Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. a.k.a. "Long Jerry" of Perry Co, KY

	Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. a.k.a. "Long Jerry" of Perry Co, KY

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Jeremiah L. "Long Jerry" Combs (John, William(?)), b 1780-4, Virginia, d 1843, Perry Co, KY; m (1) bef 1804, Nancy (Combs?), b 1784-1791; d bef 1838, probably in Perry KY; m (2) bef 1838, Sarah "Sally" WHITLEY, b ca 1810, VA; d aft 1860, probably in Perry Co, KY.

Index to Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. Reports

Background

Background and Possible Ancestry
Chronology of Records
Estate Records
Children

According to Josiah H. Combs' The Combes Genealogy…, apparently based on Oral Family Interviews, Jeremiah "Long Jerry" Combs, Shadrach "Old Shade" Combs, Mason Combs (h/o Matilda WATTS) and Millie Combs (w/o William SMITH) were all children of a John Combs who is described variously in the manuscript as either (a) John Combs, "one of the eight," but not RW John Combs of Perry; or (b) RW John Combs, "one of the eight" by his "first wife." It is now documented that RW John Combs was "one of the eight," but not that he had a first wife. For the time being, RW John “8” Combs and "the other" John Combs [III], father to Jeremiah L., Shadrach, Mason and Millie are being treated, for research purposes, as two separate John Combs.

Also note that although the author was adamant that Jeremiah was not the s/o John Combs, Sr., "father of the eight," and that most references to early Combs of East KY refer to "the eight," and most also designate them as brothers, one exception is that of the Dickey Diary Interview of John S. Combs (s/o Jeremiah C. "Chunky" & Synthia SUMNER Combs) who refers to "a large company who came," and includes among them a Jeremiah Combs whom he does not identify. (See also Early Jeremiah Combs of the Southern Frontier).

The Combes Genealogy… also states, again apparently based on Oral Family History Interviews, that Jeremiah "Long" married first a Nancy who may have been a Combs, a SUMNER or a SMITH. The author writes: "Who his first wife was is a matter of conjecture. Whatever her maiden name, her first name was Nancy. But it was not Nancy SUMNER; she married "Chunky Jerry". Aunt Adeline Cornett (born 1832), who lived just above Sassafras, told my father in 1917, that Jerry married Nancy Combs, a sister of Millie Combs. Aunt Adeline was eleven years old when Jerry died. Some say he married a SMITH."

Although Nancy's surname remains unknown (sister to which Millie Combs?), contrary to the above statement, SUMNER as a maiden name is not precluded since John S. Combs' Dickey Diary Interview also stated that Jeremiah C. "Chunky" Combs, did not marry Nancy SUMNER, but Synthia SUMNER (d/o Samuel & Winnifred Combs Sumner (Hicks) and gd/o William and Seth STACY Combs). It should also be noted, however, that the declaration of "Aunt Adeline Cornett" cannot be discounted since she was a neighbor of Jeremiah "Long" as a child (neè Adeline BRASHEAR (d/o James N. BRASHEAR), b 1832, m Robert CORNETT, s/o John & Rachel SMITH Cornett, and appears in the 1850 Perry Co, KY census household of her parents).

According to The Combes Genealogy…, Jeremiah "Long" was born (variously) 1781-1783, yet on p. 61, the author states that Jeremiah "Long" was two or three years younger than Jeremiah "Chunky" (s/o Nicholas & Nancy GRIGSBY Combs, Sr.) who is listed on the 1850 Perry KY census as age 68 (b ca 1782). Based on the ages of his children (see below), of the three Jeremiah Combs in East Kentucky, Jeremiah L. appears to have been the same who was on the 1810 and 1820 Floyd Co, KY Census.

The other two Jeremiah's were on the 1810 and 1820 Clay Co, KY census, but all three are listed in 1810 as b 1765-1784; and in 1820 as b 1775-1794, and in 1830 and 1840 on the Perry Co, KY census (est. from Floyd and Clay in 1820-1), Jeremiah was listed as b 1780-1790, giving him an adjusted birth year of 1780-1784. Jeremiah's birth state of VA is based on the 1880 Breathitt Co, KY census record of what appears to have been his son, Elijah (According to The Combes Genealogy…, Jeremiah was born in Surry Co, NC, source not stated). The exact birth years of three of Jeremiah's four eldest known children are unknown, but 4-5 of were apparently born before 1811, thus the date of his first marriage is estimated at pre-1805.

Chronology of Records

bef 1804 East Kentucky. Jeremiah had married Nancy (Combs?) by this time; their eldest known child, Nancy, having been b ca 1803, KY (1850 Wright Co, MO Census)

1807-1809 Clay Co, KY Tax Lists. Two Jeremiah Combs are listed. One was Jeremiah C. "Chunky" Combs, but the other may have been Jeremiah L. since Jeremiah C. "Curly" Combs was not born until ca 1788, thus still under 21 for at least the first two of three lists (and see next).

1810 Floyd Co, KY Tax List. Jeremiah Combs (listed by a John Combs). See also Clay Co, KY re 'disappearance' of one Jeremiah Combs from that list this year. In 1811, two Jeremiah Combs were on the Clay County list, but by that time, Jeremiah C. "Curly" Combs had married Elizabeth, d/o Henry and Rachel CLEMENTS Combs (May 1810, Clay).

The 1810 Floyd Co, KY census lists Jeremiah Combs as follows, on p. 97 (same page as a John Combs, b pre-1765 with 1 female in HH, also born bef 1765):

Notes: According to later records, Jeremiah should have had four children under age 10 listed in this census, two daughters, Nancy b ca 1803 and Polly Ann b ca 1804, and sons, John L. b ca 1808 and William L. b 1809 (1850 Census and The Combes Genealogy…).

27 Nov 1815 Floyd Co KY Court Minutes. Jeremiah Combs proved to the satisfaction of the court that he resided on 150 acres of land claimed, including his improvements, and the settlement land was ordered to be certified to the land office. On this same date the same was issued to John SUMNER, s/o Samuel and Winnifred Combs Sumner (Hicks), and gs/o William and Seth STACY Combs, Sr. of Russell Co, VA.

19-20 Apr 1816 Floyd Co KY Marriage Records. Jeremiah and Nicholas Combs witnessed the signature of Sarey Combs' consent to the marriage of her daughter, Nelly (or Millie) Combs to William SMITH (See Floyd County re confusion re first name). It is not known which Jeremiah or Nicholas Combs this was, but according to The Combes Genealogy…, she was Millie Combs, sister of Jeremiah L., and William SMITH was s/o Richard and Elitia Combs Smith and gs/o "Danger" Nicholas “8” and Nancy GRIGSBY Combs, Sr.

1-15-1817 Floyd Co, KY Land Grant B C:185. Grantee: Jeremiah Combs, Acres: 50; Watercourse: Carrs Fork of Kentucky River

March Term 1818 Floyd Co KY Jeremiah Combs was appointed surveyor of the road from John Combs to the ford in place of Jas. JONES, deceased.

Jeremiah Combs 310210-22110-04
1 m b 1775-1794 (adj. =1775-1784)
1 f b 1775-1794 (adj. =1775-1784)
2 m b 1794-1802 [John L. and ?Sampson?]
1 f b 1794-1804 [Nancy]
1 m b 1804-1810 [William L.]
2 f b 1804-1810 [Polly Ann and Elizabeth]
3 m b 1810-1820 [Jeremiah, Wesley and ?[Sampson?]
2 f b 1810-1820 [Sarah and ????]

Note: Immediately following Jeremiah's entry are (consecutively) John Combs (b pre-1765), William Combs (b 1765-1784) and Sally Combs (b pre-1765).

Dec Term Monday 18 Dec 1820 Floyd Co KY Court Minutes. "...Jeremiah Combs appears and gives in his list of taxable property for 1820 as 1 white tithe and 1 black tithe over 16 years of age and two total blacks valued at $700, and 200 acres of land valued at $5.00 per acre and two horses at $130 for a total of $1,830.

Sue Elfving: Jeremiah L. can be tracked on the tax lists as the one with 200a on Carrs Fork. Later deeds show his land was on Montgomery Creek of Carrs Fork. He is never shown with this land on the Clay tax lists although he was there in the early years. His land was the land below John Combs' old place. In the 1821 Perry Co. tax list, he appears with land on Carrs Fork, while Jeremiah [C.] Combs has land on the N. Fork. Later, "Chunky Jerry" starts accumulating land at a rapid pace.

08 May 1822 Perry Co KY Deeds "The deeds books of Perry shows a conveyance (May 8, 1822) to Jeremiah ("Long Jerry") Combs, beginning "seventy poles below John Combs' old improvement'' .... This is of course just below the mouth of White Oak Creek.... (The Combes Genealogy, pp. 44-5)

Question: From whom was the above conveyance? Or was it a Kentucky Land Grant instead? (See next)

10-16-1822 Kentucky Land Grant. Grantee: Combs, Jeremiah Sr; Acres: 50; Book: N, Page: 450; Date Survey: 10-16-1822; County: Perry; Watercourse: Mongummery [Montgomery] Creek

See Jeremiah's Estate Records (below) re 45 acre patent on Montgomery Creek, a branch of Carr Creek.

1830 Perry Co, KY Census
349 19 Jeremiah Combs 1111001 32111 3 16
351 09 Jeremiah Combs 0120001 0210001 03 11
351 26 Jeremiah Combs 00100001 12110001 00 04 [sic]

According to The Combes Genealogy…, Jeremiah m Sallie WHITELEY, his second wife, on 26 Feb 1829. If so, then he was the Jeremiah of 349-19 based on 1850 Perry census which lists Sallie as b ca 1810; however, see also 1840 below. Also note that both 349-19 and 351-09 own three slaves and see Dec 1820 above).

10/2/1837-10/2/1837 (Perry Co, KY DBB:140-1). Jeremiah Combs Sr of PC to Elijah COMS Jr., for $650, land on Carr's Fk….above house MCINTIRE now lives in which was a conditional line between John and Jeremiah Combs.. Signed Jeremiah X Combs, Sally X Combs (Abstracted by Combs Researcher Sue Elfving from original on microfilm)

Notes: The above Elijah Combs, Jr. (s/o Elijah “8” and Sarah ROARK Combs) married Jeremiah's daughter, Polly by his first wife (the above Sally is Jeremiah's second wife, Sarah WHITLEY). This is apparently same land as the 08 May 1822 Perry Co, KY conveyance described by The Combes Genealogy….

250 26 Jeremiah Combs 00000001 0002 00 05 08
253 27 Jeremiah Combs 21120001 122201 00 03 18
263 18 Jeremiah C. Combs 2001001 0200001 00 00 07

Note: Based on the 1850 Perry census, Jeremiah's wife, Sarah WHITELY was b ca 1810; thus the second of the above records would be his (census not yet analyzed).

Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. d in 1843, leaving behind a 20-year plus trail of estate records. According to The Combes Genealogy…, pp. 77-78, he is "... buried in an old, deserted graveyard among the trees, on the point above Rob Morgan's house. The stone bears the date, 1843, and "J. Combs".

In 1850, what appears to have been his widow, Sarah WHITELY, is listed in Perry Co, KY Census District 2:

Sarah "Sally" WHITELY is documented as wife of Jeremiah L. Combs by the 1914 Lee Co, KY death certificate of their son, Nicholas Combs, b 1839, KY, as well as Jeremiah L.'s Estate Records (see below); Perry Co, KY DBB:140-1, dated 10/2/1837; and the 1840 and 1850 Perry census. Sally's surname on the 1850 census record is clearly (and inexplicably) COX in this record. Although she appears to have been Jeremiah's widow, it is possible she was instead a caretaker for his minor children (but why?). Another possibility is that she married a COX between 1844 and 1850 (who d or whom she divorced?), and/or remarried again to a Combs between 1850 and 1851 (or began re-using surname Combs after his death, a divorce)? Sally and all three of the above children are listed in Jeremiah L.'s Estate Record #1, with the children listed (adjacent to each other in this order): Elijah Combs Jr, Nicholas Combs Jr, and Jiney Combs, all of Perry Co. They are believed to have been the three youngest children of Jeremiah L. and Sarah WHITELY Combs. According to The Combes Genealogy, Jeremiah L. had four children by Sarah; with the fourth child possibly named Susan (See below).

Sally and her son, Elijah, may have been on the Perry Co, KY census in 1860 as follows:

HH 328-326 John WILLIAMS 30 farmer 1200 300 Ky
Franky 30 Ky Female
Henderson 12 Ky
Preston 10 Ky
Bailis 8 Ky
Louisa 6 Ky
Lourana 4 Ky
Jer 2 Ky
Sally COMB 56 spinner VA
Rebecca COMB 9 Ky
Elijah COMB 25 laborer Ky
Rebecca SMITH 15 spinner Ky
Rebecca WMS [WILLIAMS] 60 spinner TN

Note: Rebecca WILLIAMS was d/o Nicholas “8” and Nancy GRIGSBY Combs, Sr. and widow of John WILLIAMS. Rebecca Combs, age 9, has not been identified. Ten households down from the above record is what appears to be Sally's son, Nicholas, with wife, Eliza WILLIAMS (d/o Nicholas WILLIAMS according to The Combes Genealogy - unsourced).

The following consists of excerpts from the Jeremiah L. Combs (d 1843, Perry Co, KY) Land Documents Report prepared by Combs Researcher Sue Elfving (2/28/1999), as well as additional comments and questions about some of the records.

Note: Jeremiah's estate was not settled for many years following his death - primarily due to minor children. Jeremiah L.'s youngest child, Nicholas (b 12 Oct 1839, Perry Co, KY, d 28 Aug 1914, Lee Co, KY per his death certificate), did not reach his majority until ca 1860 (and possibly not until as late as 1862 based on 1850 Perry Co, KY census which lists Nicholas as age 9, thus b ca 1841). As a result, the numbers of deeds and releases may be far greater in number than are included here. Further complicating interpretation of the transactions was (a) numerous Combs intermarriages (making it difficult to determine which of the spouses was the heir; and (b) 'sloppy' deeds, probably due to the fact that the Court Clerk, Jesse Combs, Sr., was cousin to all, and apparently operated on the assumption that everyone knew who they were even if half of them did share the same names.

Also Note: Minor children could not sign deeds (signature of guardian instead), and that sons-in-law signed for (or stood in the place of) married daughters, even when the latter were over 21 years of age.

Also Note: In some instances, the heir has been documented "by implication;" i.e., even though named only as an heir rather than a son or daughter, based on the heir's and known other records, no relationship other than child appears possible.

Record #1
11/12/1844-12/9/1844 (Perry Co, KY DBB:335-6) These [17] heirs of Jeremiah Combs are listed in the text: John L. Combs, Elijah Combs, William Combs, Jeremiah Combs, Jeremiah Combs [sic], L. Combs, Nevels YOUNG, John L. Combs, Wesley Combs, Milly Combs, Sally Combs, Sampson Combs, Zachariah CAMPBELL, Willy Combs, Elijah Combs Jr, Nicholas Combs Jr, Jiney Combs, all of Perry Co. except Nevels YOUNG and Nicholas Combs of Missouri....to Shadrach STACY of Perry Co.,...150a adjacent Elijah Combs Jr. line...mouth of Yellow Creek....

Acknowledged on 11/12/1844 by: Nevels YOUNG, Jeremiah L Combs, John L Combs, Sarah Combs, Nicholas Combs, Sampson Combs, Elijah Combs Jr, William Combs [8]

Acknowledged on 11/23/1844 by Milly Combs and Martin Combs [2]

Acknowledged on 12/9/1844 by Wesley Combs [1]

Signed by: Nevels x YOUNG, Jeremiah L. x Combs, Sarah x Combs, Nicholas x Combs, Sampson x Combs, Elijah Combs Jr [could write], William x Combs, Mily x Combs, Martin x Combs, Wesley x Combs, John L x Combs. [11]

Notes: Re the above named individuals (partially based on additional Estate Records listed below as well as census, etc.):

Record #2
11/25/1844-11/25/1844 (Perry Co, KY DBB:336-7). Sampson Combs to William L Combs, sells his interest his interest in the estate of his father Jeremiah L Combs decd.

Record #3
11/25/1844-11/25/1844 (Perry Co, KY DBB:337). Nicholas S. Combs, Jr. of Missouri sells for $30 to Shadrach STACY of Kentucky his interest in the estate, both real and personal, of Jeremiah L. Combs, decd.

Record #4
11/25/1844 (Perry Co, KY DBB:337-8). Heirs of Jeremiah L. Combs, decd to William L. Combs, all of Kentucky except Nicholas Combs Jr and Pegga Combs and Nevels and Nancy YOUNG of Missouri, 45a of land on Montgomery Creek, a branch of Carr Creek that was patented by J. Combs... The list of heirs included: Shadrach STACY, Jeremiah Combs, Nicholas Combs, Sampson Combs.

Notes: The 45 acres of land patented on Montgomery Creek of Carr is apparently the same as the 50 acre 1822 Perry Co, KY patent by Jeremiah Combs.

Record #5
3/17/1848-8/7/1848 (Perry Co, KY DBB:445-6). Heirs of Jeremiah L. Combs decd... a commissioners deed... 150a acres to Shadrach STACY. Body of text lists these heirs: John S. Combs and wife Celey Combs, John SMITH and wife Willey Combs, Polly Combs wife of Elijah Combs Jr., Elizabeth Combs wife of Martin Combs, Margaret Combs wife of Nicholas Combs. Later in the text Polly Combs is defind as widow of Elijah Combs deceased. Signed by John S. x Combs, Celay x Combs, Peggy x Combs, Elizabeth x Combs

Notes: (1) It is not known why John SMITH'S wife, Willey, is listed as a Combs. See also Estate Record #8 re John SMITH as h/o heir, Elizabeth [sic]. (2) It is also not known why only Peggy x Combs signed this deed, and not her husband, Nicholas S. Combs. Ditto for Elizabeth, w/o Massingill Martin Combs. (3) Elijah Combs, Jr., late husband of Polly Combs, d/o Jeremiah L., died 13 Apr 1847, Perry KY (Jesse Combs Family Records). According to The Combes Genealogy…, Polly also married a Nicholas Combs, but no details given, and no indication has been found, in these or any other records, that she was ever married to anyone other than Elijah Combs, Jr.

Record #6
9/12/1848 (Perry Co, KY DBB:477) Zachariah CAMPBELL and Purlinah Combs, Milley Combs, for $300, sell their interest in the estate of Jeremiah Combs decd. to John L. Combs. Wit: W. JOHNSON, Shadrach x Combs. Signed: Zachariah x CAMPBELL, Purlina x Combs

Notes: (1) It is not known whether the Clerk listed Purlina (a.k.a. Paulina) as a Combs, both in the deed and her signature, if she and Zachariah CAMPBELL were already married (still in question). (2) The Clerk apparently neglected to include Milley's signature on this deed. (3) Was this Milley Combs the same as Milley Combs of Estate Record #1? (4) The above deed 'reads like' Zachariah CAMPBELL, Purlinah Combs and Milley Combs either (a) each held an individual interest in Jeremiah's estate; or (b) that the three of them held a joint interest (in which case, were they grandchildren of Jeremiah instead of children?). If this is the same Zachariah CAMPBELL as in 1844, and he was a minor at that time, then he has now reached his majority (thus born between 1823 and 1828). If this is the same Zachariah who had married a Purlinah (Paulina) by 1850 (see below), did they marry after this date since she is not only listed as a Combs, but still signing her name Combs (which she "should" not do if married to Zachariah)? Also note that this is the first and only appearance of Purlinah Combs as an heir in these records, and that for her to sign the above deed, she should have been either 21 years of age, or married (in which case there "should" have also been a husband's signature).

Record #7
9/30/1848-9/30/1848 (Perry Co, KY DBB:402) John S. Combs assigns to Shadrach STACY all his interest in the estate of Jeremiah Combs decd, both female and male of every name and kind and the claim of m wife, daughter of Jeremiah Combs decd.

Record #8
10/14/1851-10/14/1851 (Perry Co, KY DBC:117) George N. BROWN, commissioner of Pike Co. to Shadrach STACY per a Perry Co. Circuit Court order re: Shadrach STACY vs Heirs of Jeremiah Combs decd... conveys for $500, 150a on Carrs Fk. The heirs listed in text are: John L. and Polly Combs, John SMITH and wife Elizabeth, Margaret Combs, Nevils YOUNG, Jeremiah L Combs, Sarah Combs, Nicholas Combs, Sampson Combs, Elizabeth Combs Jr, William Combs, Milly Combs, Martin Combs, Wesley Combs.

Notes: (1) Not including Shadrach STACY himself (h/o Sarah Combs), there are 14 heirs listed in this deed. Missing entirely are: (a) Celia, w/of John S. Combs; (b) Paulina-Purlina Combs (Campbell); and (c) Elijah Combs (s/o Jeremiah L.). Possibly missing are (a) Jane "Jiney" Combs, although she may have been Elizabeth Combs, Jr. (21 Aug 1854 Perry marriage record); and (b) Willie Combs (w/of John SMITH) although the above Elizabeth Combs Smith may have been in error for Willie (See Record #5.) (3) Sarah Combs still 'looks like' Sarah WHITLEY Combs, the widow, but see 1850 Perry Co, KY census listing her(?) with surname COX. (4) Also note that at least one of the above may have been a guardian of the minor heirs.

Record #9
11/6/1854-11/6/1854 (Perry Co, KY DBC:365) Polly Combs to Jeremiah L Combs of PC, for $100, all her interest both real and personal in the estate of Jeremiah Combs.

Notes: Polly Combs, d/o Jeremiah L. and widow of Elijah Combs, Jr., and several of her children took off very shortly after signing this deed for Madison Co, AR. (See below re Two Hiram and Mary Combs of Perry Co, KY and Madison Co, AR)

Record #10
4/30/1858-6/23/1856 (Perry Co, KY DBC:417) Margaret Combs to Jeremiah L. Combs, her interest in the estate of "their" father.

Notes: Margaret "Peggy" Combs' husband, Nicholas S. Combs, Jr., died ca 1854, Perry, thus she was able to execute the above deed without a husband's signature.

Reminder: Although the above are ten key deeds, they are not the sum total of Estate Records.

Note: Because this is a "worksheet" (as versus a completed research report), the number, names and surnames of children's spouses may change. In order not to lose sight of any "clues," all possibles are included here.

Nancy Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b ca 1803, KY; d bef 1886, Wright Co, MO; m bef 1830, Nevils YOUNG. Nancy is documented as the d/o Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. and wife of Nevill YOUNG by Jeremiah L.'s Estate Records which identify her and her husband as Nevils and Nancy YOUNG of Missouri." They are listed on the 1830 Perry Co, KY Census; the 1840 Pulaski Co, MO census; and the 1850 Wright Co, MO census (Wright from Pulaski in 1841).

Polly Ann Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b 1804-1808, KY; d aft 1870, of Madison Co, AR; m 16 Feb 1826, Perry Co, KY, Elijah Combs, Jr. (s/o Elijah “8” and Sarah ROARK Combs, Sr.), b 1798-1806; d 13 Apr 1847, Perry Co, KY (Jesse Combs Family Records). Polly Ann is documented as the d/o Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. and the wife of Elijah Combs, Jr. by Jeremiah L.'s Estate Records. Elijah, Jr. is listed on the 1830 and 1840 Perry Co, KY Census. His widow, Polly Ann, is on the 1850 Perry Co, KY census and the 1860 and 1870 Madison Co, AR Census. See Two Hiram and Mary Combs of Perry Co, KY and Madison Co, AR for more re this family. The Combes Genealogy… refers to the marriage of Polly to a Nicholas Combs, but this appears to be in error (See Estate Records).

John L. Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b 1805-1808, KY; d Aug 1859, Perry Co, KY; m 20 Jul 1829, Polly (Combs? MOSELEY?), b 1806-1808, KY, d aft 1870.John L. is documented as the s/o Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. by his father's Estate Records. He has not yet been located on the 1830 census. He was probably on the 1840 Perry census, but his household has not yet been specifically identified. He and wife, Polly, are found on the 1850 Perry Co, KY Census. According to The Combes Genealogy…, John L. married his first cousin, Polly Ann Combs (d/o Shadrach Combs), but the 1929 Knott Co, KY death certificate of their daughter, Susan (b ca 1844), lists her parents as John L. and Polly MOSELEY Combs. His widow is enumerated on both the 1860 and 1870 Perry Co, KY census in the household of their son, Shadrach (a.k.a. "Blinky Shade" according to the Combs Genealogy).

William L. Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b 10 Sep 1809, KY, d 7 Jan 1879, Perry Co, KY; m 1 Aug 1836, Margaret KELLY, b 1 Oct 1818, KY; d 8 Jan 1905, KY (The Combes Genealogy…, whose author, Josiah H. Combs, was grandson, of William L. and Margaret). John L. is documented as the s/o Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. by his father's Estate Records. William L. has not yet been specifically identified on either the 1830 or 1840 Census, but was enumerated on the 1850-1870 Perry Co, KY Census, and in 1880, his widow, Margaret (Peggy) was enumerated in the Perry Co, KY household of their son, Spencer Combs.

Elizabeth Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b 1808-1812, KY; d 1860-1870; m 14 Feb 1825, Perry Co, KY, Martin Massingill Combs (s/o Mason “8” and Jane RICHARDSON Combs), b 1800-1807, KY; d aft 1880. Elizabeth is documented as the d/o Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. and the wife of Massingill Martin Combs by her father's Estate Records. They are enumerated on the Perry Co, KY census from 1840 through 1860, following which, Elizabeth disappears from records and is presumed deceased. In 1870, Martin is enumerated in Perry with children in his household, but no wife, but in 1880, he is listed with wife, Polly, b ca 1825. According to The Combes Genealogy…, Polly was neè KELLY.

Sarah Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b 1811-1812, KY; d aft 1880; m 16 Dec 1832, Lawrence Co, IN, Shadrach STACY (s/o Simon and Elizabeth DAVIDSON Stacy), b 1811-1812, KY; d aft 1880. Sarah is documented as the d/o Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. and the wife of Shadrach STACY by Jeremiah L.'s Estate Records. Shadrach and Sarah are enumerated on the Perry Co, KY census from 1840 through 1880, and it appears that their stay in Indiana was brief since the eldest child in their 1850 Perry census household, Elizabeth, was born ca 1835 in Kentucky.

Jeremiah L. Combs, Jr. (Jeremiah L., John), b 1815-1820, Perry Co, KY; d 1860-1869; m 9 Jun 1835(?), Perry Co, KY, Sarah "Sallie" KELLY, b 1815-1820, Perry Co, KY; d aft 1880. Jeremiah L., Jr. is documented as the s/o Jeremiah L., Sr. by his father's Estate Records. His and his wife's birth counties and marriage are documented by the 1914 Knott Co, KY Death Certificate of their eldest son, Jackson Combs, b 24 Jan 1838, KY. Jeremiah L. Combs, Jr. has not yet been specifically identified in the 1840 census, but he and his wife are enumerated in the 1850 and 1860 Perry Co, KY census. In 1870, Jeremiah L., Jr. is missing and presumed deceased since his widow, Sarah, is listed in the Perry census that year as head of household and in 1880 is found in the Perry Co, KY household of their son, George Washington (Washington) Combs.

Wesley Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b 1819-1820, KY; d aft 1880; m bef 1840, Nancy Combs, b 1826-1828, KY; d aft 1880. Wesley is documented as the s/o Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. by his father's Estate Records. He and Nancy are listed in Perry Co, KY census records from 1840 through 1880. Their marriage is documented by the 1925 Perry Co, KY death certificate of their daughter, Margaret. According to The Combes Genealogy…, Nancy Combs was the d/o "Birdeye" Nicholas Combs, Jr. (s/o "Danger" Nicholas “8” and Nancy GRIGSBY Combs, Sr.) and Elizabeth Combs (d/o RW John “8” Combs).

Millie Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b 1820-1821, KY, d aft 1880; m bef 1860, Preston JOHNSON, b ca 1826, KY. Millie is documented as the d/o Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. by her father's Estate Records (although with outstanding conflicts). She is listed in the 1850 Perry Co, KY Census in the household of Preston JOHNSON, but with surname Combs. Also in the household are Wesley Combs, age 11, and Jeremiah, age 15 (both born in KY). In 1860, she is again listed in Preston JOHNSON"S household, but this time as a JOHNSON, and with a ?Quinn (illegible) Combs, age 6. According to The Combes Genealogy…, Millie had John Wesley Combs by Andrew Combs, s/o Jeremiah C. "Chunky" Combs (s/o "Danger" Nicholas “8” and Nancy GRIGSBY Combs, Sr.) and Syntha SUMNER (d/o Samuel and Winnifred Combs Sumner (Hicks) and was married to not only Preston JOHNSON, but also to Felix Combs, s/o Moses Combs (also a s/o Jeremiah C. "Chunky" and Synthia SUMNER Combs) and Lydia (Letha) Combs (d/o George “8” and Lydia HARRELL Combs according to The Combes Genealogy… - not documented). If she married Felix, however, it was apparently after 1880 since he was still married at that time (Perry Co, KY Census). Neither 15 year old Jeremiah of 1850, nor 6-year old ?Quinn Combs of 1860 have been identified and Millie has not yet been researched past the 1860 census.

Celia Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b 1820-1822, KY; d 1870-1875, Perry Co, KY; m 16 Feb 1838, Perry Co, KY, John S. Combs (s/o Jeremiah C. "Chunky" Combs (s/o "Danger" Nicholas “8” and Nancy GRIGSBY Combs, Sr.) and Syntha SUMNER (d/o Samuel and Winnifred Combs Sumner (Hicks)), b 25 Jul 1819 in (now) Perry Co, KY, d aft Apr 1898, of Perry Co, KY; m (2) Nov 1875, Perry Co, KY, Rebecca MAGGARD, widow of Abel BOGGS (Dickey Diary Interviews). Celia (a.k.a. Celey, Sealy, etc.) is documented as the d/o Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. and the wife of John S. Combs by Jeremiah L.'s Estate Records. She and John are listed in the Perry Co, KY census from 1840 through 1870, and in 1880, he is listed with second wife, Rebecca.

Sampson Combs (Jeremiah L., John), was born bef 1824 and died after 1851 based on his father's Estate Records, but has not yet been identified in other records. Not only has he not been located on the 1850 census yet, but neither is he included as a son of Jeremiah by The Combes Genealogy…. Also note that the given name Sampson was sometimes a.k.a. Samuel and/or Simon-Simeon among East KY Combs (A son of the above William L. and Margaret KELLEY Combs is listed in Perry Co, KY census records as Samson in 1850, as Samps in 1860, and as Samuel in 1870. The Combes Genealogy… lists him as Samuel.).

Margaret "Peggy" Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b 1820-1824, KY; d aft 1880; m bef 1843, Nicholas S. Combs, Jr. (s/o Jeremiah C. "Chunky" Combs (s/o "Danger" Nicholas “8” and Nancy GRIGSBY Combs, Sr.) and Syntha SUMNER (d/o Samuel and Winnifred Combs Sumner (Hicks)), b ca 1822, KY; d ca 1854, Perry Co, KY. Margaret is documented as the d/o Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. and the wife of Nicholas S. Combs, Jr. by Jeremiah L.'s Estate Records which also identify them as "of Missouri" in 1844 (a fact further corroborated by their 1850 Perry Co, KY census record). Margaret has not been located in 1860 or 1870 yet, but in 1880 was in the Perry Co, KY census household of her son, David (listed "out of age order" in the 1850 census). Her husband, Nicholas, is named in his father's 1853 Perry Co, KY will, and in Jan-Feb 1854, Margaret is listed in his Perry estate records. On 4 Jun 1856, Margaret (Peggy) deeded her dower as widow of Nicholas Combs, Jr. decd" to Granville Combs (Perry Co, KY DBC:420).

Margaret, may have also had a child by John LACY, possibly the Robert Combs b 13 Oct 1856, Perry Co, KY to a Margaret Combs. According to The Combes Genealogy…, three Margaret Combs gave birth to children by John LACY within the space of a year: (1) Margaret, d/o Jesse & Polly BOLLING Combs, Sr., who may have been the mother of John Combs, age 2 in Jesse's 1860 Perry Census Household; (2) Margaret, d/o Washington and Sally (WHITAKER?) Combs, who may have been mother of Granville P. Combs, age 3 in Washington's 1860 Perry census household; and (3) Margaret, d/o Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. Neither Margaret nor a Robert of the right age are found in the 1860 or 1870 Perry, and no Robert w/surname Combs is listed near Margaret in 1880.

Also note that The Combes Genealogy… apparently confuses Nicholas S. and Margaret Combs Combs with Margaret Combs, d/o RW John “8” Combs, whom the author states had children, including "Hyskiah (Hezekiah?) Combs" by Nicholas Combs, "son of Chunky." Since Nicholas S. wasn't born until 1822, and Margaret's son, Hezekiah, was born ca 1824, this is certainly in error.

Willy Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b ca 1825-7, KY, d aft 1870; m 1844-1847, Letcher Co, KY, John SMITH, b ca 1831, KY, d aft 1870. Willy is documented as an heir of Jeremiah L., Sr. by his Estate Records which indicate that she was still single and a minor in 1844, but married to John SMITH by Mar 1848. The source, Letcher Co, KY Marriages, 1842-1851, includes undated marriage of Willy Combs and John SMITH (given that it's undated, source needs to be checked). The 1850 Perry Co, KY census lists their eldest child as William, age 3, narrowing marriage date to 1844-1847. Their marriage is further confirmed by the 5 Jun 1853, Perry Co, KY birth record of their daughter, Nancy. She and John are also listed in the 1860 and 1870 Perry Co, KY census. See also Jeremiah L.'s Estate records re a conflicting deed which lists John's wife as Elizabeth. Also note that Willie's formal given name may have been Wilmot, Wilmouth, Wilmoth, etc.

Paulina Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b ca 1832, KY, m bef 1849, Zachariah CAMPBELL, b ca 1824, KY. Paulina is documented as an heir (and probable daughter) of Jeremiah L. and probable wife of Zachariah CAMPBELL by Jeremiah L.'s Estate Records, but with conflicts; i.e., she is not included in Estate Record #1, but a Zachariah CAMPBELL was, yet Paulina (a.k.a. Purlinah) would have been only 12 years old at the time (1844). While this is possible, given that their eldest child in the 1850 Breathitt Co, KY census was Mahuldah, age 1, it seems unlikely?? Also note that a second Zachariah CAMPBELL was in East KY at this time, on the 1850 Perry Co, KY Census, District 2, b ca 1822, with a 2 year old child, Elizabeth, in the household, but married within the census year to a Rebecca (significance of this, if any, not yet known). See also other concerns in regard to Estate Records. Also note that Paulina was likely the eldest child of Jeremiah L. by his second wife, Sarah "Sally" WHITELY.

Elijah Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b 1836-1841, KY; d 1880-1900; m 1865-1867, Catherine NOBLE, b Dec 1835, d aft 1900. Elijah is documented as s/o Jeremiah L. by his father's Estate Records and the 1850 Perry Co, KY census where he is listed with mother, Sarah WHITELY and siblings, Jane and Nicholas. He may have been the Elijah Combs in the 1860 Perry census in Household HH 328-326 of John WILLIAMS which included a Sally Combs who may have been his mother. Elijah was probably the same who appears in the 1870 Breathitt Co, KY census, Lost Creek District HH14-14, b ca 1838, KY, with wife Katherine (whose son, Alexander, b abt 1865, is listed as surname NOBLE in their 1880 Breathitt household). In 1900, Catherine is listed in the Breathitt Census as a widow. According to The Combes Genealogy…, Elijah m Katie NOBLE. Not known if she had an earlier marriage or if Alexander was a natural child.

Nicholas Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b 12 Oct 1839, Perry Co, KY; d 28 Aug 1914, Lee Co, KY; m 10 Feb 1860, Perry Co, KY, Eliza WILLIAMS, b ca 1842, d aft 1880. Nicholas is documented as s/o Jeremiah L. by his father's Estate Records and the 1850 Perry Co, KY census where he is listed with mother, Sarah WHITELY and siblings, Jane and Elijah. In 1860 he was enumerated in Perry as Nick with wife, Eliza. (Based on various census records, he may have been born 1838-1841). He has not been located in 1870 census yet, but appears in 1880 Perry with Liza (Eliza). According to The Combes Genealogy…, Eliza was the d/o Nicholas WILLIAMS (not researched).

Jane "Jennie" Combs (Jeremiah L., John), b ca 1838, KY; d aft 1860; m 21 Aug 1854, Perry Co, KY, Leviticus FULLER. b 1837-1839, KY. Jane "Jiney" is documented as d/o Jeremiah L. by her father's Estate Records, and the 1850 Perry Co, KY census where she is listed with mother, Sarah WHITELY and brothers, Nicholas and Elijah. Although she is listed as Elizabeth in her marriage record, the 1855 and 1857 Perry Co, KY birth records of their daughters, Betsy and Sally, and the 1860 Perry Co, KY census confirm that she was either neè Elizabeth Jane (perhaps the Elizabeth, Jr. of her father's estate records?) or that the 1854 record is in error. Also note that the 1850 Perry Co, KY District 2 Census lists her future husband, Leviticus, in the household immediately preceding her own. According to The Combes Genealogy…, Leviticus was a.k.a. Vit, and Jane also married Wilbur PATTON.

L. Combs (Jeremiah L., John) of Perry Co, KY, b bef 1824 (adult in 1844 Estate Record #1) appears as an heir of Jeremiah only in the single Estate Record, and is not found mentioned again. Inclusion of his (her?) name may have been a clerical error since nothing more has been found for this individual. Another possibility is that L. was short for Lina (Paulina) or Liza (Elizabeth).

Susan Combs (Jeremiah L., John) is not included as an heir of Jeremiah L. in his Estate Records. She is listed as one of his children by Sarah WHITELEY in The Combes Genealogy…, but in only one location (p. 125), and no mention of her is found elsewhere, nor in any Perry Co, KY records. Jeremiah C. "Chunky" Combs is also listed with a daughter Susan in this source and the two may have been confused, and/or, rather than Susan, she may have been Sampson who is not included in The Combes Genealogy… although documented as a son of Jeremiah L. by his Estate Records.

Nancy (YOUNG)	Polly Ann (Combs)	John L. (Combs) (MOSELEY)	William L. (KELLY)
Elizabeth (Combs)	Sarah (STACY)	Jeremiah L. (KELLY)	Wesley (Combs)
Millie (JOHNSON)	Celia (Combs)	Sampson	Margaret "Peggy" (Combs)
Willy (SMITH)	Paulina (CAMPBELL)	Elijah (NOBLE)	Nicholas (WILLIAMS)
Jane "Jennie" (FULLER)	L.	Susan	***

Rough Draft Worksheet (Continuous Updates Pending Completion

Index to Jeremiah L. Combs, Sr. Reports

Background

Chronology of Records

Rough Draft Worksheet
(Continuous Updates Pending Completion