Was her name Daisy, Dory or Dovie and who were her parents?
Note: Please refer to the Descendants of Philip Combs tree HERE that the author has created - using it will make it easier to follow the narrative below.
The author's paternal great-great grandmother was Daisy/Dovie/Dory Combs who married Anselm S. Jackson in 1832 in Wilkes County, Georgia. As of today, the author has been unable to find any document that proves her parentage so what is presented below are bits and pieces of research without any definitive conclusion regarding her parentage. However, it is safe to say that she was almost certainly a descendant of Philip Combs, Sr, the Revolutionary War soldier who was granted land in Wilkes County where he took up residence shortly after that war ended. Philip appears to be the man from whom all of the Wilkes County, GA COMBS descend. Sorting out all of his descendants is difficult due to a lack of records and also due to having records that are confusing since there were several Combs men with the same name from different generations: Philips, Johns and Thomases. For example, Philip the Rev. War soldier had a son named Philip and a son named John and it appears that both of these sons may have also had sons named Philip and John.
Returning now to Daisy, other than her marriage record to Anselm and her obituary posted in a newspaper, no definitive records seem to exist for her. Her husband Anselm is listed in a few records, but no records that positively associate her with a specific Combs family. Based on later censuses (1850+) she was born about 1810. Her first name might give us a clue since Daisy was often used as a nickname for Margaret. And there are a few records for a Margaret Combs who was a widower (married a Combs). We also can look at the 1830 census for Combs men who had daughters of marrying age by 1832. We can also look at records for Anselm Jackson around the 1832 time period which might provide us with some associations that might have brought him in close contact with Daisy. What if her name wasn't Daisy? What if it was Dory? What if Daisy/Dory was a sort of nickname? Her middle initial was E which was used in several documents - what did that E stand for? Was it Elizabeth? Emily? She named her first daughter Elizabeth. Philip Combs, Jr's wife's name was Elizabeth (Eidson).
Age - Per the various censuses, her birth year is about 1809-1810. This would have made her about 22-23 when she married Anselm. This is certainly old enough for her to have been married previously. See below.
Name - On her marriage record, her name is listed as Daisy. On the 1850 census, it is shown to be Doovy E. On the 1860 census, her name is listed as Dory E. On the 1880 census, her name is shown to be Dovey. Dovie/Dovey might be a nickname for Deborah. Daisy is a common nickname for Margaret. Daisy's oldest daughter was named Elizabeth so likely the E stood for Elizabeth. So, is her correct name Margaret Elizabeth Combs?
Children - Daisy and her husband Anselm had several sons and daughters. Their first born son was named John, possibly named for his paternal grandfather John Jackson. Their 2nd born son was named Philip which clearly points to a namesake in the Combs family line. Their 3rd born son (my ancestor) was named William Barnett Jackson, presumably his namesake was the Rev War soldier William Barnett. On the 1830 census, William Barnett is shown to be a close neighbor to Philip Combs the son of Philip (RS). And on the 1840 census, William Barnett is living close to Philip F. Combs, the grandson of Philip (RS) through his son Philip. Philip F. Combs had a son named George Combs. George died in 1862 but he is shown on the 1860 census living in the household of Patrick Barnett. Patrick was the son of William Barnett, the Revolutionary War soldier. Patrick is buried in the Smyrna Methodist church cemetery - the church of the Talbot family and there is a church record that indicates some Combs family members are buried there as well.
Based on names alone, one might come to the conclusion that Daisy was the sister of Philip F. Combs, both children of Philip, son of Philip (RS).
Marriage - Daisy and Anselm were married by Hezekiah Luckie Embry, who was either a Methodist or Baptist minister. On the 1830 census Hezekiah is living in District 176 near the families of Flynt, Fouche, Chivers and Pinkston. There are no Combs families living nearby. However, on the 1840 census Hezekiah is still shown in the same district living near many of the same families but we now find a John Combs, Sr. shown living close by. This John is the Revolutionary War soldier, son of Philip the Rev. war soldier. John's age is listed as 70-80. On the 1830 census, this John is shown living in District 175 with his son Philip. It is presumed that John moved after his son Philip relocated to Powder Springs, Georgia. Anselm Jackson and his wife Daisy Combs are not shown on the 1840 census.
Note that Philip F. Combs was also married in 1832 by the same preacher (HL Embry). Daisy married in October and Philip married in September.
SOME CENSUS INFORMATION PERTINENT TO DAISY's ANCESTRY
1820 Census
We have six Combs families shown living in Wilkes County: Milly, John, Enoch, Thomas and three Philips. All of these families are listed fairly close together on the census - Pages 312-328. If we base our birth date of Daisy to have been 1809-1810, Milly, Enoch, John (RS) and Philip Sr.(RS) have children living in their households of the age range to have been Daisy. Milly is short for Permelia, and she is the widow of James who was the son of Philip, RS. John and Enoch are sons of Philip (RS).
So we have the following potential fathers of Daisy:
- Philip (RS)
- James, son of Philip (RS). His wife was Milly/Permelia
- John, son of Philip (RS)
- Enoch, son of Philip (RS)
1830 Census
Now, turning to the 1830 census, two years before Daisy marries her future husband Anselm Jackson, which of the Combs men listed on the 1820 census still show females living in their household of the correct age to have been Daisy? Daisy would now be about 20-21 years old. We know that Philip (RS) died about 1827 and his Will was handled by his son Philip Jr. (see footnotes) Men that remain on the census are Philip the son of John (RS) and Philip son of Philip (RS) and a new listing for a Patsy Combs - all of whom are shown to have females living in their households of the right age to be Daisy.
So we have the following potential fathers of Daisy and
- Philip, son of John (RS)
- Philip, son of Philip (RS)
- Patsy, possible widow of John, son of ?
At this point in time (1830) we should also look at the whereabouts of her future husband Anselm Jackson. He is not listed on the 1830 census but his mother Jane Jackson is listed living in District 166 and he is probably one of the 3 males living with her (aged 15-29). We know that District 166 was in the very western portion of Wilkes County and it encompassed the Rayle community. This census has the names of Bethany Callaway, Enoch Callaway and Reuben Strozier. The Callaways are also the author's paternal ancestors and it is a known fact that they lived just north of the Rayle community. Reuben Strozier is the son of the Rev. War soldier Johan Peter Strozier (German immigrant) and his wife Margaret. Reuben married Pheriby Callaway, daughter of John Callaway and Bethany Arnold.
Now, does this place Anselm Jackson living near any Combs families in 1830? There is little doubt that Anselm Jackson lived in the Rayle Community or very close to it. Looking at the census we find a Mary Combs and a Patsy Combs living in District 171 which encompassed the Rayle community and both of these women had females old enough to marry; However, if we use the birth year estimate for Daisy of 1809-1811 from the censuses, neither one of these women has a daughter that fits that age.
On the 1830 census, only Philip Jr. (son of Philip, RS), Philip (son of John, RS) and Enoch have daughters that fit the estimated age of Daisy. Philip Jr. and his brother Enoch are living close together in District 174 and Philip (son of John,RS) is living near his father in District 174. According to the map of the militia districts, D174 and D175 are not adjoining D171.
What are we do make of this? Well, looking at the list of close neighbors of Philip and Enoch in D174, we find the following names: William Smallwood, Herbert Reviere, Edward Waller, William Eidson, Elisha Smallwood, Thomas Talbot, and William Barnett (RS).
Now, note that there is a Thomas R. Eidson listed on the last page of this district: He is incorrectly indexed as living in District 166 but he clearly is enumerated in District 175. This is page 308 of the census and page 309 is the continuation of District 175. Interestingly, on page 309 are the names Philip Combs and John Combs. These men I believe are son and father. This is John Combs the Revolutionary War soldier (son of Philip Combs, the Rev War soldier who died about 1827) and his son Philip. Both of these men later moved to Powder Springs, Georgia where John died in 1850. (Philip can be found on the 1840+ censuses living in Powder Springs). John has 1 female age 30-39 living in his household. Philip has 1 female, possibly 2, old enough to marry by 1832. We know that censuses are not always exact when it comes to age.
So, the way that this census is enumerated, it is likely that Anselm Jackson lived fairly close to Philip and John Combs even though they were in different militia districts: Jane Jackson is enumerated on page 307 and Philip and John Combs are enumerated on page 309. One cannot ignore geographic coincidences during this time period because this is how families came to know one another due to limited travel; However, it is obvious from the author's research that these families are related with marriages between them occurring before they arrived in Wilkes County, GA.
1827 Land Lottery
This lottery may be one of the most interesting with respect to determining the parents of Daisy. On this lottery record is the name Captain Philip Combs, Jr. We know that Philip Combs Sr. (RS) died about 1827 so this is likely his son Philip Combs, Jr. What is most interesting is that he is shown living near Mathew Favor, Enoch Callaway and Francis Colley. We know that Enoch lived near the Rayle Community and Enoch Callaway and Mathew Favor are both living in District 166 on the 1830 census. District 166 and District 171 adjoin one another and the Rayle Community more or less lies right on the border of these Districts. As noted above, if one looks at the 1830 census for District 171, we find not only a Patsy and a Mary Combs, we also find Jane Jackson, the mother of Anselm Jackson who in 1832 marries Daisy/Dovie/Dory Combs.
1832 Land Lottery
In this land lottery we have our first notation for Anselm Jackson. He won a draw while living in Lunceford's District. Lunceford's District was in fact all or part of District 171 which encompassed the Rayle Community. In addition to Anselm, we have some interesting entries for the following names all living in Lunceford's District: Margaret Combs (widow), Thomas R. Combs (orphans of), Patsy Combs (widow), John Combs (orphans of), Enoch Combs, Mary Combs (widow) and Thomas Combs (orphans of). Also on this lottery shown living in the same district is Margaret Strozier (widow). Who are these Combs families? Margaret is likely the widow of Thomas R. Combs. Prior to marrying Thomas R. Combs, she was married to Thomas Eudaly. Her maiden name might have been Dickey. Thomas R. Combs was likely the son of John Combs (RS). Mary Combs was the widow of Thomas Combs who probably was the son of James son of Philip (RS). Patsy is probably the widow of John but there were at least 2 Johns: John the son of James and John the son of John the Rev war soldier. Most likely, Patsy was the widow of John the son of John as it appears that this John died about 1828.
Tax Digests
Now, let's look at a few tax records. Note that only property owners would be listed on the tax digests.
- Based on the 1832 land lottery record above, we have several Combs' living in Lunceford's District; However, only the 1829 Tax Digest for Lunceford's District lists any Combs families: Thomas R. Combs and orphans of John Combs. The 1830-1832 Tax Digests for Lunceford's District do not show any Combs.
- On the 1834 tax digest for Carter's district, we have Anselm Jackson and a Philip Combs listed. We also have H.L. Emby (Hezekiah Luckie Embry) listed and he was the minister that married Anselm and Daisy. Note that Anselm and Philip are shown to not own any land in Wilkes County - only land in Cherokee County and this land was likely land won in the 1832 lottery (see above). This Philip Combs was probably Philip F. Combs, son of Philip, grandson of Philip (RS).
- On the 1830 census for District 176 there are a few of the same names that are listed on the 1834 tax record and are listed close together on the census (H.L. Embry, Sarah Fouche and Sarah Flynt).
- Robert Chivers [1] is listed living near Philip Combs (son of John, the RS) on the 1820 census. Robert is then shown on the 1830 census living in District 176 near H.L. Embry, Sarah Fouche and Sarah Flynt - all names found on the 1834 tax digest along with a Philip Combs and Anselm Jackson. Also note that Robert Chivers is listed living near several Callaway men on the 1820 census as well as Acton Nash.
- Daniel Woolbright is listed living near Philip Combs (the son of John the Rev. War soldier)[2] on the 1820 census and he is then shown living in District 171 on the 1830 census living near Peter Lunceford, Mary Combs, Anderson Bates, and Margaret Strozier.
- On the 1820 census, it is likely that the John Combs listed on page 315 is the Rev. War soldier, son of Philip, the RS. He is shown living next to a Thomas Combs who is probably his son and one of the Thomas' that are shown on the 1830 gold lottery with a widow and orphans. Neither of these men owned slaves or any property. Note that Anderson Bates' name is shown on the same page and Anderson is on the 1830 census along with Mary Combs (likely the widow of this Thomas).
1834 Tax Digest
If one looks at the 1834 Tax Digest for Wilkes County, Anselm is listed on the same page as not only a Philip Combs but also an H.L. Embry (Hezekiah Luckie Embry). H.L. Embry is the minister that married Daisy and Anselm and Philip F. Combs in 1832. This record may place them all living close together. If you look closely at the entries for Philip and Anselm you will see that they both own land in Cherokee County, GA which likely was from the 1832 lottery. How did this Philip come to own this land? There is no entry for a Philip Combs winning land in the 1832 Cherokee lottery. Is this Philip an orphan of one of the COMBS persons named in the lottery? I.E, Thomas R., John, Thomas or Enoch. Or, can we presume that this Philip is Philip F. Combs, son of Philip, grandson of Philip (RS)? The question still remains however of how this Cherokee land came to be owned by him.
1834 Tax Digest, Wilkes County, Capt. Carter's District
Poor School Records
There are records (1828 & 1830) for an Elizabeth Combs having children named John, Elizabeth and Mary attending the "Poor School". Was this Elizabeth the widow of Philip Jr. (son of Philip, RS)? Was the daughter named Elizabeth actually Daisy? I find no marriage record for an Elizabeth Combs which of course proves nothing but it is an interesting record. The age of this particular Elizabeth does not agree with the later censuses for Daisy but this should not be considered factual because ages were not always accurate on early records. We can find an Elizabeth Combs on the 1860 census
Having spent a great deal of time researching Daisy and the Combs family, the author speculates that her father was Philip Combs, Jr. (son of Philip the RS) and his wife Elizabeth Eidson.
-----------------------------------
General Notes:
1. An oddity with most of these early Wilkes County censuses is that the Districts do not seem to agree with the district map that is most commonly used to depict these districts geographically. For example, on the 1830 census, District 176 is almost due south of the town of Washington and District 168 is northwest separated by Districts 171 and 169 but the census taker went from District 176 to District 168 in his tally. Why didn't he follow his D176 tally with adjoining districts like 164 or 169? Why did he leapfrog over D169 and D171 to get to D168? It would have made sense to work in an orderly geographic fashion. This is another reason that it is often difficult to come to a positive conclusion based on the census data.
2. It is worthwhile to point out that a familial relationship between the COMBS family and the JACKSON family likely existed and that relationship almost certainly began earlier than their arrival in Georgia. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the only way Daisy and Anselm knew one another was because of geographical proximity. The families were familiar with one another and probably even cousins.
3. There appears to have been an abundance of COMBS women of marrying age in the early 1800s and men may have traveled a large distance to find a bride.
---------------------------------
Footnotes:
[1] Robert Chivers was likely the father of Dr. Thomas Holley Chivers the doctor and poet and friend of Edgar Allan Poe. Dr. Chivers spent his last years living in Decatur, Georgia in a home that stood almost directly across from the railway depot. By the time the author was growing up in Decatur in the mid 1900s, the home was already destroyed and a power substation stood in its place. There was a barber shop and pharmacy (Watson's) that the author visited frequently as a boy that was located in a strip of stores that sat next to the old Chivers property. In that same strip of stores was a popular restaurant name "Pizza by Candlelight" on the corner of Candler and College adjacent to Agnes Scott College. See more information on Dr. Chivers HERE.
There is a Wilkes County record of the brother of Thomas H. Chivers (James A. Chivers) buying a slave from Philip Combs, Sr. (Daisy's grandfather).
[2] This Philip is not indexed in Ancestry.com. He is listed on the bottom of page 312. I believe this Philip is the son of John the RS because this Philip and his father owned no slaves which fits with them owning little to no property and being "indigent" and shown on the 1819 land lottery.
This page was created on 2-24-2025