Combs &c. Families of Exeter, England

Combs &c. Families
of Exeter, England

You are Our Visitor Since 28 Dec 2000
Last updated
Please Email Additions and/or Corrections to Webmaster

Exeter, a city and a county of itself, locally in the hundred of Wonford, Southern Division of Devonshire, 1-1/2 miles north of Alphington, 10 miles north northwest of Exmouth, 44 miles northeast of Plymouth, and 176 miles southwest of London... comprises the parishes of All Hallows, All Hallows on the Walls, St. Edmund, St. George, St. John, St. Kerrian, St. Lawrence, St. Martin, St. Mary Arches, St. Mary Major, St. Mary Steps, St. Olave, St. Pancras', St. Paul, St. Peter, St. Petrock, St. Sidwell, St. Stephen, St. Thomas the Apostle, and Holy Trinity; the parochial chapelries of St. David and St. Sidwell; and the extra-parochial precincts of the Cathedral Close, Bedford, and Bradninch, all in the archdeaconry and diocese of Exeter... (Lewis, 1831)

The 1332 Devonshire Lay Subsidy Roll includes no Combs in Exeter, but does include one William Luuenet de COMB' (8d) in the parish of Alphington (1-1/2 miles south of Exeter) and one Geoffrey ate COMBE (8d) in the parish of Broad Clyst (5 miles northeast of Exeter).
Exeter Cathedral
1483-1485 "The distribution of ecclesiastical livings came under his (King Richard III) eye too: when he was informed of unfair dealing in the diocese of Exeter, he bluntly bade the Vicar-General, Master John COMBE, to Promote Master Rauf SCROPE to the vicarage of Paynton, "which the said Mr. John COMBE hath presented himself unto by crafty means." (Extracted by Coombe Researcher Patience Northern from "Richard the Third" by Paul Murray Kendall, P.346)
This is probably the same John de COMBE, precentor to the Bishop of Exeter, who in 1499* founded and partially endowed a free grammar school at Crewkerne, Somerset, and who may have been residing at Chudleigh at the time. Ralph SCROOPE [sic] had earlier been a prebendary at John de COMBE, Precentor of the cathedral of Exeter, who endowed it with lands now producing £300 per annum..." According to Crewkerne Grammar School states the year was 1499, not 1449. This appears to be the more accurate date, and it is possible he was the John COMBE, Eton scholar, who was admitted at King's College, Cambridge University, in 1448 (one John COMBE was vicar of Stapleford, Cambs. to 1461, not known if the same).

That John de COMBE may have been residing at Chudleigh at the time he endowed Crewkerne is based on the book, "Lives of the Bishops at Exeter," Rev. George Oliver, D.D., William Roberts, Broadgate, 1861, "Richard REDMAYNE, of a respectable family at Levens in Westmoreland, educated at Cambridge, entered amongst the Norbertine canons, and was chosen abbot of Shap. He is recorded to have been consecrated Bishop of St. Asaph about the middle of the year 1472, and to have expended considerable sums in repairing that cathedral, and nearly "rebuilding it" according to Browne Willis. By virtue of Pope Alexander Sixth's bull dated Rome 24th September, 1495, he was thence translated to Exeter, and its temporalities were restored to him on 7th January following. That he devoted himself to the duties of a diocesan is evidenced by his Register. In the chapel of St. Michael, within his manor-house at Chudleigh, he held an ordination on 23rd September, 1497; and three others within the chapel of St. Mary, in his palace at Exeter: viz. 31st March, 13th April, and 9th June of the following year. Removed to Ely (in which diocese he had been collated to benefices in early fife) on 26th September, 1501, his career of usefulness was equally short, for he died at his palace in Holborn, London, on 24th August, 1505. His remains were deposited on the north side of the choir of Ely Cathedral ('Angl. Sac.' vol. i. p. 675)." (Lives of the Bishops of Exeter

According to The Clergy of the Cathedral", "By about the year 1225 the four principal officers of the Cathedral were the Dean, Precentor, Chancellor, and Treasurer. In the statutes they are called the Quattuor Personae or Greater Dignitaries. They occupy the stalls at the four corners of the Quire, an indication of their role as the cornerstones of the leadership of the Cathedral... By long tradition the Archdeacon of Exeter has been a Residentiary Canon but this is no longer a statutory requirement. The ancient titles are still in use today..." Precentor is "derived from the Latin praecentor (first chanter/singer) the Precentor was responsible in mediaeval times for the liturgy and music. Formerly he had the assistance of the Succentor (sub-chanter), a priest vicar, but this office is in abeyance... The ancient duties of the Precentor are contained in those of today, namely Worship (Priest Vicar, and Deputy Priest Vicars, Duty Chaplains, Sidesmen, Servers, Forms of Service), Music (Organists and Choirs), Voluntary Groups (Stewards, Guides, Flower Arrangers, Dusters, Cathedral Fellowship, Social Committee, Contact Group, Coffee Rota and Children). He is a governor of Exeter Cathedral School and Chairman of its Management Committee. He is a member of the Council of the Friends of Exeter Cathedral..."

It is not known when de COMBE was appointed precentor, only that he was no longer in that position by late 1503 when John VEYSEY was appointed to it.
Parish not named
26 Apr. 1627. State Papers Domestic: Supplementary. SP 46/78/fo 42-45 Account, compiled by BUDD, of packs of kersies which John BURRINGTON acknowledges he has received from John HAGLIGH and John COMBE of Exeter, as the goods of Humfrey SOUTHCOTT. With note by BURRINGTON of sums for which he demands allowance. (Combs &c. Extractions from the PRO Catalogue - record not yet acquired) [Search Word: SOUTHCOAT, SOUTHCOTE]

Holy Trinity Parish
28 Sep 1606 Holy Trinity, Exeter, Devon. Married: Anthonie COOME and Agnes LIDDON (IGI, So: 917095)

27 Nov 1608 Holy Trinity, Exeter, Devonshire. Christened: Nicholas COOME, s/o Anthonie COOME (IGI entry, Ba: C050901, So: 917200, Pr: 0883609, source not yet viewed)

28 Aug 1615 Holy Trinity, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Thomas COOME and Richord_ LANGDON (female) (IGI, Ba: E050901, So: 917095, Pr: 1037003, film not yet read)
Note: Additional IGI entries still not yet extracted
Saint Edmunds Parish
9 Oct 1604 Saint Edmunds Parish, Exeter, Devon, England. Christened: Robert COOME, s/o John COOME (IGI, Ba: C050921, So: 917098, Pr: 0933465, film not yet read)

9 Jul 1626 Saint Edmunds Parish, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Christin_ COOME and James SARELL (IGI, B: 20 Jan 1987 OGDEN Ba: E050921, E: 18 Feb 1987 OGDEN Pr: 1037013, film not yet read)

St. Johns Parish, Exeter
27 May 1620 Saint John, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Thomas COMBE and Elizabeth ZEGAR (IGI, Ba: E050941, film not yet read) SW: SEAGER

St. Lawrence Parish, Exeter
24 Apr 1624 St. Lawrence, Exeter, Devonshire, EN. Married: Edward COME & Mary BIDGOOD (IGI Entry, Ba: E050961, So: 917101m, Pr: 1037013, film not read)

08 Mar 1640 St. Lawrence, Exeter, Devonshire, EN. Married: Philip COMBE & Elizabeth HARRIS (IGI Entry, Ba: E050961, So: 917101m, Pr: 1037013, film not read)

10 Dec 1677 St. Lawrence, Exeter, Devonshire, EN. Christened: Ann COMES, d/o Richard (IGI Entry, Ba: C050961, So: 917101, Pr: 0883631, film not read)
Notes: See also the 1633 COMBS-HARRIS marriage in Totnes Parish, Hundred of Coleridge, Southern Division, Devonshire. Also note that an unidentified Philip and Elizabeth COMBS were in Charles County, Maryland by 1658.
Saint Martin, Exeter
21 Jan 1638 Saint Martin, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Elizab. COMBE and Rob. FORWARD (IGI, B: 22 Jan 1987 OGDEN Ba: E050981 E: 19 Feb 1987 OGDEN So: 917102, Pr: 1037022, film not yet read)
See Robert FORWARD who witnessed 1629 will of William COMBE of Oxford University.
25 Sep 1634 Saint Martin, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Mary COOME and Edward FARRELL (ibid.)
See also the Plymouth, Devonshire marriages of William COOMBE and Mary FAREWELL [sic] in 1603; and Anne COOME and William FARWELL in 1615.
St. Mary Major Parish, Exeter
7 Mar 1561 Saint Mary Major Parish, Exeter, Devon, England. Christened: Honour COMES, d/o George COMES (IGI, B: 19 Nov 1975 PROVO Ba: C051001 E: 29 Jan 1976 PROVO So: 917103, SP: 17 Feb 1976 PROVO Pr: 0933985, film not yet read)
The given name, Honor, is found later in Plympton St. Mary, Devon (the Jun 1608 birth of Honor COMBES, daughter of John) and in Plymouth, Devon (the Nov 1608 birth of Honor COMBE, daughter of Martin).
13 Feb 1602 Saint Mary Major Parish, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Markes COMBE and Anstice FYDER (IGI, Ba: E051001, So: 917103, Pr: 1037022, film not yet read) [Search Words: Marcus]

5 Jan 1603 Saint Mary Major Parish, Exeter, Devon, England. Christened: Christover COOMBE, s/o Markes COOMBE (IGI, B: 19 Nov 1975 PROVO Ba: C051001 E: 29 Jan 1976 PROVO So: 917103, SP: 17 Feb 1976 PROVO Pr: 0933985, film not yet read) [Search Words: Christopher, Marcus]

21 Oct 1608 Saint Mary Major Parish, Exeter, Devon, England. Christened: Agnes COOME, d/o Marks COOME (IGI, B: 19 Nov 1975 PROVO Ba: C051001 E: 29 Jan 1976 PROVO So: 917103, SP: 17 Feb 1976 PROVO Pr: 0933985, film not yet read)

St. Mary Steps Parish, Exeter
22 Sep ???? - 15 Oct 1639 (#1639) Simon TUCKER of St. Mary Steps, Exeter, by Will nuncupative 22nd Sept., "or thereabout." Bequeaths to poor of the parish 20s. To grandchild Nicholas COOMBE, 50s., and an annuity of 1s. To cousin Emlyn TUCKER, 10. Residue to my wife Agnis, who is Sole Executrix. Proved 15 Oct., 1639. Sum 108 1s. 8d. Inventory of above made 14th Oct. 1639. "Imprimis his purse & girdell & wearing apparell, with his gown, 6 10s."
Item, 2 sylver bowles and a bere bole.
Item, in the Chamber over the Shoppe, one muskett with pair of bandaliers and a sworde, with other articles, 17 6s. 10d.
In the kitchen, 2 Bibles.
Item, for 8 kine, 24.
" for Wheat in the barne ... ... ... 7 16 10
" Hay ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 10 9
" One reeke of woode in the garden, 1s. 6d."
(Devonshire Wills, A Collection of Annotated Testamentary Abstracts by Worthy, 1896, pg 53, 54, & 182) Note: Witnesses?
No marriage found for Simon, nor christening for him or Emlyn, nor for a daughter or wife, Agnes. See Nicholas of 1608 Holy Trinity, Exeter, s/o Anthony and Agnes, but wrong surname for her? (no early Agnes Tucker found). See possible Combs-Tucker of Barnstaple, Braunton Hundred, North Devon. Also note that numerous later 1600s IGI entries exist for this parish (not yet entered herein (1670s-90s - No Nicholas).
Saint Paul Parish
8 Feb 1563 Saint Paul, Exeter, Devon, England. Christened: COME, s/o Richard COME (IGI, B: 4 Jan 1972 LOGAN Ba: P004661E: 18 Jan 1972 LOGAN So: 547185 SP: 12 Feb 1969 SLAKE Pr: 0472481, film not yet read)

2 May 1582 Saint Paul, Exeter, Devon, England. Christened: Alse COME, d/o Richard COME (IGI, B: 4 Jan 1972 LOGAN Ba: P004661E: 18 Jan 1972 LOGAN So: 547185 SP: 12 Feb 1969 SLAKE Pr: 0472481, film not yet read)

24 Sep 1609 Saint Paul, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Joane COMBE and Thomas BAWDON or BAWDEN (IGI, Ba: E004661, So: 547185, Pr: 0883990, film not yet read)

18 May 1626 Saint Paul, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Sampson COMBE and Marie CADE (IGI, Ba: E004661, So: 547185, Pr: 0883990, film not yet read)

6 Jun 1629 Saint Paul, Exeter, Devon, England. Christened: Rebecca COOME, d/o Sampson COOME (IGI, B: 4 Jan 1972 LOGAN Ba: P004661E: 18 Jan 1972 LOGAN So: 547185 SP: 12 Feb 1969 SLAKE Pr: 0472481, film not yet read)

Saint Peter Cathedral
14 Jul 1656 Saint Peter Cathedral, Exeter, Devon. Married: William COOME and Audry SOMERTON (IGI Ba: E052451, So: 476912, film not yet read) [Search Words: SUMMERTON]

15 May 1657 Saint Peter Cathedral, Exeter, Devon. Married: John COOME and Ellanor CROSSE (IGI Ba: E052451, So: 476912, film not yet read)

14 Aug 1657 Saint Peter Cathedral, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Joane COOME and Peter WILLS (IGI, Ba: E052451, So: 476912, film not yet read)

19 Feb 1660 Saint Peter Cathedral, Exeter, Devon. Married: Debora COOMBE and Andrew ARSCOTT (FamilySearch.Org, IGI, B: 29 Oct 1983 OAKLA Ba: E052451, E: 9 Feb 1984 OAKLA So: 476912, source not yet read)

14 Jun 1751 Saint Peter Cathedral, Exeter, Devon. Christened: William COOMBE, s/o William and Rebecca COOMBE (IGI Ba: P004631, So: 476912, source not yet viewed)
These are the only parish records for the St. Peter Cathedral found in this source.
Saint Sidwell
30 May 1578 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon. Christened: Johan, s/o (blank)(IGI, So: 916839) SWL John

8 Nov 1579 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon. Married: Richarde COME and Margerette MARTYNE (IGI, So: 916840) SW: Margaret

19 Aug 1593 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Agnes COOMBE and Richarde WEBBER (IGI, So: 916840, film not yet read) [Search Words: Richard WEBER]

10 Aug 1600 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Lewes COOMBE and Alice CLARKE (IGI, So: 916840, film not yet read) SW: Lewis

27 Apr 1601 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Johan_ COMBE and Henrie LYMBORIE (IGI, B: 5 Nov 1982 OGDEN Ba: E050511 E: 19 Nov 1982 OGDEN So: 916840, Pr: 1037052, film not yet read) [Search Words: Joan]

14 Apr 1603 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon. Christened: Robert COOME, s/o William COOME (IGI, So: 916839)

7 Aug 1608 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Lewes COMBE and Margerie MILLFORDE (IGI, So: 942.3 B4DC 1954, source not yet read) [Search Words: Lewis, Margery, MILLFORD]

2 Sep 1608 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon. Christened: Thomas CUME, s/o William CUME (IGI, So: 916839)

16 Sep 1613 St. Sidwell, Exeter, Devon. Christened: Peter CUME, s/o William CUME (IGI, Ba: C050511, So: 916839, Pr: 0933231, film not yet read)

28 Jan 1615 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon. Christened: Richard CUME, s/o William CUME (IGI, So: 916839)

10 Feb 1624 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon, England. Christened: William COOME, s/o Edward COOME (IGI, Ba: C050511, So: 916839, Pr: 0933231, film not yet read)

28 Aug 1628 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: William COOMB and Mary HELLIER (IGI, So: 916840, film not yet read)

27 Aug 1629 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Grace COOMBE and William DAVYE (IGI, So: 916840, film not yet read)

30 May 1633 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Hugh COOME and Amie FRANKE (IGI, B: 5 Nov 1982 OGDEN Ba: E050511 E: 19 Nov 1982 OGDEN So: 916840, Pr: 1037052, film not yet read)

15 Jan 1648 Saint Sidwell, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: John COUMBE and Presilla [sic] (IGI, B: 5 Nov 1982 OGDEN Ba: E050511 E: 19 Nov 1982 OGDEN So: 916840, Pr: 1037052, film not yet read) SW: Priscilla

Saint Thomas the Apostle

Except where otherwise noted, the source for parish records is FamilySearch.Org #0916843, Parish register transcripts, 1554-1837 Church of England. St. Thomas the Apostle's Church, Exeter (records not yet viewed). All entries as of 1998 have been extracted.
5 Dec 1584 Saint Thomas the Apostle, Exeter, Devon. Christened: Marye COMBE, d/o John COMBE

19 Jan 1610 Saint Thomas The Apostle, Exeter, Devon, England. Married: Florence COMBE and John CHRISPINE [Search Words: CRISPIN]

22 Nov 1613 Saint Thomas the Apostle, Exeter, Devon. Christened: Barbara COMBE, d/o John COMBE

All Hallows Goldsmith Street
Extracted from IGI, So: 547185 -- all entries as of 1998):
8 Sep 1644 Married: Martin COUME and Elizabeth STAPLINGE

8 Oct 1735 Christened: Jane COOMBE, d/o John and Jane COOMBE

Unknown Parish
9 Jan 1752 Exeter. William COOMBE, Maltster and Dyer (new style) 9 January 1752, dwelling house called Axis Estate, timber and slated, in Frog Lane, £100;Dye House behind the above, brick, timber and slated £100. UItensils, Stock in Trade and Goods in trust therein £200. £400. (Extracted from THE DEVON CLOTH INDUSTRY IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY; Edited by Stanley D. Chapman; The Devonshire Press, Ltd.; Torquay; 1978, p. 79, by Combs Researcher Thom Mont)

Return to Combs &c. of Devonshire
Return to Combs &c. of England