It is reported both Comptons and Bownes were Baptists and left to escape religious persecution, but the political and land patent conflicts between the Dutch and British between 1650-1670, which ultimately resulted in New Netherlands being titled to the British and becoming New York around 1670, were undoubtedly the principal cause for this particular migration. We do know they founded a church.William who migrated to New Jersey appears in the early records (See inter alia, Stillwell, Historical and Genealogical Miscellany, New York and New Jersey, 1930, Blalock, Comptonology, V. 1, No. 1, p. 1; see also History of Monmouth County 1664-1920, Lewis Hist. Publ. Co., pp. 321 et seq.; Mandeville, The Story of Middletown, Christ Church (pub.), 1927, pp. 36 et seq., and others.
William received a warrant for 280 acres of land in NJ. In December 1667, he received lot number 15 in the division of Middletown NJ. He also was awarded Salt Meadows. He had his livestock earmark recorded as a halfpenny under the left ear. He paid rent to the King in 1696 on 250 acres of land which was located on Shoal Harbor near Middletown. (Blalock, 2]
Of Rhode Island. They lived in NY state, per Blalock.
Of Perth Amboy NJ