George H. Starr, West Indies Merchant

New Brunswick Scott 8b, on February 6th, 1867, interprovincial cover from Sackville, N.B. to Halifax, N.S. Addressed to Mr. George H. Starr, Halifax, N.S., Backstamps Sackville, FE 6 1867, H(alifax) N.S., FE 7 1867

George Herbert Starr was 55 years old and a successful merchant and ship owner in Halifax when he received this 1867 letter from Sackville, N.B. George H. Starr was born December 26th, 1812, the son of Halifax hardware merchant Joseph Starr. He began his career as a member of the mercantile firm D. & E. Starr and subsequently went into business for himself as a West India merchant and ship owner. He became quite wealthy and was President of the Peoples's Bank from its formation c. 1864. He married on September 8th, 1855, Rebecca Allison, the widow of Dr. A. F. Sawer of Halifax, and the daughter of James N. and Charlotte Louisa (Avery) Crane, who was born December 16th, 1817, at Lower Horton, Nova Scotia. He was a dedicated Wesleyan Methodist and was a generous supporter of active religious endeavors. He and his wife were known for their charitable care for the poor and sick. George and Rebecca had no children.

Hutchinson’s Nova Scotia Directory, 1866-1867, Halifax, STARR, GEORGE H., & Co. merchants, 137 Upper Water

Starr, George H. merchant, 137 Upper Water, h. 28 South

130-140 block Upper Water Street, Halifax, c. 1871

The 1871 census Halifax Ward 1, Halifax West, lists George H Starr, 58, birthplace Nova Scotia, Wesleyan Methodist, Merchant, with his wife Rebecca A Starr, 53.

McAlpine’s Halifax City Directory, 1887-1888, Starr, Rebecca A, wid George H, h 33 South

George Herbert's grandfather, and Nova Scotia immigrant ancestor, was David Starr, who was born October 16th, 1742, in Norwich Connecticut. He was the son of Samuel Starr, of New London and Norwich, and Ann Bushnell. David with his older brother Samuel were pre-revolutionary New England Planters in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia where David was a farmer. On August 5th, 1770, he married Susannah Potter, the daughter of Henry and Martha Potter. Susannah who was born April 1752 in Halifax. When David Starr died on October 29th, 1831, he left eight children, 46 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren.

Of his sons, George Herbert's father, Joseph, born February 16th, 1781, in Cornwallis, was the fourth. Joseph married on February 25th, 1804, in Cornwallis, Mary Gore, the daughter of Moses and Mollie Gore in Cornwallis. They had three sons and two daughters. George Herbert was their second son. Joseph moved the family to Halifax. He was a hardware merchant, "highly respected for his stern integrity". A faithful member of the Church of England, he was warden of 'St. Paul's' for many years. After he retired from business, he lived in Wolfville where he died on April 23rd, 1858.

A poster sold by the Halifax Citadel of merchant's private signal flags includes that of G. H. Starr & Co. Its flag was a solid white pennant with a bifurcated end. Private signal flags, also known as house flags, were unique identifiers used by merchants and shipping companies to distinguish their vessels. These flags often featured distinctive designs, patterns, or symbols that represented the owner or the company. They were an essential part of maritime communication and navigation, especially before the advent of modern technology. These flags were not just practical but also a source of pride and branding for the merchants.

The Canada, Seafarers of the Atlantic Provinces, 1789-1935 lists the following vessels with their date of construction as being owned by George Herbert Starr:

Brig Emily, 1826

Brig Sir James Kempt, 1827

Brig Ambassador, 1830

Schooner Elizabeth, 1832

Brig Hugh Johnson, 1833

Brig Starr, 1835

Schooner Congress, 1836

Schooner Breeze, 1836

Schooner Radiant, 1836

Barque Georgian, 1837

Brig Helen and Elizabeth, 1838

Brig Maria Grace, 1840

Brigantine Mary, 1846

Brigantine Lady Sale, 1846

Brig Scotia, 1846

Schooner Albion, 1846

Schooner Only Son, 1849

Brig Chebucto, 1850

Schooner James McNab, 1850

Brigantine Arrow, 1851

Brigantine Laura, 1851

Brigantine Onward, 1852

Schooner Rose, 1852

Brigantine Conquest, 1854

Barque Voyager, 1855

Schooner Ranger, 1857