John Combs Jr. (bef. 1745 - 1780)

Born before 1745 in Stafford, Virginia Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Luttrell) Combs — married about 1776 in Fauquier County, Virginia, USA

Descendants

Died 6 Oct 1780 after age 35 in Fauquier, Virginia, United States

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Biography

John Combs Jr. was a Virginia colonist.

John was born about 1745 in Stafford County, Virginia Colony. He was the son of John Combs and Seth Bullet. He passed away 6 October 1780 in Fauquier County, Virginia.

John settled in Fauquier County near his parents. In 1768 he was appointed Constable in Fauquier County, replacing Joseph Tullos. (Fauquier MB3:353)^[1] Shortly before, he had created a home for himself and Sarah Luttrell. Their first son, Nimrod, was born about 1767/8. They would have two more children before they married. In 1773 John Combs, Jr. termed “son of John” was indicted for cohabiting with “Sarah LUTTRELL, daughter of Richard LUTTRELL.” (Fauquier MB5:100)^[1]

John was witness to the will of his father-in-law, Michael Luttrell on 14 March 1778; will proved 24 August 1778. He was also on the committee to evaluate the inventory of Michael's estate; returned 23 November 1778.^[2]

Marriage

John married Sarah Luttrell about 1776 in Fauquier County, Virginia. They had six children: NImrod, Heland "Helen," Hetheland "Behethilon," Elizabeth, Sarah, and John. Three of their children were born before they were married and were listed in John's will as "alias Luttrell": son Nimrod and daughters Heland and Hetheland. John and Sarah lived together for about ten years before they married. It is not known for certain why they did not marry sooner, but it is suggested that the reason may have been one of religion. None of John and Sarah's children were baptized in the Church of England, Aquia Church which served Overwharton Parish in Fauquier County.

John and Sarah finally married at about the same time that the General Assembly of Virginia passed a law removing the Church of England as the established church for Virginia and allowing freedom of religious worship within the new state. (See John Combs, Jr. for a fuller discussion of this matter.)

Death

John's death on 7 October 1780 was unusual in that he actually died while in the process of dictating his will. Original Young and Ennis Combs (John's brother) had been called in when John was sick to help him in writing his will. Just as John completed telling them what he wanted, and before Original Young had finished writing it down, John died. The will was proved 28 May 1781 and Sarah Combs was granted certificate for obtaining letters of administration.^[2] The inventory of his estate was returned 26 May 1783, valued at £178.14.0.^[2]

We Original Young and Enis Combs did on the seventh of this instant attend John Combs, Jun'r, in his sickness and at the request of the said John Combs I the said Original Young was desired of by the said John Combs to write his Will and the said Enis Combs present he appeared to be in his senses at the time and desired his Estate to be divided as followeth, that is to say that all his lands to be equally divided between his two Sons Nimrod Combs alias Luttrell and John Combs and all his other Estate to be equally divided between his two Sons and four daughters namedly Nimrod Combs alias Luttrell, John Combs, Hetheland Combs alias Luttrell, Betty Combs, Heland Combs alias Luttrell and Sarah Combs. The land to be so divided as Nimrod Combs alias Luttrell to have his one half so as he to enjoy the dwelling house of the said deceased John Combs. And that his said Wife Sarah Combs was by his request to enjoy all the land and Negners [sic] together with all other of his estate during her Widowhood or life and then to be divided as before mentioned. And that before I the said Original Young had wrote the said Will the said John Combs got out of his senses and so died.
Exors: Wife Sarah together with Joseph Combs and Enis should be Executors
Signed: Original Young, Enis Combs. I do hereby certify that Original Young and Enis Combs came personally before me William Blackwell and made oath on the holy Evangelist to the above writing and that it contained the last Will of the said John Combs, Jun'r, who died on the 6th day October 1780.

W. Blackwell

Proved: 28 May 1781 by o. of Original Young and Ennis Combs. Sarah Combs made o. and greanted cert. for obtaining letters of administration.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Alcock, John P. Fauquier Families, 1759-1799: Comprehensive indexed abstracts of Tax and Tithable Lists, Marriage Bonds and Minute, Deed, and Will Books, and Others (Athens, GA: Iberian Publishing Company, 1994); as cited on John Combs, Jr.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Abstracts of Fauquier County Virginia, Wills Inventories and Accounts 1759-1800. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: Gott, John K. Abstracts of Fauquier County Virginia, Wills Inventories and Accounts 1759-1800. Baltimore, MD, USA: Clearfield, 1999. p 94, 97, 115-116, 134

See also:

• John Combs, Jr. of Fauquier Co, VA (bef 1748-1780)
• Family Search Tree