Combs &c. Families
of Coombe Bissett, Wilts, England
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Coombe-Bissett, a parish in the hundred of Cawden and Cadworth, county of Wilts, 2.56 miles northeast of Bishopstone (Wilton) 3-1/2 miles southwest of Salisbury 9-1/2 miles southeast of Chilmark, and 10 miles southeast of Tisbury, in the patronage of the Prebendary of Coombe and Harnham in the Cathedral Church of Salisbury, received its distinguishing name from the family that formerly possessed it [Bissett]; the other arose from its situation in one of the narrow bourns, or combes, with which Salisbury plain is so frequently intersected." (Lewis...)
Contrary to Lewis' statement above, the James Logan Kendall manuscript states that "Ricardus de Cumbs and Fittleton, owned the Parish of Cumbe (now known as Combe-Bisset) in 1279," and that Combe-Bisset was "only a few miles south of Castle Combe that dates back to ca. 800."
The records collected for Fittleton thus far indicate that in 1280/1, Sir Richard de CUMB, Kt. was granted land in (1) Fittleton, described in 1293 as "a messuage and carucate of land held of the king in chief at fee farm," and a second messuage and 2 carucates of land, also held at fee farm, of the "prior of Neufmarche;" as well as (2) Cumb, a messuage and (one carucate), held of Sir John, Bishop of Winchester by knights fee; (3) Cumpton, a messuage and 6 bovates of land, held of the heirs of John de BREMMOR by knights fee; and a messuage and one carucate of land held by Sir Richard and his son, Richard, of Sir John LOVELL by service; and (4) Todeworth, a messuage and a carucate of land, also held by Sir Richard and his son, of Sir Henry de LACY, earl of Lincoln, also by knights fee. See Fittleton for more re Sir Richard, his possible ancestors and probable descendants. It has not been determined to which Castle Comb the author refers.
28 Mar 1641 "Edward COMBE, of Norton Ferrers Manor, and Netherhampton, Wilts, son of William and Isabel SMITH Combe of same, aged 19 in 1623; m. 1st, 3 Jan. 1627-8, Mary, eldest dau. of John FOYLE, of Shaftesbury, Dorset, and Kimpton Manor,
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..." (Combs &c. Visitations)
1661 Edward COMBE, of Norton Ferrers Manor, and Combe Bissett, Wilts, son of Edward and Rebecca TOPPE Combe, married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Ursula SYDENHAM Hancok, J.P., of Combe Bissett. (Visitations)
1668Edward COMBE, of Norton Ferrers Manor, and Combe Bissett, Wilts, son of Edward and Rebecca TOPPE Combe, was named in the will of his maternal uncle, sir Francis TOPPE... (Visitations)
