Thomas* Arnold, Sr (immigrant)

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 Thomas (1st wife) Arnold about 1624 in England. Thomas was born about 1607 in England; died after 1635. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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:

• Emigration: 1635, "PLAIN JOAN" London, England
• Immigration: 1635, Virginia

Notes:

Died as a child.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Emigration: May 1635, "PLAIN JOAN" London, England
• Immigration: May 1635, Virginia

Other Events and Attributes:

• Emigration: May 1635, "PLAIN JOAN" London, England
• Immigration: May 1635, Virginia

Susanna married John Farnum on 7 Apr 1654 in Watertown, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts. John was born about 1635 in of, Boston, Massachusetts; died after 1655. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

died as a child.

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

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

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

Will is not found in Smithfield probate records.

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

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

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

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

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

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

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

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

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

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

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

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

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

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


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

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

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

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

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

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

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

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

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

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

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

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

Clark Pester
7533 Juler Ave
Mederia, Ohio 45243

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

Burial: Quaker Ancient Cemetery, edge of Woonsocket, RI

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Notes:

Daniel Comstock was a Quaker.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Notes:

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

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

Notes:

Burial: North Burial Ground, Providence, RI.

Children were born in Providence, RI.

John Comstock was a blacksmith residing in Providence, RI.

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

John was assistant 1st Wednesday in May 1746.

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

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


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

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

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

Notes:

Resided in Smithfield, RI where children were born.

No issue by second wife

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

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

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

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

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

Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Notes:

History of Woonsocket, 1641 - 1876
Joseph Arnold was a man of sterling qualities, and held in high esteem by his fellow-townsmen. He was chosen, in company with John Sayles, to settle up accounts with Providence when Smithfield was incorporated; and the next year (1732) was elected Town Clerk. On the resignation of Daniel Jenckes,
who was Town Clerk from 1733 to December 27, 1742, Joseph was re-elected, and held the position until his death, in 1745. It is pleasant to learn that in those ancient times, when the value of a 'mear' in Rhode Island was 35 pounds and that of a 'nigger' but 70 pounds, Joseph Arnold was an ardent
and conscientious anti-slavery man; so much so, indeed, that on his visits to the Newport yearly meetings, he would not stop at the hotels or the houses of those who held slaves. Among his children whom I enumerate in the appendix was Dr. William Arnold, whose virtues and abilities are spoken
of to this day with the deepest respect."
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:2030334&id=I550388824

Joseph married Patience Wilkinson about 1725. Patience (daughter of Samuel Wilkinson and Huldah Aldrich) was born on 9 Jun 1704 in Mendon, Worcester Co, Massachusetts; died after 1778 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Patience Cook after 1748 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Patience was born about 1720 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 14 Jun 1787. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Mary Mann on 20 Jan 1745 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Mary (daughter of John Mann and Abigail Arnold) was born on 06 Sep 1726 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 12 Jul 1787 in Adams, Berkshire Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Sylvania (Susan) Comstock about 1729 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Sylvania (daughter of Hazadiah Comstock, Sr. and Catherine Pray) was born on 07 Apr 1707 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 30 Jun 1736 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
"Wilkinson, Mrs. Mary, widow of David, in this town, aged 91 years wanting 10 days. Had lived with her husband 65 years 9 months; raised 9 children, all save one now living; has been dead 22 years."
Vital Record of Rhode Island

Mary married David Wilkinson about 1730 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. David (son of Samuel Wilkinson and Huldah Aldrich) was born on 16 Oct 1707 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died before 6 Feb 1796 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 23 Jun 1756, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; written

Notes:

Will:
Kilton, Joseph, of Providence, cordwainer. Will dated 23 June 1756. Inventory 29 Sep 1756, pgs 124-126. Mentions: Testator's sons received furniture that was mine before my marriage with my present wife Dinah. 2 Sons Arnold Kilton & Joseph Kilton Jr who are to be maintained & brought up out of estate. Benjamin Cushing coexor with wife. Witn: Jonathan Bucklin, Benjamin Cushing Jr, George Taylor."

Diana married William Comstock about 1740 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. William (son of Hazadiah Comstock, Sr. and Catherine Pray) was born on 03 May 1708 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 18 Nov 1745 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Diana married Joseph Kelton on 4 Feb 1747 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Joseph (son of Thomas Kelton and Phebe Dexter) was born on 2 Jun 1723; died between 23 Jun 1756 and 29 Sep 1756 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Other-Begin: 14 Feb 1716, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 23 Apr 1716, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 27 Jan 1718, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

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

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

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

John married Martha Jenckes in Aug 1717 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Martha (daughter of Daniel Jenckes and Catherine Balcom) was born on 5 Aug 1698 in Attleboro, Bristol Co, Massachusetts; died on 22 Jul 1751 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married Bathsheba Arnold Ballou on 16 Oct 1720 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. Bathsheba (daughter of James Ballou and Susanna Wightman) was born on 15 Feb 1698 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died after 1699. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mercy married Nicholas Lapham on 01 Dec 1726 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co, Massachusetts. Nicholas (son of John Lapham and Mary Man (Mann)) was born on 01 Apr 1689 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co, Massachusetts; died in 1758 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 27 Sep 1798, Cumberland Twp, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Will:
Will written 27 SEP 1798 Cumberland, Providence, RI
"Arnold, Seth, of Smithfield, yeoman. Will dated 27 Sep 1798, proved 15 Dec 1801, pgs 411-413. Mentions: Sons James Arnold, Nathan Arnold dec, Levi Arnold, Seth Arnold dec with unnamed children, & George Arnold. Daughters Hannah Aldrich wife of Simeon Aldrich, Abigail Comstock wife of Nathan Comstock, & Phebe Arnold wife of Luke Arnold. Grandsons Samuel Arnold & Nathan Arnold sons of son Nathan Arnold dec."

Seth married Hannah Aldrich about 1730 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. Hannah (daughter of Samuel Aldrich and Hannah (..) Aldrich) was born on 17 May 1711 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 1 Feb 1749 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Named in father's will.

Israel married Waitstill (Waite) Mowry on 18 Mar 1730 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Waitstill (daughter of Capt. Joseph Mowry and Alice Whipple) was born on 6 Jun 1716; died on 2 May 1807 in Gloucester, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married Benjamin Paine on 14 Oct 1719 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Benjamin was born about 1699 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 1 Jan 1784 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 21 May 1799, Burrillville, Providence Co, Rhode Island; written

Notes:

named in father's will.

Will:
Will written 21 MAY 1799 Burrillville, Providence, RI
"Bartlett, Abigail, of Glocester, widow of Abner Bartlett late of Glocester dec, being aged. Will dated 21 May 1799, proved 5 Nov 1811, pgs 86-87. Mentions: 2 Sons Elisha Bartlett & Caleb Bartlett. 2 granddaughters Ester & Joanna Bartlett daughters of Caleb Bartlett."
?Death: BET 21 MAY 1799 AND 5 NOV 1811 in Glocester, Providence, RI
Will dated and proved

Abigail married Abner Bartlett on 30 Apr 1734 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Abner (son of Jacob Bartlett and Sarah Albee) was born in 1705 in Massachusetts; died on 13 Dec 1784 in Gloucester, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Susannah married Samuel Arnold Ballou on 16 Dec 1722 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. Samuel (son of James Ballou and Susanna Wightman) was born on 23 Jan 1692 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 25 Jan 1765 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Patience married William Brown about 1730. William (son of Daniel Brown and Ann Warner) was born in 1709 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died in 1756 in Middletown, Newport Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Deborah married Nathan Wade about 1740. Nathan was born in 1706; died in 1778. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Amos married Sarah Wilkinson on 23 Feb 1746 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. Sarah was born in 1727; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joshua married Amy Bucklin on 30 Aug 1752 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Amy (daughter of Isaac Bucklin and Sarah Whipple) was born on 7 Jan 1722 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co, Massachusetts; died after 1770 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Benjamin Lapham on 30 Apr 1752. Benjamin (son of John Lapham and Mary Russell) was born on 24 Sep 1715 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co, Massachusetts; died on 01 Aug 1804 in Adams, Berkshire Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Thomas Arnold, Esq. on 20 Jan 1745 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Thomas (son of Richard Arnold and Mary Woodward) was born on 19 Feb 1705 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 11 Dec 1765 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married Nathaniel Whipple about 1760. Nathaniel (son of Nathaniel Whipple and Bethia Slack) was born on 24 Mar 1741 in Massachusetts (now Cumberland Co, Rhode Island; died on 6 Jul 1817 in Madison Co, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Other-Begin: 1731, Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Property: 30 Mar 1731, Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: Between 1735 and 1754, Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Residence: 1747, Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Other-Begin: 8 Dec 1747, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island
• Will: 26 Jul 1771, Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Date of death might be 8/27/1771. He was a councilman of Smithfield, RI in 1735, 1736, and 1754. He was a deputy from Smithfield in 1743 and 1746. On 10/9/1731, a road in Smithfield was laid out, David Comstock being the constable. He performed marriages as Justice, 1738 to 1749.
David Comstock's will of July 26, 1771, probated 9/16/1771, provided that his wife and sons Samuel, Nathan & Geoge should be guardians of son Benjamin for his life. Legacies of 30 pounds each to four other children, namely: William, Farnum,borah Arnold and Ann Ballou.
William Gibbs Comstock states: It appears that David Comstock occupied his father Samuel's homestead at the northeast corner of the village. It is perhaps 60 rods easterly from the Branch bridge, southerly from David's some 60 rods is the hstead of his grandfather, Capt Samuel (1654-1727). David's son George Comstock, a Quaker, succeeded to the occupancy of David's home, and after George, it passed into the hands of Nathan C. Aldrich.
David, Jan 20, 1767, deeded to his son Nathan half his homestead, consideration, 300 pounds.
__
Resided Smithfield, RI occupying his father, Samuel's, homestead. The house passed from David to his son, George (a Quaker), then to Nathan C. Aldrich.

Land transactions:
1770, of Smithfield


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


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

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

Other-Begin:
David was a Councilman of Smithfield in 1735, 1736 and 1754. He was a deputy in 1743 & 1746. He preformed marriages as Justice from 1738 to 1749.

Residence:
1747 David Comstock, Esq. was on a list of freemen in Smithfield

Other-Begin:
Grandmother Elizabeth Comstock's will

Will:
Will in Smithfield. Dated 26 Jul 1771 and proved on 16 Sep 1771. Wife Deborah. Son Benjamin to be cared for. Sons Samuel, Nathan, George & William. Daughters Sarah Farnum, Deborah Arnold, Anne Ballue. Wit: Jacob Arnold, Caleb Arnold, Enoch Sprague, Thomas Steere.

David* married Deborah* Brown on 23 Aug 1730 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. Deborah* (daughter of Joseph* Brown and Sarah* Pray) was born on 10 Feb 1706 in Westerly, Washington Co, Rhode Island; died on 2 Feb 1764 in Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Other-Begin: 8 Dec 1747, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Other-Begin:
grandmother Elizabeth Comstock's will, named as granddaughter Sarah Aldrich

Sarah married Seth Aldrich on 28 Aug 1725 in Rhode Island. Seth (son of Seth Aldrich, Sr. and Deborah Hayward) was born on 19 Sep 1701 in Mendon, Worcester Co, Massachusetts; died after 1728. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anne married Richard Steere in 1730. Richard was born about 1709 in of, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died after 1731. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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

Sylvania married Thomas Arnold, Esq. about 1729 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Thomas (son of Richard Arnold and Mary Woodward) was born on 19 Feb 1705 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 11 Dec 1765 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 18 Nov 1745, Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; written

Notes:

Will of November 18, 1745, recorded january 29, 1746; 2722 pounds and a vessel with cargo at sea worth 1552 pounds

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

Will:
Probated 19 Jan 1745/6.

Probate: 26 SEP 1750
Daughter Elnathan chose step-father Joseph Kelton as her guardian.

?Probate: 13 FEB 1756
?Note: Daughter Penelope chose George Brown as her guardian

William married Diana Arnold about 1740 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Diana (daughter of Richard Arnold and Diana Thornton) was born on 4 Sep 1719 in Providence, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died after 1750 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Resided Smithfield and Cranston, RI; a freeman at Smithfield, 1734; vote in Providence May 3, 1748.

10 children born; 4 grew to adulthood; first 4 born at Smithfield, RI

Land transactions:
June 24, 1791 at Smithfield where he resided
June 18, 1842 at Smithfield
April 18, 1747 at Smithfield deeds land at Gloucester
June 2, 1749 of Providence deeds land at Gloucester
May 21, 1775 with wife Amy of Providence deed land at Smithfield
June 24, 1791 of Smithfield

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

------------
not clear on which child belongs to with mother.

Gideon married Ruth Arnold on 3 Mar 1739 in Cranston, Rhode Island, and was divorced before 1749 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Ruth (daughter of Richard Daniel^ Arnold and Ruth^ Aldrich) was born about 1724 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died after 1757 in of, Greenfield, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Gideon married Amy Phillips before 2 Jun 1749 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Amy was born about 1723; died after 1757 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Burial: Quaker Ancient Cemetery on edge of Woonsocket, RI

Resided Smithfield which prior to 1721 was part of Providence.

Will of November 12, 1792, proved May 25, 1801 provides for son Stephen and sons of Stephen ... Arloch and Arnold; and to wife mary

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

Hazadiah married Mary Arnold on 20 Apr 1745 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Mary (daughter of Daniel Arnold and Bathsheba Arnold Ballou) was born on 23 Aug 1728 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island ; died before 26 May 1821 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 1762, Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island

Notes:

Admitted freedman at Smithfield, RI May 1, 1744

Occupation, miller at Smithfield, RI; his gristmill was located on the island in the Blackstone River below the Blackstone dam. Traces of trench, cellar, and walls were visible in 1896.

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

Will:
Katharine Comstock, widow of Anthony, a miller, asks on 3d Monday, Jun 1762, for administration. Inventory by David and Ezekiel Comstock, 22 Mch, 1762, 1514 pounds. Residence, Smithfield, R.I.

Anthony married Mary Staples in 1744 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Mary was born about 1719; died after 1844. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anthony married Catherine Fenton White before 1758 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Catherine was born about 1719; died after 1763 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Admitted to vote at Smithfield May 5, 1752

Land transactions
1. July 12, 1788 deeds at Smithfield, RI 1/2 his home farm to sons William and Levi; this land deeded by William and Levi February 22, 1805tephen Charles Mowry with the exception of the dower of Ruth Hamilton.

2. John Comstock, deceased, his land siezed at Paris, Oneida, NY

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

John married Ruth Comstock on 19 Jan 1746 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Ruth (daughter of Ichabod Comstock, Sr. and Zibiah Wilkinson) was born on 30 Jan 1723 in Rhode Island; died after 1750. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Will, May 30, 1784 proved for daughter Ann, wife of Joseph Comstock

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

Anne married Joseph Comstock on 07 Jun 1747. Joseph (son of John Comstock, Sr. and Esther Jenckes) was born about 1730 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 02 Mar 1800. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Will, July 2, 1777; proved September 15, 1777 proved for dauther Martha (a minor), dauthers Waite, Hannah, Phebe (all minors); wife Mary, son Henry (a minor), mother Martha. Inventory and personal estate of 516 pounds.

Land transaction:
1. deed land at Uxbridge; he of Smithfield
2. deeded land at Mendon; he of Smithfield

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

Ezekiel married Martha Arnold on 30 Jun 1757 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Martha (daughter of Israel Arnold, Esq. and Waitstill (Waite) Mowry) was born on 21 Aug 1741 in Gloucester, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 27 Nov 1759 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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

Notes:

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

Notes:

Died intestate. Estate administrator Stephen Franklin, husband of Margary Comstock. His estate to Margary and Stephen Franklin, to Weeden Eldred in right of Mercy, His wife, the last third to Maria Comstock (Maria Chapman) and Louis Comstock (Louis Chapman).

Military: Revolutionary War, alarm at East Greemwich; served from July 28 to August 8, 1780.

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

Job married Hannah Hawkins on 18 Dec 1763. Hannah was born about 1715; died after 1811. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Quaker minister

Moved 1768 to Oblong, Duchess, NY; remained until 1784. At Nine Partners, Duchess, NY 1788. Hudson City, NY May 25, 1794.

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

Thomas married Elizabeth Haviland on 02 Oct 1762 in Flushing Meadow, Long Island, New York. Elizabeth was born about 1718; died after 1794 in of, Hudson City, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 12 Jan 1787, West Greenwich, Kent Co, Rhode Island; written

Notes:

Freeman May 1750 East Greenwich. Census 1774 William Comstock of West Greenwich.

William Comstock was deputy from West Greenwich, R.I. May 1768.

Military: 1st Lieut Elliott's Reg of State Artillery, December 12, 1776, Rhode Island

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



Will:
Will of William Comstock, age 71 years. West Greenwich. Dated 12 Jan 1787, proved 26 Feb 1787. Wife Anna. Sons Thomas, John, Ishmael, & David. Daughters Deliverance Matteson, Anna Arnold, Sarah Olin, Elizabeth Comstock & Lydia Matteson, dec'd. Grandson Aaron Comstock. Grandsons Moses, Israel & William Matteson all under 21, sons of Lydia, dec'd.
Land was given to son Thomas and daughters Deliverance Matteson, Anna Arnold, and Sarah Olin - 70-80 acres provded that Deliverance gave her daughter Esther Arnold $40.
Son John to have 60 acres.
Half of house to John and Elizabeth.
Daughter Elizabeth & grandson Aaron to have remainder of homestead farm
Sons Ismael & David $1 each
Grandsons, Moses, Israel & William Matteson, sons of deceased dau Lydia to have $1 each.
Loving wife Ann, remainder of personal estate; She was executrix.

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

Family/Spouse: Anna Spink. Anna was born on 22 Jan 1717 in East Greenwich, Kent Co, Rhode Island; died on 14 Jan 1792 in of, West Greenwich, Kent Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Susanna married Jonathan Comstock on 23 Sep 1739 in Rhode Island. Jonathan (son of John Comstock, Sr. and Esther Jenckes) was born about 1725 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died before Oct 1800. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Susanna married Ebenezer Matteson on 23 Sep 1739. Ebenezer was born in 1718; died on 29 Feb 1752 in East Greenwich, Kent Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Will Proved August 16, 1798 bequests 40 acres to daughter, Paulina Hall.

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

Family/Spouse: (..) Comstock. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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

Lydia married John Scott on 26 Sep 1750. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married Jonathan Comstock on April 9, 1750 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. Jonathan (son of John Comstock, Sr. and Esther Jenckes) was born about 1725 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died before Oct 1800. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Resided Smithfield, RI 1748; freeman there in 1749; along with Azariah Jr., Moses, Aaron and Abner was at Richmond, NH on March 27, 1765; settled in Richmond, NH

Occupation, blacksmith

Land transaction,
1. of Smithfield, RI on March 29, 1747, land in Mendon, NH
2. of Mendon, NH December 6, 1768, deed land in Springfield, RI


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

Family/Spouse: Zerviah Sprague. Zerviah was born in 1715; died in 1791. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Freeman at Smithfield, RI May 3, 1748

Will of July 2, 1753, proved August 27, 1753; provided for wife, Martha, four sons Israel, Daniel, Jacob and Caleb; minor daughter, Chloe.

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

Daniel married Martha Brown on 12 Dec 1742 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Martha (daughter of Joseph* Brown and Sarah* Pray) was born on 23 Oct 1721 in Attleboro, Bristol Co, Massachusetts; died in Nov 1812 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Abraham Ballou on 3 Feb 1740 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Abraham (son of John Ballou and Naomi Inman) was born in 1717 in Louisquisset, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died in 1780 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Burial: North Burial Ground, Providence, RI

Occupation, blacksmith and Innholder; 'Inn' in Pawtucket ... built as his own residence and then became a tavern. Located at Pawtucket Falls.

Freeman in 1736.

Land transactions
1. deeded land 1735 by father.
2. James Brown deeded land to his sister, Anne Comstock, wife of Samuel Comstock.

Will, November 1, 1750 provides for wife, Anne; sons Jesse, Benjamin, Jeremiah and Joseph; to daughters Mary and Martha; to unborn infant.

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

Notes:

Freeman 1751, Providence, RI

Will, February 15, 1808, proved August 28, 1813 provided for son John, daughter Ann Randall

Land transaction
1. 1797 sold his homestead to his son, John III, west of Pawtucket, who leased it back to his father for life for an ear of corn annualy

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

Notes:

Marriages, both to his cousins

Freeman 1752 Providence, RI

Census 1774 of West Greenwich, RI

Land transactions,
1. Jonathan and Sarah Comstock 1755 of West Greenwich

Will August 23, 1800, proved October 4, 1800 proveded for son John, wife Susannah, son Charles; son Jonathan his three youngest sons, Amos, ADam and Cyrus; daughter Rachel Comstock's five youngest children' grandaughter Esther Kettle, dau of Patience Kettle; grandson Thomas, son of son John. Inventor $2131.21

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

Jonathan married Susanna Comstock on 23 Sep 1739 in Rhode Island. Susanna (daughter of Thomas Comstock, Sr. and Mercy Jenckes) was born in 1720 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died in 1806. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jonathan married Sarah Comstock on April 9, 1750 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. Sarah (daughter of Thomas Comstock, Sr. and Mercy Jenckes) was born about 1728 in Providence Co, Rhode Island; died before Jun 1761. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Resided Smithfield, RI 1748
Freeman, Smithfield, 1754
Census: 1774 Gloucester, RI
Resided 1788 Danby, VT

Will, probated February 1792

Land transactions,
1. 1751 Jeremiah and Phebe of Smithfield
2. 1778 of Gloucester, RI
3. 1787 of Danby, VT

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

Jeremiah married Phebe Arnold on 25 Oct 1749. Phebe (daughter of Joseph Arnold and Patience Wilkinson) was born on 18 Nov 1729; died after 1800. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Title, Capt.

Occupation, blacksmith

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

Joseph married Anne Comstock on 07 Jun 1747. Anne (daughter of Hazadiah Comstock, Sr. and Martha Balcom) was born on 07 Apr 1731; died on 05 Jun 1795. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Freeman 1757 Providence, RI

Land transaction,
1. of Providence, 1956

Census: 1774 at Providence, RI

Will: January 5, 1791, proved March 23, 1791 provided for wife, Esther, son, Woodbury, and grandaughters Esther and Amy Harkness

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

Notes:

Burial: north burial ground, Providence, RI

Resided Smithfield, RI

Land transaction,
1. John Comstock 1749 deeds his homestead to his sons, John, Jonathan, James, Nathan and Ichabod
2. 1758 John and Sarah deed property to Ichabod, a tanner (a minor) and his brother, Nathan
3. Dr. Ichabod Comstock of Smithfield, RI

Estate: inventory and personal property of Dr. Ichabod Comstock $3,880; son, Isaac administrator

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

Ichabod married Sarah Jenckes on 11 Apr 1760 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Sarah (daughter of Jonathan (John) Jenckes and Rachael Lawrence) was born about 1734 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 19 Nov 1815 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Burial: Farmington, Ontario, NY

Moved to Adams, MA in 1769; afterwards to Farmington, NY moving his family and furniture on an ox sled ca 1790.

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

Nathan married Mary Staples on 29 Mar 1764. Mary was born on 16 Oct 1739 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died after 1800 in Farmington, Ontario, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Had 11 children born in Uxbridge; resided in Providence, RI.

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

Esther married Peter Aldrich, Jr. on 08 Feb 1746 in Uxbridge, Worcester Co, Massachusetts. Peter (son of Peter Aldrich, Sr. and Hannah Hayward) was born on 19 Nov 1722 in Mendon, Worcester Co, Massachusetts; died after 1770 in Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ruth married Francis Hamilton after 1790 in of, Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. Francis was born about 1724; died after 1790 in of, Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ruth married John Comstock on 19 Jan 1746 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. John (son of Hazadiah Comstock, Sr. and Catherine Pray) was born on 16 Apr 1724 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island; died on 16 May 1790 in Smithfield, Providence Co, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Moved to Westfield, MA and later 1784 to Williamstown, MA; finally 1796 settled at Western, Oneida, NY

Military: French and Indian War, orderly sergeant at battle of Quebec where Gen. Wolfe was killed. Revolutionary War, sergeant in Col John Mosely's Hampshire regiment

Census 1774, Smithfield, RI

Land transactions,
1. 1775 of Westfield, MA
2. 1758 Ichabod and wife Margaret of Westfield, MA

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

Notes:

Freeman, Smithfield 1760

Land transaction,
1. Jonathan and Mary of Smithfield, 1783

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

Notes:

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

Mercy married Amos Sprague on 07 Apr 1745 in Rhode Island. Amos was born after 1725; died after 1750. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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