Dedicated to the Memory of Combs &c. founder Carole Hammett (1946-2009)
This Combs &c. Web Site is Generously Hosted by Click Here to Join USGenNet
We Support Free Nonprofit Genealogy and History on the Internet

New October 2007
You Are Our 19600th Visitor.
Please Email Additions/Corrections to Webmaster

THE COOMBS OF MAINE

Descendants of Anthony2 and Mercy (Hodgkins) Coombs

The Fifth Generation and their Children of the Sixth – Anthony2 & Mercy Hodgkins

Ephraim5 [Anthony,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, born 1818, at Islesborough, ME; married Harriet Mathews, who was born in 1822 and died 1888; died 1844, lost at sea.

Children of Ephraim5 and Harriet (Mathews) Coombs:191

Robert5 [Anthony,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] P. Coombs, born 25 Jun 1799, at Islesborough; married Jane Pendleton Gilkey on 25 Dec 1823; died 9 Jul 1862 in Belfast, ME; buried The Grove Cemetery in Belfast. Said to have had fourteen children.

Child of Robert5 P. and Jane Pendleton (Gilkey) Coombs:192

Elder Ephraim5 [Ephraim,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs was a minister of the Baptist church for thirty or forty years. He held town offices for a number of years. He died 10 May 1872, aged 75 years. He married first, Hannah Cyphers, of Sidney, ME, published 19 June 1830. She died 1871.

Children of Elder Ephraim5 and Hannah (Cyphers) Coombs:193

John5 [Benjamin,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, married Nancy Garner, 14 Jul 1822.

Children of John5 and Nancy (Garner) Coombs:194

William5 [Benjamin,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, married Betsey Williams, 19 Sep 1833.

Children of William5 and Betsey (Williams) COOMBS:195

Jonathan5 [Jonathan,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] B. Coombs, married Abby Redman.

Children of Jonathan5 B. and Abby (Redman) Coombs, all born in Islesborough:196

Abiezer5 [Anthony,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, married Mary Burke, of Ellsworth, ME, 23 Nov 1823; died 3 Oct 1861. She died 5 May 1881.

Children of Abiezer5 and Mary (Burke) Coombs:197

Henry5 [Anthony,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] B. Coombs, lived on the east side of Sabbath–Day Harbor, known as the Bluff. He sold his land on the Bluff, and then bought the estate formerly owned by Jeremiah Dodge, near Sprague’s Cove. This was his home for many years, and where he lived and died. He was known as Uncle Henry by the inhabitants, and liked and respected by the whole town. He married Rhoda Grover. He died 3 Jan 1884; age 74 years, 10 months and 25 days.

Children of Henry5 B. and Rhoda (Grover) Coombs, probably not in order:198

Othniel5 [Jesse,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, married Sally Marshall; published 27 Apr 1816. He was born and died in Islesborough. His youngest son, Joseph, had the estate, and took care of them in their old age.

Children of Othniel5 and Sally (Marshall) Coombs:199

Philip5 [Jesse,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] F. Coombs, born 27 Mar 1807; married Eliza M. Farrow, daughter of John Farrow, on 3 (10) Jun 1838. She was born 24 Aug 1809 and died 5 Feb 1890. He was a farmer. The estate descended to him from his father. His lot was divided between his son Watson and daughter Roxana.

Children of Philip5 F. and Eliza M. (Farrow) Coombs:200

Pillsbury5 [Jesse,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, born 25 Jan 1809 in Islesborough; married Lois Trim, 22 Jul 1832; died 27 Jan 1890. She was born 12 May 1811; died 29 Oct 1889. He was a master mariner.

Children of Pillsbury5 and Lois (Trim) Coombs:201

Luther5 [Robert,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, born 3 Jun 1805 in Islesborough; married Diana Basford, of Belfast, ME, 18 May 1828 by John S. Ayer, Esq., Justice of the Peace.202

Diana was born in Belfast on 30 May 1805, the daughter of Jonathan4 [Jacob,3 Jacob,2 Jacob,1] and Elizabeth (Marden) Basford, who were married in 1792. Jonathan Basford, and the three preceding generations of Basfords, resided in Chester, NH. The first Basford came to Chester about 1729 from Hampton, NH, where Jacob Basford was an original settler.203 Jonathan,4 Basford died 4 May 1856 and his wife, Elizabeth (Marden) Basford, died 24 Feb 1828. A note in the family Bible states that:

Elizabeth Marden wife of Jonathan Basford – Born September 15,th 1773 in Chester – State of New Hampshire – Died February 24,th at ½ past 6 o’clock P. M. with a pulmonary consumption with the greatest composure of mind after a lingering sickness of about three years – her confinement was about three months – And intered Wednesday the 27,th of Said February in the burying ground near the Methodist Meeting–house in Belfast – Prayer by the Rev Mr Wells – Methodist Divine.204

Luther Coombs was the Town Clerk for Islesborough in 1828.205

According to the History of Belfast, Luther was listed as being a member in good standing of the Independent Temperance Society of Belfast on 11 Nov 1841. On 1 Jul 1846, Luther was listed as being the Leader of Belfast Class B (presumably the First Church in Belfast). The other eighteen members of the class included Dianna Coombs and Jacob W. Coombs.

At three o’clock in the morning of 24 Oct 1846, the old “Babel” on Main Street [in Belfast], and a small store adjoining, occupied by Luther Coombs, was discovered to be on fire, and with the dwelling house of James Cook, were destroyed.206

A building on High Street, Belfast, erected for a dwelling house in 1806 by Benjamin Eells, was converted into the hotel called the New England House in 1848, and opened as such by Luther Coombs on the Fourth of July of that year. Messrs. Baker and Edwards succeeded Mr. Coombs in 1853.207

The Belfast obituary of Luther’s son, Jacob Wesley, refers to Luther as “Capt.” Luther. No record has been found which refers to Luther’s association with the sea.

Luther died on 6 May 1857, in Belfast, at the age of 51 years, 11 months, and 3 days. No indication is given as to the cause of his death. He is buried in the Cemetery of the Unitarian Church of Belfast. Also buried in the same plot are:

Elizabeth (Marden) Basford, [Diana’s mother] – died 24 Feb 1828, age 53.

Children of Luther and Diana (Basford) Coombs:

Diana (Basford) Coombs married second, Reuben Carver of Vinal Haven, ME, on 12 Nov 1858. Diana was 53 ½ years old when she remarried and lived twenty–six years with Reuben before she died at the age of 79 years, 10 months on 1 Apr 1885. Reuben Carver died in 1890.208

Children of Luther5 and Diana (Basford) Coombs:209

Robert5 [Robert,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] P. Coombs, Jr., born 25 June 1799; married Jane Pendleton Gilkey, of Phillips, ME, 25 Dec 1823.

Children of Robert5 P. and Jane P. (Gilkey) Coombs, Jr.:210

Isaac5 [Robert,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, born 9 Feb 1790; married first, Betsey Boardman, 23 Jan 1823. She died 4 May 1835, aged 35. He married second, Althea Palmer. Published 16 Jun 1836. He died 27 Jan 1840.

Children of Isaac5 and Betsey (Boardman) Coombs:211

Children of Isaac5 and Althea (Palmer) Coombs:212

Emeline5 [Capt. Samuel,4 Sylvanus,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, born 8 Aug 1815; married Nelson Fossett; died 23 May 1899.

Children of Nelson and Emeline5 (Coombs) Fossett:213

Capt. Samuel5 [Capt. Samuel,4 Sylvanus,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, Jr., born 2 Feb 1827; died 22 Nov 1904. Lived at Bristol, ME; a sea–captain.

Children of Capt. Samuel5 Coombs, Jr.:214

The Sixth Generation and their Children of the Seventh – Anthony2 & Mercy Hodgkins

Wilson6 [Elder Ephraim,5 Ephraim,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, born 30 Oct 1830; married Lucy Ann Marshall; published 6 Jan 1855.

Children of Wilson6 and Lucy Ann (Marshall) Coombs:215

Amariah6 [Elder Ephraim,5 Ephraim,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, born 3 Jul 1832; married Mary J. Marshall, daughter of Samuel Marshall, on 25 Jul 1852.

Children of Amariah6 and Mary J. (Marshall) Coombs:216

James6 [Elder Ephraim,5 Ephraim,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] S. Coombs, born 3 Jul 1841; married Sally Hawes. James was a soldier in the 2nd Maine regiment.

Child of James6 S. and Sally (Hawes) Coombs:217

Alonzo6 [Henry,5 Anthony,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, married first, Emma Van Amburg, second Lizzie Hatch.

Children of Alonzo6 Coombs:218

Arphaxad6 [Othniel,5 Jesse,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Coombs, born 12 Feb 1826; married Harriet Coombs.

Children of Arphaxad6 and Harriet (Coombs) Coombs:219

Martin6 [Othniel,5 Jesse,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] S. Coombs, born 30 Mar 1829; married Catherine P. Thomas, widow; died 8 Sep 1868.

Children of Martin6 S. and Catherine P. (Thomas) Coombs:220

Joseph6 [Othniel,5 Jesse,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] L. S. Coombs, born 24 Sep 1842; married Lucy Parker. She died 1 Apr 1876.

Child of Joseph6 L. S. and Lucy (Parker) Coombs:221

Othniel6 [Philip,5 Jesse,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] B. Coombs, born 20 May 1847; married Philena H. Grover.

Children of Othniel6 B. and Philena H. (Grover) Coombs:222

Pillsbury6 [Pillsbury,5 Jesse,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] P. Coombs, born 1 Jul 1834; married Mary A. Redman, Mar 1859.

Child of Pillsbury6 P. and Mary A. (Redman) Coombs:223

James6 [Pillsbury,5 Jesse,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] E. Coombs, married 1st Angeline F. Spinney, 1857, and 2nd _______ Bunker.

Children of James6 E. Coombs:224

Luther6 [Luther,5 Robert,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Augustine Coombs, born 7 May 1829 in Belfast, ME; married Mary Caroline Whitney on 10 May 1851; died Portland, ME in 1871.

Child of Luther6 Augustine Coombs and Mary Caroline (Whitney) Coombs:225

Jacob6 [Luther,5 Robert,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Wesley Coombs, born 18 Aug 1831 in Belfast, ME; married Harriet Francis Whitney on 18 Dec 1852 in Belfast; died 24 May, 1897 in Ellsworth, ME.

As a young man in his early teens, like thousands of other American men, he caught the “gold fever.” When about 18, Jacob sailed from Maine to Panama, crossed the isthmus on foot, and sailed to the gold fields in California. After spending several years unsuccessfully searching for gold, he returned home, overland. According to family tradition, the only gold Jacob returned with was a gold watch.

On 18 Dec 1852, Jacob married Harriet Frances Whitney in Belfast, ME. Harriet was born 25 July 1831. Harriet was the daughter of Nathaniel and Charlotte (Cook) Whitney of Portland, ME. Nathaniel Whitney was born 7 Feb 1800 and died in 1838. He married Charlotte Cook(e) on 5 May 1827 in the area of Scarborough, ME. Charlotte was born 16 Feb 1802 and died 1850. Nathaniel and Charlotte had at least five children: Harriet Frances Whitney (married Jacob6 Wesley Coombs; died Oct 1893), Mary Caroline Whitney, (married Luther6 Augustine Coombs; died 24 Feb 1915, age 83), Charles H. Whitney (removed to Vancouver, WA and died 16 Sep 1885, age 57), John Whitney (died in infancy), and Rosa A. Whitney.227

Jacob6 Wesley and Harriet Frances (Whitney) Coombs lived on a farm on the Union River, about a mile and one–half outside (east) of Ellsworth, ME. The location of Jacob’s home is given in the History of Ellsworth: “The town of Trenton laid out a road to Joseph Morrison’s house and from his house due north two hundred and forty rods to the old town line separating Ellsworth from Trenton. Counting the telegraph poles from the Morrison house, twenty–four or twenty–five poles, ten rods apart, brings this line between the road leading to J. W. Coombs’ [Treat Farm] house and the road leading to Gideon Cook’s [Davis Farm] house.”228

Jacob owned and operated a restaurant on State Street in Ellsworth.

Harriet (Whitney) Coombs died in Oct 1893 at the age of 62. Apparently she was sick for a prolonged period of time as both of her sons removed to Chelsea, MA, to live with their older sister, Caro Augusta (Coombs) Treat. Harriet is buried in Ellsworth, ME.

Jacob6 was killed on 24 May 1897 in Ellsworth at the age of almost 66 years. Jacob raised horses. He had a horse, “Old Fritz,” who was a particularly mean animal. On the twenty–fourth of May, Jacob was sitting in his sulky with one foot in the spokes of the wheel, talking to a friend. Old Fritz bolted. Jacob’s foot was caught in the wheel and he was dragged to his death. His passing was noted on 28 May in the Belfast, ME, newspaper as follows: “In Ellsworth, Jacob W. Coombs, 65. He was son of the late Capt. Luther Coombs of Belfast. His death was caused by a run away horse.” Jacob is buried at the family plot, Evergreen Cemetery, Ellsworth, ME.

After Jacob’s death, his son Wilbur7 executed a quit–claim to any inheritance (23 July 1897), Frederick7 served as executor and the farm and possessions were inherited by Caro7 Augusta (Coombs) Treat.

Children of Jacob6 Wesley and Harriet (Whitney) Coombs:229

Helena6 [Luther,5 Robert,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Augusta Coombs, born 1 Feb 1841 in Belfast, ME; married John Buck on 1 Oct 1864. John Buck died 30 May 1889.

Children of John and Helena6 Augusta (Coombs) Buck:230

Wilbur6 [Luther,5 Robert,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Fisk Coombs, born 7 Sep 1849 in Belfast, ME; married Lucy Emma Thomas on 25 Dec 1876. Lucy Emma (Thomas) Coombs died 31 Jul 1892.

Children of Wilbur6 Fisk and Lucy Emma (Thomas) Coombs:231

Lucullus6 [Ephraim,5 Anthony,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Jason Coombs, born 15 Sep 1843 at Lincolnville, ME; married 1866 to Beulah B. French. She was born 1849.232

Children of Lucullus6 Jason and Beulah B. (French) Coombs:

Ephraim6 [Ephraim,5 Anthony,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] D. Coombs, born 18 Jan 1845; married Alma Bragg; died 1912.

Children of Ephraim6 D. and Alma (Bragg) Coombs:233

Robert6 [Robert,5 Anthony,4 Anthony,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Hudson Coombs, born 3 Jul 1828, at Islesborough, ME; married 11 Jun 1850 to Harriet E. Pendleton; died 7 Nov 1897, at Belfast, ME.

Children of Robert6 Hudson and Harriet E. (Pendleton) Coombs:234

Matthew6 [Emeline,5 Capt. Samuel,4 Sylvanus,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Fossett, born 1836. Resided 4350 Washington Street, Roslindale, MA.

Children of Matthew6 Fossett:235

Margaret6 [Emeline,5 Capt. Samuel,4 Sylvanus,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Fossett, born 1838; married ______ Atlee (?)

Child of ________ and Margaret6 (Fossett) Atlee:236

Mary6 [Emeline,5 Capt. Samuel,4 Sylvanus,3 Anthony,2 Anthony1] Fossett, born 1842; married Gordon Merrill Hicks.

Children of Gordon Merrill and Mary6 (Fossett) Hicks:237

  1. Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, page 137.
  2. Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, page 137.
  3. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 178.
  4. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 179.
  5. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 179.
  6. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 179.
  7. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 180.
  8. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 180.
  9. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 181.
  10. History of Islesborough, Maine, pages 181-82.
  11. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 182.
  12. Luther Coombs - Diana Basford Family Bible in the possession of Whitney J. Coombs, Littlestown, PA.
  13. History of Chester, pages 449 and 165.
  14. Luther Coombs - Diana Basford Family Bible in the possession of Whitney J. Coombs, Littlestown, PA.
  15. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 57.
  16. History of Belfast.
  17. History of Belfast.
  18. Luther Coombs - Diana Basford Family Bible in the possession of Whitney J. Coombs, Littlestown, PA.
  19. Luther Coombs - Diana Basford Family Bible in the possession of Whitney J. Coombs, Littlestown, PA.
  20. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 183.
  21. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 183.
  22. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 183.
  23. Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, pages 139.
  24. Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, page 140.
  25. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 178.
  26. History of Islesborough, Maine, pages 178-9.
  27. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 178.
  28. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 181.
  29. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 181.
  30. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 181.
  31. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 181.
  32. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 182.
  33. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 182.
  34. History of Islesborough, Maine, page 183.
  35. Luther Coombs - Diana Basford Family Bible and other family papers in the possession of Whitney J. Coombs, Littlestown, PA.
  36. From Northern Pines to Southern Cross, by C. Whitney Coombs, printed by F.A. Coombs, New York, 1940.
  37. Luther Coombs - Diana Basford Family Bible and other family papers in the possession of Whitney J. Coombs, Littlestown, PA.
  38. History of Ellsworth, Maine, by Albert H. Davis, Lewiston Journal Print shop, Lewiston, ME, 1927, page 75.
  39. Luther Coombs - Diana Basford Family Bible and other family papers in the possession of Whitney J. Coombs, Littlestown, PA.
  40. Luther Coombs - Diana Basford Family Bible and other family papers in the possession of Whitney J. Coombs, Littlestown, PA.
  41. Luther Coombs - Diana Basford Family Bible and other family papers in the possession of Whitney J. Coombs, Littlestown, PA.
  42. Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, page 137.
  43. Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, page 137.
  44. Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, page 137.
  45. Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, page 140.
  46. Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, page 140.
  47. Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, page 140.

Next: The Seventh Generation and their Children of the Eighth – Anthony2 & Mercy (Hodgkins) Coombs

Join Combs &c. in Support of USGenNet
— an IRS-approved nonprofit web-hosting service —

Combs &c. Research FamiliesCombs Research Group Proud Patron of USGenNetJoin USGenNet

This site is hosted by USGenNet, a nonprofit web-hosting service solely supported by tax-deductible donations. If this website has provided you with useful information, please consider making a donation to USGenNet to help keep sites like this online.

NOTICE: The Combs-Coombs &c. Research Group is a nonprofit public benefit corporation and complies fully with USGenNet's Conditions of Use. This Combs &c. Research Report has been provided for the free use of those engaged in non-commercial genealogical research by the nonprofit Combs Research Group. Any and all commercial use is strictly prohibited. Researchers are encouraged to copy and distribute this work freely, but with the proviso that it may only be copied and circulated in its entirety -- including this notice, and all sources, bibliographies and credits; and excepting electronically in which case permission is freely granted to link to this site instead. Sincerely, The Combs &c Research Group, Email: Webmaster.

© 1996-2010 Combs-Coombs &c. Research Group