Combs - Miscellaneous Records

This page contains numerous miscellaneous records that the author found in the course of his research.  The author was unable to "pin" these individuals to any particular Combs family member.  Those found in Wilkes County records would all likely descend from Philip Combs, Sr., the Revolutionary Soldier.

John Combs, Wilkes County, GA Militia, 1789
This likely is John Combs the son of Philip Combs, Sr. but could easily be a grandson of Philip

John Combs, Wilkes County, GA Militia 1793
Possibly John Combs the son of Philip Combs, Sr. but might be a grandson of Philip

John Combs, Wilkes County, 1795
This is likely John Combs the Revolutionary War soldier
The Augusta Chronicle, May 23, 1795

John Combs, Wilkes or Oglethorpe County, 1796
Likely John Combs the Rev. War soldier
Augusta Chronicle, July 2, 1796

The only record that the author found for a Combs owning land near or on Kettle Creek is a John S. Combs in 1841.  Note the names of Chenoth Peteet, Thomas Truitt, Seaborn Hammock and Thomas R. Eidson. Who is the father of this John?  Who is his mother?  Is he the son of the John Combs that married Patsy Hammock in 1811? 

John S. Combs, Wilkes County, GA
News and Planters' Gazette, January 28, 1841

WAR OF 1812
The author is uncertain about the ancestry of the Littleberry Combs, Nathaniel Combs, William Combs and John S. Combs whose names can be found as serving in the War of 1812 for the state of Georgia.  John and Nathaniel might be closely related - they served in the same regiment.  John's widow (Mary Ann) can be found living in Putnam County, Georgia in 1878 where she applied for his pension.  A William F. Combs can be found living in Henry County, Georgia by 1871 where he applied for a pension.  These men are likely descendants of Philip Combs, Sr. (RS).

William Combs, War of 1812, Georgia

Littleberry Combs, War of 1812, Georgia

Nathaniel Combs, War of 1812, Georgia

John S. Combs, War of 1812, Georgia

Mary Ann Combs, widow of John S. Combs, War of 1812

William Combs, War of 1812, Pension

There was an Ensign/Captain John Combs that was killed at the Battle of Cowpens (Revolutionary War).  This soldier was from Fauquier County Virginia.  He was part of Triplett's Battalion (Major Francis Triplett).
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Bobby Gilmer Moss lists a William Combs that fought at Kings Mountain (Revolutionary War).  He enlisted while in Wilkes County, Georgia per Moss.  Is this a typo?  Did he enlist while living in Wilkes County, NC?  He supposedly died in Sullivan County, TN which would fit better with him being from Wilkes County, NC.  (Sullivan County, TN is very close to Wilkes County, NC.)
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There was a John Combs that died intestate in 1862.  George Platt was the administrator of his estate.  He is shown to have been 25 years old on the 1860 census living in Lexington, Oglethorpe County, GA.

John Combs of Massachusetts

One of the more interesting Combs records found in regard to the Civil War is that of the Confederate soldier Private John W. Combs.  He enlisted at Atlanta in the 6th Georgia Infantry, Company K and died at Richmond in 1862 from a bullet wound in the thigh received at the Battle of Cold Harbor (Gaines Mill/Seven Days Battle).  Note that this unit was the first unit mustered from Georgia.

John was from Massachusetts (Worcester?) and before the war it appears that he was a legal clerk for Judge George Fisk Platt who was from Connecticut.  George was the executor of John W. Combs' estate.  Both men are shown living in Lexington, Oglethorpe County Georgia on the 1860 census.  Judge Platt was a wealthy man. 

Another interesting coincidence is that Judge Platt is buried in the Lexington Presbyterian Church's cemetery where the author's paternal great-great grandparents, Anselm S. Jackson and his wife Daisy/Dorie/Dovie Combs and their son Philip T. Jackson are buried.  Philip T. Jackson was also a soldier in Company K, 6th Georgia Infantry and he too died during that war (1861).  Philip Jackson was likely named after his paternal ancestor Philip Combs.

Another question that occurred to the author: Why would a 26 year old man from Massachusetts enlist to fight for the Confederacy? Perhaps it was not because he was a racist as we have been told about Confederates but because he believed in the cause of Southern independence? 

Private John W. Combs

(Fold3)

Private John W. Combs
(Southern Watchman)

Judge George F. Platt
(Newspapers.com)

TELFAIR FAMILY

The author has not found any familial ties between the Combs and Telfair families however it would appear that Philip Combs, Sr. lived somewhat close to Governor Edward Telfair's son Thomas in Wilkes County.  Thomas' widow Margaret Long Telfair [1] is shown on the 1820 census living very close to Philip and also the author's Staples and Pinkston ancestors.  Margaret Long Telfair was the daughter of Col. Nicholas Long of Wilkes County.  

From Gov. Gilmer's book "Georgians"

For more interesting reading about the old south and Wilkes County, see the book "Mary Telfair to Mary Few.  Selected Letters 1802-1844" edited by Betty Wood.  Mary Telfair was the spinster daughter of Gov. Edward Telfair.   Mary gave much time and money to the Georgia Historical Society including her very large Savannah home which is still used by the GHS.

MODERN DAY COMBSES WHO LEFT THEIR MARK

One of the most famous of the modern day Combs family is the tv personality and racer Jessi Combs who was killed in 2019 at age 39 when she lost control of her jet powered car while attempting a land speed record in the Alvord Desert of Oregon.  The author traced her Combs ancestry to Kentucky which likely places her line from Virginia as well.

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[1] Not to be confused with Gov. Edward Telfair's daughter Margaret Telfair.

This page was created on 2/24/2025