James Combs

James was the son of Philip Combs, Sr., the Revolutionary War soldier.  James died about 1817 in Wilkes County, GA.  

His married Permelia (Milly) (lnu) and they had the following children (per his estate file at the GA Archives):

• Thomas
• John
• William
• Francis/Frank - can be found on the 1850 census living in Taliaferro County, GA, age 42; Shown on the 1860 census for Taliaferro County, age 57. He appears to have died before the 1870 census was taken.  His wife (Atha, Alatha [1]) is shown as the only person in that household.  His son, William Thomas Combs (1839-1910), was a Confederate soldier (49th Regiment, Company D, GA Infantry).  The censuses list more than one son so he likely had other sons that served.  One of William's descendants owned a lumber company in Gainesville Florida (Combs Lumber) that was in business from 1928 to 2007.  Note that the church & cemetery where William Thomas Combs and his wife are buried is only a short distance from the Kettle Creek Battlefield and Little River - despite lying in a different county.  Francis & Atha had daughter Mary Jane (born abt. 1835) who married Reuben Acton Nash (born abt. 1834) who was a Confederate Soldier.  This Reuben is likely the son of Reuben Acton Nash and Margaret Strozier (mentioned elsewhere in the author's Wilkes County research).
• Mary Ann - possibly married Thomas Marler/Marlow in 1823?
• Jane - possibly married Anderson Bates in 1819?

After his death, James' wife moved to Putnam County, Georgia where she can be found on the 1830 & 1840 censuses (aged 50-59 on both censuses).  On the 1830 census, she is shown living in the town of Eatonton.

WILKES COUNTY RECORDS FOUND FOR JAMES COMBS

James Combs, Wilkes County, GA Militia, 1793
(Philip & Sterling are probably his brothers; John likely is a brother as well but might be a grandson of Philip, Sr.)

James Combs claiming Indian damage, Wilkes County, GA, 1787-1788

1809 document - Thomas Eidson, Constable; James Combs provided bond
(GA Archives)

1812 document - Thomas Eidson, Constable; James Combs provided bond
(GA Archives)

Below is the July 1817 Will and an estate document of James Combs.  His Will names his wife Milly and children Thomas, John, James, William and Francis.  His estate included a "negro girl" named Hannah valued at $600 (today's value about $14,000).

About 1827, James' father Philip Combs Sr. (RS) died in Wilkes County, GA.  His estate was administered by his son Philip Combs, Jr.  It appears to have taken several years for Philip's estate to be settled because in 1835, James' widow (Permelia/Milly) while living in Putnam County, contested the handling of Philip Sr's estate and filed claims for her children.  The children were Francis, Jane and Mary Ann.  Their brother William was their 'attorney in fact'.  Whether James' sons Thomas, John and James were still alive at this time is not known.

Francis Combs, son of James Combs

Jane Combs and Mary Ann Combs, daughters of James Combs

Permelia, Jane, Mary Ann and Francis Combs

----------------

[1] His wife being named Atha/Alatha is an interesting coincidence to the author's ancestor Shadrack Pinkson who married Atha/Alathia/Alatha Carroll.  See more HERE.

This page was created on 2/24/2025