Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 8757, William Coombs, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.B.
Coombs, William
W 8757
or Coombs
B.L.Wt. 14968-160-55
Staire, Michale
(Former widow)
CONTENTS

No 4,600.- Jones Dennels S. Lee.
Michale Staire, formerly widow of N.C. William Coombs, who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 66 dollars 21 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 16 th day of Oct, 1854, and sent to A. G. Graham, Jonesboro, Denn.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 185. Vol. A.-
W R Wilson
S.A. to A. Graham, July: 8" 1855. ✓
Dep.

120.260-Act March 3/55
May 26/55
Michale Stair wid of William Coon Ex-jut
Michale Stair in  the  estate of former widow of Wm Coon Pri:
num
N. 1/2 State hoop
1496
Revolutionary War
Ad: 160 ac, Jan'y: 24/56,
Linn July 53- B. D. D.
num
S. A. Cooley Somersborough East Linn
Vol. 60-13.

State of Tennessee, } p. On this 23 d day of June 1853, Washington County. } before me, one of the Justices of the County Court of Common Pleas & Quarter Sessions in and for sd. County, personally came Michal Staire, aged about 75 years, a resident of sd. County, of good character, & who is a neighbor, & resides in the the Civil dist- ict, & who being duly sworn according to law, doth state that her maiden name was Michal Traylor, and was born at the beginning of the Revolutionary war, and raised in Chesterfield Co. in old Virginia, that she was married to one William Combs, in Charlotte Co. Va. on the 22 d of June 1800, as may be seen from the enclosed documents, that her sd. husband came from Wilkes Co. N.C. and had been in sd. Co. for sometime as an overseer to Gen. Bealacote of Charlotte Co., that they lived together as lawful husband & wife un- til the 9 th of June 1809, when he died in Sullivan Co. Ten. & in which place they had removed the Feb y previous, that in June 1816, after remaining a widow 7 years, she again married one Michael Staire, in Sullivan Co. Ten., that they lived together as lawful husband and wife until the 30 th of Dec r 1835, when her sd. last husband died in Jef- ferson Co. Ten., and from that time to the present declarant has remained a widow. Declarant states further that her first named husband often spoke of being in the Revolutionary war, whilst a citizen of N.C., and often tal- ked to his children of the battles he was in, particularly that of King's Mountain, which he often described, giving the particulars of the death of Col. Ferguson the British commander, but of the particulars of his services, the offi- cers under whom he served, and the length of time, and the campaigns, declarant states that her sd. husband often talked of these things, but she has no distinct recollection of what he said, and she relies alone on the proof which may be found, if any, in the public records of the country. She states further that she makes the above declaration in

order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by act of Congress passed 3 d Feby 1853, granting pensions to certain widows; & she states that her marriage to the sd William Combs took place to the best of her recollection on the date above mentioned. She states further that she has no private papers of sd Combs.
her Michael + Stair mark.
Sworn to & subscribed before me on the day and year first above written. And I certify that I believe the sd Mrs. Stair to be the identical person she represents herself to be as above, and that she is now, and has been for many years past, a widow - I also certify that on account of old age & bodily infirmity, she is unable to attend in person, at the Court, to make her above declaration there in open Court.
J. C. Hale Clerk
Justice of the Peace, & associate of the Quarterly & Inferior Cts of sd Co.
State of Tennessee, } ss. On this 23 rd day of June 1853, before Washington County. } me as aforesaid personally came John Galloway, aged about 58 years, a resident of sd. County, whom I certify to be a credible witness, and who being duly sworn according to law, doth state that he has been well acquainted with the above named Mrs. Michael Stair for the last 35 years. When he first became acquainted with her, she had recently married one Michael Stair, but before that, as he ascertained from those then living who knew the facts, her name was Combs, the widow of one William Combs, who had removed from Virginia, to Tenn. & shortly afterwards died. He states further that sd Stair died about 18 years ago, & since then, and at present, the sd Michael Stair has remained a widow. He states

further that he does not now recollect of any person in the section of country, who was acquainted with Wm Combs, the sd. Mrs. Stane's first husband, except Mary Galloway. He knew well Wm Combs, Jr. - the son of sd. Wm Combs, - who lived in this section all his life, & died three  one years ago, last March, and he was always reputed as a legitimate child of the foregoing parties. John Combs , another son, lives in Ill. at the last accounts - It is generally believed, that the sd. William Combs was a soldier in the Rev. War, from S. C. - The above named Mrs. Michael Stane is the identical person who was known as the widow of the sd. William Combs, & she lives close by the affiant. -
Sworn to & subscribed before, me on the day & year above written. L. C. Galt Galt Justice of the Peace, &c.
Before me as aforesaid, on the day and year aforesaid, personally came before me Mrs. Mary Galloway, aged about 83 yrs., whom I certify to be a credible witness, residing in my neighborhood, & who being duly sworn according to law, doth state that she knew the above named William Combs, during his lifetime, and he died, when she was about 9 yrs. of age, in Sullivan Co. Ten. to which place he removed to a short time previous from Charlotte Co. Va. She states that altho' young at the time she distinctly recollects the sd. Combs talking of his services in the Rev. War, & particularly the Battle of King's Mountain, but she does not recollect any of the names of the officers under whom he sd. served. From the best recollection she has of his narratives he was out a considerable time during the war. At that period he lived in North Carolina, so Combs died in June 1809, leaving the foregoing Mrs. Michael Stane, a widow, who some seven years afterwards, married one Michael Stane, in Sullivan Co. Ten. & they lived together until about the year 1835, when sd. Stane died in Jefferson Co. Ten. The sd. Michael Stane, sometime afterwards moved

to Washington Co. Tenn. where she has ever since resided, in the immediate neighborhood of affiant; who states that the foregoing declarant is the identical person who was, & now is, the wife of Mr. Bowles, and Michael Stairs. —
Sworn to & subscribed before me this day of year aforesaid. Mary her  Galloway mark L. C. Hale Just. of Peace.
State of Tennessee } I W. H. Smith clerk of the Washington County } County Court of said County, do hereby certify that L. C. Hale Esq whose name appears to the foregoing affidavits is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, also one of the members of the quorum & quarterly Courts in and for said duly Commissioned & qualified and that the foregoing signature of his is genuine In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at office in Jonesborough this 24 th day of June 1833 (W. H. Smith clerk County Court

120.2260 Michah Stares's Law for Bounty Land
Widow of Wm Coombs, who was a soldier of the Revo- lutionary War. Act of 1818.
Address
J. A. Coombs Jonesboro East Ten.

State of Tennessee, } On this 7 th day of April 1855, before me Washington County } an acting Notary Public in & for the said County personally came Michale Staire, aged about 85 years, a resident of the said County & state, & made oath in due form of law that she is the identical person so named who was formerly the widow of William Coombs, who was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, & served in the state of South Carolina that, in account of his said services, she applied for and sustain- ed a claim to a pension therefor on 3 d Feb. 1853, which said application is herewith referred to for proof of her said husband's services, her marriage with said Coombs, his death, her subse- quent marriage to Michal Staire, her death, & the continu- ance of her widowhood as well as to the proofs hereto an- nexed, —
By reference to said papers it will be seen that she was married to the said William Coombs in Charlotte Co. Va. on the 20 nd June 1800, by Rev. Conrad Almond; that her name prior to the said marriage was Michale Praylor; that her said husband W m Coombs died the 9 th June 1809, in Sullivan Co. Tenn. that in June 1816 she was married to said Staire in said Sullivan Co. & that her last husband died in said Co. on the 3 d Dec 1835; since which time she has remained a widow. — She makes this declaration in order to obtain the Pension land due her under act of Congress passed 3 d of March 1855. And she states further that no land pension has ever issued to her, or to her said husband, that she knows of under any act of Congress; & this is her first & only application for the same; and for more explicit & explanatory proof of her said husband's services, and their marriage, & the other allegations herein contained she respectfully refers to the papers in her claim herein referred to now on the files of the Pen- sion office at Washington City. —
Teste: { A. G. Graham }
Len Michale X Staire mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me the date aforesaid. And I hereby certify that I know the said Michale Staire to be the iden- tical Revolutionary Pensioner she claims to be in the foregoing

We James Deakins & John Gallonay, residents of the in this named County, hereby state, on our oaths, that we were present, and saw the within Michale Stane make her mark and acknowledge the within declaration. We further state that we are personally acquainted with the within Mi- chale Stane, & know her to be the identical person of that name who is now having a Revolutionary Pension as the widow of William Coombs; that she has always been known and reputed in this neighborhood as such widow; that she is still unmarried; & that we are her neighbors and not, in any way, interested in her foregoing claim. Said Pension, amounting to $66.21 per annum, is drawn at the Preston, Tenn. agency.
James Deakins John Gallonay
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were subscribed and sworn to before me on the day and year above written. And I certify that said affiants are credible persons; that I know them to be so; that I know the said declarant to be the identical person she claims to be; and that I am not interested in the said claim.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and offi- cial seal at office in Jonesborough on this the date aforesaid, and recorded the same in Book A. page 31.
A. G. Graham, Notary Public

Jonesboro Tenn 7 Octo: 1854.
Sir:-
In the claim of Michael Stane, the widow of W m Combs, who was a soldier of the Revolution in the S.C. Service, under the act of 3d Feby. 1853, you state in your last letter received in the case, that the identity of this W m Combs, with the personage of that name who is entitled to have served in S.C. by the Comptroller of that state, must be shown. - In reflecting upon the case, & the proof already offered, I am at a loss to conceive what sort of proof you desire. You must be satisfied that this cannot be established by witnesses now living, who were in service with Mr. C., because they, like himself, have gone the "way of all the earth," in all probability long ago. This act of Congress is of recent date; & therefore did not contemplate the production of what is now impossible proof. The testimony already filed shows first, that W m Combs moved from S.C. to Charlotte Co. Va., that he was known there as a soldier of the Revolution, & as living from Pittsylvania Co. in that state; that he next moved, with his wife, to this state, & was here known as a soldier of the Revolution, & as having served in S.C. Now the Compt. of that state states that a W m Combs, of Pittsylvania Co. served in the Revolution certain periods of service - & are not these circumstances sufficient to render the conclusion irresistable that these W m Combs are one & the same person. One would naturally conclude so. The name is not a very common one.
If, on a further examination, & reflection on the case, you are not satisfied with the proof already filed, I can forward to your office statements to the following effect:- 1st. That of two highly respectable & intelligent citizens of this County, who from their knowledge of Mrs. Stane, & from their long received & uncontroverted information upon the subject, & from their full conviction & belief of the truth

of their knowledge, they are satisfied that the Mrs. Hane is the mother of Wm Combs, who is the identical person of that name certified to have served in the Revolution in the A.C. Service; — as 2nd — I will have such proof, say the above, & the other evidence of this case, presented to the Municipal County Court of this County (consisting of 37 justices taken from the body of the County) & they shall certify thro their Chairman & Clerk, is satisfactory to them of the facts above referred to. — I do not know that anything better could be offered & I desire to know if this, or what, evi- dence do you require to point you refer to? —
Remed Malden
Plan on office, etc.
Very Resp. G. H. Doot. O. H. Graham

Sonebrow Tenn 24 Jany 1855.
Dear Sir:-
I had intended, ere this, to have called your attention to what I deem an error, in allowing the claim of Michal Staire, formerly widow of W m Combs, for C o service in the Revolution. A certificate issued in this case the 16 th Octo: last, allowing the widow $66 2/3 per annum; when, according to a fair estimate of the service in the Comptroller's certificate, it should have been "full pay," or $80 per annum. Calculating the service at 8 Shillings & the 1/2 the per annum allowance would be $66 6/7 , or not $66 2/3 . But this is not the point, exactly; the "9 mos," noted in the close of the Comptroller's certificate is not taken into account at all ; as it should undoubtedly have been. See the word " also " in the Compt l : certificate; which means "in addition to" the 3 mentioned payments. It is presumable that he served part at least, of these 9 mos; & as there was much fighting in that quarter during the war, perhaps the little "key int." of Sept. 9/50, might apply to this case. You should, I think, re-issue a certificate for full pay. —
Sim: L. P. Waldo, Pen: off. —
Yrs re A. G. Graham

Memphis Tenn 19 Aug. 1854.
Sir,
Enclosed I send additional testimony to establish the claim of Mrs. Michael Stave, widow of W m Combs, to a per se sum under act 3 d Feb y 1853. These several enclosures are forwarded in pursuance of instructions contained in your letter - in this case of the date of 28 Apl. last. The delay in forwarding them was occasioned by the negligence of the D r . who was requested to take the testimony of the Goakleys. I think the aff ds satisfactorily establish the "identity" alluded to in your letter. I would suppose also from the certificate of the Com tee . that the claimant was entitled to a "full pension," or two years service.
This widow is quite aged, & very feeble, and will not, I am told, live long. I hope you will therefore be kind enough to give an early & favorable reply, and to return to the claim on the proof on file, herewith submitted. Yrs: S. D. Malabar, Very Resp. Wm Lloyd Comm ee Pensions. W. City. H. G. Graham

Raleigh April 12 th . 1854
Sir
I was under the impression that this Certificate had been sent to you a long time ago. The correspondence of this office on the subject of Revolutionary pensions is very heavy and having to be attended to at night or in such leisure as the usual business may afford it is not to be wondered at that occasionally some letter lies a long time unanswered.
Hoping that you may suffer no inconvenience from the delay, I am
Very respectfully Yours Wm. J. Clarke, Compt.
Fee for search & certificate $5. rec d ?

State of North Carolina Comptroller's Office.
I, William S. Clarke, Comptroller of public Accounts in and for the State aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears of record in my office among the payments made by said State to sundry persons for Military services in the Revolutionary War, as follows, to wit:
William Combs
Vol. A. entry No. 7656 £30- specie
" 6 " " 7424 £6 86- "
" " " " 4072 £17 82 "
William Combs also appears on the "Return of Wilkes (County) Volunteers to march northward" nine months' men, May 19th. 1778 made by Charles Gordon Colonel.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 12th. day of April 1854.
Wm. S. Clarke, Compt.

June, 18. 21. Sept 548
Dear Sir: These papers have been made out for some time, but the delay of their presentation has been occasioned in part of neglect of the Compt. of WC to furnish a certificate of service. It is hoped that this will be satisfactory. I have no means whatever of finding out in what grade the man served, or what length of service the payments indicate. I presume he was a private. You may have some information on the subject. It seems he was in service of mine at one time; how much the other 3 series and I have no means of ascertaining. Will you please adjudicate the claim? A. H. M. (H. M. (

Rev: Off:
Febry: 7" 1855.
My letters of April 28" 1854 & Sept: 7" 1854. Only refer to the want of proof of identity. My 2 d letter stated the case could not be favorably considered unless the Soldier was, satisfactorily, identified with the Service Act: to by the Comp: of N.C. I should not have admitted this case. Ought it not to be Inspe: S. "D. M. M."

cert: Marr: William Gombs Fr Michael Traylon

Marryed June 22 d 1800. William Coubs and Michael Traylor
By Rev d Edwards Clin. and
State of Virginia, Charlotte County ss.
I Winton Robinson Clerk of the County Court of the said County of Charlotte in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of the registration of the said marriage from the records of my said Office - the date of which (in figures) is the twenty Second June one thousand eight hundred -
GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of my said Office this Twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three, and in the Seventy Seventh year of the Common-Wealth
Winton Robinson C o

Mr. A. J. 15 th June 1891 A. J. D.

✓ JJ 14.968
3 the Amy
No 4619 Michael Staire, formerly wid: of William Amos.
Set. at Abraham Apt 28/54 " " " " Sept. 7/ " " Allowed 266 2/6 Com Feb 3/55
Oct 1/53

Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. _____
8757
Muchalo Staire
formerly Wid
William Coombs
Brit Rev. War.
Act: _____
Feby 3 d
1853
Index:—Vol. _____
M
Page _____
242
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Briefly to the service of W m Combs, upon which Nicholas Stane was furnished. —

W m Combs Service - Entry 7576 - $30 specie -
" 1424 - " 6. 68. " "
" 4072 - " 17 - 2 " "
[In A.C. & Tenn, say shillings at 53 - 8 "
make $1 00 = so divide by 6 - 6 ) 1068 20 Shillings Paid Combs, $178 Dollars " "
Now, Combs, so we presume, was a private; at least, if we put him at that, it is the lowest grade he could have served, and the pay was $6.66 2/3 per month. [See Am. State paper, Vol. 1, pp 792, 3 - under head of "Military affairs" which shows the pay of a private to be "$6 2/3 " per month.] Then divide $178, amt Combs recd, by $6 2/3 - the monthly pay, & we have this result:-
\begin{array}{r} 6.66\frac{2}{3} \ ) \ 178.00 - ( 26\frac{2}{3} \text{ months.} \\ \underline{1333} \\ 4470 \\ 4000 \\ \hline 470 \end{array} \left. \begin{array}{l} 470 \\ 666 \end{array} \right\} \frac{4}{6} \text{ or } \frac{2}{3} \text{ rem.}
Showing payments sufficient at the rates set forth, to purchase a service of 26 2/3 months. If you will further examine Compt. Clarke's certificate you will see that Combs' name appears in the "Return of Killed & Wounded" (therein when he receded) "to march northward, 9 mos men, May 19, 1778; made by Chas. Gordon Col d ;" - Now this 9 mos service is the above, supposing it not included therein, & you have the service thus:-
W m Combs service paid for - 26 2 / 3 months - " " as a volunteer - 9 " Total service - 35 2 / 3 "
[As, say 8 Shillings make $1 00 ; payment then amounts to $133.50: & this, at $6.66 2/3 per month, shows a service of 20 months & 20 days. Now, if a full pension is $80 per annum, for 2 years service, for 26 2/3 months service, the claim would be $66.67 - not $66.21 - But, query, what to do with the 9 months as a volunteer? - Combs, undoubtedly served 2 years. - But suppose these payments,

(as one of them at least) is for the 9 mo's "unthinned" tons. At 8 S. per the $1 00 - the pay due would have been $244; at 6 S. b the $1 00 , it would have been $18. But these are not the items in the certificate - On this subject, see the letter of D. C. Goddard, Esq. acting Secy Int. under date of 13 Sept. 1850, in the case of Mr. O'Dunn.]

BRIEF IN THE CASE OF
Mrs. Michal Stain widow of William Washington County and State of Tennessee act of February 3. 1853
CLAIM, ("original," or " for increase. ") Allowed $ 66 \frac{21}{100} per annum to commence Feb. 3, 1853
PROOF EXHIBITED, (if original.)
Documentary & parol.
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a private in North Carolina militia 19 months & 26 days and died December 30, 1835, his service is shown by certificate of Comptroller of State of N. Ca. and his identity proved by five credible witnesses who state circumstances, of early acquaintanceship & general reputation of revolutionary service
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by four credible witnesses
Death of husband by two credible witnesses
Identity shown by four credible witnesses
Papers properly attested
Name and residence of Agent
A. G. Graham Esqr Jonesboro Tenn.
Examining Clerk.
H. Gray

State of Tennessee
Sullivan County on the 14 day of August. 1854 personally came Rachel Yoakley aged 64 years before me an acting justice of the peace in & for said county, and is a resident of said county well known to me, and i certify to be entitled to full credit as a witness, and upon oath duly administered, doth state that about the year 1810 she became well acquainted with William Combs in said county, with his wife which went by the name of Mickey with some small children and resided in her immediate neighbourhood, in conversation with said Combs in the course of that time he stated that he had lived in North Carolina and in their, he served as a soldier in the revolutionary war, he lived in said neighbourhood about one year  for 5 years and died Peter Yoakley aged 72 years son of State and county entitled to full credit as a witness As as above acquainted written, doth state that he was well acquainted with said Wm Combs and when the Combs died he shaved him and helped dress and bury him and that he was buried at John Barns, he left a widow commonly known by the name above written, said Peter and Rachel Yoakley do state that they are disinterested in any claim the widow may make for pension otherwise.
Sworn and subscribed to before { Peter Yoakley see her. Rachel Yoakley mark.
W. H. Wright. J. P. said County Tennessee,

State of Tennessee { I, John G. Rutledge Clerk of the County Court for Sullivan County { said County Do hereby hereby Certify that M. H. Wright Esq. whose genuine signature appears to the within Certificate of Affidavits is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting justice of the peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified. and I further Certify that I am not agent for the applicant for pension nor in any way interested in the same. Given under my hand and Official Seal at Office in Blountville the 18 th day of August 1854.
John G. Rutledge Clerk
att y of Rebecca and John G. Rutledge as to the Res y of the late John G. Rutledge
John G. Rutledge
John G. Rutledge

The State of Tennessee, Washington County,
To Wit:-
Be it known that on this 28 th day of May in the year 1854, before me personally came Mrs: Mary Galloway, aged 54 years, a resident of said County, whom I certify to be fully entitled to credit as a credible and disinterested witness, & who upon oath duly administered, doth depose and state that Mrs: Michael Starn, who resides a close neighbor is the widow of William Combs who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war in the North Carolina service. States that the manner she acquired this knowledge is as follows:- She was born in Charlotte Co. State of Virginia, and resided there long enough to have such a knowledge of places and things, as to recollect distinctly sd William Combs, who was an overseer for one James Calacote; that she often heard Combs, whilst in Virginia talk of his services whilst in the Revolution & always stated that he was, or came, from Wilkes County, N.C. & heard, or he expressed it, "through the war" he often spoke of the battles which he was in, but she cannot call to mind any of the names of them. About the year 1806-08, he moved to this State, & resided in Sullivan Co. some four years perhaps, when he died. He often talked of his revolutionary services whilst in Tennessee. States that she does not know any person in this section of Country who has as much knowledge of the facts above stated, as she does. - States that she is in no way interested in any application the said Mrs: Starn may make, or has made, for a pension - except that she is interested in her having her just rights, but not interested in a pecuniary point either by any contract, or expectancy - & further this deponent says she is not - except to state that the above is supplemental to her former statement.
Sworn to & subscribed before me, in this date aforesaid. And I state that I believe the foregoing to be a correct statement; & that I am not interested in this claim, nor concerned in its prosecution.
Wm H. Smith
Justice of the Peace
Her Mary Galloway mark

State of Tennessee } It is hereby certified that W. H. Smith Washington County } whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavit is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned & qualified.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at office in Jonesborough this 27 th day of May 1854.
W. H. Smith clerk
I am no wise concerned in this business
W. H. Smith C. R.
App't. of Mary E. Hume
care of the widow of Wm. Combs
vs: Michael Starn
act 3 rd Feb: 1853