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(Tallahatchie Co MS) Manuscript by by Mary Salisbury Combs York. Provided by Combs-Stacy Researcher Barbara Stacy Mathews, from the Merry Stacy Papers, an undated letter written by Mrs. Rice P. YORK, granddaughter of Mary Salisbury Combs York who was b Dec 3,1857, Augusta,Hancock Co, IL, d 13 Oct 1937, Charleston, Tallahatchie Co, MS, d/o Samuel Richardson Combs, Jr., b. May 1, 1820, and died 22 Nov 1900, St. Paul [Neosha Co] KS (Barbara Stacy Mathews:2page typed document,undated, but paper very old):

"Benjamin [Combs] was born in Stafford Co., Va in 1749, and died 1838 in Clark Co., KY. His grave is located on Combs Ferry Pike, about 5 miles s.w. of Winchester, KY with the inscription "Capt. Benjamin Combs,a Revolutionary officer and hunter of Kentucky, died Dec 1838, aged 89 years. "The inscription on his wife's stone reads "In memory of Sarah RICHARDSON, last wife of Capt. Benjamin Combs, this stone is erected in gratitude of her motherly love in infancy and her particular attention to the education of her youngest son, General Leslie Combs." Capt. Benjamin first came to KY in the spring of 1775 with a company from Berkley Co.,VA., composed of Marquis CALMES II and son Marquis III, Benjamin BERRY, and Cuthbert Combs (Benjamin's older brother, Benjamin's children were: William, Fielding, Marcus Calmes, Samuel Richardson, Elizabeth Combs Bostick, Mariam Combs Price, and General Leslie. Benjamin was a lt in Frederick Co., VA militia in Rev. War (also among children was John Harrison Combs.)

"Samuel Richardson [Combs] was born ca1771 and died about 1833 in Clark Co., KY. His estate inventory in Bk. 9p. 366 and dated Nov. 14, 1833 in Clark Co., KY. The administrator's settlement Bk. 9, p. 384 dated Aug 10, 1839. He married Theodocia HOLDER, daughter of Col. John [H]OLDER and Frances CALLOWAY, in Clark Co., KY on October 9, 1797. Theodocia died in Clark Co. in 1822. Their children were: Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary Ana, Samuel R. Jr., -- maybe others. He was a Capt. on JOHNSON'S Mounted Regiment of KY Volunteers in the War of 1812. (also are these children: Marquis, Aaron Burr, Webster, Elliot, Rufus, John H., Fielding, Frances Maria, Owen.)

"Samuel Richardson Combs, Jr. was b. May 1, 1820 and died in St. Paul [Neosho Co.], Kansas on Nov. 27, 1900. He married Margaret Van ANTWERP of New York, daughter of Simon Van ANTWERP, Jr. and Elizabeth COLE, born Feb 17, 1820. Their children were: Aaron Burr, Frances Heath, James Lawrence, Marcus Elliet, Samuel Richardson, Holder Leslie, Mary Salisbury, Edwin ___catt, and Edwin Stark (infant death). He married the second time in Jan. 1882 to Kate WILLIAMS in St.Paul and they had one son, Ernest Combs. He moved from Carthage [Hancock Co], IL (or there abouts) to St. Paul, Kansas in 1878.

"Mary Salisbury Combs was b. near Augusta [Hancock Co], IL Dec. 3, 1857 and died at Charleston [Tallahatchie Co ], Miss. on Oct. 13, 1937. She married Sylvester YORKS who was b.in Schuylkill Co., PA on Oct 3, 1849 and ran away from home, which was near Three Rivers [St. Joseph Co], Mich., in 1861. He first settled in Scobey [Yalobusha Co], Miss."

Notes: See Also Clark Co KY

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ISAIAH S. COOMES. Isaiah S. Coomes, county judge of Day county [South Dakota], has in his professional connections won a most creditable and prominent position and his ability as a fair and impartial judge is indicated in the fact that he has been reelected to the office in which he is now serving. He was born in Cass county,Iowa, July 12, 1878, and is a son of Oll and Addie (KELLOGG) Coomes.The former was a son of Isaiah Coomes, who for a number of years resided in Ohio and removed thence to Iowa, where his remaining days were passed. His life was devoted to the occupation of farming. Oll Coomes was born in Ohio in 1858 and after coming to Iowa was married in Colfax to Miss Addie KELLOGG, who was born in 1857 in Vermont and died in 1907. Mr. Coomes turned his attention to agricultural pursuits after reaching Iowa and in the conduct of his business affairs met with a substantial measure of success. He is also well known as the author of several novels which have been well received and is a notable figure in the literary circles of his state. In politics, too, he has figured prominently and after filling some local offices was elected to represent his district in the state legislature for a term covering the years 1878-1879. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the family of Oll and Addie (Kellogg) Coomes were three children, but one of the number, Roy, is now deceased. The second son, Arthur, is a farmer of Iowa. Mr. Coomes was married in 1913 to Miss Addie JOHNSON.

The third son is Judge Coomes of this review, who pursued his education in the schools of Iowa, being graduated from the high school at Wiota, that state. Later he continued his education at Atlantic, Iowa, and also pursued a course in a business college at Des Moines. He next entered upon the study of law and completed a course in the law department of the State University of South Dakota with the class of 1907. In July of the same year he located in Webster and for four years continued in the practice of his profession with John LUND, since which time he has been alone. He is an able lawyer and while in active practice was always most conscientious and careful in the preparation of his cases, while his presentation of a cause was marked by force and clearness In 1912, his fellow citizens, appreciative of his worth and his ability as a member of the bar, elected him to the office of county judge and gave their endorsement of his firstterm's service in a reelection in 1914. He is a republican in politics and had previously held some local offices, serving as township clerk in Iowa and as justice of the peace in Webster.

In 1906 Judge Coomes was united in marriage to Miss Grace E. LOVE, who was born in Cass county, Iowa, a daughter of D. R. LOVE, a stock buyer oft hat state. Judge and Mrs. Coomes are prominent socially and enjoy the hospitality of the best homes of Webster and of the county. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the Judge is prominent and active in the Odd Fellows and Masonic lodges. He has attained to the Royal Arch Chapter in Masonry and for two years was worshipful master of his lodge, while for three years he was noble grand of the Odd Fellows lodge, serving as a representative from the subordinate lodge to the grand lodge for two years. His ideals of life are high and he lives up to his standards. The opportunities which have come to him he has improved not only for the benefit of his own interests but also for the welfare and upbuilding of the community in which he lives. (Provided by Combs Researcher Robert L. George from the "History of Dakota Territory" by George W.Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915), pp. 911-12, scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger,SDGenWebArchives. See also copyright restrictions)

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"WILLIAM S. Combs. A small, delicate, slender, exceedingly pleasant young man, then only twenty years old, came to St Paul [Ramsey Co, MN] thirty-four years ago, and who does not remember him? His pleasant smile, his affable manners, his genial ways, how like warm rays of sunshine they come back and knock at the door of memory! The little slender youth has grown into manhood now and has filled out physically into fine proportions, has passed the meridian of life, is stepping down into the valley of old age, but the geniality of the past is still there, the old smile is still there, the old warm and generous heart is still there, the sincere real man is still there.

"William S. Combs was born in the city of New York in 1831; was educated at the public schools of that city; removed to Kentucky in 1843; resided in Lexington [ Fayette Co, KY] five years; in St. Louis [MO] in 1848, and located in St. Paul [Ramsey Co] in 1851, opening a book and stationery store in the fall of that year; broke his leg when at St. Louis purchasing goods; returned to St. Paul; sold out and kept books in the winter of 1851-2 at Mendota [Dakota Co, MN] for Gen. SIBLEY; married Miss Carrie WHITE, May 10,1852, while at Oxford [Butler Co], Ohio; took an active part in the public schools and served as president of the Board of Education as well as secretary for many years; and as chairman of the building committee gave his personal attention to the erection of some of the largest and most expensive school buildings in the city, among which were the Jefferson, Madison and Lincoln, and was connected with the school board over sixteen years, giving his time freely to the public good to the detriment of his legitimate business.

"THE FORT SNELLING CLAIM ASSOCIATION. In early days a body of men associated themselves together to protect each other in holding their claims, and of this body of men H. M. RICE was president, and William S. Combs was secretary. Very often it happened that a valuable claim would be taken possession of by some interloper, and then the power of the association was called into evict him. On one occasion a man and his family had erected a shanty on the claim owned by a Dr. BIDWELL, of this city, and as he would not go off the members of the association met and commenced tearing down the building. When the shanty had become nearly divested of its outer covering, Dominick TROYER, a large and powerful man, seized the uprights that supported the roof, and then he gave the man and his family fair warning that if they did not get out in three minutes he would let the roof down upon their heads, and seeing tha the meant business, they "got," and BIDWELL again took possession of his claim.

"TAUGHT THE FIRST PENMANSHIP--MASONIC RECORD--OFFICES. While Mr.Combs was carrying on his book business in a building on Third street,next to the old Times office, he divided off a little room in the back part of his store, and there introduced penmanship and book-keeping, the first of the kind ever taught in Minnesota. He was an industrious and ambitious young man, and filled up the time in this way to advance his pecuniary interests.

"Mr. Combs is a member of Ancient Landmark Lodge, No. 5; Minnesota Royal Arch Chapter, No. 1; St. Paul Council of R. and S. M.;all of the Scottish Rite bodies, to the thirtieth degree; served the Grand Lodge as its grand secretary from 1866 to 1877; and the Grand Royal Arch Chapter as grand secretary from 1867 to 1877; was M. P. G. M. of the Grand Council for a year.

"He was an active member of the first Board of Trade and its secretary for several years. When the Chamber of Commerce was formed he was an active member of that body for several years. He was also an early member of the Pioneer Guards, the first military company in the State.

"Mr. Combs did not deal much in real estate, but he purchased in 1853 eighty acres of land near what is now known as Post's Siding, for $700; at present worth $80,000. Of course like all the rest of the old settlers he let it go for just what it cost him. It is the old story; Ineed not repeat it.

"THE REAL MAN. For thirty odd years I have known Mr. Combs quite intimately, and have always found him an agreeable and pleasant gentleman. His sunny nature has never left him and clings to him even now. His early history West is full of romance, and very few could pass through the many trials he encountered when a mere boy, without greatly marring even a less perfect disposition than that which is owned by Mr. Combs, and yet he is as genial to-day as he was over a quarter of a century ago. A fine looking man, straight, commanding, with a frank, free, open countenance,he wins his way among his fellow-men, and though not blessed with a super abundance of this world's goods, yet he scatters pearls of sunshine wherever he goes, and thus I leave him-- "the noblest Roman of them all."

(Extracted by Combs Researcher Debi Kendrick from "Pen Pictures of St Paul, MN and Biographcial Sketches of Old Settlers," Descriptions of St. Paul and its inhabitants from the earliest settlement of the city in 1838 through 1857, "by T. M. Newson, published by author, Saint Paul, Minnesota: 1886)

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Excerpted from Sewell S. Combs Manuscript, Richmond, Madison Co, KY:

"...Harrison Combs, my great grandfather, came to Kentucky fromRussell County, Virginia, in 1795, and settled on the North Fork of the Kentucky River. The place at which he settled was known as the Big Bottom, which was about a half mile above where the town of Hazard [present-day Perry Co, KY] now stands. This was the first settlement on the North Fork of the Kentucky River in this section of the country.

"When Harrison Combs came to Kentucky, his son, Mathew,came with him. He was ten years old. They brought along with them some peach seeds. seed corn, a rifle gun, a supply of ammunition, an ax, a weeding hoe, an iron wedge and a froe. They built a shanty to sleep, cleared two acres of ground, caught a young bear and kept it at their shanty. The young bear took up with Mathew. The bear stayed with them until large enough to eat, when they killed it and kept the meat to eat. So they had some fine tame bear meat.

"As soon as they got their corn laid by and a house built they went back to Virginia after the rest of the family. On their return trip they carried their household goods on the horses. Most of the family walked and drove two cows through to Kentucky. The peach seeds mentioned before, grew and bore more peaches than they knew what to do with so Mathew and his brother Henry went to Washington Co, Virginia, and got a still and hauled it to the foot of Black Mountain. There they took Hickory withes and a pole and carried it across the mountain and on to their home, where they made peach brandy. This still was in the Combs family for years. It was loaned to Henry INGLE about the year Isaac Combs, an uncle of mine, took it to Wolf County.

"I went after it and took it home with me where I made peach and apple brandy in it. It was loaned to someone on the Kentucky River and the house in which it was located was burned in 1872.

"Harrison Combs sold their place to his son Mathew, and he bought on Troublesome Creek, which is now in Breathitt County but at the time was in Perry County. The Troublesome Creek place was also later sold to Mathew. Harrison Combs wife died about the time he sold out. He had five boys: Mathew, Henry, Hugh, George and Steve. Harrison Combs later married a young woman and moved to the State of Indiana, and was lost sight of. The Troublesome Creek farm of Harrison Combs is in the hands of the Combs family to this time.

"Harrison Combs hung the first bow oar on a boat on the Kentucky River. When they commenced running boats and rafts they had what is called the stern oar and one on each side next to the bow end. When Harrison Combs got to running on the water fron Kentucky to New Orleans, he hung an oar on the bow end of the raft or boat and did away with the side oar.

"New Orleans was the market place for corn, potatoes, tobacco and hemp, also lumber. The farmers would sell their surplus of crops to the men who ran the boats or rafts. They would take it to New Orleans, sell it and walk back home, a distance of 1200 miles, which was traversed almost entirely through the woods.

"The last time I ever saw Mr. Charles ALLEN he took dinner at my father's when I was a boy just about ten years old. Mr. ALLEN told me he had made eleven trips to New Orleans and had walked back every time. Mr. ALLEN lived in whatis now Lee County, Kentucky.

"Matthew Combs, my grandfather moved to the Troublesom [Troublesome] Creek farm in 1828. His son, Henry, who was my father, was two years old when Perry County was made and was ten years old when his father moved to Troublesome Creek. Mathew Combs married Fannie BROWN, daughter of William BROWN, who came from England before the Revolutionary War. (Transcribed by Researcher J.P. Downard and submitted 1997 to Combs Research)

Notes: Stephen Sewell Combs, b 20 Dec 1840 (or var. 18 Dec 1841),Breathitt Co, KY; d 19 Dec 1916, Madison Co, KY, was the s/o Henry Combs, b 15 Dec 1818, KY, & Tempie Proffitt DAVIS Combs, b 1815-1816, KY; gs/o Mathew Combs, b ca 1790, VA or NC, & Frances "Frankie" (or "Fanny") BROWN, b ca 1791, GA; ggs/o Henry Combs (b 1765-8, VA) and Rachel CLEMENTS (b 1766-1776, VA)

The Biography of Joseph Combs has been moved toClinton Co., IN

The Biography of "HILLARY F. COOMES has been moved to the Francis & Charity WOOD Combs Report.

The biography of Robert C. Combs has been moved toTarrant Co TX

The Biography of William J. TURNER has been moved toWoodford Co KY

The Biography of George W. YOUNG has been moved toHart Co KY

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