Combs &c. Families of Fayette Co, PA	Southwest Pennsylvania, 1796

Last updated
You are Our Visitor.
Please Email Additions/Corrections to Webmaster

Fayette County was organized from Westmoreland County in 1783; Westmoreland from Bedford in 1773; and Bedford from Cumberland in 1771. In 1784, Fayette gained additional land from Westmoreland. Land in Southwest Pennsylvania had long been disputed by both Maryland and Virginia (possibly including what would become Fayette?), but in 1786, Virginia formally terminated her claims to jurisdiction. Combs are known to have been in present-day Fayette Co PA as early as 1769, thus records must be traced back through these parent counties.

Of the Combs Families in Fayette County, all appear to have had ties to Loudoun County, Virginia; and some to Coombs Fort of the Tonoloways Settlement in present-day Fulton County, PA (then Cumberland & Bedford Cos, PA and disputed by Frederick Co, MD).

Note: Some of the Combs later moved on to Clark County, Indiana directly, whereas others removed first to Nelson County, Kentucky (with some of these also moving on to Clark County later); others moved on to Randolph County, Indiana via Holmes and Montgomery Counties, Ohio. There are also connections between the Fayette and Bedford County, Pennsylvania Combs, including in regard to the Combs of Combs Fort (on the Bedford PA -Frederick County, Maryland state line. See Combs &c. Families of the Tolonoways' Settlement) as well as to some later Westmoreland Combs.

Researcher Bob Combs notes that several Joseph COMBS resided in Fayette Co PA in the late 1700s and early 1800s, although all were not in the same townships. In addition to the Joseph COMBS who lived and died in Georges Twp (d 1803), were also one or more Joseph COMBS in Franklin/ Washington, and Springhill Townships. Unfortunately, earlier tax records for Springhill Twp. are not extant (unavailable?) according to courthouse staff. (See also Below)

Also Note: Unless otherwise noted, the following entries per Combs Researcher Bob Combs. Some entries below are "temporary place-holders" while ongoing research takes place both on and off the Combs Research List. We have included the additional data so as to alert others that research of the Combs & Combs-Associated Families of Fayette Co, PA remains Very Much Under Construction.

17 Apr 1769 - 18 Apr 1770 (Abstracted by Combs Researcher Robert George from LaFayette, Jan 1982, pg 5, Fayette County Warrent Bk 1) Mark HARDIN, 303 ½ acres located on the waters of Georges Cred in Springfield [sic?] Twp, Fayette County, adjoining lands of Joseph COMBS, and others. Surveyed 18 Apr 1770 on order #3084 17 Apr 1769

17 Apr 1769 Fayette Co, PA Survey Book A, p. 47. Joseph COMBS, "Indian Fort" 284 1/2 Ac.

(Abstracted by Combs Researcher Thom Mont)

Joseph COMBS' land is further identified by the following:

May 1770 - 1825(Fayette Co PA Survey Map, Springhill Twp) Joseph COMBS, Springhill Twp. survey, 282 acres surveyed in May 1770 and is listed as the "Indian Fort". It is patented in three parcels, first in 1790 to Joseph SUTTON, then in 1817 to Sarah MASTERSON, and last in 1825 to Phillip & Samuel DAVIS …

(See deed below for sale of part).

Note: Neighboring land owners are: John HARDIN Sr., Benjamin HARDIN, Mark HARDIN, John HARDIN, Martin HARDIN, William HARVEY, James NEAL, David MORGAN, William WATKINS, & Thomas BATTIN. (all these tracts surveyed btwn. Nov. 1769 and May 1770).

1 Dec 1773 Fayette Co, PA Deed Book A. Deed. Joseph COMBS of Loudon County VA to John MASTERSON of Westmoreland County PA. Half of a tract of land surveyed by Alexander McCLANES 23 May 1770 … dated 17 Apr 1769.

(Combs Researcher Thom Mont)

05 Dec 1773 - 27 Nov 1790 (Fayette Co., PA Book A, page 354, item 434)

Know all men by these presents that I Joseph COMBS of Loudan County in the colony of Virginia have bargin'd sold and by these presence do deliver to John MASTERSON of Westmoreland County in Pennsylvania, a part or half of a tract of land surveyed by ( SHORT & McLANE?) the 23rd day of May 1770 by order of survey (…torn out…) 3087 dated the 17th day of April 1769. For and in consideration of forty five pounds to me in hand paid, and with the receipt hereof I acknowledge myself fully satisfied and do warnt and defend the same from me, my heirs, executors, administrators, and from all persons that shall or may lay right claim or challenge thereson, the lord of the soul excepted, and to John MASTERSONS, his heirs and assigns the above land containing one hundred and fo (…torn…) nine acres and a half (……torn out………) according to the laws of the province as witness my hand and seal this 5th day of December 1773.
s/Joseph COMBS (S.S.).
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of Jack NEALL , Abel? McPHERSON.

Fayette County: Personally appeared this day, Alexander McPHERSON before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace of Common Pleas in aforesaid county and being duly qualified according to law, on his solemn affirmation declareth that he did see the within named Joseph COMBS sign, seal and deliver the within Bill of Sale or instrument of writing as his act and (declared) he the said McPHERSON being one of the subscribing witnesses, witness my my hand & seal this 27th day of November 1790. Robert RICHEY (S.S.)

(Transcribed by Combs Researcher Bob Combs)

14 Feb 1778 Westmoreland County Book A-1 Deed. Joseph (X) COMES of Loudon County Virginia to James SUTTON of Springhill Twp, Westmoreland County, PA for L250 PA currency. COMES sells his right to an application received in the land office in April of 1769 for taking up 300 acres on Georges Creek adjoining Captain John HARDIN… and others… one half of said land already having been sold to John MASTERSON; the remainder being 144 1/2 acres… Wit (included): Robert RITCHIE

(Combs Researcher Thom Mont)

Notes: In 1778, Robert RICHIE witnessed the sale of land by Joseph COMES of Loudon County VA to James DUTTON [SUTTON?] (Wills and Administrations of Fayette County) - land which had been patented to Joseph in 1769 as Indian Fort and surveyed by Alexander McLEAN: half sold to John MASTERSON in 1773, the other half sold to DUTTON 1778 (Fayette County deed Book A). This makes the picture look suspiciously like the Coombs' of Fort Coombs Bedford Co Ayr Township (which site is located and landmarked near Warfordsburg PA) in the 1750s were drifting into Loudon County (Andrew and Samuel) in the 1760s, with Joseph and his kids moving into Fayette County by the 1770s (mt. Moriah records), with Joseph Jr having stayed in Loudon for a time with his cousins and/or uncles (1778).

25 Jun 1782. Married: “John COOMBS- First son of Joseph and Ann COOMBS, - Born Nov. 5, 1754.” and “Rachel PINDELL - Only daughter of Phillip and Rachel PINDELL (his wife). Born Feb. 28, 1762 Married June 25, 1782.”

(Family Bible of John and Rachel PINDELL Combs)

Notes: John COMBS “appears to have been” the s/o Joseph COMBS of Georges Twp. who d in 1803 with a wife, Ann, and son, John (who lived next door)

25 March 1784 (Abstracted by Combs Researcher Robert George from LaFayette, Oct 81, pg 1, Fayette County Deeds) Deed to Philip ROGER Sr, Georges Twp to land bordering that of Joseph COMBS and others.

Notes: Was the land also in Georges Twp. or only Philip ROGERS, Sr.?

23 Apr 1784 (Fayette Co PA Records) Joseph COMBS Jr. Letters [of administration] granted 23 Apr 1784 to Rachel COMBS and Jesse COMBS of Georges Twp, Fayette Co. Penn. Suretys Joseph COMBS Sr. and Robert RICHEY Esq. of Georges Twp. Yeoman. Witnesses Richard BROWN Jr. and Moses SUTTON.

(Combs Researcher Ray Montgomery)

23 Apr 1784 (Fayette Co, PA Wills and Bonds) Joseph COMBS Jr. Letters [of administration] granted 23 Apr 1784 to Rachel COMBS and Jesse COMBS of Georges Twp. Bond 250 pounds. Sureties Joseph COMBS Sr and Robert RITCHIE Esq of Georges Twp, yomen. Witnesses: Richard BROWN Jr, Moses SUTTON

(Extracted by Combs Researcher Robert George from LaFayette, Apr 1981, pg 7, Administrative Abstracts, Fayette County Wills & Bonds)

Notes: Both sources included due to slight variations in spelling. Rachel WARFORD was the widow of Joseph COMBS, Jr., s/o Joseph COMBS, Sr. d 1803; and Jesse, her brother-in-law. Jesse is next found on the 1785 Nelson Co, KY Tax Lists.

11 Jun 1784 Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Georges Twp., Fayette Co, PA. Ann COOMBS is received into the Mt. Moriah Church from Connoway (Tonoloway) Baptist Church of Tonoloways, Bedford Co, PA

(Membership records, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Georges Township, Fayette Co. 1784-1811, as printed in the WESTERN PA. GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY, Vol. 6 #1)

Notes: This is thought to have been Ann, w/o Joseph COOMBS II (d 1803, Georges Twp.)

12 Sep 1784 Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Georges Twp. Rachel COOMBS, Jeremiah SUTTON and Margaret SUTTON received “by letter”.

(Membership records, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Georges Township, Fayette Co. 1784-1811, as printed in the WESTERN PA. GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY, Vol. 6, # 2 Nov. 1979).

TM Notes: The SUTTONS were from the original Monangahelia County of VA (not far from Loudon, now area of W. VA. plus parts of VA and PA and Ohio). Rachel is probably Rachel WARFORD, widow of Joseph COOMBS III…

30 Oct 1784. Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Georges Twp. officially constituted. Original membership list included Joseph COOMBES, deceased, Ann COOMBES, discharged, and Rachel COOMBES.v(Membership list, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Georges Township, Fayette Co. 1784-1811, as printed in the WESTERN PA. GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY, Vol. 6 #1.)

Notes: Probably Joseph COOMBS III, his mother and his wife?

Mount Moriah Baptist Church was originally a branch of the Bethel Baptist Church of Uniontown. On the 30th of October 1784, it was constituted an independent church with twenty-seven members, viz.:… Ann COOMBS,… Jesse COOMBS (History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men / edited by Franklin Ellis; L.H. Everts & Co., 1882; hereinafter “Ellis' History of Fayette County…”, page 574)

8-29 Mar 1786 Fayette Co, PA Land Surveys and Warrants. COMBS, Joseph. Date of warrant — 8 Mch 1786. 350 acres. Location — George Twp. Date of Original Survey — 29 Mch 1786. Record of Original Survey V.3 p.20. Additional Notes — Lewis Survey V. 2 p.117. Gilmore Survey V.7 p.45

(Abstracted by Combs Researcher Denise Mortorff from LDS Film 0861081, Fayette County, PA Surveys & Warrants for Land, 1769-)

See Horn Book vol. III, map of Thomas REED's plantation in Georges Township, Fayette County, PA. William REED s/o Thomas married Sarah Combs d/o Joseph Combs. Submitted by Neil Reed.

23 Aug 1786 - 5 Mar 1787 Fayette Co, PA Land Surveys and Warrants. Joseph COMBS Date of Warrant— 23 Aug 1786 (2 entries 300 acres under same name) Location: Franklin & Washington. Original Warrants File C 34-176. Date of Original Survey 5 Mch 1787. Record of Original Survey Vol. 4 p.64. Date of Warrant — not given. Location — On Grassy Run. Original Warrants File C Item 19. Date of Original Survey 23 Mch 1770. Name of Survey — “Indian Fort”. Record of Original Survey — Vol. 1 p.47. Comments — "Surveyed on Order Survey 3087 dated April 17, 1769

(Abstracted by Combs Researcher Denise Mortorff from LDS Film 0861081, Fayette County, PA Surveys & Warrants for Land, 1769-)

23 Aug 1786 - 04 Jun 1806 (Fayette Co, PA Records, Franklin & Washington Twps)

Joseph COMBS of Fayette Co. PA obtained a survey of 300 acres of land Aug. 23, 1786 which had been already surveyed for George BROWN on a survey order #1716 dtd. Apr. 3, 1769 and was noted as being disputed by John PIERSAL The warrant is noted that Interest on payment of purchase to commence from the "First day of August 1768" [BC: was this the date of Joseph COMBS ownership claim?]. The surveyors field notes situate this land on Washingtons Mill Run; Adjacent land owners per survey are: Genl. George WASHINGTON, Zachariah DAVIS, William WILSON, Eleazer BROWN, and John PIERSALL or John Augustus WASHINGTON. Nearby owners are: James PURVIANCE, Nathan BROWN, Edward CHAMBERS, John BISHOP, Elizabeth RANKIN, Joseph ESSINGTON, Joseph WETZEL, Archibald GAYLEY, John REED, Robert LYNCH, Thomas BROWN, James HOLMES, John HOLMES, & Margaret BROWN. Joseph COMBS signed and sealed a testament June 4, 1806 certifying he had obtained a PA land warrant Aug. 23, 1786 leading to a patent for 300 acres in Franklin & Washington Twps. on behalf of the heirs of Michael MARTIN (dec'd.).

(Combs Researcher Bob Combs who adds: This land later became part of Perry Twp., Fayette Co., PA (See also below))

Note: As is indicated in later records (below), Washington's Mill Run was the land of General (later President) George WASHINGTON who had a documented, long-standing relationship with the Combs and Ashby Families of Stafford and Frederick Cos VA. See also Nathan BROWN of Loudoun Co VA in 1823 Loudoun Co, VA record with Joseph COMBS of Franklin Twp., Fayette Co PA; and Wayne (Holmes) OH, as well as to Montgomery Co, Ohio.

11 May 1787 - 2 Sep 1787 Edward COMBS witnessed the will of Obadiah TRUAX dated 11 May 1787.

(Abstracted by Combs Researcher Robert George from LaFayette, Oct 1981, pg 5, Fayette Co Will Abstracts)

11 Jun 1787 Deed Abstracts of Fayette Co. Bk A… James COBUN (also COBURN) of Monogalia [Monongalia] County, Virginia, to John PEARSALL. Price: 30 pounds Virginia currency. Land: A tract in Fayette Co. in the forks of a run which General WASHINGTON'S mill stands, being a branch of the Yogohania River, adjoining and above the lands of a certain (COMES?) (Who?) Married the Widow MARTIN now lives on, which COBURN held by virtue of his improvement made thereon in 1767. Witness: Sameul HANWAY and Thomas (LAIDLEY?).

(Extracted by Combs Researcher Bob George from LaFayette, Oct 1984 pg 2, Deed Abstracts Fayette Co Deed Bk A)

BC Note: The original deed needs to be checked for spellings, acreage, etc.)

Note: Given the proximity of George WASHINGTON'S mill, presumably this is Joseph of Franklin Twp. Also presumably, the “widow MARTIN” whom Joseph COMBS had married was the widow of Michael MARTIN, deceased, of the above record? Do we know more about her? What was her given name (for starters)?

March Term 1789 Civil Docket, Fayette County Court. … -20 Elijah KERR vs Edward COOMBS Foreign Attachment Debt.

(Extracted by Combs Researcher Robert George from LaFayette, Oct 1986 pg 7)

SW: CARR

1 May 1791 Big Redstone Church, Franklin Twp., Fayette Co, PA Re the membership of Big Redstone Church in Franklin Township, Fayette County: “…The church at Big Redstone, called Philadelphia, was constituted May 1, 1791, by Rev. David LOOFBORROW… "The following are the names of the members regularly baptized and joined in fellowship and communion: Henry FRAZER, minister and pastor of the Philadelphia Church; William RITTENSHOUSE, deacon and recorder; Thomas WELLS, Deacon; William CALVIN, singing clerk. Joseph DOUGINS, Thomas WHEATLEY, Samuel CRALLE, John STIVERS, David BRENER, Henry FRITZ, James WINDERS, Abraham LAVERD, Benjamin PHILLIPS, Job ROSSEL, Joseph JORDAN, Richard ARNOLD, Andrew YEAGLEY, Joseph COMBS, Mathias MERRIL, Job LECRAW, Joel ROGERS, John OLTON, Abraham ROGERS, John GIBSON, Christopher WARMAN, Robert ROGERS, Brazilla ROSSEL, Jonathon ADIDIS, Isaac WHEATLEY, Hugh SHOTWELL, Isaac UPDEGRAF, Joseph WHEATLEY, Rachel MOONEY, Rebecca RITTENHOUSE, Abigail LEVERD, Susannah WELLS, Margaret GRABLE, Alice BROWN, Martha HAMSTIDE, Martha STIVERS, Euphemia BREWER, Sarah PHILLIPS, Patience WILDERMAN, Jane FITZ, Francis BOUGHMAN, Ann DANIELSON, Mary ROSSEL, Phoebe FRASER, Ann MERRIL, Ann ARNOLD, Mary CALVIN, Margaret FITZ, Priscilla ARNOLD, Nelly ARNOLD, Elizabeth WHITSEL, Sarah YEAGLEY, Elizabeth BELL, Mary FITZ, Sarah WHITSELL, Prudence LECRAU, Sarah EMMONS, Lydia SHARP, Elizabeth COMBS, Elizabeth HILANDS, Mary ROSSEL, Millie ROGERS, Chloe LOGEAR, Lavina ROGERS, Delilah THOMPSON, Elizabeth ROSSEL, Tamsel SPENCER, Polly ROGERS, Hopey ROGERS, Rebecca ABRAHAMS, Sarah WOOLEY, Sarah DALAUF, Nelly OLIPHANT, Mary UPDEGRAF, Hannah WHEATLEY….”

(Excerpted by Combs Researcher Thom Montgomery from “Ellis' History of Fayette County… p. 559)

Notes: Who was Elizabeth? Has she been located in other records of Fayette Co, PA? Is there a possible connection to Robert & Margaret LOOFBORROW Combs who m 15 Dec 1753, Woodbridge, New Jersey? Or is this Joseph & Elizabeth HARRISON Combs (who in 1790 were of Loudoun Co, VA when they sold land in Fauquier Co, VA)? Are there extant records to determine 1st year that Joseph & Elizabeth appeared in records of the Big Redstone Baptist Church?

22 Mar 1794 (Extracted by Combs Researcher Robert George from "Will Abstracts Fayette County Will Bk 1-1, LaFayette, Apr 1982, pg 5) Williams COMBS and Joseph (x) COMBS witnessed the will of Johathan REES of Georges Twp .

[SW: Jonathan REESE]

9 Sep 1797 Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Georges Twp. William COOMBES joined

(Membership records, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Georges Township, Fayette Co. 1784-1811, as printed in the WESTERN PA. GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY, Vol. 6 #1)

11-11-1797 Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Georges Twp. "heard the experiences of Sarah TAYLOR, Elizabeth HALL, William CASTO and Joseph COOMBES. Baptized Wednesday following."

(Membership records, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Georges Township, Fayette Co. 1784-1811, as printed in the WESTERN PA. GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY, Vol. 6 #1)

4-7-1798 Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Georges Twp. Wm. COOMBES, Susannah ANDOVER, and Bro. HUCHINS "request their dismissal."

(Membership records, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Georges Township, Fayette Co. 1784-1811, as printed in the WESTERN PA. GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY, Vol. 6 #1)

Important: All Records collected for this county may not have been added here as yet. See also the Combs Research List Archives