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Earliest Combs &c. of Kent, England (1344-1499)

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Combs were in Kent at least as early as 1292 and probably much earlier (see undated "ancient deeds" below):

20 EDWARD I. [1292] C 143/18/11. "Richard de TWERTON, William son of John GADERBERME, Robert de HUGHAM, Susan de CUMBE, Robert de SOTTEMERE, Walter de POLTON, William de la SALE, William de BURNE, Thomas SAREMUNDE, and Thomas WALTER to grant land in Hawkinge, Satmar, Polton, and Alkham to..." [Alkham and Hawking, Kent] (Combs &c. of the PRO - Series C 142-143, Records of the Chancery: Inquisitions Post Mortem, Ad Quod Danum, and others, Henry III to Charles I)

35 EDWARD I. [ca 1307] C 143/64/22. William, abbot of St. Radigund's by Dover, to retain land in Alkham acquired of Thomas son of SARAMUND, rent in Sotmere (in Capell) acquired of Thomas WALTER, land in Combe acquired of Alan de TWYNEWODE, land in Hawking acquired of Richard de Twetton, lan...[Kent]" [incomplete entry] (ibid.)

Alkham is a parish in the hundred of Folkstone, lathe of Shepway, about four mi. northwest of Dover, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Canterbury, and in the patronage of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The church is dedicated to St. Anthony (Lewis, 1831)

21 Edw. I. [1293] E 199/19/3 Kent: (1) and (2) Writ ordering payment of deodands to Keeper of Domus. Conversorum, London, and his receipt for them. M.3. Acquittance of Richard de CUMBE, Sheriff, for value of chattels found in Manors of Lewisham and Greenwich, in damaged canvas bag. (Combs &c. of the PRO - Series E, Exchequer: King's Remembrancer and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer: Sheriffs' Accounts, Petitions, etc.)

Lewisham parish is in the hundred of Blackheath, lathe of Sutton At Hone, 6-1/2 mi. southeast of London on the road to Tunbridge and Hastings, "was earlier spelled Lewesham ("the dwelling among the meadows"), and anciently written Levesham. The village is situated on the river Ravensbourn, and extends about a mile along the Tunbridge road. The parish is within the jurisdiction of the court of requests at Greenwich, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Rochester, and in the patronage of the Earl of Dartmouth, its church dedicated to St. Mary... Here was formerly a Benedictine priory, a cell to the abbey of St. Peter at Ghent: it was suppressed in the time of Henry V., and the site granted to the prior and convent of Shene... Lewisham confers the inferior title of viscount on the Earl of Dartmouth." (Lewis, 1831) Richard may be the same who follows:

C 1/48/321 John Eryth, William ROLFE, and William Wodeman. v. Richard SHOTTE, of Hese, Thomas FETHERSTON, of East Greenwich, Richard COMBE, of Leuesham, and Richard ALEYN, of Hese, feoffees.: Land in Hese and Bromley, late of Andrew SPAROW.: Kent. (Combs &c. of the PRO - Series C, Exchequer: King's Remembrancer and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer: Sheriffs' Accounts, Petitions, etc.)

Bromley is in the hundred of Bromley and Beckenham, lathe of Sutton at Hone, 10 miles souteast of London on the road to Tunbridge.

18 February 1299/1300 Surrender. Robert, son of John PIKARD to Thomas, Prior to Rochester; Croft of land enclosed by hedges and ditches near the entrance to the priory wood in Darenth which had belonged to his mother Felicity, daughter of Godwyn ate WODE and which he holds of the priory but now wishes to relinquish on account of the rents and other services which he finds tedious and onerous. Witnesses: Peter de ALDEHAM, William de COMBE, John de YNELD, Roger de RIPPES, John de AQUA, John, son of Robert, the reeve, John de COBEHAM (i.e. COBHAM), John ate BROKE, Roger de AQUA at Darenth. Endorsement: Derenthe (i.e. Darenth]. De crofta que fuit Roberti filii Johannis picard. Et iacet iuxta protam Bosci de derenth (i.e. Darenth) versus a(quilonien) * (14th century) Seal. Latin. *Supplied from text. (Extracted from the Kent Medway Archives, Ref: DRc_Rochester_Priory_and_other_Religious_Houses_1080_1541/DRc_T141_1)

Rochester is an ancient city and port, having separate jurisdiction, locally in the lathe of Aylesford, county of Kent, 8-1/2 mi. north of Maidstone, and 89 mi. east south east of London, on the road to Dover, and includes the precinct of the Cathedral Church, part of Chatham, and Stroud Intra. "The city received its first charter of incorporation from Henry II., in 1165, and its privileges have been ratified and extended by succeeding monarchs to the time of Charles I., by whose charter the government is vested in a mayor, eleven aldermen, and twelve common council-men, assisted by a recorder, town clerk, two chamberlains, a water-bailiff, a principal serjeant at mace, and two under-serjeants, with subordinate officers. The mayor is annually elected by the citizens, from among the aldermen, who, with the common council-men, fill up vacancies in their bodies as they occur; the recorder is chosen by the mayor and aldermen. The mayor, recorder, late mayor, and senior alderman, are justices of the peace within the borough and liberties; the freedom is inherited by birth, and obtained by servitude, purchase, or gift. The corporation hold quarterly courts of session for all offences within the city and liberties, which include part of Chatham; and a court of portmote, every fifteen days, for the determination of all pleas, and for the recovery of debts to any amount. A court of requests is held for the recovery of debts not exceeding 5 pounds, the jurisdiction of which extends over the parishes of Stroud, Frindsbury, Cobham, Shorne, Higham, Cliffe, Cooling, High Halstow, Chalk, Hoo, Burham, Wouldham, Halling, Cuxton, Chatham, Gillingham, and the ville of Sheerness, in the county of Kent."

"The see of Rochester, which is the smallest in the kingdom, and the most ancient, except Canterbury, was established in 600, by Ethelbert, King of Kent, who, at the persuasion of St. Augustine, erected a church in this city, which he dedicated to St. Andrew, and establishing a monastery for Secular priests, appointed for their bishop, Justus, who had accompanied St. Augustine into Britain. The diocese comprehends the western division of the county, and includes ninety-one parishes, in the deaneries of Rochester, Malling, and Dartford, separated from the see of Canterbury by the river Medway. The cathedral church is dedicated to St. Andrew, and was rebuilt by Bishop Gundulph, in 1050... The city comprises the parishes of St. Margaret and St. Nicholas, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Rochester, the former in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter, and the latter, with the living of St. Clements, in the patronage of the Bishop. The churches of St. Clement and St. Mary the Virgin have been demolished..." (Lewis, 1831)

17 EDWARD III [ca 1344] C 143/265/15. John LUCAS of Swanscombe to grant land in Greenhithe and Swanscombe to a chaplain to build a chapel in honour of the Blessed Virgin, retaining land held of the countess of Kent, the bishop of Rochester, and John de COUMBE of Swanscombe. Kent. (Combs &c. of the PRO - Series C 142-143, Records of the Chancery: Inquisitions Post Mortem, Ad Quod Danum, and others, Henry III to Charles I)

Swanscombe is a parish in the hundred of Axton, Dartford and Wilmington, lathe of Sutton at Hone, about 4 mi. east of Dartford, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Rochester, and in the patronage of the Master and Fellows of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, the church dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. The parish is bounded on the north by the river Thames, and was "anciently Swanes-Camp, celebrated for the landing and encampment of Sweyn, King of Denmark; and also as the place where the men of Kent enclosed William the Conqueror with boughs in their hands, when, casting them down, they prepared for battle, demanding the enjoyment of their former rights, which they obtained." Greenhythe is a hamlet in Swanscombe and about 3 mi. east northeast of Dartford on the southern bank of the Thames, across which there is a horse-ferry to West Thurrock. (Lewis, 1831)

29 March 1369 Quitclaim. William BAKERE (cf. BAKER), Walter BAKERE (cf. Baker) and Henry BAKERE (cf. BAKER) to Richard HAUEKYN of Strood: Fronkeleynescourt (Frankeleyn Court) * in Strood and divers lands in Frindsbury and Strood which once belonged to Hamo BAKERE. Witnesses: Reginald Shamele (cf. Shamwell), William Hemfrey, John atte DENE, John COMBE, John Hobbe, Robert Wardour, John Lamb, Thomas Goldyng (cf. Golding), Hamo Quykeman, John Chounce, Richard Abot, Elias Reyner (cf. Reygner) at Strood. Endorsements: 1. Donacio facta Ricardo Haukyn de Frenkeleynescourt in Strode (i.e. Strood) per Willelmum Walterum et Henricum Bakere et quondam fuit Hamonis Bakare (14th century) 2. Gileb' Vacher (15th century). Fragment of one seal only. Document stained. Latin. (DRc_Rochester_Priory_and_other_Religious_Houses_1080_1541/DRc_T594_1; * This manor was in the possession of Strood Hospital at some time and was one of the properties vested in the Dean and Chapter of Rochester in June 1541)

24 March 1372/1373 Feoffment Richard HAWKYN alias atte VYNE of Strood to Elias REYNER (alias REYGNER) of Strood: 1/4th part of 2 pieces of meadow called le Verthingges in Strood abutting on the north side of le Homfield and on the south side of a watermeadow called Smalemed belonging to the Countess of Pembroke; and 1/4th part of a roadway from the main road to lands called le Teches. Witnesses: Reginald SHAMELE (i.e. SHAMWELL), John COMBE, John SOKELYNG, Richard ABOT, Thomas TOTYNTON, Gregory CHALONER, John KALLER. Endorsement: Carta Ricardi atte Vyne facta Elie Reyner (alias Reygner) de prato vicato le verthynges et de via iuxta tenementum Asketyn in Strode (i.e. Strood) (14th Century) Seal. Latin. (DRc_Rochester_Priory_and_other_Religious_Houses_1080_1541/DRc_T248_2)

Stroud parish is partly within the jurisdiction of the borough of Rochester, and partly in the hundred of Shamwell, lathe of Aylesford, 1-2 mi. northwest of Rochester, on the high road from London to Rochester, to which latter place it is joined by a bridge over the Medway. One part of the parish, Stroud Extra, is not within the borough of Rochester, but under the jurisdiction of the county magistrates, and the court of requests at Rochester. It is in the archdeaconry and diocese of Rochester, and in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Rochester, the church dedicated to St. Nicholas. The fact that John COMBE and John att DENE [DENNE?] are together in the first record may be significant in respect to the marriage of Michael DENNE of Kingston, Kent, and Christiana COOMBE.

1382 C 270/28/5. Appeal to Rome of Master John COUMBE, advocate of London consistory court, excommunicated by Archbishop of Canterbury. With note of two mainpernors (for prosecution of appeal).

[ca 1387] Hastingleigh
Sciant p'sentes et fut. qd. ego Johannes de COMBE de Hastinglegh concessi &c. Joh'i Recti et alijs Maneria de Southlegh et Hugha. que Stephanus de COMBE Richardus de COMBE et ego p'dictus Joh'es nuper H'u'im's ex dono et feoffamento Willi'mi TAPELINE et Alior. et que ferunt Matildis filiae et haeredis Waresij de Valoyns Milit. data apud Hastinglegh 4o die Mensis Novembris 10 Regis Ric'di 2di Hijs testibus Willi'mo LOTERICHE Joh'e ALKHAM Hamone EDINGE Willi'mo BREWER et Alijs. (Visitations of Kent, 1619):

Roughly and partially translated as:

"...I Johannes de COMBE of Hastingleigh, concede to Joh'i ... and others of the manor of Southleigh and Hugha. that Stephanus de COMBE, Richardus de COMBE and myself by order of of Joh'es... give and grant to Wiliam TAPELINE et Alior. et que ferunt Matilda daughter and heir of Waresij de Valoyns Milit ... Hastinglegh 4th day of the ninth month 10 Richard II [4 Sep 1386]. His witnesses William LOTERICHE Joh'e ALKHAM, Hamone EDINGE, William BREWER and others."

Hastingleigh is in the franchise and barony of Bircholt, lathe of Shepway. The above record of John of Hastingleigh may relate to the following PRO-extracted records (specific dates not yet known):

22 Jun 1377 - 17 Nov 1558 [at some time between these dates] Court of Chancery: Six Clerks Office: Early Proceedings, Richard II to Philip and Mary. C 1/68/23. John BURGEYS, citizen and stockfishmonger of London, and Margaret, his wife, previously the wife of Stephen, son of John COMBE. v. Thomas COMBE, William BARTON, of Canterbury, and Thomas IKAM, feoffees to uses.: Manors of Hugham and Southlye, and lands in... [Hastingleigh, Kent]" (Combs &c. Extractions from the PRO Catalogue, C Series - record not yet acquired)

22 Jun 1377 - 17 Nov 1558 (ibid.) Court of Chancery: Six Clerks Office: Early Proceedings, Richard II to Philip and Mary. C 1/28/398. "Thomas, son of Richard COMBE, esq., late of Canterbury [Kent]. v. John HALLE, gent., and Reynold KNYGHT, feoffees.: Manors of Southleigh, Combe, and Dean, and a messuage, &c. in Hastingleigh, Wye, Crundell (Crowndale), Waltham, Elmstead, Stouting (Stountyng), Se..." (ibid.)

Elmsted is a parish in the hundred of Stouting, lathe of Shepway (See also Bromley). Wye is a parish and former market town in the hundred of Wye, lathe of Scray, 4 mi. northeast of Ashford, and 56 mi. east southeast of London situated near the right bank of the river Stour, the living a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Canterbury, endowed with a parliamentary grant, and in the patronage of the Earl of Winchilsea. The church is dedicated to St. Martin and St. Gregory, and anciently belonged to Battle abbey, and rebuilt and made collegiate by John Kemp, a native of this town, first Bishop of Rochester, and afterwards Cardinal... (Lewis, 1831) The following records, actual date unknown, may be relevant to the above:

1120-1609 [between these dates] Exchequer: King's Remembrancer: Ancient Deeds, Series D E 210/164 "Release by Walter le MESSAGER and Alice his wife, to their lords, the abbot and convent of Battle, of all the tenement which they held of the fee of the said abbot and convent in Sisele. Witnesses :- Roger de BENINDENN, Adam de CUMBE, bailiff of Wy (Wye, Kent), ando... " (Combs &c. of the PRO - Series E, Exchequer: King's Remembrancer and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer: Sheriffs' Accounts, Petitions, etc.)

1120-1609 ibid. E 210/305 Grant by Simon son of Stephen de la TUNE, to the abbot and convent of Battle, of land at 'la Tune' in the parish of Wy, in the field called 'Nortfelde,' adjoining land called 'Darindane.' Witnesses :- Adam de la CUMBE, bailiff, and Hugh de ROMONAL, bedel..." [Wye, Kent] (ibid.)

1120-1609 ibid. E 210/3657. Adam de CUMBE to Battle Abbey : Grant of a croft, etc., in Wye : (Kent). (ibid.)

12 Ric II [1389] C 148/95. Grantor: Joan de WYTHTYRSHAM late the wife of William of WITTERSHAM (WYTHTYSHAM) in Kent Grantee: Thomas CUMBE, Sampson GRENEWYCH, Robert GRENSTEDE, Roger MOT, William atte GROVE Subject: Grant of his manor of Wittersham County: Kent (Combs &c. of the PRO - Series C, Exchequer: King's Remembrancer and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer: Sheriffs' Accounts, Petitions, etc.)

Wittersham is a parish in the hundred of Oxney, lathe of Shepway, 5-1/4 mi. southeast of Tenterden, in the peculiar jurisdiction and patronage of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist (Lewis, 1831)

1443 R 1.13 Will of John COMBE of Swanscombe, Kent (Extracted from Jean Fox's Index to Wills of West Kent - See Index to Combs &c. of Kent)

1452 PCC Rous 17. Will and codicil to same of William COMBES alias COUMBYS of Snodland, Kent, which also references "St. George, Estchep, London; Fynchelon, St.Martin, Norfolk."

Snodland is a joint parish with Paddlesworth, and in the hundred of Larkfield, lathe of Aylesford, about 4 miles north northeast of West Malling, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Rochester, the church is dedicated to All Saints. Paddlesworth is about 6 mi. southwest of Rochester. The inhabitants of Paddlesworth have married, baptized, and buried at Snodland since the reign of Elizabeth (1558-1603).

1476 R 3.165 Will of Symonde COMBE of Wilmington, Kent (ibid., West Kent Wills) [Search Words: Simon]

Wilmington, a parish in the hundred of Axton, Dartford, and Wilmington, lathe of Sutton At Hone, County of Kent, is 1 mile south of Dartford, "the living a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Rochester, in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Rochester, the church dedicated to St. Michael... The great Earl of Warwick, in the reign of Edward IV [1461-1483], resided at the manor-house in the village, which is remarkable for the beauty of its situation." (Lewis, 1831)

1484 R 6.16 Will of Richard or Rogger COMBE of Lewisham, Kent ("Richard" in will, "Rogger" in heading) (ibid., West Kent Wills)

In addition to the above records are a number of additional early Combes from the Combs &c. Index to the PRO, but with the actual date of the record still unknown:

C 1/596/33 Richard WESTON, knight, Richard TATE, William ROPER, Robert MAYCOTTE and William COMBES, gentleman v. William BLOWER.: Detention of deeds relating to messuages and land in Newington, Upchurch, Stockbury, Hartlip, and Rainham.: Kent. (Combs &c. of the PRO - Series C-1, Exchequer: King's Remembrancer and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer: Sheriffs' Accounts, Petitions, etc.)

Newington is in the hundred of Milton, lathe of Scray, the others not yet checked.

C 1/318/76 William, son and heir of Gervase HORNE. v. John COMBE and Nicholas NORTHTHEN, feoffees to uses, and Thomas CHAPMAN.: Lands in Appledore, Stone, and Woodchurch, late of Robert PASSOUR.: Kent. (ibid., series C 1)

C 1/43/182 Lowes de PYNELLO, merchant of Genoa (Jayne). v. Thomas COMBES: Seizure of complainant's goods after they had been taken by pirates.: [Kent]. (ibid. Series C 1)

E 326/642. Sale by Godwyn WAIDEGRUM to the abbot and convent of Boxley, of land in the parish of Boxley. Witnesses: Gilbert le BON, Geoffrey de CUMBA, William de ETONA, and others (named). [Kent]. (Combs &c. of the PRO - Series E, Exchequer: King's Remembrancer and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer: Sheriffs' Accounts, Petitions, etc.)

E 326/644. Grant by Thomas MAREYS and Margery his wife to the abbot and convent of Boxley of a messuage with a house and trees, &c. in the parish of Boxley. Witnesses : Richard le BIRCH, Geoffrey de CUMBA, John de EVENHELLE, and others named).[Kent]. (ibid., Series E)

E 326/645. Grant by William son of Peter de BURL' to the abbot and convent of Boxley, of land in the parish of Boxley. Witnesses: Alexander e BURL', Geoffrey de CUMBA, Hugh de BOSCO and others (named). [Kent]. (ibid., Series E)

C 1/755/22. Robert CLERKE of Headcorn, husbandman, executor of Joan COMBE, servant of William BOYCOTT of Detling, husbandman. v. Nicholas GOLDSMYTH and Ellen his wife, executrix and late the wife of the said William.: Money entrusted to the said William by the said J... [incomplete entry]" [Kent] (ibid., Series C 1)

Headcorn is a parish in the hundred of Eyhorne, lathe of Aylesford, county of KENT, 8-1/2 mi. south southeast of Maidstone, containing 1191 inhabitants. The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Canterbury, rated in the king's books at £15. 13. 4., and in the patronage of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The church, which is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, is principally in the later style of English architecture. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. A fair is held on the 12th of June. Headcorn is a decayed market town, situated on a branch of the river Medway.

C 1/26/347 John CLERK, executor, and John INGOLDESBY, and Marion his wife, executrix, of Richard SMYTH, gent., of Shorne. v. Richard BRUNE, feoffee of the said Richard.: Manor of Combe in the hundred of Hoo, bought of William COBBEHAM.: Kent (ibid., Series C-1)

Hoo St. Mary is a parish in the hundred of Hoo, lathe of Aylesford, 6-3/4 mi. north northeast of Rochester, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Rochester.