October 20, 2026
To: Robert Fisher, Surprise, AZ
From: Stephen Brown, Comfort Island
Dear Robert,
You were there almost 13 years ago to the day when I closed on Comfort Island. You, Regan, Paul and I ventured into the house to take stock of what I had just bought.
Among the many treasures were two gold dollar coins, a lace parasol that disintegrated when opened, and, most importantly, over 200 letters to and from members of the Clark family. Many of them were from Alson Skinner Clark, who became a famous American Impressionist.
Over the years, Regan has painstakingly transcribed every one of those letters and assembled them into a collection for me. We’ve also discovered that there are more letters and diaries at the Smithsonian, and she is coming with me to examine them and hopefully add their contents to our archive.
I’m going to release the first batch through my social media, Substack and the website: ComfortIslandHome.com.
Remarkably, the lives of the Clarks over a hundred years ago at Comfort are very similar to ours: tennis, dinner parties, odd guests. That’s the magic of the house. Below is one that I think you will enjoy.
Hope you are doing well. So glad you were up here this summer.
Stephen
August 15, 1906
To: Miss Amelia A. Baker, 4 Paddock Street, Watertown, NY
From: Alson Clark, Comfort Island, Alexandria Bay, NY
Dear Mela
This morning as usual we went to the tennis tournament, and saw some of the best games we have seen at all.
Miss Taylor and her partner, played against Miss Wilber and Mr. Dachile, and beat them, which was rather a surprise, as well to us all. Mrs. Chapman beat Miss Boldt in singles which was rather a surprise as she has played so unsteadily the last few days.
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were over and father took a great delight in showing him about. Jack the Giant killer arrived this morning and unfortunately we have not been doing much to interest him today. Father stayed to lunch at the club with the Taylors, and then went over to see Boldt’s farm, after having asked them to send a wagon for them. Went to the Bay this noon and found the paints and we have been working all afternoon on the parlor which is coming on fine, and am crazy to have you see it.
When are you coming back? We all say how much we miss you at every meal, and hope you will show up soon.
Last night we went to the card party and I won the “booby” prize at bridge, being the only one in the family to get a prize. Mother was feeling badly and after getting to the Club decided not to go up, but is feeling O.K. again.
Well I must quit. Come back soon and bring Alice.
Love to all and many thanks for the paint box.
As ever,
Alson