Christopher Comstock (1635 - 1702)

Born 7 Oct 1635 in Uxbridge, Middlesex, England

Ancestors

Husband of Hannah (Platt) Comstock — married 6 Oct 1663 in Milford, New Haven Colony

Descendants

Died 28 Dec 1702 at age 67 in Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut Colony

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Biography

Christopher Comstock immigrated to New England as a child during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640).

Birth and Baptism

Born Uxbridge, Middlesex, England, May 1636.

Baptized 13 May 1636, at St. Margaret's, Uxbridge, Hillingdon, Middlesex, England, 'Christopher sonne of William Comstoc?? '^[1] See image of baptismal record at right.

Previous estimates and discussions supporting birth and relationship:

Christopher Comstock, son of William was born about 1635, Norwalk Connecticut. ^[2]

Emigration to North America

Not yet known. His father William seems to have come over somewhere between 1636 and 1639. Perhaps Christopher came with him then, as a small child.

Marriage

He married on October 6, 1663 Hannah Platt, daughter of Richard and Mary Platt, free planters of Milford, New Haven Colony. ^[3]

Children of Christopher and Hannah

all born at Norwalk, Connecticut Colony.

1. Daniel b. 1664 m. Elizabeth Wheeler^[3]
2. Hannah b. 1666 m. Fenn^[3]
3. Abigail b. 1669 d. 1689
4. Mary b. 1671 m. James St John^[3]
5. Elizabeth b. 1674 m. Ebenezer St. John^[3]
6. Mercy b. 1676 m. Nathan Olmstead as his second wife^[3]
7. Samuel b. 1679 m. Sarah Hanford^[3]
8. Moses b. 1685 m. Abigail Brinsmade^[3]

Life in Connecticut

Christopher settled in Fairfield, New Haven Colony, by 1654, age 18. He was still 'of Fairfield' in January 1661/62, when he purchased real estate in Norwalk.

29 May 1654, at New Haven. Christopher made affidavit about a visit to goodwife Knapp accused of witchcraft. She was executed. [In another place this date is given as 22 Jan 1661. Knapp was apparently not of the Knapp family that married into my Allen family. Hester, wife of Andrew Ward [the Wards being my direct ancesters] also testified that Goodwife Knapp had told her the wife of Thomas Staples was also a witch.]

Christopher on 27 Jan 1661/62 purchased a home and house lot, including orchard, barn, and other buildings, in Norwalk, from Thomas Betts, planter. Christopher, then 26 years old, is called "of Fairfield.'^[4][5] This lot is labeled 'Nath. Eli, then Thos. Betts, who sold 1/2 to Christopher Comstock' on the fold-out map in Hall's Ancient Historical Records of Norwalk.^[6]. The lot sits on the northeast corner of what is, in 2016, the intersection of East Avenue and Fitch Street, just north of the railroad.^[7]

Christopher was chosen as tavernkeeper in 1672. The town meeting of 9 Feb. 1671/72 chose and approved Christopher Comstock 'to kepe an ordinary for the entertaynment of strangers.'^[8] Perhaps the tavern entertained the locals as well?

Christopher also served on a grand jury, 19 Sep 1692, to examine witches.

Death

Christopher died at Norwalk, Connecticut, December 28, 1702, in his 67th year.^[9] and was buried at Canoe Hill Cemetery, New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut. His memorial has links to those of many family members.^[10]

He left a Will dated Dec 22 1701 in Norwalk CT

Sources

1. ↑ http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=LMAearlyparish&gss=sfs28_ms_db&new=1&rank=1&msT=1&gsfn=Christopher&gsfn_x=0&gsln=Coomestocke&gsln_x=0&MSAV=1&uidh=ey4 , the St. Margaret's Church Records, accessed 26 Dec 2016.
2. ↑ Mary Jane Comstock, Compiler; Comstock-Haggard and Allied Families; (Chicago: Adams Press, 1973)
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7} John A. Comstock. A history and genealogy of the Comstock family in America. Published: Los Angeles, Priv. print. for the author by the Commonwealth Press, 1949. p. 2,4. A HathiTrust e-book. JAComstock
4. ↑ Hinman, Royal, R., Connecticut Puritan Settlers
5. ↑ Lovejoy and Cuneo, 'Transcription from Town of Norwalk realty transaction files', maintained at the Norwalk Public Library History Room, vol. 1, p. 36
6. ↑ Hall, Edwin, The Ancient Historical Records of Norwalk, Connecticut: With a Plan of the Ancient Settlement, and of the Town in 1847
7. ↑ Personal knowledge of Halsey Bullen.
8. ↑ Hall, Edwin, The Ancient and Historical Records of Norwalk, (Norwalk: 1847), examined 27 Dec 2016 at the Norwalk Public Library History Room, pp,61-62
9. ↑ Connecticut Town Death Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) Christopher Comstock.
10. ↑ Christopher Comstock memorial at Find A Grave.

• Find A Grave: Memorial #136665731
• Comstock, Cyrus. A Comstock Genealogy, Descendants of William Comstock of New London, Conn., Who Died After 1662 (Knickerbocker Press, New York, 1907) Page 4 & Page 8: #5
• Hall, Edwin. The Ancient Historical Records of Norwalk, Connecticut (James Mallory & Co., Norwalk, 1847) Page 185