Sixth Generation

561. Capt William COMSTOCK²⁷⁸ was born on 20 January 1787 in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island.²²⁴ He died on 22 October 1873 at the age of 86.^95,224

Married (1) Bethiah Gorham on 28 Aug 1808. She was the daughter of Major Jabez and Catherine Tyler Gorham; born Providence 16 Mar 1789 and died there 8 Sep 1821. They had six children, three died as infants. William married (2) 19 Sep 1824, Harriet Pearson who was born 16 Oct 1803 and died 26 Aug 1882. She was the daughter of Samuel and Judith Thurston Pearson of New York. Harriet and William had five children.

1824 Providence RI City Directory
Comstock, William, Capt. of steam-boat Fulton, 129 S. Main
other Comstocks listed:
Mrs. Ann Comstock, 129 S. Main
Benjamin Comstock, grocer, 172 N. Main
Mrs. Sally Comstock, millener, rear of 172 N. Main
Ephraim Comstock, mariner, 201 N. Main

Commanded the popular stearmer "Fulton".
President of the Bank of Commerce of Providence.

From History of the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantaions: Biographical; The America Historical Society, Inc. 1920
P. 424-425 "Richard Borden Comstock"
Captain William Comstock, was one of the noted navigators and builders of his day. Captain William Comstock first followed the sea as cabin boy, was captain of the 'Fulton', and built the 'Massachusetts', a side-wheeler of which he was very proud, it being said that every stick of timber in her bore his initials, W. C. He was in command of the 'Massachusetts' and also built the 'Mohegan' and the 'Rhode Island', all of these running between Providence and New York. He was captain of the packets 'Juno' and 'Venus', and after retiring from active life on the sea was for many years agent at Providence for the New York and New Jersey Steam Navigation Company, and for a time president of both the Merchants' Insurance Company and the Commercial National Bank.

Source: [email protected]
Subject: Banks & Insurance Co. of Providence (part 13)
from
History of Providence County, Rhode Island
Edited by Richard M. Bayles.
In two volumes, illustrated. Vol. I.
New York: W. W. Preston & Co., 1891.
pp. 550 - 580. (part 13)
"The Commercial Bank was incorporated in January, 1833. Its capital,
increasing from $200,000, in 11853 was made a half million, and in 1855 it
became a million, which figure has been ever since maintained. For several
years it was located at 123 South Main street; about 1845 it was at 143 of
the same street, and in 1859 it was at 11 Market Square, where it continued
several years. About 1880 it was moved to its present location at 53
Westminster street. It was reorganized as the Commercial National Bank in
1865. Its successive presidents have been: Richmond Bullock, up to about
1849; William P. Bullock following, to 1862; William Comstock, 1863 to
1874; Daniel Day, 1874 to 1886; Daniel E. Day, 1886 to the present
time. The cashiers have been: David Andrews, up to 1857; S. P. Wardwell,
1858 to 1874; Joshua A. Wilbour, 1874; Henry G. Arnold, 1875 to the
present time. The board of directors comprises the following: Daniel E.
Day, Andrew Comstock, Eugene W. Mason, Thomas Harris, Amos C. Barstow, Jr.,
Edward P. Taft, Isaac M. Potter.

The will of William Comstock was dated 8 Oct 1872 and proved 18 Nov 1872. There were bequests to wife Harriet, son Richard W., daughter Catherine G. Comsotkc, children of Thomas P. and Eliza Bucklin, to daughter Anna L. Balch, widow of Edward A. Balch, and to Elizabeth A. Fenner, daughter of his brother Jesse.

Buried Swan Point Cemetery, Providence.

Capt William COMSTOCK and Bethiah GORHAM were married on 28 August 1808.²⁷⁹ Bethiah GORHAM died on 8 September 1821.²⁷⁹

Bethiah was the daughter of Maj. Jabez Gorham.

Capt William COMSTOCK and Bethiah GORHAM had the following children:

+789	i.	Catherine Gorham COMSTOCK.
790	ii.	William COMSTOCK was born on 15 March 1812. He died on 16 June 1812 at the age of 0.²⁷⁹
791	iii.	Eliza COMSTOCK²⁷⁹ was born on 1 June 1814. Eliza married William Waite Comstock, 14 Jul 1834. No Children. She married (2), Thomas Peck Bucklin who died about 1870 - they had 10 children. Buckin was co-owner of the Bucklin & Crane Comapny, a clipper-ship line in New York City.
792	iv.	Mary Winsor COMSTOCK²⁷⁹ was born on 28 March 1816. She died in 1889 at the age of 73. Mary married Samuel Almy.
793	v.	Moses Eddy COMSTOCK was born on 13 July 1818. He died on 17 September 1818 at the age of 0.²⁸⁰
794	vi.	Julia COMSTOCK was born on 6 February 1821. She died on 18 September 1821 at the age of 0.²⁸⁰ Julia died 10 days after the death of her mother.

Capt William COMSTOCK and Harriet PEARSON were married on 19 September 1824. Harriet PEARSON²⁷⁹ was born on 16 October 1803. She died on 26 August 1882 at the age of 78.

Harriet was the daughter of Samuel Peason and Judith Thurston of New York.

Capt William COMSTOCK and Harriet PEARSON had the following children:

795	i.	Harriet Ellen COMSTOCK was born on 18 December 1825. She died on 22 February 1827 at the age of 1.²⁸⁰
796	ii.	Harriet COMSTOCK²⁸⁰ was born on 18 December 1828. Harriet married Byron Sprague.
797	iii.	William COMSTOCK was born on 14 June 1831. He died on 22 April 1859 at the age of 27.²⁸⁰ William Comstock died on the S. S. Aden, Indian Ocean. He was a merchant in the China trade.
798	iv.	Richard Williams COMSTOCK²⁸⁰ was born on 6 March 1834. Richard married Cornelia B. Pratt.
799	v.	Anna Louisa COMSTOCK²⁸⁰ was born on 20 April 1836. Anna married Edward A. Balch.