Henry probably set out before dawn the frosty morning of January 29, 1785 to enlist the aide of a nearby neighbor lady to help with the birth of his and Mary’s fourth child. Or perhaps he left the "birthing process" to the already assembled ladies and his task was merely to deliver the three older boys to the neighbor or family member who promised to watch them this day. On the frontier, neighbors and relatives helped out in times like these. Relatives who were also neighbors of Henry and Mary haven’t yet been identified, but people traveled in groups back then and surely they had close ties to several in the surrounding community. Middle children are often obscure among the siblings in a large family, but Benjamin was always remembered as the family’s first child born in Georgia.

We know few specifics of Benjamin’s boyhood, but some things are a given. Children grew up fast on the frontier where numerous chores kept bored hands at bay. The inscription on Benjamin’s tombstone tells us he was converted to God in 1799. (age 14) However, his obituary gives the year 1809. The earlier date suggests Rev. Hope Hull was involved; he ushered the Methodist movement into this part of Georgia. The later date points to the equally charismatic ministry of Lovic Pierce. Benjamin’s faith meant a great deal to him: the Bible text chosen for his funeral oration and the minister who gave it are engraved on his tombstone.

Charlotte Pinkston, born after 1786, was the youngest child of Shadrack Pinkston and Athaliza (Carroll). By all accounts she was born in Virginia, probably in Fauquier County, the last place we can document her father until his appearance in Georgia records. Thus we know nothing about her childhood other than she was young when her father died and not yet an adolescent when her mother remarried. However, her father’s estate papers give us a glimpse of her life prior to her marriage. She grew up in a comfortable home environment that prized and afforded education. At a time when learning to read and write was often difficult to come by on the frontier for boys, Shadrack’s estate paid for tutors for the two youngest girls. Elsewhere the administrator is shown bargaining with her step-father over payment for the girl’s upkeep: "the old gentleman ... promised to not charge the girls for board if he received the estate’s cotton and flax in his possession.

Her mother’s marriage in 1797 to Faddy Jarrett, a near neighbor of Henry Starr, probably marks the time when Charlotte and Benjamin met.

The fact that Shadrack’s daughter Charlotte married Benjamin Starr is well documented, but the specific date of their marriage is not known.

By using the "met by" date for eligibility requirements in the first two Georgia Land Lotteries, the year of their marriage is narrowed to 1805. Benjamin was not yet 21 by 1 March 1804 and thus wasn’t eligible for entering the 1805 Land Lottery. But Charlotte met the requirement for one draw as a single female with a deceased father and a living mother who had remarried. [Graham p. v; 440] Sadly, when drawn her number was a blank. Benjamin met the requirements for two draws on the 1807 Land Lottery. The eligibility date was 26 June 1806 and requirements were: "Those entitled to draw were every free white male twenty-one years of age and upwards, a citizen of the United States and an inhabitant of this state three years immediately preceding the passage of this act and who had paid tax, entitled to one draw; every free white male of like description having a wife and legitimate child or children under twenty-one years of age, entitled to two draws." [Davidson v. 1, p. 320; 324] . Thus they were married and had a child by June 1806. A marriage in 1805 is consistent with Benjamin’s will dated June 24, 1851: "my beloved wife Charlotte Starr with whom I have lived in the Strictest quiet and love for forty five years." Final support comes from Gray family researchers who give a very specific 17 March 1806 birth date for their eldest child, Mary M. (Starr) Gray. [Pardue]

Wilkes County records show Benjamin doing the usual things in a time when one was expected to help others. He was co-executor of his deceased brother Asa’s estate and signed the security bonds for friends and relatives who were performing the same tasks on other estates. Additionally, for a time Benjamin acted as guardian for the inheritance coming to Asa’s minor son. The only note worthy statement about Benjamin in these various estate records is payment to him for coffins. As a rule the activities of married women aren’t documented and this is true of Charlotte. Undoubtedly she did her own part helping others. Coffins may have been nailed together by men, but a woman probably oversaw the lining of the inside with cloth. Women prepared the food that mysteriously appeared at all community gatherings, nursed the ill, and kept youngsters safe.

Benjamin was lucky in the land Lottery of 1820. He drew Lot #249 in the 1^st District of what was then Walton County but is now Newton County. [p. 13 History of Newton County, Georgia.] At the time Benjamin was identified as resident "of Wilkes County and Ogletree’s Militia District." He sold this tract to his brother Samuel for $500. [Crain & Wenzel] This is thought to be Samuel’s land adjacent Emory College near Oxford, Georgia. As Justice of the Peace Benjamin performed marriages in Wilkes County from April 1825 to November 1826. [Davis, pages 238; 252; 264; 275] And as JP he witnessed two deeds that were filed in neighboring Taliaferro County. [Lunceford p. 404; Taliaferro Deed Bk A p. 121]

In 1813 Benjamin purchased a 53 acre tract from his parents. [Woodson citing Wilkes Co. Deed book CCC p. 194] It was part of Henry’s original survey on the waters of Kettle Creek and Little River and was bounded by Robert Lee, James Lee and James Finly. This particular deed says more about Henry and Mary’s plans to move west than Benjamin and Charlotte’s need for a title. In all likelihood they had lived on this particular tract for several years and it was the tract Benjamin expected when Henry’s estate was divided among the siblings. The next year Benjamin paid John Lee $269 for 140 acres on the waters of Little River and Starr’s Branch. [Wilkes Co. Deed Book CCC p. 196]

In 1819 Benjamin purchased another part of their father’s original land grant from his brother Samuel. [Woodson citing Wilkes Co. Deed Bk GGG p. 35] A curious deed, dated 1 September 1821, is for only 1 and 9/10 acres of land. [Wilkes Co. Deed Book GGG p. 262] William Robertson and Daniel Lee, administrators of the estate of James Lea deceased, paid Benjamin $20 for this strip. Of interest to descendants, this tract is identified as "part of the tract whereon the said Starr now lives."

By 1825 Wilkes County land no longer produced the abundance of crops it once did and lands in the western part of the state were opening to settlement. Several family members and friends had already relocated and others were making plans. Benjamin and Charlotte’s future move was set in motion 10 October 1827 when Benjamin "of Wilkes County" purchased land in Fayette County. [Fayette Co. Will & Deed Book B, p. 342] The last Wilkes County record for them is their grantor deed for 263 acres dated 10 September 1831. [Woodson citing Wilkes Co. Deed Bk MMM p. 254] Thus we can date their move west around this time. Although he owned land in other counties, from this date on Benjamin appears in records as a resident of Fayette County, Georgia. This includes his will, written and signed before Spalding County was created.

However, they sold part of the tract they had planned to settle upon before they made the actual move. This 31 August 1830 Fayette County deed [ http://www.hiddenancestors.com/wilkesga/deed_Star-Ogelree.htm ] is very important to Ogletree family researchers. The grantees are first identified as a family of Ogletrees and their heirs, but elsewhere are identified as: John G., Samuel, Hope, Thomas, Pierce, Absalom, James and heirs of Francis H. Ogletree deceased. [Fayette Deed Bk B 1827-1833 page 418] Researchers now identify these as sons of Absalom (1778-1846) who is buried in the adjacent plot to Benjamin Starr at County Line (Methodist) Cemetery. Benjamin and Charlotte had many familial connections to this particular group of Ogletrees. But, in the opinion of this researcher, this deed has more to do with Benjamin and Charlotte’s friendship with their parents.

Over the years Benjamin purchased and sold numerous tracts in Fayette County as well as neighboring Henry County. The 1833 Fayette County tax list indicates he was a county resident who owned 202 ½ acres within the county; he also owned 202 ½ acres in Henry; 202 ½ acres in Coweta; 198 ½ acres in Early and 202 ½ acres in Muscogee Counties. [Fayette Co. 1833 Tax Digest, page number cut off from copy received] He sold 100 acres to his son-in-law Hope Ogletree 25 December 1833, leaving he and Charlotte with a 101 ½ acre tract (Lot 177, District 4) in 1834. [Fayette Co. 1834 tax digest, p.187] Researchers differ on the exact location of their residence; the area best supported by Fayette County tax records and deeds places their residence north of County Line Church along today’s Wildwood Road just south of Bear Creek. [Lamb] This photo was taken in the vicinity: 

Benjamin (aged 65 born in GA) and wife Charlotte (65 born in VA) appear on the 1850 Fayette Co. census. [Lovic] Pierce and Martha (Starr) Ogletree and their children live on one side and Hilliard M. Starr and his wife Martha A. and their children reside on the other. Although sons William D. and John Henry and their families are found on the Henry County census, they lived "across the road and down aways" from their parents. Benjamin and Charlotte were blessed that so many of their family remained in the area.

Joshua Starr descendant Ouida Woodson shared these comments from Dr. Lucius Starr’s History of the Starr Family : "The last time I saw Ben Starr was in the year 1852, when I was twelve years old. He and my Father were talking in my presence about the history of the family. I recollect his saying that he could at that time count up to five hundred of the name descended from his grandfather. He also stated that his Father was in the Revolutionary War." Ouida added: Ben, Sam and Silas were the brothers of his grandfather Joshua that Lucius knew as a boy. He noted that Ben lived near Griffin, GA and that Sam and Silas both lived in and near Oxford in Covington Co. GA. [Woodson e-mail to LSS 4/29/98]

The journal of Rev. Isaac Boring indicates he was a frequent guest of the Starrs during the fall of 1832. He regularly joined them for the meal following his preaching at Liberty Chapel and sometimes stayed overnight. Statements found elsewhere indicate the same hospitality was extended to all riding the Fayetteville Circuit. By 1849 the congregation meeting at Liberty Chapel had outgrown the existing space. Construction began that year on a new meeting house on the West side of the Flint River. Although unrecorded, construction must have also begun on a meeting place for those living on the East side too. The formal deed for the land, filed July 1851, describes the tract as "where County Line Meeting House now stands." [Spalding Co. Deed Book A p. 221]

County Line Methodist Church in 1965:  

Among the named Trustees were the very familiar names of John H. Starr, Hilliard Starr, Hope Hull Ogletree and Lovick P. Ogletree and the grantor was Joshua Elder. This meeting place was within a mile of Benjamin and Charlotte’s residence and is where they attended. But Benjamin obviously kept close ties with the minister who stayed with the other congregation. His name is the one engraved on Benjamin’s tombstone: "Funeral was preached by Rev. A. Dorman July 25, 1852 From Phil 3 Chap 21 verse." 

Benjamin’s will, dated June 24, 1851, was the second will probated (March 1, 1852) in the newly created Spalding County. [Will Book A, pages 2, and 3] A transcription is here. 

Among the usual legacies to family members and provisions for payment of debts was a bequest of $50 to build a wall around the graves of his mother-in-law, Atha Jarrot, and daughters Frances C. Ogletree and Martha A. Ogletree. Atha’s stone is adjacent Benjamin’s marker. Presumably Charlotte is buried on the other side of him, but her grave is not marked. Times were difficult and money was needed for other things when she died. Charlotte’s death date is given as 1 April 1872 by descendant James McConnell, but she died earlier. The executors of Benjamin’s will (sons John H. and Hilliard M. Starr) asked the November 1871 court for permission to sell land "for purpose of paying the legacies under the will." [Spalding Co. Minute Book B 1870-1882 page 35 Nov. Term 1871] Benjamin’s will gave Charlotte the right to live on his estate for life, and then it was to be divided among their children. McConnell’s date is closer to the May Term 1872 request by John H. and Hilliard for Letters of Administration upon the estate of Charlotte Starr. [Ibid p. 51]

Benjamin and Charlotte had eight children, all born in Wilkes Co. Georgia.

1. Mary M. born 17 March 1806 died after the 1870 census Spalding Co. GA

2. Frances C. born 17 March 1808 died 21 January 1848 Fayette Co. GA

3. Silas Samuel Sanders born 24 March 1810 died 23 November 1873 Newton Co. GA

4. John Henry born 9 April 1812 died 18 October 1875 Spalding Co. GA

5. Hilliard M. born 14 April 1814 died 11 August 1873 Clayton Co. GA

6. Charlotte Pinkston born 30 Nov 1818 died 22 January 1907 Williamson Co. Texas

7. William David "Billy" born about 1820 died before December 1860 Spalding Co. GA

8. Martha Ann born 3 May 1822 died 1 December 1850 Fayette Co. GA

Contents by Linda Sparks Starr. All rights reserved.

Sources

The Armchair Researcher, vol. 1, No. 3, September 1980, pages 166-171, Tombstone Inscriptions at County Line Methodist Church.

Boring, Isaac Rev. author. Journal unpublished.

Crain, Marguerite Starr and Wenzel, Janell Turner, compilers and editors. They Followed the Sun: The Story of James Penn Starr and Georgian Theus: Their Ancestors and Their Progenies 1971.

Davidson, Grace Gillam, abstractor and compiler. Early Records of Georgia: Wilkes County. Reprint in two volumes, Southern Historical Press, Inc. Greenville, SC 1992

Davis, Robert Scott Jr., compiler. The Wilkes County Papers 1773-1833. Southern Historical Press, Inc., Easley, SC 1979

Farmer, Michal Martin, abstractor. Wilkes County, Georgia Deed Books A-VV: 1784-1806 Farmer Genealogy Co., Dallas, TX 1996.

Faulkner, Mrs. Harry chairman. History of Newton County, Georgia compiled by Newton County Historical Society 1988.

Graham, Paul K., compiler. 1805 Georgia Land Lottery: Persons Entitled to Draws The Genealogy Co., Decatur, GA 2005

Holcomb, Brent H. compiler. Marriage and Death Notices from the Southern Christian Advocate 1837-1860

Lamb, Gene researcher.

Lunceford, Alvin Mell Jr., compiler. Taliaferro County Georgia: Records and Notes. The Reprint Co. Publishers, Spartanburg, SC 1988.

Pardue, Kaye, compiler. Descendants of Samuel Gray 24 January 2000.

Turner, Freda Reid abstractor. Henry County, Georgia Land Records 1839-1851: Deed Books J, K., L, M vol. III. Wolfe Assoc., Roswell, GA 1993.

Woodson, Ouida e-mail dated 5/4/98 "notes from Wilkes Co. GA courthouse" for abstracts of various Wilkes County Deeds