A deposition by Thomas Starr made on 2 December 1597 shows that he had lived at Cranbrook ten years, and was born at New Romney, county Kent, 32 years earlier, about 1565. Ballou says, "No doubt he was the son of Thomas Starr, mayor of New Romney." The parish records at New Romney and vicinity do not show the baptism of Thomas Starr, or Agnes Starr and Catherine Starr, presumably his half-sisters.
Eleven days later, on 13 December 1597, Thomas Starr of Cranbrook, county Kent, mercer, was surety on a guardian's bond for a London woolen draper in the sum of £160 sterling. And as reported by Charles Banks: "Thomas Starr of Ashford Kent, yeo., plaintiff, in 1604 in relation to a bond given him by William Daniels of London, mercht, 42 Eliz. [1599]"
On 30 December 1939, however, the clerk of Mercers Hall, ironmonger Lane, London replied to Ballou's inquiry that "the name of Starr or Starre does not appear amongst the members of the Mercers Company."
The baptisms of children of Thomas Star are recorded at Staint Dunstan's Church, Cranbrook 1589-1600, and at Saint Mary's Church, Ashford 1602-1616. There appears to be another son, Jehosaphat Starr, whose will dated 2 February 1659/60 shows him to be a brother of Dr. Comfort Starr of Boston in New England, and therefore a son of Thomas Starr. Ballou believed him to be the eldest son, but no baptismal record has been found for him. Also it is not known whether the Susan (Susannah) who was Thomas' wife when he immigrated in 1637 was the mother of all the children, or whether she was a second wife.
Thomas, wife Susan, and daughter Constant came to the New England on the "Hercules" of Sandwich, John Witherly, Master, leaving Sandwich 11 May 1637: "1 Thos Starr of Canterbury yeoman and Susan his Wief. Children: Constant Starr. (no servants)"
Savage mistakenly called this Thomas a younger brother of Dr. Comfort Starr, and also confused him with Comfort's son, Dr. Thomas Starr, who fought in the Pequot War.
At Quarter Court held at Boston 2 March 1640/1641, Susan Starr was granted administration of the estate of her husband Thomas Star. Inventory of £49 6s 9d was shown on the estate. His property in England was, of course, in addition to this amount.
Children
1. Jehosaphat STARR b: in England
2. Comfort STARR c: 6 JUL 1589 in St. Dunstan's, Cranbrook, Kent, England
3. Nostrength STARR c: 2 MAY 1591 in St. Dunstan's, Cranbrook, Kent, England
4. Moregift STARR c: 1 OCT 1592 in St. Dunstan's, Cranbrook, Kent, England
5. William STARR c: 16 FEB 1594/1595 in St. Dunstan's, Cranbrook, Kent, England
6. Mercy STARR c: 6 FEB 1596/1597 in St. Dunstan's, Cranbrook, Kent, England
7. Suretrust STARR c: 3 DEC 1598 in St. Dunstan's, Cranbrook, Kent, England
8. Standwell STARR c: 13 APR 1600 in St. Dunstan's, Cranbrook, Kent, England
9. Judith STARR c: 17 OCT 1602 in St. Mary's, Ashford, Kent, England
10. Truth-Shall-Prevail STARR c: 19 DEC 1604 in St. Mary's, Ashford, Kent, England
11. Joyfull STARR c: 6 MAR 1607/1608 in St. Mary's, Ashford, Kent, England
12. Constant STARR c: 23 DEC 1610 in St. Mary's, Ashford, Kent, England
13. Beloved STARR c: 27 MAR 1616 in St. Mary's, Ashford, Kent, England
Thomas Starr 
