The first European settlements in Ontario were after the American Revolution when 5,000 loyalists left the new United States.
Levi Comstock was born about 1769 in West Greenwich, Kent County, Rhode Island. He was the son of John and Lydia Comstock.
He married Abigail Richardson Griffin.
Levi and Abigail's children probably included:
William Comstock (1790, did not marry Mary Hoadley),
Aaron Comstock (1791, married Clarissa Fish),
Mary (Polly) Comstock (1793 married Alanson Baxter),
Joseph Richardson Comstock (1794/95, married Mary (Polly) Hogaboom),
Phebe Comstock (1801, married William Mallory, son of Daniel Mallory), and
Levi Comstock (1803, married Jane Forrester).
Levi received the north part of lot 20, concession 1 in Yonge.
In 1805 the widow, Abigail Comstock was living in Yonge Township.
According to Douglas McCalla in Consumption Stories: Customer Purchases of Alcohol at an Upper Canadian Country Store in 1808-1809 and 1828-1829, Abigail Comstock bought 6 quarts of whisky during the 1808-9 year.
He also said that
Widow Abigail Comstock, head of a family of five with twenty acres under culture, bought sixteen yards of four kinds of fabrics worth twenty dollars during the year in yardage, Comstock's purchases were just above the median amoung those buying fabrics. . .
Grenadier Island is in the St. Lawrence River in Leeds County, Ontario. United Empire Loyalists settled on the island in the early 19th century. During the War of 1812, there was a watch post. By 1818, twelve farms had been established.
This instrument witnesseth that I, Levi Comstock, of the Township of Yonge..declare this to be my last will and testament..
I give devise and dispose of my estate as follows...to my wife, Amy Comstock, the use and benefit of all the rest of my personal property, together with the use of my farm to assist in educating and supporting my three children, namely, William Thomas, George Richardson and Nancy Jane Comstock until they become of age and when my sons William Thomas and George Richardson attain the age of twenty-one years,
I give and devise my farm known as my homestead to them, share and share alike, subject to the support and maintenance of my wife, unless she may be changing her situation in life not require her support, and also subject to the payment by my sons, William Thomas and George Richardson of six hundred dollars to my daughter, Nancy Jane..payable on her attaining the age of twenty-one years or date of marriage...
I give and bequeath to my son, James N. Comstock, the sum of one hundred dollars...I give and bequeath to my daughter, Phebe M. Slatrey, and to my grand daughter Bertha Comstock or Hale...
I do nominate and appoint my friends George H. Lee and Henry L. Judd executors..
Levi Comstock subscribed my name this 24th day of August one thousand eight hundred and seventy three [1873]..in the presence of Ira Mallory and Amas W. Kelly in the Township of Yonge.
United Empire Loyalists were Americans who remained loyal to King George III and the British Empire. They moved to Canada after the American Revolution.
