The stone Romanesque Revival block of connected buildings at 90-94 Bank Street in New London were built around 1860 (a sidewalk plaque indicates 1876). The commercial building was used by A.B. Currier, an auctioneer, around 1873 and was later home to Darrow & Comstock, ship chandlers. The New London Day newspaper began publishing on the building’s second floor in 1881. More recently, the building has housed Roberts Audio Video store, with the upper floors being used as a residence.
90 Bank Street, New London (1860)
I think that the Darrow & Comstock, was my great, great grandfather. What do you know about them? I know that my great grandfather went to the gold rush, leaving Darrow & Comstock behind, and died of appendicitis on the way. My father and grandfather were both Arthur Darrow.
I live in a house built by William Darrow, a partner in the Darrow & Comstock chandlery. He built our house when he was in his 70’s. I was told he lived in this house until he died in his 90’s. He built the house next to us for his daughter. He previously lived in a much larger and elegant home built in 1905 on the corner of Ocean and Willetts Avenues. He might be a relative of yours. New London Landmarks and Mystic Seaport Museum Library probably have more information on the
Darrow(s) involved in the Darrow & Comstock Chandlery.
I am glad to hear that William Darrow, a partner in the Darrow & Comstock chandlery owned your house, and the other one on the corner of Ocean and Willetts Avenues. I am sure that he was a relative, my great grandfather to be exact. Someday I want to go to New London and look up the relevant information. I have photos of the two Darrow sons, Arthur and Mortimer. Arthur came to NJ after his father died in the gold rush, and they left the chandlery behind. His sons were Arthur and Mortimer. Both were dead before I was born. I have some photos of them from New London, and some old jewelry boxes from stores in New London, and some old letters. That’s all I know.
Also, Mr. Williams, my father was named Arthur Williams Gregory Darrow. He said that Williams was a family name. His sister was Dorothea Darrow. They are both deceased.
Good Morning – This is probable not overly interesting or even important to you but I have a small blue pocket level that was my dads that apparently came form the Darrow & Comstock company back in the 60’s My dad was a TV repairman in Guilford CT. On the level is the name Darrow & Comstock Company with a phone # of Gibson 3-5357. It’s interesting to me that the place is a TV repair shop!
That is interesting. I know that my great, great grandfather was Lewis Mortimer Darrow, and he invested in Darrow & Comstock with his brother.
My grand father was Ellery Nash Edwards, a part owner in the chandlery until his death in 1944{?}The roof of this stone building and the one that houses the old Customs House (now the Maritime Museum) were used to fight the fire that was caused by the hurricane of “38.
I wonder if any of those Darrows who owned Darrow and Comstock are still alive and living in the New London area?
I have been doing more research. I have a photo of, I think, my great grandfather’s older brother, a civil war participant, and the senior partner in Darrow & Comstock. My great grandfather left, and went to the goldrush, and died of appendicitis in his 30’s leaving a young wife and two sons.
I am still wondering if any of the Darrows in New London area, that remain, are relatives of Courtland Shepard Darrow or his son William Darrow? I am trying to do my genealogy. I wonder if they were related to Major Christopher Darrow, who was a major in the lst Connecticut Line, and a captain, and was at Valley Forge with George Washington and his troops. He fought at Monmouth, his last fight, and also in the Long Island, Germantown, and in Dunker Hill.
My Grandmother was Mary Darrow Harris. She married Issac Coit Harris. They had a son Donald E Harris. Mary died when her son was 2 years old. In 1918. Her parents names were Harry and Kate Darrow. Harry died in 1917. My father was Donald E Harris. I have no idea if Harry was related to this Darrow family.
I’m P Stock’s 2nd cousin! LOL We’re obviously both trying to find info on our great great grandfather, Charles Thatcher Darrow. I have strong evidence that he followed the Gold Rush to Sacramento, but appears to have also returned to Connecticut. Anyone know anything? I also have some old Darrow pictures from around 1900 that we cannot identify. Any assistance would be welcome if this thread is still live!
And yes, my understanding is that the entire family in New London is connected and dates back to Sargent Darrow, circa 1674.
Christina Corcoran s mother’s sister worked at Darrel and Comstock for 20 years.
She was engaged to fella named Fowler.