Richard Varney

researching: Varney

Humprey Varney relocated to Dover, NH in 1659 and became a Quaker. Follow-on generations included Peter, Benjamin, Moses, Elijah, Phineas, Samuel. Info on any of these would be appreciated, but particularly Phineas who was lost at sea in 1814

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HUMPHREY VARNEY FAMILY

The vital records of Dover, NH, show that Humphrey Varney married "Sarah Storer" on 2 March 1664. Of course this record has also helped to cause people to think that Sarah Starbuck had first married William Storer. I agree with [NLD] p. 703 that the recorder of this record made a mistake and mixed up the two Sarah's who had married two guys named Austin. (Note that Samuel Austin who married the widow Sarah Storey was still alive in the 1680's; so, unless they got a divorce, Sarah (______) (Storey) Austin would not be free to marry Humphrey Varney in 1664.)

Also, we know that it was Sarah Starbuck who married Humphrey Varney because her father, "Edward Starbuck confirmed to him [Varney] 11 May 1664 20 a. formerly given to s.-in-law Joseph Austin." [NLD] p. 703.

Children I have been able to find for Humphrey Varney and Sarah (Starbuck) Austin: 1. John b. 5 Sep 1664; d. 14 Aug 1666
2. Peter b. 29 Mar 1666
3. Joseph b. 8 Oct 1667
4. Abigale b. 10 Jul 1669
5. Ebenezer b. abt 1672; will 1753
6. John d. 1714/1716

The birth of the first John is recorded in the Nantucket VR's. His death and the births of Peter, Joseph, and Abigale are in the Dover Vital Records. These are available: Collections of the Dover, N.H. Historical Society, vol. I, pp 124-125; 1894, reprinted 1977. And "Early Records of New Hampshire Families," NEHGR vol 7, pp 115-130 (Varneys on p. 128).

Peter, Abigale and Ebenezer are mentioned in Humphrey's will of 17th 7th mo. 1713 and proved June 2, 1714. [NHW] pp. 714-5. This will also mentions a wife, Sarah. According to [NLD] p. 703, Ebenezer was about 55 in 1727. This is my source for his birth date of abt. 1672.

John mentions brothers Peter and Ebenezer and sister Abigale in his will of 21st 11th month 1713[/14] and proved May 28, 1716. [NHW] pp. 717-8. I don't know why John was not mentioned in his father's will.
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My main interest is in the family of Joseph Austin and Sarah Starbuck and their children (esp. Deborah, Mary, and Thomas). I included the above Varney information just for completeness.

However, I should add that various secondary sources (but not [NLD] )list additional children for Humphrey. I have not found any of these in the records.

Also, some secondary sources (again not [NLD] ) show that an Esther Starbuck, a sister of Sarah, married Humphrey at some time. The published Nantucket VRs show on p. 408 of Births under Starbuck: "Esther, w[ife] Humphrey Varney of Dover ("also m'd. her sister"), d[aughter] Edward and Catharine Reynolds, ________, P.R. 38" (See above for info on P.R.38)

I have found no other evidence that an Esther Starbuck married Humphrey Varney. Indeed, I just read an editorial by Dr. David Greene in the Holiday 2000 issue of New England Ancestors (p. 7) in which he says that for a man born about 1660 "...a marriage to a sibling of one's deceased spouse was morally and legally incestuous and on those very rare occasions when it did occur would result in legal action."

So, I am sceptical that an Esther Starbuck m. Humphrey Varney.

I will appreciate any comments, corrections, and references to additional primary sources.

Regards, Howard
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