George* Parkhurst, Sr. (immigrant), (FFDNA-JS)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Emigration: Bef 1631, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Immigration: Bef 1631, Virginia

Notes:

From "Complete Book of Emigrants": Administration with will of George Parkhurst of Ipswich, Suffolk, bound for Virginia.
Their immigration date has been estimated by the fact that the last child, Benjamin, was born in 1632 in Massachusetts.

"50 Great Migration Colonists," by John B. Threlfall, 1990, includes George Parkhurst and Phebe Leete, p 256-288.

From "American Wills Proved in London 1611-1775" CG929.3421:
George Parkhurst of Ipswich, Suffolk, gent, now bound for VA by the "Primrose" of London, dated 21 Jul 1834. My whole estate to my exex. Anne Wonham, gent(lewoman) with the profits now in the hands of Mr. John Cotton dwelling in Cannon Street, London. Wits: Thomas Draper, Richard Thoroton, Johan Browne, Humphrey Bruan, and John Owsebie.
Pr 9 Feb 1635 by Anne Wonham. (PROB 11/167/14).

from FT Vol 9/2737
George Parkhurst came from England in 1635. He was at Watertown, Mass. with his children, George, Jr., and Phoebe, in 1642. These two children he at least brought with him. He seems to have had considerable means for he owned a large tract of land besides his homestead of 12 acres. In 1643 he was admitted freeman and seems to have been a sturdy man and of upright character. In 1645 he sold his estates at Watertown, Mass. and removed to Boston. The name of his first wife has not been found.

The Parkhurst Coat of Arms:
CREST: Demi-griffin with wings adorced sable, holding in the dexter claw a cutlass argent, hilt and pommel or.

ARMS: Quarterly-argent, four bucks tripping sable. Ermine on cross sable. In chief gules three crescent or.

MOTTO: Crux Praesidium Nostrum (The Cross our Stay)

EXPLANATION: The crescent was bestowed upon one who was enlightened and honored by the gracious aspects of his sovereign. The red or gules indicates military fortitude, and the or, or gold, indicated generosity. The cross which is known as the honorable ordinary was born by those who had actually taken part in the Crusades and pilgramage to the Holy Land. It is on such arms as these that the record of long forgotten bravery and valor is kept alive through the ages though other records have been lost in the centuries that have elapsed since the arms were granted.
Everything that points upward in the coat-of-arms indicates so much royalty. The cresent points upward, the sword, the tail of the demi-griffin, etc.
The cresent is also a mark of cadency by the second son. A distinguishing mark added to the shield of arms to distinguish various branches of the family, one from the other. When the son inherits the estates of his father he removes the marksf cadency and transfers it to his son.
The most historic arms known to heraldry are born by Americans in consequence of the residence here of many scions of the ancient nobility of England and Europe decended from younger sons.
The Griffin (Gryphon or Griffin) a fabulous beast which combines the body and hind legs of the lion with the head and forelegs like those of an eagle. It also has ears. It is rampart therefore blazoned as "segreant". It is equipped with wingsherefore is not a male gryphon.

Parkhurt of London coat-of-arms. Out of the palisado Coronet or a buck's head erased argent, attired of the first.

According to the data gathered by various members of the Parkhurst family our family name is derived of Norman and French derivation, being composed of "pure" (the French work for Park) and "hurst" (the Anglo Saxon word for wood). The Part family dates to William The Conquerer in England, and the derivation of the word suggests that it was contempaneous with the beginning of French influence in England. "Parkhurst" first appears in the Doomsday Book which was published in 1086 and it mentions "Parkhurst Forest" in the Isle of Wight. This was the earliest recorded royal park, a district of 3000 acres nominally held by the government. It was however a public common and was enclosed in 1815, 150 acres being reserved by the Crown as a nursery for navy timber. The village of Parkhurst was near it and a few miles away was Osborne House, the Winter residence of Queen Victoria. The Parkhurst family from the Isle of Wight removed to England between four and five hundred years ago and built "Parkhurst Manor in Surrey County, England, between Epsom and Guilford. Here we find the earliest authentic records of the Parkhurst family in George Parkhurst of Guilford who was the father of Bishop John Parkhurst who was born at Guilford in 1511. George Parkhurst was living in Guilford in the later part of the fifteenth century. George Parkhurst Jr., of Watertown, Mass., named his eldest son John, a custom which has been contniued by his descendents. Dr. E. Parkhurst of London, England, who belongs to the Guilford branch of the family, states that there has been a similar custom of naming the oldest son John in his family for many generations. Parkhurst Manor, about 25 miles south of London, Between Epsom and Guilford, remained in the family until 1745. At this place in 1629, Sir Robert Parkhurst, afterwards Lord Mayor of London, held his feudal court. From Surrey County, England, the Parkhurst seem to have divided into four branches, Guilford, Norfolk, London and Catwsby, with identical coats-of-arms, thus showing their common ancestry. We are not sure from which of these four brances the American Parkhurst sprung, but it seems probable that George Parkhurst of Guilford was the great-grandfather of George Parkhurst of Watertown, Mass. The names George and John appear almost exclusively in this branch of the family. The names John first appearing in the Parkhurst line with Bishop John Parkhurst of 1811-12. We find the same combination of these names in this branch of family as in the American branch; that is, George Parkhurst naming his son George, and George Jr., naming his eldest son John. And these two names appear rarely in the other branches of the Parkhurst family.
Manning and Bray's History of Surrey, England Volume 1, shows the following Parkhursts' as living in Guilford, England in 1530; George Parkhurst Sr., age 30, and his son Henry, aged 8; George Parkhurst Jr 1539; George Parkhurst, Mayor of Guilfd (1604-1609) (1623-1634); George Parkhurst, father of Bishop John Parkhurst. Henry Parkhurst was Mayor Of Guilford in 1673. Thomas Parkhurst was Mayor of Guilford for several years.
Bishop John Parkhurst, the son of George Parkhurst, was a Bachelor of Divinity at Oxford, England, 1529. In 1532, he entered Holy Order tho' he was much fonder of poetry and oratory. He at length became rector of the rich church Clieves in Gucestershire, England, where he did much good by his hospitality and charity. Soon after King Edward's death, because of his liberal religious views, he incurred the displeasure of Queen Mary and for a time was in danger of losing his life. He went into exile at Zurich, Switzerland, during the remainder of her reign.
On his return to England, he was made Bishop or Norwich by Queen Elizabeth in 1560, which position he held unti his death on February 2, 1574. (See visitation of Norfolk, England, 1563; Norfolk Archives, Vol 2, page 15.) He translated the Aporapha at the command of Queen Elizabeth. He was also author of a number of Latin books. Some of his unpublished manuscripts are still to be found in the British Museum.
His father's coat-of-arms was similar to that borne by the other branches of the Parkhurst family. The three crescents were added to it when John Parkhurst became Bishop. Another crest, which was used by the Giulford branch and also the Norfk branch of the family has a silver buck's head raised out of a palisade coronet of gold. (See Fairbanks' Crests)
Among the famous Parkhursts of the eighteenth century was Reverand John Parkhurst of Catesby, North Hamptonshire, England. He was the author of the first Greek Lexicon which is still in use. He died in 1797, without issue, and was buried in e Epsom church where there is a monument to his memory.
The churches and churchyards of Epsom, Dorking and Guilford, England are rich in memorials to the Parkhursts.
(Much of this data is from the collections of Gabriel H. Parkhurst of Bath, New York.)

George* married Phebe* Leete, (immigrant) (FFDNA-JS) in 1611 in St.Mary on Quay, Ipswich, England. Phebe* (daughter of Robert* Leete and Alice* Grundy) was born on 20 Dec 1585 in Ipswich, Suffolk, England; died in 1643 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

George* married Susanna (..) Simson, Mrs about 1644 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. Susanna was born about 1607; died after 1655. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 29 Nov 1612, Parish Ch of St.Mary by the Quay, Ipswich
• Emigration: Bef 1631, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Immigration: Bef 1631, Virginia

Phebe* married Daniel Dan on 27 Mar 1635 in Woolverstone, Suffolk, England. Daniel was born about 1612 in England; died after 1636. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Phebe* married Thomas* Arnold, Sr (immigrant) on 20 Dec 1640 in Watertown, Mass Bay Col, Massachusetts. Thomas* (son of William* Arnold) was born before 15 Apr 1599 in Cheselbourne, Dorset, England; died in Sep 1674 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 28 Aug 1614, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Emigration: Bef 1631, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Immigration: Bef 1631, Virginia

Notes:

She was first married to a Mr. Dalton.
He was the son of James and Mary Carter. On Aug 10, 1635, he embarked from London on the Safety bound for Virginia. A Puritan, he found his way to Dedham, Massachusetts where he was made freeman Mar 9, 1637. He removed soon to Watertown we he was made an elder and granted a homestall of 10 acres. in 1642 granted a farm of 92 acres and a lot in the town plot. First preached in Woburn Dec 4, 1641, but was reluctant to accept the ministry until nov 22, 1642, when he was ordained first pastor of the First Churchof Worburn, continuing there for 42 years until his death. At his ordination the town presented him a house and salary at L80 per annum. The Richardson Memorial by John A. Vinton, 1876, p 574, has a footnote saying her name was Mary Dalton. (from dpage@IPA.net (Dan Page)

Notes for THOMAS CARTER:
Apr 1, 1626: Matriculated a sizar of St. John's College, Cambridge University
January, 1629/30: Bachelor of Arts Degree, St. John's College, Cambridge, Eng.
1633: Master of Arts Degree from St. John's College, Cambridge, England

In Williston's book: "I, Thomas Carter, of Suffolk, am admitted as a student of this College on the Spalding scholarship." (Founded by William Spalding, yeoman, of Tainswarth, in Suffolk, who gave 60 pounds, and stipulated that the scholar must be chosen from Bury St Edmunds Grammar School, which was founded by Edward VI in 1550.) Handwriting samples from St. John's records and from known work of Thomas Carter later in MA suggest the same hand wrote all.

1635: Emigrated on ship "The Safety", Thomas Carter 25.
Source 1: "The Complete Book of Emigrants"

Also found in Williston's "Carter" in Woburn library. Both sources dispute "The Planter" ememigree as being Rev. Thomas Carter (there were several Thomas Carters in the MA area at this time May have been related (or even brother) to John Carter, 22, who emigrated on same ship. John went to VA and is believed to have been the founder of the Carter family of VA. Early descendants of Thomas used the same coat of arms as did the VA Carters. John was a strong supporter of the Church of England while Thomas was a Puritan.

Torrey's: A Thomas Carter married a Mary Parkhurst before 1640 in Woburn,
Charlestown area listed as 1610-1684 in Torrey's.
Also Torrey has Timothy Dalton marrying Ruth Parkhurst, so Ruth may have been sister to Mary.
Also there is a Mary Dalton, born 1582, Ipswich, father George Dalton - mother Phebe - but no other information.
There is still another Mary Parkhurst Dalton b 1588 with spouseless relationship and one daughter with surname Carter (Hannah Carter).

Williston's: "Mr. Carter is admitted a freeman of Dedham, MA, March 9, 1636/7 (April 25, 1637 O. S.), beign "presented" by Philemon Dalton (Dedham Records).

September 27, 1642: Woburn, MA is incorporated: "Charlestowne Village is
called Woburn."

November 22, 1642: Ordained first minister, Woburn MA Church
(See scrapbook: Albert Thompson's painting of Carter's ordination.)

Children of MARY PARKHURST and REV THOMAS CARTER were:
1. Rev. Samuel Carter, born August 08, 1640 in Watertown; died 1693 in Woburn, Middlesex, MA; married Eunice Brooks 1672 in Woburn.
2. Judith Carter, born 1641 in Woburn; died October 03, 1676 in Charlestown.
3. Theophilus Carter, b June 12, 1645 in Woburn; d Feb 15, 1648/49 in Woburn
4. Mary Carter, born July 24, 1648 in Woburn; died 1688 in Hampton, Rockingham, NH; married Nathaniel Batchelder October 31, 1676 in Woburn.
5. Abigail Carter, born August 10, 1649 in Woburn; died 1676 in Woburn.
6. Deborah Carter, born Sept 17, 1651 in Woburn; died Dec 14, 1667 in Woburn
7. Timothy Carter, born June 12, 1653 in Woburn; died July 08, 1727 in Woburn;
married Annah (Hannah) Fiske May 03, 1680 in Lexington, Massachusetts.
8. Thomas Carter, Jr., born June 08, 1655 in Woburn; died Abt. 1722 in Woburn; married Margery Whitmore in Woburn.

Mary married Thomas Carter about 1634 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. Thomas was born on 3 Jul 1608 in St.Albans, Herfordshire, England; died on 5 Sep 1684 in Woburn, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 10 Sep 1615, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Emigration: Bef 1631, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Immigration: Bef 1631, Virginia

Benjamin married Martha (..) Parkhurst on 15 Jul 1638 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. Martha was born about 1618; died after 1639. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 2 Feb 1616, St.Lawrence, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Emigration: Bef 1631, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Immigration: Bef 1631, Virginia

Other Events and Attributes:

• Emigration: Bef 1631, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Immigration: Bef 1631, Virginia

George married Sarah Browne on 16 Dec 1643 in Massachusetts. Sarah was born about 1618; died after 1645. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 1 Aug 1619, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Emigration: Bef 1631, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Immigration: Bef 1631, Virginia

Deborah married John Smith on 10 Jun 1643 in Massachusetts. John was born about 1619; died after 1644. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 5 Jun 1621, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Emigration: Bef 1631, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Immigration: Bef 1631, Virginia

George married Mary Veazey on 24 Sep 1650 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. Mary was born about 1621; died after 1652. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 19 Oct 1623, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Emigration: Bef 1631, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Immigration: Bef 1631, Virginia

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 1 Jan 1625, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Emigration: Bef 1631, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Immigration: Bef 1631, Virginia

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 18 May 1626, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Emigration: Bef 1631, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Immigration: Bef 1631, Virginia

Notes:

Elizabeth's death date was April 4 but the year is not determined.

Elizabeth married Joseph Merry on 14 Dec 1659 in Hampton, Rockingham, New Hampshire. Joseph was born in 1607 in England; died on 5 Apr 1710 in West Tisbury, Dukes, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Emanuel Hilliard before 1659. Emanuel was born about 1628; died after 1659. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 29 Dec 1629, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Emigration: Bef 1631, Ipswich, Suffolk, England
• Immigration: Bef 1631, Virginia

Joseph married Eizabeth Merry about 1649. Eizabeth was born about 1629; died after 1650. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Rebecca Reed on 26 Jun 1656 in Concord, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. Rebecca was born about 1629; died after 1657. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Benjamin married Mercy (..) Parkhurst about 1653. Mercy was born about 1632; died after 1654. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Emigration: Aft 1655, Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts
• Immigration: Aft 1655, London, Middlesex, England

Benjamin married Martha Homan about 1675 in Elizabethtown, Essex Co, New Jersey. Martha was born about 1647; died about 1676. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 10 Jun 1649, Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts
• Emigration: Aft 1655, Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts
• Immigration: Aft 1655, London, Middlesex, England

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 7 Mar 1653, Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts
• Emigration: Aft 1655, Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts
• Immigration: Aft 1655, London, Middlesex, England

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 26 Feb 1654, Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts
• Emigration: Aft 1655, Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts
• Immigration: Aft 1655, London, Middlesex, England

Caleb married Sarah (..) Parkhurst after 1674 in Crippleate Co, London, Middlesex, England. Sarah was born about 1654; died after 1675. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

died as a child.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1666, Woonsocket, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 29 Jun 1685, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 14 Apr 1707, Woonsocket, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 14 Apr 1707, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 19 May 1907, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Richard Arnold was of Providence, RI.
He swore allegiance in 1670.
Richard was Assistant to Gov. RI 1681;
Richard was named in royal commission of council to Sir Edmond Andros in 1687. (SAVAGE, pp.64-67)
Obtained a grant of land at Woonsocket Hill, ca 1707 along with his brother-in-law Samuel Comstock and others.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jbbullock&id=I6069

Residence:
History of Woonsocket
p.32,33 "In 1731, the town of Smithfield was set off from Providence...... Citizens of Western Woonsocket participated in the annual elections of Smithfield....March 8, 1871, a portion of its territory was annexed to the new town of Woonsocket."
p.39 "....a saw-mill ...existed in these parts in 1666. As its builder, Richard Arnold, was at that time but 24 years of age, it is fair to infer that it was erected about that time, and that then was 'the beginning.' The first settlers, as I have said before, were Richard Arnold and Samuel Comstock -- the latter 'pitching his tent' a little west of the Union Village, and the former locating himself at the river. During their lives they held the lands in common, and no lines were drawn between their estates until many years after their death. this was done by the heirs, March 26, 1731."
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~katy/comstk/b279.html#P279

Other-Begin:
Vol XIV, p.126-127 Thomas Arnold deeds to Samuel Comstock the 30 acres laid out in 1681 "for and in Consideration of a valuable sum of money" 29 June 1685. Witnessed by Thomas Olney and John Browne. Acknowledged by Richard Arnold, Assistant.

Property:
History of Woonsocket
p.17 "Richard Arnold and Samuel Comstock were the first settlers of Woonsocket (R.I.)."
p.32 "But, April 14, 1707, the town granted to Capt. Richard Arnold and Ensign Samuel Comstock the lands which they had already occupied for so long a time."

Property:
p.189-190 Petition of Richard Arnold & Ensign Samuel Comestock for grant of land "haveing Some yeares Made Some improvement of Said land by building & Settling thereon, with Other Manufactions on Said land". Mentions several families placed on said land, Saw Mill and other improvements for benefit of said Towne. "Whereupon the Purchasers & Proprietors of Said Providence Doe Now Grant unto the Said Richard Arnold & Samuell ComeStock that Said Percell of land So lieing as aforeSaid betweene Said Pautuckett River & Said land of Edward Inman & Associates". Aprill the 14th, 1707. Recorded April 25, 1707, Tho. Olney, Clerk. Also recorded in Vol. XVII p.224-225.

Other-Begin:
Vol.XVII p.228-229 The Proprietors of Providence grant the Northern Grant (1000 acres) to 5 persons: Maj. William Hopkins, Capt. Richard Arnold, Mr. Jonathan Sprague, Mr. Joseph Whipple & Ensigne Samuell Comestock to share equally and prevent any intrechment or inroads into the Northern part of Providence Plantation. May 19, 1707.

Richard married Mary Angell on 24 Oct 1666 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Mary was born in 1641; died after 1687. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Sarah Whipple after 1683. Sarah (daughter of Captain John Whipple, (Immigrant) and Sarah Hutchinson, (Immigrant)) was born on 28 Feb 1642 in of, Pawtucket, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died after 12 May 1710 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Other-Begin: 27 Apr 1681, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 29 Jun 1685, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 27 Jul 1686, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 27 Mar 1691, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 8 Nov 1711, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Other-Begin:
Vol VIII, p.109 10 Feb 1681 "Voated that there shall be sufficient highway Continnually in being, on the west side of Thomas Wallings farme beginning at North End of ye land taken up allready by Samuell Comstock in the Right of Thomas Arnold." [See Vol.XIV, p.101-102]

Property:
Vol XIV, p.126-127 Thomas Arnold deeds to Samuel Comstock the 30 acres laid out in 1681 "for and in Consideration of a valuable sum of money" 29 June 1685. Witnessed by Thomas Olney and John Browne. Acknowledged by Richard Arnold, Assistant.

Other-Begin:
Vol XVII p.76-77 Where as thair is a paper presented to the towne of providence this 27: of July 1686 wher in thair is a Requeste of the honered governer and others of the Comittie Judging it very Convenient for the satisfing of som dissatisfied persons as if the Court and Comitty war about to surender of the goverment of this Colony under the govermente of Yorke we the subscribers do her by deClare that our minds ar that ther be a surender or prosterating our Charter and the priviledge there in Contained unto our gratious sovrin lord King Jeames the second and to us other person or goverment. the subscridberes ar: Joseph Jenckes, Daniell Abbott, Thomas Arnold, Thomas Harris, Eliezar Arnold, Samuell Comestock.

Other-Begin:
Vol XIV Deed Book 1 p.233-234 Thomas Arnold sells to Joseph Whipple 7 1/2 acres, 7 of which he had formerly purchased of Samuell Comstock of Providence. 27 Mar 1691. Witnessed by Thomas Olney and Samuell Comstock.

Other-Begin:
Vol. XI, Town Meeting, 1, p.158 8 Nov 1711 Chosen for Deputies at General Assembly at Newport ye 14th instant: Capt. Saml. Comstock, Mr. Eleazar Arnold, Tho. Arnold Junr, Willm Wilkinson.

John married Hannah (..) Arnold about 1668. Hannah was born about 1648; died in 1723. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Other-Begin: 27 Jul 1686, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 7 Jan 1706, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 2 Oct 1708, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 26 Apr 1711, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 8 Nov 1711, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 26 Feb 1722, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Will: 25 Aug 1722, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Other-Begin:
Vol XVII p.76-77 Where as thair is a paper presented to the towne of providence this 27: of July 1686 wher in thair is a Requeste of the honered governer and others of the Comittie Judging it very Convenient for the satisfing of som dissatisfied persons as if the Court and Comitty war about to surender of the goverment of this Colony under the govermente of Yorke we the subscribers do her by deClare that our minds ar that ther be a surender or prosterating our Charter and the priviledge there in Contained unto our gratious sovrin lord King Jeames the second and to us other person or goverment. the subscridberes ar: Joseph Jenckes, Daniell Abbott, Thomas Arnold, Thomas Harris, Eliezar Arnold, Samuell Comestock.

Other-Begin:
Vol. XX, Deed Book 2, p.77 Eleazar Arnold, Justice, & Thomas Hopkins, Lieftenant, take into custody the care of their aged mother-in-law, Elizabeth Smith. 7 Jan 1706. [The term "mother-in-law" could have been a term of respect, meaning they were bound by law to take care of the elderly lady as if she were their mother and there is no kinship. Eleazar Arnold was at that time one of the five Trustees of the town, but Thomas Hopkins was not. However, Eleazar Arnold was married to the daughter, also Elizabeth Smith. I have not found the wife of Thomas Hopkins.] Certainly Elizabeth Smith was still living in 1706. She is definitely the same lady

http://moreleaves.blogspot.com/2009/08/comstock-family-oops-part-2-anne.html

Other-Begin:
The Early Records of the Town of Providence
Vol XX Deed Book 2, p.284-287 2 Oct 1708, Reign of Queen Anne. Indenture between Eliezer Arnold of one part and Thomas Smith, Joseph Smith Junr, Samuell Wilkinson junr, Samuell Comstock junr, Thomas Arnold, junr, Eliezer Arnold junr, and Joseph Arnold all of Providence in the collony of Rhode Island, Husbandmen, of the other part. Sold all that tract of land near his now dwellinghouse on the West side of the highway from Mendon to Providence, containing halfe an acre on which stands a Certaine Meatinghouse of the People called Quakers. There shall be No devision or Partition made of ye granted primises, or any part thereof, but that ye Same Shall be held & Used in common. Signed by all 8 gentlement in the presence of Walter Phettiplace and Benjamin Smith. Aknowledge before Joseph Jenckes, Assistant on 7 Mar 1709. Recorded 17 Mar 1709, Thos. Olney, Clerk.

Other-Begin:
Vol.XVI, p.64-67 Last Will and Testament of Thomas Hopkins witnessed by Eliezer Arnold and Samuel Comstock on 26 Apr 1711. Recorded 3 Jun 1718.

Other-Begin:
Vol. XI, Town Meeting, 1, p.158 8 Nov 1711 Chosen for Deputies at General Assembly at Newport ye 14th instant: Capt. Saml. Comstock, Mr. Eleazar Arnold, Tho. Arnold Junr, Willm Wilkinson.

Other-Begin:
Vol.XVII p.297 26 Feb 1722 Petition of Mr. Eliezer Arnold, Capt. Samuel Comstock, Mr. Edward Smith and 29 others for a "Conveniant High way" through that Tract of Land Called Inmans Purchase. [Also Vol XII, p.30]

Will:
"Arnold, Eleazer, of Providence. Will dated 25 Aug 1722, he died 29 Aug 1722, proved 14 Jan 1722/3 pgs 132-134. Mentions: Sons Joseph Arnold, John Arnold, Jeremiah Arnold, and Eleazer Arnold dec leaving widow (testator's daughter-in-law) Sarah Arnold. Daughters Phebe Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Ellener Arnold who may need by reason of her weakness. Mary Thomas, and Abigail Man. Grandsons Eleazer Arnold and David Arnold presumably sons of son Eleazer Arnold dec. Granddaughter Deborah Smith Brother John Arnold. Land of: Thomas Whipple, James Dexter, and Jonathan Sprague. Witn: Joseph Jenckes, Silvanus Scott, William Hopkins Carr."
Rhode Island Genealogical Register

Eleazer married Eleanor Smith in 1671 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Eleanor (daughter of John (the Mason) Smith, (immigrant) and Mrs. Elizabeth (..) Smith) was born about 1651 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts; died in 1722 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 8 Dec 1747, Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island; probated

Notes:

NOTE: Elizabeth Arnold, daughter of Thomas, traces her ancestry through the British Royalty to William the Conqueror. See article on the Arnold Family, New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Vol. 33, 1879. Abridged Compendium of Am. Geneal. Vol. 1 p 839, lists Eliz. Comstock, b. 1690; m. John Arnold 1692-1777.

Will:
Will of widow Elizabeth Comstock of Smithfield, 10 Apr 1745, proved 8 Dec 1747. Bequests to sons, Thomas, Daniel, Ichabod, John, Job, Hazadiah; daughter, Elizabeth Sayles; grandson, David Comstock; granddaughter Sarah Aldrich & great granddaughter Anne Steere. [these last three descendants of son Samuel, deceased.] Son Thomas was Executor, witnesses to the will were Joseph Arnold Junr, Enoch Arnold, and Thomas Sayles [who was also the Council Clerk]. Daniel Arnold and David Comstock took the inventory and appraised the estate the value of which was over 400 pounds.
Recorded in the Smithfield Council Book, Vol. 1, LDS Microfilm #959528

Elizabeth Comstock, widow, departed this life 20 October 1747.

p.357
This Tenth Day of April in the Eighteenth year of
his majesties reign George the Second Kin og
Great Britain &c AD 1745 I Elizabeth Comsto
ck of Smithfield in the County of Providence and
Colony of Rhodeisland in New England widow being
in reasonable good health and of perfect mind
and memory and considering the mortality of my
body do make and ordain this my Last Will &
Testament. My body I recomend to ye Earth to
be buried Decently at ye disc retion of my Exe
cutor here after named and as touching that
worldly estate as it hath pleased God to Bless
me with in this Life I Give demise and dispose
of as followeth --

Im primis I Give and Bequeath to my Grand Son David
Comstock Twenty shillings old tenor to be paid out of my
estate to him or his heirs.

Item I give and bequeath to my Grand Daughter Sarah
Aldrich ten shillings old tenor to be paid out of my
estate to her or to her heirs

p.358
Item I give and Bequeath to my great grand daughter
Anne Steer Ten Shillings old tenor to be paid
out of my estate

Item I Give and bequeath to my son John Comstock
Twenty shillings old tenor to be paid to him or his
Heirs out of my estate

Item I Give and Bequeath to my son Job Comstock Twenty
Shillings old tenor to be paid to him or his heirs
The reason of my giving my above named grand
Children only twenty shillings to one and Ten
shillings apiece to ye others is because their
father has had more out of his fathers estate
Than some other of my children have had: and
the Reason of my giving my sons John & Job
only Twenty Shilling apiece is because they have had
more out of their fathers estate than some other
of my children had had

Item I Give and Bequeath to my Son Hazadiah Comstock
forty Shillings old tenor to be paid out of my estate
to him or his heirs

Item I Give and bequeath to my Son Thomas Comstock
Twenty pounds old tenor to be paid out of my estate
to him or his heirs

Item I Give and bequeath to my son Daniel Comstock
Ten pounds old tenor to be paid out of my estate
to him or his heirs

Item I Give and Bequeath to my Son Ichabod Comstock
five pounds old tenor to be paid out of my estate
to him or his heirs

Item I Give to my Daughter Elizabeth Sayles Forty shillings
old tenor to be paid to her or heirs out of my estate
and also my wearing apparial of al Sorts I Give to
my Said Daughter and if after my debts and
funeral charges paid and ye above sums given
and bequeathed and paid in manner as above said if

p.359
There should remain any part more that then I
give and Bequeath the remaining part to be
Eqully divided between my children and their heirs whose
names are here after mentioned. Hazadiah Com
stock Daniel Comstock Ichabod Comstock Job Com
stock and Thomas Comstock which said Thomas
Comstock I make my sole Executor of this my
Last Will and Testament and I do utterly disa
[word marked out, prob should have been "vow"] revoke and Dissalow all and every other
former Testaments wills Legacies and bequests
and Executors by me in any ways before named willed
and bequeathed ratefying and Confirming this and
no other to be my Last Will and Testament.

In Witness where of I have hereunto Sett my hand
and Seal the Day and year first within mentioned.
Signed Sealed published pronouned and declared by the said
Elizabeth Comstock to be her
Last Will & Testament in the
present of us
Jos Arnold Junr
Enoch Arnold
Thos Sayles
The mark of Elizabeth Comstock

At a Town Council held in Smithfield in the County of
Providence by adjournment the Eighth day of December
AD 1747 the above written will will was presented
before this Council and Mr. Thomas Comstock who
was made Executor to sd will approved before this
Council and accepted of ye place of Being executor
to sd will: And the witnesses to sd will Viz: Mr
Enoch Arnold & Thomas Sayles Two of ye sd witnesses
to sd will approved before this Council and on Solemn
Engagement Declared that they see the afore said
Elizabeth Comstock the testator Sign publish pro-
nounce & Declare the same to be her Last Will &
Testament and that they in her presents Signed

p.360
as witness to the same and at the same time saw
Joseph Arnold Junr sign as ye other witness and
that she ye sd Testator was at ye same time in
perfect mind & memory where upon it is voted
by this Council that ye afore written will be
and it is here by proved & accipted to be a Last full
will & Testament & and ord. to be recorded.
Test. Thos. Sayles, Council Cler
Recorded Decbr ye 15th AD 1747 pr Thos Sayles Council Cler

A True Inventory of all and Singular the goods
chattles and Audits of Elizabeth Comstock of Smith
field in the County of Providence &c widow Deceased
Prised at Smithfield aforesd ye 27 of October 1747
by us the Subscribers.

Elizabeth* married Ensign/Capt Samuel* Comstock on 11 Nov 1678 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Samuel* (son of Samuel* Comstock, Sr. (immigrant) and Anne* Tucker (?)) was born in 1654 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 27 May 1727 in Smithfield Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Abigail Garfield in 1670 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. Abigail was born on 29 Jun 1646 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts; died on 18 Oct 1726 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Abigail married Nathaniel Cummings about 1695. Nathaniel was born in 1659; died in 1726. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Other-Begin: 12 May 1710, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Will: 6 Sep 1735, Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Other-Begin:
p.380-381 Sarah Arnold, Widdow & Relict of the late deceased Richard Arnold on the one Party & Richard Arnold, John Arnold, & Thomas Arnold Sones of the aforesd Richard Arnold.
Whereas she received by last will & Testament of Richard Arnold two lotts in Providence with Orchard & dwellinghouse, but she cannot because of age improve said to any advantage, relinquishes to Richard, John, and Thomas, Executors, provided they pay her 8 Pounds on or before the 29th of May in every year during her natural life, or the lotts revert back to her. 12 May 1710. Signed Sarah (her X mark) Arnold, Richard Arnold, John Arnold, Thomas Arnold. Witnessed by Jos. Jenckes junr., Samuell Comestock. Recorded Jun 3, 1710.

Will:
Will: 6 SEP 1735 Smithfield, Providence, RI
?Note:
Mentioned all of his children except Naomi. No bequest for son Richard who left his family in 1733, but "Richard's wife Ruth" was to receive £40, an amount similar to the legacies of other children.

Will is not found in Smithfield probate records.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jbbullock&id=I5366

Richard married Mary Woodward about 1699. Mary (daughter of Joseph Woodward and Mary Pray) was born about 1669 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died in 1715 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Diana Thornton on 14 Nov 1715 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island . Diana was born about 1680; died after 1721 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Other-Begin: 12 May 1710, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 23 Apr 1716, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Other-Begin:
p.380-381 Sarah Arnold, Widdow & Relict of the late deceased Richard Arnold on the one Party & Richard Arnold, John Arnold, & Thomas Arnold Sones of the aforesd Richard Arnold.
Whereas she received by last will & Testament of Richard Arnold two lotts in Providence with Orchard & dwellinghouse, but she cannot because of age improve said to any advantage, relinquishes to Richard, John, and Thomas, Executors, provided they pay her 8 Pounds on or before the 29th of May in every year during her natural life, or the lotts revert back to her. 12 May 1710. Signed Sarah (her X mark) Arnold, Richard Arnold, John Arnold, Thomas Arnold. Witnessed by Jos. Jenckes junr., Samuell Comestock. Recorded Jun 3, 1710.

Other-Begin:
Vol. IX, p.29-30 23rd of Aprill 1716. Laying out of a highway through Wesquetomscutt and Wansocott [Woonsocket] Lands and so over the River Called the branch ...."Crassing the said path sevorall times with bounds plainely marked by Hazadiah Comestockes and a Long by Samuell Comestockes and Richard Spreagues to the Branch of the River" Signed by John Arnold, Henry Mawrey, Samuell Comestock Junr.

John married Mary Mowry in 1693 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. Mary (daughter of Nathaniel Mowry and Joanna Inman) was born in 1675 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 27 Jan 1742 in Woonsocket, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Other-Begin: 12 May 1710, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Other-Begin:
p.380-381 Sarah Arnold, Widdow & Relict of the late deceased Richard Arnold on the one Party & Richard Arnold, John Arnold, & Thomas Arnold Sones of the aforesd Richard Arnold.
Whereas she received by last will & Testament of Richard Arnold two lotts in Providence with Orchard & dwellinghouse, but she cannot because of age improve said to any advantage, relinquishes to Richard, John, and Thomas, Executors, provided they pay her 8 Pounds on or before the 29th of May in every year during her natural life, or the lotts revert back to her. 12 May 1710. Signed Sarah (her X mark) Arnold, Richard Arnold, John Arnold, Thomas Arnold. Witnessed by Jos. Jenckes junr., Samuell Comestock. Recorded Jun 3, 1710.

Thomas married Elizabeth Burlingame on 5 Dec 1706 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Elizabeth (daughter of Roger Burlingame, (immigrant) and Mary Barlingstone) was born on 9 Nov 1683 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 5 May 1752. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Phebe married Thomas Smith about 1696 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. Thomas (son of Edward Smith and Anphillis Angell) was born on 19 Feb 1670 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 2 Sep 1741 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 6 Feb 1713, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Will:
Probate: 6 FEB 1712/3
Estate inventory.

Probate: 13 MAY 1713
Estate administration granted to widow Sarah Arnold.


Died:
referred to as deceased in his father's will.

Eleazor married Sarah Hawkins about 1699 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. Sarah (daughter of William Hawkins, II and Lydia Ballou) was born about 1682 in of, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died after 1732 in of, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 1 Jul 1758, Gloucester, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Will:
Proved 17 Jul 1758. Named son Stephen Smith and grandson William Hopkins executors. Also mentions daughters Ruth Hopkins, Deborah Wal, Elizabeth Mann, and Naomi Angell; son Elijah's children; granddaughter Elizabeth Hawkins; and granddaughter Martha Smith.

Elizabeth married William Hawkins, III on 14 Dec 1704 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. William (son of William Hawkins, II and Lydia Ballou) was born about 1679 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 8 Oct 1712 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Israel Smith on 3 Jun 1718 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Israel (son of John Smith, Jr. and Sarah Whipple) was born on 13 Jan 1689 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 20 Jan 1726 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Other-Begin: 1 Apr 1727, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Other-Begin:
Will dated 1 Apr 1727, proved 13 Apr 1727. Bequests to wife Anne and children Sarah Aldrich, David, and Anne, who is under 18. Wit: Richard Sprague, Hazadiah Comstock, Joseph Arnold.

Joseph married Mercy Stafford about 1720 in Warwick, Kent Co, Rhode Island. Mercy was born on 21 Sep 1694 in Warwick, Kent Co, Rhode Island; died in 1752 in Warwick, Kent Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Abigail married John Mann on 29 Jun 1720 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. John was born in 1695 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 17 Dec 1782 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jeremiah married Mrs. Freelove (..) Arnold about 1734. Freelove was born on 6 Mar 1701; died in 1775 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Quaker
• Other-Begin: 14 May 1707, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 2 Oct 1708, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Residence: 16 Jun 1713, Woonsocket, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 14 Feb 1716, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 23 Apr 1716, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 28 Jan 1717, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 27 Jan 1718, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 31 Mar 1718, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 1 Aug 1718, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 15 Sep 1718, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 2 Nov 1723, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 1 Jun 1724, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 27 Feb 1727, Woonsocket, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Will: 1 Apr 1727, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Samuel Comstock was a Quaker and resided in Smithfield, RI.

May 14, 1707 had 14 shillings and chattels taken from him as a fine for not training (Quaker).

Will April 1, 1727, Proved April 13, 1727, bequests to wife, Anne, to his children, Sarah Aldrich, David and Anne Comstock. Inventory 319 pounds, 19s, 3d.

Samuel Comstock mentioned in record of the Greenwich monthly meetings between 1705 and 1717. The 3rd month, 1706, Friends from Providence present their sufferings and Samuel Comstock and Edward Bass are appointed to attend to same.

February 27, 1727 Samuel Comstock deeds to Samuel Jr. Comstock 100 acres 'on both sides of a river that runs out of a cedar swamp known as Wansocutt (Woonsocket) cedar Swamp, besides that on which son Samuel now resides.

1. The History and Genealogy of the Comstock Family in America, 1949, John Adams Comstock


__________________
(Vol. 1 #3207)
The Comstock Lode and Henry Tompkins Paige Comstock--The Comstock Family

In the history of silver mining there is probably no area in the world more celebrated than the Comstock Lode.
This rich vein of combined silver and gold, located in Storey County Nevada, produced three hundred and fory million dollars in silver during the thirty year perion of 1860 to 1890. In its peak year of 1877 alone, it yielded thirty eight mn dollars.
The story of its discovery and development is a fascinating saga of the early west told again in three recently published and widely circulated books. The first, and most important, is a reprint of the classic account published by "Dan De e" in 1875 "History of the Big Bonanza." Dan De Quille was the nom de plume of William Wright, staff writer for the Birginia City "Enterprise," and the one best qualified to record the story. Unfortunately his book had very little sale, and is now a scarce item. The reprint, published by Alfred A. Knopf, and edited by Oscar Lewis and Robert Glass Cleland, is titled "The Big Bonanza," and makes this valuable source material generally available.
As a readily accessible historic account, George D. Lyman's "Saga of the Comstock Lode," issued in 1946 by Charles Scribner's Sons, is the book of next improtance.
The third work is C.B. Glasscock's book, "The Big Bonanza," published by Binfords and Mort in 1931.
All three of these works give in detail accounts of the discovery and early development of the Lode when Henry Tompkins Paige Comstock was there. They all agree concerning his eccentricities and peculiar quirks of character. He is pictus an illiterate prospector given to much boasting, with a vivid imagination that had little regard fro factis. He was said to possess streaks of kindliness and impractical generosity, but these were interspersed with volatile outbursts. An account of Comstock's activities prior to his appearance in the Washoe mining district of Nevada, and of his later experiences after leaving Virginia City is not recorded. In Chapter X of Dan De Quille's book, there is a letter written by H.T.P. Comstock in which he recounts his wanderings and various activities, It was written from Butte City, Montana, when he was nearly fifty years of age, and is so full of obvious errors and bombastic imaginings as to be utterly worthless from the standpoint of history. It does, however, give a few clues as to his earlier and later activities, some of which have been in part confirmed from authentic sources. In this letter he gives his full name as Henry Thomas Paige Comstock. Perhaps he purposely substituted Thomas for Tompkins; but it is likely that he forgot he had been given his mother's family name.
Henry Tompkins Paige Comstock was born in Trenton, Ontario, Canada, in the year 1820. His father was Noah Bird Comstock who is listed as the head of Family 723 in this genealogy. His mother was Catherine Tompkins, daughter of Stephen Tom, Jr, of Watertown, NJ.
Contrary to statements usually made, he came of good stock on both sides of the family. His father was in the lumber and hotel business, and had moved in early life to Cooperstown, NY. Later he went to Ontario, Canada, then to Cleveland,, and finally to Blissfield, Michigan.
Henry was the fifth in a family of twelve children. Apparently he had a profound distaste for learning. It was stated by his friend and partner, Emanuel Penrod, that he could not read nor write.
At a very early age he was bound out to the American Fur Company and according to his statement "trapped all over Canada, Michigan, and Indiana." It is claimed that he served in the Black Hawk War, but if so, he must have been about the yot recruit. He was only twelve years of age when Chief Black Hawk surrendered. He served in the Mexican War, and according to his statement, "... all through the Patriot War in Canada."
The drift of the American forty niners into California found him in the gold country, where he probably prospected for a time without success, as the next reference to him is as a herder, driving a large band of sheep into the Carson Valleye Piute Indians got most of his sheep and left him destitute; but the Mormon pioneers of the district took him in, and eventually he became one of the band of rough and ready prospectors who were washing gold in the stream beds of the area. Most of these men knew more about "tarantula juice" (wiskey) and faro than they did about mineralogy.
There were, however, two young easterners, Allen and Hosea Grosch, in the district who were competent mineralogists. They had come from Utica, NY, where their father, A.B. Grosch, was a Univeralist clergyman. In the fall of 1855, they discd an outcropping on the slopes of Mt. Davidson, which yielded a bluish ore testing high in silver. They kept their discovery secret from all but their father, and endeavored to raise capital for the development of their claim. Failing in this, they worked in the gold diggings in the hope of obtaining enough of the yellow metal to start their larger project.
Hosea Grosch injured his foot, and died of tetanus in 1857. In an effort to raise funds, Allen and an associate, Richard Burke, decided to take samples of their ore and maps of their claim to California. Henry T.P. Comstock was left in e of the Gorsch cabin wherein were housed their various effects, including a locked chest full of ore samples, charts, and documents.
Gorsch and Burke began their trek over the Sierran trails but were trapped by the December storms. After incredible hardships and the loss of all their equipment they were finally rescued more dead than alive by miners from Last Chance, r County. Their feet and hands were frozen, and gangrene soon set in. There was no surgeon in camp, and the miners felt that only an amputation would save their lives. The operation was performed by men who were skilled in the use of pick and shovel. Allen Grosch died on December 19, 1857. And so the two brothers who were the real discoverers of the Comstock Lode were gone. Richard Burke lived; and after his recovery returned to his native Canada.
When Henry T.P. Comstock learned of Allen Grosch's death, he decided that it was his right to examine the contents of the locked chest in their cabin. In fact, from that time on, he claimed that the cabin was his personal property. When test was opened and found to contain only samples of ores with to him unintelligible charts and documents, Comstock flew into a rage, and destroyed everything that seemed to have any bearing on the Grosch brothers.
All that he could understand was that the peculiar blue ore had been found by the brothers somewhere on Mt. Davidson, presumably not far from the cabin, and that it was rich in gold. He had no inkling that it was almost pure sulfide of s. Thereafter Comstock spent much time in visiting the various diggings of the local miners and prospectors, in search of that particular blue ore.
On January 28, 1859 four miners working on a sight at Gold Hill uncovered some bluish rock which yielded considerable gold. Comstock heard of the strike, and immediately looked them up. He was convinced that they had found the blue stuff d been seeking, and tried to talk himself into a partnership on the basis of some shady rights that he claimed to have on the area. The miners were nort convinced; but a portion of the site next to the discovery was unclaimed and Comstock filed on what remained.
The four miners who had located on the Gold Hill outcropping were James Fennimore, known as "Old Virginny"; John Bishop, known as "Big French John"; Aleck Henderson, and Jack Yount. They had actually uncovered one end of the Lode, but not ain vein which had previously been found by the Grosch brothers.
In working the Gold Hill deposits, Comstock and the other miners had great difficulty in separating the gold from the "blue stuff," and spent much energy in loudly cursing it as they discarded great quanities of silver salts worth many time value of the gold recovered.
One June evening, Comstock learned that two prospectors named Pete O'Riley and Pat McLaughlin were mining in Spanish ravine near a spring where he had previously staked off a claim for grazing purposes. Full of "sound and fury" he straightid himself over the the diggings. There were Pete and Pat, making their last cleanup for the day, with a mound of gold beside them. There was the real bluish ore.
Comstock stormed and threatened, and finally talked himself and his partner, "Manny" Penrod into an interest in the claim. He also wrangled an additional hundred feet for himself on the basis of his water rights.
The claims thus staked out developed later into the famous Ophir and Mexican Mines which yielded millions of dollars in silver. To the ignorant men who found them, men interested only in gold and cursing the "blue stuff" that clogged theirers, they brought only a pittance. Pat McLaughlin sold his interest for three thousand, five hundred dollars. Emanual Penrod let his go for eight thousand, five hundred dollars. Pete O'Riley held on longer than the others, and finally sold out for forty thousand dollars, and eventually died an insane pauper. Comstock traded an old blind horse and abottle of whiskey for a one tenth share owned by "Old Virginny," (James F. Cooper) but later sold all of his holdings to Judge James Walsh of Grass Valley for eleven thousand dollars and lost it all trying to run a store in Carson City. All of the original locators of the Lode died in poverty.
O'Riley and McLaughlin are generally credited with the discovery, on June 12, 1859, of the famous Lode. Actually theirs was a redicovery of the Grosh brothers' lost claim. "Old Virginny" and his associates would with equal right, be crediith the prior discovery on January 28, 1859, since their claims were located at one end of the vein.
Comstock's daydreaming of his wealth, and loud boasting of his exploits kept him so busy that he had no time to bake sour dough bread as did most of the miners. He therefore made pancakes, and became so adept at tossing them that he camee known in the diggings as "Old Pancake."
He talked so loud and long of "his mine" that the people of the district began calling it the Comstock Lode.
In 1862, after his failure as a merchant, Comstock left Nevada and followed the life of a prospector and road builder in eastern Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. His hope was always for the discovery of another Big Bonanza. He did make severalkes of minor importance. Bancroft states that he and Lytle opened the first quartz vein in which free gold was visible on the Powder River; and that he surveyed a road from there which was shorter and better than the old one. On August 11,1862, he discovered a vein from which he took four hundred and fifty dollars in gold, according to the San Francisco Bulletin of Augst 27, 1862. He was apparently active as a miner in various sections of Idaho and Montana. He accompanied the Big Horn Expedition which planned to explore and prospect the Yellowstone Country.
In 1870 he was called to Nevada as a witness for the Ophir Company, and was well paid for his testimony. He was said to have had considerable money on his person when he returned to Bozeman, Montana. Accounts differ as to the cause of hish there on September 29, 1870. On his grave marker in Bozeman Cemetery it is recorded that he "committed suicide by shooting himself through the head."
Many who knew him believe that he was murdered for the money he carried. Such an opinion is expressed in a letter written by his old friend and partner, Emanuel Penrod, to Samuel Willett Comstock. The original of this letter is here repro. It gives an interesting, though-biased appraisal of the character of H.T.P. Comstock by one of the original owners of the "Comstock Mine." Penrod's reference to Comstock's "wife living in style in Cal." is pure fiction. The true story of Comstock's purchase of a wife from a Mormon immigrant, and of her running away twice with other men, is told in Chapter IX of dan De Quille's "Big Bonanza."
In the Bozeman, Montana, Cemetery "Old Pancake" rests in peace, while the silver tinkle of his name is heard around the world wherever the Comstock Lode is metioned. Generous, boastful, kindly, illiterate, the restless spirit of the "Magnit Liar of Washoe" lives on in the ghost town and crumblin mine shafts of the old west. Gone is the man who gave away more gold than most people have ever seen - through whose fingers slipped a veritable flood of silver. But his record will carry down the years as one of the most colorful chapters in the story of the Big Bonanza.

A reproduction of the letter written to Samuel Willett Comstock by Emanuel Penrod on July 25, 1909, appears in The Comstock family on p. 509.
It tells of the mine discovery, Comstock's honesty, his wife and the money he spent on her jewelry, her leaving him and living in Calif., how he took care of the poor people, took up with strangers, how he was swindled at every turn, his failure as a merchant, and his murder for the money he carried.

Henry Tompkins Paige Comstock's picture appears on p. 180 of The Comstock Family

There is reference to H.T.P. Comstock on p. 530 etc. in "The West in American History" by Ban Elbert Clark

The Comstock family book is in the possession of either:
Bruce Pester
30172 Via Rivera
Palas Verdes Peninsula
California 90274

Clark Pester
7533 Juler Ave
Mederia, Ohio 45243

Other-Begin:
14 May 1707 - Fined for not training, he being a Quaker

Other-Begin:
The Early Records of the Town of Providence
Vol XX Deed Book 2, p.284-287 2 Oct 1708, Reign of Queen Anne. Indenture between Eliezer Arnold of one part and Thomas Smith, Joseph Smith Junr, Samuell Wilkinson junr, Samuell Comstock junr, Thomas Arnold, junr, Eliezer Arnold junr, and Joseph Arnold all of Providence in the collony of Rhode Island, Husbandmen, of the other part. Sold all that tract of land near his now dwellinghouse on the West side of the highway from Mendon to Providence, containing halfe an acre on which stands a Certaine Meatinghouse of the People called Quakers. There shall be No devision or Partition made of ye granted primises, or any part thereof, but that ye Same Shall be held & Used in common. Signed by all 8 gentlement in the presence of Walter Phettiplace and Benjamin Smith. Aknowledge before Joseph Jenckes, Assistant on 7 Mar 1709. Recorded 17 Mar 1709, Thos. Olney, Clerk.

Residence:
History of Woonsocket
p.52 Tax Payers, June 16, 1713, include: Daniel Comstock, Hazadiah Comstock, Sam. Comstock, Capt., Samuel Comstock, Jr., Thomas Comstock (Samuel and his 4 oldest sons)

Other-Begin:
Vol XIII, Town Meeting No. 2, p.2-3 14 Feb 1716 Samuel Comstock Junr John Arnold Junr & Henry Mawry Chosen to Lay out a highway from the highway formerly Layed out by the Town to Westquotomset: to Wansocut so far as they shall think meete: and make Returne of there proceedings to the towne for the Towns allowance and Confirmation of sd work

Other-Begin:
Vol. IX, p.29-30 23rd of Aprill 1716. Laying out of a highway through Wesquetomscutt and Wansocott [Woonsocket] Lands and so over the River Called the branch ...."Crassing the said path sevorall times with bounds plainely marked by Hazadiah Comestockes and a Long by Samuell Comestockes and Richard Spreagues to the Branch of the River" Signed by John Arnold, Henry Mawrey, Samuell Comestock Junr.

Other-Begin:
Vol XIII, Town Meeting No. 2, p.11. 28 Jan 1717. Capt Richard Waterman Chosen Moderator. Mr Jonathan Spreague Chosen Grand juriman to serve att the next Genrl Court of Tryals to be holden att Newport the Last tusday in March Next. And Samuel Comestock Junr, Leiut Roger Burlinggame, Leiut William Harris, Ebenezer Spreague to serve pette Jurimen att sd Court

Other-Begin:
Vol XIII, Town Meeting No. 2, p.6-7 27 Jan 1718. Upon a bill presented by severall persons Liveing in the northern part of the Towne ship: that they may have a pound build in that parte of the Towne: the which by voate is Granted: and also a Comittee of three men Chosen to appoynt where sd Pound shall be sett.
Ensigne James Whipple, John Arnold Junr and Saml Comstock Junr are the three men Chosen

Other-Begin:
Vol.XVI, p.50-52. Samuel Comstock, Jr. and John Mowre appraised the estate of Jathaniel Mawrey who died 24 Mar 1718. Date of appraisal was 31 Mar 1718. Nathaniel's son Joseph was Executor.

Other-Begin:
p.85-88 Accounts of the estate of Nathaniel Mowrey reveals a payment of 6 shillings to Samuell Comestock on 1 Aug 1718.

Other-Begin:
p.83-85. Samuel Comstock, Junr, Joseph Smith and Daniell Mathewson witnessed the Last Will and Testament of John Malavery dated 15 Sep 1718.

Other-Begin:
p.274-275. Agreement among heirs of Anne (Inman) Comstocks two deceased sisters, Tabitha and Joannah, signed by Samuel Barlet, John Inman, Valentine Inman, Deborah Inman, Daniel Mathewson, John Belaue, Samuel Comstock, Junr. 2 Nov 1723.

Other-Begin:
Vol XIII, Town Meeting No. 2, p.30. 1 Jun 1724 Samuel Comestock Junr Chosen seacond Constable. Marked with an X to indicate he was Engaged.

Property:
27 Feb 1727, his father Samuel Comstock deeded to Samuel, Jr. 100 acres "on both sides of a river that runs out of a cedar swamp known as Wansocut (Woonsocket) cedar swamp, being that on which son Samuel now resides"

Will:
Will dated 1 Apr 1727, proved 13 Apr 1727. Bequests to wife Anne and children Sarah Aldrich, David, and Anne, who is under 18. Wit: Richard Sprague, Hazadiah Comstock, Joseph Arnold.

Samuel* married Anne* Inman about 1704 in Rhode Island. Anne* (daughter of John* Inman and Mary* Wightman) was born about 1679 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died in 1727 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 16 Jun 1713, Woonsocket, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 1 Apr 1727, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 1731, Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Burial: Quaker Ancient Cemetery, edge of Woonsocket, RI

Hazadiah Comstock was a Quaker. He had a mare worth 2 pounds taken from him May 5, 1708 for not training.

The House built by Hazadiah Comstock in 1733 and occupied by him until his death, by his widow Martha, his son Ezekiel, and grandson Henry and heirs till 1858 was burned about 1885. It stood a mile south of Blackstone Junction. The cellar walls were standing in 1896.

Hazadiah deeded November 19, 1730 100 acres to sons William and Gideon.

Smithfield, CT June 1734: the Assembly voted he be taken to Massachusetts Bay to have trial on complain of Jonathan Draper.

Will March 10, 1763, proved March 5, 1764 makes bequests to sons John, Ezekiel, Gideon, Hazadiah; to wife Martha; to daughters Anne Comstock, Rachel Steere, Martha Staples; to children of daughter Catherine Steere, deceased, viz: Elisha, Nathan, David, Rachel; to grandchildren Susanna and Anthony Comstock, children of son Anthony, deceased; to grandchildren Mary Aldrich, Thomas Arnold and Catherine Arnold. Inventor, 10,421 pounds, 12 shillings, 10d.

Hazadiah and Martha, his wife, November 29, 1757 receipt for 313 pounds for share of John Balkom's estate.

The Hazadiah Comstock estate was in Smithfield, RI which before 1731 was part of Providence.

1. The History and Genealogy of the Comstock Family in America, 1949, John Adams Comstock

Residence:
History of Woonsocket
p.52 Tax Payers, June 16, 1713, include: Daniel Comstock, Hazadiah Comstock, Sam. Comstock, Capt., Samuel Comstock, Jr., Thomas Comstock (Samuel and his 4 oldest sons)

Other-Begin:
Will dated 1 Apr 1727, proved 13 Apr 1727. Bequests to wife Anne and children Sarah Aldrich, David, and Anne, who is under 18. Wit: Richard Sprague, Hazadiah Comstock, Joseph Arnold.

Other-Begin:
David Comstock was chosen the first constable of the new township of Smithfield at the first town meeting in 1731; his brother (uncle?) Hazadiah was one of the first fence viewers. History of Smithfield, RI by Thomas Steere, c 1881, p.24

Hazadiah married Catherine Pray on 16 Apr 1682 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. Catherine (daughter of John* Pray and Sarah* Brown) was born about 1690 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died after 1733 in of, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Hazadiah married Martha Balcom on 10 Aug 1730. Martha was born on 21 May 1714; died on 06 May 1794. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 16 Jun 1713, Woonsocket, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Resided in Providence and in East and West Greenwich, RI.

Thomas Comstock was a Quaker; he had a horse taken from him January 21, 1708 for not training. In 1735 he was a freeman of East Greenwich.

March 25, 1733-34 Thomas Comstock sold land at Logbridge, near Pawtucket, to his brother John, who lived and died tghere.
January 15, 1738-39 deeds land bought of Sweet to his son William.
October 4, 1753 deeds land to Thomas Jr. Comstock and to Job (to qualify them as freeholders, which required 400 pounds); they were admitted freeholders in 1754.

Will, June 10, 1761, proved October 3, 1761 makes bequests to sons Job,
Thomas, William; to daughters Patience, Susanna and Esther Comstock; to daughter Lydia Scott; to wife Mercy; and to grandson Charles, eldest son of daugter Sarah, deceased.

1. The History and Genealogy of the Comstock Family in America, 1949, John Adams Comstock

Residence:
History of Woonsocket
p.52 Tax Payers, June 16, 1713, include: Daniel Comstock, Hazadiah Comstock, Sam. Comstock, Capt., Samuel Comstock, Jr., Thomas Comstock (Samuel and his 4 oldest sons)

Thomas married Mercy Jenckes on 09 Jul 1713. Mercy (daughter of William Jenckes and Patience Sprague) was born in 1690 in Pawtucket, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died after 1740. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 16 Jun 1713, Woonsocket, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 28 Mar 1733, Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Daniel Comstock was a Quaker.

Monthly meeting of Friends December 20, 1708 denied Daniel Comstock 'to be of our profession until he repent and amend his ways,' for beating and abusing a man.

He gave deed December 21, 1735 at Smithfield, RI to his son Azaraih. April 8, 1738 deeded to son Danield 30 acres.

1768, administration to widow Elizabeth. Inventor, 114 pounds, 12 shillings 3 d.

1. The History and Genealogy of the Comstock Family in America, 1949, John Adams Comstock

Residence:
History of Woonsocket
p.52 Tax Payers, June 16, 1713, include: Daniel Comstock, Hazadiah Comstock, Sam. Comstock, Capt., Samuel Comstock, Jr., Thomas Comstock (Samuel and his 4 oldest sons)

Property:
Smithfield RI, DB 1, p.16-17 30 Mar 1731 David Comstock to Joseph Cook. 31 acres on the NW side of the Branch River where it empties into the Pawtucket [Blackstone] River. Signed: David Comstock. William Comstock [probably his brother] was one of the witnesses. Acknowledged by David Comstock on 27 Apr 1733.
On 28 Mar 1733, Joseph Cook, sold this same 31 acres to Daniel Comstock, stating that the land was formerly laid out to Samuel Comstock on 18 May 1716 - this could be either David's father or his grandfather as they both died in 1727.

Daniel married (Mrs. Daniel) Comstock, (1st wife) about 1708 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. (Mrs. was born about 1686; died after 1718. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married Elizabeth Buffum on 2 Aug 1750. Elizabeth was born on 26 Apr 1709; died in 1768. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1. The History and Genealogy of the Comstock Family in America, 1949, John Adams Comstock

Elizabeth married John Sayles, Jr on 1 Dec 1717 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. John (son of John Sayles, Jr. and Mrs. Elizabeth (..) Sayles, son of John Sayles, III and Elizabeth Olney) was born on 13 Jan 1692 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 16 Sep 1777 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Burial: North Burial Ground, Providence, RI.

Children were born in Providence, RI.

John Comstock was a blacksmith residing in Providence, RI.

Deeded land by father Samuel Comstock March 23, 1714 83 acres near Woonsocket Hill, RI.
John Comstock March 12, 1734-35 of Providence deeds Samuel Aldrich 150 acres at 'Wansecut.'

John was assistant 1st Wednesday in May 1746.

John gave deed January 16, 1736 to son, Samuel, of 30 acres; March 24, 1745 to son, Joseph, 17 acres; July 7, 1747 to son, Jeremiah, for love, 150 acres; August 15, 1749 deed to son John; August 16, 1749 he deeded 170 acres to sons John, Jonathan, James, Nathan and Ichabod.
John Comstock, blacksmith, deeds to his son Joseph, blackmsmith, March 14, 1744.

Administration February 12, 1750 to sons Samuel and John. Inventor 1,918 pounds 2 shillings, 0 d.


1. The History and Genealogy of the Comstock Family in America, 1949, John Adams Comstock

John married Esther Jenckes about 1714 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. Esther (daughter of William Jenckes and Patience Sprague) was born in 1695 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died in 1727 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Sarah Dexter. Sarah was born on 17 Jun 1698; died on 8 Jul 1773. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Resided in Smithfield, RI where children were born.

No issue by second wife

Ichabod Comstock and wife, Elizabeth, April 4, 1757, deed son Abraham 40 acres in Smithfield, RI.

Will: October 5, 1770, proved February 6, 1775, gives real estate to sons Ichabod and Jonathan, 1/2profits to wife Elizabeth; rest of personal estate to daughters Ruth Comstock And elizabeth Malavery. Personal estate 153 pounds. Executor, son Jonathan.

1. The History and Genealogy of the Comstock Family in America, 1949, John Adams Comstock.

Ichabod married Zibiah Wilkinson on 13 Sep 1722. Zibiah (daughter of Samuel Wilkinson and Huldah Aldrich) was born on 7 Oct 1702; died after 1723. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ichabod married Elizabeth Boyce on 26 Mar 1747. Elizabeth was born after 1696; died after 1748. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Either there was a second marriage to a Phoebe Balcom or Phoebe Jenckes had been previously married and Phoebe Jenckes and Phoebe Balcom were the same person.

Resided in Gloucester, RI at time of his second marriage.

August 14, 1758 at Beekman precinct, Dutchess County, NY he deeded land in Gloucester, RI to Amos Sprague and wife Mercy, the latter being his daughter.

November 29, 1757 Job Comstock and his wife, Phebe, receipt for 313 pounds, as our share of our two sisters' (Deborah Crary and Mary Balcom, both deceased) inheritance from our ancestor John Balcom.

1. The History and Genealogy of the Comstock Family in America, 1949, John Adams Comstock

Job married Phebe Jenckes on 16 Jan 1703 in Rhode Island. Phebe was born about 1683; died after 1730. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Job married Phebe Balcom on 22 Nov 1735 in Rhode Island. Phebe was born about 1710; died after 1750. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Abigail Morse in 1694 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. Abigail was born on 6 Aug 1677 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts; died on 18 Oct 1726 in London, Middlesex, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

George married Tabitha Fullam on 19 Apr 1726 in Weston, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. Tabitha was born on 22 Apr 1696 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts; died on 2 Nov 1762 in Harvard, Worcester Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Elizabeth French about 1740. Elizabeth was born in 1715; died in 1793. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]