William Comstock

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A son of William and Mary (Bates) Comstock.

William died very suddenly in the road, on returning from Keene, October 7, 1772. His death was the first that ever occurred upon that territory which now constitutes the town of Sullivan. It occurred nearly opposite the gate of the old cemetery, which then had no existence of course. In deference to a superstition of the time, his body was buried near the place where he died, and this was the origin of the cemetery. He was a young man of only forty years of age. He was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Miner (the town clerk of Lyme being a little doubtful about the last name). His second wife was Hephzibah Lord, born in Lyme, Connecticut, June 22, 1737; died in Sullivan, April 25, 1799, daughter of Theophilus and Deborah (Mack) Lord, granddaughter of Thomas Lord, and great great granddaughter of William Lord, "one of Lyme's first settlers and largest landholders."

HIS DESCENDANCY

William was a descendant of immigrant John Comstock who came to Colonial America before 1639: (William, William, William, John).

IMMIGRANT JOHN COMSTOCK

John Comstock is the first to be mentioned in the Comstock family records in America. Savage states that he came to Weymouth, Mass., in 1639 and "sat down at Saybrook." He was probably apprenticed to Henry Russell of Weymouth prior to 1639. Later he was of Lyme, Conn., and was a proprietor there in 1645.

Court records now on file at the State Library, Hartford, show that his estate was settled June 4, 1681, and the widow made administratrix, and "desires Mr. Noyce (Noyes), her father Chappell, and Mr. Edward Shipman assist her."

"Feb. 13, 1666, John Comstock was a signer of Articles of Agreement to the separation of the town of Lyme from Saybrook." (The "Harvey Book," p. 581.)

Quarter Court in Hartford, Conn., 1st Thursday in March, 1655-6; Edward Messenger, plaintiff, contra John Comstock, defendant, in an action of debt to the value of 10 pounds.

Particular Court, Hartford, May 26, 1663, John Comstock, plaintiff, contra Matthew Griswold, defendant, in an action of the case for slandering him in reference to some clapboards, and his wife, in open court, to the damage of 50 pounds.