The Comfort Family of Orange County, NY
Benjamin Comfort was a tailor in Newtown (now Elmhurst), Long Island, Queens County, NY. He was most likely a son of Robert Comfort, also of Newtown. In 1715, Benjamin was spoken of as being an adult (he had already been a witness to the division of a salt meadow by that time). He was a land owner in Newtown at least as early as March of 1727, and he aquired more land in 1732 and 1736. In 1737, he sold 52 acres of land at Newtown for more than 207 pounds. Benjamin is believed to be the same Benjamin Comfort who moved to the town of Montgomery in Orange County, NY about 1737 or 1740. In 1756, Benjamin's son was referred to as Benjamin, Jr., thus making it sound as if Bemjamin, Sr. was still alive. There is no mention of Benjamin in the 1790 census of Ulster County (which Montgomery was considered part of then).
Benjamin Comfort married Elizabeth Haywood on March 7, 1724 at Newtown. She appears to have died shortly before the baptism of her Fourth child, Susannah, on April 18, 1731 in Newtown, as only Benjamin's name appears on the record. In 1733, Benjamin's second wife, Susannah, was received as a member of the Newtown Presbyterian Church. Benjamin's name appears in this church's records several times, but it appears that he never was actually a member of the church. His second wife, Susannah, died on July 25, 1770. She is buried in the Goodwill Cemetery inthe town of Montgomery. Her stone was still standing in March of 1939, but it could not be found in 1954.
The children of Benjamin Comfort and his first wife, Elizabeth Haywood:
1. John Comfort
John was born about 1725, probably at Newtown, Long Island. He died on October 1, 1795 at Montgomery, Orange County, NY.
2. Jacob Comfort
Jacob was born about 1726. Lived in Montgomery, Orange County, NY.
3. William Comfort
William was born about 1728. He married Elizabeth Maul, who apparently died between 1769 and 1796. William made out his will in 1796. He died in 1798 at Montgomery, NY.
4. Susannah Comfort
Susannah was baptized on April 18, 1731 at Newtown, Long Island. Her mother appears to have died just prior to her baptism, possibly while giving birth, as her name does not appear on the record, and there are no other records of her after that date. She lived in Montgomery, Orange County, NY
Benjamin Comfort's children to his second wife, Susannah
5. Benjamin Comfort
Benjamin was born on March 17, 1734.
6. Robert Comfort
Robert was baptized on March 21, 1736.
Note of Interest:
Mr. John Comfort of Lanesboro stated in a letter to his son Silas that Benjamin had two sons named John and William. A paper from the pocketbook of Rev. David Comfort II named John as a brother of William and Benjamin.
