Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 8251, Robert Combs, Va.
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(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
Va.
Combs, Robers


S8251
carded
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Date of death not on AB

Virginia 12.919
Robert Combs
of Fauguier in the State of Virginia
who was a pri in the company commanded
by Captain Powell of the    commanded
by  in the Virginia
line for 17 mos & 23 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 59 Dollars 22 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of June '33
and sent Claimant Middleburg VA
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 11 8 .44
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 29.61
148.05

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk,

Book E Vol. 6 Page 5
Page 3

State of Virginia County of Fauquier B
On this 21st day of August in the year 1832 personally appeared before mr James S. Pickett one of the commonwealth
Justices of the peace for the County aforesaid Robert Combes a
resident of the County and State aforesaid aged about seventy nine
years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on
his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832-
That he entered the service of the United States at seven
different periods twice as a volunteer, once as a substitute, and 
four times drafted in the Militia of Virginia
1st He volunteered in a mounted Militia company raised by Capt
Levin Powell in the County of Londoun to go as he understood, to
guard the shore of the James River and adjoining waters to
prevent the forces under Lord Dunmore from landing and damaging the country shortly after his destroying the Magazine, that
they marched as far as Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock, where
they learned that Dunmore had left the Chesapeake, they there returned home, which was a tour of 7 or 8 days (See affidavit of (illegible) 2d That he volunteered in a company of Militia raised by Captain
Simon Triplett in Loudoun County in the year 1775, which company
he joined in 1776 called minute men, that they marched to Alexandria
(D.C.) in the month of May or June where he continued till cold weather
(see affidavit of Authony Ethell herewith)
3d What shortly after returning from the minute service
he substituted himself for a John Lane to go to Nolands ferry on the Potomac to
receive the Hessian prisoners captured at Trenton and guard
them on their way to the Albemarle Barracks, that this tour
was in very cold weather and occupied 2 or 3 weeks-
4th That in the fall of 1777 he was drafted in Londoun County (illegible)
went in a company commanded by Capt McMickens under Col
Clapham marched to the north and joined the continental army
in the evening after the Battle of Germantown he recollects
Genl Stevens only of the continental army (except the commander in
chief) he does not recollect at what time he entered on this tour or
came out of it, but staid until regularly discharged, and supposes it was
three months tour-
5th That he was drafted again in Loudoun and served under
Captain Simon Hancock and Col Coleman and marched to
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Pennsylvania and by Lancaster, that his Memory does not serve him for any of the incidents of this tour but believing it was three months. 6th That in the spring of 1781 he was drafted in Fauquier county and marched to Richmond under Capt. Jenning and Col. Elias Edmunds, encamped a while on Shoccae Mill, was commanded by Gen'l. Muhlenburg, encamped a while on James River below Richmond, afterwards, marched up the river, this tour he believes was three months, and used to be distinguished the remaining tour, from the circumstance of the men taking pright from a false rumor while marching in the night during a thunderstorm
7th That early in the fall of 1781 he was drafted again in Fauquier County and marched under Capt. James Winn and Col. Elias Edmunds to Williamsburg and stationed about there until the beginning of Cornwallis in Yorktown in which he was engaged until the capulation, that during the siege the company was transferred to the command of Capt. Lynn Sharp and Regiment to training of a Hager Welch who he understood was a continental officer, that he surrendered a part of the prisoners to the barracks above Winchester where he was discharged, (see affidavit of Reubin Murray, herewith)
That he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can prove who can certify to his service except those already cited affidavits of A. Ethell, and Reubin Murray herewith
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of any State.
Robert Combs
Sworn to and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid before me
James Pickett
I James S. Pickett, a Justice of the Peace in the county of Fauquier and commonwealth of Virginia do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Robert Combs who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; I reside on my native hill in Fauquier county which has been my continued home from my birth, that said Robert Combs resides about one and a half miles from me, where he has occupied more than fifty years, that my acquaintance with him commenced in my earliest youth, that more than thirty years ago, and frequently since, has he entertained me with many incidents of his soldier scenes; particularly with that tour called the runing
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running tour, of the rush of the rear of the army when frightened in the night, of men stumbling down in the fence ditches in the dark, and crying "quarters", quarters, and next morning the unfortunate evidence of lost swords, guns, hats, and knapsacks.
That I believe him to be seventy nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution, That I never have heard his veracity called into question, and consider his moral demeanor improachable, That to the interrogatories required to be put, the answers, that he was born in Frederick County Va, near Berry Ferry on the Shenandoah, That he has no record of his age, that he was living in Loudon County and Fauquier county when called into service as set forth in the declaration, that time has erased from his recollection (except at times) the names of the regular officers except the four mentioned in the declaration, that he has no recollection of ever receiving a discharge from the service, except it might be in three certificates of pay for his service, which long since he sent to Richmond and took treasury warrants for 4750 acres of land which were located on Licking River in Kentucky
The chief part of which is lost by other claimants, as to his veracity he calls on all his neighbors, and will name Sanford Pickett, Col John C. Henderson, Richard Nutt, and Col George Love
I further certify that I have waited on Robert Combs at his own house to take the foregoing declaration because of his bodily infirmity, that his witnesses waited on him also.
Certified under my hand the 1st day of August 1832
James Pickett

Virginia
Fauquier County, to wit:
I, William H. Jennings, Clerk pro Comptore of the County Court of the said County, do hereby certify that James S. Pickett, before whom the foregoing declaration appears to have been sworn to, who has given the foregoing Certificate, and before whom the annexed affidavits appear also to have been sworn to, is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned & qualified as such. & that due faith and credit ought to be given to all the official acts of the said Justice as well in Courts of Justice, as I saw here.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of the said Court on the 4th day of September 1832, and in the 57th year of the Commonwealth
William H. Jennings.
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State of Virginia, County of Loudon, ss
Personally appeared Bern Purvell before me a Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid and made oath, that he has long been acquainted with Robert Combs, who is now applying for a pension as a Revolutionary Soldier, that the said Combs has always born the character of an honest man & from [illegible] circumstances & the general impussion of the neighborhood so far as he has heard them, he thinks that the said Combs was engaged during the war of the Revolution as a Soldier; That he cannot undertake & say that he is without in than had in what particular service he was engaged. He had in his possession the record of an application formed about the year 1774 in the County of Loudon, for the purpose of visiting British aggression, in what record the name of Robert Combs appears as he verily believes, he has not the means of Referring on said record at this time, it having been mislaid given under my hand and seal this 27 day of August 1832
H. Gibson {Seal}

Mr Reuben Murray & Jn B Armistead
residing in the county of Fauquier and State of Virginia hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Robert Combs who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Jo B Armistead
Reuben Murray

Sworn to and subscribed before me James S. Pickett a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid the 28th day of August 1832
James Pickett
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Robert Combs

Virginia

No 11826.

Admit as private
17 mos 23 days

5.11.12
Apl. 12. '33-

P. 335

Claimant
Robt. Combs
Middleburg
Loudon Co. T W
Page 8

BRIEF in the case of Rober Combs
of Fauquier County in the State of Virginia
{Act 7th June, 1832.}

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Justice of the Peace

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes.

3. How old is he? 79 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
[illegible] July in 17-
volunteered 1776
" " -
fall 1777 Drafted
" another
unknown 1781 " " -

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
"7 or Eight days"
"The Cold weather"
"two or three weeks"
"Supposes three months"
"believes it was three months"
"believes it was three months"
Enli private'

Rank.
As a 
Private
Private
Substitute
Private
Private

Names of Generals and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen. S Henry or Henner Muhlenburg
Capt Powell
Capt Linen Triplett
Col Clapham
Capt Mickey
Capt James Humenk

5. In what battles was he engaged? Siege of York

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Loudon Co Va

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Two living witnesses in part & traditionary

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Sitle Examining Clerk.
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RECORD DIVISION. 3-525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D.C., ______, 19___

In reply to your request of _________, received __________ for a statement of the military history of Robert Combs, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. 8251

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
May or June 1776

Fall 1777

Spring 1781
Fall 1781

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
8 days
5 mos
15 days
3 mos
3 mos
3 mos
3 mos

RANK.
Pvt

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Levin Powell
Simon Triplett
guarded Hessian prisoners -
McMickens
Simon Harreck
Jennings
James Winn & Lynn Sharp

COLONEL.


Stephens
Coleman
Elais Edmunds
Elis Edmunds & maj watch.

STATE.
Va.

Battles engaged in, Siege & capture of Yorktown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enl in Loudon Co Va
Date of application for pension, Aug 21 1832 His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Fauquier Co. Va.
Age at date of application, 79
Remarks: No family data

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 10

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of ROBERT COMBS, which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? N/A

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  No

VI. Has he given the name of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1852? Yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificaate? Yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or Inscription by which it can be distinquished from any other seal? Yes
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Page 2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  No

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?   No

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  Eyewitness authority

XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?  Yes
  If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? 
  Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such as age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  Yes

XVI. +Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  Yes
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Page 3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months" is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, etc., without specifying the tours or the names of the officers and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served, the duration of each term of engagement, the particular place or places where the service was performed, i.e., that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority, that he was either in the field or in garrison, and for the time during which the service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

+QUERE XIV. "Proof of Service"
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer under his seal of office.

+QUERE XVI. "Mode of authenticating papers"
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit or other paper authenticated. the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

> In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 13

8251
Rev War
INVALID.

File No. 8251
Robert Combs
Pri Rev War

Act:  June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. 1st, Page 75
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1894 Sept Hist to JD Vaureerco
Chicago
1936-Aug 6/Hist to Fred [illegible] Combs:  Letter in case Mahlan Coombs
S. 42659-EL
Page 14

Sigourney, IA
October 27, '13

Pension Department
Washington, DC

Kind Sir - 
Will you please send me record of the service of Robert Combs, Revolutionary soldier, who enlisted in Eastern Virginia? He died September 7, 1846. Thanking you in advance for any information you may send me.

I am very respectfully,
Sadie Combs
Page 15

Not I.  8251
"     W.
"      R.

ILLINOIS SOCIETY
C. P

PRESIDENT
JOSIAH L. LOMBARD
100 WASHINGTON ST., CHICAGO.

FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT
DR JAMES NEVINS HYDE

SECRETARY
JOHN D. VANDERCOOK
185 DEARBORN ST., CHICAGO.

TREASURE 
JOHN S. SARGENT

HISTORIAN
FERNANDO JONES

REGISTRAR
W.J. RIPLEY

CHAPLAIN
RT.REV. CHAS. E. CHENEY
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
H.H. TEBBETTS

DELEGATE AT LARGE
R.W. McCLAUGHREY

DELEGATES
HENRY SHERMAN BOUTELL
WILLIS G. JACKSON

Chicago, Aug 15, 1894

Pension Dept
Washington D.C.
Gentlemen:
In 1842 Robert combs of Fauquier County Virginia, died.  Up to that time he drew a pension having served during the Revolutionary War.  
Can you give me any data from the pension rolls, relating to said Robert Combs?  If so will you please do so.

Respy
J.D. Vandercook
Secy.
Page 16

August 6, 1936

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Mr. Fred W. Coombs
c/o "Gisholt"
Madison, Wisconsin

BA-J/EEL  our
Mahlon Coombs- S. 42659
Robert Combs- S. 8251

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of soldiers with your surname, of Virginia, expecially of Rappahannock or Loudoun County.

In order to make a proper search of the Revolutionary war records of this office, the full name of the soldier is essential and some information by which to identify his record.

An effort has bee made, however, to ad you, and the record found of a Mahlon Coombs and a Robert Combs, of Loudoun County, Virginia.  All papers in the claims for pension based upon their service in the Revolutionary War have been examined very carefully and the following data found.  These official reports have been accepted as authentic by various historical, patriots and genealogical societies.  If neither of these are records of your ancestor, another search of the records will be made if you will furnish his full name.

Mahlon Coombs
S. 42659

The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War claim, S. 42659, based upon the military service of Mahlon Coombs or Combs in that war.

The date place of birth and the names of the parents of Mahlon Coombs or Combs are not shown.

Mahlon Coombs or Combs enlisted near Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia, served as a private in Captain Daniel Feagan's Company, Colonel Stephens' Virginia Regiment, was at the surrender of Cornwallis, after which he guarded prisoners to Frederick, Maryland, and was discharged soon after, having served for one year.
Page 17

Mahlon Coombs or Combs was allowed pension on his application executed December 1, 1823, at which time he was aged sixty-four years and resided in Licking County, Ohio.  He signed by mark, Mahlon Combs, was pensioned Coombs.

In the fall of 1830, he went to the state of Illinois and remained there with a son (whose name is not given) until the fall of 1832, when he returned to Licking County, Ohio.

The name of the wife of Mahlon Coombs or Combs is not shown nor are the names of any children given.  In 1833, Joseph Coombs, a brother of the soldier, lived in Wayne County, Ohio; and in same year, one Israel Combs lived in Perry County, Ohio; no relationship of Israel to the soldier was shown.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Mahlon Coombs (S.42659), you should address The Comptroller, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Mahlon Coombs, Certificate No.19150, issued January 3, 1824, rate $8 per month, commenced December 1, 1823, Act of March 18, 1818, Ohio Agency.

* * * * * *

Robert Combs
S.8251

The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.8251, based upon the military service of Robert Combs in that war.

Robert Combs was born near Berry Ferry, on the Shenandoah River, in Frederick County, Virginia.  The date of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in Loudoun County, Virginia, Robert combs volunteered in 1775, served in Captain Kevin Powell's Virginia Company; they started for the James River to guard the shores against the forces of Lord Dunmore but on reaching Fredericksburg, learned that Lord Dunmore had left the Chesapeake; the company then returned home, having served either or nine days; Robert Combs volunteered in 1776,
Page 18

served in Captain Simon Triplett's Virginia Company, and was stationed in Alexandria, Virginia; length of this service, five months; later, date not given, he volunteered to go to Noland's Ferry on the Potomac, from which place he guarded Hessian prisoners to Albermarle Barracks; length of this tour, fifteen days; he enlisted in the fall of 1777, and served about three months in Captain Meldicken's Company, Colonel Clapham's Virginia Regiment; and again enlisted, date not given, and served three months in Captain Simon Hancock's Company, Colonel Coleman's Virginia Regiment; in the spring of 1781, he enlisted in Fauquier County, Virginia, an served three months in Captain Jennings' Company, Colonel Elias Edmunds' Virginia Regiment; he enlisted in the fall of 1781, in Captain James Winn's Company, Colonel Elias Edmunds' Virginia Regiment and marched to Williamsburg, was transferred to Captain Lynn Sharp's Company, under Major Welch in the Virginia Troops, was at the siege of Yorktown an surrender of Lord Cornwallis, after which he guarded the prisoners taken at Yorktown to Winchester, Virginia; length of this service, threemonths [sic]. 

Robert Combs was allowed pension on his application executed August 21, 1832, at which time he was aged about seventy-nine years and resided in Fauquier County, Virginia.  He signed Robert Combs. 

There are no data as to soldier's family.

In order to obtain data of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Robert Combs (S.8251), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Robert Combs, Certificate No. 12919, issued June 17, 1833, rate $59.22 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Virginia Agency.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 19

Virginia
Fauquier county to wit

I Alexander J Marshall, Clerk of the county Court of the said county, do hereby Certify that James S. Pickett before whom the forgoing declarations appears to have been sworn to; who has given the forgoing Certificates and before whom the annexed affidavits of Anthony Ethell, Reuben Murray, John B. Armistead and George Love, before whom the affidavit of Thaddeus Herndon appear also to have been sworn to, are acting Justices of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commifsioned [sic] and qualified as such, and that due faith and credit ought to be given to all their official acts of the said Justices, as elsewhere - 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the Seal of the said Court on this 6th day of May in the year 1833 and the 57th year of the Commonwealth

A.J. Marshall C.C.
Page 20

Robert Combs'
papers
11826
Page 21

State of Virginia Fauquier County [illegible]

Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the county aforesaid Anthony Ethell who being duly sworn according to law, saith that he is seventyfive [sic] years old, that he served the State of Virginia in [illegible]militia in the years of 1775 and 76 in a company commanded by Captain Simon Triplett called Minute Men, that Robert combs now aged about 79 years joined said company before harvest in 1775 and were stationed at Alexandria (now D.C.) and continued in said service until cold weather ______________
Also Reuben Murray who being duly sworn according to law, saith that he is 70 years old, that he served a tour in the militia of Virginia in the year 1781 that he marched in a company commanded by Capt James Winn to Williamsburg and were stationed about there sometime before the siege of Yorktown in which service he was engaged and continued til [sic] its capitulation and guarding a part of the prisoners to the barracks at Winchester where he was discharged; during said service the company was transfered [sic] to a Captain Linn Sharp; and Robert Combs who hath made the forgoing declaration was drafted in said service, was a mefsmate [sic] with the said Reuben during said tour and discharged at the same time and [illegible] with him - Given under my hand this 21st day of August in the year 1832 _____
James Pickett
I certify that the above named witnefses [sic] Anthony Ethell and Reuben Murray are respected in their neighbourhood [sic] as men of veracity; that Reuben Murray has been a member of the Baptist Church about forty years, and now in fellowship therein _____1st May 1833 - 
James Pickett
Page 22

Recapitulation of the opposite amended Declaration
                                                          Mo  Days
1st Served with Capt Levin Powell       0      8
2nd    "                 "     Simon Triplett   5 "
3rd     "  a Substitute for Lang             0  "   15
4th     "     "  Capt. W. Mickins              3 "
5th     "    "      "    Simon Hancock       3 "
6th     "     "     "          Jennings            3 "
7th     "     "    Capts, Winn, and Sharp 3"
                                                          17M 25 days
Page 23

Fauquier county State of Virginia [illegible]

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned,  a Justice of the peace for the county aforesaid, Robert Combs who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age; and and the consequent lofs [sic] memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not lefs [sic] than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; just as a mounted volunteer soldier under Capt Levin Powell he served eight days - Second tour as a volunteer soldier under Simon Triplett, five months - Third tour as a substitute for John Lang fifteen days - Fourth tour under Cap We Mickens
and Col.  Col. [cross out] Clapham as a drafted soldier three months - Fifth tour he served under Capt Simon Hancock and Col. Coleman three months and as a drafted solder - Sixth tour, he served as a drafted solder under Capt Jennings and Col. Elias Edmunds three months - Seventh tour, he served as a drafted soler under Capts. Winn and Sharp, before, at, and after the capture of Cornwallis, three months; The said Robert Combs doth further say, that by the infirmities of age, he is confined to his home, that he is not aware that [cross out] he can with convenience procure the testimony of a Clergyman; but if permitted, would infist [sic] that he was presented the evidence of three respectable citizens ass to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighbourhood [sic] relative to his revolutionary service
Robert Combs
The above declaration was made, subscribed and sworn to by the said Robert Combs at his dwellings in the county aforesaid before me this 30th day of April in the year 1833 - 
James Pickett
Page 24

Fauquier County Virga [sic]
This is to certify that I have been acquainted with Mr. Robert Combs of Fauquier County Virginia and lived in the same neighbourhood [sic] for nearly thirty years - I have for a long time known Mr. Combs to be refpected [sic] in the neighbourhood [sic] as a Soldier of the Revolutionary War and have no doubt but he rendered the military service as stated in his declaration.  And as to his character, I believe him to be, and he is considered in his neighbourhood [sic] as a man of integrity and veracity.  I believe the Statements given by him in his declaration and the amended declaration as to his age and all the other facts are true.
Given under my hand this 1st day of Mary 1833
George Love

I James S Pickett a Justice of the peace in and for the county of Fauq. in the State of Virginia do certify, that George Love wrote, subscribed, and made oath to the above certificate before me on the day of the date thereof, that the said George Love is now, and has been for several years a Deacon of the Longbranch Baptist Church, Clerk to the Columbia Afsociation [sic], Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Fauq., Principal afsefsor [sic] for the Genl [sic] Government in the 21st collection District [illegible] about the year 1816, late Colonel 44th Regt Va Militia, and now Mathematical and Practical land Surveyor [illegible] late Engineer upon the Quantico Canal, and late afsistant [sic] inspector of the James River Canal improvements [illegible] -
That John  Armistead who certified on the 28th day of August 1832 as tot he age and reputation of Robert Combs the applicant, is now, and has been in commifsion [sic] of Justice of the peace for the county of Fauquier Va near twenty nine years - Certified under my hand the 1st day of May in the year 1833
James Pickett
Page 25

ThADs. Herndon Licentiate Preacher of the Gospel of the Baptist denomination do hereby certify that I am intimately acquainted with Robert Combs the applicant for a pension that I believe him to be about the age that he states in his declaration, that his neighbours [sic] believe that he served in the war of the revolution and that I concur in the same opinion; given under my hand this 1st day of May 1833
ThADs. Herndon

Fauquier County Virga [sic]
I George Love a Justice of the peace for the county aforesaid in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the above certificate was signed by Thaddeus Herndon a license minister of the gospel in my presence an sworn to before me in due form of Law.  Given under my hand & Seal this 1st day of May 1833.
George Love