John Stark was mentioned in the will of his father-in-law James Boughan, dated 14 January 1711: First I give & bequeath to my loving daughter Frances Stark the wife of John Stark and unto her heires for ever all that Tract or parcell of Land lying in King William County containing about five hundred acres Purchased by me of Henry Kirby & all the houses & Appurtences thereunto belonging and my bay mare. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 14, pages 76–77.]