin, as in the grants will appear; —we, whose names are underwritten, have laid out to Wm Starlin at the Fishing River, near the Saw Mill ten acres of land . . . which ten acres is in part of pay for the land the Town bought of William Starlin, for which upon the
purchase is discounted thirty pounds.
This was laid out and delivered to me to be recorded to the Town's order, March 13th, 1684-5.
By Thomas Whittier.
Robert Swan, Sen.
Peter Ayer."
This land was in the northern part of the village.
William built his mill on the Fishing River about half a mile from its mouth. It was in operation for many years after his removal from Haverhill.
"Haverhill, Dec. 5, 1692.
At a Meeting called by the Selectmen to receive the account of the Comtee appointed to treat with Mr. Rolf about a settlement for him as Minister in this Town, to join with and succeed
Mr. Ward, Wm Starlin is chosen Moderator."
In 1692 a new charter was granted the Colony and Sir William Phipps was made governor. At the first election of town officers under this new regime, William Starlin was elected one
of the six tything men. He was re-elected to the same office in 1694, '95, and '96. The duty of the tything men was to preserve good order in the church during divine service and to make complaint of any disorderly conduct.
William was also constable of Haverhill. The Salem Records contain the following:
"Boston, March 16, 1694-5.
"Received of Mr. William Starlin, Constable of Haverhill, eight wolve's heads at six hillings, eight pence or fifty three shillings and four pence, in full of the thirty thousand pounds
assessment of said Town: I say received for Mr. James Taylor, Treas.
Vero est copis originalis
Entered Sept. 11th, 1695, per. Walter Saltonstall, Recorder."
This was certainly a generous discount to grant the settlers, whose means of acquiring money were exceedingly few.
William gave the following release in 1694 to Jeremiah Neale, as appears by the Salem Records:
" Know all men by these presents that I, William Starlin, of Haverhill, in Essex, in New England, have remissed, released and for me, mine heirs and Executors, perpetually quit-claimed unto Mr. Jeremiah Neale of Salem all personal suites, quarrels, debts, rents, trespasses and demands which I, ye Said William Starlin, mine heirs and Executors have had or might or ought to have against ye same Jeremiah Neale, by any manner of cause or colour from ye beginning of ye world till ye day of ye date of these presents. In witness where of, I, ye Said William Starlin, doe here to set my hand and seal, Aprill ye eleventh, 1694, in ye sixth
yeare of His Majesties Rein."
Five months after the Indian massacre in Haverhill William gave a deed of land dated " July 31, 1697 and in ye ninth yeare of his Majesties reign" to Thomas Duston who played
so conspicuous a part in the Indian troubles. The consideration was £100 for " my Ten acres of Land whc I purchased of ye said Town Lying at a place called ye fishing River neer ye house of Matthew Herriman, the bounds there of as it is entered in ye Townes booke of record, with all ye houses, housing, mills, Damns,
streams of water, fences, orchards, Trees, wood, timber and all other rights," etc., also "my other Ten acres of Land adjoining to ye former which I had by grant from Said Towne on condition that I and my heirs did build a Corne Mill which might be for ye use of Sd Towne." (Haverhill Records.) Sterling deeded it to Duston on the same terms and he continued to carry on the mill which William erected.
William owned other land adjoining that which he secured from the town. Nov. 12, 1697, he sold forty acres on the Fishing River to William and Thomas Johnson for £40. He also possessed four " common rights, or Commonages in ye undivided Lands in ye Township of Haverhill," which he gave to his daughters,
Mrs. Hannah Heath and Mrs. Sarah Farnum.
Sometime late in the autumn of 1697 or the spring of the following year William Sterling removed from Haverhill to Lyme, Conn., which was settled in 1664 and was then a prosperous
settlement. There is little doubt but that William, with his wife, Ann Neale, and two sons, Daniel and Jacob, made this journey by water in a small sloop or coasting vessel which took on board their household goods at the landing at Haverhill and disembarked them at Lyme within the shelter of the mouth of the
Connecticut River. In Lyme, William and his wife, Feb. 13, 1699, deeded to Thomas Neale, her son, land in Salem, Mass., which had belonged to her first husband.
William appears to have lived at Lyme about three years before he acquired any land. His first purchase was as follows:
" A deed of Saile from Jonathan Downing to William Starlin. Know all men by thes presents that I Jonathan Downing of Lyme in the County of New London and in his majestys collony
of Conecticut in New England have for diuers good and lawefull and Considerations me there unto moveing but more espessially in and for the sume of ten-pounds in Cash and thirteen pounds in goods as money in hand Received of and from William Starling of the same town; County and Collony afore sd with which sd sume to the sd Jonathan Downing doe by thes presents acknowledg my selfe fully satisfied, contented and paid — haue bargained and sold enfeofed and confirmed and doe by thes presents sell allienat enfeoffe and confirm unto him the said William Starling his hairs, executors, administrators and assigns for euer a Cartain parcel of Land Setuated in the towneship of
Lyme lying and being one the West sid of Leftenant River over against Henry Peterson Dwelling house containing twelve acrs be it more or less and is bounded westerly by the Rocks from a white oake tree standing by the meadow marked and soe Runeing a Cross one point of Rock to a burch tree marked, Northerly
by the Commons and marked trees easterly by the Said Leftenant's Riuer and Southerly by the brow of the Hill within a Rode of the meadow of petersons and the meadow formerly belonging to
Robert Perego Deceased to have and to hold, to occopy and improve to enjoye and poses with all the appertinances and priuiledges thar unto belonging or in any wise appertaining that is
to saye housing fences stones timber trees standing or lying as his the said Starlings proper estat his hairs executors administrators
and assignes for euer without lett hinderance or molestation from the said Jonathan Downeing his hairs executors administrators or any parson or person by or under him or by his means and I the said downing doe hereby declare that I haue full power and Lawfull authority of my selfe to allienat and dispose of the same and for the more full and ampull confirmation
of the aboue written premises. I the sd Jonathan Dowling doe by thes presents doe promis and engage to Cleare the aboue bargained
premisis from ail barters bargains gifts grants sails mortgages or Dowerys or any other in Cumberance what so euer to the Daye and date heare of and for the true performance of
this my deed I doe hear unto Sett my hand and affix my Seale this 18 Nouember in the year of our lord 1701. Signed sealed and deleuered in presents of
his
Joseph Peck Jonathan T Downing [seal]
Jasper Griffing mark
her
marah S Downing [seal]
mark
Jonathan Downing and marah Downing personally appearing acknowledged the above written deed to be their act and deed Nouember 1701 before me
William ely Justis peac.
This above written Land was delivered to Mr. William Starling by turfe and livige 29 Nouember 1701 before Joseph Peck, and Jerald Baxtly."
(P. 250, Vol. II, Lyme Town Records.)
The Lieutenant River, on the banks of which lay the land above described, is a small stream emptying into the Connecticut at its mouth. William's lands lay near the Sound and evidently to the south of the salt marshes which indent the shore below where the present Lyme station of the Shore Line railway is.
One year later William had laid out to him by the town eight acres adjoining his land as will appear from the following record:
" The 7th November, 1702, Laid out to Mr. Starling to the westward of his lott, one piece of land containing one acre and a halfe and 20 rods in length, and is bounded southerly by
the highway, being three rods wide at the upper end: . . . Also six acres and a halfe with the sunken meadow lying northerly of his home lott which he bought of Johnathan Downing, it being
fourth division land given to Mr. Starling by sume of the Proprietors, as may more fully appear by the Town Records; there is a great highway allowed of a rode wide thorow his land to Leftenant River." (Lyme Town Records, Vol. II.)
On Jan. 29, 1739-40, a committee was appointed "to hear ye Curumstances of a way Leading to y
e Lott formerly Mr Wm Starlins Desd. which Land Lyeth on ye westward side of Leutt. Riuer and make there Report ther of to this Town att their next meeting." (P. 40, Town-meeting Book, No. 2.)
Thus it appears that thirty-eight years after the provision was made, steps were taken for the construction of the highway mentioned.
That William was a shipbuilder in Lyme, the following interesting document amply testifies.
A protest of William Starling against Mr. Samuel Wentsworth of Boston.
To all expiane (christian) peopell to whom these presants shall come Greeting know ye Mr. William Starling Shipright of the Towne of Lyme and County of New London and in her Majesty's
Collony of Connecticut in New England Shipright as a forsaid doe by these presents protest and have by these presents protested against my owner Mr. Samuel Wcntsworth a Merchant of Boston for his neglecting or his not sending or not procuring the iron works for the carring one of the works of a vcsell or ship which the said Starling am now a building for sd Wentworth and also was obliged to launch her in February next ensuing this Date and the said Starling have already sent for bolts and
spikes and can get none which is to my damadg the Sume of three hundred pounds cash, my timber being in the yard and the vesell upon the Stocks and my men all hear upon charg and cannot doe anything for the want of Iron works and I cannot sett up on an other vesell one of the Stocks by reason of this thorfor I have by these presents and for this defect drawn up this protest against my said owner Mr Samuel Wentsworth Merchant in Boston, a fore sd in Lyme December the 9 day 1706
William Starlin
Signed in presents of
Nathan Andrus
Samuel Watterus
Lyme this 16 day of December 1706 This day Mr.
William Starlin Shipright personally appearing
Declared publickly this a bove written protest to be his act and deed before me
William Ely Justice of Peec.
In 1709 William's son Daniel acquired an interest in the water-power generated by a small stream located in the northern
part of the then town of Lyme.
Daniel soon moved to his new location and founded the locality or hamlet, later known as Sterling City; about six miles north of the point where William and his family had lived since leaving Haverhill. In a few years William, having grown old and feeble, went to live with Daniel and gave him the following
deed of all his property:
August 7th, 1718.
William and Mary Sterling, To all christian people to whome these presents shall come, greeting, and know that I, William Sterling of Lyme, f'rwith mentioned, for and in consideration of my naturall affection, love and good will, which I have and do bear towards my loving and dutyfull son Daniel Sterling,
of Lyme, aforesaid, and for the past care and comfort that I have had, and have good grounds to hope I shall have and receive, from my said loveing son, for my support and comfort in my
old age: being now and some time past disabled from my labour: in consideration of which and for other weighty reasons, I, the said William Sterling, have given, granted, assigned, set over and confirmed unto my said loveing and dutyfull son, Dan'l Sterling, aforesaid, his heirs, executors, administrators and assignees,
as well the present deed of sale with all the lands herein contained and mentioned in y'r within Deed, with all y'r privileges, rights and appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in anywise appertaining, as also all other my estate in lands in y'r township of Lyme aforesaid all tho' not expressed in y'r within mentioned Deed of Sale: but as it stands recorded to me in ye Records of Lyme aforesaid, with all my right, title, interest, claims and demand, there in or unto this same either by force, vertue or means of this present assignment or Deed: And by these presents, I, the said William Sterling, have remissed, released and forever quitclaimed for me and my heirs, executors and administrators, and
do by these presents fully, clearly and absolutely remise, release and forever quit claime unto my said loveing son, Dan'l Sterling, in a full and peaceable pos'sion and seiz's for ever hereafter, of and unto, all such rights, Estate, title, interest and demand whatsoever, as I, the said William Sterling had or ought to have of, or in or to all ye above granted lands in ye Township of Lyme, aforesaid, with all the buildings and other accomidations in or upon the said lands, or by anyways or means whatsoever, belonging or appertaining to the same, to have and to hold, unto the said Daniel Sterling, his heirs and assignes, to their only use and behoofe forever: so that neither I, the said William Sterling, nor any other persons, as my heirs or assignees, for me or them, shall by any ways or means hereafter, have claims, challenge or demand any estate, right, title, claims or interest. And I, Mary Sterling, ye wife of ye said William Sterling, for valuable considerations, do by these presents freely and willingly give, yield up and surrender all my right of Dowry and power of thirds of and in and unto, the above demised premises unto him,
y'r said Daniel Sterling, his heirs and assignes for ever: In witness where of we have hereunto set our hands and seals, y'r 10th day of November in ye third year of his Maj's reign, anno domini 1716
William Sterline
Mary Sterline
This is the last record we have of our ancestor William Sterling, save that which we find on the stone standing above his grave.
After a long and varied life of more than fourscore years, William died at the home of his son, Capt. Daniel, in Sterling City,
Lyme, Jan. 22, 1719.
He was buried a mile south of Sterling City on the road which now runs from Hamburg south to Old Lyme, in what is known as the Bill Hill burying ground. The inscription on the stone which marks the spot where his remains lie reads:
Here lies the Body of
Mr. William Starlin
who departed this life
Jan. 22nd 1719, in the
87th year of his age.
In the summer of 1905 a stone wall was erected around the Sterling family burial-ground at Sterling City, a sum having been raised by the Compiler of this work for the purpose, by subscription among a few of the descendants of the Lyme family of Sterling.
It was thought advisable to remove the remains of William Sterling from the Bill Hill ground, so that, after one hundred and eighty-six years they might lie among those of his family and
descendants. This was done in the autumn of the same year.
The bones were in a fairly good state of preservation and from their size it was determined that William Sterling was a man of
unusual height and strength. With the bones were found a quantity of hand wrought nails used in the construction of his coffin.
Within the Sterling burying ground lie the remains of about twenty-four members of the family. In 1905 the headstones of the first wife of Capt. Samuel Sterling and of Stephen Sterling were set up in the ground. The exact location of their graves is lost, the stones having been removed and placed against a wall
that the land occupied by the graves might be tilled. These two were buried back of the Capt. Samuel Sterling house, near a little brook. They died of smallpox in 1777. After the cemetery came into disuse by the family, some of the town's poor were illegally buried there, but their graves, unmarked by stones, were not enclosed within the wall.
Sterling City is a local name for a cluster of houses, numbering about fifteen, within a radius of an eighth of a mile, which were formerly owned and occupied by members of the family. All these houses were built before the Revolutionary War and most of them are in a ruinous condition ; that of Capt. Daniel
Sterling, built about 1730, being the best preserved. It is many years since any of these dwellings have sheltered members of the
family, with one exception: the home of John Sterling, grandson of William, built about 1740, which has been tenanted down to the present day by his descendants and is now the home of John's great-great-grandson, Stephen P. Sterling, with whom the name will die out in Sterling City, he having an only daughter. The community is about a half mile east of the hamlet of Hamburg, Lyme.
The water-power here which has operated mills for over two centuries now contributes to the necessities of a witch-hazel distillery.
The surrounding country is very beautiful in summer and is frequented by many artists, a number of whom have summer homes in the vicinity. Within a few years Lyme has grown
to have the largest summer art colony in the United States, there being a number of schools patronized by the most eminent American
landscape painters.