Samuel Comfort was born in 1760 in Ulster County, New York in a region between the Towns of Crawford and Montgomery that would later be known locally as the Comfort Hills. It was an elevated ridge that was home to several Comfort families, the descendants of two brothers who moved from Long Island several decades before.
Samuel was a private during the Revolution, serving with his brothers John Jr. and Benjamin, in the 4th Regt. Ulster County Militia. Roll Call reports that still exist show all three in Capt. William Cross’ Co. of Col Johannes Hardenburgh’s Regt. in April 1799. They are also later recorded serving in the same 4th Ulster Militia in Ens. John Robenson’s Co. of Lt. Co. Johannes Janson’s Regt.
Following the war, Samuel married Anna Marie Youngblood around 1784. She, like Samuel’s mother Anatje (Hannah) Mould, was a part of the Dutch community that had lived in that area for generations. Her ancestors had come to America from the Palatine region of Germany, escaping religious persecution. They had formed the Dutch Reformed Church just east of Montgomery in 1731 not far from the Comfort Hills. Over the years several church structures were built on the same spot. It was later renamed the Brick Reformed Church when the present-day brick building was erected in 1858 following a fire. It remains a vibrant church community.
Samuel and Anna Marie were probably married in that church, although the records do not exist. All nine of their children were baptized, and many of them were married there.
Samuel continued to farm throughout his life. Tax records for 1799 show his house and farm valued as $1,500, a middle range value for the area. He died at age 42 on September 25, 1802. His wife, Anna Marie, lived another 45 years. They were both buried in the Brick Reformed Church Cemetery.
References and Notes
Comfort Families of Orange County New York, by Arthur H. Radacsh, 1962.
Roberts’ New York in the Revolution, pp 199-200.
Hardenbergh’s Regiment, New York Militia Fold3 Image: 19776610.
Janson’s Regiment, New York Militia Fold3 Image: 19777153.