ANNIE COMFORT
The ancestry of Annie COMFORT can be traced back to John COMFORT,
the first of the name known in Bucks county. He bought a certificate from the Friends of
Flushing, Long Island, to the Friends monthly meeting held in Falls township, December 15,
1719. Pleased with this portion of the country he settled in Amwell, Hunterdon county, New
Jersey, where he continued to follow farming through out his active life. On the sixth day
of August 1720, he married Miss Mary WILSON, and they had three children: Stephen,
Sarah, and Robert.
- Stephen COMFORT, eldest son of John COMFORT, was married August 25, 1744,
to Mercy CROASDALE, and they had nine children: John, Ezra, Jeremiah, Stephen,
Grace, who became the wife of Jonathan STACKHOUSE; Mercy, who became the wife of
Aaron PHILLIPS; Moses, Robert, and Hannah.
- John COMFORT, eldest son of Stephen COMFORT, removed from Mount Holly, New
Jersey, in 1793, and settled upon the farm where his descendants are still living. He
married Miss Mary WOOLMAN, a daughter of John and Sarah (ELLIS) WOOLMAN,
and six children were the issue of this marriage: Samuel, John, Stephen, Mary, who became
the wife of Moses DOAN; Ellis, and Joseph. John COMFORT was the father of
another child, Ezra, by a second marriage. John WOOLMAN, father of Mrs. COMFORT,
was a very noted man in his day in the Society of Friends, Also a well known anti-slavery
man, and it was largely through his efforts that the Friends Society took strong steps
against slavery and gave up the slaves that were in their possession. He spent a
considerable portion of his time in religious work and writing. His book, "The
Journal of John WOOLMAN," is a representation of the man: it has a very
lengthy introduction by John Greenleaf WHITTIER, the celebrated poet, and Charles LAMB.
An English poet and essayist, is of the opinion that every one should memorize the words
of John WOOLMAN.
- Samuel COMFORT, the eldest son of John and Mary (WOOLMAN) COMFORT,
was born near Mount Holly, New Jersey, in 1776. When fourteen years of age he removed to
the home now occupied by his granddaughter, Annie COMFORT, whose name heads this
sketch, in Falls township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and there he remained until his
decease, giving his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. His influence was a
recognized factor for good in the community in which he resided for so many years. He was
a preacher in the Society of Friends, as was also his second wife, and when his son,
George COMFORT, took possession and management of the old homestead, he devoted
most of his time to religious work, traveling and preaching throughout many states, being
accompanied by his second wife, and in this way they were enabled to perform a large
amount of good work. Mr. COMFORT married Miss Rebecca MOON, and they were
the parents of six children; Martha, who became the wife of Mark WRIGHT; Mary, who
died unmarried; Sarah, who became the wife of Ezekiel COMBS; George, mentioned
hereinafter; Rebecca, who became the wife of James LAWRENCE; and Ann, who became
the wife of John SIMPSON. Three years after the death of Rebecca (MOON) COMFORT,
which occurred in 1836, Samuel COMFORT married Mrs. Elizabeth COX, who was a
minister in the religious society of Friends. She survived him a number of years.
- George COMFORT, son of Samuel and Rebecca (MOON) COMFORT, was born
on the old family homestead in Falls township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1808. For a
few years after attaining manhood he taught a private school in the city of Philadelphia,
but later returned to Bucks county and took possession of the old homestead, giving his
entire attention to the quiet but useful calling of agriculture until his death. He was a
man of the strictest integrity and took an active part in everything that tended to the
betterment of the neighborhood, rendering efficient aid in every enterprise, whether of a
religious, educational or social character. He was held in peculiar honor by his fellow
citizens for his many bovle and manly characteristics, and his daily walk and conversation
was well worthy of emulation. He was a true friend to all who were in distress, giving
liberally of his substance, and throughout his lifetime followed and obeyed the scriptural
proverb "It is more blessed to give than to receive." He was one of the
directors of the Fallsington Library, and for the long period of thirty-five years served
in the capacity of school director of Falls township. He was a regular attendant and stood
high in the Friends Society. In politics he was an adherent to the principles of the
Republican party. Mr. COMFORT married Miss Susan LOWER, of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, and their children are: Rebecca, who became the wife of Joshua PALMER:
Samuel, who has spent many years abroad; Annie, whose name heads this sketch; Susan E.,
deceased, was the wife of the late Milnor GILLINGHAM; and Georgina, who became the
wife of Charles SATTERTHWAITE. George COMFORT, father of these children,
died at his home in Falls township, in 1887, leaving behind him the memory of a good name
and an untarnished reputation.
Test taken from page 203-204 of:
Davis, William W. H., A.M., History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago:
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905] Volume III
Transcribed May 2001 by Joan Lollis of IN. as part of the Bucks Co.,
Pa., Early Family Project, www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/bucksindex.html
Published June 2001 on the Bucks County, Pa., USGenWeb pages at
www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/
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