Combs &c. Families of Somerset, England

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Somerset, or Somersetshire, a maritime county; bounded on the NW, by the Bristol channel; on the N, by Gloucestershire; on the E, by Wilts; on the SE, by Dorset; on the S, by Dorset and Devon; on the W, by Devon. Its outline is irregular; but may be said to comprise a large oblong, extending south-south-westward from the boundary with Gloucester, and a smaller oblong, extending westward from the S half of the former to the W boundary with Devon. Its greatest length is 71 miles; its greatest breadth is 40 miles; its circuit is about 230 miles; its extent of coast is about 65 miles; and its area is 1,047,220 acres.

Source: Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales. John Marius Wilson. 1870-72

Among the Combs recorded in Somerset, England were a number who also had roots in Wiltshire, and other English counties also appear in the following records, including Hampshire (Hants), Staffordshire, and Oxford. Some Somerset Combs have also been documented to New England, although none to the Southern Colonies as yet).

See Also Bristol.
See Also Combs &c. Publications, a listing of published family histories, including for Somersetshire.

The earliest records of the Combes (and var. sp.) found for Somerset so far are:

1273 Co. Somerset, Hundred Rolls. Henry de la CUMBE (Dictionary of English & Welsh Surnames with Special American Instances, by Charles Wareing Bardsley, 1901

1372 John COMBE or de COMBE, knight, of Baudrip, whose widow was Margaret and whose eldest son and heir was John.

1449 Crewkerne, Somerset. A “free grammar school was founded in 1449, by John de COMBE, Precentor of the cathedral of Exeter, who endowed it with lands now producing £300 per annum…” (A Topographical Dictionary of England, Samuel Lewis, S. Lewis and Company, London, 1831)

Unknown Parish

Note: Other than the following Visitations and Lineages, this report is arranged by parish chronologically. The primary Somerset Combs line being actively researched at present are those of North Petherton (See Also Parishes within 20 miles of North Petherton)

Also Note: A number of those named in these records either lived very close to Bristol (once an incorporated city/county), or in Bristol itself (See Also Parishes within 15 miles of Bristol)

Visitation of Somersetshire, 1623
(Extracted by Combs Researcher Leslie Owens)

Comb Family, Somersetshire, 1623 (Page 28)

Arms- Sable, two bars between six bees argent, 3, 2, 1. Granted 1623 by Wm. Segar.
Crest- A demi lion sable, ducally collared argent.

1. Edward COMB of Tisburie co. Com.
   1. + Allice sister of Barnaby LEWIS arm.
   2. William COMB of Norton Ferrers co. Som. living 1623
      1. + Isabel d. of Tho. SMITH of Bishopston Wilts.
      3. Michell aet. 20 [4]
      3. Thomas aet. 14
      3. Edward COMB s. and h. aet 19, 1623
      3. Isabel [3]
      4. + Edw. HAYWARD of Crowston in Bishopston.
      3. Margaret [1]
      4. + Will. HELME Rector of Bishopston and Bachelor in Theology.
      3. Jane [2]
      4. + Tho. COX of Tisburie.

Additional abt the above Combs Family is learned from Burke's Landed Gentry, 1937, extracted by Combs Researcher Vince Griffin from pp. 462-3:

COMBE of Oaklands Park

Edward COMBE, of Bridsor, in Tisbury, Wilts, (seated there in the 12^th year of Queen Elizabeth [ca1570]), and of Norton Ferrers Manor, Somerset; party to fine of lands at Dynton, Wilts, in 1593; m. (Before 1570) Alice, dau. Of Thomas LEWYS, of Matherne, Mon. and sister to Barnaby LEWYS, of Stock Gaylard, Dorset, and Wincanton Manor, Somserset, and had issue,

1. Thomas, of Chicksgrove, in Tisbury, bapt. 21 Aug. 1570; m. 1591, Mary, dau. of John DAVIES, of Tisbury, and sister to Sir John DAVIES, of Englefield, Berks, Attorney-General for Ireland, by whom he had an only dau., Joane; he was bur. 26 Sept. 1593.
2. William, of Norton Ferrers, of whom hereafter.
1. Elinor, m. at Tisbury, 10 May, 1589, William MOORE.
   Edward COMBE was bur. At Tisbury, 7 Oct. 1607, will proved (P.C.C.) 12 Feb. 1607-8. His younger son,
2. William COMBE, of Norton Ferrers Manor, in Kilmington, and Chicksgrove, in Tisbury, bapt. 6 March, 1577-8; Churchwarden of Kilmington, 1610; recorded his pedigree at the Visitation of Somerset in 1623. He was a noted Royalist, served on the Grand Jury at Salisbury(the so-called “Illegal Assizes”) in 1643, and was fined £150 for giving information against the Parliamentary party in 1645. He m. (before 1600) Isabel, dau. of Thomas SMITH, of Knighton Manor, in Bishopston, by Elizabeth his wife, dau. of Sir Edward PENRUDDOCK, of Compton Chamberlayne, Sheriff of Wilts 1597, and had issue,
1. Edward, of whom hereafter.
2. William, bapt. 16 Nov. 1606; d. young.
3. Thomas of Chicksgrove, bapt. 26 Oct. 1609, his estate was sequestered by the Parliamentary Committee in 1646; part to a fine of Norton Ferrers property in 1677. He m. (lic. 11 Oct. 1631) Mary, dau. of William HAYTER, of Teffont Evias, and had a son, Matthew, b. 1636, exor, of his grandfather's will in 1657.
4. John, bapt. 17 Nov. 1619, d. young.
1. Margaret, m. William HELME, B.D., Rector of Bishopston, Wilts.
2. Jane, m. 2 Feb. 1617-18, Thomas COX, of Linley, in Tisbury.
3. Isabel, m. Edward HAYWARD, of Crowston, in Bishopston.
4. Michal, b. 1603; m. 1631, Edward SHOARE, of Maiden Bradley, who served on the Grand Jury at Salisbury Assizes, with his father-in-lawe, in 1643.
   William COMBE d. 1654. His eldest son,
5. Edward COMBE, of Norton Ferrers Manor, and Netherhampton, Wilts, aged 19 in 1623; m. 1st, 3 Jan. 1627-8, Mary, eldest dau. of John FOYLE, of Shaftesbury, Dorset, and Kimpton Manor, Hauts Kimpton, Hants?], by whom (who was bur. 23 June, 1639) he had three sons, who d. in infancy, and four daus. He m. 2ndly, 28 March, 1641, Rebecca, elder dau. of Francis TOPPE, of Combe Bissett, Wilts, and sister to Sir Francis TOPPE, Bt., of Tormarton Manor, co. Glouc, and by her (d. 16 March, 1644-5) had further issue,
1. Edward, of whom hereafter.
2. William, b. 1643; party to fine of Norton Ferrers estate, with Elizabeth his wife, in 1675; appointed guardian to his two nephews in 1685.
   Mr. COMBE d. before 1664, and was s. by his eldest surv. son,
3. Edward COMBE, of Norton Ferrers Manor, and Combe Bissett, Wilts, b. 1642; mentioned in the will of his maternal uncle, sir Francis TOPPE, 1668; sold the greater part of the Norton Ferrers estate to John and Richard MADOX, and Sir Stephen FOX, in 1675 and 1677. He m. 1661 Elizabeth, dau. of John HANCOCK, J.P., of Combe Bissett, by Ursula his wife, dau. of William SYDENHAM, of Chilworthy [Chilworth, Hants?], and by her (who was bur. 31 Dec. 1680) he had issue.
   Mr. COMBE was bur. 22 Jan. 1684-5. His 4th son,
4. Edmund COMBE, of Grante Court, Lincoln's Inn [Inns of Court], and Hartley wintney, Hants, b. 16 Oct. 1677; m. 14 April, 1702, Katherine, dau. of Rev. Thomas PRETTY, Rector of Winchfield, by Ursula his wife, dau. And co-heir of Nicholas HARVEY, of Whittington, Staffs, by whom he had issue,

1. Matthew, b. 9 April, 1706; m. 1745, Hannah HAHN, widow; d.s.p. 1747.
2. Edmund, of Craven Street, Strand; adm. a Solicitor, Nov. 1733; m. (lic. 26 Dec. 1752) Mary EDWARDS, of Thame [Oxford], and d.s.p.m. 1793
3. Harvey, of New Inn, of whom hereafter.
1. Ursula, b. 1709; m. - MAYSON; living 1747.
   Mr. COMBE was bur. 20 June, 1754. His third son,
2. Harvey COMBE

Note: Norton Ferrers a.k.a. Norton-Ferris, is a hundred in the county of Somerset on the Wiltshire county line. Matherne, Monmouth, Wales, is abt

LaWarre/Warre Family, Somersetshire, 1623 (Page 115)

1. Robert LaWARRE
   1. + d. of KENTISBEARE
   2. Matthew WARRE serviens ad legem
      
      1. + Alice d. of Wm. DENBAULD
      3. John WARRE
         
         1. + d. and h. of John MERIET of Hestercombe
         4. Richard WARRE
            
            1. + Joane d. and h. of John ATWOOD by Gamilda s. and h. of Hen. PERRYHAYE
            5. Richard WARRE
               
               1. + Joane d. and h. of John COMBE of Dalwood in com. Dorset
               6. John WARRE
                  
                  1. + Joane d. of Walt. STAPLETON of Brashford
                  7. Robert WARRE
               6. Robert
                  
                  1. + Thomazine d. and h. of Tho. CHIPLEY

(See Also Combs Visitations)

Also, from: Burke's Family Records by Ashworth P. Burke, 1897, p 616:

WARE

Lineage.--Mathew WARRE, Serjeant-at-Law, was son of Robert LAWARRE, by his wife, the dau. and heir of Kentesbeere. He m. Alice, dau. of William DENBAULD, and left a son and heir,
John WARRE, who m. the dau. and heir of John MERIET, of Hestercombe, and by her had a son and heir,
Richard WARRE, of Hestercombe, m. Joan, dau. and heir of John ATWOODE, and by her had a son,
Richard WARRE, m Joan, dau. and heir of John COMBE, of Dalwood, Dorset, and by her had issue,
I. John, m. Joan, dau. of Walter STAPLETON, of Brushwood, and had a son, Robert, living 22 Henry VI, who m. Christian, sister of Richard HANGFORD, and had a son, Richard HANGFORD, and had a son, Richard, was m. Joan, dau. of Lord STURTON, and d.s.p. 22 Edward IV.
II. Robert, of whom presently.
III. William.

Notes: Re John ATWOOD, see also Nicholas ATWOOD who m Anne STRATFORD above, as well as Co Dorset, England and the Burroughs-Vassal-Weare Families. Need outside help with the SMITHS; i.e., SMITH Researchers. Combs still “confused”, let alone SMITH; however, given the Thomas Combs/Thomas SMITH of the Virginia Company, this may be an extremely important record, particularly given the following record in reference to both BARKLEY and SANDYS, even though much earlier. (See Also Combs Visitations)

Hestercomb, a hamlet in the parish of Kingston, hundred of Taunton and Taunton-Dean, county of Somerset, 3¼ miles NE of Taunton. Brashford and Brushwood not yet located.

Archdale-Combe-Gorges

Whitchurch a.k.a. Haselrigg

05 Mar 1656/7 - 01 Jun 1657 (P. C. C. Ruthin, 213) The Will of John GORGES of the Parish of St. Margaretts Westminster [London], co. Middlesex, Esquire includes bequest to son, Ferdinando of his “lands in White church als Haselrig, co. Somersett… (List Archives, Year: 1997, Message: 34440072.2439@erols.com)

Notes: Ferdinando GORGES, s/o John GORGES, and gs/o Sir Ferdinando GORGES, m 1660, St. Bride's, London, Mary ARCHDALE, d/o Thomas & Mary NEVILLE Archdale. (See next)

Long Ashton (and see Whitchurch)

Extracted by Combs Researcher Joe Kendalll from Somerset Parish Registers, Marriages, W.P.W. Phillimore, M.A., B.C.L. and E.H. Bates, M.A., rector of Puckington. v. IV; London 124 Chancery Lane 1902. Wraxall Marriages p. 130:

“Sr. Furdinando (sic) GORG (sic) de Kinterberrye (co. Devon), Knight, & Madam Elizabeth SMYTH de Long Aiston (co. Somersett,) w[idow]. 28 Sep. 1629”

18 Sep 1657 - 13 Jun 1659 The will of Dame Elizabeth GORGES of Long Ashton, co. Somersett, widdow, dated 18 September 1657, but proved in London 13 Jun 1659 by her grandson, Francis SMITH, stated that she desired to be interred in the parish Church of Long Ashton, and made bequests including “Vnto the poore of Longe Ashton and white Church, co. Somersett, £40. To sonne in law Sr. Thomas SMITH Knight a ring and my daughter the Lady Mary SMITH his wife a bason and Ewre. To my grandchilde Thomas SMYTH soone of my Sonne Thomas SMYTH late of Long Ashton Esquire deceased £200-whereof £128 was oweing by the said Thomas deceased and £72 by my daughter in law fflorence nowe wife of Thomas PIGGOTT Esquire. To Mr. Richard FFOSTER Clerke minister of Long Ashton £10. To my servants Margaret STEVENS £30, Thomas HAGGAR £20 and a debt oweing by Mr. Thomas SADLER of New Sar: gent', and every other servant one quarters wages. My grandchilde Francis SMYTH gent', sonne of Sr Thomas Residuary Legatee and Exor. My freinds John BUCKLAND of Westharptry Esquire and Thomas GORGES of Raxall Doctor of Divinity* Overs. Witnessed by Ann ROGERS, John PRICE and Henry PRICE. (P.C.C. Pell, 303) *Submitters Footnote: Dr. Thomas GORGES, D.D., son of Sir Edward GORGES, Knt., elder brother of Sir Ferdinando, was baptized at Wraxall, co. Somerset, 14 February, 1602-3, was Vicar of Wraxall, Archdeacon of Winton, and Prebend of Westminster. He died s.p., 12 December, 1667, and buried with his wife Frances DAYRELL (who ws widow of Robert HOVENDEN of Oxon) in south aisle of Westminster Abbey. (New England Historical Genealogical Register, 1900)

Ferdinando GORGES (s/o John & Mary and gs/o [the above-referenced?] Sir Ferdinando) m Mary ARCHDALE 22 May 1660, St. Bride's, London, the latter the d/o Thomas & Mary NEVILLE Archdale, and gd/o Richard & Judith THORPE Archdale, who was 1st cousin to Margaret ARCHDALE Combs of London. (See Archdale-Combs Families) Question: Was the above Sir Thomas SMITH kin to Sir Thomas SMYTHE, former treasurer of the Virginia Company; or to John SMYTH of Nibley (See Bristol) who, with Thomas Combs, were Virginia Company shareholders and also involved in the Berkeley Company of VA Colony? How does Dame Elizabeth manage to have a living son in law Thomas SMITH and also a son Thomas SMITH deceased? Was her grandson Francis SMITH the same or kin to the Sir Francis SMITH named in the 1612 will of John COMBE of Old Stratford, Co Warwick and/or the Francis & Alice SMITH whose daughter, Mary, married George WILLIS,* widower of Bridget YONGE (YOUNG), the step-sister of Thomas COMBE the younger of Stratford, Warwickshire? *See Also New Haven CT re Governor George WILLIS, the same. Also note the marriage of another (?) Thomas PIGGOT to Lettice LOVETT, d/o Robert & Penelope AYLETT Lovett, and niece of John and Elizabeth LOVETT Combe (See also Lovett Families for additional PIGGOT-PIGGOTT references)