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| Dr Evan Ennis Combs of KY & MO |
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INTRODUCTION
All the world loves a story. "Once upon a time" is the magic phrase that draws a group together about any glib spinner of yarns. A tale as old as the 1794 Whisky Rebellion in western Pennsylvania, or as puzzling as the changing the spelling of ones surname. There will always be people to listen and to learn from a good story.
"A good story is the opener of many doors. It introduces a speaker, illuminates discourse, beguiles weariness, banishes gloom, brightens the night, and adorns the day… We follow the lure of the story because we are hungry for it. After every disappointment we sigh - and begin another" (Slater, p. 322). This view was presented as part of the foundation for a 1913 freshman composition course. The author was convinced that it was important to tell stories without bungling or creating barrenness in the process. "Historical narration…is illuminated by vivid descriptions, when the sources afford material for such descriptions" (Slater, p. 338).
A present day concern exists that people lack the ability of telling stories. It is seen as being a lost art. There is a current belief that this has created a void, or lack of a bridge, between one generation and another. If various cultures are studied it is apparent that information about values, morals, and what is basically right and wrong, is passed on from one generation to the next. A majority of the time this is accomplished by presenting various forms of narratives - telling stories (Fine, p. 157)(Eubanks & Parish, p. 27)(Bolman & Deal, pp.117-121).
In March 1775 Colonel Richard HENDERSON of the Transylvania Company hired Daniel BOONE as his agent. The Transylvania Company was the name given to the company after HENDERSON acquired title from the Cherokee to a large land area. As HENDERSON's agent, Daniel BOONE was employed to establish a settlement in what was later to become Kentucky. Along with a party of thirty settlers Daniel BOONE began to clear the Wilderness Road. By April they were establishing their fort at the Kentucky River. The fort community was called Boonesborough [see Note 1].
The settlers called their new lands Transylvania, but it was soon discovered that they lay within the borders of Virginia and that state organized them into the county of Kentucky (Southworth & Southworth, p. 144).
In 1777 Virginia's General Assembly divided Fincastle County into three parts and created Washington, Montgomery and Kentucky counties. The act creating these counties described the Kentucky County boundaries. In 1780 Kentucky County was divided into three smaller parcels - Jefferson, Fayette and Lincoln. Within a few years six more counties had been created from the original three. On 18 December 1789 Virginia's General Assembly passed an act allowing Kentucky to apply for statehood. On 1 June 1792 these nine counties became the State of Kentucky - Mason, Woodford, Bourbon, Madison, Lincoln, Nelson, Jefferson, Mercer, and Fayette. The land speculation by the COMBS' pioneers were located primarily in Fayette and Bourbon counties (Thorndale & Dollarhide, p. 122).
Frontiersman would travel to Boonesborough where they would stay until they had found their parcel of land. One group of travelers that stayed at Boonesborough in May 1775 consisted of Cuthbert, Joseph, Ennis and Benjamin COMBS; along with their brother in law, Marquis CALMES. They enjoyed the protection of the fort for a few weeks. They traveled into the territory that is now known as Clark and Montgomery counties. The COMBS' took up large boundaries of land lying between Upper Howard's Creek and Lulbegrud Creek. Much of these tracts were located around the Indian Old Fields (Harber).
The COMBS' party followed an old buffalo trace from Boonesborough into what is presently now Montgomery County, Kentucky. It was exceedingly hot in 1775 and many of the creeks were dry. The party traveled the trek until they located the cool spring near the headwaters of the Hinkston. They then followed the Hinkston Creek downstream until they came to a mound which was used as a prominent landmark by early hunters. The site was known by the name "Little Mountain" This is the present location of Mount Sterling, Kentucky (Enoch, p. 8)[see Note 2].
The mound - located at the intersection of the present Locust and Queen streets - was described as being twenty-five feet high, one hundred and twenty-five feet across almost perfectly circular (Enoch, p. 8) . Cuthbert COMBS married Sally EVANS. They had a very large family. Known Issue of Cuthbert and Sally COMBS are Elizabeth EDWARDS, Joseph, Benjamin, Polly (BAKER) EVANS, John, Sythe PAYNE, Susan HICKMAN, Cuthbert Jr., Sally EVANS, Nancy PAYNE, Fielding Alexander, and Evan Ennis COMBS. Cuthbert did not stay in one location for any length of time. He was back in Stafford County, Virginia in the 1780's; and was in Nelson County, Kentucky by 1797. Later Cuthbert COMBS took his family to Clark County, Kentucky where he resided until his death in 1815.
DR. EVAN ENNIS COMBS
Until about 1890 the pride and delight of Americans was their quality of land. The possession of land was the aim for almost all their actions. Land acquisition was used for curing social evils, governmental enticements, status, gaging wealth or just to be a monarch in their own right. "An artisan works, that he may die on land of his own" (Woestemeyer, p. 37).
Evan Ennis Combs (b: abt 1795; d: 18 JUN 1849), a native of Virginia, was a physician and surgeon by profession. He began practice in Clark County, Kentucky. Shortly afterwards he removed to Mt. Sterling, where he followed his profession for eighteen years. He then moved his family to a farm, on which he resided for an additional thirteen years. Evan Ennis COMBS raised his family in Mount Sterling, Kentucky until after the death of his wife. He was a very well respected medical doctor in Montgomery County, Kentucky (Perrin, p. 777).
Dr. Evan Ennis COMBS wife, Mary "Polly" Sydnor HINDE, was a Kentuckian by birth. They were married on 17 APR 1817 in Montgomery County, Kentucky. Ennis and Mary "Polly" COMBS had ten children - Sarah Elizabeth, Edward Mark, Mary Ann, Silas Evans, John Cuthbert, Fielding Alexander, Caroline "Dolly", James H., Susannah "Susan" E. and Evan Ennis Jr. Dr. Ennis COMBS died of cholera 18 JUN 1849 when on a return visit to Kentucky from Independence, Missouri. His death occured while traveling on the Ohio River (Walker & Wilson, p. 45)(Perrin, p. 777)(1840 US Census, Kentucky - Montgomery County. p. 214, line 14). He is buried in the Prewitt-Combs Cemetery, located on the Edward R. PREWITT Jr. Farm, Mt. Sterling, Kentucky (Perkins)[see Chart 1].
The COMBS' migration to Missouri was influenced by the letters that were sent by family members living in the state. The HINDE's, EVANS', SCHOLL's and COMBS' all had various family members who made the move to Lafayette, Saline, Jackson and Ray counties in Missouri; rather than going to other parts of Kentucky or to Tennessee. Dr. Evan Ennis COMBS moved his family in 1842 from Montgomery County, Kentucky to Saline County, Missouri (National Historical Company, p. 641). In February 1844 Septimus SCHOLL, a Jackson County, Missouri cousin of Mary "Polly" COMBS, wrote his son Nelson SCHOLL in Clark County, Kentucky stating his concerns about moving to Missouri [see Note 3]:
There are several places in Saline County in the neighborhood of Doc Combs (Dr. Evan Ennis COMBS) and Marshall (Missouri) I would be glad to hear from by some person who had examined the premises, which I have enjoined on John Haggard and Silas Combs &c. I also want you to send me particular word what you think would be most prudent to bring with me and if you would send any furniture by water or bring more horses than we require on the road. What sort of oxen and wagons &c, and what part of the country you would prefer taking in consideration the price of land the future prospects as to timber, stock raising, trade, hemp, wheat, tobacco, mules &c, the most proper time to move and the probable chance for renting a year, provided I should not make a purchase immediately, and which would be the most advisable plan, to buy or rent (Giulvezan, p. 2)[see Note 4].
Dr. Evan Ennis COMBS procured 600 acres on 20 MAY 1843 from James SHELBY. At the time of the purchase Ennis COMBS was residing in Boone County, Missouri. The legal description of the land purchased is the E½ NW, NE SW, W½ SW, SE, SE SW, & W½ NE Section 26, Township 51, Range 20; NE SE Section 27, Township 51, Range 20; and the W½ SW Section 25, Township 51, Range 20 (Saline County, Missouri Deed Book K. p. 29). A portion of this land was to become know as the community of Orearville [see Note 5]:
Orearville was first called Centerville. The site was first settled by one James SMITH, of Tennessee, who entered on sections 26 and 27. He afterwards sold to James SHELBY, a son of Isac SHELBY, the first governor of Kentucky. He sold to Ennis COMBS…The town was started in 1852, by N. C. OREAR, who served as justice of the peace there (Napton, p. 375).
Dr. Ennis COMBS sold a portion of this land to his son Silas Evan COMBS on 22 FEB 1847. Dr. COMBS county of residence was recorded on the deed as Jackson County, Missouri. The parcel of land sold to Silas E. COMBS was recorded as the E½ NW & W½ NE Section 26, Township 51, Range 20 (Saline County, Missouri; Deed Book M, p. 1). This procurement would amount to about 160 acres of the original 600 acres obtained by Dr. Ennis COMBS in 1843.
In the will of Dr. Ennis COMBS there was a stipulation to sell the property located in Van Buren County, Missouri. This property would now be located in Cass County, since Van Buren County was renamed Cass County in 1849 (Thorndale & Dollarhide, p. 194). The legal description of this parcel of land is the E ½ NE Section 24, Township 43, Range 30; E ½ SE & SE NW Section 35, Township 43, Range 30. This parcel would amount to about 200 acres of farm land, located south of the small community of Garden City, Missouri [see Note 6].
MARY SYDNOR (HINDE) COMBS
Mary "Polly" Sydnor (HINDE) COMBS is the daughter of Dr. John Wood HINDE. Her mother is Elizabeth Sydnor (MARK) HINDE, of Montgomery County, Kentucky. The parents of Dr. John Wood HINDE are Dr. Thomas and Mary (HUBBARD) HINDE. Dr. Thomas HINDE was a surgeon in the British Army and Navy. "He left this service and came to America and was a surgeon in the Revolution, afterward settling in Virginia" (American Biographical Archive, Fielding Combs. p. 34). Dr. John and Elizabeth HINDE had thirteen children (Ham, pp. 99-103). The granddaughter of Dr. Evan Ennis COMBS, Belle COMBS wrote this 8 FEB 1940 account of her great grandfather Dr. Thomas HINDE:
There is one in the Eastern Art Galleries, a very fine oil painting of General Wolf dying in the arms of Surgeon Hinde (in Benjamin West's portrait of the dying Wolfe), at the Battle of Quebec during the War between the British and the French. Surgeon Hinde was the father of our…grandfather Combs wife. I do not know where any of the Hinde relatives now are. There was a large family in Saline Co., Mo (Musser, 22 JUN 1998).
Following the end of the French and Indian Wars, Hinde took his discharge in America and found his way to Virginia where he set up practice. He was a neighbor and a friend of Patrick Henry (Bedford, p. 532).
According to a 1910 letter written by Belle COMBS, the daughter of Even Ennis COMBS Jr., Mary "Polly" S. COMBS died three weeks after the birth of her last child Evan Ennis COMBS Jr.:
Ma's Uncle William Waddell gave Ma $100.00 worth of flat silver when she married Pa [see Note 7]. We know nothing about Aunt Sallie's (Sally (COMBS) EVANS) silver. Pa's mother was Miss Mary Sydnor Hinde of Kentucky. Sallie Combs married Silas Evans, her cousin. They raised my father whose mother died when he was three weeks old (Musser, 22 Jun 1998).
US Census records delineate the fact that Evan Ennis COMBS Jr. was born in Kentucky, not in Missouri. The COMBS' family did not move to Missouri until 1842 (National Historical Company, p. 641). Based on Belle COMBS letter, Mary "Polly" S. COMBS had to have died in Montgomery County, Kentucky sometime in October of 1837 [see Note 8]. In Dr. Ennis COMBS Sr. will it states that "Ennis COMBS (is) to live with Silas EVANS who has raised him this far until he is 21 years of age" (Combs &c. RootWeb Research Project, p. 1). Sallie (COMBS) EVANS is married to Silas EVANS. She is the sister of Dr. Evan Ennis COMBS. Silas EVANS was residing in Missouri when Dr. Ennis COMBS will was probated (Will of Evan Ennis Sr. 25 JUL 1848)(Williams & Williams, p. 51)(1830 US Census, Kentucky - Montgomery County. pp. 25-26, line 19).
SUSAN NEVILLE (CATLETT) COMBS
Dr. Evan Ennis COMBS was married a second time to Susan N. CATLETT (Wilson)(Lafayette County, Missouri). A Saline County, Missouri land deed dated 22 FEB 1847 lists Ennis COMBS wife as Susan N. COMBS (Saline County, Missouri; Deed Book K. p. 29). In 1851 Susan N. (CATLETT) COMBS was living in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri (Buchanan County, Deed Book H, p. 245). No evidence has ever been found which indicates that Susan N. COMBS ever lived with any of the children of Dr. Evan Ennis COMBS between 1849 and the time of her death 11 APR 1876 (Wilson). In 1860 Susan N. COMBS was living with Ann CATLETT in St. Joseph, Missouri. Living next door to Susan COMBS is Dr. D. CATLETT (Nelson & Jackson, p. 109)[see Note 9]. Dr. CATLETT is believed to be Susan N. COMBS brother.
The following article appeared in the Saint Joseph Gazette on 12 APR 1876:
DIED -COMBS - At her residence on fifth street at A.M. yesterday, Mrs. Susan N. Combs, aged 75 years. The funeral service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, at 1 P.M., today, by Rev. R. S. Campbell, friends and acquaintances are invited to attend without further notice.
(St Joseph Gazette).The first city directory listing in Saint Joseph, Missouri for Susan N. COMBS is in the 1859-1860 City Directory. Susan N. COMBS is recorded as living at the corner of 5th and Jule Streets (1859-1860 St. Joseph, Missouri City Directory. p 16). In the 1860 City Directory for St. Joseph, Missouri catalogs Susan COMBS, age 48, widow, born in Kentucky. Living with her is A. CATLETT, age 30, female, born in Virginia; and H. CATLETT, age 24, male, born in Kentucky (Nelson & Jackson, p. 109).
Susan N. COMBS probate file is located in the Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society archives (COMBS, Susan N.). Administrator of the estate was Miss Ann L. CATLETT. The only property listed in the probate was a parcel of land recorded as the NE 1/4 of Section 13, Township 56, Range 29, located in Caldwell County, Missouri. The remaining assets of the estate went to Ann L. CATLETT. From a review of the documents in the probate file, Susan N. COMBS did not possess much of an estate at the time of her death. However there is a clear indication that Susan COMBS conducted a number of large land transaction over the years while residing in Buchanan County, Missouri. Her income and well being were maintained by managing the procurement and sale of parcels of land.
The following is a list of a number of land transactions by Susan N. COMBS while a resident of Buchanan County, Missouri:
| GRANTEE | GRANTOR | INSTRUMENT | BOOK | PAGE | YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combs, Susan N. | James O'Donoghue | Deed | H | 245 | 1851 |
| Combs, Susan N. | Geo. Brubaker & wife | Deed | J | 424 | 1853 |
| Combs, Susan N. | B.O. Driscoll & wife | Deed | N | 17 | 1857 |
| Combs, Susan N. | Volney H. Blivens & wf | Deed | R | 429 | 1858 |
| William J. Taylor | Susan N. Combs & et al | Deed | J | 569 | 1853 |
| Preston T. Moss | S. Neville Combs & et al | Deed | O | 249 | 1857 |
| Mason F. Moss | S. Neville Combs & et al | Deed | O | 249 | 1859 |
| Ann L. Catlett | Susan N. Combs | Deed | V | 116 | 1859 |
| Jacob Sprinkle | Susan N. Combs | Deed | 35 | 105 | 1864 |
| Thomas E. Tootle | Susan N. Combs & et al | Deed | 46 | 446 | 1867 |
| Wm Fairleigh & et al | Susan N. Combs & et al | Deed | 46 | 445 | 1867 |
| F. J. Spickard | Susan N. Combs | Deed | 58 | 79 | 1870 |
Not one of these transactions is associated with any COMBS, or an associated COMBS lineages. A number of large land transactions appear to have been made in the early 1850's. Later Susan N. COMBS began selling her property. One person who was associated with Susan N. COMBS and her land dealings is Ann L. CATLETT. Records reveal the fact that Susan N. COMBS had enough assets in 1851 to purchase large tracts of land in Buchanan County. This is consistent with the settling of Dr. Evan Ennis COMBS estate in Lafayette County, Missouri [see Note 10]. She is also listed as a slave owner in 1860, with one black male, age 48 (Missouri 1860 Slave Schedule - Buchanan County. p. 74, line 30, 2d column)[see Note 11].
Buchanan County, Missouri land deeds also indicate that Susan N. COMBS full name is Susan Neville COMBS. A 21 January 1854 land transaction, along with the name Ann L. CATLETT, lists William P. Taylor as the grantee. Susan N. COMBS name is recorded as Susan Neville COMBS (Buchanan County, Missouri Deed Book J, p. 569).
Susan Neville COMBS was buried in Andrew County. Missouri in the Todd Cemetery. The cemetery is located on Old Todd Farm. It is located in Section 21 in Jefferson Township, Andrew County, Missouri. Her grave marker has the following inscription on it:
SUSAN N. COMBS
DAUGHTER OF H. & M. CATLETT
BORN 16 APRIL 1800 DIED 11 APRIL 1876
AGE 75 YR, 11 MONTHS, 26 DAYS
(Andrew County Cemetery Inscriptions) [see Note 12].Susan N. COMBS was instrumental in organizing the First Presbyterian Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. It was organized "on the 12th of January, 1854, by a committee of the Presbytery of 'Upper Missouri.' The organization was effected in the parlor of Mrs. Susan N. COMBS." She is also listed in the Church records as an original charter member (Ramfre Press, p. 496).
THE TEN CHILDREN OF DR. EVAN ENNIS COMBS
CAROLINE (COMBS) HAWES
After the death of Dr. Ennis COMBS, his children and their families scattered in a number of directions. Caroline "Dolly" COMBS moved to Jackson County, Missouri in 1845.
"I have seen Dolly once since she came out (to Independence, Missouri)" stated her cousin Eliza WALLACE in her letter to her sister and brother-in-law Rodney Martin HINDE dated 8 NOV 1845 (Giulvezan, p. 14).
She returned to her former home in Montgomery County, Kentucky after the death of her father. She lived with her sister, Mary CALDWELL, in Montgomery County, Kentucky until she moved to California in 1853 (1850 US Census, Kentucky - Montgomery County, p. 41)(Giulvezan, p. 14).
Mrs Caroline (COMBS) Hawes, 69, (b: 25 APR 1828) widow of Horace Hawes, died at home in Redwood City, California a couple of weeks ago. She was Miss Caroline Combs, daughter of old Dr. Combs who was well known to the older generation of our people. She was raised w(h)ere William H. Prewitt now lives near old Lulbegrud Church. Was a school mate of Mrs. Anne Mitchell and Mrs. Mary T. Reid. In 1853, she was in a party that crossed the plains, Mr. Jacob Trumbo, being a member of the same party. She married Horace Hawes after she went to California and he died a millionaire. She died only moderately rich (Elliston, p. 75)(Walker & Wilson, p. 44)[see Note 13].
Belle COMBS, the daughter of Evan Ennis COMBS Jr. wrote a letter to her cousin Edna HEIGHTOWER on 8 FEB 1940, which makes comments about Caroline moving to California:
Aunt Dolly Combs rode a pony called "peping" most of the way, and carried Carry Caldwell a small child in her lap. The pony died of old age and have seen where he was buried. I heard Aunt Dolly killed a buffalo on the plains. I think she and Mr. Hawed are buried in San Francisco. He was considered the smartest lawyer in the West. He was quite wealthy. Gave a great deal to the Catholics. Aunt Dolly gambled in stocks and let sharpers cheat her and when she died she had nothing, but Horace's widow and the daughter had their share (Musser, 22 JUN 1998. p. 1).
Caroline HAWES had two known children. She named her daughter Caroline (b: 24 DEC 1861). Her daughter married a ROBINSON and they also had two known children. Both of these offspring were living at one time in Redwood City, California. The known children of Caroline ROBINSON are Mrs. J.W. GOODWIN and Porter ROBINSON (Musser, 24 JUN 1998, p. 1).
JAMES H. COMBS
James H. COMBS (b: DEC 1832) resided with his sister Mary CALDWELL in Montgomery County, Kentucky after the death of his father (1850 US Census, Kentucky - Montgomery County, p. 41). James H. COMBS graduated from the Mt. Sterling Academy in 1852. In 1853 he crossed the plains, with ox and mule teams, to California. He first settled in San Ramon Valley, where he remained one year. He then went to San Jose, where he remained about two years. In 1855 James H. COMBS resided in Saline County, Missouri and was elected Saline County Assessor (Napton, p. 261). Then in 1856 James H. COMBS returned to Jackson County, Missouri (American Biographical Archive, James H. Combs. p. 46).
On 15 JUL 1860 James H. COMBS married Anna Elizabeth MARSHALL (b: JUL 1839). She was formerly from Lexington, Kentucky (Musser, 23 JUN 1998, p. 1). Anna Elizabeth COMBS parents were Robert and Elizabeth MARSHALL, also natives of Kentucky.
On 30 APR 1866 James H. COMBS purchased approximately 160 acres in Fort Osage Township from Robert and Mary W. AULL. The legal description is recorded as the E ½ SE, Section 4, Township 50 N, Range 31 W; NE NE, Section 9, Township 50 N, Range 31 W; and NW NE, Section 9, Township 50 N, Range 31 W (Jackson County, Missouri. Deed Book 49, p. 42). In 1838 William and Margaret (ROBERTS) COMBS "Peggy" (ROBERTS) COMBS of Atchison County, Missouri, sold 80 areas located in Lot 1, NW, Section 9, Township 50 N, Range 31 W. (Jackson County, Missouri. Deed Book S, p. 203). Lot 1 and Section 4 are contiguous parcels of land.
When James H. COMBS returned to Jackson County, Missouri in 1856 he farmed property in Fort Osage Township. His farm was very close to Sibley, Missouri. "Most of…Sibley…was burned by the Federal soldiers during the Civil War. It is said that Federal boats passing on the (Missouri) river were fired upon by bush-whackers and others, from this point, and the soldiers taking it for granted that this was the headquarters of rebels and enemies of the government, hence the destruction of the town" (Ramfre Press, p. 309)(see Note 14).
One of the prominent pioneer families in the Fort Osage area of Jackson County, Missouri was the William HUDSPETH clan. William HUDSPETH moved his family and slaves to Jackson County in 1828. He had been to Jackson County in 1826 but did not move until after the death of his wife (Tabitha (BEALL) HUDSPETH). Several individuals in the family were members of Six Mile Baptist Church. "William HUDSPETH helped organize the first school in Sible (sic), Missouri" (Ford, p. 3). They had eleven children. Several of his sons and grandsons rode with Captain William Clarke QUANTRILL during the Civil War. James H. COMBS is know to have associated and helped several of the family members during the Civil War.
One story that is documented where James H. COMBS helps Frank James during a heated battle along the Missouri River (Edward, p. 172).
In an attempt to escape capture by Union soldiers, ten members of Quantill's Raiders were racing for Jackson County. The river is heavily patrolled and the rebels were trying to cross the river in Ray County, Missouri into Fort Osage Township. "When the guerrillas left their horses the Federals were on the northern side of the (Missouri) river firing futilely across… (After crossing they) spread…out again under the warming sun and waited and watched. The dismounted men had need to mount themselves rapidly, it was battle everywhere. James Combs especially gave Frank James a horse destined soon to become famous" (Edwards, pp. 171-172).
According to the 1866 voter registration process, James H. COMBS was judged to be a supporter of the Confederacy. He went to the 1866 polling point, which was located in Sibley, Missouri; and was rejected as a qualified voter. It is also a known fact that James H. COMBS was present at the balloting point since the election judges stated that these are the "names of voters rejected at the election held at Sibley, in Fort Osage township, on the sixth day of November…one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six" (24th General Assembly, p. 211). James H. COMBS is found to be the fifth name on the list of rejected Fort Osage Township voters (24th General Assembly, p. 211).
In the Dr. Ennis COMBS probate file is a list of assets that were be quested to various family members. According to this document James H. COMBS inherited a male Negro by the name of Caleb Jr. This transaction was also listed in a letter to the Lafayette County, Missouri Probate Court presented by William SPRATT, administrator of the will. The letter was dated 10 JUL 1851. There is no doubt that James H. COMBS was a secessionists. He was disfranchised by Jackson County, Missouri for his political beliefs in the 1866 Jackson County, Missouri elections.
The social standing of Midwest citizens after the Civil War varied from place to place and from time to time. In general the attitude of those in power was that there were two classes of citizens - they were either War soiled or victoriously clean, and there was to be no mingling of the two. A typical viewpoint in the U.S. Congress was that the "Confederate states had ‘committed suicide' and should be treated like ‘conquered provinces'" (Garraty, p. 428). As was illustrated in the 1866 Missouri election any person could make accusations about another individuals politics and then be restricted from voting. There was no apparent appeal for this unjust political mechanism (Seyffert, p. 19).
On the day of the election there was the anticipation of violence at the polls (Seyffert, p. 19). One can just picture the farmers in the area ascending on Sibley to cast their ballots for the Conservative candidate. Only two ballots were given for the Radical opponent. The local eating establishments were probably packed with local male residents ordering meals and coffee while vibrantly discussing the politics of the area. The election took place on 6 November 1866 without any sort of incident (24th General Assembly, pp. 211-212).
James H. COMBS moved his family to Redwood City, California in 1872. He and his wife Anna Elizabeth COMBS had eight known children - Robert Marshall (b: abt 1863, MO), Mary D. (b: abt 1865, MO), Mollie Sue (b: abt 1866, MO), William (b: abt 1869, MO), Carrie H. (b: abt 1872, MO), James H. Jr. (b: DEC 1875, CA), Marshal R. (b: AUG 1878) and Bessie (1870 US Census, Missouri - Jackson County, p. 250)(1880 US Census, California - Lake County)(1900 US Census, California - Lake County).
EVAN ENNIS COMBS JR.
Evan Ennis COMBS Jr. (b: 16 SEP 1837) lived with Silas and Sarah "Sally" (COMBS) EVANS from the time he was three weeks old until he was twenty-one years of age (1850 US Census, Missouri - Lafayette, p. 248)(Walker & Wilson, p. 45). This was the wish of his father who provided for this arrangement in his will.
…son, Ennis COMBS to live with Silas EVANS who has raised him this far until he is 21 years of age…(Lafayette County, Missouri Probate File #37, Will. p. 1).
Ennis COMBS Jr. married Sarah Waddell CALLAWAY (b: JUL 1840) on 28 JUL 1859 (Musser, 24 JUN 1998, p. 2)(Lafayette County, Missouri; Marriage Book E. p. 19)[see Note 15]. After the death of Silas EVANS, Ennis COMBS Jr. remained living in Lafayette County with Sally EVANS (1860 US Census, Missouri - Lafayette, p. 371).
Ennis COMBS Jr. moved his family to Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California after 1863 [see Note 16]. He and Sarah his wife had four known children - Belle [see Note 17](b: 22 FEB 1863, MO), a twin brother (b: 22 FEB 1863. MO) that did not survive, Annie who died when she was about 2 years of age, and William "Willie" who also died as an infant (Musser, 24 JUN 1998, p. 1). In the 1900 Federal Census Ennis COMBS Jr. had a lodger by the name of Matt T. TERRY, age 59 (b: JUN 1840), born in New York. His occupation is recorded as shoe maker. Ennis is enumerated as owing a farm and a listed occupation of a landscape gardener (1900 US Census, California - Los Angeles).
Belle COMBS wrote a letter to her second cousin Edna HEIGHTOWER (daughter of Susan COMBS and granddaughter of Silas Evan COMBS) on 8 FEB 1940, recollecting a comical situation that had taken place in her youth in Missouri:
I well remember your dear mother. She stayed at our home in Missouri one winter when she was suffering with neuralgia. She slept in the living room where there was fire. One night my big white cat got on the window sill out side as he did, when it was cold and he wanted to come in. Pa would raise the window and let him in. That night your mother (Susan (COMBS) HEIGHTOWER) awakened and saw him as a white bearded man looking in, Pa and Ma were sleeping up stairs your Uncle Ennis (son of Silas E. & Martha Jane COMBS) across the hall. Ma was dreaming she heard a pistol fired, just as Cousin Sue began to scream. When Pa and Ma got down stairs Sue was sitting up in bed screaming and Ennis was holding to the foot of the bed so frightened he could not talk. It was quite a commotion. So you see my childish mind was impressed (Musser, 22 JUN 1998).
The 1860 Missouri Slave Schedule lists Evan Ennis COMBS Jr. with one fourteen year old, black slave. His Aunt Sallie EVANS is listed with thirteen slaves (Missouri 1860 Slave Schedule - Lafayette County. p. 438, lines 17-29).
SILAS EVAN COMBS
Silas Evan COMBS (b: 22 MAY 1821, Montgomery Co, KY) and died in 1891 in Vernon County, Missouri (Musser, 23 JUN 1998). He married Martha Jane PREWITT 30 AUG 1842. Martha Jane PREWITT was born in Fayette County, Kentucky 17 MAR 1822. Silas was reared and educated in his native county on a farm. In 1842 he moved to Missouri and located in Saline County, where he was engaged in farming till 1851, when he went to Jackson County, Missouri. In 1867 Silas E. COMBS moved his family to Cass County, Missouri. In 1875 the family then moved to California and remained there two years (National Historical Company, p. 641). Silas COMBS then returned to Cass County, Missouri and operated a 150 acre farm. The Missouri 1860 Slave Schedule lists Silas E. COMBS as the owner of 1 Black male age 12 (Cass County. p. 139, 2nd column, line 39).
For six years Silas E. COMBS was the constable for Index Township, Jackson County, Missouri. In the fall of 1881 he was elected Township Collector (National Historical Company, p. 641). Silas E. COMBS conducted several Jackson and Saline County, Missouri land transactions. These dealings are as follows:
From Ennis COMBS & Susan N. COMBS on 22 FEB 1847 (Saline County, Missouri; Deed Book M, p. 1). To Henry W. NEFF on 15 MAY 1848 (Saline County, Missouri; Deed Book N, p. 552. To Benjamin B. DUNNETT 30 APR 1851 (Saline County, Missouri; Deed Book P, p. 209). To William PIPER 30 APR 1852 (Saline County, Missouri; Deed Book S, p. 213). To Elizah TRUE 18 MAR 1853 (Saline County, Missouri; Deed Book P, p. 491). To James A. MCBRIDE on 9 APR 1858 (Jackson County, Missouri; Deed Book 26, p. 531). John W. POLK on 12 MAY 1860 (Jackson County, Missouri; Deed Book 35, p. 323). To H. W. PATTON on 13 APR 1860 (Jackson County, Missouri; Deed Book 36, p. 198). (Unknown person) on 12 MAY 1862 (Jackson County, Missouri Deed Book 36. p. 776). To Shelby FISHER and others on 7 FEB 1870 (Jackson County, Missouri; Deed Book 71, p. 603).
Martha Jane and Silas COMBS had thirteen children - Edward Mark (b: 27 JUL 1844, KY; d: prior to 7 OCT 1925) who married Lucy YOUNG on 14 JAN 1866 (Lafayette County, Missouri; Marriage Book E. p. 261); Mary Sydnor (b: 2 NOV 1845, MO; d: prior to 7 OCT 1925); Sarah Elizabeth "Bettie" SANDERS (b: 28 JUN 1847, KY); Theodocia "Dote" Prewitt THOMSON (b:10 NOV 1848, MO); Samuel Woodson (b: 15 NOV 1850, MO - living in Nevada, MO in 1925); Susan Matthews HEIGHTOWER (b: 21 MAR 1852, MO - living in Nevada, MO in 1925); Evan Ennis III (b: 26 FEB 1854, MO); Florance NUNN (b: 2 MAR 1856, MO - living in Nevada, MO in 1925 with her husband John NUNN); Robert Lee (b: DEC 1858, d: 7 OCT 1925); Caroline "Carrie" Hawes (b: 24 DEC 1861, MO); Mattie Walton JONES (b: 3 NOV 1863, MO - living in San Diego, CA with her husband Dr. Roy Vernon JONES); Willis Prewitt (b: 11 JUN 1843; d: 5 OCT 1848) and Ida (b: 3 AUG 1860)(National Historical Company, p. 642)(The Independence Examiner, 7 OCT 1925, p. 1)(1860 US Census, Missouri - Jackson County, p. 317)(1870 US Census, Missouri - Cass County, p. 611A)(Musser, 24 JUN 1998, p. 1)(Perkins).
In 1877 Silas E. COMBS wrote a letter to his recently married daughter Susan HEIGHTOWER. In this letter Silas E. COMBS outlines various activities of family members who are residing at that time in Lakeport & Lake County, California (Musser, 26 JUN 1998):
Lakeport, (Lake County, California) April 26, 1877
Dear Sue (Susan E. (COMBS) HEIGHTOWER): As I have not written to you since you have changed your name I will write you a short letter. We are all well and in fine spirits about our crops, they are very fine, we will make lots of money this time if nothing happens to our crops. I will make 2000 bushels of wheat and about 800 of barley and oats and 25 tons of hay. We will have an almost failure in the fruit line especially in apples. Your ma has a great many young chickens, she has had bad luck with her turkeys. Ennis (son of Silas E. COMBS) is over at Cloverdale (Sonoma County, CA) as Stage Agent for Horace Hawes. He gets sixty five dollars per month. Sallie will go over next week. I am glad Ennis is in business. Bob is still going to school and I hope doing well. Dollie and Mattie are going to Mr. Woods, they are well pleased with him. Fannie is going to the Odd Fellows Barbecue today. They are going to have a gay time. Your Aunt Dollie (Caroline COMBS) was to see us a few days ago. Your Uncle Fil (Fielding A. COMBS) has bought McCole's Drug Store. His family will be out in June. Annie arrived a few days ago. Old Uncle Jim Hinde (brother of Mary S. (HINDE) COMBS is still with us. Kin folks are getting very thick in this part of the country. Think of it all of my brothers here but one. Tell Dote (Aunt Dote, Mrs. J. Q. Thomson) I will write her before many days. This is the first I have written for two months and this is all the paper I have. You and Dote must let us hear from you often.
Love to you all, Your PaSilas E. COMBS was a member of the I.O.O.F. fraternity. He was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church (National Historical Company, p. 642). Silas COMBS was elected Saline County Assessor in 1850 (Napton, p. 261). Robert L. COMBS, his son, was elected the Blue Township Constable. In 1908 Robert L. COMBS was elected City Marshall of Independence, and four times elected the Independence City Collector. Robert L. COMBS died of a heart attack in 1925, while serving his fourth term in office as Independence City Collector (The Independence Examiner, 7 OCT 1925, p. 1)
DR. JOHN CUTHBERT COMBS
Dr. John "Cud" Cuthbert COMBS (b: abt 1822) married Harriet Frances SHORTREDGE (b: abt 1834, MO) on 23 JAN 1851(Musser, 22 JUN 1998, p. 3)(Jackson County, Missouri Marriage Book, p. 212). In a letter Nelson SCHOLL wrote to Rodney M. HINDE, dated 18 AUG 1845, reference is made about John C. COMBS:
Cousin John's family is all well and in fact all the connection is well. Doc (Ennis) Combs and family is well. Cud (John C. COMBS) has gone to Saline and he and Daddy (Septimus SCHOLL) intend on his return from Howard (County, Missouri) to have a hunt (Giulvezan, p. 12)(Musser, 24 JUN 1998, p. 1).
John C. COMBS and his wife sold several parcels of land 18 AUG 1851 to Strother RENICK, of Lafayette County, Missouri. The land that was sold was located in Jackson County, Missouri. The legal description of this transaction is the W½ NE Section 20, Township 50, Range 29; and NW & NE SE Section 20, Township 50, Range 29; and E½ SE Section 20, Township 50, Range 29; & E½ NW Section 35, Township 50, Range 29 (Jackson County, Book R, p. 555). The property is located south east of Sibley, Missouri in Fort Osage Township. Another Jackson County, Missouri parcel was sold to James M. MAVEY on 22 MAR 1849 (Jackson County, Missouri; Deed Book O. p. 20).
On 1 May 1849 John C. "Cud" COMBS and 60 other men started for the gold fields in California. In a letter dated 18 JUN 1849, Septimus SCHOLL reveals the planning, provisions and activities associated with this venture:
I will venture to inform you that Marcus (son of Septimus SCHOLL) started to California on the 1st day of May in company with Cyrus R. SCHOLL of Callaway, Daniel Muir, Sylvester Muir, Boone Hays, Amazon Hays, Linville Hays, Upton Hays, Cud Combs, Fielding A. Combs, Sr. (John C. COMBS brother), Dr. Caldwell, with a number of our acquaintances. Marcus, Cyrus, Daniel and Sylvester fitted out the wagon with four yoke of oxen, 800 pounds of bacon, 800 pounds of flour, 200 pounds of sugar, 100 pounds of coffee and three year clothing, good rifles guns, pistols, knives, cooking utensils and all the necessary tools thought to be wanted in mining, tents &c. They went in company with Boone Hays which consisted of 19 wagons and 60 men forming said company and do not expect to return before fall 1851 and not then if they think it their interest to remain longer (Giulvezan. p. 31)[see Chart 2].
Amazon, Linville and Upton HAYS are the sons of Boone HAYS. Boone HAYS made the trip to California a second time in 1850. He died en route to California and was buried on the slope of the Continental Divide. Upton HAYS formed a band of Confederate guerrillas and on 16 AUG 1862 made an attack at Lone Jack, Missouri. "A hundred and twenty-five men were killed before HAYS called in his men and rode south with QUANTRILL" (Monaghan, p. 255). Captain Upton HAYS was recruited by General Thomas C. HINDMAN, Commander of the District of Arkansas, C.S.A., as a regimental commander. Colonel Upton HAYS was killed 4 OCT 1862 behind the stone walls of Newtonia, a small community between Springfield and Neosho, Missouri (Monaghan, 257)[see Note 18].
Linville HAYS was a First Lieutenant in Captain Milton SCHOLL's Company, a component of Colonel D.A. WILLIAMS Cavalry Regiment, under the command of Brigadier General Jo SHELBY C.S.A. "When (Major General Sterling) PRICE Army crossed at Byram's Ford (at the Battle of Westport), Linville HAYS was in the van and was the first man across the Blue and through the fifteen mile line of defenses thrown up by General CURTIS on the west side of the (Big Blue) River (Doerschuck, p. 5)[see Note 19, 20 & 21](MO Tenth Cavalry)(MO Twelfth Cavalry)(MO William's Regiment).
Daniel MUIR and Linville HAYS were teamsters for Majors, Russell and Waddell Giulvezan, p. 22). When the freighting company failed, Linville HAYS was at Bent's Fort in Colorado. News of the failure had not been received in Kansas City, and he had $60,000 worth of drafts that had not been cashed. He traveled 620 miles in six days to beat the stage carrying the news to Kansas City. Linville arrived one hour prior to the stage and cashed the drafts at the bank (Doerschuck, pp. 6-7).
The HAYS wagon train dress comported well with their style of living and their circumstances. Many of the HAYS party were clad chiefly in buckskin. A hunting-shirt was generally worn, made of this material, as were the pantaloons or "leggings." An inner shirt was worn, sometimes of linsey, or flannel, or even cotton, but more commonly of nettle linen. A coonskin cap, with the tail hanging down the back, and a pair of moccasins, usually completed the apparel.
John C. COMBS moved his family from Jackson County, Missouri to Tulare County, California between 1873 and 1880. He and his wife Harette had nine known children - Mary S. (b: abt 1856, MO), Susan H. (b: abt 1858, MO), Samuel L. (b: abt 1859, MO), Martha (b: abt 1862, MO), Catharine (b: abt 1864, MO), Irene (b: abt 1865, MO), Fanny CADWELL (b: abt 1869, MO) and Etnae (b: abt 1873, MO) (1880 US Census, California - Tulare County).
John C. COMBS was appointed as the executor of his fathers will. This duty was delegated to William SPRATT. John C. COMBS left for the California gold fields and was not present in the State of Missouri to probate his fathers estate. There is no indication of the success or failure of his gold prospecting efforts in California.
In the 1860 Missouri Slave Schedule, John C. COMBS is listed as a slave owner. This document indicates that he was living in Cass County, Missouri. The total amount of slaves that he owned in 1860 were twelve. All twelve slaves were Black males (Missouri 1860 Slave Schedule - Cass County, p. 139, 2nd Column, line 39).
DR. EDWARD MARK COMBS
Dr. Edward Mark COMBS M.D. (b: 7 FEB 1818, d: 8 JAN 1893)(Osborne, p. 117) married Louisa "Lonna" E. BUTLER on 3 MAR 1842 (b: 30 MAR 1822, d: 17 MAY 1885)[see Note 22]. Louisa E. COMBS, a native of Montgomery County, Kentucky, is the daughter of Jacob and Sarah (HUKLE) BUTLER, natives of Delaware (Perrin & Others, p. 777). Edward M. COMBS studied medicine with his father until he was twenty years of age. He graduated from the medical department of Transylvania University in 1840. Dr. Edward M. COMBS then practiced with his father in Montgomery County, Kentucky and again in Saline County, Missouri. In 1845 Dr Edward M. COMBS moved to Kiddville, Clark County, Kentucky. He practiced in Kiddville until 1858, when he moved his family to Lewisport, Hancock County, Kentucky. Lewisport is located along the Ohio River. In 1870 Dr. Edwad M. COMBS moved his family again, this time to Clark County, Kentucky. "Dr. Edward Combs lives near Winchester, (Clark County) Kentucky" (Musser, 22 JUN 1998, p. 2). He is buried in the Winchester Cemetery, Clark County, Kentucky (Perrin & Others, p. 777).
Dr. Edward M. COMBS sold land to Augustus B. CALDWELL that was located in Jackson County, Missouri on 3 JUL 1853 (Jackson County, Missouri; Deed Book T, p. 436). A second parcel of land was sold to Nancy Jane BATES in 1868 (Jackson County, Book 56, p. 378). Severl land transactions occured in Clark County, Kentucky:
CLARK, James to COMBS, Edward M. 1847 Book 33 p. 350 DAME, Mary to COMBS, Edward M. 1849 Book 34 p. 298 (1/6 interest in 54 acres) VANDIVER, William to COMBS, Edward M. 1848 Book 34 p. 299 (1/6 interest in 54 acres) COMBS, Edward M. HEDGES, Preston B 1849 Book 34 p. 471 HULS, John to COMBS, Edward M. 1852 Book 36 p. 142 BUTLER, D.H. to COMBS, Edward M. 1852 Book 36 p. 195 (Transfer of slaves) HULS, Thomas to COMBS, Edward M. 1852 Book 36 p. 243 HINDE, James O. COMBS, Edward M. 1852 Book 36 p. 243 COMBS, Edward M. to LAWRENCE, John M. 1853 Book 36 p. 490 COMBS, Edward M. to STURART, Edward 1854 Book 37 p. 196 RUPARD, Samuel to COMBS, Edward M. 1855 Book 38 p. 181 HULS, John & wife to COMBS, Edward M. 1843 Book 38 p. 459 COMBS, Edward M. to CUNNINGHAM, 1858 Book 38 p. 460 Nannie M. COMBS, Edward M. to CLARK, 1872 Book 44 p. 534 (Mary's Trustee) SPILLMAN, R.S. to COMBS, Edward M. 1875 Book 45 p. 433 COMBS, Edward M. to Hickman Lodge (I.O.O.F) 1888 Book 54 p. 167 COMBS, Edward m. to JOHNSON, Dr. B.F. (Adm) 1894 Book 61 p. 16
Edward M. and his wife Louisa "Lonna" COMBS had the following children: Mary (b: abt 1842, KY), Ennis (b: 22 MAY1844, Clark Co., KY; d: 2 JUL 1920, Daviess Co., KY), Sarah C. (b: abt 1846, KY), Levi (b: abt 1849, KY), and Susan "Susie" (b: abt 1856). In 1870 Levi COMBS was studing to be a medical doctor. Six slaves are recorded in the 1860 Kentucky Slave Schedule.
DR FIELDING ALEXANDER COMBS
Dr. Fielding Alexander COMBS (b: 10 AUG 1825, KY) married Elizabeth Frances CARTHRAE (b: 10 AUG 1828, d: 20 FEB 1865) on 15 AUG 1848 in Saline County, Missouri (Walker & Wilson, p. 45)(Dodd, p. 153). Elizabeth Frances CARTHRAE is the daughter of Charles Wesley and Elizabeth CARTHRAE, and the sister of Dr. Charles Alexander CARTHRAE. DR. Charles CARTHRAE practiced medicine with Fielding A. COMBS in Saline County, Missouri (Ham, p 100)[see Note 23].
Dr. Fielding COMBS was educated at the Literary Academy at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. In 1848 he graduated from Medical College at Transylvania University. In 1842 he emigrated to Independence, Missouri. Dr. Fielding A. COMBS started his medical practice in Independence, Missouri. He later moved to the Marshall area, in Saline County, Missouri.
In 1877 Fielding A. COMBS moved his family to Lake County, California. In 1879 he moved his family again to Tulare County, California. Here he purchased a large ranch and tried his hand at farming. He was not successful at farming so he sold out and moved to Visalia, California. Fielding and his wife Elizabeth had six known children - Howard M. (b: AUG 1863, MO), James E. (b: OCT 1870, MO)[see Note 24], Mary, another daughter Sydnor C. (b: AUG 1872, MO), and Nannie L. (b: JUN 1875, MO), and Sarah (1900 US Census, California - Tulare County)(American Biographical Archive, Fielding Combs. p. 35). This is approximately the same time frame that John Cuthbert COMBS moved his family to Tulare County, California. It is also about the same time James H. COMBS was living in Visalia, Tulare County, California (Musser, 24 JUN 1998, p. 1).
Various sources characterize Dr. Fielding A. COMBS as a Democrat. He was an active Mason and a member of the I.O.O.F. In 1856 Fielding A. COMBS was elected as the Saline County Coroner (Napton, p. 260).
Dr. Fielding A. COMBS purchased Lot 1 in Block 7, located in Marshall, Missouri. The property was sold by John and Mary MILLER. The MILLER's residence is recorded on the deed as Rockingham County, Virginia. The parcel was obtained on 12 SEP 1854 (Saline County, Missouri Deed Book T. p. 159). Fielding A. COMBS and his wife Elizabeth Frances sold Lot 1 to D. R. PARSONS & Company on 3 MAR 1857. The two grantee signatures on the deed are Charles E. PATTERSON and Daniel R. PARSONS (Saline County, Missouri Deed Book T. p. 201).
SARAH ELIZABETH (COMBS) STEVENSON
Sarah Elizabeth COMBS (b: abt 1819, KY) married Thomas Burke STEVENSON (b: abt 1811, KY) 24 NOV 1835 (Walker & Wilson, p. 44)[see Note 25]. One source has Sarah and Thomas STEVENSON residing in Frankfort, Kentucky (Boyd, p. 20). The 1840 Franklin County, Kentucky US Census lists a Thomas B. STEVENSON. Thomas B. and Sarah E. STEVENSON moved from Franklin to Maysville, Kentucky. Thomas B. was an editor and publisher and later became a lawyer in Mason County, Kentucky (1850 US Census Kentucky - Mason County, p. 31A)(1860 US Census Kentucky - Mason County, p. 340).
Eleven children are known to this marriage - Mary C. (b: abt 1837, KY), Elizabeth "Bettie" A. (b: abt 1838, KY), Sarah "Sally" T. (b: abt 1841, KY), Martha "Mollie" (b: abt 1845, KY), Julia (b: abt 1847, OH), Susan H. (b: abt May 1849, KY), Thomas C. (b: abt 1852, KY), John Duke (b: abt 1854, KY), Louisiana Simms (b: 26 JUL 1856, KY), Anna W. (b: abt 1859, KY), and Horace H. (b: 26 SEP 1861, KY) (1850 US Census Kentucky - Mason County, p. 31A)(1860 US Census Kentucky - Mason County, p. 340)(Ingmire, pp. 77 & 133).
Maysville was growing staunchly towards a conspicuous city in Kentucky. On 1 MAR 1854 prominent citizens of the community incorporated the Maysville Gas Company. Thomas B. STEVENSON was a director of the original board. The organization was granted the rights to lay pipes through the streets and alleys of the town (Clift, p. 205).
On 2 JAN 1860 a meeting was held at the Maysville, Kentucky Courthouse to discuss the position of the citizens on secession or dedication to the Union. Upon a motion of the presiding chairman of the meeting, Colonel Thomas B. STEVENSON and five other individuals were appointed to a committee to present a narrative position of the community. The resolutions that were prepared supported the Union . The chairman, Martin P. MARSHALL, "appealed to men of all grades and classes, sects and parties to stand by the Union" (Clift, p. 211). There was opposition to the resolutions and war-feelings spread through out Mason and surrounding counties like wildfire. An Independent Military Company was desirous for Maysville since Germantown had raised the first northern Kentucky company, called the "Bozzaris Greys" (Clift, p. 212).
Thomas B. STEVENSON is not listed in the 1870 US Census. However three domestic assistants are enumerated - Harriet Henton, a Black thirty-six year old servant, Spencer Henton a ten year old Black servant, and Phillip Henton a seven year old servant (1870 US Census, Kentucky - Mason County. p. 408, lines 9-17).
SUSANNAH E. (COMBS) MATTHEWS
Susannah "Susan" E. COMBS (b: 15 MAR 1830)(Walker & Wilson, p. 44) married on 25 Sep 1845, in Jackson County, Missouri (Dodd, p. 153). Susan COMBS was married to a widower by the name of (Howard) MATTHEWS (Giulvezan, p. 14). Dr. Ennis COMBS gave a nine year old Negro girl, by the name Mary, to his daughter on 7 JUL 1847. This deed of gift recorded Susan E. MATTHEWS as a resident of Jackson County, Missouri (Jackson County, Missouri Deed Book L, p. 530). In Dr. Ennis COMBS will, dated 25 JUL 1848, it lists Susan MATTHEWS as being deceased (Williams & Williams, p. 51).
Located in Dr. Ennis COMBS Sr. probate file is an affidavit by Howard MATTHEWS that was filed in Lafayett County, Missouri on 20 JUL 1850. This document lists Howard MATTHEWS residence as Hamilton County, Ohio. It is dated 1 JUN 1850 and certified by the Hamilton County Clerk. In the 1860 Hamilton County, Ohio Federal Census Howard, MATTHEWS is listed as a 32 year old Hamilton County Auditor, born in Pennsylvania. The Federal Census lists his wife as Susan E. MATTHEWS, age 29, born in Kentucky. No children are listed with this marriage (1860 U.S. Census, Ohio - Hamilton County).
Howard MATTHEWS died 16 MAR 1870 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is recorded as being 53 years of age. Howard MATTHEWS occupation was recorded as an auditor (Herbert).
MARY ANN (COMBS) CALDWELL
Mary Ann COMBS (b: 4 OCT 1824, KY) was married to Dr. Augustus B. CALDWELL M.D. (b: 4 AUG 1819, KY) on 24 AUG 1841. Dr. AB. CALDWELL purchased the John JOHNSON farm in Jackson County in 1845, and Mary CALDWELL was a close neighbor of Elizabeth WALLACE. The CALDWELL property adjoined John MUIR and John M. WALLACE. John HINDE stayed with the CALDWELL's during the winter of 1845 (Giulvezan, p. 14). Dr. Ennis COMBS gave a twelve year old Negro girl, by the name Jane, to his daughter on 7 JUL 1847. This deed of gift recorded Mary A. CALDWELL as a resident of Jackson County, Missouri (Jackson County, Missouri; Deed Book L. p. 531). Augustus B. CALDWELL and John HEARD probated the John A. MIZE will on 23 DEC 1847, in Jackson County, Missouri (Meador, p. 54).
In the 1850 Federal Census for Montgomery County, Kentucky Mary Ann CALDWELL is living with her sister Caroline COMBS. Also living with Caroline COMBS is her brother James H. COMBS [see Note 26]. Mary Ann CALDWELL's husband is not listed as part of the residence. This is consistent with the fact that Dr. Augustus B. CALDWELL was in California prospecting gold with John C. and Fielding A. COMBS.
Six children are known to this marriage - Sarah Elizabeth (b: abt 1842, IL), Robert (b: abt 1845, MO), Mary L. (b: abt 1849, OH), Caroline "Carry" (b: abt 1852, MO), Augusta (b: abt 1856, CA), Harriet (b: abt 1858, CA)(1850 US Census, Kentucky - Montgomery County, p. 41)(1860 US Census, California - Santa Clara County, p. 242).
Robert CALDWELL is found married in 1880, and the name of his wife is listed as Lulie. Two children are known to this union - Roberta (b: abt 1878, CA) and Arther (b: abt 1879, CA)(1880 Census, California - Santa Clara County). In 1880 Robert and Lulie CALDWELL are residing at 266 Devine, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (1880 US Census, California - Santa Clara County).
A letter-written by Belle Combs, 311 S. California Avenue Monrovia, California on Feb. 8, 1940 made the following comment about the Mary CALDWELL family (Musser, 22 JUN 1998. p. 1):
So far as I know the Caldwells came to California in a wagon train in 1852. Aunt Dolly Combs rode a pony…and carried Carry Caldwell a small child in her lap.
According to the birth order of the CALDWELL children, the infant that was carried by Caroline "Dolly" COMBS in 1852 on the California Trail was Caroline "Carry" CALDWELL.
INDEPENDENCE IN THE 1840'S
There was an abundance of activity in Jackson County in the 1840's as various members of the COMBS', EVANS', HINDE'S move into the Independence, Missouri area. Septimus SCHOLL wrote a letter to Rodney M. HINDE, Polly (HINDE) COMBS brother, 3 JUL 1846 and described the community this way [see Chart 4].:
Our country has been a place of rendezvous for the last several months. There were several hundred Indians of the Sacks and Foxes passed up the country last winter to their place of destination 160 miles above this. There were from 300 to 500 wagons left this place for Oregon and California, about the same number to Santa Fe, loaded with merchandise and they are still a going notwithstanding the war with Mexico is still a raging. There were 1,000 volunteers started from here a few days past for Santa Fe. It looks like they intend to trade and fight at the same time. Some of the wagons were loaded with arms and ammunition &c… Your brother James is living near to where Silas Evans and Combs live (Giulvezan, p. 18).
Located in Sibley, Missouri is a small cemetery which is just a few hundred feet from the historic Fort Sibley, also known as Fort Osage. This well manicured graveyard is bordered on three sides by walls. One of the walls has a galvanized chain linked gate which allows for passage into the burial ground. The fourth perimeter area lacks any sort of wall. In fact there is an obvious two to three foot drop in the ground where a fourth wall would stand if one had been constructed. This escarpment runs the entire length of the cemetery. When an individual stands in the depression one can see that it runs into a very densely vegetated area on one end, and around the backside of Old Fort Sibley on the other. This deep groove in the ground is the trail that was cut by the wagon wheels of those pioneers traveling on the Santa Fe Trail.
On a trail journey, the interior of a covered wagon was a woman's province, and upon undertaking her duties as wagon housekeeper her first reaction was usually astonishment over how much a wagon could hold. A female observer describing a Conestoga (a type of wagon with broad wheels for westward travel over the prairies) remarked that it had eight holes cut in the canvas on one side, and a child's face peeping out of every one of the holes. Besides the children, it contained cats, dogs, beds, cooking stove, tin pans and kettles' (Brown, p.103).
On 6 December 1846 Septimus SCHOLL wrote Rodney M. HINDE and stated that "I am of the opinion that we are located in one of the most promising points on the river and general thoroughfare on the western frontier, and if we have good health (which I flatter myself we will have) and can reconcile ourselves to the climate, we can hardly fail to do well…We are here in ten miles of the Indian Territory which is lined with their huts in their natural dress and costume. There are Delawares, Pottawatomies, Shawnees, Pawnees, Fox, Sioux, Haws, all within 100 miles of us. When I meet them strolling over the country, it puts me in mind of the ancient tales of Kentucky. I can hardly reconcile myself to treat them with civility when I reflect how many of my near relation have suffered by them… I have tried to reconcile my feelings to every class and condition as I meet them or as they present themselves" (Giulvezan, p. 20).
Our town of Independence is thronged at this time with soldiers, ten companies of mounted volunteers are rendezvousing there for Mexico by way of Santa Fe. Oxen, wagons, beef cattle bring fine prices and will continue to do so until government gets supplied. A great many Santa Fe traders, Rocky Mountain hunters, Oregon emigrants keep up a continuous buzz in town (Giulvezan, p 22)… Daniel Boone has just returned from the plains with 27 (buffalo calves) - he took 30 milk cows and caught 35 young buffalo calves and they suck the tame cows and in that way they bring them in fat (Giulvezan, p. 23).
Septimus SCHOLL also describes the living accommodations around the area of Independence in 1844. He writes on 1 December the following:
I have purchased one hundred and eight acres of land, one-half of which is in a neat state of cultivation with a common log house shingled and stone chimney with a good kitchen, smoke house, stable, corn crib, all new and well put up, an apple orchard of 75 bearing trees of the best selected fruit,…a delightful spring house and spring of never failing water in about 40 yards from the door, and a laid way to the place. The spring house is laid over with flat rock one-third of which is covered over by water as clear as crystal about three inches deep… (The) 108 acres is a garden spot, well timbered what is not cleared, with large linn, hackberry, black walnut of a large size, with mulberry, pawpaws, and plums. The land is situated 3½ miles from Independence, a flourishing little town three miles of the Missouri River. It is about six miles from the nearest place from my place (Giulvezan, p. 6).
In 1847 Septimus SCHOLL discusses a home being constructed by Silas EVANS:
Nelson, Marcus and Joseph have just returned from Saline (County, Missouri) on a hunting expedition packed with venison where they met with Silas EVANS which has got home on his hazard plow and is finishing off a frame and log house and so much engaged that he only took one drive with them. The doctor (Dr. Ennis COMBS) has also just returned and left all well. Silas C. (Silas COMBS) has another heir, a daughter (Giulvezan, p. 15) [see Note 27].
It was not uncommon to be gone for long periods of time. In one letter it was stated that they were absent for 100 days. The manner of travel varied on these periods of absence. Septimus SCHOLL outlines the traveling schedule from Clark County, Kentucky to Independence, Missouri, which was a topic of discussion in a 1846 letter to Rodney M. HINDE [see Note 28]:
We were on the river 16 days and left the boat at the Arrow Rock (Arrow Rock, Missouri) and got a carriage to take us out to Silas Evans (living in Saline County at this time) where we sent for Nelson and Cyrus (in Jackson County) which brought the carriage and horses and conveyed us home where we found all as well as might be expected after so long an absence (Giulvezan, p. 19).
THE CALIFORNIA FORTY-NINERS
FORMING THE HAYS WAGON TRAIN
The "Gold Rush" started 24 January 1848 when a carpenter named James Marshall, who was building a sawmill for Johann SUTTER upstream on the American River near Coloma, found a gold nugget. The "Forty - Niners" were the miners that traveled to California in 1849 to seek their fortunes. They traveled to California by three different routes. Some sailed around Cape Horn, on the southern tip of South America. This took six or more months and was a very dangerous venture. Others who wanted a faster route sailed to Central America. These immigrants crossed through the jungles of the Isthumous of Panama and Nicaragua. They then waited for a ship and proceeded to the California coast. All together approximately 39,000 men and women took these two routes.
Over 40,000 people took the central overland trails to California. In may 1849 a steady stream of wagons and mule trains left Independence, Missouri. Two of these groups heading for Sacramento were headed by Benoni Morgan HUDSPETH of Jackson County, Missouri, and Boone HAYS of Callaway County, Missouri [see Note 29 & 30].
According to Eliza WALLACE the wagon train arrived in California on the 8 SEP 1849, for a total of four months and eight or nine days. Nelson SCHOLL's account is they arrived 9 SEP 1849, for a total of four months and nine days. Cyrus R. SCHOLL informs his family in a letter dated 15 FEB 1850 that they arrived 8 SEP 1850 (Wyman, pp. 73-74)[see Note 31].
Well, we left the state on the 1st of May and on the 8th of September we drove into the gold diggings 50 miles east of SUTTER's fort, and never was I glad to see any place on earth as I was to see this filthy spot (Wyman. p. 74)[see Note 32].
They are in the Sierra Nevada (sic) Mountains 50 miles east of SUTTER's Fort in a small mining village called Weaversville…(T)hey had put up a comfortable cabin and had just commenced regular digging. They had been there two months and done all this work and laid in their winter provisions and had about $700 betwixt them…Gold they say is plenty but takes hard knocks to get it and that everything that shines is not gold (Giulvezan. p. 38).
Guidebooks were available for Oregon and Santa Fe emigrants and were used by the Forty-Niners. Some of these guidebooks provided good, solid, reliable information. Others contributed to the "Gold Fever" that swept the country in the 1848-1850. Each part of the journey had its difficulties.
ON THE CALIFORNIA TRAIL
The first tasks the migrants worked on were the routine work chores required for the overland trip. Activities which were critical for the teamsters to understand were learning to hitch and unhitch their livestock, to keep the wagons in good running order, and to make sure that their animals obtained the water and food they needed to survive. They also learned very quickly to spread out in several columns so that they raised less dust, so that fewer of them had to breathe the choking air.
All migrants had to learn to get along with their fellow emigrants, to agree on rules they would all follow on the journey, and that they had to efficiently set up and break camp every night and morning. It was explained that all tasks would be rotated in the spirit of fairness. The wagon train members learned to travel six out of seven days, in an effort to conserve energy for the most difficult sections to trail. Definite hardships would come at the end of the overland trail when the Forty-Niners's would have to cross the mountains before the winter snows.
Wagons usually measured four feet wide by twelve feet long. Into these forty-eight square feet were put the supplies and tools for traveling the trail. Migrants also carried a few of the necessities for finding their fortunes in the gold fields. However the emphasis was on transporting critical tools and food. There was no place for bringing family treasures, heirlooms and heavy or bulky comfort items. While on the trail both inside and under the wagon was utilized as a shelter.
One letter written by a Forty-Niner made the following suggestions for making the trip overland by wagon:
No wagons should be taken on the road heavier than a light two horse wagon; it should be…made of the best timber, especially the running gears. The spindles must be not too large, so as to turn stiffly on the axle; but when raised and well greased with black lead and tallow, you should be able to turn the wheels as you do the rim of a spinning wheel. The bed and tongue, and other parts, should be light in proportion. To each team there should be not less than four yoke of oxen: five are none too many…To each team there should be four hands, and not less than three…1,600 pounds are all that should be put on (your wagon).
The oxen should not be less than five years old nor more than seven; in no case will four year old steers hold out…Your yokes should…be of the lightest material - lynn timber is the best…The bows must not be too tight, if they are, your steers will be found to swell up as tight as a drum head. To each man 125 pounds of bacon and 125 pounds of flour is an abundance. On half of his bacon had better be in hams, for the sake of his health; it is much better to eat on the road. The emigrant ought to eat as little greasy food as possible to keep of the scurvy. Risen bread is much better than lard and saleratus biscuit… A plenty of pickles, 1/4 bushel of onions, and ½ bushel of beans to each man, is not too much. Vinegar should be used every day.
To each man 80 pounds of rice, and three quarters of a bushel of apple or peach fruit…Bacon hams are much less objectionable than greasy sides (Wyman, pp. 88-90).