Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2185, John Combs, Conn. Continental
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
Conn.
Continental

Combs, John

NUMBER
R. 2185

CONTENTS
Page 2

State of New York
County of Delaware SS.

J. Crawford B Sheldon Clerk
of the Court of Common Pleas
in and for the County of Dela
ware do hereby certify that
the annexed contains the
original proceedings of the
said Court in the matter of the
application of John Combs
for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office this ninth day of September
1833
C B Sheldon Clerk
Page 3

State of New York
Delaware County Ss: On this Ninth day of
September in the year 1833 personally appeared
in open Court [illegible] the Court of Common Pleas
in [illegible] for the said County of Delaware none
sitting

John Combs a resident of the town of Ham
den in the County of Delaware and State of
New York aged seventy five 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 under the following named officer
and for the following periods and served as herein
stated; that is to say: That in the year 1780
and according to his best recollection in the
month of June he volunteered to the take
the place of Matthew Rice in the company
commanded by Captain William Sizer in
a Regiment commanded by Colonel Jedutha
Baldwin his lieutenants names were
Linus Hopson and Clapp that he
took the place of said Rice as a substitute
and agreed to serve out the time
of said Rice who had already served
a part of his time which to the time
years from the time he went into the
service - that he immediately left the
town of Durham in the State of Connecticut when he so volunteered and proceeded
to West Point in the State of New York
where he joined his said Regiment
Page 4

that the said Regiment was composed of
Mechanics who had regularly volunteered
for the term of three years and under the
commander of said Col. Baldwin drew rations and were entitled to the same pay as the regular soldiers-that he did duty in said Regiment at West Point until the month of May in the year 1781 when he was discharged, having served at least eleven months and a half.  that the whole of the Regiment then remaining on duty or discharged at the same time - that he did not receive a written discharge that he was at West Point at the time that the traitor Arnold deserted his country's cause-that previous to his desertion he had ordered a large number of the pieces to be dismounted under the pretence that they needed carriages; and that after his desertion this declarant of his fellow soldiers were compelled to work incessantly night day to place the cannon back upon their old carriages, in order to be prepared for the enemy who was expected daily. that the claim of Arnold desertion was given in the night and all hands turned out immediately went to work, that after his discharge he returned to said town of Durham, and the next winter being the winter of 1781/ 1782 according to his
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last recollection a portion of the militia was
drafted to go to Horseneck in the State of
Connecticut to protect the American patriots from the depredations of the CowBoys and Tories - that among the rest on Hezekiah Kirby was drafted but he refused to go (through fear as this declarant believed) and this declarant volunteered to take the place of said Kirby, and did take his place and marched to Horseneck with the army in month of December or January and served for the term of three months - that he remained at Horseneck the whole time doing duty as a common soldier and took his regular tours on
sentry nights as well as days. That he was discharged, by a verbal order with the rest of the other soldiers and returned to said town Durham. Soon after his said return the British burned the guard house at Horseneck & killed
two men, and another draft was made of the
the militia for the term of three months
and among those drafted was an old man by the name of Noah Baldwin belonging to the cavalry, that this declarant volunteered to take the place of said Baldwin & did take his
place, and marched to Horseneck and served the term of ten days that he so served under Captain Woodruff and Colonel Matthew Mead; that
Page 6

this declarant was discharged under the
following circumstances that while in
service this declarant was in a skirmish
with the British between Horseneck and
Shipsbridge in which he lost his horse
and that and very narrowly 
escaped with his life; thankfully afterword
I returned to Horseneck, but as
Capt Woodruff could not conveniently
obtain another horse accoutrements
he was discharged by his Captain
that
who told this declarant, inasmuch as
he had lost his house & he should
be considered as having served the said
term of three months but this declarant
was not in actual service term days
That the first term he served with horse
neck he served as above stated under
Captain Parrett and Colonel Matthew
L. Mead - This declarant further says that
in memory has become some ┃
what impaired, and that he may have
made some mistakes in dates though
he has endeavored to be as accurate
as possible.

This declarant further says that he was
born in Devonshire in Great Britain in
the year 1758, that he emigrated America
before the Revolutionary war and settled
in Durham in the State of Connecticut
that he has no record of his age to his
knowledge that since left Durham
in Connecticut This declarant lived
Page 7

resided about twelve years in Star County
Page 8

John Combs
28.138

cap Seger
Col. (illegible)


111/2 No Certificate
3.10 Per ?
Page 9

And the said Court do hereby declare this opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations provided by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Solider, and served as he states - And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Adna Mallory and Daniel Loomis who have signed this preceding certificate are residents in the town of Hamden in the said County of Delaware, and are credible persons and that their statements is entitled to credit.
Page 10

John Combs.

Hon. N. Johnson.

day of March 1834.

C [] Combs
Page 11

State of New York
County of Delaware
On this 12th day of March 1834 come before me Jabez Bostwick First Judge of Delaware county courts. John Combs of the town of Camden in Lewis County who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath in addition to his former declaration made for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of Congress passed 7 June 1832
Deposeth and says that at the time he was discharged from the service at West Point as stated in his former declaration that Sergeant Daniel Stoper of Southington and Joseph Southworth of Durham of the State of Connecticut were both discharged with this  declarent by Lieutenant Linus Hopson who then was commandant of the company
to which they belonged. And the said Sergeant Stoper and Joseph Southworth & this declarant went from West Point to the State of Connecticut in company
Sworn and Subscribed this 12th
day of March 1834 Before
me Jabez Bostwick
(illegible)
John Combs 
his mark X

State of New York
County of Delaware
On this 12th day of March 1834 came before
me Jabez Bostwick First Judge of Delaware County William Andrews of the town of Walton in said county who being first
duly sworn according to law saith that he is over seventy five years of age. And that his then deponents father, whose name
was William Andrew and one of his brothers whose name was Thomas Andrews were both soldiers in the revolutionary war
and were stationed at West Point and belonged to a company under the command of Captain Sire of Middletown in the State of Connecticut. And a part of the time that his
father & brother aforesaid were serving as soldiers at West Point he this deponent was a soldier in the army and was stationed
at Nelsons point. And this deponent while stationed at Nelson Point often saw his Father & brother while at West Point. Remembers of hearing of his father & brother speaking of
one John Combs that belonged to their company with them
Page 12

But this deponent at that time had not seen the said John Combs as this deponent recollects The first time that this
deponent saw the above named John Combs was about twenty five or twenty six years ago; which was soon after the said Combs moved in to the county of Delaware aforesaid. 
And on this deponents first acquaintance with the said Combs he enquired of this deponent if he had not any relatives who
were soldiers in the army of the Revolution, and mentioned the names of his, the deponent's, Father & Brother who were soldiers at West Point. And told this deponent that they were soldiers with him the said John Combs at West Point & belonged to the same company. Which brought to this deponents recollection what he had heard his Father & Brother say respecting the said John Combs And this deponent further saith that at
his first acquaintance with the said John Combs (he mentioned to said Combs) that he
had heard his Father & Brother Speak of him the said Combs.
And this deponent further saith that from all the circumstances herein set forth all of which he well recollects he believes the said John Combs was a soldier in the army of the Revolution & was stationed at West Point.

William Andrews

Sworn & Subscribed this
12 day of March 1834
Before me
Jabez Bostwick

State of New York
County of Delaware. On the 12th day of March 1834 came before me Concurrence Combs wife of John Combs above named who being first duly sworn according to law makes
oath & say, that she is over Seventy Six years of age. That before she was married her name was Concurrence Southworth. That she lived with her father in the town of Durham
in the State of Connecticut. That while living with her father and before she was married one Mathew Rice who was a soldier
Page 13

in the army of the Revolution came to her fathers house in Durham [illegible] said and brought a letter to her father from her brother Joseph Southworth who was then a soldier
at West point as this deponent then understood. This deponents Father then asked the said Mathew Rice how he liked to be a soldier. Said Rice said he did not like it, and
did not intend to return of he could help it. Said Rice said he wanted to hire some person to take his place and asked her father if he knew of some young man that he could hire as a substitute.  Her Father told said Rice that there was a man at the next neighbours
whom he thought he might hire 
Soon after the above named John Combs came to the house of her father (being the same person her father had reference to)
And the said Rice made an agreement with the
said Combs to go as his the Rice's Substitute and to serve out the time the said Rice was engaged to serve.
A short time of the agreement was made between the said Rice & the said Combs this deponent was about a mile from her fathers at one of the neighbours it was observed by some one that Combs had started
was going to Army.  She looked & saw said Combs with his pack on his back & she supposed had started for West point to join the army as the substitute for said Rice. And this deponent for this saith that not far from one year after the said John Combs returned from the army as the substitute
of said Rice, she was married to said Combs
& have ever since lived together
Concurrence Combs
Sworn & subscribed before
me this 12 day of March 1834
Jabez Bostwick First Judge
of Delaware County Courts
& hereby certify that I am well acquainted with William Anderson
and Concurrence Combs who have made their depositions as above & that they are creditable persons & that this statement is
entitled to credit
Given under my hand this 12 day
of March 1834
Jabez Bostwick First Judge DC
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State of New York
County of Delaware SS 

I Crawford B Sheldon Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Delaware do hereby certify that Jabez Bostwick Esq before whom the foregoing affidavits
purports to have been Sworn, was
at the date of the same First Judge
of the Court of Common Pleas in
and for the County of Delaware duly Commissioned and Sworn and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Judge and that his name subscribed
to the said affidavits is his proper handwriting and signature -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this 17th day of March 1834.
C B Sheldon Clerk

John Combs
Hon. N Johnson
Page 15

28. 158
aff adavit within March '34
John Combs
of New York
in
Revo

Deponent
See letter
18 Nov. 1833
to
N. Johnson Esqr
Delhi
New York
Page 16

WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office,
Nov 18th 1833

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement showing the Service of John Combs

Period when the service was rendered.
1780
1781 or 1782

Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days.
- Years. 11 1/2 Months. 1 Days.
-Years. 3 Months. - Days.

Rank of the claimant. Private
"
"

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Col Baldwin
Capt Siger
No officer
Col Mead

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
75 years

Proof by which the declaration is supported.

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

and not on roles
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2

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops, "militia" and "volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss.
County of

On this____day of_____personally appeared (a) before

A.B. a resident (b) of____in the county of_____
and State, Territory or District of ______aged (c)______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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)_______, with_____and served in the
(e) regiment of the________line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I______ of the Court of_________
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of_____
for a pension,

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of_____& c.______

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the____
and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with______, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be______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.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the_______
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the_______and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.


I,_______Clerk of the Court of________do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of__________for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this_____day of______& c.______

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration,(l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 18

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you live now?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier} Did you ever receive a discharge from service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons- one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicants, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify t the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge, or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken, and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be has. Every claimant must state, will precision, the length of 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words;
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the period mentioned below, and on the following grades;  For ----- year ----- moths, and -----days, I served as a -------. For ------ months and ----- days, I served as a -----; and for such service I claim a Pension."

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 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 that they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of 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; 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.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.

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

Proof of Service
(j) 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 whop are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's 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.
If Tthe notes from (a) and (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) The traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with his declaration.
Page 19

Rev. War Section

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.

AWF
October 25, 1929

Alfred A. Crooker
378 Freed Avenue
Hyde Park
Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dear Madam:
I advise you that you were furnished, July 11, 1922 and October 20, 1925, the history of John Combs, R. 2185, War of the Revolution.
In said claim John Combs signed by mark, so there is no way to determine the correct spelling of the name, from these records.

Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
Page 20

October 20, 1925

Mrs. Alfred A. Crocker
2103 Alpine Place, Walnut Hills
Cincinnati, Ohio.

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 2185 it appears that John Combs was born in 1758 in Devonshire, England and emigrated to America before the Revolution and settled in Durham, Connecticut.
While a resident of said Durham he enlisted in 1781 and served three months as a private in Captain Parrett's Company, Colonel Matthew Mead's Connecticut Regiment, soon
after which he enlisted and served ten days in Captain Woodruff's Company in said regiment during which last named service he was in a skirmish with the British between Horse Neck and Kings Bridge
After the Revolution he moved to Schoharie County, New York and then to Delaware County, New York where in
the town of Hamden he applied for pension September 9, 1833, but his claim was not allowed as he did not serve
Page 21

[illegible stamp _TMF]

six months as required by the pension laws.
He married Concurrence Southworth of Durham, Connecticut who was a resident of Delaware County, New York in 1834 aged over seventy-six years there is no data on file as to children.
The above history was furnished you on July 11,
1822.

Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.

[handwritten notation]
Miss Wilson said all
this & that we should
send this list again
because of her statement
that a relation got it & had a
letter difference in address -
Page 22

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Pension
Washington, D. C. ,.......................,19........


In reply to your request of ............., received................ for a statesman of the military history of John Combs a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment: June 1780 {substitute for Matthew Rice}
Length of Service: May 1781
Rank: Pvt
Officers under whom service was rendered: Captain William Sizer, Colonel Jeduthan Baldwin
State: 

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment: 1781
Length of Service: 3 mos
Rank: Pvt
Officer under whom Service was rendered: Captain Parrett, Colonel Matthew Mead
State: Conn

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment: 1781
Length of Service: 10 days
Rank: Pvt
Officers under whom service was rendered: Captain Woodruff, Colonel Matthew Meade
State:

The claim was rejected on the ground that soldier did not serve 6 mos, as required by the pension laws.

Battles engaged in,.....................
Residence of soldier at enlistment: Durham, Conn
Date of application for pension, Sept 9, 1833
Residence at date of application, Hamden, Delaware Co, N.Y.
Age at date of application, born in 1758 in Deronshire, England
Remarks: He emigrated to America before the Rev. War and settled in Durham Conn. The war concurrence [unk] who was a resident of Delaware Co, N.Y. in 1834 "over 76 years of age". The date of their marriage is not stated. There is no date on file as to children.


Respectfully,

Commissioner

*Miss Wilson said to omit service alleged in Baldwin's Regt. See letter in claim to Hon. N. Johnson dated March 28, 1834
Page 23

New York
Revo. 38.158
John Combs
Rejected
let to A.. Johnson 18 Nov 33
to to Hon A Johnson 28 Mar 1834

2185

Act 7 June '32
Page 24

2l- s[] enclosed, []
Rev War

[stamp on page]
PENSION OFFICE
US
A
MAY 7 1920

The Pension Dept.
Washington, D.C.

Gentleman: Will you kindly send me a copy of the records in your Department concerning John Combs who was born in He[]shire, England; who came to America and who fought in the Colonial Army (Revolutionary War) under General George Washington; who was one of his "Official Family" being one of his staff (over.)
Page 25

John Combs' widow Currence, (or Concurrence) was born in Dunham, Conn.  Her residence was Southard.  I say this only that it may possibly help to identify my great-grandfather, John Combs.

[stamp on page]
PENSION OFFICE
US
A
MAY 7 1920
Page 26

John Combes died in Hamden, Delaware County, New York, March 26, 1839 and his widow Currence (or Concurrence) died in Hamden, Delaware County, New York, May 7, 1845.

John Combes' second son was Seth Combes, who was the Father of Alfred Seth Combes, my father, who was in the Civil War, Asst. Surgeon in the 67th O.V.I.

Thank you for your kindness in looking up the records.

Respectfully,
(Miss) Lillie Combes
564 N 18th St
East St Louis, Ill

May fifth nineteen seventy
Page 27

Mrs. Alfred A. Crocker
878 Tweed Avenue
Hyde Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bureau of Pensions;
Will you please
send me a copy of
the Revolutionary War
Records of John Combes,
R.2185.
Will you also please
state the correct way
of spelling this name.
I understand that it
is also spelled Combs,
omitting the "e".
Page 28

Will you please tell
me how it is spelled
on the Revolutionary 
War Records.
I am very curious &
hope this is correct name
and the correct data is in
order to join the D A.R.
Most Sincerely 
Mrs. Alfred A Crocker
878 Tweed Ave.
Hyde Park,
Cincinnati,
Ohio
August 26, 1929
Page 29

8-549
Ex.AWF    Divi. Rev. & 1812
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS, Washington, D.C. Sept.22 1925

The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
1, name of widow Concurrence Southworth
Name of soldier, John Combes
address of soldier at enlistment to after service.
Durham, Conn.
State where enlisted  Connecticut
Date of birth 1758 Devonshire, England
Date of death March 26th 1839 in Hamden, Delaware Co New York
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
Captains Parrett & Woodruff Colonel Mathew Mead
Return attached letter with reply.
Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott [ stamped]
Commissioner

6-216
Page 30

Mrs. Alfred A. Crocker
2101 Alpine Place
Walnut Hills
Cincinnati, Ohio
Bureau of Pensions;
Last June I 
wrote asking for a copy
of the Revolutionary War Record
Of John Combes.
I have learned
a relative that a copy
of the War Record of John
Combes had been sent to
her and that this record
number was M.M# - R.2185.
Page 31

Mrs. Alfred A. Crocker
2101 Alpine Place
Walnut Hills
Cincinnati, Ohio
John Combes was my great
great grandfather and I
am very curious to procure
a copy of his Revolutionary War
Record for entrance into
the D.A.R. Society.
Will you please send
me a copy of his record
as soon as possible.
Most Sincerely 
Mrs. Alfred A. Crocker
Page 32

Mrs. Alfred A. Crocker
2101 Alpine Place
Walnut Hills
Cincinnati, Ohio
[stamp Pension U.S. Office A July 20 1925]

Department of the interior
Bureau of Pensions;

Will you kindly send to me the military history of John Combes, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
Most Sincerely
Mrs. Alfred A. Crocker
[stamp Pension U.S. Office S Sep 28 1925]
Page 33

Bureau of Pensions.
Revolutionary War Records Section,

Will you please send to me the military history of John Combs, a solider in the Revolutionary War,  He was my
Page 34

great, great grandfather and I was very curious to have a record of his military history.

Very Sincerely Yours
Mrs. Alfred A. Crocker
2119 Aldine Place
Walnut Hills
Cincinnati, Ohio

May 29/1922
Page 35

8-049
Ex Aed  Div. Rev. Warbeck
Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington, D.C., Apr 8, 1922

The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
First name of widow {Concurrence Southworth}
Name of soldier, John Combs Durham, Conn.
P.O. address of claimant, at enlistment & after service  Durham, Conn.
State where enlisted Durham, Conn
Place of birth 1758 in Devonshire England
Date of death
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers,
Captains Parrett & Woodruff
Colonel Mathew Mead
Return attached letter with reply.
Washington Gardner Commissioner.
[illegible]-2469
Page 36

N. Johnson N.Y.



Rec'd. Vol 30.p. 157
Page 37

War Department
Pension Office
Nov 1833

Sir
The papers in support of the claim of John Combs for a pension have been examined. He alleges that he served as a substitute for Mathew Rice in Capt Sinn Company Col Baldwin's regiment eleven months. By the holes of this request it appears that Mathew Rice given on the time for which he enlisted. The other service specified is not sufficient to which the applicant to a pension under the act of June 7th 1833 the claim is there rejected. The papers an {unk} office.

N. Johnson
Delhi New York
Page 38

1920 May 27 Hish. Lo M[] Louis
Combs.
1927 - Jul 11 Hish to Mrs. Alfred A. Crocke MMH
1925 Oct_20_ Hish Mrs. Alfred A. Crocke MMH
1929 Oct 25 - Mrs. Alfred a. Crocke adv etc. []

2183
P.O.
John Combs
Service:
Enlisted:   ,18
Discharged:   ,18
Application filed:   ,18

Alleges:  List of repeated claims [] in 1852 [] cause of rejection as follows: he did not serve [] []
Re-enlisted:   

Attorney:  
P.O.   
Recognized
Contr
Cert of Dis.
Serach for   ,18

[faint stamp near top of page that says REJECTED]
Page 39

28th Mar. 1834

Rec. Vol. 30 pa. 354
Page 40

War Dept
Pension Off
Mar 28 34

Sir

I have the honor to state that the claim of John Combs has been again examined & the decision communicated to [unk] in mine of 18 Nov. last confirmed. The evidence which is new evidence is insufficient to establish his alleged service as the substitute of artificer who allege by the rolls to have served out his enlistment in his [unk] person, W Combs aperts that he substituted Rice in 1780 and served out Rices term of enlistment which he allegly was 11 1/2 mos. It is established by the rolls that Rice was enlisted for the war & served to the end of it.

Act 7 June