Philip F. Combs was the son of Philip Combs, Jr. and the grandson of the Revolutionary War soldier Philip Combs, Sr. He was born about 1811 and he died 1896, both events occurring in Wilkes County, Georgia.
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| Philip F. Combs (seated, far left) and some of his descendants (Source: Fred Combs) |
Philip F. Combs was the administrator of his father's (Philip, Jr.) estate when he died about 1837.
Philip F. Combs, administrator of his father's estate (Philip Combs, Jr.)
Obituary of Philip F. Combs
(History of Wilkes County - Willingham)
Obituary of Sarah Garrard Combs
(History of Wilkes County - Willingham)
- Mary Elizabeth Combs - b. 1835; d. ?. Appears to have married William F. Hyman, Civil War soldier. Both were living in Wilkes County when the 1880 census was taken. No further info found. [1]
- William Wesley Parker Combs - b.1838; d. 1906. Civil War soldier. Remained in Wilkes County. Married Martha Farmer. [2]
- George B. Combs - b. 1839; d. 1862. Civil War soldier, KIA.
- John A. Combs - b. 1841; d. April 3, 1865. Civil War soldier, KIA. Died in the April 1865 Battle of Fort Gregg (near Petersburg). Fold3 lists him in late 1864 as being detached to Fort Gregg.
- James Thomas Combs - b. 1843; d. 1917. Civil War soldier. He was a Methodist Minister for 45 years. Moved to Florida. Married Mary Louise (lnu).
- Nancy Ann Jones/Joyner Combs - b. 1845; d. 1920. Married a Robert Chapman and moved to Warren County, GA.
- Lucy Jane Combs - b. 1847; d. 1913. Married George Smith. Remained in Wilkes County.
- Charles E. Combs - b. 1849; d. 1893. Remained in Wilkes County. Married Lucy Garrard.
- Gabriella (Sarah?) Combs - b. 1852; d. 1909. Married Wylie Corbin. Remained in Wilkes County.
- Philip Norman Combs - b. 1854; d. 1932. Remained in Wilkes County. Married Carrie Corbin.
- Mary (M or L) Combs - b. 1858; d. 1923. Remained in Wilkes County. Married John Cooper.
As noted above, four of Philip's sons served in the same unit in the Confederate Army with two of them paying the supreme price. They all enlisted on the same day (June 11, 1861) at Washington, GA and were with Company A, 9th Regiment, GA Volunteers. They were then a part of Company C, 11th Battalion, GA Artillery (Sumter Artillery) commanded by Capt/Lt. John Wingfield. John Wingfield was their close neighbor in Wilkes County, GA and probably related by marriage since we know that Sterling Combs (son of Philip, Sr. (RS) married a Wingfield. Philip's daughter Elizabeth married William Hyman who was also a soldier in the same unit. Both of these units participated in heavy combat around Petersburg, Richmond and Gettysburg.
- George B. Combs - Private, George is noted to have been the company's blacksmith. He died in June 1, 1862, likely in the Richmond, VA area as this was just before the Seven Days Battle. Note that George is living with the household of Patrick Barnett (son of William Barnett, RS) on the 1860 census. He may have been working and living on Patrick's plantation.
George B. Combs, deceased, 1862
- John A. Combs - Private, died at the Battle of Fort Gregg.
John A. Combs, Fort Gregg
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| John A. Combs, KIA, Fort Gregg |
- William Wesley Parker Combs - Private, promoted to Sergeant. Wesley's son Perry served as a Corporal in the Spanish-American War.
William Wesley Parker Combs and Martha Farmer
(Fred Combs) - James T. Combs - Private, teamster (wagon group)
Rev. James T. Combs
Interestingly, it appears that Philip was able to visit his sons while they were encamped in Virginia:
And unfortunately, we have an incident that occurred during the racial tensions likely caused by Reconstruction:
Wesley P. Combs found guilty of whipping field hands post Civil War (1866)
Wesley P. Combs in attendance of Irvin Artillery Reunion 1889
All of the above are from the book "History of Wilkes County" by Robert Willingham, Jr. Mr. Willingham used actual newspaper excerpts in this book. Note the reference to Captain Henry Colley - Capt. Colley is also a part of the author's Wilkes County paternal ancestry.
Miscellaneous Records
The newspaper article below is further proof of Philip living close to Patrick Barnett, the son of the Revolutionary War soldier William Barnett. [3]
Patrick Barnett and Philip Combs adjoining landowners
The Washington Gazette, Oct. 6, 1871
(GA Historic Newspapers)
The land was deeded by Daniel Fouche in 1851. Daniel was married to an Emily/Eliza Combs (1835).
(Boyce Ficklen, Sr. 1851-1937 [4])
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[1] There is a headstone for a William Frank Hyman located in the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Wilkes County and the application for this headstone indicates a death date of 1891. There is also a William F. Hyman living in Texas on the 1900 census - birth dates do not match but he was born in Georgia.
[2] Note that William is shown on the 1860 census living in the household of Daniel Fouche and his wife Elizabeth. There is a record for an Elizabeth Combs marrying Daniel Fouche in 1835. Most likely, this Elizabeth Combs is the sister of Philip F. Combs and William is therefore living with his aunt and uncle at the time this census was taken. Their son (Daniel & Elizabeth's) Wesley P. Fouche, was also in the GA 11th Battalion, GA Artillery, Company C.
[3] The author is including this info because the name Barnett was the middle name of the author's great-grandfather (William Barnett Jackson) whose mother was Daisy/Dory/Dovey Combs (married Anselm S. Jackson) who may have been the sister of Philip F. Combs.
[4] Boyce Ficklen married a Wingfield. They were a very well educated and accomplished couple. A google search will provide much reading about the Ficklens.