In the Nick of Time

 NOVEMBER 14, 2021

I believe it's a common misconception among the general American population that the Revolutionary War ended with the birth of our nation, 4 July 1776. In fact, the fighting had only just begun the year prior and the battles raged on through 1783, with Great Britain only recognizing the colonies' independence with the signing of The Treaty of Paris.

John Trumbull, The Declaration of Independence. 1776, 1817-18; George Washington Bicentennial Commission, ca. 1924-12/31/1934, Records of Commissions of the Legislative Branch, 1928-2007; National Archives, online database with images (https://catalog.archives.gov : accessed 14 Nov 2021) NARA identifier 532924, local identifier 148-GW-662.

Week 46: Birthdays

In the midst of this harrowing affair, my 5th great grandfather, James Stark of Dutchess County, New York, had joined the fight. He fought under George Washington in Captain Ranson's 2nd Independent Company of Colonel John Durkee's 4th Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Army. He appears on the U.S. Revolutionary War Rolls on 17 September 1776, but he took care of some personal business right about the same time, as this would have marked the time period his daughter, Joanna Stark, was conceived!

Joanna was born about 9 months later on 19 June 1777 to Elizabeth (Carey) Stark. She was named for James' mother, Joanna (Walworth) Stark, who is thought to have passed away that same year.

Her birth could not have come soon enough, because less than a month later, her father was on his deathbed, having contracted smallpox. He was able to give a nuncupative (oral) will to Josef/Justice Worden and two of his sons, Henry and William Stark before his passing on 20 July 1777.

Westmoreland Probate Records, p. 99-100, James Stark.

Had his sons not been able to hear his final testament and wishes, there would likely not have been any record affirming Joanna's daughter-father relationship with James. And had she not been born a month prior to his death, he may never have met his youngest infant. Her timing was certainly impeccable.