Speech #530179721

Archibald Stark. father of John Stark. was a native of Glasgow. Scotlan and was educated at that ancien university. Wnen quifte young ae emigrated to Londonderry. -elald. where DEoEMBnER 20. he married. Here he remained until 25 years of age. and in the year 1720 embarked for New Hampshire in company with numerous others. He had been preceded by a small party in 1718. and was soon after followed by a large number of his coun tymen. These emigrants were of pure ScotchIrish blood. full of energy. enthusiasm. and courage. They were descended from the Scotch Presbyterians who established themselves in Ireland during the reign of James I.Holding to a belief that was not in harmony with the popular religion of either Ireland or England. and being strongly opposed to the system of tithes and rents then in vogue. these men determined to seek a home in America. The voyage proved to be one of Lreat hardship and peril. as the vessel which brought over the emigrants had small pox on board. from which disease Archibald Starks children died on the voyage. When the vessel reached the shores of America the officers were refused permission to land in Boston. and were compelled to depart for the wilds of ine. whefe the first winter was passed on the banks of the Kennebec. near where Wiscasset was afterwards settled. The trials of a northernwinter under such circumstances musthave been terrible. and during the next year. after encountering~innumerable privations and hardships. they joined those who had preceded them from Ireland at N~utfield. N . H.. which was then a wilderness on the extreme frontier. and where they were subject to frequent incur-" sions of hostile savages. Here a permanent and flourishing settlement was founded. which in 1722 took the name of Londonderry. in honor of the place in Ireland from which they emigrated. Ine 1736 the house of Archibald Stark was burned. and in consequence he removed to Derryfield (now M[anchester). N.