I ran across this memorial letter a few months ago and I'm posting it here to see if anyone can figure out who wrote it. It was simply signed "G.A.K.". I'm guessing that the writer was named Kelly or Kelley for reasons I'll explain after the letter. At points in the letter, the author inserts quotes which do not seem to flow naturally to our 21st century ears; this is typed exactly as printed. The article is not dated, but appears to be from a newspaper printed on a press more modern than what would have been around in colonial times. Based on other documents I have transcribed for the Mendon Historical Society, the style appears to me to be from the latter half of the 1800s, toward 1900. The article is entitled "The Late James K. Comstock" and reads: (quote) Editor of the Spy: Permit me to pay a brief tribute of respect to the memory of this man who departed so suddenly, and was so recently buried from mortal sight. I knew him many years longer than the average span of human life. Our acquaintance commenced over 50 years ago, down in the Blackstone Valley where we both then lived and our intimacy was never once marred or dimmed by any unpleasant happening. In all our communion, whether in the times of thoughtful converse or in the areas of recreation and pleasure, I can truly say that I never heard him utter a word nor express a thought which he might desire to recall or wish that he had not said. "Among those who live, or have lived, or shall live," of how many-certainly not me-can this be said. The proverbs tell us: "The prudent man looketh well to his going." He was a prudent man. He was kind hearted, generous in spirit, sympathized with the poor and lowly, and his example and precepts always made for righteousness. I believe he was constantly and persistently conscientious in all his dealings with his fellow men and with himself and with God. It seems as if those who live useful lives and do all in their power to uplift the level of humanity can ever hear the voice resounding through the heavens and the earth. "Whatsoever things thou doest to the least of mine and lowest, that thou doest unto me". James Montgomery wrote: "When the good man yields his breath, but the good man never dies." This man has yielded his breath, but he has not died to me. In the few remaining days allotted to me to live, I shall with pleasure and consolation again and again recall his memory. G.A.K. (unquote). Okay, I think this memorial letter refers to James Kelly Comstock who was my 2nd great-uncle, son of James Comstock and Catherine Farnum, and husband of Charlotte E. Kelly Benson. James Kelly Comstock was the grandson of Lettice Kelly (or Kelley) who married Jonathan Farnum, so his middle name could have come from there. I have a number of Kelleys (and Kellys) in my background in the Blackstone/Mendon area, but I have no one with the initials G.A.K. It would not be unreasonable to assume that G.A.K. was a Kelly from this area since James Comstock was connected to the Kelly family through his grandmother and through his wife who was the daughter of William Kelly. James Kelly Comstock ran a grocery store in Blackstone with Laban Bates. I have several Laban Bates in my background, but none whose death date would coincide with James Comstock's death date. Since they ran a business together, the two would have had to have lived at roughly the same time. James Comstock is also listed as being town clerk in Blackstone and the author of "Blackstone's Record in the War of the Rebellion". His father, mother, and grandmother, at least, are buried at the East Blackstone Meeting House. I visited there in April, but did not find a stone for James or Charlotte Comstock. So, any guesses on who G.A.K. is? I think the "K" means Kelley or Kelly. The "G" might stand for George or maybe Gideon, but I can't think of any other "G" first names in use at that time. The "A" could be several things. Regards, Frank Comstock