Antoine Comeau

• Sources:
  • 1671 Acadie Census - shown to be 10 years old which estimates birth c.1661.
  • https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LVNF-NCF/antoine-comeau-1661-...

Antoine Comeau
about 1661–after 29 August 1746 (Age 85)
Port-Royal, Acadia, New France

The Life Summary of Antoine

When Antoine Comeau was born about 1661, in Port-Royal, Acadia, New France, his father, Pierre Comeaux, was 64 and his mother, Rose Bayon, was 30. He married Dorcas Woodin on 5 February 1688, in York, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 7 daughters. He immigrated to Wells, York, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America in 1684. He died after 29 August 1746, in Rochester, Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America, at the age of 85.

Spouse

Antoine Comeau
Male
1661–1746

• 

Male

Dorcas Woodin
Female
1671–1722

• 

Female
Marriage
5 February 1688
York, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America

Children
(12)

Mary Coombs
Female
1689–1732

• 

Female

Peter Coombs
Male
1691–1769

• 

Male

Tabitha Coombs
Female
1693–Deceased

• 

Female

Anthony Coombs
Male
1694–1765

• 

Male

Sarah Coombs
Female
1697–1738

• 

Female

John Coombs
Male
1699–1768

• 

Male

Hannah Coombs
Female
1700–1736

• 

Female

Rosanna Rosilla Coombs
Female
1702–1737

• 

Female

Ithamer Coombs
Male
1704–1768

• 

Male

Joshua Coombs
Male
1706–1789

• 

Male

Frances Coombs
Female
1708–Deceased

• 

Female

Jane Coombs
Female
1710–1752

• 

Female

Parents

Pierre Comeaux
Male
1597–1693

• 

Male

Rose Bayon
Female
1631–1678

• 

Female

Siblings
(9)

Étienne Comeau
Male
1649–1723

• 

Male

Pierre Comeau l'aîné
Male
1652–1730

• 

Male

Marie Françoise Comeaux
Female
1654–1707

• 

Female

Jean Comeau
Male
1656–1720

• 

Male

Pierre Comeaux le Jeune
Male
1658–1740

• 

Male

Antoine Comeau
Male
1661–1746

• 

Male

Jeanne Comeau
Female
1662–1713

• 

Female

Marie Anne Comeaux
Female
1663–1689

• 

Female

Jean Augustin Comeau
Male
1665–1755

• 

Male

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Comeau-1037

Anthony Coombs formerly Comeau

Born about 1661 [location unknown]

Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]

[sibling%28s%29 unknown]

Husband of Dorcas (Woodin) Coombs — married 5 Sep 1688 in Wells, York, Maine

Father of Mary (Coombs) Raymond, Peter Coombs, Tabitha Coombs, Anthony Coombs II, Sarah (Coombs) Bumpas, John Coombs, Hannah (Coombs) Hicks, Rosanna Rosilla (Coombs) Whitcomb, Ithamer Coombs, Joshua Coombs, Frances (Coombs) Pratt and Jane (Coombs) White

Died after 29 Aug 1746 in Rochester, Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay [uncertain]

Profile last modified 27 Nov 2019 | Created 13 Mar 2011

The Acadian flag. Anthony (Comeau) Coombs is an Acadian. Join: Acadians Project Discuss: ACADIA

Biography

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Antoine Comeau (anglicized as Anthony Coombs) was born about 1661 in Port Royal (then Nouvelle-France) Nova Scotia.[1] He was the 5th son of Pierre Comeau and Rose Bayol (or Bayon) who married about 1650.

Anthony moved in 1684 from Port Royal to the part of Massachusetts which later became the state of Maine to work for Louis Allain (anglicized as Lewis Allen). When Lewis Allen abandoned his property in Wells to return to Port Royal in 1686 or 1687, he left Anthony Coombs on his land.[2] "At that time Anthony may still have been bound by his apprenticeship contract. However, that compact had undoubtedly expired by February 1688, since apprentices were normally barred from marrying during their period of servitude."[3]

On February 5, 1688 Anthony was married to Dorcas Wooden by Mr. Martin (minister) in Wells, Maine.[4][5][6] [7] She was born at Rowley, MA on Feb. 10, 1671, daughter of John Wooden[8][2][9] and Mary (Johnson) Wooden.[2][10][8][2][11]

Anthony and Dorcas' children included:

Mary born at Bowdoin, ME [12] vs. baptized at Salem, Sept. 3, 1689 [7]; married Thomas Raymond of Beverly on May 20, 1708 at Rochester. [13] Peter born at Bowdoin, ME on Aug. 18, 1691[14] (vs. baptized at Salem) on Aug. 18, 1691; died Jan. 1768; married Joanna Hodgkins of Gloucester. [7] Tabitha born at Bowdoin, ME in 1693 [15] vs. at Wenham. [7] Anthony born in 1695 at Bowdoin, ME[16] [7]; married Mercy/Marsha Hodgkins on Oct. 22, 1722 at Gloucester. [17] John born Mar. 18, 1699; married Lydia Wooden on Jan. 9, 1723/4. [13] [7] Hanah born Nov. 30, 1700; married Nicholas Hicks on June 24, 1729. [13] [7] Roseanna born Nov. 23, 1700; died March 8, 1737; married Nathaniel Whitcomb on Jan. 21, 1722/3. [13][7] Ithamer born Nov. 20, 1704 [13]; married Hannah Andrews on Nov. 4, 1731. [7] Joshua born July 23, 1706; married Elizabeth Pratt on Sept. 10, 1729. [7] Frances born July 20, 1708; married James Pratt of Middleboro on April 15, 1729. [13] [7] Jane born Mar. 29, 1710. [13] [7] Shortly after their marriage, the King William’s War [1689%E2%80%931697] broke out and Anthony sent his young bride to live with her family in Essex County, MA. Meanwhile, Anthony spent much of his time in Wells; his section of the town was often in the hands of the Indians.[2][18]

On 15 Apr 1697, Anthony was in Wells and served on a Jury of Inquest: “Upon the body of John Mackaney who: was found drowned in a gunqued [Ogunquit] Rever: wee Judge it was occasioned through his onaquaintednes with the River and not by any other means”[19] The other members of the inquest jury were Jonathan Hammond, John Wheelwright, Josiah Littlefield, Eliab Littlefield, Mark Rounds, Samuel Jones, James Ros, Nathaniell Frost, John Drisco, James Denmark, and John Rodgers.

On 8 Nov 1699, John Wooden (Dorcas’ brother), with the consent of Katharine, his wife, sold a certain parcel of land in Wells, ME to Nathaniel Clark of Wells that abutted “Land claimed by Anthony Comes & Nicholas Cole near Little River Mill….”[20] This was the land purchased by Lewis Allen in 1685.

"The inhabitants of Wells were beleaguered throughout the French and Indian Wars, with devastating attacks in 1692 and 1703. In August, 1703, Wells was attacked with such desperation that in a short period of time 39 of its inhabitants were killed or made prisoners, besides many wounded."[21][22]

October 13, 1703, Anthony was one of “Seven Christian men of Rochester [MA], in addition to Mr. [Samuel] Arnold [minister], signed the covenant that day….” establishing the First Church of Rochester. [23]

In 1704, Anthony was granted land in Rochester near Peter Blackmer’s mill at Leonard’s Pond, on the condition that he “do the work of a smith among us for seven years”.[23] In the same year a road was laid out “towards the mill [the Sippican mill dam] touching John White’s land, and an old bridge, Anthony Coombs’ land, and so to Kennel Winston’s land.”[24]

In 1709 there were thirty–five members of the church, including Anthony, but not Dorcas[23] Anthony Coombs purchased “one half of the thirty first lot of fresh meadow & medow ground & swampy land…in the Township of Rochester aforesd & lyeth on the easterly branch of Sippican River….” from William Clarke “for six pounds and ten shillings in corant money of New England….” This purchase was made on 9 Feb 1703/4. [25]

Anthony Coombs and Dorcas, his wife, of Rochester, Plymouth county, along with “John,2 Wooden of Salem, Essex, John Raymond and Martha [Wooden], his wife, of Middlesex, Plymouth, James Tufts and Hannah [Wooden], his wife, all heirs of John,1 Wooden, formerly of Haverhill in Essex, for six pounds paid by Robert Peaslee of Haverhill, bargain & sell all right & title to ye commons in Haverhill which became ours in ye right of our honored father, John Wooden, as an after right in a four acre accommodation in said town”, on 25 Jun 1722.[26]

There is no record of the death of either Anthony or Dorcas. However, it is assumed that Anthony and Dorcas died after 25 Jun 1722 and before 1730, when their children began the move back to Maine.[3]

Notes

While not a known relative of Anthony1, it is interesting to note that on 15 Dec 1685, a Robert Coombs of Hull, MA, sold his half share of land in Rochester, MA, to Abraham Jones (recorded in Plymouth County, 1744). This was 14 years before Anthony’s family is known to have settled in Rochester.63 Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, by William Carey Coombs, Addison C. Getchell & Son, Boston, 1913, page 34. Plymouth County Deeds, LR 37-11 according to the New England Gen. & Hist. Register, Vol. 113, 1959, page 44.

Please note that this work is based on research by Whitney Coombs for his forthcoming book, "Anthony Coombs and Dorcas Woodin - Their Origins and Descendants,": [27]

Disputed Origins

Sébastien Comeau, makes a convincing argument for the origin of Anthony Coombs in his article Anthony Coombs and His Link to the Comeau Family. He supports the assertion that Anthony was born around 1661 in Port-Royal, Antoine Comeau was the 5th son of Pierre Comeau and Rose Bayon with solid research and a DNA study that matches both descendants of the Comeau and Coombs families.[28]

"Analysis of the ancestry of Anthony Coombs, who lived in Maine between 1684 and 1730 and his link to the Comeau family of Port-Royal, Acadia. A link between him and Antoine Comeau, son of Pierre Comeau was established via documented genealogy and especially a DNA analysis between descendants of Anthony Coombs and Pierre Comeau. These two paths give the indication that Anthony Coombs was in fact Antoine Comeau."[28] "To further the DNA analysis, a descendant of Anthony Coombs and a descendant of Pierre Comeau participated in the Geno2 project at National Geographic to determine their paternal branch. Both tests came back with same the paternal branch, R-CTS11567."[28] The results of the Y-DNA study can be seen here. There is a Comeau DNA project. Comeau makes the following observations about Anthony:[28]

Anthony Coombs (or Comes as it is sometimes written in the records) was easily interpreted as an anglicized version of Antoine Comeau. From his proximity to Louis Allain, known acadian who lived in Port-Royal, we can guess that Allain could have contacted and hire Antoine in Port-Royal around 1684 to assist him in New England. The name of Anthony’s children can be associated with names in the first Comeau generations, a known tradition: Mary to Marie, Peter to Pierre, Ithamer to Etienne?, John to Jean, Hannah to Anne, Frances to Françoise, Jane to Jeanne. It has been said that Anthony had French ancestry and was groomed to be educated for the church and fled to New England. One famous recollection of this is William Carey Coombs book The story of Anthony Coombs and his descendants. There are no records for the birth or parents of Anthony Coombs of Wells, Maine. Allister Coombs has been attributed as his father based upon Anthony's grandchildren settling on land once owned by Allister in the New Meadow River area of Maine in the 1730s.[3]

Another researcher states that Anthony Coombs was born in 1642 at France and immigrated in 1675.[29] Please note what Coombs researcher Whitney Coombs says about this source in the comment on the profile of January 4, 2018.[30]

One known fact that is compelling in supporting the "Antoine Comeau" theory is Anthony accompanying the blacksmith Lewis Allen (Louis Allain) in 1684 from Port Royal, Nova Scotia to Maine.[2] Another piece of evidence is Allen being in Port Royal, Nova Scotia, in 1687 (see details below) this fits with the census record that Comeau uses in his article wherein Antione Comeau was included in the 1686 Acadian census. He was listed under Pierre’s household, at 24 years old.[31] He likely accompanied his "master" back to Port Royal to build the windmills.[32] The fact the Louis Allain anglicized his name to Lewis Allen easily leads one to believe that Anthony Coombs is an anglicized version of Antione Comeau.

After reviewing all the evidence it seems very likely that Anthony Coombs was the same person as Antoine Comeau born in Port Royal, Nova Scotia in 1661. Perhaps a researcher with an expertise in DNA could improve this profile by presenting the known DNA test results.

Lewis Allen / Louis Allain

Lewis Allen (Louis Allain) was probably born in France about 1654, according to the censuses of Acadia.[33]

Reportedly, he “passed from Canada to New England."[34] "However, there is no record of specifically where he came from, where and how he met up with Anthony Coombs, or when he arrived in Wells, Maine. Based on his purchases, we know that he was a man of substantial means for being only 30 years of age. We do know from subsequent records that he was a blacksmith and windmill owner."[3] Louis was a witness and bought rights in a ship on January 24, 1684 in Wells.[35] Later that same year, on the 9th of September, William and Mary Frost, who lived near Little river.[36][37] sold their 100 acre lot, dwelling–house, and one–third of the saw–mill which was built the year before, with all the iron work, to Lewis Allen, and another hundred acre lot on the east side of Little river, for £62.

On 3 July 1687, LeBorgne de Belle–Isle gave Louis Alain authorization to construct windmills at Port Royal. Louis is referred to as a blacksmith and an “Enterpreneur des moulins.”[38] In 1690 Louis married Margeurite Bourg in Port Royal. They had a son born in 1691 named Pierre and a daughter Marie born in 1693.[39] In August of 1695, Louis took the oath of allegiance in Port Royal.[40] He was in Port Royal in 1704 when he was sent by the French Governor to Wells, Maine to spy on the English. He was arrested but returned to Port Royal.[36] After the English took charge of Port Royal, in 1711, Louis Allain and his son were confined to the dungeon, where the English Governor put them in irons for encouraging desertion among the troops of the Annapolis Royal garrison.[41] After being freed, “Lewis Allen of Annapolis Royal blacksmith formerly of Wells in ye county of York appointed his trusty and well beloved friend Lewis Bane of York to be his attorney to recover his title to a parcell of Land or Ground Together with one house & mill with a stream Adjoyning thereunto lying and being Near ye Little River on ye East part of wells“… on 2 May 1719.[42] On May10, 1720, Allen sold this land, house, and mill to Lewis Bane and “Margaret Allen the Wife of me the sd Lewis Allen doth give up her Right of Dowry & Power of Thirds.”[43] Louis Allain died 16 June 1737, in Annapolis Royal.[44]

Source Notes

New England Marriages

COOMBS, Anthony & Dorcas WOODEN (1671- ); 5 Sep 1688, Wells, ME/York Co,, ME. (p. 180) [6] Rowley Births

WOODENG (Wooden), Dorcas, d. John, Feb. 10, 1671. (p. 236)[8] Rochester Births - Children: COMES

John ch. Anthony Coms, Mar. 18, 1699. (p. 90) Hanah ch. Anthony Coms, Nov. 30, 1700. (p. 89) Roseanna ch. Anthony Coms, Nov. 23, 1702. (p. 90) Ithamer ch. Anthony Coms, Nov. 20, 1704. (p. 90) Frances ch. Anthony Coms, July 20, 1708. (p. 89) Jane ch. Anthony Coms, Mar. 29, 1710. (p. 90) Rochester Marriages

Combs, Francies and James Pratt, April 17, 1727. (p. 89) Combs, Hannah and Nicholas Hicks June 24, 1729. (p. 89) Combs, Ithamar and Hannah Andrews, Nov. 4, 1731, (p. 89) Combs, Joshua and Elizabeth Pratt of Middleborough, int. May 31, 1729. (p. 89) Combs, Mary and Thomas Rayment, May 20, 1708. (p. 90) Cumbs, John and Lidiah Wooding, Jan. 9, 1723/4. (p. 97) Cumbs, Rose and Nathaniel Whitcomb, Jan. 21, 1723/4. (p. 97) Rochester Deaths

Whitcum, Rossillah, w. Nathanell, March 8, 1737. (p. 443) [13] Gloucester Marriages

Coombs, Anthony, and Marssah Hodgkins, Oct. 21, 1722. (p. 145)[17] Anthony Coombs Male Birth: 1695: BOWDOIN, SAGADAHOC, MAINE Father: Anthony Coombs Mother: Dorcas Wooden

Sources

↑ Family Tree ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Noyes, Sybil. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine And New Hampshire. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1972. pg. 161 view here Limited search HathiTrust.org ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Combs &c. Research Group. "THE COOMBS OF MAINE." COOMBS FAMILIES OF NEW ENGLAND - Maine. Accessed August 04, 2018. http://www.combs-families.org/combs/ms/coombs/03.htm#34. ↑ New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Marriages in County York, Maine 1686-1699, Vol. 28, page 118. ↑ New England Marriages to 1700. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as: New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015. Name Anthony COOMBS Marriage 1688 Location Wells, York, Maine, United States Original Text COOMBS, Anthony & Dorcas WOODEN (1671-); 5 Sep 1688; Wells, ME/York Co., ME/Beverly/Rochester {Coombs 123; Reg. 28:118; Gilmore Anc.; GDMNH 769; Snow-Estes 2:83-4} Record Type Marriage Spouse Dorcas WOODEN Later Residences York Co., ME, Beverly, Rochester Volume Name Volume 1 Page 372 https://www.americanancestors.org/DB1568/r/426881880 ↑ 6.0 6.1 New England Marriages Prior to 1700, By Clarence Almon Torrey, Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Com, 1985 ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 The story of Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, by William Carey Coombs, A. C. Getchell & Sons Printers of Boston, Amelia, OH 1913. Note the introduction paragraph of this book states that it is totally undocumented, verify with other sources. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Vital Records of Rowley Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, The Essex Institute, Salem, MA, 1928 ↑ Vital Records from The NEHGS Register. Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (Compiled from articles originally published in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register.) Name Dorcas WOODEN Marriage 1688 Location York, Maine, United States Original Text Marriages in the County of York, Me., 1686-99 Record Type Marriage Spouse Anthony Comes Volume Name 28 Page 118 https://www.americanancestors.org/DB522/r/426702274 ↑ Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, page 769. ↑ Vital Records from The NEHGS Register. Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (Compiled from articles originally published in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register.) Name Dorcas WOODEN Marriage 1688 Location York, Maine, United States Original Text Marriages in the County of York, Me., 1686-99 Record Type Marriage Spouse Anthony Comes Volume Name 28 Page 118 https://www.americanancestors.org/DB522/r/426702274 ↑ Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4WZ-W3Y ), Anthony Coombs in entry for Mary Coombs, ; citing ; FHL microfilm 962,279 ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 Vital Records of Rochester, Massachusetts: To the Year 1850, Vol. I Births, Vol. II Marriages and Deaths, NEHGS, Boston, 1914 ↑ Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4W8-5Z7), Anthony Coombs in entry for Peter Coombs, ; citing ; FHL microfilm 962,279 ↑ Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4WZ-RXC ), Anthony Coombs in entry for Tabitha Coombs, ; citing ; FHL microfilm 962,279 ↑ Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4WD-HMC), Anthony Coombs in entry for Anthony Coombs, 1695; citing BOWDOIN,SAGADAHOC,MAINE; FHL microfilm 962,279 ↑ 17.0 17.1 Vital Records of Gloucester Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, Vol. II Marriages, The Essex Institute, Salem, MA, 1914 ↑ Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, page 161. ↑ Maine. Province and Court Records of Maine. Portland, ME: Maine Historical Society, 1928. Vol. 4, page 93 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=umn.31951t000615046 ↑ Richardson, H. W., William M. Sargent, Leonard Bond Chapman, and E. C. Bowler. York Deeds. Portland: John T. Hull, 1887. Book XIV, Folio 32. https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=wXIUAAAAYAAJ&printsec=front... ↑ Varney, George J. A Brief History of Maine. Portland, Me.: McLellan, Mosher &, 1890. ↑ History of Wells, Maine, by George J. Varney, Boston 1886, page 2. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Mattapoisett and Old Rochester, Massachusetts. New York: Grafton Press. page 73. https://archive.org/stream/mattapoisettoldr00matt#page/72 ↑ Coombs, William Carey. Anthony Coombs and His Descendants. Addison C. Getchell & Son, Boston, 1913, page 34. ↑ Pejepscot Historical Society. "Document Archive." Pejepscot Historical Society. Accessed August 04, 2018. http://pejepscothistorical.org/collections-research/document-archive. Pejepscot Papers, Vol. 10, page 723. ↑ Essex County Registry of Deeds, Book 58, page 165 ↑ Coombs, Whitney, "Anthony Coombs and Dorcas Woodin - Their Origins and Descendants,". ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 Comeau, Sébastien. "Anthony Coombs and His Link to the Comeau Family." The Comeau Website. November 13, 2013. Accessed August 03, 2018. http://comeaunet.org/en/anthony-coombs-relation-comeau-family/. ↑ Cox, Rachel Townsend, ed., Births (Vol 1, Page 52) Vital Records of Bowdoin, Maine, to the year 1892. [Auburn, Press of Merrill & Webber company] Published under the authority of the Maine Historical Society, 1944. (Online database accessed June 18, 2015. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010.) ↑ Coombs, Whitney, "Anthony Coombs and Dorcas Woodin - Their Origins and Descendants,". ↑ Centre des archives d’outre-mer (France) , COL G1 466/35p. ↑ White, Stephen A., Patrice Gallant, and Hector-J Hébert. Dictionnaire Généalogique Des Familles Acadiennes. Moncton, N.-B.: Centre D'études Acadiennes, Université De Moncton, 1999, Print, p14. ↑ White, Stephen A., Patrice Gallant, and Hector-J Hébert. Dictionnaire Généalogique Des Familles Acadiennes. Moncton, N.-B.: Centre D'études Acadiennes, Université De Moncton, 1999, Print, p13. ↑ Public Archives of Canada (PAC), MCI, AC, C"d, 6, Correspondance générale, Acadie, 1707-1708, pages 365-384: Goutin au Ministre, Port Royal, 29 déc. 1708. ↑ Richardson, H. W., William M. Sargent, Leonard Bond Chapman, and E. C. Bowler. York Deeds. Portland: John T. Hull, 1887. Book VI, Folio 6. https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=Y_oPAAAAYAAJ&printsec=front... ↑ 36.0 36.1 Bourne, Edward E. The History of Wells and Kennebuck: From the Earliest Settlement to the Year 1820. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books. pg. 188 https://archive.org/stream/historyofwellske00bourrich#page/188 ↑ Richardson, H. W., William M. Sargent, Leonard Bond Chapman, and E. C. Bowler. York Deeds. Portland: John T. Hull, 1887. Book VI, Folio 5. https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=Y_oPAAAAYAAJ&printsec=front... ↑ White, Stephen A., Patrice Gallant, and Hector-J Hébert. Dictionnaire Généalogique Des Familles Acadiennes. Moncton, N.-B.: Centre D'études Acadiennes, Université De Moncton, 1999, Print, p14. ↑ White, Stephen A., Patrice Gallant, and Hector-J Hébert. Dictionnaire Généalogique Des Familles Acadiennes. Moncton, N.-B.: Centre D'études Acadiennes, Université De Moncton, 1999, Print, p14. ↑ Massachusetts State Archives collection, colonial period, 1622-1788 v. 2 -- Colonial (from p.206), 1638-1720 ; v. 3 -- Colonial (to p.212A), 1629-1720. Vol. II, Folio 540. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9YP-K9MF-Y?i=736&... ↑ Calnek, W. A., and A. W. Savary. History of the County of Annapolis, including Old Port Royal and Acadia. Toronto: Briggs., 1897. pg. 63 https://archive.org/stream/cihm_00386#page/63 ↑ Richardson, H. W., William M. Sargent, Leonard Bond Chapman, and E. C. Bowler. York Deeds. Portland: John T. Hull, 1887. Book IX, Folio 272. https://play.google.com/store/books/details/York_County_Me_Register... ↑ Richardson, H. W., William M. Sargent, Leonard Bond Chapman, and E. C. Bowler. York Deeds. Portland: John T. Hull, 1887. Book XII, Folio 7. https://play.google.com/store/books/details/York_County_Me_Register... ↑ "An Acadian Parish Remembered: The Registers of St. Jean-Baptiste, Annapolis Royal, 1702-1755 | Open Data | Nova Scotia." Data.novascotia.ca. 2018. Accessed August 04, 2018. Register RG 1 Vol. 26a, page 164. Burial Louis Alain See also:

Vital Records of Bowdoin, Maine, to the year 1892, Rachel Townsend Cox, editor [Auburn, Press of Merrill & Webber company] Published under the authority of the Maine Historical Society, 1944 New England Marriages Prior to 1700, By Clarence Almon Torrey, Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Com, 1985 Vital Records of Rowley Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, The Essex Institute, Salem, MA, 1928 Vital Records of Rochester, Massachusetts: To the Year 1850, Vol. I Births, NEHGS, Boston, 1914 Vital Records of Gloucester Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, Vol. II Marriages, The Essex Institute, Salem, MA, 1914 Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4WZ-W3Y), Anthony Coombs in entry for Mary Coombs, ; citing ; FHL microfilm 962,279 Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4WD-HMC), Anthony Coombs in entry for Anthony Coombs, 1695; citing BOWDOIN,SAGADAHOC,MAINE; FHL microfilm 962,279 Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4W8-5Z7), Anthony Coombs in entry for Peter Coombs, ; citing ; FHL microfilm 962,279 Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4WZ-RXC), Anthony Coombs in entry for Tabitha Coombs, ; citing ; FHL microfilm 962,279 Unsourced Text: Use with caution: information requires confirmation: The story of Anthony Coombs and his descendants, by William Carey Coombs, A. C. Getchell & Sons Printers of Boston, Amelia, OH, 1913 Source S89 Title: U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 Author: Yates Publishing Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004.Original data - This unique collection of records was extracted from a variety of sources including family group sheets and electronic databases.

added by E. Nickerson// ADN-Y/Y-DNA prédit/predicted (lignée par les hommes/by male descendance only) : Haplogroupe selon SNP/Haplogroup from SNP : R-M269>CTS11567 Notation nodale/Nodal notation : R1b1a2a1a DYS393=13; DYS390=24; DYS19=14; DYS391=11; DYS385=11-14; DYS426=12; DYS388=12; DYS439=12; DYS389i=12; DYS392=13; DYS389ii=28; DYS458=18; DYS459=9-10; DYS455=11; DYS454=11; DYS447=25; DYS437=13; DYS448=19; DYS449=27/28; DYS464=15-15-17-17; DYS460=11; Y-GATA-H4=11 (12 ?); YCAII=19-23; DYS456=18; DYS607=15; DYS576=16; DYS570=17; CDY=35-38; DYS442=12 (17?); DYS438=12; DYS531=11; DYS578=9; DYF395S1=15-15; DYS590=8; DYS537=10; DYS641=10; DYS472=8; DYF406S1=10; DYS511=10; DYS425=12; DYS413=23-23; DYS557=16; DYS594=10; DYS436=12; DYS490=12; DYS534=18; DYS450=8; DYS444=12; DYS481=23; DYS520=20; DYS446=13; DYS617=12; DYS568=11; DYS487=13; DYS572=11; DYS640=11; DYS492=12; DYS565=12; DYS462=11; DYS452=31; DYS445=12/13; Y-GATA-A10=14; DYS463=24; DYS441=15; Y-GGAAT-1B07=8; DYS635=23; DYS461=12;BIRTH-NAME-MARRIAGES-CHILDREN: Bona Arsenault, HISTOIRE ET GENEALOGIE DES ACADIENS; 1600-1800; Ottawa, Editions Lemeac, 1978, vols. 2-6; p. 484 (Port Royal); own copy. E'tienne COMEAU, born 1650, son of Pierre & Rose BAYOL, married 1st around 1671 to Marie LEFEBVRE, daughter of Martin & Barbe BAYOL; four children. He married 2nd around 1694 to Marie LANDRY, daughter of Rene' & Perrine BOURG, widow of Germain DOUCET.Categories: Acadians.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Coombs-55Anthony Coombs (abt. 1661 - abt. 1728)

Anthony Coombs has been proven by DNA analysis conducted by two separate testers to have been Antoine Comeau. This can be confirmed readily by Internet search, at the Comeau Website.

Much of the following information is speculation that has been proved erroneous. For instance, Anthony/Antoine was not the second son and therefore was not destined for the priesthood. In fact his father's second son did not become a priest either. That he "fled" Acadie for the colony of Massachusetts because of religious persecution is speculation of the purest ray serene. The Comeau website referenced above had much more reliable information.

http://www.meiszen.net/family/tree/hazel/coombs.htm Good story resource for Anthony Coombs

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He was born about 1642 near Pons France. 'Antoine' was educated for the Church, exposed, the author believes, to parts of the BIble, probably in England, but fled the country. He landed in BOston about 1660 and later moved to Salem, Mass. He is probably the same 'Cooms' of whom Savage speaks as being in Maine in 1665. He removed to Gloucester, thence to Rochester, where he erected an iron works. On 5 February 1688 at Cape Ann, Anthony Coombs married Dorcas Wooden of Salem. She was barely 17 years of age and he in his late 40s.
http://genforum.genealogy.com/coombs/messages/412.html

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“ANTHONY COOMBS AND HIS DESCENDANTS”
By William Carey Coombs

COOMBS, ANTHONY Anthony COOMBS – of Wells, ME – 1684

There are no known records of Anthony’s parents, date of birth, or location of birth. However, because four of Anthony’s children and two of his grandchildren moved back to the New Meadows River area of Maine in the 1730s and settled on the exact same land that had been claimed by Allister COOMBS in 1675, it is almost certain that Anthony Coombs was a son of Allister Coombs.

The first time that we hear of Anthony Coombs is in 1684, when he was brought to Wells, ME by Lewis Allen as an apprentice blacksmith.34 To date, a copy of the apprenticeship contract has not been located. Nor is there any indication of where they were before coming to Wells.

Lewis Allen (Louis Allain) was probably born in France about 1654, according to the censuses of Acadia.35 Reportedly, he “passed from Canada to New England.”36 However, there is no record of specifically where he came from, where and how he met up with Anthony Coombs, or when he arrived in Wells, Maine. Based on his purchases, we know that he was a man of substantial means for being only 30 years of age. We do know from subsequent records that he was a blacksmith and windmill owner. On 24 Jan 1684, in Wells, Allen witnessed Jonathan Curwin’s payment of ten cattle to Nicholas Moorey to settle accounts. Samuel Stover sold to Lues Allen one–half part of the 45–ton Brigandine Indeavour of Wells on 6 Aug 1685.37 Later that same year, on the 9th of September, William and Mary Frost, who lived near Little river,38 sold their 100 acre lot, dwelling–house, and one–third of the saw–mill which was built the year before, with all the iron work, to Lewis Allen, and another hundred acre lot on the east side of Little river, for £62. Within two years, Allen was in Port Royal, Nova Scotia, where, on 3 July 1687, Alexandre LeBorgne de Belle–Isle gave Louis Alain authorization to construct windmills at Port Royal – Louis is referred to as a blacksmith and an “Enterpreneur des moulins.”39 Allen was married to Margeurite Bourg in Port Royal around 1690 and had a son, Pierre [born about 1691], and a daughter, Marie [born about 1693].40 He took the oath of allegiance to the English king in August 1695 while in Port Royal.41 It appears that Allen stayed in Port Royal until about 1704 when he was sent by the French Governor to Wells to spy on the English. The English arrested him and somehow he was able to get back to Port Royal.42 A year after the British took control of Port Royal and changed the name of the settlement to Annapolis Royal, the British Governor [in 1711] confined Louis Allain and his son to the dungeon, where he put them in irons for encouraging desertion among the troops of the Annapolis Royal garrison.43 After being freed, “Lewis Allen of Annapolis Royal blacksmith formerly of Wells in ye county of York appointed his trusty and well beloved friend Lewis Bane of York to be his attorney to recover his title to a parcell of Land or Ground Together with one house & mill with a stream Adjoyning thereunto lying and being Near ye Little River on ye East part of wells“… on 2 May 1719.44 One year later, on 10 May 1720, Allen sold this land, house, and mill to Lewis Bane and “Margaret Allen the Wife of me the sd Lewis Allen doth give up her Right of Dowry & Power of Thirds.”45 Louis Allain died 16 June 1737, in Annapolis Royal.46

When Lewis Allen abandoned his property in Wells in 1686 or 1687, he left Anthony Coombs on his land.47 At that time Anthony may still have been bound by his apprenticeship contract. However, that compact had undoubtedly expired by February 1688, since apprentices were normally barred from marrying during their period of servitude.

On 5 Feb 1688 Mr. Martin, minister, married Anthony to Dorcas Wooden in Wells, ME.48 At that time, Dorcas was almost 17 years old, having been born 10 Feb 1671. The date of this marriage is also given as 5 Sep 1688.49

Rev. Richard Martin graduated from Harvard College in 1686 and was engaged to preach in Wells 21 June 1689 “tho then several years resident.”50

Dorcas was the daughter of John and Mary (Johnson) Wooden. She was born in Rowley, MA on 10 Feb 1671.51 Dorcas’ parents frequently moved and seldom owned land. John Wooden was described as a brick–maker and husbandman. He was resident in: Hampton, MA in 1643; Haverhill, MA in 1646 where he had granted 150 acres by the government of MA; Hampton in 1654; Salisbury, MA in 1656; Portsmouth, NH working for John Cutts in 1660; Newbury in 1667; Rowley, MA in 1671; Beverly, MA in 1679;52 and Wells, ME in 1688. Dorcas’ siblings settled in Essex County, MA. Dorcas’ father, John Wooden, presumably died prior to 25 Jun 1722 [see below].

Shortly after their marriage, the King William’s War [1689%E2%80%931697] broke out and Anthony sent his young bride to live with her family in Essex County, MA. Meanwhile, Anthony spent much of his time in Wells; his section of the town was often in the hands of the Indians.53

Based on the birth records, Anthony made a number of trips to Massachusetts to be with his growing family.

The inhabitants of Wells were beleaguered throughout the French and Indian Wars, with devastating attacks in 1692 and 1703. In August, 1703, Wells was attacked with such desperation that in a short period of time 39 of its inhabitants were killed or made prisoners, besides many wounded.54

On 15 Apr 1697, Anthony was in Wells and served on a Jury of Inquest: “Upon the body of John Mackaney who: was found drowned in a gunqued [Ogunquit] Rever: wee Judge it was occasioned through his onaquaintednes with the River and not by any other means”55

Jonath: Hammond

John Wheelwright

Josiah Littlefield

Eliab Littlefield

Antoney Coomes

Mark Rounds

Samuel Jones

James Ros

Nathaniell Frost

John Drisco

James Denmark

John Rodgers

On 8 Nov 1699, John Wooden (Dorcas’ brother), with the consent of Katharine, his wife, sold a certain parcel of land in Wells, ME to Nathaniel Clark of Wells that abutted “Land claimed by Anthony Comes & Nicholas Cole near Little River Mill….”56 This was the same land purchased by Lewis Allen in 1685.

October 13, 1703, Anthony was one of “Seven Christian men of Rochester [MA], in addition to Mr. [Samuel] Arnold [minister], signed the covenant that day….” establishing the First Church of Rochester.57 Six years later [1709] there were thirty–five members of the church, including Anthony, but not Dorcas.58

Anthony Coombs purchased “one half of the thirty first lot of fresh meadow & medow ground & swampy land…in the Township of Rochester aforesd & lyeth on the easterly branch of Sippican River….” from William Clarke “for six pounds and ten shillings in corant money of New England….” This purchase was made on 9 Feb 1703/4.59

In 1704, Anthony was granted land in Rochester near Peter Blackmer’s mill at Leonard’s Pond, on the condition that he “do the work of a smith among us for seven years”.60 In the same year a road was laid out “towards the mill [the Sippican mill dam] touching John White’s land, and an old bridge, Anthony Coombs’ land, and so to Kennel Winston’s land.”61

Anthony Coombs and Dorcas, his wife, of Rochester, Plymouth county, along with “John,2 Wooden of Salem, Essex, John Raymond and Martha [Wooden], his wife, of Middlesex, Plymouth, James Tufts and Hannah [Wooden], his wife, all heirs of John,1 Wooden, formerly of Haverhill in Essex, for six pounds paid by Robert Peaslee of Haverhill, bargain & sell all right & title to ye commons in Haverhill which became ours in ye right of our honored father, John Wooden, as an after right in a four acre accommodation in said town”, on 25 Jun 1722.62

There is no record of the death of either Anthony or Dorcas. However, it is assumed that Anthony and Dorcas died after 25 Jun 1722 and before 1730, when their children began the move back to Maine.

While not a known relative of Anthony1, it is interesting to note that on 15 Dec 1685, a Robert Coombs of Hull, MA, sold his half share of land in Rochester, MA, to Abraham Jones (recorded in Plymouth County, 1744). This was 14 years before Anthony’s family is known to have settled in Rochester.63

1. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, Noyes, Libby & Davis, page 161

2. Dictionnaire Généalogique, by Stephen A. White, Centre D'Études Acadiennes - Université de Moncton, 1999, page13.

3. Public Archives of Canada (PAC), MCI, AC, C"d, 6, Correspondance générale, Acadie, 1707-1708, pages 365-384: Goutin au Ministre, Port Royal, 29 déc. 1708.

4. Registry of Deeds, York County, ME, Book VI, Folio 6.

5. History of Wells and Kennebunk, by Edward E. Bourne, p. 188 and Registry of Deeds, York Co., ME, Book VI, Folio 5.

6. Dictionnaire Généalogique, page 14.

7. Dictionnaire Généalogique, page 14.

8. Massachusetts Archives, Vol. II, Folio 540.

9. History of Wells and Kennebunk, pages 260-261.

10. History of the County of Annapolis, by Calnek & Savary, page 63.

11. Registry of Deeds, York County, ME, Book IX, Folio 272.

12. Registry of Deeds, York County, ME, Book XII, Folio 7.

13. An Acadian Parish Remembered, The Registers of St. Jean-Baptiste, Annapolis Royal, Register RG 1 Vol. 26a, page 164.

14. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, page 161.

15. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Marriages in County York, Maine 1686-1699, Vol. 28, page 118.

16. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, page 464.

17. Harvard Graduates, by Sibley, 3:179.

18. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, page 769.

19. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, page 769.

20. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, page 161.

21. History of Wells, Maine, by George J. Varney, Boston 1886, page 2.

22. Maine Provence and Court Records, Vol. 4, page 93.

23. Registry of Deeds, York County, ME, Book XIV, Folio 32.

24. Mattapoisett and Old Rochester, MA, The Grafton Press, NY, NY, page 73.

25. Mattapoisett and Old Rochester, MA, page 74.

26. Pejepscot Papers, Vol. 10, page 723.

27. Mattapoisett and Old Rochester, MA, page 41.

28. Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, by William Carey Coombs, Addison C. Getchell & Son, Boston, 1913, page 34.

29. Essex County Registry of Deeds, Book 58, page 165.

30. Plymouth County Deeds, LR 37-11 according to the New England Gen. & Hist. Register, Vol. 113, 1959, page 44.

William Carey Coombs in his book, Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, spends a great deal of time and effort weaving a romantic “French” origin for Anthony based on oral tradition that can not be supported by available facts. Anthony may well have been referred to by descendants as being “French” due to his likely familiarity with the French language, which he would have picked up from Lewis Allen, and by the strong possibility that he was born in “French territory,” east of the Kennebec River. However, there is no currently available data that documents either a French or non–French origin for Anthony.

WARNING: Most of the specifics on the descendants of Anthony Coombs are based on the work of William Carey Coombs in his book, Anthony Coombs and His Descendants. While this book is a useful starting point, his research is totally un–documented and rife with errors. Therefore, all of the data cited as coming from Anthony Coombs and His Descendants needs to be verified through additional sources before being accepted as fact.

Descendants of Anthony1 & Dorcas (Wooden) Coombs

The First Generation

The children of Anthony1 and Dorcas (Wooden) Coombs were born in various towns in MA:64

Mary2 COOMBS, baptized 3 Sep 1689 in First Parish Unitarian Church, Beverly, MA65

Peter2 COOMBS, baptized 18 Aug 1691, as son of “Mihel and Dorcas Cooms,” in First Parish Unitarian Church, Beverly, MA66

Tabitha2 COOMBS baptized 1693 at the Congregational Church in Wenham, MA67

Anthony2 COOMBS, born Wells, ME, 1 Mar 1694–568 and baptized in April 1695 at the Congregational Church in Wenham, MA69

John2 COMBS, born 18 Mar 1699, in Rochester, MA70

Hannah2 COMBS, born 30 Nov 1700, in Rochester, MA71

Roseanna2 COMBS, born 23 Nov 1702 in Rochester, MA72

Ithamer2 COMBS, born 20 Nov 1704 in Rochester, MA73

Joshua2 COMBS, born 28 Jul 1706 in Rochester, MA74

Frances2 COMBS, born 20 Jul 1708 in Rochester, MA75

Jane2 COMBS, born 29 Mar 1710 in Rochester, MA76

Another Source:

m. 5 Feb 1688, York County (Maine), Mass.34,147,31

Anthony COOMBS79 Dorcas WOODEN

b. 1642, Normandy, France31

d. 1728, Brunswick, ME, age: 86

occ. b. 10 Feb 1661, Rowley, MA

d.

occ.

Children

Mary COOMBS

Lieutenant Peter COOMBS

Tabitha Abigail COOMBS

Anthony COOMBS Jr.

John COOMBS [Died as Infant]

John COOMBS

Hannah COOMBS

Rosanna COOMBS

Ithamer COOMBS

Joshua COOMBS <

Frances COOMBS

Jane COOMBS [Died as Child]

Source: Van's Web Family Cards

Van H. Jabagjorian (this is essentially the same info. available on many sites and in world family tree collections.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Coombs-55Anthony Coombs (abt. 1661 - abt. 1728)

Anthony Coombs

Born about 1661 [location unknown]

Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]

[sibling%28s%29 unknown]

Husband of Dorcas (Woodin) Coombs — married 5 Sep 1688 in Wells, York, Maine

DESCENDANTS

Father of Mary (Coombs) Raymond, Peter Coombs, Tabitha Abigail (Coombs) Berry, Anthony Coombs II,

John Coombs, John Coombs, Hannah Coombs, Rosanna Rosilla Coombs, Ithamer Coombs,

Joshua Coombs, Frances (Coombs) Pratt and Jane Coombs

Died about 1728 in Brunswick, Cumberland, Maine

Profile managers: Caryl Ruckert and Acadians Project WikiTree
Profile last modified 10 Dec 2018 | Created 13 Mar 2011 Categories: Acadians.

The Acadian flag. Anthony Coombs is an Acadian. Join: Acadians Project Discuss: ACADIA

Contents

[hide] 1 Biography 1.1 Disputed Origins 1.2 Lewis Allen / Louis Allain 1.3 Marriage 1.4 Children 1.5 King Philips War 1.6 Migration to Massachusetts 1.7 Death 2 Source Notes 3 Sources 4 Notes Biography

Please note that this work is based on research by Whitney Coombs for his forthcoming book, "Anthony Coombs and Dorcas Woodin - Their Origins and Descendants,": [1]

Disputed Origins

Sébastien Comeau, makes a convincing argument for the origin of Anthony Coombs in his article Anthony Coombs and His Link to the Comeau Family. He supports the assertion that Anthony was born around 1661 in Port-Royal, Antoine Comeau was the 5th son of Pierre Comeau and Rose Bayon with solid research and a DNA study that matches both descendants of the Comeau and Coombs families.[2]

"Analysis of the ancestry of Anthony Coombs, who lived in Maine between 1684 and 1730 and his link to the Comeau family of Port-Royal, Acadia. A link between him and Antoine Comeau, son of Pierre Comeau was established via documented genealogy and especially a DNA analysis between descendants of Anthony Coombs and Pierre Comeau. These two paths give the indication that Anthony Coombs was in fact Antoine Comeau."[2] "To further the DNA analysis, a descendant of Anthony Coombs and a descendant of Pierre Comeau participated in the Geno2 project at National Geographic to determine their paternal branch. Both tests came back with same the paternal branch, R-CTS11567."[2] The results of the Y-DNA study can be seen here. There is a Comeau DNA project. Comeau makes the following observations about Anthony:[2]

Anthony Coombs (or Comes as it is sometimes written in the records) was easily interpreted as an anglicized version of Antoine Comeau. From his proximity to Louis Allain, known acadian who lived in Port-Royal, we can guess that Allain could have contacted and hire Antoine in Port-Royal around 1684 to assist him in New England. The name of Anthony’s children can be associated with names in the first Comeau generations, a known tradition: Mary to Marie, Peter to Pierre, Ithamer to Etienne?, John to Jean, Hannah to Anne, Frances to Françoise, Jane to Jeanne. It has been said that Anthony had French ancestry and was groomed to be educated for the church and fled to New England. One famous recollection of this is William Carey Coombs book The story of Anthony Coombs and his descendants. There are no records for the birth or parents of Anthony Coombs of Wells, Maine. Allister Coombs has been attributed as his father based upon Anthony's grandchildren settling on land once owned by Allister in the New Meadow River area of Maine in the 1730s.[3]

Another researcher states that Anthony Coombs was born in 1642 at France and immigrated in 1675.[4] Please note what Coombs researcher Whitney Coombs says about this source in the comment on the profile of January 4, 2018.[5]

One known fact that is compelling in supporting the "Antoine Comeau" theory is Anthony accompanying the blacksmith Lewis Allen (Louis Allain) in 1684 from Port Royal, Nova Scotia to Maine.[6] Another piece of evidence is Allen being in Port Royal, Nova Scotia, in 1687 (see details below) this fits with the census record that Comeau uses in his article wherein Antione Comeau was included in the 1686 Acadian census. He was listed under Pierre’s household, at 24 years old.[7] He likely accompanied his "master" back to Port Royal to build the windmills.[8] The fact the Louis Allain anglicized his name to Lewis Allen easily leads one to believe that Anthony Coombs is an anglicized version of Antione Comeau.

After reviewing all the evidence it seems very likely that Anthony Coombs was the same person as Antoine Comeau born in Port Royal, Nova Scotia in 1661. Perhaps a researcher with an expertise in DNA could improve this profile by presenting the known DNA test results.

Lewis Allen / Louis Allain

Lewis Allen (Louis Allain) was probably born in France about 1654, according to the censuses of Acadia.[9]

Reportedly, he “passed from Canada to New England."[10] "However, there is no record of specifically where he came from, where and how he met up with Anthony Coombs, or when he arrived in Wells, Maine. Based on his purchases, we know that he was a man of substantial means for being only 30 years of age. We do know from subsequent records that he was a blacksmith and windmill owner."[3] Louis was a witness and bought rights in a ship on January 24, 1684 in Wells.[11] Later that same year, on the 9th of September, William and Mary Frost, who lived near Little river.[12][13] sold their 100 acre lot, dwelling–house, and one–third of the saw–mill which was built the year before, with all the iron work, to Lewis Allen, and another hundred acre lot on the east side of Little river, for £62.

On 3 July 1687, LeBorgne de Belle–Isle gave Louis Alain authorization to construct windmills at Port Royal. Louis is referred to as a blacksmith and an “Enterpreneur des moulins.”[14] In 1690 Louis married Margeurite Bourg in Port Royal. They had a son born in 1691 named Pierre and a daughter Marie born in 1693.[15] In August of 1695, Louis took the oath of allegiance in Port Royal.[16] He was in Port Royal in 1704 when he was sent by the French Governor to Wells, Maine to spy on the English. He was arrested but returned to Port Royal.[12] After the English took charge of Port Royal, in 1711, Louis Allain and his son were confined to the dungeon, where the English Governor put them in irons for encouraging desertion among the troops of the Annapolis Royal garrison.[17] After being freed, “Lewis Allen of Annapolis Royal blacksmith formerly of Wells in ye county of York appointed his trusty and well beloved friend Lewis Bane of York to be his attorney to recover his title to a parcell of Land or Ground Together with one house & mill with a stream Adjoyning thereunto lying and being Near ye Little River on ye East part of wells“… on 2 May 1719.[18] On May10, 1720, Allen sold this land, house, and mill to Lewis Bane and “Margaret Allen the Wife of me the sd Lewis Allen doth give up her Right of Dowry & Power of Thirds.”[19] Louis Allain died 16 June 1737, in Annapolis Royal.[20]

When Lewis Allen abandoned his property in Wells in 1686 or 1687, he left Anthony Coombs on his land.[6] "At that time Anthony may still have been bound by his apprenticeship contract. However, that compact had undoubtedly expired by February 1688, since apprentices were normally barred from marrying during their period of servitude."[3]

Marriage

On February 5, 1688 Anthony was married to Dorcas Wooden by Mr. Martin (minister) in Wells, Maine.[21][22][23] [24] She was born at Rowley, MA on Feb. 10, 1671, daughter of John Wooden. [25][6][26]

Dorcas was the daughter of John and Mary (Johnson) Wooden. She was born in Rowley, Massachusetts on February 10, 1671.[6][27]

Children

Mary born at Bowdoin, ME [28] vs. baptized at Salem, Sept. 3, 1689 [24]; married Thomas Raymond of Beverly on May 20, 1708 at Rochester. [29] Peter born at Bowdoin, ME on Aug. 18, 1691[30] (vs. baptized at Salem) on Aug. 18, 1691; died Jan. 1768; married Joanna Hodgkins of Gloucester. [24] Tabitha born at Bowdoin, ME in 1693 [31] vs. at Wenham. [24] Anthony born in 1695 at Bowdoin, ME[32] [24]; married Mercy/Marsha Hodgkins on Oct. 22, 1722 at Gloucester. [33] John born Mar. 18, 1699; married Lydia Wooden on Jan. 9, 1723/4. [29] [24] Hanah born Nov. 30, 1700; married Nicholas Hicks on June 24, 1729. [29] [24] Roseanna born Nov. 23, 1700; died March 8, 1737; married Nathaniel Whitcomb on Jan. 21, 1722/3. [29][24] Ithamer born Nov. 20, 1704 [29]; married Hannah Andrews on Nov. 4, 1731. [24] Joshua born July 23, 1706; married Elizabeth Pratt on Sept. 10, 1729. [24] Frances born July 20, 1708; married James Pratt of Middleboro on April 15, 1729. [29] [24] Jane born Mar. 29, 1710. [29] [24] King Philips War

Shortly after their marriage, the King William’s War [1689%E2%80%931697] broke out and Anthony sent his young bride to live with her family in Essex County, MA. Meanwhile, Anthony spent much of his time in Wells; his section of the town was often in the hands of the Indians.[6][34]

Based on the birth records, Anthony made a number of trips to Massachusetts to be with his growing family.

Migration to Massachusetts

"The inhabitants of Wells were beleaguered throughout the French and Indian Wars, with devastating attacks in 1692 and 1703. In August, 1703, Wells was attacked with such desperation that in a short period of time 39 of its inhabitants were killed or made prisoners, besides many wounded."[35][36]

On 15 Apr 1697, Anthony was in Wells and served on a Jury of Inquest: “Upon the body of John Mackaney who: was found drowned in a gunqued [Ogunquit] Rever: wee Judge it was occasioned through his onaquaintednes with the River and not by any other means”[37] Jonath: Hammond John Wheelwright Josiah Littlefield Eliab Littlefield Antoney Coomes Mark Rounds Samuel Jones James Ros Nathaniell Frost John Drisco James Denmark John Rodgers On 8 Nov 1699, John Wooden (Dorcas’ brother), with the consent of Katharine, his wife, sold a certain parcel of land in Wells, ME to Nathaniel Clark of Wells that abutted “Land claimed by Anthony Comes & Nicholas Cole near Little River Mill….”[38]

This was the same land purchased by Lewis Allen in 1685. October 13, 1703, Anthony was one of “Seven Christian men of Rochester [MA], in addition to Mr. [Samuel] Arnold [minister], signed the covenant that day….” establishing the First Church of Rochester. [39]

Six years later [1709] there were thirty–five members of the church, including Anthony, but not Dorcas[39] Anthony Coombs purchased “one half of the thirty first lot of fresh meadow & medow ground & swampy land…in the Township of Rochester aforesd & lyeth on the easterly branch of Sippican River….” from William Clarke “for six pounds and ten shillings in corant money of New England….” This purchase was made on 9 Feb 1703/4. [40]

In 1704, Anthony was granted land in Rochester near Peter Blackmer’s mill at Leonard’s Pond, on the condition that he “do the work of a smith among us for seven years”.[39] In the same year a road was laid out “towards the mill [the Sippican mill dam] touching John White’s land, and an old bridge, Anthony Coombs’ land, and so to Kennel Winston’s land.”[41]

Anthony Coombs and Dorcas, his wife, of Rochester, Plymouth county, along with “John,2 Wooden of Salem, Essex, John Raymond and Martha [Wooden], his wife, of Middlesex, Plymouth, James Tufts and Hannah [Wooden], his wife, all heirs of John,1 Wooden, formerly of Haverhill in Essex, for six pounds paid by Robert Peaslee of Haverhill, bargain & sell all right & title to ye commons in Haverhill which became ours in ye right of our honored father, John Wooden, as an after right in a four acre accommodation in said town”, on 25 Jun 1722.[42]

Death

There is no record of the death of either Anthony or Dorcas. However, it is assumed that Anthony and Dorcas died after 25 Jun 1722 and before 1730, when their children began the move back to Maine.[3]

Source Notes

New England Marriages

COOMBS, Anthony & Dorcas WOODEN (1671- ); 5 Sep 1688, Wells, ME/York Co,, ME. (p. 180) [23] Rowley Births

WOODENG (Wooden), Dorcas, d. John, Feb. 10, 1671. (p. 236)[25] Rochester Births - Children: COMES

John ch. Anthony Coms, Mar. 18, 1699. (p. 90) Hanah ch. Anthony Coms, Nov. 30, 1700. (p. 89) Roseanna ch. Anthony Coms, Nov. 23, 1702. (p. 90) Ithamer ch. Anthony Coms, Nov. 20, 1704. (p. 90) Frances ch. Anthony Coms, July 20, 1708. (p. 89) Jane ch. Anthony Coms, Mar. 29, 1710. (p. 90) Rochester Marriages

Combs, Francies and James Pratt, April 17, 1727. (p. 89) Combs, Hannah and Nicholas Hicks June 24, 1729. (p. 89) Combs, Ithamar and Hannah Andrews, Nov. 4, 1731, (p. 89) Combs, Joshua and Elizabeth Pratt of Middleborough, int. May 31, 1729. (p. 89) Combs, Mary and Thomas Rayment, May 20, 1708. (p. 90) Cumbs, John and Lidiah Wooding, Jan. 9, 1723/4. (p. 97) Cumbs, Rose and Nathaniel Whitcomb, Jan. 21, 1723/4. (p. 97) Rochester Deaths

Whitcum, Rossillah, w. Nathanell, March 8, 1737. (p. 443) [29] Gloucester Marriages

Coombs, Anthony, and Marssah Hodgkins, Oct. 21, 1722. (p. 145)[33] Anthony Coombs Male Birth: 1695: BOWDOIN, SAGADAHOC, MAINE Father: Anthony Coombs Mother: Dorcas Wooden

Anthony was born about 1642. He passed away in 1728.

Sources

↑ Coombs, Whitney, "Anthony Coombs and Dorcas Woodin - Their Origins and Descendants,". ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Comeau, Sébastien. "Anthony Coombs and His Link to the Comeau Family." The Comeau Website. November 13, 2013. Accessed August 03, 2018. http://comeaunet.org/en/anthony-coombs-relation-comeau-family/. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Combs &c. Research Group. "THE COOMBS OF MAINE." COOMBS FAMILIES OF NEW ENGLAND - Maine. Accessed August 04, 2018. http://www.combs-families.org/combs/ms/coombs/03.htm#34. ↑ Cox, Rachel Townsend, ed., Births (Vol 1, Page 52) Vital Records of Bowdoin, Maine, to the year 1892. [Auburn, Press of Merrill & Webber company] Published under the authority of the Maine Historical Society, 1944. (Online database accessed June 18, 2015. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010.) ↑ Coombs, Whitney, "Anthony Coombs and Dorcas Woodin - Their Origins and Descendants,". ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Noyes, Sybil. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine And New Hampshire. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1972. pg. 161 view here Limited search HathiTrust.org ↑ Centre des archives d’outre-mer (France) , COL G1 466/35p. ↑ White, Stephen A., Patrice Gallant, and Hector-J Hébert. Dictionnaire Généalogique Des Familles Acadiennes. Moncton, N.-B.: Centre D'études Acadiennes, Université De Moncton, 1999, Print, p14. ↑ White, Stephen A., Patrice Gallant, and Hector-J Hébert. Dictionnaire Généalogique Des Familles Acadiennes. Moncton, N.-B.: Centre D'études Acadiennes, Université De Moncton, 1999, Print, p13. ↑ Public Archives of Canada (PAC), MCI, AC, C"d, 6, Correspondance générale, Acadie, 1707-1708, pages 365-384: Goutin au Ministre, Port Royal, 29 déc. 1708. ↑ Richardson, H. W., William M. Sargent, Leonard Bond Chapman, and E. C. Bowler. York Deeds. Portland: John T. Hull, 1887. Book VI, Folio 6. https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=Y_oPAAAAYAAJ&printsec=front... ↑ 12.0 12.1 Bourne, Edward E. The History of Wells and Kennebuck: From the Earliest Settlement to the Year 1820. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books. pg. 188 https://archive.org/stream/historyofwellske00bourrich#page/188 ↑ Richardson, H. W., William M. Sargent, Leonard Bond Chapman, and E. C. Bowler. York Deeds. Portland: John T. Hull, 1887. Book VI, Folio 5. https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=Y_oPAAAAYAAJ&printsec=front... ↑ White, Stephen A., Patrice Gallant, and Hector-J Hébert. Dictionnaire Généalogique Des Familles Acadiennes. Moncton, N.-B.: Centre D'études Acadiennes, Université De Moncton, 1999, Print, p14. ↑ White, Stephen A., Patrice Gallant, and Hector-J Hébert. Dictionnaire Généalogique Des Familles Acadiennes. Moncton, N.-B.: Centre D'études Acadiennes, Université De Moncton, 1999, Print, p14. ↑ Massachusetts State Archives collection, colonial period, 1622-1788 v. 2 -- Colonial (from p.206), 1638-1720 ; v. 3 -- Colonial (to p.212A), 1629-1720. Vol. II, Folio 540. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9YP-K9MF-Y?i=736&... ↑ Calnek, W. A., and A. W. Savary. History of the County of Annapolis, including Old Port Royal and Acadia. Toronto: Briggs., 1897. pg. 63 https://archive.org/stream/cihm_00386#page/63 ↑ Richardson, H. W., William M. Sargent, Leonard Bond Chapman, and E. C. Bowler. York Deeds. Portland: John T. Hull, 1887. Book IX, Folio 272. https://play.google.com/store/books/details/York_County_Me_Register... ↑ Richardson, H. W., William M. Sargent, Leonard Bond Chapman, and E. C. Bowler. York Deeds. Portland: John T. Hull, 1887. Book XII, Folio 7. https://play.google.com/store/books/details/York_County_Me_Register... ↑ "An Acadian Parish Remembered: The Registers of St. Jean-Baptiste, Annapolis Royal, 1702-1755 | Open Data | Nova Scotia." Data.novascotia.ca. 2018. Accessed August 04, 2018. Register RG 1 Vol. 26a, page 164. https://data.novascotia.ca/Arts-Culture-and-History/An-Acadian-Pari.... ↑ New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Marriages in County York, Maine 1686-1699, Vol. 28, page 118. ↑ New England Marriages to 1700. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as: New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015. Name Anthony COOMBS Marriage 1688 Location Wells, York, Maine, United States Original Text COOMBS, Anthony & Dorcas WOODEN (1671-); 5 Sep 1688; Wells, ME/York Co., ME/Beverly/Rochester {Coombs 123; Reg. 28:118; Gilmore Anc.; GDMNH 769; Snow-Estes 2:83-4} Record Type Marriage Spouse Dorcas WOODEN Later Residences York Co., ME, Beverly, Rochester Volume Name Volume 1 Page 372 https://www.americanancestors.org/DB1568/r/426881880 ↑ 23.0 23.1 New England Marriages Prior to 1700, By Clarence Almon Torrey, Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Com, 1985 ↑ 24.00 24.01 24.02 24.03 24.04 24.05 24.06 24.07 24.08 24.09 24.10 24.11 The story of Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, by William Carey Coombs, A. C. Getchell & Sons Printers of Boston, Amelia, OH 1913 ↑ 25.0 25.1 Vital Records of Rowley Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, The Essex Institute, Salem, MA, 1928 ↑ Vital Records from The NEHGS Register. Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (Compiled from articles originally published in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register.) Name Dorcas WOODEN Marriage 1688 Location York, Maine, United States Original Text Marriages in the County of York, Me., 1686-99 Record Type Marriage Spouse Anthony Comes Volume Name 28 Page 118 https://www.americanancestors.org/DB522/r/426702274 ↑ Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, page 769. ↑ Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4WZ-W3Y ), Anthony Coombs in entry for Mary Coombs, ; citing ; FHL microfilm 962,279 ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 29.5 29.6 29.7 Vital Records of Rochester, Massachusetts: To the Year 1850, Vol. I Births, Vol. II Marriages and Deaths, NEHGS, Boston, 1914 ↑ Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4W8-5Z7), Anthony Coombs in entry for Peter Coombs, ; citing ; FHL microfilm 962,279 ↑ Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4WZ-RXC ), Anthony Coombs in entry for Tabitha Coombs, ; citing ; FHL microfilm 962,279 ↑ Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4WD-HMC), Anthony Coombs in entry for Anthony Coombs, 1695; citing BOWDOIN,SAGADAHOC,MAINE; FHL microfilm 962,279 ↑ 33.0 33.1 Vital Records of Gloucester Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, Vol. II Marriages, The Essex Institute, Salem, MA, 1914 ↑ Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, page 161. ↑ Varney, George J. A Brief History of Maine. Portland, Me.: McLellan, Mosher &, 1890. ↑ History of Wells, Maine, by George J. Varney, Boston 1886, page 2. ↑ Maine. Province and Court Records of Maine. Portland, ME: Maine Historical Society, 1928. Vol. 4, page 93 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=umn.31951t000615046 ↑ Richardson, H. W., William M. Sargent, Leonard Bond Chapman, and E. C. Bowler. York Deeds. Portland: John T. Hull, 1887. Book XIV, Folio 32. https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=wXIUAAAAYAAJ&printsec=front... ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 Mattapoisett and Old Rochester, Massachusetts. New York: Grafton Press. page 73. https://archive.org/stream/mattapoisettoldr00matt#page/72 ↑ Pejepscot Historical Society. "Document Archive." Pejepscot Historical Society. Accessed August 04, 2018. http://pejepscothistorical.org/collections-research/document-archive. Pejepscot Papers, Vol. 10, page 723. ↑ Coombs, William Carey. Anthony Coombs and His Descendants. Addison C. Getchell & Son, Boston, 1913, page 34. ↑ Essex County Registry of Deeds, Book 58, page 165 See also:

Vital Records of Bowdoin, Maine, to the year 1892, Rachel Townsend Cox, editor [Auburn, Press of Merrill & Webber company] Published under the authority of the Maine Historical Society, 1944 New England Marriages Prior to 1700, By Clarence Almon Torrey, Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Com, 1985 Vital Records of Rowley Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, The Essex Institute, Salem, MA, 1928 Vital Records of Rochester, Massachusetts: To the Year 1850, Vol. I Births, NEHGS, Boston, 1914 Vital Records of Gloucester Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, Vol. II Marriages, The Essex Institute, Salem, MA, 1914 Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4WZ-W3Y), Anthony Coombs in entry for Mary Coombs, ; citing ; FHL microfilm 962,279 Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4WD-HMC), Anthony Coombs in entry for Anthony Coombs, 1695; citing BOWDOIN,SAGADAHOC,MAINE; FHL microfilm 962,279 Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4W8-5Z7), Anthony Coombs in entry for Peter Coombs, ; citing ; FHL microfilm 962,279 Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4WZ-RXC), Anthony Coombs in entry for Tabitha Coombs, ; citing ; FHL microfilm 962,279 Unsourced Text: Use with caution: information requires confirmation: The story of Anthony Coombs and his descendants, by William Carey Coombs, A. C. Getchell & Sons Printers of Boston, Amelia, OH, 1913 Source S89 Title: U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 Author: Yates Publishing Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004.Original data - This unique collection of records was extracted from a variety of sources including family group sheets and electronic databases. Notes

While not a known relative of Anthony1, it is interesting to note that on 15 Dec 1685, a Robert Coombs of Hull, MA, sold his half share of land in Rochester, MA, to Abraham Jones (recorded in Plymouth County, 1744). This was 14 years before Anthony’s family is known to have settled in Rochester.63 Anthony Coombs and His Descendants, by William Carey Coombs, Addison C. Getchell & Son, Boston, 1913, page 34. Plymouth County Deeds, LR 37-11 according to the New England Gen. & Hist. Register, Vol. 113, 1959, page 44.

According to the following source, http://www.comeaunet.org/database/getperson.php?personID=I1&tree=Co... Anthony Coombs was born in 1661 and he was born in Port Royal (then Nouvelle-France) Nova Scotia. Rose Bayol was only 11 years old in 1642. She and Pierre were married about 1650.

Anthony Coombs has been proven by DNA analysis conducted by two separate testers to have been Antoine Comeau. This can be confirmed readily by Internet search, at the Comeau Website.

GEDCOM Source

1671 Acadian census

GEDCOM Source

GEDCOM Note

wikiTrees:
antoine comeau
Birth  1661 • Port Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada
Parents  pierre comeau • rose bayon
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/8477615

GEDCOM Note

FamilySearch: Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954
Anthony A Comeau, "Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954"
Lead confidence: 2
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK31-3DFX

GEDCOM Note

FamilySearch: Find A Grave Index
Anthony (Antoine Comeau) Coombs, "Find A Grave Index"
Lead confidence: 5
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPR7-17MR

GEDCOM Note

FamilySearch: Family Tree
Anthony (Antoine) Comeau
Birth  1661 • Port Royal, Nova Scotia, British Colonial America
Death  1728 • Rochester, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Parents  Mose Bayol • Pierre Comeau
Spouse  Dorcas Wooden
Children  Anthony Coombs • Frances Coombs • Hannah Coombs • Ithamer Coombs • Jane Coombs • John Coombs • Joshua Coombs • Mary Coombs • Peter Coombs • Rosilla Coombs • Tabitha Abigail Coombs

Lead confidence: 5
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/LVNF-NCF

GEDCOM Note

Fil de Pierre et de Rose Bayol, epousa Etienne Rivest, de Pisiguit. Re:Histoirie Des Acadians Vol II Page 484 Re: "History of Comeau Family Traces Back to 1300's" Acadian Genealogy Exchange Vol.XXVI April/July 1997 Page 71

GEDCOM Note

Anthony Coombs - research notes of Charles W Bell Anthony Coombs what born in France in 1642 probably in the Bordeaux region, as the name was common there. It is of English origin. King Henry II of England married Eleanor of Aquitaine and her dowry was the Bordeaux area of France which was under English rule until the year 1451. The name Coombs is probably Welsh. The word "cwm" (pronounced Coom) means valley in Welsh. Anthony came to the colonies at about the age of 17. He was designated by his father for the priesthood but he rebelled. He had been placed under the tutelage of an old very strict priest who turned out to be a secret dissenter from the Church. During many conversations with the old servant and his wife and reading an old Bible that the couple had, Anthony determined to leavethe Church and home if necessary. He dared not to tell his father how he felt, but he knew that his mother had no prejudices against the "Huguenots" or French Protestants, so he told her how he felt.To his surprise she had dissented from the Church before his birth, but to preserve her life, she had kept it a secret. She advised Anthony to leave the country immediately. She soon heard of a vessel, in a port at a distance of three day's journey, about to sail for America. She gave him clothing and a box of money and had him taken to the port at night. They parted never to meet again. Anthony arrived in America at Plymouth, Massachusetts in about 1660. Tradition is that Anthony changed his name during the voyage because he feared persecution. He took the name of an officer on the ship named McAlester. Anthony was heard to say later in life that he might have perished after landing in this country if some kind-hearted woman had not taken him into her home and cared for him as her own. Later he resumed using his own name of Coombs. Anthony united with two companions and bought land from Indians near what is now Bath, Maine. Later the Indians attacked the settlement and many settlers,including Anthony and his partners, fled or were killed and the settlement was nearly destroyed. After peace was restored his partners returned to their lands, and Anthony refused to do so. He said that those who had remained and the widows and orphans of those who were killed were more deserving of the land than he was. He went to Cape Ann and was married there. Then he went to Gloucester and later to Rochester, where he was an iron worker and he remained there for the rest of his life. There is an alternate tradition about this ancestor, the Scotch Tradition. This version state that a Scotchman, Alister Coobs, bought from Robin Hood, and Indian Chief in 1660, over 1000 acres of land on the New Meadows River west of Bath Maine. He had two companions. One was Thomas Stevens and the other was probably Roberty Gutch. Alister Coombs was killed or driven out by the Indians about 1675 and his children went to Glouchester and Rochester. Massachusetts. Early in 1700 four of the children of Alister Coombs, Peter Coombs, John Coombs, and Abigail Coombs Berry. If we look at the facts concerning this Alister Coombs, it seems very certain that he and Anthony Coombs who used the name McAlisterfor a time, are the same person. The both had settled at New Meadows, had two partners, purchased land in the same year, had children that went to live in Rochester, Massachusetts and in 1700 returned to New Meadows. Anthony was married 5 Feb 1688 at York, Maine to Dorcas Wooden. She was born 10 Feb 1661, in Salem, Massachusetts, the daughter of John and Mary Wooden.

GEDCOM Note

Anthony Coombs Biography THE STORY OF ANTHONY COOMBS AND HIS DESCENDANTS BY WILLIAM CAREY COOMBS AMELIA, OHIO 1913 Addison C. Getchell & Son printers, BOSTON FOREWORD. I dedicate this little volume tothe large family of descendants of Anthony Coombs (whether bearing the name or not) - my kinsfolk - with the hope that they may find as much pleasure in reading it as I have had in gathering and arranging these facts. But why add another to the store of this already book- full world? Why go digging into the records of the past, to learn of our remote ancestors and their manner of life? Is there not enough in the present time to interest and instruct us? Some may be disposed to ask such questions, and they are worthy of an answer. Ours was a worthy ancestor. He was not what the world calls a great man, but he was a good man, a conscientious man, an honest man, energetic in every movement which makes a man a good citizen. He was one of those who sacrificed for conscience' sake, who came to our shores to seek freedom from tyranny and injustice, and to found in the New World those institutions which we are so justly proud of, and which have made us the envy of the world. We do well to rescue his life from oblivion. He was the ancestor of a numerous family of descendants, whose record is remarkably free from those things that bring discredit, a family who have been forward in business enterprise, patriotic endeavor, promoters of churches, schools, and social progress, people who stand for advanced thought and good citizenship, - the bone and sinew of the land. Surely, to place sucha record in the hands of our children and our children's children will be an inspiration to live worthily, which is well worth the money and pains that it may have required. iii I have chosen to put the facts that I have gathered in the form of a story, as to many this is the most interesting. In doing so 1 have tried to make it true to the facts that I have gathered, and have appended some of the more important documents that I have found. Aside from this, I have not given authorities. In the matter of genealogies, I fear that I may not he as successful as I wished, but will try to give enough so that those now living may be able to show their de- scent from the same Anthony. There were other Coombs families. There was an English family, who settled at Marblehead earlier than Anthony, and whose descendants are found in New England today. They were English in descent and sym- pathies. There was also one John Coombs, who came over "in the ship Amitic" from London about 1633-1635. He also was English, and settled at Plymouth. His son Francis was one of the proprietors of Middleboro, Mass. Francis seems to have left no male heir, as after his death his daughters advertised themselvesas his only heu's and took possession of his property. There is also a large family of Coombs in Virginia and Kentucky whose ancestry I have not been able to trace. There was one Austen Coombs among the early settlers of Jamestown (1625) who might have been their ancestor, though they have a tradition that their ancestors were two brothers who emigrated from England. But Anthony was our ancestor.He was undoubtedly a native of France, and we are proud of him, so, with the best wishes for you all, I subscribe myself Your well-wisher and kinsman, WILLIAM CAREY COOMBS. Amelia, Ohio. July, 1912. iv CONTENTS. PART I. The Story of Anthony Coombs. Page. I. Anthony in France 1 With reasons for coming to America II. When and where 6 III. Anthony in America 9 IV. "Allister" 12 V. Traditions 16 Andrew Coombs's History of the Coombs Family, Mrs. Henrietta Coombs Hol- den's tradition, the Scotch tradition VI. In Maine 22 His settlement and purchase of land VII. Trouble 26 The outbreak of the Indian War VIII. Love 30 His marriage at York, and life in Essex county, Mass. IX. Business 33 His final settlement at Rochester, Mass. X. Life at Rochester 38 PART II. The Family by Groups. Sketches and Stories. I. At New Meadows 43 II. Increase 50 Page. Til. The Penobscot group 56 IV. The Rochester group 61 V. The Cincinnati group 66 VI. The Douglas group 79 VII. Perils of the sea 84 Capt. Ebenezer Coombs 84 Story of John Coombs 88 Story of James Coombs 89 Capt. David Edwin Coombs 89 Horace Reed Coombs 90 VIII. Sketches 92 Andrew Coombs, Jr., and family 92 Wm. Harvey Coombs and family 95 Joseph J. Coombs 97 Joseph Coombs Galloway 98 Oliver P. Conklin 98 Andrew Coombs Hubbard 99 Rev. Stephen Coombs 99 Rev. Henry Clark Coombs 100 Capt. Robert Hudson Coombs 103 IX. Stories 105 A story of the Warof 1812 105 A lobster story 105 How Captain Healy came to settle in Maine lOT A story for the children 107 An honest man 109 Captain Healy and the Chinese 110 An old Coombs Homestead 112 X. A LAST W^ORD 115 VI PART III. Genealogies. Page. Children and grandchildren of ancestor Anthony 123 Descendants of Peter 127 Line of George' 127 Line of Lieut. Joseph* 128 Line of Asa' 132 Descendants of Anthony* 135 Line of Anthony' 136 Line of Sylvanus^ 138 Line of Anthony (2d) 140 Other families 143 Descendants of John" 146 Line of Anthony^ 146 Descendants of Ithamer" 147 Line of Elnathan' 147 Line of Ithamer" 159 Descendants of Joshua 164 Line of John' 164 Line of Ebenezer' 192 Line of Stephen' 205 Line of Joshua' 206 Unattached families and individuals 208 Appendix 214 Coat of arms 214 Sketch of Miss Lavina C. Coombs 216 Deed from Indians to Thomas Stephens 217 Vll PART I. CHAPTER I. ANTHONY IN FRANCE. My story begins among the vine-clad hills of sunny France. Picture to yourself a well-to-do French family away back in the I7th century, - the father a man of stern, uncompromising nature. What his conscience told him was right, must be carried out at all hazards. He was a firm Roman Catholic, as had been his ancestors before him. Was not this the true Church? Had it not grown, with God's blessing, to be a great power? Was not the Pope the true successor of the Apostle Peter, and was he not right in his efforts to drive the heretics back into the true Church ? He could see but one answer to these questions. Then there was the gentle-spirited French mother, - and the French women are said to be good mothers and frugal, thrifty housewives. She was faithful in her duties to the Church, but her piety was of the unosten- tatious and reserved kind. Very seldom did she discuss religiousmatters with the more imperious head of the household. Children there were, but of only one do we know any- thing definite - little Autoine. The French pronounce it something like An-twan, in their smooth-flowing tongue. We call it Anthony. The probability is that he had an older brother, for in those days it was cus- tomary to educate the older son for the army and the second for the Church. Andlittle Antoine was destined for the Church. One thing we are sure of: little Antoine played as other little boys play, and when childish troubles came he went to tlie gentle mother for that comfort which mothers always give, and as she soothed his little sorrows another love-band was thrown around her heart, binding her closer to her little boy. As she puts a kiss upon his brow, she almost wishesthat he could always be little and near to her. But he grew and played, and the circle of his acquaintance widened. Finally came that time which mothers so often look forward to with anxiety, - the time of developing man- hood, when the boy begins to think for himself and does things without consulting mother. The time when the question, will he choose the right or the wrong, lies like an unsolved problem on the mother's heart. The father says, " Antoine must be prepared to serve the Church." So he seeks out a monastery of the highest order, - an abbey, - places him in the care of the abbot, and the mother's companionship with him is more than ever broken. There were plenty of such institutions in those days. Then the Church and State were one. In our time the State has broken them up as hotbeds of sedition, confiscated the property of the Church, and withdrawn State support. Then the "Orders" were strong and wealthy. The lives of these supposedly holy men were often inconsistent withtheir pretensions, their habits gross, often to beastliness, and their "learning" such as you might expect them to have in the fitful glare of their unnatural lives. God never intended men to be madeholy by such a life, but rather to be holy in the performance of life's active duties, mingling freely with their fellow-men. The young man soon saw through these hollow pre- tensions, and a pious old servant of the abbot, finding him willing to know, opened his eyes still more by revealing things from his own experience, - no doubt at the risk of his own life. Then that " Book of Books" came in to open his eyes still more. "The entrance of Thy word giveth light." It was a part of an English Bible. Had he been taught to read English? Or was it translated for him by that old servant? No one else would have dared to do it. I am inclined to think that he could read English. As the light broke in upon him, the seriousness of his situation became plain. He was of a conscientious family. His own conscience would not tolerate the thought of becoming such a teacher of religion as were those to whom his instruction had been intrusted. Could he be a heretic? For more than a hundred years a cruel war had been waged against the heretics. They had been burned alive, cruelly tortured, and slain by the thousands, and he had always been taught to hate them. Yet, better a heretic than a hypocrite.To whom could he go? Not to his conscientious bat stern father. But the gentle mother he remembered was dif- ferent. She had not spoken against the Huguenots, as the heretics were called, and had shenot been moved to tears by the cruel punishments meted out to them ? Had she not soothed him in the time of his little troubles, and could he not trust her in this great one? To his joy she met him with sympathy and advice. To remain there was almost certain death and degradation. He must flee to America, that refuge opened for the oppressed and per- secuted. It would be hard, but better separation and life, than separation with death and disgrace. Her ten- der boy must go among strangers in a wild, new land, but would not her prayers bring the watchful care of an omnipresent God? Then began the secret preparation. A ship was heard of, about to sail from a port at a distance of three days' travel. With a mother's courage when urged by love, she began. Clothes were prepared. Her frugal savings were quietly gotten together and a box of money given him. By some kind of ruse a carriage was ar- ranged for by which he could be conveyed by night to the ship without exciting suspicion. Quiet and secret talks were had with the dear boy whom she was never to see again. How human hearts are stirred, and what deep emotions of the human soul are brought to the sur- face, by such trials as these! It is the subsoiling of the soul by God's own plow, that it may bear more fruit. Such was the home of our ancestor, Anthony Coombs, and such were the circumstances which caused him to emigrate to America. That was more than two hundred years ago. That brave mother and her boy have long since passed to the Great Beyond. Let us hope that in that place which Jesus said he went to prepare for his disciples, they have been reunited, have many times talked it over, and said with Paul, " Our light affliction, which is but for a mo- ment, worketh for us a far more and exceeding weight of glory." CHAPTER II. WHEN AND WHERE. That Anthony Coombs was born in France I can not doubt. As nearly as I can make out he was born about 1642. What was the condition of France and the rest of the world at thattime? In France, King Louis XIV began his long reign of seventy-seven years in 1643. His court was then the most polished and luxurious in Europe. His reign the most imperious and despotic. "L'etat c'est moi," - I am the state, - was his motto. Although there was much oppression and poverty, there was much of culture among the privileged classes. Barons and titled persons were numerous and exemptfrom taxes. Litei-ature and art flourished, and magnifi- cent cathedrals and churches are still standing which were built centuries before that time. It was a time of great activity in the world in general. The first Bible had been printed by Gutenberg in 1450, and l)ooks vv^ere comparatively plenty. Oliver Crom- well began his stirring career in Englaud in 1642, and beheaded King Charles I in 1649. Literature flourished in England. John Milton published Paradise Lost in 1667. William Shakespeare died in 1616. In 1609 Gah- leo made his first refracting telescope, with which he made great astronomical discoveries and confirmed the Copernican theory of the universe. About one hundred years before, the Great Reformation, under Luther, Cal- vin, and Zwingli, was in full force. France had remained essentially Catholic, and it continued so well into the next century. The persecution of the Huguenots, Al- bigenses, and other Protestants had been marked by a severity and cruelty hardly equaled in any other country. Such were the conditions of the world when young Anthony was obliged to flee from home and native land that he might enjoy religious freedom. It is only by a recent act that the French government has sought to break the galling connection of Church and State, and a Coombs was one of the most efficient agents in carrying it out (the late premier, M. Combes). Where in France was that home from which Anthony was obliged to flee? So far we have no certain means of knowing. The late Premier of France, Emile Combes, - so active and vigorous in carrying out the act for the sep- aration of Church and State, - writes his name Combes, a spelling sometimes found among the descendants of Anthony in America. From what is said of him and his character in the newspapers, of his firmness, his un- compromising nature where principle is at stake, and his incorruptible integrity, which mark him as a char- acteristic Coombs, we willingly concede to him a prob- able relationship. His home is at Pons, a small city about forty miles north from Bordeaux, about the same distance from La Rochelle, and about twenty miles east of the sea at the mouth of the river Gironde. The United States consul at Bordeaux writes me that the name "Combes " is a very common one in that part of France. So I am strongly inclined to believe that Anthony was from that part of France, and that he belonged to that same Combes family. This is what the newspapers said concerning the late Premier: France's " Best-Hated" Man. Paris, Aug. 27. - They are calling M. Combes, France's new Premier, "the best-hated man in France." That doesn't mean that he is not a patriotic, honest statesman - it means that he has ideas of his own and is fearless in carrying them out, regardless of whose feelings are hurt. Besides being rather like President Roosevelt, in point of courageousness and determination, France's new Premier is also like him in being chock full of energy. Probably no statesman ever made a quicker job of choosing a Cabinet - 48 hours. His energy is the moi^e remarkable in that he is a man of 67. Bribe Offer to Premier. Paris, June 11. - The Chamber of Deputies has decided, almost unanimously, to appoint a commission to investigate charges made yesterday by Premier Combes that an attempt was made to bribe him. "In December, 1902," he said, " the Secretary of the Minis- try of the Interior (the Premier's son, Edgar,) informed me that he had received a visit from a person offering 2,000,000 francs ($400,000) if I would bring in a bill authorizing the Carthusian monks to remain at Grande Chartreuse. I replied that the per- son had better not enter my room unless he wanted to go out the window, and attached no further importance to the incident until a few months later, after a bill refusing an authorization to the Carthusians had been brought in. The newspapers ac- cused the Secretary of having asked a million for me to make a speech in favor of the Carthusians. An investigation was made, and the intermediary, who was M. La Gi'ave, the Commissioner of France to the St. Louis Exposition, was examined, but he refused to name the person for whom he had acted. The Min- ister of Commerce cabled to M. La Grave ordering him to give the name. He replied that he had communicated it to M. Mille- rand, his former chief. M. Millerand sought me and begged me not to divulge the namefor political reasons. The matter was then dropped." Objectors to the theory of a French origin of the family have insisted that " Coombs " is an English, and not a French, name. The fact that there is a large and influential family of that name in France today effectu- ally disposes of that objection. And this French family might well have had an English origin, for in 1152 Henry II, King of England, married Elenor, Duchess of Aquitania. This province, in which the three cities of Bordeaux, La Rochelle, and Pons are situated, fell to him as her dowry. It remained mostly under English controluntil 1451. During these three hundred years of English occupation, it is but natural to think that many English families would settle there, and, in the course of time, become amalgamated with the French people. The fact that young Anthony found part of an English Bible strengthens this theory. The name "Coombs" probably originated in Wales. There is a large and influential family of that name in Wales, whose ancient coat of arms bore this legend: " He who strives will conquer." The Welsh name for a small valley is "cwm," - pronounced " coom." A Welshman said to me, "John y cwm," would mean ♦'John of the valley," and it would be very easy in the course of time to drop the y, making it " John Coom." In England, whence the Welsh were driven, the name remains, for in many places hollows or valleys are called "combs" or "coombs." An old English corn meas- ure containing four bushels was called a "comb" or "coomb," probably on account of its large size. The name as a surname seems to havebecome somewhat common in England, whence it spread to other coun- tries. We find McCombs in Scotland and Ireland, Kooms in German countiies, and Combes in France. The French, as is common in French pronunciation, drop the final letters and call it "Comb." 8 CHAPTER III. ANTHONY IN AMERICA. When we think of our ancestors we are apt to think of them only as venerable, old men; but do not think so of this ancestor, for tradition gives his age when he arrived in America at from seventeen to nineteen years, - very likely not older than seventeen, - a mere schoolboy, fleeing for his life, from home and friends, to a new country full of dangers and hardships. The ves- sel probably touched at some English ports, and possibly at Glasgow, for there was a Scotch company on board. It has been thought that he first landed at Plymouth in 1675, but this has been found to be a mistake. He may have landed at Plymouth at that time, but it was not his first landing, direct from France. The genealo- gist who delves into these old histories, and depends much on tradition, has many interesting problems to solve. Traditions, as to main facts, are generally true, but are frequently very unreliable when it comes to particulars. Names, places, dates, and generations get strangely mixed in the memories of good people, and the genealogist finds it a very interesting work to separate the true from the false, and make the various stories fit into one another. When he has suc- ceeded, he has tests by which he feels fairly sure of his work. Did this young man make any friends during this tedious voyage on a sailing vessel? Doubtless he told his story and found sympathetic listeners, for one tra- dition says that he took the uame of the captain or some one on board the ship - of which more will be said later. The most likely tradition says that he landed at Boston not long before 1660. From there the indica- tions are that he went to Salem, Tradition also says that he was always very grateful to some good woman who took him into her own home and treated him as she did her own children. Another tradition says that after coming to America he, in com- pany with two others, bought land of the Indians and started a settlement where the town of Wells, Me., now stands, but this is evidently a mistake as to place. His- tory says that the town of Wells was laid out in 1644, that the land on which it was built was never bought of the Indians, but was held by some kind of a deed from Thomas Gorges, for his brother (or father) F. Gorges, who received his title from the king. More- over, in a careful search of the old records of the town the name "Coombs" does not appear. It was not Wells, but Bath. Who were the two men who were thus associated with him? A local tradition says that the ancestor of the Coombs families near Bath was a Scotchman, who bought land on New Meadows River, - three miles west of Bath, - and that two other men were associated with him, one of whom was Thomas Stephens. That ' ' Scotch- man," as we shall afterwards show, was Anthony. The third could hardly be other than Rev. Robert Gutch, who purchased the land on which the city of Bath now stands, running back to New Meadows River. This will appear more plainly as we proceed. The Rev . Robert Gutch, who seems to have come from the southern part of England, became a member of the Congregational Church at Salem in 1641. He was made a "freeman " at Salem in 1642. Of his removal to Maine it is said, "Becoming involved in debt, he went to this, then wilderness, country." 10 And who was that good woman who "mothered" the lonely French lad? As the wife of Rev. Robert Gutch had at least seven children at Salem, she would be just the kind of woman to take in another, for it is a noticeable fact that as the family grows the mother- heart grows accordingly. And as that box of money that his self-sacrificing mother had given to young Anthony was not yet exhausted, what is more natural than that he should be invited to go along and invest it in land? I am aware that some of this is somewhat suppositional, but it seems quite probable. Anyhow, it makes such a nice story that I shall try to believe it until something more likely turns up. There was such a good-hearted, motherly woman, and in his inexperi- ence and loneliness there must have been some man to whom he looked for advice. 11 CHAPTER IV. "ALISTER." And uow comes one of the most curious and puzzling chapters of this story. Savage's Genealogical Diction- ary gives as one of the early settlers of Maine: Coombs, Ahster . . . 1665. Who this Alister Coombs was, or what became of him, nobody could tell. It remained a Sphinx-like riddle until recent years. To my mind it is clearly solved. The first clue to it was given to me by the Rev. C. N. Sinnett now of Fayette, Iowa. Then Mr. John A. Fisher, late register of Sagadahoc county, Maine, kindly sent to me a copy of an Indian deed, made by Robin. Hood and other Indian chiefs, for a second purchase which Thomas Stephens made of them in 1675. This deed was for lands lying south of the Pejepscot (now Androscoggin) River, and was bounded in part by " the land of Thomas Stephens, uow in possession. East," and to "Alester Coombs his land south." And it further describes the southern boundary by saying " And from the head of Alester Coombs his marsh westerly to a certain path commonly calledthe Carrying path," and thence to the Pejepscot River. Now this fixes the location of the land of Alester Coombs as just west of New Meadows River. The local tradition found by Mr. Sinnett says that he was a Scotchman, who with two others bought land of the Indians, and that one of those was this same Thomas Stephens. It also says that he was driven out or killed in the Indian war which broke outin 1675. That his children went to Plymouth and Rochester, and that 12 afterward his three sons, Peter, Anthony, and John, returned and settled on the land. Now all of these facts agree with the tradition of Mrs. Tibbetts (printed on pages 16-19), even to the names of the three oldest sons, but there are some slight differ- ences. For instance, the local tradition mentions a sister of the three brothers, "Abigail who married a Berry." She belonged to a later generation.* Then Mrs. Tibbetts was mistaken as to the place, which was not Wells, but Bath, as is elsewhere explained. That Anthony wasof French nationality is attested by the circumstantial account of how he came to leave France, and this is corroborated by many other tradi- tions. That he was French, but took a Scotch name, "Mc- Allister," is shown by the tradition which comes through Mrs. Holden (printed on pages 19, 20). There are so many points in which the different ac- counts agree, and the explanation of the differences is so reasonable, that the conclusion is irresistible that " Alister " and Anthony were one. In explanation of this assumed name and nationality, Mr. Charles E. Allen of Cedar Grove, Me., - a well- known local historian, - writes, " If you knew the in- tense antipathy of the Massachusetts Puritans, - and all through New England, to the French, - Protestant as well as Catholic, - you would not wonder that he changed his name and passed as a Scotchman." He was young, lonely, and no doubt depended much on the advice of others, and was easily persuaded to do this, but the Coombs's, so far as I have known them, are not cowardly, and have an inbred dislike to anything that * Later investigation shows that there was a sister Abigail. (See p. 47.) 13 savors in the least of hypocrisy or deceit. I think he was somewhat ashamed of it, for after he was driven out by the Indians in 1675 he assumed his right name, and ever afterwards was "Anthony." In company with Mr. George A. Coombs, in the fall of 1911, I visited the ground on New Meadows River, and settled to my satisfaction the approximate location of the purchase of " Alister " Coombs, which was said to contain over 2000 acres. It extendedalong the west side of New Meadows River, from somewhere near where the old bridge was, north of Howard's Point, southward, probably to Woodward Point. The marsh is at the lower part of Thompson's Brook. There is another small marsh about one half mile farther west, but this could hardly be the one mentioned in the deed. I can not describe the intensity of my feeling as I stood on this land. Across the blue waters of New Meadows River were beautiful hills, covered partly with a growth of mixed evergreen and deciduous trees, and partly by cultivated fields. The Coombs's mostly live on that side of the river now. North, the river widened out and formed Middle Bay, with Howard's Point jut- ting well out between the bay and the river, - a high, steep, wooded bluff. On the west side of the river was a fine strip of fertile land, gently sloping toward the river. Back of this a rocky ledge cropped out, beyond which is a sandy plain - mostly waste land. I tried to imagine it as it was two hundred and fifty years ago, covered with a heavy growth of mixed ever- greens and other timber. By the river, a little clearing and a rude cabin. Standing by, a lonely French youth, not yet out of his teens. He was posing as a Scotch- man, and wondering whether it was right for him to 14 do so. He gazes with pleasure on the beautiful river, where the setting sun behind him throws its last gleam- ingrays. But his face saddens as his mind goes back to sunny France. He thinks of the stern father, the loving and loyal mother, kinsfolk, and companions. Then, as he turns and looks over his possessions, - a vast domain it seems to him, - a look of pleasure comes again over his face. But did it satisfy him? Did he go back into the cabin,, bar the door against all intruders, and throw himself on hisrude bed for a night of sound sleep ? Or was it an outburst of grief and a flood of tears, which is Nature's only balm for sore and weary hearts? 15 CHAPTER V. TRADITIONS. Andrew Coombs's History of the Coombs Family. The following historical sketch was communicated to me by Grandmother Abigail Tibbetts, formerly the wife of Ebenezer Coombs, my grandfather, in the eighty-fifth year of her age, and was committed to writing by my- self in the state of Ohio, February 26, 1835. She was a woman of an uncommonly retentive memory, and as the substance of the narrative has ever been familiar in the family, there is little doubt of its general correctness. But at this late period, and considering her advanced age, it can not be expected to be correct in all its particulars. The early dates can notbe ascertained from any infor- mation in our possession. The calculations were made in the following manner: Joshua Coombs, father-in-law to my grandmother, was often heard to say he was born in the year 1706. He was the youngest son and next to youngest child of Anthony Coombs, who came over from France at the age of eighteen or nineteen years. He probably was not marr