Coming to America-some Kentish perspectives from research
by Achievements of Canterbury

The STARRE, TILDEN and EPPS families

Many of our migrant ancestors were both pilgrim and merchant rolled into one, such as the wonderful Starre family of Kent.

In the sixteenth century Thomas Starr [senior] served as mayor of New Romney and Roger Starr was a jurat of Hythe, an indication that the family were of some standing in the Cinque Port Federation.

The fishing fleets of the communities along the south coast of England, especially Kent and Sussex, formed the nucleus of the original British Navy and acted as the first line of defence against invasion. They were also often pressed into service to convey persons of importance to and from the continent, and in return for the use of their vessels they were able to extract privileges from the Crown. From an early period, probably before the Norman Conquest in 1066, the south-coast ports had gradually grouped together for mutual support and a confederation of the five more important ones was formed, becoming known as the Cinque Ports. The privileges obtained by the Cinque Ports were embodied in a series of Royal Charters, the first of which were confirmed by Henry II in 1155 and 1156. The last one granted by Charles II in the seventeenth century can be seen in the Guildhall at Sandwich.

Thomas Starr [junior] left his home town of New Romney and moved inland to the Weald of Kent, an area noted as having a strong non-Conformist tradition. By 1587 he was settled in Cranbrook, which was, by the standards of that time, an urban centre with a flourishing cloth trade which had been established by Flemish weavers in the early 14th century. Whether it was his religious persuasion or better trading prospects which motivated Thomas to move we cannot tell, but there is an indication of his Puritan leanings in the names he gave to his children christened in the parish church at Cranbrook between 1589 and 1600. His first child was a son named Comfort, who was followed by Nostrength, Mooregyft, William, Mercy, Suretrust and Standwell. As perhaps implied by the name, Nostrength sadly lived for only two months. Thomas then moved to Ashford, where his younger children were also given some splendid names, such as Judet, Truthshallprevail, Joyful, Constance and Beloved.

When Thomas moved to Ashford at the very beginning of the seventeenth century the town was undergoing rapid development, as it is again to-day. It had already become an important market town, and a new market hall was built in 1602. Comfort, the first-born son of Thomas Starr, gave rather more traditional names to his children. They were Thomas, Judith, Mary, Elizabeth, Comfort, John, Samuell, Hanna and Liddia, but his Puritan leanings are confirmed by his migration to the New World, by which time he was practising as a physician.

Emigrating at the same time as Dr Comfort Starr and his family were the Tildens, headed by Nathaniel. It is thought that Nathaniel may have already crossed the Atlantic at least a couple of times, no doubt in part to establish the mercantile opportunities available in the New World. Of course these journeys were fraught with danger, including the natural elements, unhealthy conditions on board, and piracy. Comfort Starr and Nathaniel Tilden were two of those who were granted permission by the Lords of the Admiralty to supply their ship with ordnance before departure.

Nathaniel Tilden lived until 1641 and his descendents flourished in America, such as the Hon Samuel Jones Tilden, who served as Governor of New York State and was a presidential candidate in 1875.

Dr Comfort Starr’s brother, Joyfull, remained in Ashford where he served as a Churchwarden and in 1644 he, and William Worsley, the other Churchwarden at the time, were responsible for pulling down the altar in the church: they regarded the images as idolatrous, in their reforming fervour. Perhaps unsurprisingly at this date, Ashford was described as being ‘the most factious town in all Kent’.

Comfort Starre [junior] was one of the early students at Harvard University. He graduated in 1647, and was one of the first five Fellows to be named in the College Charter of 1650.

Meanwhile another native of the town Ashford who sought new opportunities was Francis Eppes. He was christened at St Mary the Virgin parish church on 14 May 1597. Most sources agree that Francis came to Virginia aboard the ship Hopewell when Jamestown was in its earliest days, duly settling on the south bank of the James River. Francis worked his way up through the commissioned ranks of Ensign, Captain, and finally Lieutenant-Colonel of Militia. Eppes Island is named after him. He died in Virginia in 1674. Amongst his numerous descendents was Thomas Jefferson.

Epps is still a widespread name in Kent today.

These were Men of Kent who changed their worlds from Old to New, and in an atmosphere of religious tolerance and business opportunity, made something real and lasting for themselves and their descendents.