The following information was gleaned from the 1995 book entitled "Phillip's Mill Baptist Church, Wilkes County, Georgia, 1785-1850". This is the church of Silas and Jesse Mercer, noted early Baptist Ministers. Jesse Mercer is the namesake of Mercer University. This church is still in existence but it's present location is about 4 miles north of where it originally stood. Today, it is on GA Highway 44 near the intersection of Highway 22 - southwest of the city of Washington, near Kettle Creek.
The names highlighted below can also be found in other records. For example, Patsy Combs can be found on the 1830 census in District 171 near several Hammocks. And we know that in 1819 Anderson Bates married a Jane Combs and he too can be found on this same census living in the same district.
- In 1801, an Elizabeth Hammock was admitted having been baptized in the past.
- In 1812, a Nancy Hammock was admitted to the church.
- In 1824, a Patsy Combs was admitted to the church.
- In 1829, a Jane Hammock was admitted to the church.
- In 1830, a Wyche Jackson was a moderator in absence of the normal pastor.
- In 1832, a Patsy Combs petitioned the church for "support" (financial) which was granted.
- In 1832, Robert Chivers is noted in the records.
- In 1836, a Patsy Combs and Jane Hammock were dismissed (likely moved to another church).
- In 1838, a Thomas F. Combs was admitted to the church.
- In 1838, an Atha Combs was admitted to the church.
- In 1840, a Jane Combs was admitted to the church.
- In 1848, a T.F. Combs (Thomas?) was part of the group of men who purchased land for a new location of the church. T.F. Combs was a trustee.
- In 1872, a James P. Combs is shown on a member roll.
- In 1872, an Alatha Combs is shown on a member roll.
Other names found in this church's records that are of interest are: John Wingfield, Thomas Chivers, Ann Stark, Chenowith Peteet, Shadrack Pinkston, and several Flynts. As noted elsewhere, there Sterling Combs married a Wingfield and there were several Pinkston marriages. The author has known ancestors of Wilkes County that are Combs, Stark, Pinkston and Jackson. The Flynts can also be found on the tax digests and censuses.
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?
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| John S. Combs, Wilkes County, GA News and Planters' Gazette, January 28, 1841 |
This page was created on 2/24/2025