John Comstock, Sr.

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]

1. Samuel Comstock was born in 1715 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 16 Jan 1755 in Providence Co, Rhode Island.
2. John Comstock, Jr. was born about 1716 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died in 1813.
3. Jonathan Comstock was born about 1725 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died before Oct 1800.
4. Jeremiah Comstock was born about 1728 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died in 1791 in Danbury, Vermont.
5. Joseph Comstock was born about 1730 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 02 Mar 1800.
6. James Comstock was born on 12 Dec 1733 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 07 Mar 1791 in North Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island.
7. Ichabod Comstock was born in 1734 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 19 Dec 1800.
8. Nathan Comstock was born on 06 Dec 1735 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 1 Oct 1816 in Farmington, Ontario, New York.
9. Esther Comstock was born in 1722 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died after 1770 in Providence Co, Rhode Island.

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

Other Events and Attributes:

• Property: 28 Sep 1663, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Residence: 1666, Woonsocket, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 27 Jul 1677, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 27 Jan 1678, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 12 Aug 1678, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 27 Jan 1679, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 24 Feb 1679, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 1 Jul 1679, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 1 Jul 1679, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 15 Aug 1679, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 27 Jan 1680, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 29 Jan 1680, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 29 Jan 1680, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 28 Jan 1681, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 10 Feb 1681, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 20 Feb 1681, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 11 Mar 1681, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 27 Apr 1681, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 15 Nov 1682, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 28 Jan 1683, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; or 1684
• Other-Begin: 2 Jun 1684, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 29 Oct 1684, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 21 May 1685, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 21 May 1685, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; from half-bro John III
• Other-Begin: 29 Jun 1685, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 29 Jun 1685, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 4 Nov 1685, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 9 Nov 1685, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 19 Nov 1685, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 2 Dec 1685, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 27 Jul 1686, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 25 Mar 1687, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 5 Jul 1687, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 20 Jul 1687, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 26 Sep 1687, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 31 Oct 1687, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: Aug 1688, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: Aug 1688, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 27 Mar 1691, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 10 Jun 1695, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 8 Apr 1697, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 8 Apr 1697, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; sent to fight Indians
• Other-Begin: 1 Mar 1699, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: Abt 1701, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 6 Mar 1702, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 20 Apr 1702, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 14 Jul 1703, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 16 Nov 1706, 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: 28 Apr 1707, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 19 May 1707, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 23 Apr 1708, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 4 Feb 1710, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 12 May 1710, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 21 Jul 1710, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Military: 9 Aug 1710, Port Royal (Queen Anne's War)
• Other-Begin: 27 Jan 1711, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 16 Mar 1711, 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
• Residence: 16 Jun 1713, Woonsocket, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 23 Apr 1716, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 21 Aug 1719, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 26 Feb 1722, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 9 Nov 1724, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Will: 21 Dec 1726, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 27 Feb 1727, Woonsocket, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Samuel was the first settler of Woonsocket, RI with his brother-in-law Richard Arnold.
Samuel Comstock, July 1, 1679, taxed 8d. In 1699, 1702, 07, 08, and 1711, he was appointed on a committee by Assembly to audit the General Treasurer's Account and Colony debts. April 1708, appointed on a committee to fix the rates of grain d other spices brought to the treasury. On May 6, 1707, Ensign Comstock was a Deputy from Providence. He was called Captain at the time of his death. (From Haggard and Comstock)

August 1710, Capt. Samuel Comstock and others obtained, April 14, 1707, a grant of land at Woonsocket Hill, RI. Samuel Comstock and Richard Arnold (whose sister Elizabeth, Samuel married) were the first settlers at Woonsocket. Samuel k had a long controversy with the town on Mendon over ownership of 900 acres of land on present state line between Mass, and RI. On Nov. 21, 1698, the selectman of Mendon gave Samuel Comstock "free liberty to cut so much timber as will be necessary for their use, viz.: to build the Saw mill and Dam at the Great River."
Samuel resided at Providence, but in 1731 a part was set off as Smithfield. Samuel Comstock's will of Dec. 21, 1726 was proved Sept. 18, 1727, executrix, wife Elizabeth. Inventory L296 6s ld. Will of widow Elizabeth Comstock of Smithfiell 10, 1745, proved Dec. 8, 1747, gives to sons Thomas, Daniel, Ichabod, John, Job, and Hazadiah; to daughter Elizabeth Sayles; to grandson David Comstock; to granddaughter Sarah Aldrich; to Great granddaughter Anne Steer, Inventory, L415 13s 8d. Children born in Providence.
--------
A daughter of another of Samuel's sons, Thomas, traces her ancestery back to William the Conquerer. See Arnold Family, New England Historical and Geneological Register, Vol 33, 1879.

August, 1710, Capt. Samuel Comstock ordered Henry Nowry of 2nd Company to impress men to go to Port Royal.

Burial: Quaker Ancient Cemetery, on edge of Woonsocket, RI; another record has 'north burial ground, Providence, RI'


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




Property:
The Early Records of the Town of Providence
Vol. III, p.40-41 28 Sep 1663 John Smith (Mason) hath desired of this Towne to change 6 1/2 acres of Land lieing in the neck, over against the East End of the house lott which formerly belonged unto John Clawson it lieing betweene the said howse lott formerly belonging to Clawson & the great Swamp; to change for a five aker lott which was by will of the Towne Coucell given unto the Two sones of Samuell Comstock (deceased) formerly inhabetant of this Towne; The said John Smith desiring the Exchange with this proviso: that in Case the aforsaid two sons of Samuell Comstock when they Com to age doe asent unto the said Exchange; then for the said John Smith to injoy the aforsaid five akers, and the two youthes the said six 1/2 akers aforspecified. But in Case the said youthes when they Come to age doe aprehend they are damniffied by said Exchange: Then for the said John Smith to Resine up the said five akers of Land unto the said youths; And the said John Smith to receive the aforsaid 6 1/2 of Land again with this provizo: the said Exchange is granted by the Towne.

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

Property:
Early Records of the Town of Providence
Vol.VIII Town Meetings #3, p.20. Towne Meeting 27 Jul 1677 "Voated by the Towne that Samuell Comstocks Bill be refered to the next meeting and then to receive a full Answer to the sayd Bill"

Property:
Early Records of the town of Providence
Vol VIII, p. 36 27 Jan 1678 Samuel Comstock requested that the towne grant the laying out of land which remains due to him of his father's right, which he bought from John Smith, Samuel Whipple objecting to the request. The council suspended an answer until 10 Feb. The council on that date decided against Samuel Comstock.

Property:
Vol.VIII,p.21-22 "Whereas Samuell Cumstock did prsent a bill to this Towne, this 12th day of Aug 1678: desireing yt they would sell a samll peice of Land to ye quantity of three Quarters of an Acar ...ye westerne End of ye sd Samll his Lott ....The towne doe by a free & full Voate Sell unto ye sd Samuel Comstock ...the sd peice of Land ...theire order six shillings."

Vol XIV Deed Book 1, p.102 Laid out unto Samuell Comstock in ye yeare 1678 three quarters of a acre of land, or theire abouts adjoyneing to ye west End of ye lott hee now dwelleth on, Wee say laid out by us, Arthur ffenner, Sirveior, William Hopkins, Sirveior

Property:
Vol.VIII, Town Meetings #3, p.36 Dated Jan 27 1679 "...Samuell Comstock prefered a bill ...desireing ye towne to grant ye Laying out of ye Land wch (he saith) is yet remaineing due unto him of his fathers Right wch he bought of John Smith (mason) ...Samuell Whipple had to Object ...Suspend an Answer thereto untill this day come fortnight wch will be upon ye 10th of Feb. next.
Vol.VIII, p.36-37 note in margin "his bill yet suspended" "because some are not sattisfied ..Adjurned until this day comes fortnight wch will be upon ye 24th of Feb.

Property:
Vol. VIII, p.37-38. Town met again on Feb 24, 1679. The best of my understanding is that Samuel Comstock believed John Smith (mason)'s Right was purchased by his deceased father Samuel but no one appeared for the drawing of the papers so Smith has continued to pay all dues and take possession of the Right. I'm not sure what the Town decided but it seems John Smith retained his Right!

Other-Begin:
The Early History of the town of Providence
Vol XV, p.185-191 Tax Levy 1 Jul 1679. Samawell Comstocke was one of the collectors. He was listed as paying 8p.

Other-Begin:
Vol VIII, p.156 9 Nov 1685. "Whereas there is a debt due from ye towne to Mr. John Sanford Recorder & ye towne being willing to discharge ye same, the sayd Mr. Sanford having this day demanded ye sayd debt. And whereas there is a part of a rate of 27 lb gathered & in ye hands of Samuell Comstock the which was made ye ye 1st of July 1679. It is ordred that ye sayd Samuell Comstock shall deliver up to ye towne this day 10 shillings of ye sayd Rate the which sayd 10 shillings shall be to defray he said debt to Mr. Sanford. The towne hath Received ye sayd 10 shillings of ye sd Samuell Comstock, the which is delivered to ye sayd towne in money."

Other-Begin:
Vol XV, p.196 15 Aug 1679. Samuell Comstock was a member of a Coroners Inquest into the untimely Death of Elizabeth pearce, Daughter of Ephraim pearce and Hannah his wife, aged about one yeare and halfe. The child had slipped out the door with an older sister and drowned in the well. The jury found she "exadentally fell into the well and was overwhelmed in water, and by the providence of God Drownded." [This account also in Vol VIII, p.57-58)

Property:
Vol XV, p.200 27 Jan 1680. John Dexter petitions for a smal pecce of land betwen Samuel Comstocks and our hous and would have it as low as Samuel Comstockes Corner. Bill was granted at the same rate as Sam. Comstock paid. [Also noted in Vol.VIII, p.90.]


Other-Begin:
Vol.XV, p.206-214 Two Tax levys 16 Jul 1680. Sam: Comstock paid a total of 4p in one levy and 7p in the other.

Other-Begin:
Vol XV, p.223-225. Another tax levy dated 29 Jan 1680. Sam: Comstock paid 9p.

Property:
Vol XIV Deed Book 1, p.101-102 Upon ye 28th day of January in ye yeare 1681. Laid out unto Samuell Comstock in ye Right of Thomas Arnold 30 acrs of land, the which belonged unto ye said Thomas Arnold in a second Grant for devision betweene ye 7 mile line & ye 4 mile line & was by Towne order upon ye 27th of Januarey 1681 granted unto ye said Samuell Comstock to be layd out elsewhere upon ye Towns Comon. [proceeded to lay out part of farm formerly belonging to Thomas Wallin Senr, bounded by John Brownes land, to a piece of meadow formerly belonging to Stephen Northrup: Bound on North by Comon, East by Thomas Walling, North by Wallings farm, South by Meadow of Stephen Northup or brook. There is a surveryor's diagram of this piece of property.] Thomas Olney, Sirveior.


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]

Other-Begin:
Vol XV, p.226 20 Feb 1681. Towne voted on a sufficient highway begining at ye North End of ye land taken up already by Samuell Comstock in ye Right of Thomas Arnold, and so to run Northward.

Other-Begin:
Vol.VIII, p.93 11 Mar 1681 Samuell Comstock & Benjamin Hernden witnessed for Jonathan Morey that he is heir to father Roger Morey and claims his 12 acres of upland and new fields and desires his claim to be placed in the record.

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]

Other-Begin:
Vol.VIII, p.120 15 Nov 1682 "Ordred that Samuell Comstocks Bill for forty foote square of land on ye norwesterne part of Thomas Olney his foure staked meadow, for severall reasons is not, nor shall not be granted."

Other-Begin:
Vol XVII p.28 to the town of Providance met this 28th of January 1683 or 84 naibours and freinds I pray let me have the quontati of 40 foot square of land or theabout agineing to the west end of my lot I now dwel one and I shall bee willing soe to alow as others deid that had lots 40 foot square by the water side your to Command Samuell Comstock

Other-Begin:
Vol.VIII, p.140 2 Jun 1684 "It being the day of Election of Towne officers ....Samuel Cumstock chosen serjant & engaged."

Other-Begin:
Vol XVII p.44 Tax levied Oct 29 1684: Samuell Comstock 1 shilling

Property:
Vol XVII p.34 To the town of providance met this 17th of march: 1683: or: 84 loving freinds; whereas it apeares that my deseased father John Smith In his Life time: was intruested with a Right of land or lands in this town of providance and towneshipps: and hee dieing Intested the said right of lands by Right of inhiartence belongeth unto me his heire and whereas the greatest part of my lands lyeth undievied from the townes Commons my request therefore is that the towne would be pleased to ordar maters so that my lands may be layed out and in so doing you will OBliage him who is yours to Command. John Smith
John Smiths Bill [petition] Jamecos Son.
Vol XIV Deed Book 1 p.122-123 John Smith sometime knowne by the name of Jameco John formerly inhabetant of ye Towne of Providence ...but now deceased was by ye said towne ...accomedated with a five & twenty acre Right of landes & Comoning ....I John Smith of ye towne of Meadfield in the Colloney of Massachussetts ...son & Heire unto ye aforenamed deceased John Smith for a valuable sume of money in hand ...payd unto me by Samuell Comstock ...make over ...unto ye said Samuel Comstock ..for Ever all the Right Intrest Clayme & Title that I have. 21 May 1685. Signed by the mark of John Smith.
http://moreleaves.blogspot.com/2009/08/comstock-family-oops-part-2-anne.html

Property:
Vol XIV Deed Book 1, p.122-123 John Smith, son of John Smith (Jameco John) now deceased, deeds to Samuel Comstock 25 acres in Providence. John now lives in Meadfield, MA, and is likely the half brother of Samuel. [See Anne (Tucker) Comstock Smith] 21 May 1685. Witnessed by Thomas Olney, Thomas Olney Junr, Abraham Harding.

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 IV, pp.115-121 29 Jun 1685. Settlement of estate of Thomas Arnold who died in Sep 1674. Thomas died intestate; this is an agreement among remaining heirs. Samuel & Elizabeth received 20 pounds. The sons of Thomas received land; Elizabeth through Samuel appears to have already received most of her inheritance.

Other-Begin:
Vol XIV, p.164 Nov 4, 1685. Land laid out to Thomas Estance in the Right of John Warner borders on the East, land laid out to Samuel Comstock. Thomas Olney, Surveior.

Other-Begin:
Vol VIII, p.156 9 Nov 1685. "Whereas there is a debt due from ye towne to Mr. John Sanford Recorder & ye towne being willing to discharge ye same, the sayd Mr. Sanford having this day demanded ye sayd debt. And whereas there is a part of a rate of 27 lb gathered & in ye hands of Samuell Comstock the which was made ye ye 1st of July 1679. It is ordred that ye sayd Samuell Comstock shall deliver up to ye towne this day 10 shillings of ye sayd Rate the which sayd 10 shillings shall be to defray he said debt to Mr. Sanford. The towne hath Received ye sayd 10 shillings of ye sd Samuell Comstock, the which is delivered to ye sayd towne in money."

Other-Begin:
Vol XIV, p.184-185 Nov 19, 1685. Land laid out to Joseph Smith bounds Samuel Comstock. (which Joseph Smith? Likely son of John (the Mason) Smith.

Other-Begin:
Vol VIII, p.159-160 2 Dec 1685. Thomas Olney to lay out highway through the land of Samuell Comstock & John Browne and lay them out other land at the town's charge. In the same session: "Granted unto Samuell Comstock that he may Exchange five acres of land which was layd out unto him in the neck betweene ye great swampe & ye land which formerly belonged to Phillipp Taber..."

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 VIII, p.170 25 Mar 1687 "Voated, Sam: Comstocks Bill is refered to ye next meeteing. The meeting is desolved"

Property:
Vol XIV Deed Book 1 p.170-171 John Field deeds to Samuel Comstock for 4 pounds, 10 shillings silver money, two pieces of Meadow, each containing about 1 acre. Bounded on each side by stream or brook, near Wallings farm and bounds Wallings or land belonging to said Samuel Comstock. 5 July 1687, third year of the Reign of King James II. Signed John ffield. Witnessed by John Whipple and Epenetus Olney.

Other-Begin:
Vol XVII p.98-103 Tax levy of Jul 20 1687. Samuel Comstock 3 shillings.

Other-Begin:
Vol XIV Deed Book 1 p.185 26 Sep 1687. Samuell Comstock & Samuell Winsor witnessed deed of Thomas Clemenc [Clements] to George Keetch, 7 pounds for 30 acres.

Other-Begin:
p.108-112 Tax levy for upkeep of the Tinkers child, the Pound, etc. Sam: Comstock 1 shilling, 6 pence. Oct 31, 1687.

Other-Begin:
Vol XVII p. 122-127 Levy of August 1688. Samuell Comestoke 2 shillings 10 pence.

Other-Begin:
p.117-188 and 127-130 List of all Male Persons 16 years and upwards ordered by John Usher, Receiver General of His Majesty's Revenues within His Territory and Dominion in New England includes Samuell Comestock. August 1688.

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.

Property:
p.240-242 Samuell Comestock sells to Jonathan Whipple for 25 pounds, 60 acres with all Meadow grounds, through which tract there is a common highway marked out by the surveyor of the Town of Providence. Near Wallings farm, bounded by John Browns land, corner of John Smiths land (deceased). "Sufficiently Saved & Kept harmeless .... Dowryes, Power & Thirds of Elizabeth his now wife" 10 Jun 1695. Witnessed by Thomas Olney, William Olney.

Other-Begin:
Vol. XI, Town Meeting 1 p.32 8 Apr 1697 Jonathan Whipple wants the highway laid through his land bought of Samuel Comstock, "have ye Way Turned". Matter left with Surveyor. p.33 John Smith refuses to serve in proportioning tax levies: Samuel Comstock is chosen by the Magistrates in his place.

Other-Begin:
Vol XVII p.163-165 Whereas there hath Bin a late inCurtion & invation made upon some of Our English plantations: by the Cruel and Barborous Indian Enemies ...Wee the Councel of war for the Town of providence Have thought fitt: in his Majesties: Name to Nominate and Appoynt you ...17: Samuel Comstocke ...Every of you to take the Comand and Conduct of Ten men ...Rainge beyound the outmost of our plantations Each of you two Daies at a time or more as Need shall Require ....indevour to Resest Expulse Kill and Distroy them according to the best of your Indevour ... 24 Apr 1697

Other-Begin:
Vol XI, Town Meeting 1, p.47-48 1 Mar 1699 Chosen for Deputies to serve at the General Assembly in Newport the day before the Election & at the Election include Saml. Comstock. Saml. Comstock had to bill to stop those who have no Right in Common from getting timber; voted to refer decision to the next quarter day.


Other-Begin:
Vol V, p.267-268. Register of marriage of Samuel Comstock & Elizabeth Arnold and the births of all the children. Marriages and births of many of the townspeople were recorded in the record book about the the same time as the town records of the early 1700's.

Other-Begin:
Vol XI, Town Meeting 1, p.67 6 Mar 1702 Deputies to serve in General Assembly, the last Tuesday are Maj. John Dexter, Mr. Gideon Crawford, Joseph Whipple & Samuel Comstock.

Other-Begin:
20 Apr 1702 Nathaniel Waterman, Gideon Crawford, Joseph Whipple & Samuel Comstock are chosen deputies to serve in the General Assembly at Newport on the 1st Wednesday in May next, the day before the Election.

Other-Begin:
Vol IX, p.186: July 14, 1703. Samuell Comestock, Senr.....had taken up two stray Maares

Other-Begin:
Vol XX Deed Book 2, p.139-141 Samuell ComeStock for 62 pounds, 10 shillings sells to Benjamin Smith one Whole Right of lands & Comons being on the West side of the 7 mile line, said Right is in the Right of One John Smith (John Jameco) formerly of Said Providence but now deceased. 150 acres being already laid out & bounded from the Common. Gives up dower rights of Elizabeth his now wife.

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 XI, Town Meeting 1, p.115 28 Apr 1707 Chosen for deputies in serve in General Assembly in May next at the Election & the day before are Capt. Jenckes, Mr. Jonathan Sprague, Ensigne Saml Comstock, Lt. Tho. Olney.

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.

Other-Begin:
Vol XI, Town Metting 1, p.129 23 Apr 1708 Chosen for deputies to serve in General Assembly at the election the 1st Wed. May next at Newport & day before: Major Jecnckes, Mr. Jonathan Sprague, Saml. Comatock, Mr. Phillip Tillinghast.

Other-Begin:
Vol.XVII p.357-258 Peleg Roades for Privilege that Nehemiah Sheldon has for cutting of timber in virture of a deed from my father Zachary Roades to his father John Sheldon Deceased bearing date 12 Feb 1660 have deeded two small tracts of land in Pautuxet containing 15 acres. 4 Feb 1710. Witnessed by Samuell ComeStock, Malachy Roades, Richard Philipps.

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:
p.393 3 Dec 1685 Land laid out unto William Hawkins junr in right of his father William Hawkins Senr, 50 acres in 2 parcels. "Cornner with a White Oake Tree marked Which is also a bound tree of land of Samuell ComStock....with land of Samuell ComStock" Laid out ye day & yeare abovesaid by me Thomas Olney Surveior; Recorded Jul 21, 1710 by Tho. Olney, Clerk

Military:
History of Woonsocket
p.100 Footnote: "Aug 9, 1710, Capt Samuel Comstock ordered Henery Mowry of the 2nd Company, to impress men to go with him to Port Royal." (Queen Anne's War) I found the actual document in the Manuscript file of William A. Mowry, Mss 290, NEHGS Library, Boston:
Folder 37
Samuel Comstock, Capt 1710
"To you Henery Mory of the Second Company of the Town of
Providence you are hereby Required in her Majesties
name Anne Queen of Grate Britans, &c
To go forth with to Impress one or more able solder to go against
her majesties Enemies to Port Ryall that are under my Command
and make return of your Doing same and for your Acting in
The premeses this warrant Shall be your Discharge given
under my hand this 9th August 1710
Samuell Comstock Capt"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Anne's_War
Queen Anne's War (1702?1713), as it was known in the English colonies, was the second in a series of French and Indian Wars fought between France and England in North America for control of the continent. The conflict was part of the War of the Spanish Succession, which was primarily fought in Europe. In addition to the two main combatants, the war also involved numerous American Indian tribes allied with each nation, and Spain, which was allied with France. The Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 resulted in the French cession of claims to the territories of Hudson Bay, Acadia, and Newfoundland to Britain, while retaining Cape Breton and other islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

http://www.blupete.com/Hist/NovaScotiaBk1/Part2/Ch09.htm
The 1710 British campaign against Port Royal was under the command of the 55 year old Englishman, Francis Nicholson. The two other prominent officers in this campaign was a 42 year old gentleman from Edinburgh, Colonel Samuel Vetch and the Boston born Sir Charles Hobby, a 45 year old who had been knighted by the queen in 1705. The French, for their part, had one of their most capable leaders that they had ever sent to America, Daniel d'Auger de Subercase; but, the odds for Subercase this time around were too long: 2,000 well supplied English troops versus his 300 (ill-equipped, tired, and discouraged); the French garrison gave up within ten days. On the 25th of September all the British were ashore. Several days were to pass before the British artillery and stores were landed; and, all along, cannons roared from both the French fort and the English bomb-ketch. By the 29th the English were ready to get down to their siege business. Within 24 hours, the French sent out a white flag of truce and the guns fell silent. Unlike those of 1704 and 1707, the attack on Port Royal in 1710 had "royal support." This support, which consisted of ships-o-war and British regulars, accounted for its success in no small measure.
Port Royal had been taken before, indeed twice before, and both times by men from New England: under Major Robert Sedgwick in August of 1654 and under Sir William Phips in May of 1690: in each case it had been restored to France by treaty. The taking of Port Royal in 1710 is particularly important to our story, for, with its capture came England's claims to all of Acadia. The Conquest was a key element in the framing of the North American issues in French-British treaty negotiations of 1711-1713.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~katy/comstk/b279.html#P279



Other-Begin:
Vol XI, Town Meeting 1, p.153 27 Jan 1711 Chosen for Pettey jury: Capt. Sml. Comstock & Lt. Tho. Harris

Other-Begin:
Vol.XVII p.424-425 16 Mar 1710/11. Dividing run between John Sayles & Nathaniell Mawrey between their homestead farms. Signed by both. Witnessed by Samuell Comestock and Richard Phillipps. Recorded Aprill the 6th 1711 by Tho. 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.

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. 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:
p.98-100 Last Will & Testament of Joseph Phillips dated 21 Aug 1719 witnessed by Samuell Comestock, Samuell Wilkinson, and Phillip Pheteplace. Recorded 5 Oct 1719.

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]

Other-Begin:
Vol XII, p.81 9 Nov 1724 Concerning opening the highway at Westcotomset, Samuel Comstock is appointed Constable in place of Joseph Hernden.

Will:
Samuel's Will was dated 21 Dec 1726, probated 18 Sep 1727. Executrix his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Phebe (Parkhurst) Arnold. Her will probated 8 Dec 1747.

Will at Providence dated 21 Dec 1726; proved 18 Sep 1727. He died 27 May 1727. Names wife Elizabeth. Sons Samuel, Hazadiah, Thomas, Daniel, John, Ichabod, & Job. Daughter Elizabeth Sayles. Wit: Joseph Arnold Jr, Thomas Arnold Jr., Robt Douglass.

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"

Samuel* married Elizabeth* Arnold on 11 Nov 1678 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Elizabeth* (daughter of Thomas* Arnold, Sr (immigrant) and Phebe* Parkhurst, (Immigrant)) was born in 1654 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts; died on 20 Oct 1747 in Smithfield, 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.

Notes:

Married:
That Sam: Coumstock, & Elizabeth Arnold, theire publiccion of Marriage, was sett forth on ye 16th of Septembr. 1678 By John Whipple junr. Assistant And was joyned togather in Marriage on ye 22nd. of November 1678 By John Whipple junr. Assistant.
"The Early Records of the Town of Providence" Volume IX; Being part of the Book of Records of Town Meetings No. 3 1677 to 1750 and Other Papers. p.188 c1895

Other Events and Attributes:

• Emigration: Bef 1648, Culmstock, Devon, England
• Immigration: Bef 1 Mar 1648, Hartford, Connecticut
• Other-Begin: 1 Mar 1648, Hartford, Connecticut
• Other-Begin: 1653, Frigate "Swallow", Block Island, Rhode Island
• Residence: Between 1654 and 1660, North Main and Abbott St, Providence, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: Sep 1654, New Amsterdam (New York City)
• Property: 1 Mar 1654/5, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: Aug 1655, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Will: 4 Jun 1677, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; missing

Notes:

In 1653 Samuel Comstock went in the "Swallow", a frigate, to Block Island and took the goods and people belonging to a Dutch captain to New London CT.
The McAdams book gave the details on this affair. The court files of Essex Co MA, record that Capt Kempe Sybando of Pequot [New London] brought suit 15 Oct 1653, at Boston against Edward Hull, Walter Joy and Thomas Gould for taking his goods in his trading house at Block Island. William Baker & his wife Mary testified that they were at Sybando's when Samuel Comstock & others came up to the house; that Samuel Comstock said he had a warrant from the Gov. of Connecticut [John Winthrop] to fetch them off the island because there was likely to be a war between the Dutch and the English. Baker dared not resist a Governor's warrant so prepared, helped carry the goods aboard. When they came aboard he told them Sybando had been taken at Connecticut by Edward Hull and we were taken as a prize, together with the goods, showing me a large piece of parchment he said was his commission. They promised to set me and my wife ashore where we wanted, so they set us ashore at Pequot. When Mr. Winthrop had examined me, he commanded me and Mr. Daniel to go aboard and take account of the goods. The master was absent, and neither him nor the key would be found. Dated at Warwick, 28 Aug 1653. Francis Bennett swore in Court on the same day that he and Samuel Comstock did jointly and severally buy of Richard George of Boston, the bark called the Swallow, whereof Edward Hull was master.
Ralph Earle Sr of Portsmouth, RI deposed that Samuel Comstock came to Rhode Island with Edward Hull on the bark "Swallow". Samuel Comstock was owner of 1/8 part and employed in and on this bark against the Dutch. Comstock sold his interest to Ralph Earle who sold the 1/8 part of all prizes due or taken to Edward Hull. Ack. before Wm. Stebbens, 12 Sep 1653.
In some of the court proceeding, Edward Hull is referred to as a pirate. He kept two-thirds of the bounty.

Strangely enough, another ancestor of mine, Walter Joy, was apparently a partner of Edward Hull's in the affair of the "Swallow". Samuel Comstock was my 9th great-grandfather in my maternal grandfather's family; Walter Joy was my 8th great-grandfather in my maternal grandmother's family. Here is the account I found while researching Joy in the Massachusetts records:
Records & Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County Massachusetts, Vol. 1, 1636-1656, Published by the Essex Institute, Salem, MA, 1911
p.313 Court held at Salem 29:9:1653 [This is the 9th month - November. The writ above by Capt Kempo Sebanda [his name is spelled various ways] against Robert Hull, Walter Joy, and Thomas Guild was actually dated 28:7:1653 - September - a copy was record in Boston Court a month later.] Capt. Kempo Seibada v. Robert & John Hull, part owners of the barque Swallow, frigott, under command of Edward Hull, pirate, for damages to goods taken out of his house at Block Island by Edward Hull, value 96£. Defendants were receivers of part of the booty and concealers of Edward Hull's estate. The verdict was for the defendants [and against the Dutch....].
The Writ of 28:7:1653, was served as an attachment of the ship. For want of security, Thomas Gold & Walter Joy were committed to prison.
Sebanda had also served a writ to Robert & John Hull, 17:9:1653. They gave bond for appearance at Salem court.
A Petition to the General Assembly at Portsmouth, 17 Aug 1653, Capt. Sybando v. Edward Hull, stated that the goods taken were valued at 200£ sterling. She was taken the 18th or 19th of April. Verdict was found for the plaintiff and the vessel adjudged not to be a prize, as she was taken without a commission.
Walter Joy deposed he was employed by Capt. Edward Hull to bring the Swallow from Rhode Island to Boston, which Hull said had been commissioned by Rhode Island to command against the Dutch and the bark was ordered by Edward Hull to be delivered to Robert & John Hull, along with some goods and bills of exchange. Mr. Wilkes, master of the Swallow, delivered the bills together with the bark. Edward Hull received two-thirds of all the goods.
Ralph Earle Sr of Portsmouth, deposed that Samuel Comstock came to Rhode Island with Edward Hull and Comstock was 1/8 owner and was employed on it upon a man-of-war design against the Dutch. Comstock sold his interest to Ralph Earle who sold it to Edward Hull. Josias Wilkes was to deliver to Robert & John Hull, the back, with a parcel of linen cloth, mathematical instruments, etc.
William Baker gave the list of articles which were delivered to him at Block Isalnd by Sybanda, part of which was sold for fish & wampum. The fish & wampum and what was left of the goods, Capt. Edward Hull's company took away. William & his wife Mary testified that Samuel Comstock and others came to the house and had water & tobacoo, saying they had not seen or heard of Kempo Sybanda. Comstock told Baker he had a warrant from the Gov. of Connecticut to fetch them off the island because there was likely to be war. Baker helped carry the goods aboard, only after he was aboard was he tole Sybanda had been taken and that he himself was prize together with the good. Baker and his wife were set ashore at Pequott.
Francis Bennet, aged 30 years, testified that he and Samuel Comstock bought of Richard George, one quarter of the bark, Swallow, Edward Hull, master. Sworn in court 26:8:1653.
Samuel Edsall of Boston, aged 18 years, deposed that last spring & summer Edward Hull went in the Swallow and deponent assisted in taking all the vessels that Hull took. Hull received two-thirds of all he took. Thomas Gold & Walter Joy were of Hull's company when they took Capt. Sybanda and his goods from Block Island. He heard Ralph Earle had sold an eighth part of the barque. Sworn in court, 26:8:1653.
Lawrence Turner, of Rhode Island, aged 32 years, deposed that the Swallow was the same vessel then lying in Master Joshua Scotowes dock. That Edward Hull received two thirds of all the goods he took, one third for the vessel and the other for victualling. That Walter Joy & Thomas Gould were with Hull from the beginning of their design at Rhode Island until they took the French prize at the same place and his departure for England. Sworn 17:8:1653.
Testimony revealed that Robert Hull was a brother, and John Hull, the father, to Edward Hull. They insisted they disapproved of the activities of Edward and had asked him to stop; he had told them he had a commission; if they had protested he threatened they would never see him or the vessel again, they had not been responsible for taking away Sebanda's goods and not profited in any way. They had in fact lost the profit of the Swallow for the whole summer.

A frigate, or barque, was a three masted ship, square-rigged. They were used as warships with lighter armament. The navy of Dutch Republic was the first navy to build the larger ocean-going frigates around 1600. The fleets built by the Commonwealth of England [presumably used in the Colonies] in the 1650s consisted of ships described as frigates. Some were two-decker great frigates carrying as many as 60 guns, other were cruisers, independent fast ships - which would most likely have been most useful to pirates. The term frigate implied a long hull which relates directly to speed.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~katy/comstk/b290.html


-----------------------------------
Samuel Comstock bought of John Smith his house and lot in Providence, RI March 1, 1654. The Town Council of Providence took action about the estate of Samuel Comstock and John Smith, deceased, on March 9, 1660. On May 4, 1661, Anne Smith of Providence, widow of John Smith, formerly wife of Samuel Comstock, Deceased, sold to Roger Mowry the house and home share of her husband, Samuel Comstock.

It comprised four acres in a row of housed in the north part of Providence. Mr. W. W Chapin states that it was near the corner of North Main and Abbott Streets and probably bounded west by Sexton St.



Other-Begin:
From: NEW ENGLAND FAMILIES GENEALOGICAL & MEMORIAL, Series 1, by William Richard Cutter. Samuel gave recognizance 1 Mar 1648 at Hartford CT "for ten days of good behavior and for satisfying what damage Mr. Robbins shall sustain for the want of his servant", perhaps indication that Samuel was apprenticed to Mr. Robbins.
The above record is also in the Connecticut Court Records, Vol. 1, p.177. And Bray Rosseter was also charged with assuring Samuel Comstock would do so. On 24 Apr 1649 [Actually the next month after March of 1648 in the old style dating] the Court and Mr. Robins freed Samuel Comstock and Bray Rosseter from both and either of their "Recogniscances".

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~katy/comstk/b290.html

Other-Begin:
1653 Block Island Incident with Frigate "Swallow". See Notes.


Residence:
Land purchase, March 1, 1654 - purchased land and house of John Smith in Providence, RI

Town Council acted on estate of Samuel Comstock, deceased, March 9, 1660. May 4, 1661 Anne Smith of Providence, widow of John Smith, formerly wife of Samuel Comstock, deceased, sold to Roger Mowry the house and home share of her husband, Samuel Comstock. It appeared to comprise 4 acres in a row of houses in the north part of Providence.
(near corner of North Main and Abbott Streets, probably bounded west by Sexton Street.)



Other-Begin:
In the fall of September 1654, a Samuel Cromstock and Anna Tchuys were arrested and convicted in New Amsterdam, for adultery. (see notes under marriage)


Property:
Mar 1, 1654/55, bought a home lot of 4 acres in the northerly part of Providence from John Smith the mason, who later married his widow according to the Comstock books. [My research of the Early Town Records of Providence has shown that the widow married the SON of John Smith, the mason, also named John Smith, called Jameco. John Smith, the mason, lived until about 1687 and was always married to his original wife, Elizabeth.]

The Early Records of the Town of Providence:
Vol. II, p.17 Providence, the 7th of June. John Smith of Providence, Mason, Sold unto Samuel Comstock, his house and house lott, with the Appurt. their unto belonging as is Manefessted by a deede under John Smith his hand, this Saide deed beareing date March the 1st, 1654. This house lott is bounded on the East with the Comon, on ye west with ye high way)
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~katy/comstk/b290.html

Property:
The Early Records of the Town of Providence:

Vol XV, p. 71 6 Aug 1655. Richard Waterman asks the Deputy of Providence to serve an execution upon the goods or Cattel of Sam. Cumbstock of Providence to ye vallue of 24s 8p for a bill of Charge in behalfe of Bartholmew Hunt.
Vol II, p.84 2 Aug 1655 Tho. Olney, Tho. Harris, Arthur Fenner & Rog. Williams to settle the bounds between Sam. Comstock & Robt Colwell.

Will:
Early Records of the town of Providence
Vol XV, p. 173-174 Ordered 4 Jun 1677 "vewe" of all the books which belong to ye sd Towne reveals "The Towne Counsells will upon the Esstate of Samuell Comstock: deceased, is wanting. [so it was already lost as early as 1677!] The Indenture of Daniell Comstock is among the papers. Signed Arthur ffenner and John Whipple Junr. Oct 27 1677.

The town council had ordered inventory of Samuel's estate with regard to some provision of interest. Unfortunately it was missing.

Samuel* married Anne* Tucker (?) about 1650 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. Anne* was born about 1634; died after 10 Feb 1667 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Emigration: Bef 1650
• Immigration: Bef 1650
• Property: 1658, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 27 Apr 1661, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 4 May 1661, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: Oct 1664, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; Thomas Walling
• Property: Feb 1667, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

The surname "Tucker" has been assigned to Anne. In the early Comstock books, she is not given a surname. I answered an online query in which the person stated a Jeremy Crites said his great, great uncle Ernest Comstock wrote a Comstock genealogy in 1939 which listed Samuel's wife as Ann Tucker. This researcher also stated that she had found a Noah Tooker/Tucker living in New London, Connecticut at approximately the right time. I did find that one Ernest Bernard Comstock of Dallas TX did write in 1938 a small book called, The Comstock Family in America and he stated the purpose was to add several hundred names to the history of the Comstock family as published by Gen. Cyrus Ballou Comstock in 1907. Cyrus B. Comstock did edit in 1907, A Comstock Genealogy; Descendants of William Comstock of New London, Conn. who died after 1662. Ten Generations - I know Anne has no surname in this book of 1907. I was able to obtain Ernest B. Comstock's book on microfilm from the LDS, #1405178, and Anne is listed as the wife of Samuel Comstock simply as Anne _______. There is no further discussion about this line as Ernest B. Comstock descended from another son of William Comstock.

When John A. Comstock wrote his A History of the Descendants of the Comstock Family in America, in 1949, he listed Anne as Anne ?Tucker and offered no explanation. When I examined his manuscript collection, I discovered in the last folder of miscellaneous research notes a copy of the book written by Ernest B. Comstock - it's actually just a small booklet, compiled in 1939. It was autographed by the author.

Research at the NEHGS library in the manuscript collection of Samuel W. Comstock revealed he had found a court case in New Amsterdam [New York City] that he believed indicated the surname of Anne. He had sent this information on to John A. Comstock, claiming he had copies. These court records were originally in Dutch and I do not know whether or Samuel W. Comstock had a translation or had someone do it for him. There are problems with this record, but I believe that her name was certainly not "Tucker". It may be doubtful that these records involved this Anne - see Samuel's notes.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~katy/comstk/b290.html


Property:
The Early Records of the Town of Providence:
Vol I, p.42 1658 Laid out to Robert Colwell a house lot bounded on the North with the land of Anna Smith (which was was formerly John Smith, Mason's)

Property:
The Early Records of the Town of Providence:
Vol III, (Brass Clasps) p.2 contains a partial entry of what was obviously copied in Vol XV: There is an additional note: ....ne hath taken this which the widdow Anne Sm... full satisfaction for securetye, of her son john.
Vol. XV, p.85 "I Ann Smith widdow doe put in to the Townes hand of Providence all the right of my husband John Smith deceased excepting the share of meddow which was due to my husband, for the securitye of my child John witnes my hand this 27 of aprill 1661.
the marke X of An Smith
Wittness: Thomas Olney deputye William Carpenter, duputy

-------
Vol III, p.3 There is an entry from the same day [27 Apr 1661] that the widow Ann Smith asked the town to secure inheritance for her son John, in regard to Margaret Smith. I believe John Smith had also been married previously and Ann could not or would not take responsibility for his daughter. They had not been married long enough to have had more than one child.
http://moreleaves.blogspot.com/2009/08/comstock-family-oops-part-2-anne.html

Property:
The Early Records of the Town of Providence:
Vol I, p.58-59 4 May 1661 Anne Smith, widow, formerly wife unto John Smith and also unto Samuel Comstock sold to Roger Mawrey the house and home share of land (4 acres) which formerly belonged to John Smith, mason, and was purchased of the said John Smith by her husband Samuel Comstock. Land bounded on the North with home share of Robert Colwell and on the South by Roger Mawrey.

discussion from http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~katy/comstk/b290.html

When Mary Mowry, widow of Roger & Administrator of his estate sold property to
Stephen Paine of Rehoboth [senior] in New Plimouth Colony, there was a better description of the property of Samuel Comstock. Mary Mowry sold three house Lotts or home Shares, one originally belonging to Daniel Comstock, another belonged to John Smith, the third belonged to Richard Prey. The lots with housing are in"the north part of ...Towne of Providence. Bounding on the south side the home share of Lawrance Willkenson; the north with a home share formerly belonging to Edward Inman, on the East with the Common, or high way & on the west End with the high way, or Towne streete. She also sold to Stephon Paine, one puchase Right of Commoning within the limits of the Towne of Providence, reading so far west ward as the seven mile line and a 25 acres right of Commoning reaching so far West as the said seven mile, and the lands that belonged to the said two Rights of Comming on the East side the seven mile line which was not devided before my said husband Roger "Mawrey" his decease.
1 Sep 1671
Early Record of Providence, Vol. III, p.209-213

2 Sept 1671 Stephen Paine of Rehoboth of Plimouth, sold to Samuel Whipple of Rhode Island & Providence Planatation, three house lots or home shares with dwellings and out houses, in the north part of the Town of Providence. Bounded on the South with the home share of Lawrence Wilkenson, the north by Edward Inman, the East by the Common, or highway, and on the West with the high way, or Town Street. They were purchased by me of Mary Mawrey, Executrix of her deceased husband Roger Mawrey. One of the lots originally belonged to Daniel Comstock, former inhabitant, another to John Smith, inhabitant of Providence, the third did belong to Richard Prey of Providence. Vol. III, p.206-209

John Smith, the Mason, had sold his house lot to Samuel Comstock in 1654. In 1661, Anne, widow first of Samuel, then widow of John Smith, son of the John, the mason, had sold it to Roger Mowry in 1661.


Other-Begin:
In October 1664 Thomas Walling was fined 40 Shillings for fornication with a woman Ann Smith.
(Note: not certain the same Ann Smith, but with the previous rumor of Ann Tucker -- maybe.


Thomas Walling was mentioned as landowner and neighbor to Samuel Comstock, son of Ann Comstock Smith.
He was b 1630 in Plymouth Colony; d 19 Jul 1674 in Providence.

Vol XIV Deed Book 1, p.101-102 Upon ye 28th day of January in ye yeare 1681. Laid out unto Samuell Comstock in ye Right of Thomas Arnold 30 acrs of land, the which belonged unto ye said Thomas Arnold in a second Grant for devision betweene ye 7 mile line & ye 4 mile line & was by Towne order upon ye 27th of Januarey 1681 granted unto ye said Samuell Comstock to be layd out elsewhere upon ye Towns Comon. [proceeded to lay out part of farm formerly belonging to Thomas Wallin Senr, bounded by John Brownes land, to a piece of meadow formerly belonging to Stephen Northrup: Bound on North by Comon, East by Thomas Walling, North by Wallings farm, South by Meadow of Stephen Northup or brook. There is a surveryor's diagram of this piece of property.] Thomas Olney, Sirveior.

Thomas Walling was married to (1) Mary Abbott 1651 and (2) Margaret White 19 Jun 1669.
He was apparently quite a character. Among other transgressions in Oct 1666 he was found guilty of assault on Robert Colwell and paid a bond of 20 pounds, but he failed to appear in court and forfeited his bond. It turned out that he had run away with Colwell's wife Margaret White, whom Colwell subsequently divorced.

The Early Records of the Town of Providence also tell a story of trouble:

For asmuch as Thomas Walling, formerly inhabitant of this Towne of providence; hath departed this towne, the Towne being doubtfull of his return to take care for the Releife of the wife and child which he hath left in the Towne: This to signiffie unto all persons, that the town hath seized into their handes and Secured, all the estate of the said Thomas Walling......

There are several entries about the absence of Thomas. Mary
petitions the town to be relieved of the care of an apprentice named Daniel Comstock, as she can no longer care for him. During the same year she also apprentices her own son Gerhom to Nathaniel Mowry. The entries about the apprenticeships are dated 1667, the same year as the Divorce of Margaret and Robert Colwell.

In May 1668, George Way (Gorg Way in the Plymouth court record above), and Thomas' brother in law Daniel Abbott presented Thomas to the court of Providence for fornication with Margaret Colwell. He was sentenced to be "whipt with fifteene stripes in Newport, and a weeke after, the licke punishment in the Towne of providence and to pay Court Fees."

Mary dies in 1669 and Thomas reappears to marry Margaret Colwell.

(see Thomas Walling in this file)
------------

In Apr 1668 he was a partner with Edward* Inman in a land purchase of 2000 acres from "the Indians" in the area now known as North Smithfield.


Property:
"The Town Council of Providence took action about estates of Samuel Comstock and John Smith deceased, on 9 March 1660. On 4 May, 1661, Anne Smith, of Providence, widow of John Smith, formerly wife of Samuel Comstock, deceased, sold to Roger Mowry the house and home share of her husband, Samuel Comstock. It comprised four acres in a row of houses in the north part of Providence." She was still living in February of 1667.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~katy/comstk/b290.html

Notes:

The following is a study presented on the Internet and duplicated here regarding the feasibility that Samuel's wife was/was not Anne Tucker.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~katy/comstk/b290.html

[A marriage in RI is very doubtful for the date seen as about 1652 (I suspect the marriage was at least two years later); if it took place in CT - the marriage records for New London are lost for this time period. There is no proof for Anne's surname as "Tucker" that I have been able to locate - I believe I have found proof it was certainly not Tucker - see later. The marriage may have taken place in New Amsterdam.]
(snip)
In the fall of September 1654, a Samuel Cromstock and Anna Tchuys were arrested and convicted in New Amsterdam, for adultery. The original records are in Dutch but have been translated. At the NEHGS library in Boston I found the manuscript collection of Samuel W. Comstock who had furnished much of the information to John A. Comstock for his book on the Comstock family. Samuel W. did not interpret the following in the same way and somehow Anna, or Anne's, name became "Tucker". Whether or not this man can be the same as Samuel Comstock of Providence, it seems certain the lady was not his wife - unless she left her husband following the incident. And Samuel "Cromstock" was already married himself.
New York Historical Manuscripts Dutch, Vol. V, Council Minutes, 1652-1654, Translated & Edited by Charles T. Gehring, Genelogical Publishing Co, Inc., Baltimore, 1983.
p.172 "Fiscal Cornelis van Thiehooven brought to the session Samuel Cromstock, presently a prisoner, who confesses and admits that he was found between the 28th and 29th of August at night along the Heere Wech near Jan Vinje's house against the clapboards or fence lying upon Anna Tchuys [wife of Nathaniel Tchuys]; she had her clothes pulled up and her body bared and he Samuel Cromstock, had his pants undone. He was taken away from there by the provost marshal, Arent van Vlieringen. The case is postposed until the next session. Thus done at the seesion of the honorable director-general and high council held in New Amsterdam, 28 August 1654 in New Netherland." At this time New York City was still called New Amsterdam and the state, New Netherlands.
p.173 "Cornelis van Thienhooven, fiscal, plaintiff against Anna Tchuys, presently a prisoner. The fiscal charges that she was found between the 28th and 29th of August at night along the Heere Wech near the house of Jan Vinje lying on her back against the clapboards with her skirts pulled up and her body bared; on top of her was Samuel Cromstock with his pants undone. Anna Tchuys falls on her knees and begs for mercy, claiming that Cromstock had done no more. She is ordered to be taken away until the next session."
p.180 "The honorable director-general and high council of New Netherland have seen the charge of the fiscal against Anna Tchuys, being a married woman and presently a prisoner for having committed adultery with Samuel Cromstock, being a married man, along the Heeren Street under the naked sky between the 28th and 29th of August, last past, at night around 12 o'clock, which the fiscal had confirmed with three witnesses at the session; whereupon, according to form, Anna Tchuys was heard in full session by the director-general and council, and after she had heard and seen the depositions, voluntarily and without pain and bonds, confessed that she had committed adultery with the afroesaid Samuel Cromstock, which crime, being confessed, demands punishment according to the form and custom of our fatherland. Therefore, the honorable direct-general and council of New Netherland, in the name and on behalf of the honorable High Mightinesses, the lords States-General of the United Netherlands and the honorable lords-directors of the General Chartered West India Company, lords and patroons of this province, having judged the aforesaid Anna Tchuys, have condemned, as the aforesaid director-general and council, do hereby condemn her to be brought to the place where justice is customarily carried out, and there, together with Samuel Cromstock, to be placed in the pillory; and, in addition, to pay a fine according to the ordinance, as an example to others; and with failure to pay, they shall be beaten with rods. Thus done at the session held in New Amsterdam, 2 Sept 1654; present the honorable director-general and all the councillors."
On the same day, the case against Samuel Cromstock "being a married man and presently a prisoner for having committed adultery with Anna Tchuys" was judged. Samuel also confessed and the same punishment was meted out.

Not only did Samuel W. Comstock apparently misunderstand the marital status of the couple above, he also seems to have the wrong year and misunderstood the punishment. When he wrote to John A. Comstock for the Comstock Family in Anerica" book he said this:
"Samuel Comstock in 1653 was arrested in New Amsterdam [New York City] for a misdemeanor with Ann, and tried, and both ordered a number of lashes or be married."
and a note on the back of the John A. Comstock's worksheet, also in the handwriting of Samuel W. Comstock was:
"Samuel 2 The chances are he married Ann Tuches [I prob. Have not spelled it correctly - I think Dutch and means another name in English, the New York records if I remember give both - Samuel Crumstock in 1653 was arrested in New Amsterdam [my city] for a mistermenior (sic- he meant misdemeanor) with Ann, and tried and both ordered a number of lashes or be married, I have a Photostat of the case, 4 large pages, the above is a substance of it anyway"
Samuel W. Comstock's handwriting is very small and cramped, but I had no trouble reading the name as "Tuches" which is fairly close to the "Tchuys" in the translated record. However an archivist at NEHGS made nearly the same mistake as John A. Comstock in interpreting SWC's handwriting and said it was "Tucher".

On the same page, John A Comstock, wrote the lady's name as Ann ?Tucker.

It cannot be said with certainty that the incident above did involve this Samuel Comstock of Providence. Particularly if he was part of the Block Island incident in 1653, he could easily have been in New Amsterdam in 1654. The date of his son Daniel's birth is known to be 12 May 1656 [or 57] from the records of his indenture in 1662, and it has been assumed the son Samuel was born first [ca 1654 or earlier] since by about 1657-58, Samuel of Providence had died. It is doubtful that the married lady involved was Anne, wife of Samuel of Providence, that married John Smith following Samuel's death. In 1654 she may have been pregnant or already had a young baby. The lady in New Amsterdam was presumably Dutch and Samuel's wife Anne apparently had no difficulties speaking English when she came before the town council in Providence and she well understood the government of the town. Also the lady in New Amsterdam was already married in August of 1654 to Nathaniel Tchuys, or at least claimed to be. Her name was definitely not Tucker. It is possible that the Samuel Comstock, or Cromstock, involved in both incidents with the Dutch was not this same man of Providence at all. However, given the climate of the times it is possible this is Samuel and Ann. Rhode Island was something of a mecca for pirates and smugglers; obviously the "Swallow" was not simply a merchant ship. Samuel & Anne may well have been caught in a compromising situation and were not totally truthful about their martial status. There would certainly have been a language barrier and the Dutch law somewhat different.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~katy/comstk/b290.html


Note from ss/ With all the above said, it is of interest to note that in Oct 1664, after Ann was widowed by John Smith, she (or at least "a" Ann Smith is named when Thomas Walling, a neighbor of this Ann's son Samuel,
was fined 40 shillings for fornication with a woman named Ann Smith."

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 18 Apr 1599
• Emigration: 15 May 1635, PLAIN JANE, London, England
• Immigration: Aft 15 May 1635, Virginia
• Property: Bef 1674, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 29 Jun 1685, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; estate

Notes:

Though articles have been written that proclaim that Thomas traced his ancestry through British Royalty to William the Conquoror and to Ynir, King of Gwentland, AD110, strong assertions have been made by later work that such claims were erones and that no such claim can be made.
There is also dispute of his father, being William or Nicholas. Genealogies of Rhode Island Families; vol. 1, Adams - Slack; Genealogical Publishing Co. Inc.; 1983 says that Thomas' father was William rather than Nicholas.

----------------------
>

From Ancestry Daily News 9/19/2002:
"No Arnold Royal Line," by Kory L. Meyerink, MLS, AG, FUGA
Editor's Note: The 10 September Ancestry Daily News, contained an article by Karen Frisch regarding a castle in Wales. In it, she referenced a previously published connection between an ancestor of hers and the historical residents of Abergavenny Castle.
(
http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/news/articles/6314.asp ).

As Kory explains below, that connection turned out to be inaccurate and his message serves as a reminder to us all of the need to be wary when using compiled lineages. Thanks much to Kory for sharing this!

For most genealogists, the possibility of royal or noble ancestry is attractive. After all, if our interest is to trace a family as far back as possible, royal ancestry allows us to do that better and easier than most of our lines.
Besides, it helps give us a solid connection to history. Hence, I can understand and share the interests of Karen Frisch in learning "about ancestors so ancient they exist more in the realm of imagination-before photographs or even
surnames" (Ancestry Daily News, 10 September 2002).

Unfortunately, in her comments about our mutual ancestor, William Arnold of Rhode Island, and his descent from a Twelfth Century Welsh princess, she has fallen into a trap common to many American genealogists. That trap is ready
acceptance of a long-disproved connection to royalty.

A royal line was apparently first suggested for William Arnold by Horatio G. Somerby in 1870. It was published in the October 1879 issue of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Unfortunately, Somerby was a very
accommodating genealogist who was remarkable for providing his patrons what they wanted, even if documents had to be re-written or falsely cited to provide the links to royal lines. His work is routinely shunned by experienced genealogists today.

Without passing judgment on the earlier generations of this ancestry, the alleged lineage eventually descends to a Thomas Arnold, second son of Richard Arnold. Thomas is named as the father of William, who is what we often call the
"gateway" ancestor, the immigrant who left Great Britain and settled in the colonies. Here, with the gateway ancestor, is where the lineage breaks down, as is the case with a large number of so-called royal lines.

The Rhode Island Arnold family kept a remarkable family record (begun by the immigrant William), which documents William (born 1587), his siblings, and his mother. It does not document his father. That record identified a younger
half-brother of William as Thomas Arnold (born 1599) whom many early researchers wrongly believed to be the New England immigrant of that name who settled first at Watertown, Massachusetts, and 20 years later moved to Rhode Island.

A 1796 obituary of a descendant of this Thomas Arnold identified the immigrant Thomas as the son of a "Thomas Arnold, a native of England." Hence the faulty connection was made (and published as early as 1819) that William was the son of a Thomas. Armed with this information, Somerby found an early Arnold pedigree, adjusted generations 13 through 16 to fit in Thomas and his alleged father Richard. He then plugged in the immigrant "brothers" Thomas and William as sons of this Thomas Sr. and presto, a royal lineage was pasted onto another worthy American family's lineage.

The problem is, it just was not so! The January 1915 issue of the "New England Historical and Genealogical Register" has an article by Edson S. Jones, which explains this all quite clearly. It also shows that the immigrant Arnolds
(Thomas and William) were not brothers, and that neither of them is connected to the royal line published earlier. It further reports accurate research in English parish registers regarding the parentage of William Arnold, immigrant and governor of Rhode Island. In 1902, the author, Jones, had visited Northover parish in Somerset where he found two church register entries, which matched William Arnold's family record exactly. In a neighboring parish he found additional records, which matched information about the Rhode Island immigrant.

In 1921, Fred A. Arnold elaborated in-depth on these and other findings about the Arnold origins in the Rhode Island Historical Society Collections. His 24-page article explains exactly and clearly that William was the son of Nicholas Arnold, born about 1550 and who was buried 26 January 1622/23. His half-brother Thomas married and remained in England, as did all of his siblings.
William is not related to the immigrant Thomas Arnold, and the ancestry of his father, Nicholas Arnold is unknown. His mother's parents are known, but no further.
There is no known (or even suggested) royal ancestry for this Arnold family. This same article was transcribed and included in the 1921 Arnold Memorial by Elisha S. Arnold and the original 1921 article was reprinted in 1983 in a collection by Genealogical Publishing Company, Genealogies of Rhode Island Families from Rhode Island Periodicals.

The true ancestry of William Arnold has been known now for a hundred years. It has been in print for 87 years, in at least four different publications. It is time to leave mythical royal ancestries behind us, not only for the Arnolds, but for the hundreds of other gateway ancestors who have been plugged into faulty, sometimes fraudulent, lineages.
For more information about myths to which many family historians fall prey, see Kory Meyerink's article on "Genealogical Myths" in the forthcoming issue of
Ancestry Magazine. You can contact Kory through his company's website at:
http://www.progenealogists.com/

Ancestry Daily News 9/25/02:
Correction: On Thursday we ran an article about the ancestry of William Arnold of Rhode Island. In that article, the immigrant William was incorrectly identified as a colonial governor of that colony. The early governor was really his son, Benedict Arnold (not the Revolutionary War traitor). The author regrets this confusion, and thanks K. Harris for noticing this.

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/ARNOLD/2004-05/1084116144

----------------------

History @ Savage, pp.64-67:
Thomas Arnold 1st was of Watertown, MA
Thomas arrived from Virginia, wither he came from London, May 1635, in the "Plain Joan" bringing children by his first wife. There were possibly six children by his first wife, and it is not known if she traveled to America also or if she three of the children had perhaps died in England. The three that came were:
1. Thomas, said to have been b. 2 May 1625 (died young)
2. Nicholas (died young)
3. Susanna - married John Farnum of Boston on 7 April 1654.
Thomas Arnold settled in Watertown before July 1635, when land was laid out to him in the Third Division. In 1648 he bought land there from his father-in-law, George Parkhurst, which he sold in 1655 to George Parkhurst, Jr.

Thomas was made a freeman of Massachusetts 13 May 1640.
He was somewhat of a non-conformist, for in Oct 1651 he was fined 20 shillings by the court for offense against the law about babtism. Apr 2, 1654, he was fined 5 pounds for neglecting public worship for 20 days. Apr 2, 1655, he was fined 10nds for neglecting public worship for 40 days, and his land was levied upon to pay it. (See Bond's History of Watertown, Mass. and for data on the family).
Also, his daughter Susanna having married 7 April 1654 John Farnum of Boston, which favored the Baptist views of ordinances, he was driven to Providence, living in that part of Smithfield.
Thomas swore allegience 1666.
Freeman: In (the) early New England colonies men could not vote until they had taken the freeman's oath before the court, and they were not made freemen unless they were members of the church in good standing. Briefly, the contents of the oath:
1. Acknowledge to be subject to the government.
2. Will yield assistance and support.
3. Will submit to wholesome laws.
4. I will give my vote.
To be admitted to the church one had to be of fair character. In order to have a child baptised one or both parents had to belong to the church. Anyone not (a) freeman stood a poor show in the community. A freeman lived on his own lands and d taxes - farmer, professional man, and merchant. So many freemen came in 1635 Gov. Winthrope made church membership a requisite for eligibility to vote.
During the reign of King James I, a great many ships come to Mass Bay Colony bringing colonists in 1635. Probably George Parkhurst and family came on one of these ships. Also Thomas Arnold as there were many freemen included among those emigs from England.
(FT 9/2737)
He was at Watertown as late as April 1657, but in Providence by October 1661, when he sold land in Watertown to John Whitney. The following October he and his wife sold his house, barn and sixteen acres of land in Watertown to John Winco
In February 1665, he was granted lot 83 in Providence in a division of lands. He was Deputy for Providence to the Rhode Island General Assembly in October 1666; 1670; May, June and September 1671; and April 1672 (Rhode Island Colonial Reco, v. 2, pp. 180, 336, 373, 411).
Austin says he was Deputy also in 1667. He was a member of the Town Council in 1672. His Will, recorded in Boston, shows he owned nearly 10,000 acres of land.

NOTE: Confusion in parts of the record of this family in Rhode Island is found, but it may be avoided by caution, as the family tradition makes second wife of the first Thomas to be Park, instead of Parkhurst, and where it tells that a daughter married a Vernon, it may be easy blunder for Farnum. @ Savage pp.64-67
___
1. "An elaborate history and genealogy of the Ballous in America" by Adin Ballou, 1803 - 1890 Published: [S.l.] : Ariel Ballou and Latimer W. Ballou, c1888 (Providence, R.I. : E.L. Freeman)

=============
mballou@bellsouth.net (Mike Ballou)

History @ Savage, pp.64-67:
Thomas Arnold 1st was of Watertown, MA
~~ Thomas arrived from Virginia, wither he came from London, May 1635, in the "Plain Joan" bringing children, perhaps Thomas, said to have been
b. 2 May 1625; Nicholas, and Susanna *of which the former two died young), was made freeman of Massachusetts 13 May 1640, married, I suppose to second wife, Phebe, daughter of first George Parkhurst... After being fined once for neglecting the law of baptism and twice for neglect of public worship, with increased weight, and his daughter Susanna having married 7 April 1654 John Farnum of Boston, which favor the Baptist views of ordinances, he was driven to Providence, living in that part of Smithfield; Thomas swore allegience 1666, and died Sept 1674. He had been baptized 18 April 1599.

REFERENCE:
ORIGINAL LISTS by Hotten
SAVAGE, pp.64-67


Property:
The History of the Town of Providence
Vol XIV Deed Book 1, p.101-102 Upon ye 28th day of January in ye yeare 1681. Laid out unto Samuell Comstock in ye Right of Thomas Arnold 30 acrs of land, the which belonged unto ye said Thomas Arnold in a second Grant for devision betweene ye 7 mile line & ye 4 mile line & was by Towne order upon ye 27th of Januarey 1681 granted unto ye said Samuell Comstock to be layd out elsewhere upon ye Towns Comon. [proceeded to lay out part of farm formerly belonging to Thomas Wallin Senr, bounded by John Brownes land, to a piece of meadow formerly belonging to Stephen Northrup: Bound on North by Comon, East by Thomas Walling, North by Wallings farm, South by Meadow of Stephen Northup or brook. There is a surveryor's diagram of this piece of property.] Thomas Olney, Sirveior.


Property:
Vol IV, pp.115-121 29 Jun 1685. Settlement of estate of Thomas Arnold who died in Sep 1674. Thomas died intestate; this is an agreement among remaining heirs. Samuel & Elizabeth received 20 pounds. The sons of Thomas received land; Elizabeth through Samuel appears to have already received most of her inheritance.

Thomas* married Phebe* Parkhurst, (Immigrant) on 20 Dec 1640 in Watertown, Mass Bay Col, Massachusetts. Phebe* (daughter of George* Parkhurst, Sr. (immigrant), (FFDNA-JS) and Phebe* Leete, (immigrant) (FFDNA-JS)) was born before 29 Nov 1612 in Ipswich, Suffolk, England; died in 1688 in Watertown, Mass Bay Col, Massachusetts. [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

Other Events and Attributes:

• Emigration: Abt 1635, Cumstock, Devonshire, England
• Immigration: Abt 1635, Massachusetts
• Residence: 1635, Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts; (short time)
• Residence: Bef 1641, Wethersfield, Hartford Co, Connecticut

Notes:

A History and Genealogy of the Comstock Family in America
John Adams Comstock

William Comstock --

About 1635, or shortly thereafter, there came from England to the Massachusetts settlements one William Comstock. From whence he sailed and on what ship, has not been ascertained. It is quite probable that with him were his wife Elizabed four, or possibly all five of his children. It is believed that he first sojourned in the vicinity of Watertown, Massachusetts, but that very shortly he transferred to Wethersfield, Connecuticut.
It is a matter of record that he held lands on the Connecticut River in Wethersfield in the year 1641, and that these land had been purchased from Richard Milles. Prior to that, he is recorded as having been one of the twenty-six men from rsfield in the expedition commanded by Capt. John Mason, that captured the Pequot Fort at Mystic, Connecticut, May 26, 1637, killing about five hundred indians.
About 1650 he transferred to Pequot, now New London, where he had previously (1647) received a grant of land. At a town meeting held there in November, 1650 he voted to cooperate with John Winthrop to establish a corn mill, and in July 1e "Wrought on the mill dam" with Tabor and other inhabitants of New London. The old mill is still in existence. (1945)
In 1659 it is recorded that "with consent of my now wife Elizabeth" he sold property in New London. This probably indicates that Elizabeth was a second wife.
On February 25, 1661 or 62, "Ols Goodman Comstock" was elected Sexton, "to order youth in the meeting house, sweep the meeting house and beat out dogs," at 40 shillings a year, to dig all graves, and have 4s for a grave for a man or woman, s for children, to be paid by the supervisors.
The date of his death is unknown, but the History of New London states that he lived to old age, on Post Hill near the north corner of Williams and Bauxhall Streets.
Richard Mylls was plaintiff against "Willi Combstocke" and John Sadler, defendants, in an action for slander, Aug 1, 1644, before the Court of Elections, Hartford, to the damage of 200 pounds.
We have, therefore, as the beginning of our record of the Comstock family in America.
_________________
WF 10/0218
Alternate spelling of Comstock is "Komstohk", suggesting a German origin.
The Komstohk name is found in and/or around Frankfurt/Main.
A Fredrick Komstohk and a Mary McDonald were married in Edinburgh, Scotland on 18 Mar 1575 - possible ancestry?

William* married Elizabeth* Daniel, (immigrant) in 1623 in Culmstock, Devon, England. Elizabeth* (daughter of Henry* Daniel) was born on 8 Jan 1608 in Much Haddam, Hartfordshire, England; died after 1665 in New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Emigration: Abt 1635, Devonshire, England
• Immigration: Abt 1635, Massachusetts

Notes:

In "History of The National Society of Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America" for the fifteenth year, ending May 13, 1913, Mary Ella Comstock
(Mrs. Carl J. Vietz) gives the wife of William Comstock as Elizabeth Daniel.

per "Ancestors of Stan & Vickey Courtney" her body was interred in 1665 in England

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]

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

(also spelled Leet - Date and place of birth provided in Dinghy Vol 4, No 4, p 13)