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	Coombs Families of New England Prior to 1700

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THE COOMBS OF MASSACHUSETTS

In Massachusetts there were two very early Coombs settlers and two unattached persons who were first noted 40 years after the arrival of the first two.

John COOMBS – 1630
Henry COOMBS – 1635
Peter COOMBS – 1670
Robert COOMBS – 1671

In addition, at the start of the King William’s War, Anthony Coombs and his family relocated from Maine to the relative safety of Massachusetts.

John COOMBS – of Plymouth, MA – 1630

The life and line of John COOMBS of Plymouth is well documented by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. While John did not come to this country on the Mayflower, he did marry Sarah Priest, the daughter of Degory Priest who was aboard the Mayflower. John COOMBS arrived in Plymouth Colony by October 1630.

Before exploring the known record of John Coombs, it is interesting to explore several omissions in the record of John and a possible link back to England. All of the following is speculative and must be confirmed before being accepted as fact. I offer it only as possible clues to be further researched:

John COOMBS might have been the son of Francis Combe who married Jane Pope of Oxfordshire, England, before 1583. Francis and Jane had 12 children including a son, John, who “came to America.”548 The following pedigree shows a possible family and ancestry for John of Plymouth”

Richard Combs of Co. Middlesex \|
John Combe \|
Robert Combe married Agnes Waterhouse \|
Richard Combe married Elizabeth Marshall of Buckinghamshire \|
Francis Combe married before 1583 to Jane Pope of Oxfordshire \|
Francis m. twice No heir	Richard d. young	Tobias married Mary Theede \|	Charles	William	Richard	John “came to America”	5 daus.
		\|
		Sir Richard Combs m. Anne Frere, of Stoke, Co. Suffolk
			\|
			\|
		Richard	Thomas	Anne

Minor credibility to this possible ancestry is gained by the fact that (1) John COOMBS of Plymouth was always referred to as “gentleman;” (2) John’s wife Sarah Priest, who was born in Leyden, Holland, immediately removed to England after the death of John, leaving two of her children (John age 14 and Francis age 11) to be cared for by their indentured servant, William Spooner; suggesting that there might have been a comfortable situation for her in England; there is no record of Sarah ever returning to Plymouth; and (3) the will of John Coombs³ [John,² John¹] dated 11 March 1707 bequeaths to his wife Elizabeth the use of “his housing and lands, wharf in Boston and estate in Great Britain.”549

It is also interesting to consider the possibility that John¹ and Sarah Priest Coombs might have had more that two children. According to the records, John married Sarah Priest circa 1631. They had a son, John² born about 1632 in Plymouth and a second son, Francis² born about 1635 also in Plymouth. However, there is an eleven year gap without any more known children before Sarah Coombs returned to England in 1646 and William Spooner was ordered to care for her child/children. Were there other younger children and, if so, who cared for them?

Without the addition of other possible children born to John¹ and Sarah Priest, the male descendants of John COOMBS of Plymouth die out by the fifth generation and the Coombs family name is terminated for this line.

To Be Provided At A Later Date

Henry COOMBS – of Salem & Marblehead, MA – 1635

The following information is primarily based on Maine Genealogies, by Little, pages 1128 and 1129.

These are the only records that we have for John COOMBS of Sheepscot., by Little, pages 1128 and 1129.

Henry Coombs, a fisherman, was a proprietor at Salem, MA in 1635, mortgaged land there in 1648. Removed to Marblehead, MA, as early as 22 Dec 1648, when he with others had lots of land laid–out in the swamp. On 11 Apr 1653, he sold a cow lease to John Legg, and in 1656 he had temporary charge of the ferry, near which he appears to have lived. In 1667 he was complained against for having uttered alleged slanderous reports concerning the minister at Marblehead, the Rev. Mr. Walton, saying that he “preached nothing but lies, and that he could prove him to be a knave.”550

In 1668, Henry was one of 140 persons to have signed a petition against Imports asking the government to have “a custome imposed on all goods and merchandizes…imported into this jurisdiccon (Marblehead)….”

The administration of his estate (Essex Probate) was granted to his widow, Elizabeth _____ for herself and her children on 2 Oct 1669.551 Inventory of Henry’s estate was taken 16 Sep 1669, by Henry Bartholomew, Moses Maverick, and Hilliard Veren and was valued at £85. 05. 06.552 Elizabeth deeded land in 1670 to her daughter Susanna and her husband, Francis Grant.553

Henry’s wife, Elizabeth, apparently died in 1709 as administration was granted on her estate 13 June 1709, to her son–in–law, Francis Grant, and his wife Susannah, the latter was the youngest daughter of the decedent.

Henry¹ and Elizabeth Coombs are recorded by Little as having had eight children. Based on the history of John² of Sheepscot, it seems logical to add a ninth child. However, based on the estimated span of implied births, it is too extensive to be ascribed to just the single Elizabeth. Therefore, it was likely that Henry¹ had more than one wife or that we are looking at more than a single generation:

Michael² COOMBS – age 28 in 1662; listed as an early settler of Essex and Old Norfolk; married Joan or Joanna ________. On 30 Nov 1677, Stephen Haskett was appointed by the Quarterly Court at Salem, administrator of the estate of John Langdon, deceased, intestate. Michael Comes and Peter Joy, aged about 40 years, deposed on 22 Oct 1677 that they heard John Langdon say that he gave to Elizabeth Haskett, daughter of Mr. Stephen Haskett, £10, and whatever was left to be divided among Hackett’s children.
Children of Michael³ and Joanna:

Michael³ COOMBS – b. 22 Mar 1668–69554
Joshua³ COOMBS – b. 23 Feb 1670–71555

Humphrey² COOMBS – born about 1635; in Salem 1668 and petitioned the General Court; married 29 Jul 1659, to Bathsheba Rayment (Raymond), daughter of Richard Rayment of Seabrook, CT.
They had daughter, Hannah³ COOMBS, born 26 May 1660.556
Elizabeth² COOMBS – married Thomas Trevey.
Susannah² COOMBS – married 22 Oct 1668 to Francis Grant, of Marblehead; and had nine children:

Mary³ GRANT – born 16 July 1669; died young.
Susannah³ GRANT – born 19 Aug 1671; died before 1718; married 4 Jul 1692, to Thomas White.
Francis³ GRANT – born 25 Nov 1673;
Sarah³ GRANT – born 24 Aug 1675; married _______ Merritt.
Jane³ GRANT – born 29 Aug 1679; married ________ Knight.
John³ GRANT – born 30 Aug 1682
David³ GRANT – born 14 Nov 1684; died before 1718.
Henry³ GRANT – born 30 July 1687.
Mary³ GRANT – born 12 April 1694; married _____ Pitman.

Mary² COOMBS – married John Ingersoll on 17 May 1670; had at least one child:557

Samuel³ Ingersol of Marblehead, MA; trustee for Henry Coombs’ wife, Sarah, and estate in York, ME. [See: Henry COOMBS – of North Yarmouth, ME – 1676]

Henry² COOMBS – was living in 1690, when he was in Salem, MA; and settled the estate of his brother John [of Sheepscot, ME]
It is almost certain that this is “Henry² COOMBS – of North Yarmouth, ME – 1676” who was probably driven out of North Yarmouth, ME at the start of King William’s War to temporarily return to Salem.
John² COOMBS – “of Sheepscot;” the brother of Henry² Coombs who “settled the estate of his brother John.” in 1690 at Salem.558

“The early settlement at Sheepscot [ME] grew and flourished for several decades, but the Indian War of 1675, King Philip’s War, brought complete devastation to the village. Many of the settlers were killed, and those who were fortunate to escape abandoned their small village. Some who escaped returned after the end of King Philip’s War and rebuilt the village, but it was again completely destroyed during the Second Indian War [King William’s War] which began in 1688.”559

In 1686, just before the outbreak of King William’s War, John Coombs petitioned Peter Andros for a grant of land at Sheepscot, “having been in these parts a considerable time.”560

According to the records of Rev. Samuel Parris of Salem Village, MA, a John Coomes, age 25, died 22 Oct 1689.561

This is probably the brother of Henry² Coombs of Salem & Marblehead, MA, who settled the estate of his brother, John Coombs, in Salem in 1690. Based on the following information, it is assumed that John² Coombs may have had a son, John³ Coombs, who:

On 16 Oct 1721, John Coombes witnessed a deed from Samuel Ingersol, Sr., of Gloucester, MA, to Mary Sargent, for land in Falmouth, York County, ME.562 Presumably, this is the same Samuel Ingersol who was the chief beneficiary of Henry Coombs of York, ME and who was referred to as Henry’s “cousin,” or more correctly Henry’s “nephew,” son of Henry’s sister Mary. Based on this information, it is assumed that John Coombs of Sheepscot was probably the brother of Mary² Coombs and Henry² [Henry¹] of Salem, MA; Henry² “settled the estate of his brother John,” according to Maine Genealogies, by Little, pages 1128 and 1129.

Richard² COOMBS – died Jan.1693–4; married Margaret _______ and had one child:

Bridget³ COOMBS – born 25 Feb 1689; married, 10 Jan 1710 to John Lapthorn.

Deborah² COOMBS – married 1^st Joseph Gannett (died 1693) and 2^nd Joseph House of Scituate, MA, subsequent to 1700, and was still living in 1722.

Michael² COOMBS – son of Henry¹ and Elizabeth Coombs of Marblehead, MA

Michael² [Henry¹] Coombs married Joanna _________, and by her had two children:

Michael³ COOMBS – born 22 Mar 1668–9 in Salem, MA and died 26 Jul 1730. Married Ruth Rhoades on 12 July 1694 and had six children. (See write–up below)
Joshua³ COOMBS – born 23 Feb 1670–1 in Salem, MA; no further record

Michael³ [Michael,² Henry¹] Coombs, son of Michael and Joanna Coombs, was born 22 March 1668–9 and died 26 July 1730. He was witness to a nuncupative will made by Thomas Rhoades, of Marblehead, to John Sampson, on board the ship “Essex” at sea, wherein it was agreed that if either died during the voyage the survivor would have whatever clothes and wages the other possessed at the time of his decease. It so happened that Sampson was killed during the voyage. Mr. Coombs married 12 July 1694 to Ruth Rhoades and had six children:

Joanna⁴ COOMBS – baptized 19 May 1695; married 29 Dec 1715 to Benjamin Girdler
Richard⁴ COOMBS – baptized 14 Feb 1696–7
Joshua⁴ COOMBS – baptized 11 June 1699 and died before 27 Feb 1764. He married 29 Jan 1721 to Mary Goree and had four children (see write–up below)
Michael⁴ COOMBS – born 28 Feb 1702–3 and died Jan 1782. He married 1^st 12 Mar 1724–5, to his second cousin, Remember White, daughter of Thomas and Susanna (Grant) White. He is listed as one of the first settlers of Lyndeboro, NH and was among “A List of the persons admitted into y^e Township Granted by the General Court to Cap^t Samuel King and others on y^e first and Second Days of Septemb^r : Anno 1736: Mr. John Gardner on y^e Right of Michael Coomes.” Children:

Mary⁵ COOMBS – baptized 11 Dec 1726
Ruth⁵ COOMBS – baptized 28 Sep 1729; died in infancy.
Ruth⁵ COOMBS – baptized 30 June 1731 and died 8 Nov 1814. She married Mark Haskell on 18 June 1751.
Thomas⁵ COOMBS – baptized 25 Nov 1733 and died Dec 1764. He may have married Sarah Thorn on 16 Dec 1756 in Marblehead, MA

Ruth⁴ COOMBS – baptized 25 Mar 1705; married 12 June 1726 to John Down, of St. Island, New Hampshire.
Elizabeth⁴ COOMBS – baptized 26 July 1713. No further record.

Joshua⁴ COOMBS – son of Michael³ and Ruth (Rhoades) Coombs

Joshua⁴ [Michael,³ Michael,² Henry¹] Coombs, son of Michael and Ruth (Rhoades) Coombs, was baptized 11 June 1699 and died before 27 Feb 1764, the date that his will was proved. He was a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church of Marblehead. He married 29 Jan 1721, Mary Goree, and by her had four children:

Michael⁵ COOMBS – baptized 25 Feb 1727–8 and died 1806. He married Sarah Girdler on 4 Jan 1753. He was a Tory. (See write–up below)
Susannah⁵ COOMBS – married a Mr. Nicholson.
Joanna⁵ COOMBS – married a Mr. Nelson.
Richard⁵ COOMBS – date of birth unknown; died young.

Michael⁵ COOMBS – son of Joshua⁴ and Mary (Goree) Coombs

Michael⁵ [Joshua,⁴ Michael,³ Michael,² Henry¹] Coombs, son of Joshua⁴ and Mary (Goree) Coombs, was baptized 25 Feb 1727–8 and died 1806. On 4 Jan 1753, he married Sarah Girdler. In his will he mentions only one son, Nicholas, to whom he gives his great coat, and to Joshua, son of said Nicholas, he gave all the rest of his wearing apparel. To his wife, Sarah, he gave one–third part of his real estate.

During the Revolution Michael cast his fortunes with the British, and having become a Tory he fled from home and all his property, with that of other Tories in the vicinity of Marblehead, was confiscated. In regard to his movements the following announcement was made by the committee of correspondence at Marblehead, in June, 1781, through Jonathan Glover, chairman of the committee: “This may certify that Mr. Michael Coombs, late an inhabitant of Marblehead, in the said county [Essex], mariner, has absented himself for 3 weeks and upwards from the usual place of his abode and we verily believe went to our enemies.” On 19 Feb 1782, Michael Coombs’ wife presented a petition to the general court asking that a portion of his estate which had been confiscated should be set off and sold, which request was granted and one–third of it was set off, including the house and the land around it, located “on training field hill.”

Michael⁵ and Sarah had at least one child:

Nicholas⁶ COOMBS – he was married and moved to Bowdoin, ME where at least one child was born:
- Joshua⁷ COOMBS – born 7 July 1775 in Bowdoin, ME and died 29 Nov 1851. He married Mary ________.

PLEASE NOTE: The foregoing history of Henry COOMBS of Marblehead is transcribed directly from Maine Genealogies by Little, pages 1128 and 1129. Mr. Little’s dates and relationships do not always agree with other sources and therefore must be further researched and documented before being accepted as fact. The only modification has been the addition of Mary² and John² as children of Henry¹ and the connection of Henry² to Henry COOMBS – of North Yarmouth, ME.

Peter COOMBS – of Boston, MA – 1670

Another Coombs who makes a fleeting appearance in America during the 1600s is Peter Coombs.

16 Jan 1670, “Samuell Ryall, Coop., Peter Comes, blacksmith, & John Hurd sen^r were all prohibited from frequentinge of publique houses of entertainmt vpon the penaltie of Law lately published and read vnto them” in Boston.563

Of Salem, MA 1675.

There is a Peter Coombs listed as having been a soldier in “Capt. William Hathorne’s militia” during King Philip’s War (1675–1676). Peter was owed £03, s08, d00 for his services.564

Note: It is interesting to note that the primary trade of many of the early Coombs in Maine and Massachusetts was that of being a blacksmith.

Robert COOMBS – of Boston, MA – 1671

Very little is known about Robert Coombs.

13 Jul 1671, Robert Coombs witnessed a deed of land in Boston sold by James Bracket to John Harris.565

On 6 Jul 1680, Marey/Mary Cooms was born, daughter of Robert and Marcey Cooms in Hull, MA.566

In 1681 there is a record of a Robert Comby or Combee in Boston, MA.

15 Dec 1685, Robert Coombs of Hull sold a half share of land in Rochester, MA, to Abraham Jones. The deed was not recorded until 1744.567

The marriage of Mary Coom and Benjamine Vicrey took place on 7 Jul 1709, but the intention of marriage is not recorded.568

Children of Robert¹ and Merey Coombs:

Marey² Cooms – born 6 Jul 1680; married Benjamin Vicery on 7 Jul 1709.

Note: It is interesting to note that about 14 years after Robert sold his land holding in Rochester, MA, Anthony and Dorcas Coombs settle in the town of Rochester, MA.

Letter from R. P. Graham-Vivian, Windsor Herald, College of Arms, Queen Victoria Street, London, England; letter dated July 22, 1963 in the possession of Whitney J. Coombs.
Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, volume eight, Family of Degory Priest, edited by Robert S. Wakefield, published by General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1994, pages 40-1.
Maine Genealogies, by Little, page 1129.
The Pioneers of Massachusetts, page 116.
Essex (MA) Court files, vol. 60, page 72)
The Pioneers of Massachusetts, page 116,
Salem Births, Vol. I, under Coombees.
Salem Births, Vol. I, under Coombees.
Genealogical Dictionary of New England, by James Savage, page 453.
Genealogical Dictionary, page 161.
Maine Genealogies, by Little, pages 1128 and 1129.
Maine Rivers: The Historical Sheepscot, by Robert E. Foye, Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Game, 1967, page B-125.
Genealogical Dictionary, Noyes, Libby & Davis, page 161.
“Records of Rev. Samuel Parris of Salem Village, MA, 1688-96”, by Marilynne K. Roach, New England Historical & Genealogical Register, Vol. 157, Jan 2003, pages 6-30.
York County Registry of Deeds, Book XI, Folio 67.
Report of the Record Commissioners of the City of Boston, Volume 7, page 59.
New England Genealogical and Historical Review, Volume 39, 1885, page 177.
New England Genealogical and Historical Review, Volume 106, 1952, page 19.
Vital Records of Hull, MA to 1850, pages 15, 44, and 64.
Plymouth County Deeds, LR 37-11 and New England Genealogical and Historical Register, Volume 113, 1959, p.44.
Vital Records of Hull, MA to 1850, pages 15, 44, and 64.

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