Dunmore Co VA, named after Lord Dunmore, was organized from Frederick Co VA in 1772. In 1778, during the Revolutionary War, Dunmore was re-named Shenandoah. And both the Combs and the Hammonds seem to have taken some strange left turns…

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A Chronology of Hammond Family Records, most annotated, which will hopefully provide clues to some of our Dangling Combs:

29 Sep 1730 (King George DBA-1:100-102) William McBEE of King George to Emmanuel CUMBER witnessed by (among others) John HAMMON. This land believed to have later been part of Prince William Co VA, was adjacent to BUTLERS, HARDINS, RUSSELLS, KINGS and Jeffrey JOHNSTON. Emmanuel Combs [sic] later found on 1738 Prince William VA Rent Roll, as was Joseph Combs. See also Willlam McBEE in early records of Washington Co TN

Notes: Jeffrey JOHNSTON'S son, Jeffrey II in Fauquier Co VA, then Jeffrey III to Halifax Co VA , then Wilkes Co NC where he (and wife Rachel WALKER, d/o George WALKER of Westmoreland Co VA) were neighbors to Edmond DENNEY who names George & Ann Combs in his will of 1801. Among the children of Jeffrey & Rachel WALKER Johnston III were Samuel who m Mary HAMMONDS, d/o Ambrose & Ann HAMMONS of Wilkes NC.

1768 Rowan Co NC Tax List of Gideon Wright included Mason & William Combs & John HAMMON. Numerous HAMMONDS were in Surry, Wilkes & Rowan Cos, NC. These included one family whose migrations might help to explain one apparent "oddity" in the movements of RW John Combs of Perry Co KY who is thought to have possibly resided in Surry or Wilkes Co NC, thence to Shenandoah Co VA, thence back to Surry or Wilkes (and/or Buncombe) Co NC again. This "reverse migration" is also found in the HAMMOND Family of Rowan NC (& Surry & Wilkes Cos), Shenandoah VA, Knox and Perry Cos KY, who may have been related to the RW John HAMMOND of Hamilton Co OH, where Zur Combs died. (See Hammond Families)

The Revolutionary War Pension File of Peter HAMMONDS included his declaration of 11 Feb 1833 in Perry Co KY that he lived in Rowan Co NC at the time of his first enlistment and that he later enlisted in Shenandoah Co VA. (RW Pension File S30461) The Revolutionary War Pension file of Obadiah HAMMOND (also HAMMONDS & HAMMONS), application 22 Sep 1833, Knox Co KY, included his declaration that he was a son of Obadiah & Betty HAMMONS, that he was born 5 Dec 1756, that he lived in Rowan Co NC at enlistment & that after his military service, he moved to the Clinch River in TN, then in 1803 moved to Knox Co KY where he applied 22 Sep 1833. His brother, Peter HAMMOND was born 25 Nov 1759, & in 1833 lived in Perry Co KY & declared that he had served with his brother, Obadiah, for 2 tours. (RW Pension File S2263).

Note: Two Peter HAMMONDS are found on 1790 96th District, Greenville, SC Census. (Heads of Family, SC, 1790 Census, GPC, Baltimore, 1972).

Learning the dates and companies of service of the two HAMMOND brothers could provide invaluable data insofar as learning more about the movements of RW John Combs, also of Perry Co KY. See Also HAMMONDS in Hamilton Co OH in ref Zur Combs of Shendandoah Co VA and yet another RW John HAMMONS:

HAMMON, John, S9559, NC Line, he was b 29 Jan 1760 in Goochland Co VA, appl 6 Oct 1835 Hamilton Co OH, sol's father d when he (John) was aged 3 yrs & his mother d a short time before sol moved to KY, sol lived in Wilkes Co NC at enl, one Colly HOLBROOK of Owen Co KY & stated he was b in 1769 in Orange Co VA & had served with John HAMMON but no relationship was stated (Virgil D. White, Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Abstract Files).

Additional Notes: Randall HOLEBROOK is listed as a tobacco tender in 1724 in Stafford Co, VA, as was Joseph Combs I of Stafford Co VA. (Overwharton Parish Register, Stafford Co., VA, p. 164)

22 Dec 1754 Goochland Co VA: Randall HOLBROOK witnessed the marriage of George PAYNE, Jr. to Agatha GEORGE (Marriages of Goochland Co, VA, p. 73.)

15 Feb 1778 Goochland Co VA: Randolph HOLBROOKS' funeral record. (Douglas Register, Goochland Co, VA, p. 125)

1774 Surry Co, NC tithable: Randolph HOLEBROOK, 1 Poll, Benjamin Cleveland's District. 1777 Surry Co, NC, Randoph HOLEBROOK listed an improvement, 3 horses, 11 head of cattle 25 Pounds cash in hand. 1782-1792, Wilkes Co, NC, Randolph HOLBROOK named on extant tax lists. ("Some Pioneers from Wilkes Co, NC," compiled by Mrs. W. O. Abshire, SHP, Easley, SC, 1989, pp. 236-7). Note: Not all Holbrook records from above source entered; however, it is believed that John HAMMOND'S widowed mother m father of Colly HOLBROOK.

1830 Perry Co KY Census: Obediah HAMMONS, Joseph HAMMONS only a few names apart from a Randall HOLEBROOK.

See Also Wilkes Co NC re Nancy DENNY who married 7 Sept. 1788 John TOWNZEN [TOWNSEND], Richard ALLEN, bondsman, Polly DENNY who married 3 Sept. 1782 John HAMMONS, William HOLBROOK, bondsman (p. 106); Ann BALTRIP married 7 Sept. 1779 Francis Hill, Andrew VANNOY, bondsman (p. 119; typescripts Wilkes Marriage Bonds compiled by LDS).

Notes: In Wilkes Co NC, William Combs m Hannah TOUSSON (appears to be a.k.a. TOWNSEND) in 1780; and Edmund DENNEY named George & Ann Combs in his 1801 Will. In Surry Co NC, see Lucretia Combs & Andrew VANNOY. The 1787 Wilkes NC Tithables place George Combs in Ambrose HAMMONS' District with Jeffrey JOHNSTON Family.

The RW Pension file of Samuel JOHNSON (W5012), includes affidavits stating he was a son of Jeffrey JOHNSON who lived 9 miles below Wilkesboro in Wilkes Co NC during the Rev War & that he lived there at enlistment, that he rec'd a disability pension from 1 Jan 1809, that he m Mary daughter of Ambrose HAMONS or HAMMONS on 25 Jun 1782 in Wilkes Co NC. He d in Wilkes NC on 15 Dec 1834 aged 77. His widow applied 24 Jan 1839 Wilkes Co NC, aged 78, & she d in Wilkes NC on 21 Jan 1853. Children: Robert b 25 Oct 1783 & he m a Miss BORAN the sis of sol's bro-in-law Wm. BORAN, Nancy b 3 Oct 1785 & she m a Mr. GAMBILL, Cloe b 3 Sep 1788, Samuel B. b 18 May 1790, Ambrose b 15 May 1792 or 93, Mary "Polly" b 9 Jun 1796 & she m Wm. BORAN, Rachel no birth date & she m a FORRISTER (his name not clearly written), Lewis b about 1800 & m prior to 1834 (wife not named) & John B. b about 1803 & in 1854 was referred to as Col John S. JOHNSON, wid d leaving children; Ambrose, Lewis & John S. JOHNSON, Mrs. Clay or Cloy GAMBILL, Mrs. Nancy GAMBILL, Mrs. Rachel FORRISTER all of Wilkes Co NC & Mrs. Mary BORAN of Grayson Co VA, sol's nephew GEORGE was an officer in the Rev & was the son of sol's bro William JOHNSON, one John JOHNSON signed the m bond with sol on 24 Jun 1782 & in 1851 one John S. JOHNSON was a JP & a James JOHNSON was a also a JP (all 3 men were in Wilkes Co NC but no relationship was shown), in 1853 Mrs. Nancy GAMBILL aged 93 wid of Capt Martin GAMBILL made aff'dt in Ashe Co NC & in 1853 a James GAMBILL was a JP for Ashe Co NC, a Robert GAMBILL was County Clerk of Ashe Co NC & a John GAMBILL was JP in Wilkes Co NC but their relationship to sol's daughter not stated (Source: Virgil D. White, Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Abstract Files) Notes: Samuel JOHNSTON was s/o Jeffrey & Rachel WALKER Johnson III

08 Jan 1786 (Wilkes WB1:190) 8 Jan. 1786; Will Thomas JOHNSON. Son Richard Henry, all land below James ELEXANDERS spring S side Roaring River; Sons Thophilus & John, all my land N side Roaring River; Son Benjamin, all my land above James ALEXANDERS spring branch S side Roaring River; wife Rachel, every other part estate her lifetime & then divided equally bet. children; Daus. Rachel, Aley; Sons Richard Henry, Theophilus, John, Benjamin & Dau. Mary JOHNSON. Execr: Philip JOHNSON, son (not named within will). Wits: William (x) HAMMON, William JOHNSON & Thomas JOHNSON, Jr. Signed: Tho JOHNSON. (Wilkes Co, NC Will Abstrs, Books One & Two, 1778-1811, Absher)

1810 Russell Co VA Tax List included William Combs, John, John, Jr., Joseph & Ambrose HAMMON

Yet another unidentified John HAMMON is found in Surry Co NC, who declared in his 17 Dec 1832, Hall Co GA pension application that he was born 6 May 1763 in Halifax Co VA, then moved to Surry Co NC & he lived there at enlistment & afterwards moved to Greenville Dist SC for 12 yrs (See Peter Hammonds above) then to TN for 2 yrs, then to Hall Co GA. (R4542, NC Line, Virgil D. White, Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Abstract Files.

Also in GA, and closely tied to the Combs Families, was Abraham HAMMANS of Wilkes Co GA who m Charity HAMMOCK, d/o William & Betty HAMES Hammock, Sr. William HAMMOCK'S father, Benedict HAMMOCK tithed Phillip Combs in 1762 in Amelia Co VA, and his brother, Benedict HAMMOCK, Sr., m Mary Combs (possibly sister of Phillip?) Abraham HAMMONDS later removed to Vermillion Co IN. Abraham HAMMONS on 1820 Wilkes Co GA Tax List, p. 175 near var. Combs, Hammock and Associated Families. According to his RW Pension Application, dated 13 Nov 1832, Vermillion Co, IN, he stated he was b in New Jersey, 1753-4, lived in Rockingham VA at enlistment, and that after the RW he moved to Wilkes Co GA where he m Charity ----- 3 Mar 1783 or 1784. He died 2 Mar 1844, and his widow applied 31 Mar 1846, Vermillion Co IN, aged 83, naming children (not necessarily all): Anne 2nd dau b 8 Jun 1787 & m Nicholas CARTER; Ruth, wife of Geo. PHENICE, Nancy, Eve, John, William, Jeremiah, Abraham, George & Isaac. (RW Pension File W1008, White) Abraham HAMMON has not yet been located on any 1830 Census index, but in Vermillion Co IN, a Nicholas CARTER is listed on p. 437, and a Thomas Combs on page 438 (Census Index CD; however, microfilm copy of index shows p. 474 for Thomas Combs (Combs Researcher Gloria B. Carter)

Samuel VAUGHAN, s/o William and Feribe BENTON Vaughan, brother of Elizabeth who m James CALLICO (See Callico Familiesand RW William Combs of Wilkes NC) m Catherine HAMMON (or HANDS), and his brother, Daniel VAUGHN m Margaret HAMMONS -- intermarried with Combs-Johnson Families of Warren TNand Madison AR. (Vaughan Pioneers, pp. 245 and 247.

Also in Warren Co, TN, and possibly part of same family was yet another John HAMMONS who came from Surry Co NC:

1812 (Warren Co TN 1812 Tax Lists) John, William & Lerroy HAMMONS listed on 1812 Warren Co Tax Return of John HAMMMONS

1813 (Warren TN DBA:364) 20 Feb 1813. Leroy HAMMONS and Woodson HAMMONS to George STUBBLEFIELD, all of Warren County… $1200.00… 200 acres… bank of Hickory Creek… conditional line with Leroy HAMMONS. Reg. 4 Jun 1813.

(Warren TN DBA:479) 20 Mar 1814. David McDANIEL to Edmond PACE, both of Warren county, for $300… 67 acs both sides of Hickory Creek… Leroy HAMMONDS west boundary… John DAVIS's line.. Reg. 20 Jan 1818.

According to HAMMONS Researcher Margaret Austin, c1215@earthlink.net, on John HAMMONS was of Surry NC and his son, Leroy was Lt. Col. Leroy HAMMONS, son Woodson m Mary JOHNSON (d/o Jacob JOHNSON of Grayson VA & Warren TN), dau. Polly HAMMONS m Archbald BLANCHETT in Patrick Co VA. John HAMMONS, Sr. d 1820-23.

Jacob JOHNSON sold two tracts on Lovell's Creek in Grayson Co VA in 1808, moved to Warren Co, TN. Then late 1820, back to Lovell's Creek, trying to retrieve land and gave nuncupative will when dying on Christmas Day 1820, which resulted in a law suit, Grayson, Chancery File #17, which names his l0 children. Among them are (5) Mary JOHNSON who married Woodson HAMMONS, and Martin JOHNSON. Not known if kin to Martin JOHNSON who m Sarah Combs ca 1797 and also lived in Warren Co TN, and later in Madison Co AR (See Below re VAUGHN-HAMMONDS) John HAMMONS, Sr. owned land on the Patrick Co, VA-Surry Co, NC border on Johnson's Ck. Officially in NC, but most activities in Patrick Co VA, where three children were married. Woodson is mentioned in Order Book "O" as an ensign of Militia, 1798-99.

In the 1790 NC census, John HAMMONS Sr. is the same who in Surry Co. NC had slaves and was listed close to Joel BLANCHETT. The "other" John HAMMONDS is of the Wilkes Co, NC line. So far as I can determine, the two lines are not related, or if so, further back than I have information. Also not known to be related to the Col. Leroy HAMMONDS of S.C., who is of the Richmond Co, VA line and has a clear genealogy. Lt.Col Leroy HAMMONS of Warren TN served in War of 1812 under Gen. WINCHESTER.

Misc. Add'l Records:

(Warren TN WB4:154-156) 14 May 1866. "Rept of settlement made with Michael HOOVER, adm. of Mary HAMMONS, dec'd, with will annexed of Leroy Hammons, dec'd..many years ago the said Leroy Hammons made his last will…proven and rec. in Co. Ct of Warren TN…wife Mary Hammons…at her death to be divided between the heirs or children of said Leroy…Ransom GWYNN and William McGEHEE, execs of estate ref. to act as admin and in Nov 1860 Michael Hoover appt as her admin.

(ibid, pp. 185-186) 30 Aug 1866. Rept of settlement made with Michael Hoover, adm. of Leroy and Mary Hammons, dec'd. Receipts of legatees: Mary Coulston; J. F. Hawkins (guardian of the C. F. JONES children; C. S. Sullivan; Joseph WAITS; Samuel McGEE; H. M. FINGER; James Hammons; Talisha Powell; Michael Hoover entitled to a credit for one share dues his wife, Mrs. Caroline HOOVER, a legatee; and reubin Hammon's heirs due one share being retained by admin as per bill filed in Chancery Court at McMinnville. (Warren Co, TN WB 4-7 Abstracts, Betty Moore Majors, Mountain Press, 1993)

Note: Leroy HAMMONS appears on 1840 census as does a Mary HAMMONS who may have been his mother, and/or may have been widow of Woodson HAMMONS which would make her Mary JOHNSON, dau of Jacob and Susannah -----JOHNSON, and sister of the "other" Martin JOHNSON, of Grayson Co, VA. See Also Combs-Guinn (a.k.a. Goin)-McGee of Surry Co NC, Greenville SC & Washington Co TN

HAMMOND, Capt. Abner. Bio Sketch. B Richmond VA 1/25/1762; age 14 served w/VA troops and Col. MATTHEWS; in battle of Stono [SC] under command of Col. Leroy HAMMMOND; commanded company under his brother Col. Sam'l HAMMOND at Cowpens [SC]; imprisoned at St. Augustine, FL; served in legisl. of GA; died near Milledgeville [Baldwin Co, org. from Creek lands in 1803], GA 7/9/1829. (Draper MSS, 1DD309-310, copy. 2 pp.) HAMMOND, S.[amuel] Excerpts from notes. Abner RICHARDSON, of Gen. A[ndrew] WILLIAMSON'S forces sent to Charleston…Capt. Joshua HAMMOND enrolled as vol in Hammond's forces. (Draper MSS, 1DD245-248) HAMMOND, Col. Samuel. Richland Dist, SC. Pension statement. Born Richmond VA; with Lieut LEACH and Lieut PL LEE joined Capt GRAYSON'S infantry; w/Patrick Henry in attack on Lord Dunmore; def. British at Great Bridge, VA; joined Gen [Benj] LINCOLN at Savannah River; in service under Genl. HAND in western PA; served under Gen Andrew WILLIAMSON' with Col Leroy HAMMOND'S regt attended council at Augusta; apptd major aft battle of Musgrove's Mill' recruited vol. force which formed part of Col [James] WILLIAMS regt in battle of King's Mtn; with Gen Thomas SUMTER in battle of Blackstocks; assoc with Col. TWIGGS, Elijah CLARKE, Few, William WASHINGTON and McCALL; with Gen Daniel MORGAN at Cowpens; reconnoitering service rel. to Cornwallis' camp; Gen. Nathaniel GREENE, Gen Andrew PICKENS, Cols JACKSON, BAKER, STARK, LEE and WILLIAMSON and Capt. Thomas KEE [KEY?] mentioned; dischd. at Bacon's Bridge; srvd against Cherokee with Gen PICKENS, Capts. Jesse JOHNSON and George HAMMOND. Att. by Maj Andrew HAMILTON, Abbeville Dist SC, and M. Simpkins. (Draper MSS 1DD1-17, 21 copy, 18 pp)

To Be Continued…