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of Harlan Co., KY

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Harlan Co., KY was organized from Knox Co. in 1818/9. In 1842, part of Harlan County was lost to the newly-formed Letcher Co., KY, and then more in 1867 to Bell Co., KY. In 1878, part of northern Harlan Co was lost to Leslie Co., KY, created also from land in Clay and Perry Counties.
1820, 1830 Census Index, Harlan Co., KY: No Combs
1832-1838 Harlan Co., KY Land Grants (The Kentucky Land Grants, A Systematic Index to All of the Land Grants Recorded in the State Land Office at Frankfort, Kentucky 1782 -- 1924, Volume 1, Part 1, Willard Rouse Jillson, Sc.D. (Originally published as Filson Club Publications, Number 33, KY, hereinafter "The Kentucky Land Grants," )

Watercourse: Straight Creek, Fork
  • Grantee: Combs, Robert; Acres: 50; Book: A-2; Page: 487; Date Survey: 1-17-1832; County: Harlan

    Watercourse: Fk Straight Cr
  • Grantee: Combs, Robert; Acres: 150; Book: A-2; Page: 488; Date Survey: 4-19-1832; County: Harlan

    Watercourse: Fk & Brs Straight Cr
  • Grantee: Combs, Robert; Acres: 50; Book: A-2; Page: 489; Date Survey: 6- 7-1832; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Fk Straight Cr
  • Grantee: Combs, Robert H; Acres: 88; Book: C-2; Page: 61; Date Survey: 1- 4-1833; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Fk Straight Cr
  • Grantee: Combs, Robert H; Acres: 150; Book: C-2; Page: 61; Date Survey: 1- 4-1838; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Fk Straight Cr

    Watercourse: Straight Creek, Caney Fork
  • Grantee: Combs, Robert; Acres: 50; Book: A-2; Page: 490; Date Survey: 1-17-1832; County: Harlan Watercourse: Caney Fk Straight Cr

    Notes: Robert Combs is unidentified; he was not on the 1830 or 1840 census index.
    1840 US Census Index, Harlan Co, KY

    P. 116
    COMEST, William
    1850 US Census Index: No Combs
    1860 Harlan Co., KY Census (Transcribed by Combs Researcher Debi Kendricks)

    HH 829
    John Combs Sr. 86 NC
    Sarah 76 NC
    John Jr. 25 KY
    Martha 26 TN
    Milton 5 KY
    Sarah 4 KY
    Fanny 3 KY
    Mastor G. 1/12 KY
    1870 Harlan Co KY Census: No Combs families listed on Index
    20 Feb 1878 Harlan Co, KY James Combs, father of Elbert Combs, writes a note to the county clerk for issue of a marriage license in Harlan Co. KY. Elbert Combs and Rutha TAYLOR are issued a Marriage Bond in Harlan Co. KY on 20 Feb. 1878. To this union, two known children are born; John F. and Nancy Elizabeth. (Combs Researcher Mary F. Hentschel)

    MFH Notes: Elbert Combs was born in Lee Co VA, 7 Sept. 1857. He first appears on the 1860 Lee Co., VA census, with his parents James and Nancy, and many siblings. Ten years later, he is still found in Lee Co. VA, on the 1870 census with his family. Nancy was my grandmother. According to Bible records, Elbert Haze Combs, died Feb. 1882.
    1880 Harlan Co KY Census (Extracted by Combs Researcher Debi Kendricks from the 1880 Census of Harlan County by Holly Fee)

    District 1

    HH 177
    Elbert Combs head 21 VVV laborer
    Rutha wife 18 KVV
    John son 1 KVV

    Notes: Elbert Combs was born 27 Sep 1876, Lee Co, VA, son of James and Nancy (HOBBS?) Combs, and brother to Bartholomew who follows. Connecting census records still needed (1860 and 1870 census), and see also Elbert, born 1862, Russell Co, VA, son of Samuel & Sarah C. GENT Combs re naming patterns (Samuel a first cousin of this Elbert).

    HH 323
    Bartholmew Combs head 35 VVV laborer
    Louisa wife 30 KVV
    Sarah dau 8 KVK
    James son 6 KVK
    Elbert son 4 KVK

    Notes: See 1850 Lee Co VA Census HH of James & Nancy Combs
    1882 Harlan Co KY Land Grants, (The Kentucky Land Grants p. 1121)

    on No watercourse:
  • Grantee: Combs, Jason; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 16; Date Survey: 3- 9-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: None
  • Grantee: Combs, Jefferson Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 10; Date Survey: 3- 9-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: None
  • Grantee: Combs, Jessie; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 14; Date Survey: 3- 9-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: None

    on Big Black Mountain
  • Grantee: Combs, Carlon; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 55; Date Survey: 3-14-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Crittenden; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 60; Date Survey: 3-14-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt

  • Grantee: Combs, David; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 46; Date Survey: 3-10-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt

  • Grantee: Combs, Dryden; Acres: 200; Book: 103; Page: 49; Date Survey: 3-14-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Edward; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 49; Date Survey: 3-10-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, G P; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 44; Date Survey: 3-10-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Granville; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 54; Date Survey: 3-14-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Granville;Acres: 200; Book: 104; Page: 76; Date Survey: 7-26-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Green; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 51; Date Survey: 3-13-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Ira; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 48; Date Survey: 3-10-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Harrison; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 56; Date Survey: 3-14-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Jackson; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 43; Date Survey: 3-10-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt

  • Grantee: Combs, John Sr; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 53; Date Survey: 3-14-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt

  • Grantee: Combs, John Jr; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 62; Date Survey: 3-14-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt

  • Grantee: Combs, Lorenzo D; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 64; Date Survey: 3-14-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Milton M; Acres: 200; Book: 104; Page: 83; Date Survey: 7-26-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, R; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 47; Date Survey: 3-10-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Sampson; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 45; Date Survey: 3-10-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt

  • Grantee: Combs, Samuel; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 52; Date Survey: 3-13-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt

  • Grantee: Combs, Shadrack; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 58; Date Survey: 3-14-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Van Buren; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 57; Date Survey: 3-14-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt

  • Grantee: Combs, Virgele; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 59; Date Survey: 3-14-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt

  • Grantee: Combs, W J; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 50; Date Survey: 3- 9-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Washington; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 61; Date Survey: 3-14-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Wm; Acres: 200; Book: 104; Page: 115; Date Survey: 7-28-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt
  • Grantee: Combs, Wm Jr; Acres: 200; Book: 102; Page: 63; Date Survey: 3-14-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Big Black Mt

    on Little Black Mountain:
  • Combs, Fielding; Acres: 200; Book: 103; Page: 156; Date Survey: 5- 5-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Little Black Mt
  • STACY, Shade; Acres: 200; Book: 103, Page: 231; Date Survey: 5- 5-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Little Black Mt

    on Clover Fork
  • Combs, G W Sr; Acres: 200; Book: 103; Page: 148; Date Survey: 5- 5-1882; County: Harlan Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • Combs, J W; Acres: 200; Book: 103; Page: 154; Date Survey: 5- 8-1882; County: Harlan Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • Combs, Jackson Jr; Acres: 200; Book: 103; Page: 151; Date Survey: 5- 6-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • Combs, Jeremiah; Acres: 200; Book: 103; Page: 155; Date Survey: 5- 8-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • Combs, Jesse Jr; Acres: 200; Book: 103; Page: 152; Date Survey: 5- 6-1882; County: Harlan Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • Combs, L W; Acres: 200; Book: 103; Page: 149; Date Survey: 5- 6-1882; County: Harlan Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • Combs, Nathan; Acres: 200; Book: 103; Page: 147; Date Survey: 5- 4-1882; County: Harlan Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • Combs, Thomas; Acres: 200; Book: 103; Page: 153; Date Survey: 5- 8-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • Combs, Wm Jr; Acres: 200; Book: 103; Page: 150; Date Survey: 5- 6-1882; County: Harlan Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • NANCE, John; Acres: 200; Book: 103, Page: 210; Date Survey: 5- 4-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • NANCE, L; Acres: 200; Book: 103, Page: 211; Date Survey: 5- 4-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • STACY, Calvin; Acres: 200; Book: 103, Page: 235; Date Survey: 5- 3-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • STACY, Farmer; Acres: 200; Book: 103, Page: 232; Date Survey: 5- 3-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • STACY, Felix; Acres: 200; Book: 103, Page: 234; Date Survey: 5- 3-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Clover Fk
  • STACY, John; Acres: 200; Book: 103, Page: 233; Date Survey: 5- 3-1882; County: Harlan; Watercourse: Clover Fk

    Note: There may be many other grants/surveys on other water courses. These were found randomly, and thus far appear to bear no relation to the century earlier marriage of a Combs and a Nance in Wilkes Co NC; however, the above STACYS and Combs are certain to be kin… somehow?
    1900 Harlan Co., KY Census (Transcribed by Combs Researcher Debi Kendricks)

    Upper Martin' Fork Dist. 4

    HH 101
    Bartholem Combs head May 1845 55 wd KKK
    Vinia dau May 1883 17 s KKK
    Elbert son 1879 21 s KKK
    Eva dau 1886 14 s KKK

    Notes: See 1870 Harlan Co KY

    HH 102
    Levi LEE head Apr 1874 26 md 4yr KKK
    Sarah Jane [Combs]* wife 1872 28 5-3 KKK
    William G. TAYLOR s-son May 1890 10 s KKK
    Malynda " s-dau Feb 1893 7 s KKK
    Minty J. LEE dau Mar 1897 3 s KKK
    (*note: from Saylor Family Footprints by Holly Fee)

    HH 137
    Joel STEWART head Jun 1872 27 md 8yr KKK
    Rutha wife 1860 40 2-2 KKK
    Lizzie Combs s-dau May 1881 19 wd 1-1 KKK
    Erly Combs grandau Nov 1899 -- s KKK

    Notes: Possibly Ruth, wife of Elbert Combs in the 1880 census?

    Wallins Creek Dist. 7

    HH 17
    James Combs head Feb 1882 18 md 1yr KKK
    Ellizie wife May 1884 16 KKK
    Elizzie mother Mar 1836 64 wd 5-5 KVNC
    (Transcribed by Combs Researcher Debi Kendricks)
    1910 Harlan Co., KY Census (Transcribed by Combs Researcher Debi Kendricks)

    Puckett's Creek Prect. 10, Mag. Dist. 5

    HH 54
    Levi LEE 36 m1 13 yrs KKK
    Jane 37 m2 8-6 KKK
    Mintie J. 12 KKK
    Johnny 8 KKK
    Manford 6 KKK
    Radford 2 KKK
    Tilbert TAYLOR 19 KKK stepson
    Malinda " 16 KKK stepdau
    (See 1900 above)

    Poor Fork Prect. 5, Mag. Dist. 4

    Greasy Fork

    HH 142
    Eliza NOLAN 76 wd 10-7 KKK
    John Combs 8 g-son KKK
    02 Dec 1922 Harlan Co., KY:  William F. Combs born to William Albert Combs & Nora Irvin. (extracted by Lynda Combs Gipson from the Ky Birth Index CD from the Ky Dept Libraries and Archives)

    Lynda Combs Gipson notes: William F. Combs may be the Billie F. Combs reported missing in action in WWII. I don't know who William Albert Combs's (born Apr 1892 in Hazard, Perry Co. Ky) parents are, but he and his wife, Nora, are buried in Cincinnati, Ohio per their Spring Grove Cemetery records.
    11 Apr 1944 Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics. Certificate of Death: Volume: 023. Cert: 11486. Deathvol: 44). Place of Death: Harlan. City: Harlan, Full Name: Jerry Combs, Sex: M, Color or race: White, Marital status: Widower, Name of wife: None, Birthdate: Don't know, Age: 75 [born about 1868], Birthplace: Perry Co. Ky, Industry or business: Merchant, Farmer, Father: Nicolis Combs, Birthplace: Perry Co. Ky, Mothers maiden name: Liza WILLIAMS, Birthplace: Perry Co. Ky. Informant: Dr. C. A. Combs [JC: Doctor Courtney Allen Combs, Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine] Address: Harlan, Place of Burial: Winchester Cemetery, Lexington Ave, Winchester [Clark Co], Ky., Signature of funeral director: John a. McKINNEY, Address: Harlan, Date rcvd by registrar: 5/31/44, Registrars signature: ? MORSEE, Usual residence of deceased: State: Ky, County: Harlan, City or town: Central, Date of death: April 11, 1944, I hereby certify that I attended the deceased from April 8, 1944 to April 11, 1944, Last time seen alive April 11, 1944 at 9:45 A.M. Duration of illness: 3 yrs 10 days, Cause of death: Decompen [something] Heart disease, Signature: (Signature) [Something] BAILEY M.D. Address: Harlan, Ky. 5/8/1944.

    Notes: Nicholas Combs, father of Jerry, died 28 Aug 1914, Lee Co KY. According to Linda Combs Gipson, older relatives state Jerry really resided in Fayette Co KY and was just visiting his son, Dr. C. A. [Courtney], and that he passed away while there. See also Clark Co., KY re other siblings buried in Winchester.

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