The Combs Family of Grant
Herkimer County, NY

Graciously Donated by Julie Jones

Descendants of Ezra Combs

First Generation

1. Ezra Combs married Mary.

Children of Ezra Combs and Mary:
1.1. Ezra Combs was born November 05, 1797.
1.2. Harvey Combs was born April 05, 1798.
1.3. Oliver Combs was born December 12, 1801.
1.4. Jacob S. Combs was born March 23, 1804.
1.5. Mary Combs was born March 29, 1806.
1.6. Joseph B. Combs was born April 29, 1808.
1.7. Charlotte Combs was born August 29, 1814.
1.8. Charles Edward Combs was born November 1817.


Grant - You can see up Stormy Hill Rd and
hotel is about in center of photo.

(Click Image to Enlarge)

 


Second Generation

1.1. Ezra Combs was born November 05, 1797 in Massachusetts. He came to Grant and may have moved to Sauquoit.

1.2. Harvey Combs was born April 05, 1798 in Massachusetts. He went to Grant (then called Post Ville). It appears that he was the first to come to Grant although his other brothers also had land there already so I don't know if that's true. He was on the census in the Town of Russia in 1830 and the brothers were in Troy. Maybe they had all bought land together in the Town of Russia, but Harvey just went up and stayed first. He was up in northern NY with a brother - I think it was Oliver, but can't remember right off. Ezra, another brother may also have been in Grant with him for a time. Also there's a piece about the Hoffmeister schools on the Hamilton county site and Harvey Combs is shown on the list of people. I was wondering if maybe he was a teacher. I know that a nephew or two of his were teachers.


A drawing by Jacob S. Combs
(Click on Image to Enlarge)

1.4. Jacob S. Combs was born March 23, 1804 in Massachusetts and died before 1870 in Grant, NY. He married Mary L. who was born in 1811 in Massachusetts and died between 1871 and 1880 in Grant, NY. They had 6 children.

Children of Jacob S. Combs and Mary L.:
1.4.1. Jacob Ezra Combs was born May 27, 1829.
1.4.2. Charles Combs was born in 1832.
1.4.3. George Edmond Combs was born in 1836.
1.4.4. Mary Jane Combs was born May 1838.
1.4.5. Joseph Combs was born in 1844.
1.4.6. Emogene ("Genie") Combs was born Nov 1850.

 


Third Generation


Jacob Ezra Combs and his family
This farm originally owned by Jacob S. Combs.
(Click on Image to Enlarge the family)
(Click HERE to see the house as it is today)

1.4.1. Jacob Ezra Combs was born May 27, 1829 in Massachusetts and died in 1895 in Town of Russia, Herkimer County, NY. He married first to Mary Merchant who was born in 1838 in NY. She died between 1870 and 1874 in the town of Russia, Herkimer county, NY. They had 3 children together. After the death of his first wife he married his brother's wife's sister, Lois Jane Orcutt, who was born in April 1846 in Forestport, Oneida county, NY, a daughter of David Orcutt and Almira Burlison. Lois died in 1933 in the town of Russia, Herkimer county, NY. They had 7 children together.

Children of Jacob Combs and Mary:
1.4.1.1. Jacob Ezra Combs was born in 1865.
1.4.1.2. George A. Combs was born in 1867.
1.4.1.3. Carrie Combs was born October 1869.

Children of Jacob Combs and Lois Orcutt:
1.4.1.4. Joseph Combs was born in 1875.
1.4.1.5. Adelaide Mae Combs was born November 11, 1877.
1.4.1.6. Charles E. Combs was born in March 1880.
1.4.1.7. James Burton Combs was born April 30, 1882.
1.4.1.8. Effie Emmagene Combs b: April 19, 1884.
1.4.1.9. William Roy Combs was born March 09, 1886.
1.4.1.10. Frank Raymond Combs was born February 20, 1889.


George and Mary Orcutt Combs family
Left to right: George (father), Eva, Charles, Nettie, Mary (mother)
(Click on Image to Enlarge Family)

1.4.3 George Edmond Combs was born in 1836 in NY State and died in March 1898 in Grant, NY. He was sick for 30 years before he died. He married Mary Cornelia Orcutt who was born August 28, 1849 in Remsen, NY and died March 08, 1919 in Grant, NY. She was a daughter of David Orcutt and Almira Burlison.

Many to Mourn (photo)

Mrs. Combs Was a Woman of Remarkable Christian Character.

Mrs. Mary C. Combs, widow of G. Edmond Combs, died at the family home near Grant, March 8, from an illness which began last October. Mary Cornelia Orcutt was born in Remsen August 28, 1849, daughter of the late David and Almira Burleson Orcutt. Except for a few years in Marcy, her girlhood was spent in Remsen. She became the wife of Mr. Combs on Christmas day, 1867, in Clayville. Soon afterward they purchased the Derrick farm in Grant which has since been the family home. Mr. Combs died March, 1898.

Mrs. Combs was a woman of strong Christian character. She was a member of the Free Baptist Church and lived her religion by giving her life to the service of others. She also had faith that all would be cared for if they did right. Nor was her life cast in particularly pleasant lines. Mr. Combs was ill for 30 years before his death but his wife never despaired nor lost courage.

Three daughters survive, Mrs. A. F. Hoffmeister and Mrs. Albert F. Partello, of Hoffmeister, Hamilton county, and Miss Nettie J. Combs of Grant, upon whom Mrs. Combs depended during her later years; one son, Charles E. Combs, of Utica; four grandchildren, George F. Hoffmeister, of Camp Mills; Mrs. Herbert V. Edmonds, of Herkimer; Roger Partello [sic], of Hoffmeister, and Kenneth L. Combs, of Utica; one sister, Mrs. Lois Combs, of Herkimer and two brothers, Robert C. Orcutt, of Buffalo, and Frank Orcutt.

The funeral was held last Wednesday at the Union Church in Grant and interment was made in Woodin's Corners Cemetery.

Children of George Edmond Combs and Mary Cornelia Orcutt:
1.4.3.1. George E. Combs was born in 1868.
1.4.3.2. Mary Josephine Combs (Phenie) was born February 11, 1871.
1.4.3.3. Charles E. Combs was born in 1873.
1.4.3.4. Nettie J. Combs was born in Apr 1878.
1.4.3.5. Eva M. Combs was born in Jul 1882.


Mary Josephine Combs, temporary teaching license
(Click on Image to Enlarge)

License No. 14, State of New York, dated Aug 21, 1891.
Teacher's Temporary License
Under the Regulations of the Department of Public Instruction for the Uniform Examination and Licensing of Teachers,

I, Geo. A. McCoy School Commissioner of the ____ District of the county of Hamilton, do hereby license Phenie Combs of Grant to teach the school in school district No. one in the town fo Morehouse for six weeks from the date of this license and no longer.
[signed] Geo. A. McCoy
School Commissioner

Autographs of Phenie's parents when she passed the exam to be a teacher.
(Click on Images to Enlarge)

I guess it just kinda gives you a glimpse of the inner side of those people you see in the picture. They were nurturing parents. George sure loved his kids and you could see he looked happy in that picture! - Julie Jones

"My loved Daughter Phenie
Love god and serve him, and you will be happy.
Love, honor and obey your Parents.
Love your Enemies, and Pray for those that dispitefully use you.
And
As far as possible live Peacably with all
Is the sincere and loving wish of your Father"
 
"To my Dear Daughter Phenie
Observe the loving Advise of your kind Father and Profit thereby
The love of a true Friend is better than gold
Lovingly your Mother"

1.4.4. Mary Jane Combs married Alexander ("Alec") Truman. He was born May 1836 in NY. Mary Jane died between 1910 and 1920 and Alexander died between 1920 and 1930. They resided in Newport, Herkimer county, NY.

Child of Alexander Truman and Mary Jane Combs:
1.4.4.1. Charles Truman was born about 1864.

1.4.6. Imogene ("Genie") Combs was born Nov 1850 and married about 1873 Jacob Henry Simons. They resided in Troy, NY in 1880 and 1900 census records.

Children of Genie Combs and Jacob Henry Simons:
1.4.6.2. Imogene Simons was born about 1873 died between 1880 and 1900
1.4.6.1. George Henry Simons was born 21 Jul 1878

 


Fourth Generation

1.4.1.4. Joseph Combs was born in Apr 1875 and died about 1939, a son of Jacob Ezra Combs and Lois Jane Orcutt. He was married about 1896 to Sarah Bellinger who died about 1943.

Children of Joseph Combs and Sarah Bellinger:
1.4.1.4.1. Joseph L. Combs was born May 11, 1897.
1.4.1.4.2. Ernest Arthur Combs was born June 1897?.
1.4.1.4.3. Genievive Combs died before 1900.
1.4.1.4.4. Harold Jacob Combs was born February 10, 1900.

1.4.1.5. Adelaide Mae Combs was born November 11, 1877 in Grant, NY and died May 11, 1954 in Utica, NY. She was married about 1906 to Franklin Herbert Bellinger who was born August 16, 1871 and died June 26, 1933 in Herkimer, NY.

Children of Adelaide Mae Combs and Franklin Herbert Bellinger:
1.4.1.5.1. Mildred C. Bellinger was born about 1907.
1.4.1.5.1. Frank Russell Bellinger was born about 1908.
1.4.1.5.2. Charles S. Bellinger was born February 14, 1910.
1.4.1.5.3. George Bellinger was born November 28, 1911.
1.4.1.5.4. Dorthea Bellinger was born about 1915.
1.4.1.5.5. Rowena Bellinger was born about 1917.
1.4.1.5.6. Victor Stanley Bellinger was born about 1918.
1.4.1.5.7. William R. Bellinger was born about 1923.


Grant - Looking toward front of Grant Hotel
from the bridge.

(Click Image to Enlarge)

1.4.1.8. Effie Emmagene Combs b: April 19, 1884. She was married about 1904 to Marvil Joseph Higgins. He was born about 1876.

Children of Effie Emmagene Combs and Marvil Joseph Higgins:
1.4.1.8.1. Joseph W. Higgins was born April 15, 1907.
1.4.1.8.2. Helen Myrtle Higgins was born January 22, 1914.
1.4.1.8.3. Daniel Frederick Higgins was born June 13, 1916.

1.4.3.1. George E. Combs was born in 1869 in Town of Russia, Grant, NY and died in 1880 in Town of Russia, Grant, NY.

1.4.3.2. Mary Josephine Combs (Phenie) was born February 11, 1871 in Grant, NY and died September 23, 1928 in Utica, NY hospital. In 1892 she married Augustus H. Hoffmeister who was born March 27, 1857 in NY City and died November 20, 1935 in Utica, NY hospital. He was the son of Frederick A. Hoffmeister and Louisa C. Finkman. They resided in the town of Morehouse, Hamilton county, NY. Phenie Combs, was a teacher in Hoffmeister (and I think in Grant early on too). Phenie, Gus, Phenie's sister, Nettie, are all buried at Woodin's Corners' Cemetery in Grant, NY near the Combs. More information about this lineage can be found on the Hamilton county NYGenWeb site.

Children of Mary Josephine Combs and Augustus H. Hoffmeister:
1.4.3.2.1. George F. Hoffmeister was born June 13, 1894.
1.4.3.2.2. Mae Agnes Hoffmeister was born August 13, 1896.

1.4.3.3. Charles E. Combs b: 1873 d: 1935 in Grant, NY. He married Mary L. McGavern who was born in 1869 and died in 1958, a daughter of Reverend William McGavern.

Child of Charles E. Combs and Mary L. McGavern:
1.4.3.3.1. Kenneth L. Combs was born August 16, 1903.

1.4.3.4. Nettie J. Combs was born April 14, 1878 in Grant, NY Herkimer County and died July 03 in Salisbury Center, NY. I think she was in her late 20's or very early 30's. She was sick for a very long time and was sent to live with Phenie for the sunshine and air because the doctor said it would be good for her. She was not a complainer and kept going - pushing. She was buried in Woodin Corners Cemetery.


Grant School circa 1896
(Click on Image to Enlarge)
Back row, left to right: Eva Combs, Anna Popple,
Nellie McArthur, Frank Burlingame, Edna Legg, Pearl
Huntley, Eva Hicks, Minnie Irvine (teacher), Bert Jones,
Emma Combs. Next row: Frank Combs, Roy Combs,
Otto Jones, mabel Miller, George Fenner, Leon Jones,
Grace Miller, Fairy Jones. Next Row: Frank
McArthur, Florence Wilt, Mary Topper, Elba Wilt, Herbert
Hart. Next Row - sitting on floor: Blanche Miller,
Flora Conover, Isa Wall, Arthur Hicks.

1.4.3.5. Eva M.Combs was born in 1882 in Grant, NY and died in Anaheim California. She married Albert F. Partello who was born in 1882 in Middleville, NY and died in California. He was the son of Daniel Partello and Josephine E. Maheux of the town of Morehouse, Hamilton county, NY. Eva was a teacher in Grant, NY, before she was married and continued to teach after her marriage.

Children of Eva M. Combs and Albert F. Partello:
1.4.3.5.1. Margaret E. Partello was born in 1920.
1.4.3.5.2. Roger A. Partello.

1.4.4.1. Charles Truman was born Jun 1864. He was married about 1887 to Elizabeth who was born Jun (or Jan?) 1859.

Children of Charles Truman and Elizabeth:
1.4.4.1. Orval Charles was born 3 Mar 1888 in Newport, Herkimer, NY.
1.4.4.2. Bessie E. Truman was born Oct 1897.

 


Fifth Generation


A glimpse of the old mill and river, Grant, NY
(Click on Image to Enlarge)

1.4.1.4.1. Joseph Combs was born May 11, 1897 and died August 08, 1967. He married Anna Heath.

1.4.1.4.2. Ernest Combs. He married Mabel Belosa.

1.4.1.4.3. Genievive Combs. She married Nathan Scouten.

1.4.1.4.4. Harold Jacob Combs was born February 10, 1900 and died January 01, 1963. He married Josephine Szablak who was born about 1902 and died about 1965.

1.4.1.5.1. Frank Russell Bellinger. He married Helen Sharon a daughter of Ned Sharon and Ruba DePan.

1.4.1.5.2. Charles Bellinger was born February 14, 1910. He married Alice Rayhill who was born about 1912 and died about 1968 in Utica, NY.

1.4.1.5.3. George Bellinger was born November 28, 1911 and died about 1984.

1.4.1.8.1. Joseph Higgins was born April 15, 1907 in Herkimer, NY and died December 30, 1968 in Schenectady, NY. He married Beatrice Allyn Terry who was born March 07, 1903 in Bridgewater, NY.

1.4.1.8.2. Helen Myrtle Higgins was born January 22, 1914 in Herkimer, NY and died March 21, 2003 in Herkimer, NY. She married Harvey Glynn Miner who died August 24, 2000 in Herkimer, NY.

1.4.1.8.3. Daniel Frederick Higgins was born June 13, 1916 in Herkimer, NY and died 1995. He married Frances Jones who was born in 1916.

1.4.3.2.1. George F. Hoffmeister was born June 13, 1894 in Morehouseville, NY and died February 06, 1954 in Grant, NY George married a "May" and his sister's name was "MAE" which confused people and they thought they were one in the same but they weren't. He married May A. Boyce who was born in 1905 and died in 1995 in Grant, NY.


Children of Victor Edmonds and Mae Hoffmeister
Sheldon Robert, Bill, Vilma and Victor jr.
(Click on Image to Enlarge)

1.4.3.2.2. Mae Agnes Hoffmeister was born August 13, 1896 in Hoffmeister, NY and died October 30, 1977 in Utica, NY. She married Victor Herbert Edmonds who was born May 12, 1895 in Herkimer, NY and died February 25, 1967 in Utica, NY. He was a son of James Henry Edmonds and Maylie Flourilla Mellen. Mae was also a teacher and was in the last graduating class in the Herkimer Teachers' School. It is not known if she continued to teach after her marriage. Later on she was a seamstress.


Grant church - minister Kenneth Combs on left (1940)
Mae Hoffmeister Edmonds is in middle holding purse.
Her son, Sheldon Robert, is about 14 and with white
pants kind of kneeling. Eva Combs Partello is next
to Mae and a little behind.
(Click on Image to Enlarge)

1.4.3.3.1. Kenneth L. Combs was born August 16, 1903 in Grant, NY and died March 1974 in West Winfield, NY. He was a Methodist Minister and was very close to Nana (Mae Hoffmeister Edmonds). I remember him visiting a lot. We have quite a few photos of the two of them as they were growing up. He was a very nice guy. He married Alice A. Palmiter who was born in 1907 in Brookfield, NY and died in 1968 in Lee Center. He married second Maude Owens.


Methodist Church, Grant, NY
circa 1910
(Click on Image to Enlarge)


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Created 4/24/05

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