How long before 1565 the Starr Family had lived in County Kent, England, is uncertain. There is a tradition that originally the Starr family came from Flanders and was identified with the weaving industry, brought to County Kent about 1331, in the time of Edward III.
The mayor of New Romney, Kent, in 1939 wrote: "I find that Thomas Starre was elected Mayor of New Romney, Kent from 25 March 1594 to fill a broken period caused by the death of William Beadle on 21 December 1593. In that document the name is given as Thomas Star. We have the old Common Assembly Book, 1557-1622 ... the name Thomas Starre, Mayor, appears at the head of a few of the pages."
Ballou identifies this Thomas Starr, the testator of 1593 as the father of Thomas Starr who resided at Cranbrook 1589-1600, by a former wife probably, and great-grandfather of Dr. Thomas Starr (1615-1658).
The will of Thomas Starre, Mayor of New Romney, co. Kent, dated 10 Mar 1593/1594, was proved 19 Jan 1594/1595.
The will provided a sum for the poor people of New Romney, to be distributed by the executrix. - Daughters Agnes Starre and Katherine Starre were to receive L30 apiece when they reached 20 years of age, or if he lived to see them reach that age, within one year of his death. If one died before coming of age, the other was to receive her sister's portion as well as her own.
- "Agnes Starre nowe my wife" was to be sole executrix, and after debts, legacies and funeral expenses were paid, was to have the residue of "my goodes chattel plat and howhold stuffe." Agnes was to be responsible for the daughters until they reached 20 years of age; if she married again, he that married her was to "putt in good bonds to my overseer with sureties for the payment of my said twoe Daughters portions".
- "As towchinge the disposinge of my howse landes tenemente and Annuities" ... "first I will and give unto the said Agnes Starr my wife full and absolute power and authoritie to bargayn Alien and sell the howse with I nowe dwell in, in Newe Romney aforesaid and all the gardens Closes and Backsides thereunto belonging or anywise appertayning with all and singular thappurtenances conteyning by estimation one acre and halfe acre of land scituat in Newe Romney aforesaid and time duringe twoe whole yeares next after the day of my decease for the most and best value and price she can. And I will and give unto her the said Agnes my wife the said howse and all other the premisses with theire appurtenance untill the same be sold duringe the said two yeares as is aforesaid. And all the monnye for the which the said howse and other the premisses shall be sould, I do will and give unto the said Agnes my wife and Thomas Starr my sonne equally to be devided betwene them."
- "And whereas William Thurbarne of newe Romney aforesaid by his dede intended hath given graunted and confirmed unto me the said Thomas Starre and to mine heires for ever one Anuitie or yearely rent of eight poundes issueing out of certaine parcells of landes of hym the said William Thurbarne as by the dede thereof more at large appereth I doe will give and bequeath the said Annuity or yearly Rent of L8 and the dede thereof with evidences and bonds that concerene the same unto the said Agnes Starr my wife and to her heires and assignes for ever on Condicon that the said Agnes Starre my wyfe paie or cause to be paid unto the said Agnes Starr and Katheryne Starr and to either of them theire executors or assignes the several legacies of Thirtie poundes a pece before herein given and bequeathed to them in manner and forme as before is lymyted for the payment thereof. But if the said Agnes Starr my wife shall not pay to my said daughters in manner and fore aforesaid their severall legacies of thirtie poundes, Then I will and give the said Anuitie or yearely rent of eight poundes and all dedes and bonds concerning the same unto the said Agnes Starr and Katherine Starr m y daughters to theire heires and assignes for ever..."
Witnessed by John Mynk, William Kemp and Thomas Hele.
Children
1. Thomas STARR b: ABT 1565 in New Romney, Kent, England
2. Agnes STARR b: AFT 10 MAR 1573 in New Romney, Kent, England
3. Katherine STARR b: AFT 10 MAR 1573 in New Romney, Kent, England
Thomas Starr 
