A Special Report Prepared by Archdale-Combs-Kendall Researcher Denise Mortorff.
(See Also The London Inns of Court and Archdale, Combs &c. of the Middle Temple)

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Background - In response to a request of "The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple" London, England, I have received the following response today via snail mail from their Archivist. My request was generally to see if there were any records for COMBES and similarly sounding surnames and specifically if the John COMBE who graduated from Oxford University, brother to Archdale and William COMBE, and s/o John and Margaret ARCHDALE Combe of St. Mary the Virgin Aldermanbury, London, was the same who was in the Inner Temple records as indicated by Foster's Oxonienses….

Denise Mortorff, Kendall/Combes Researcher

In addition to the response by the Inner Temple Archivist, entries from the British Library Wolley Collection regarding the Inner Temple have also been included below. Each entry is dated with a synopsis. Document abstracts with further details are included at the web page of the specific shire the document appears to be centered upon. A link to those shires is included in the synopsis.


06 Jul 1507 Thomas COMBES admitted 6th July 1507 (Index of Admissions to the Inner Temple 1505-1750, Archivist, Inner Temple of London, who adds: "no biographical information given.")

See also the Thomas COMBE, Gent. who was freed by his apprenticeship as a Draper in 1506.

bef 1609 Ady SARE (a.k.a. SAYER? AYERS?) had been admitted to the Inner Temple by 1609 when named in the will of his father-in-law, Thomas ARCHDALE of St. Antholins Budge Row, London.

29 Jun 1622 "John COMBE, gent., son and heir of John COMBE of Edmonton, Middlesex, [esquire], deceased"; was admitted on 29th June 1622(Index of Admissions to the Inner Temple, 1505-1750; and Inner Temple Admissions Register, Archivist, Inner Temple of London who adds: "He does not appear to have been called to the bar (ie. become a licensed barrister), but this was not unusual at a time when the Inns of Court were viewed as quasi-universities for educating the gentry as well as professional training schools for the practising bar.")

According to Foster's Oxonians…, John COMBE of Trinity College, Oxford University (1619-1622), s/o John and Margaret ARCHDALE Combe of St. Mary the Virgin Aldermanbury, London, and John COMBE, s/o John COMBE of Edmonton, Middlesex, were one and the same. Foster's source remains unknown thus far (research in progress).

28 Jan 1628 [1628/29] Marriage License: William PALMER of Inner Temple Gent & Dorothy BRAMPSTON d. to Serirant BRAMSTON of Aldermanbury (p.116 "Marriages With Licenses according to ther date. Anno 1628")

Notes: See William PALMER, s/o William and Barbara ARCHDALE Palmer, also of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, London. Same?

1631 The will of Abraham ARCHDALE of Wheatley, Oxfordshire, names "Charles HOLLOWAYE of the Inner Temple London Esquier" (one of his overseers) and Mr. Ady SARE of the Inner Temple, the latter h/o Sarah ARCHDALE, d/o Thomas ARCHDALE. Abraham was the s/o Richard and Mary FERNE Archdale, the former 1st cousin to Margaret ARCHDALE Combs. (See 1609 record of Ady SARE (a.k.a. SAYER? AYER? SAWYER?)

04 Feb 1681/2 Walter COMBES, son and heir of Thomas COMBES, late of Oxford, gent. Deceased, admitted 4th February 1681/2 (Index of Admissions to the Inner Temple 1505-1750, Archivist, Inner Temple of London)

03 Mar 1745/6 Richard COMBE, gent., son and heir apparent of Henry COMBE of the city of Bristol [esquire], admitted 3rd March 1745/6 (Index of Admissions to the Inner Temple 1505-1750, Archivist, Inner Temple of London)

22 Feb 1760 William COMBES, son and heir of Robert COMBES late of London, gent., who was admitted 22nd February 1760. (Index to Admissions to the Inner Temple, 1751-1850, Correspondence, 1998, to Combs Researcher Denise Mortorff from Archivist, Inner Temple of London)

28 May 1861 C. COMBE, was admitted 28th May 1861 (Index to Admissions to the Inner Temple, 1851-1929, Correspondence, 1998, to Combs Researcher Denise Mortorff from Archivist, Inner Temple of London)

05 Nov 1894 RM COMBE was admitted on 5 November 1894 (Index to Admissions to the Inner Temple, 1851-1929, Correspondence, 1998, to Combs Researcher Denise Mortorff from Archivist, Inner Temple of London)

22 Jan 1903 RGM COMBE was admitted on 22 Jan 1903. (Index to Admissions to the Inner Temple, 1851-1929, Correspondence, 1998, to Combs Researcher Denise Mortorff from Archivist, Inner Temple of London)


(See Also Combs &c. Counties of England for Additional Data in respect to some of the above individuals).


Wolley Charters

"The Wolley charters range in date from the beginning of the thirteenth to the first half of the eighteenth centuries, but the majority date from the mid thirteenth to the late fourteenth centuries.

They are arranged in twelve series (i-xii).

Series i-iv and vi-x generally consist of medieval deeds, mostly relating to Derbyshire, but also including some relating to places in nearby counties such as Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire and Cheshire.

Series v consists mainly of medieval deeds relating to locations north of Derbyshire, e.g. Yorkshire, and the towns of Berwick upon Tweed and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Series xi consists mostly of late sixteenth to early eighteenth century deeds, mainly relating to Derbyshire.

Series xii contains charters from the late fifteenth to the early eighteenth centuries, again mainly relating to Derbyshire. It includes several distinct collections, including one relating to a messuage in Cambridge, another to the family of Greaves of Youlgreave and their manor of Beeley, and an extensive collection for the Bradshaw family of Bradshaw in Derbyshire and of Marple in Cheshire.

The charters are mostly concerned with land transfers. In addition, there are some wills and marriage settlements, and a small number of other miscellaneous items, such as inventories for chantries, lists of freeholders and surveys of estates."

Document i.52

Synopsis- A Nicholas de Cumba is noted 'dominus' among witnesses of a release dated St. Barnavus, 1292. The abstract as provided by the British Library is as follows:

Type of document Release
Language Latin
Original date St Barnabus, 1292
Modern date 11 June 1292
Measurements 135 x 184 mm; indented
Medium Vellum
Contents Release by Guy de Forest, Master of the Temple, in England, to Thomas, abbot of Welbeck, of 12s. of rent from 2 bovates of land in Duckmanton which Robert, son of Henry Bonde and Thomas his brother, held of the Temple in the vill of Duckmanton; annual rent, 2s. Dated at Dinsley, co. Hertf.
Endorsement Chirograph to the abbot of Welbeck, of Duckmanton. Bibliography I. H. Jeayes, Derbyshire Charters, no. 1093; Birch, Catalogue of Seals in the Department of Manuscripts in the British Museum, vol. ii, p.796.
Witnesses Brother John de Dugmantone Prior of Welbeck
Brother Robert de Whattone Sub-prior of Welbeck
'dominus' Nicholas de Cumba
Brother Peter de Wadewrth
Brother William de Anneslay
Grantors Guy de Forest Master of the Temple, in England
Grantees Thomas abbot of Welbeck
Seals Pendent Dark-green wax, oval; within a pointed oval, St James standing on a platform, three-quarters to the left, with bonnet, wallet and staff; before him an abbot kneeling, holding a pastoral staff; overhead a trefoiled canopy; in the field, an estoile of 6 points; for Thomas, abbot of St James Welbeck; [S]IGI[ILLVM] SC'I IACOBI D...
WELLEBEC A...; damaged
Full list of places Wellebek [Welbeck, Abbey of St James of, co. Nott.]
Dugmanton [Duckmanton, co. Derby]
Dynsleg' [Temple Dinsley, co. Hertf.]

Document iv.23

Synopsis: A John Combe and Elizabeth Combe, his wife, are grantors of land that appears to be in Derbyshire in 1449. The property is a messuage and lands in Codnor for which a power of attorney was the instrument by which a Roger de Parsones acted on behalf of John and Elizabeth Combes for its transfer.

Type of document Power of Attorney
Language Latin
Original date Monday before st Michael the archangel, 28 Henry VI
Modern date 22 September 1449
Measurements 75 x 305 mm
Medium Vellum
Contents Power of Attorney from John Combe and Elizabeth his wife to Roger de Parsones of Codnor, to deliver to John Clerk of the same, a messuage and lands in Codnor.
Endorsement 28 Henry 6th. A Letter of Attorney from John Combe & his wife to deliver possession to John Clark of a messuage in Codnor.
Bibliography I. H. Jeayes, Derbyshire Charters, no. 807.
Grantors John Combe
Elizabeth Combe wife of John Combe
Grantees Roger de Parsones of Codnor
Seals Tongue Two red wax seals; (1) a hand holding a truncheon or broken spear, with foliage [?]; inscription; indistinct; (2) in a square, a device [?]; indistinct. For John and Elizabeth Combe.
Full list of places [Codnor, co. Derby]

Document iv.51

Synopsis: A Tho. Combes 'Audrter' (probably Auditor) was involved in a lease agreement in 1514 re: a nunnery of Derby (more locations cited in the abstract).

Type of document Lease
Language English
Original date 30 May, 6 Henry VIII
Modern date 30 May 1514
Measurements 208 x 303 mm; indented
Medium Vellum
Contents Indenture of Lease, for 50 years, from Elizabeth, prioress of the nunnery of Derby, to John Pole, son and heir of Ralph Pole of Wakebridge, of a field or close called Nunne feld in Crich, together with the building thereon, lying in the lordship of Crich, with licence to the said John to 'stubbe and grubbe'; annual rent, 4s. By Tho. Combes 'Audrter'
Endorsement Dat.30 May 1514. Elizabeth Prioress of the Nuns of Derby to John Pole. Lease of Nun [feld] in Crich. To continue 60 [years] Rent 4s. p.a.
Public memoranda Left hand edge cut off.
Bibliography I. H. Jeayes, Derbyshire Charters, no. 923.
Grantors Dame Elizabeth Prioress of the nunnery of Derby and the convent

Grantees John Pole son and heir of Ralph Pole of Wakebridge
Full list of places Wakebruge [Wakebridge, in parish of Crich, co. Derby]
Crych [Crich, co. Derby]
[Derby, nunnery of, de Pratis or Kingsmead, co. Derby]
[Derby]

Document xii.57

Synopsis: A Thomas Combes is noted as a witness in a grant and power of attorney document in 1542. General locations noted are Derby and Chest.

Type of document Grant and Power of Attorney
Language Latin
Original date 5 December, 34 Henry VIII
Modern date 5 December 1542
Measurements 166 x 346 mm
Medium Vellum
Contents Grant by Richard Bradsha of Bradshaw, co. Derby, yeoman, cousin and next heir of Henry Bradsha late of Bradshaw, deceased, to William Bradsha[Bradshaw] of Marple, co. Chest., of all his messuages and lands in Bradshaw aforesaid, and in Turnecofte in the town of Bowden or elsewhere within the said county. Power of Attorney by the said Richard Bradsha to Walter Marchynton and William Asheton to deliver seisin.
Public memoranda Decorated initial letter.
Bibliography I. H. Jeayes, Derbyshire Charters, no. 652.
Witnesses William Daverpot of Goittes Hall, gentleman
Alexander Elkocke of Stockport, gentleman
William Chorleton of Stockport, chaplain
Ralph Holme of Bramall, chaplain
Thomas Combes
William Bawdon of Marple
Robert Clayton of Marple
with others [not named]
Grantors Richard Bradsha [Bradshaw] of Bradshaw, co. Derby, yeoman, cousin and next heir of Henry Bradsha late of Bradshaw, deceased
Grantees William Bradsha [Bradshaw] of Marple, co. Chest.
Seals Pendent Tag and seal missing.
Full list of places Marpull [Marple, co. Chest.]
Bawdon [Bowden Hall, in Chapel en le Frith, co. Derby]
[Bradshaw, in Chapel en le Frith, co. Derby]


©1998-2006, Denise Mortorff; Combs &c. Research Group