Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2187, William Combs, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Combs, William R 2187 Sarah Ann
CONTENTS

5793
Sarah Ann bombs
Illinois
act 4 July 36
J. Harlan Ely Marshall Illinois

State of Illinois 5 th
Edgar County } Be it remembered that on the 20 th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appeared before Mr. George Redman a judge or justice and one of the judges of the County Court in and for the said County of Edgar and State of Illinois (said Court being a Court of Record having a clerk and official seal and declared a Court of Record by the law creating said Court) Sarah Ann Combs a resident of said County of Edgar aged ninety years in her last part who being by me first duly sworn, upon her oath says; and makes the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836. That she is the widow of William Combs who was a private in the Company commanded (according to her present recollection) by Captain Wil- iam Washington of the Virginia Militia or Continental Revolutionary War. She can not state with certainty, the name or num- ber of the Regiment to which he belonged.

nor will she state certainly, that William Washington was his captain; but she is positive in her recollection that his service was the greater part, of the time, or all of the time under Capt. William Washington or Col. William Washington and under General George Washington. That the said William Combs resided in Stafford County in the State of Virginia, at the time of enlisting and that the said William Combs as well as she now recollects, enlisted for the term of five years, at least, or, for during the war, she thinks the latter. and that he entered the service, she thinks under his said enlistment in the said County of Stafford in the early part of the year 1776, she thinks in the month of May, and that his service was in the Troop called the Infantry as she then understood. that the said William Combs was in the service in the Revolutionary War, under his said enlistment, from the time above stated, continually, until the time of his death. she cannot state the battles or engagements he was in nor the country through which he marched in

detail but she recollects, that he was in the battle at, and burning of, "Brents House" in the early part of the war in Stafford County in Virginia and was in a number of other battles and engage- ments, which she cannot now name and that he was wounded or some way greatly injured, while he was engaged with the troops in erecting or repair- ing some fort or breastwork, she is not position which on the Potomac River in the year 1780. From which injury he never recovered. He was taken to a hospital from where he was injured where he remained until he died some time in the fall of 1780. as she was informed and believes. He never afterwards returned home. He was at home on furloughs once or twice in the summer of 1777 a few days each time; and while at home, she recollects when heard him say his unfriends at that time were John King, Richard Simms and William Davis (whom she

(knew) and others, but whom she does not recollect. She does not now know of any person living who served with her said husband. By whom she could prove, his services, from personal knowledge. She is informed and believes that all the persons are dead, whom she knew when had a personal knowledge of his services. So that are any yet living who knew of the services they are entirely unknown to this declarant
She further declares that she was married to the said William Goult on the fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five before the commence- ment of the Revolutionary war in the County of Prince William in the State of Virginia, by publication in the church by one Payne Scott. That her maiden name was Sarah Jane Million and that she never had but one child, by her said husband who was called William Goult, Jr. who was born on the 11 th day of Janu- ary in the year of our Lord 1777.

which with was seven or eight months as will as she now recollects, after her said husband entered the services. The said Williams Combs Jr. is now living in Russell County in the State of Virginia That her said husband the said Williams Combs as she was informed and believes died in the fall of the year 1780 or about that time but on what day or in what month, she cannot state, nor does recollection having known. That she has remained a widow ever since the death of the said Williams Combs She further declares that she has not any family record of her age or marriage, or of the birth of her said son, nor does she know or believe that any record of her marriage exists and that if any such record was made in the church, when she was married or by the said Parsons now she is now ignorant of it and supposes it is not now in existence
She further declares she is not

in possession of any documentary evidence of the said service of the said husband. That one William Wilson of Stafford County, Virginia attended to her business and drew some arrears of pay due the said husband for his said service from the authorities of Virginia in the fall or winter of the year 1783. She believes the said William Wilson died many years ago in the State of Virginia. That since the death of her husband she has resided in Stafford County Virginia next in South Carolina, next in Russell County Virginia next in Montgomery County Kentucky and last in Edgar County Illinois where she now resides and has resided for the last six years, and yet remaining the widow of the said William Combs, and has never since the death of the said William Combs intermarried with any other person, all of

which will more fully appear by reference to the proof - And I am sure sworn to and subscribed before me this the day of then  January Sarah Ann Combs January A.D. 1863. } mark
George Redmon County Commissioners Edgar County, Ill.
I, George Redmon, County Commissioners of Edgar County, Illinois, before whom the above declaration of Sarah Ann Combs, was on the day of the date thereof made subscribed and sworn to do certify that I did on said day attend at the residence of the said Sarah Ann Combs, in the said County of Edgar in the State of Illinois for the purpose of making her said dec- laration and I do further certify that the said Sarah Ann Combs is and was on said day made to attend at and before a court of Record in and

for said County of Edgar on account of his advanced age and bodily infirmary
Given under my hand at said County this 20 th day of January A.D. 1823
George Redmon
County Commissioner for Edgar County Ill.
State of Illinois Edgar County } Set
J. Robert K. Dickerson
Clerk of the County Commissioner Court in and for the County of Edgar County, Illinois do certify that George Redmon, whose official signature appears to the afore- going declaration of said Ann Combs and other certificates of his bodily infirmary was on the day of the date thereof no necessarily one of the County Commissioners of the County of Edgar, in the State of Illinois, duly commissioned and qualified as such, that said signature are genuine and in due form of law. And I do further

certify that the said County Commissioners Act is a true copy of Record.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County, at my office in Paris this 21 st day of January A.D. 1843.
Robert Dickerson Clerk

State of Kentucky } Madison County } 3
March 29. 1843
This day personally appeared before me H. Goddard one of the Justices of the County Court of Madison County Ky - John Million a resident of said County who being first sworn states That he is a brother of the Petitioner Sarah Ann Combs and that he will be eighty years old on the 10 th of May next. That his sister the said Sarah is now more than ten years older than he is He thinks that she is ninety one - That she was born in Stafford County Virginia and lived there until she was married That he thinks that she was married just about the time the war began he thinks about the year 1775 or 1776 That she was married to William Combs who was a blacksmith & lived in the County of Stafford Va - That she was married by a Parson Scott. That deponent heard the publication of the laws and that the parties were too poor to purchase a license. That he was present & witnessed the marriage between the said Combs & his sister Sarah Ann the Petitioner -
That he recollects that the said Combs took the liberty & entitled for the whole of the revolutionary war. That this was soon after the war commenced and that the said Combs served he thinks about three years and the

it was generally understood that he was killed or wounded at the battle of Brandy wine - in some way - he does not recollect how - That he entered he thinks in Colt's Billy Washington's company in the regular army -  John Million
The above was on this 29th day of March 1843 subscribed & sworn to before me one of the Justices as aforesaid and I further certify that the subscriber John Million is a person of the highest integrity & good standing in society and credible upon oath -
H Goddin one of the Justices of the County Court of Madison Co Ky -
State of Kentucky } Madison County }
I David Irvine Clerk of the County Court of Madison County Ky certify that H. Goddin whose sig- nature is foregoing is and was at the date thereof one of the Justices of the County Court of Madison County Ky the same being a court of Record and that the signature is genuine In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name & affixed the seal of my office this 31 st day of March 1843
(David Irvine) Clerk of the County Court of Madison County

Marshall Ill.
Apr. 7. 1843
Sir
Enclosed I send the deposition of John Millican and a certificate, such as it is, of the Asses. of Virginia as evidence of the marriage and Revolutionary service of William Gomb or Gomb the husband of Sarah Ann Gomb, whose declaration is now on file in your Office, claiming a pension under the act of Congress of July, 4. 1836
It may be proper to say that, the deposition of Mr. Millican was written by some person, other than the Justice before whom it was taken, in Kentucky, but by whom I do not know. As it was not written by any of the officers certifying, without this explanation, I did not know but it might be thought that the affidavit was prepared here and merely sent to him for some sake. Such is not the case.
The certificate, has been in my possession some time I did not forward it as it would do no good without other evidence. At the same time I sent on the declaration of Mrs. Gomb I sent D.Vs. for the evidence (if any) of the service
Please answer
Yours Obed. Servt.
J. H. Arlan

Hon J. L. Edwards
Please Examine Relmuth
March 6 th 1845
Hon R Smith

Washington March 6 th 1845
I would respectfully ask a re-examination of the case of Sarah Ann Combs
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commr of Pensions
R. Smith
H nc J. Harlan
19 May 43 } H. K. Smith 31 July 43 }

House of Representatives, Jan 3 d 1849.
Mr. Linn,
There is before your Department a revolutionary claim in favor of Sarah Ann Conchs of Illinois. I should be glad to hear from you respecting it.
Respectfully yours
Hon J L Edwards
Geo Hunkins

REJECTED
21 87
P. O. _____
Sarah Ann Cuntz
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18____
Discharged: _____, 18____
Application filed: _____, 18____
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18____

House of Reps July 20th 1864
J L Edwards Sir
Mrs Sarah Ann Leomb of Edgar Co in my district writes me that her papers were presented some time since for a pension.
She as I understand uses the term "Virginia line or troops," not in the technical sense in which "Virginia line," is used but as we would say Kentucky troops Ohio or Virginia troops to designate the such as belonged or entered the service in a particular state.
It is thought that his name will be found on some of the rolls of the when left a Col in Washington command.
I am informed that he has since was wounded in 1777 at the Battle of Brandywine & died of the wound & that the fact is proven & that his marriage is proven by a witness who was present.

I presume from all that I have heard in regard to it that the claim is a meritorious one & I am not request you if the records show a less amount of service than she claims, to allow her for so much as she is entitled to, for I do not wish any thing allowed that is not right your obed serv t Orlando B. Pickman

5793 Feb 10. 1843
Ills. July 4. 1836 Sarah Ann Combs.
Rev. J. G. Edwards Am. A. P. Union Washington D.C.
FREE
16

Marshall Is. Jan. 30. 1843
Hon.
J. G. Edward Sir
I present to your dept. the enclosed Declaration of Sarah Ann Smith or Coombs. The name is so spelled, by different members of the family.
Evidence is supposed to exist at this moment Virginia of the series of of William Smith or Coombs. I have written for it but have yet recd. no answer. I suppose it possible that the Virginia Records have been transferred to the War office at Washington or that the evidence may be obtained by your office immediately from Richmond if any exists. According to the statement she is nearly ninety years old now near which nearly 70. years ago. It is not a impossible, now, to find proof of actual marriages. Proof, such as we have of marriages and identity, and actual series (if no more evidence exists) will be forwarded as soon as it is taken which has not yet been done.
Yours Affec. Sir
J. H. Arlan

Marshall Ills.
June 2. 1843
Hon
J. G. Edwards
Sir
I rec d your letter of April 15. ult. in relation to the case of Sarah Ann Gomb.
You say her declaration "should have been made before a court of records or a judge of a court of records" from which I understand you to mean that the County Commissioners' court in Ills. is not a court of records. In that you are under a mistake. See Revised Laws of Ills. page 142.
You say that "the latter fact" (that one William Wilson drew the means of pay) "is asserted upon a knowledge of the country, on the books at Richmond". It can only be inferred that it is so stated, from her statement and the record agreeing, which you seem strongly hint is not the case. I never saw the declar- ant. The declaration was drawn from notes of her statement, taken for the purpose of having her claim presented. From these notes I drew the declaration, faithfully, without any regard to the history of the times. The person who took notes of her statement informs me that he did not know there was any record and thinks she did not. How that may be I do not know.
You say that "all the material facts in the narration of service are discredited". She may not recollect the kind of service of her husband or the particular company, troop or regiment in which her husband served. It is, I suppose,

of the first importance that the husband, should have served the requisite lengths of time in the Revolutionary War, and only of secondary consequence, when, or in what company he did serve. She states that she is the widow of a Revolutionary soldier, that she was married before he entered the service, that he served until the time of his death, and that he died during the war. She is not I suppose a very intelligent woman, and in giving, from recollection, a narration of matters which took place nearly seventy years ago, it is not at all strange that she cannot state very exactly the kind of service, or the line of the army or troop to which her husband belonged. It will be recollectable that, if her story is true, she never saw her husband after he joined the army except once or twice, and then only for a short time. An old soldier, who supposes he served with her husband, in a successful war, is not likely to deny his service. His death during the war prevented his widow from hearing the story of his service, when he served, who were his officers and the battles he was in, and the narration of his service almost daily recounted in hearing of his family would have impressed it on her mind so that she could hardly err in her statement. I cannot think under the circumstances she ought to be required to state with the utmost exactness every particular.
She states that her husband entered the service in Capt. or Col. Wm. Washington's company or regiment. Whether that company or regiment was in the Virginia line or troop or in

any other denomination of service, I cannot think can make any difference. For the reason I state above she may not state truly what kind of service her husband performed. She ought not to be deprived of the benefit of a law intended for all the widows of revolutionary soldiers because, from age, lapse of time, or any other cause she has forgotten, not that her husband served but in what company, troop or line, he did serve nor because she may never have known what his services were.
A soldier might be required to give a detail of his services very minutely - he participated in the scenes - and would bear them strongly impressed on his mind, but the same strictness ought not to be required of his widow who did not participate in the campaign.
She only can state any thing about the war of the Rev. now from report. She is very old but yet thinks she has good recollection of all that passed at the time. She is over 90 years of age. In all probability the facts and fiction were blended together in the times of the Revolutionary war, and she may never have heard a correct report, & time and other causes, having weakened her memory, she may be very wrong at the present, now.
I have enquired, lately, into her character I find her entirely above suspicion.
Yours Afft. Sire
J. H. A. A. A. A.

This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental Line, during the Revolutionary War, as settled their Accounts, and received Certificates for the balance of their Full Pay, according to an Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, that a Certificate issued on the 4th day of December 1783 , in the name of William Coombes as a Soldier of Infantry for £ 17. 16. 1 , which Certificate appears to have been delivered to Mr Wilson and was given for services prior to the 1st January 1782.
p 120.
{ No Seal of Office. }
Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this
11th day of February 1843.
Jas E Heath
AUDITOR.

Affidavit of Sarah Varvel

State of Illinois Edgar County ss On this 12 th of April A.D 1843 personally ap- peared before me James M. Miller one of the Justices of the peace for & in the said County of Edgar Sarah Varvel a resident of said County aged fifty years past who being by me first duly sworn, upon her oath says that she is personally & well acquainted with Sarah Ann Coombs who now resides in the County of Edgar & State of Illinois. That she has resided there for the last seven years past, that she has known the said Sarah Ann Coombs ever since the earliest recollection of her childhood, that she first became acquainted with the said Sarah Ann Coombs in Russell County Virginia, where her only child William Coombs then resided & still continues his re- sidence as well as she is informed & believes. That the said Sarah Ann Coombs has always been known known and reputed by me and those of her neighbors in Virginia & elsewhere to be the widow and relict of one William Coombs of Stafford County Va who was a revolutionary soldier from the said County of Stafford. That she has often heard the said Sarah Ann Coombs tell over her troubles & hardships of the revolutionary war. That her Husband William Coombs enlisted in the revolutionary war in Stafford County Virginia where they then re- sided, in the Infantry under Capt. William Washington of the Virginia Continental army in the early part of the revolutionary war. Soon after they were married & before she had borne her said child William Coombs. That she has often seen the said Sarah Ann Coombs & her said son William Coombs while they lived together in Stafford County Virginia. That the said Sarah Ann Coombs is now a widow & has been a widow ever since this deponent first knew her & has never been intermarried with any other person. That the said Sarah Ann Coombs when speaking of her said husbands services in the revolutionary war always said that her said husband was woun- ded in the service some two or three years after he entered the service & died in the service & never returned home after he was wounded that she was personally acquainted with the said Sarah Ann Coombs while she resided in Russell County Virginia next in Montgomery County Kentucky & next in Edgar County Illinois, where she

now resides & that she has resided in these three Counties & States & these three only. since she first knew the said Sarah Ann Combs. That John Millian who now resides in Madison County Kentucky is the eldest brother of the said Sarah Ann Combs & that she has been personally acquainted with the said John Millian for about twenty five years past & has often heard the said John Millian say that the said William Combs & his sister the said Sarah Ann Combs were married in Prince William County Virginia & that their residence was in Stafford County Virginia at the time of their marriage & from what this deponent has always heard the said Sarah Ann Combs say she knew & believe her to be now about ninety one years of age. And that the said Sarah Ann Combs is the same person who made her declaration before George Redmon one of the County Commissioners of the County Commissioners Court of Edgar County Illinois on the 20 th of January last for a pension as the widow of the said William Combs &c. &
Sworn to & subscribed before me } Sarah her  X Varwell mark me this 12 th day of April } A D 1843 James M. Miller. J.P.
I James M. Miller the Justice of the peace before whom the foregoing affidavit of Sarah Ann Varwell was made on this day. do certify that the said Sarah Varwell is personally known to me & that she is a person of good standing in society & her statements are entitled to credit.
Given under my hands this 12 th day of April A D 1843
James M. Miller J.P.

State of Illinois ss Edgar County ss J. R. N. Dickenson Clerk of the County commissioners Court in and for the County of Edgar and State of Illinois. do certify that James M. Miller whose official signatures appear to the foregoing affidavit of Sarah Varrell and to his Certificate of her Br. d. t. t. y. now is and was on the day of the dates thereof respectively an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Edgar duly commissioned and qualified that full faith and credit are due his official acts and that his said signatures thereto are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the the official seal of said court at my office in Paris this 12 th day of April AD 1843
Robt N. Dickenson Clerk By his Deputy J. Harding

To
J. L. Edwards
Com. etc.
..

Marshall Is.
April 15. 1863
Sir
enclosed I send you the deposition of Sarah Warrell, as proof, in the matter of Sarah Ann Combs, whose declaration for a pension was some time ago presented to the depart- ment, through me. I have not yet received any answer to my letter enclosing the declara- tion, or, the deposition of John Million. I dare the declaration may have miscarried. Be so good as to inform me whether the declaration has reached the dept. or not.
Yours Abt. Smith
J. F. H. Allen