Gen. Leslie Combs

Leslie was born in Clark County [KY], November 28, 1793, but moved to Lexington [Fayette Co, KY]. He represented Fayette County a number of times in the State legislature between 1827 and 1846. The year before Henry Clay died, or in 1851, the most spectacular race for Congress in the history of Kentucky took place. Leslie Combs was Clay's right-hand man in Kentucky, and the "Great Pacificator's" choice for Congressman from the old "Ashland", or Henry Clay's district. His opponent was John C. Breckinridge, of rabid, pro-slavery fame. Gen. Leslie was touted to win easily; but the South had embarked upon expansionism, slavery was a burning issue, the Civil War was in the offing - and Breckinridge won. He was a formidable adversary in debate, and had a keen sense of humor. He and Breckinridge were warm, personal friends, and in the race for Congress, traveled and spoke together. Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson agreed on only one thing, Leslie once said, and that was the old stage coach road that ran through Lexington and Nashville; the estates of both men were situated on the road! One day on the street in Lexington, a very crosseyed man bumped into Leslie, turned and said arrogantly to him, "Can't you see where you're going?" Leslie looked at his eyes a moment, and replied, "Can't you go where you're seeing?" His house in Lexington stood on the site now [formerly] occupied by the Lafayette Hotel. Gen. Leslie died August 22, 1881. When Lafayette came to Lexington, Gen. Leslie headed the committee of welcome. Leslie, Jr., was a distinguished citizen, serving as United States Minister to Guatemala, Honduras and Peru.

Source:

http://www.combs-families.org/combs/jhc/jhc-103.htm

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF LESLIE Combs Begun Aug. 14, 1873 Signed Oct. 8, 1875 Codicil dated July 2, 1879 Probated in the County Court Fayette Co., Kentucky And recorded in Will Book 6, p. 54 Will Book 6 page 54 This is my last will. August 14th Leslie COMBS

Page No. 1 1st. Item I was born on my father's 100 acre farm within six miles of Booneboro, on the public trace road to the Lower Blue Licks on the 29th of November 1793 and altho in my eightieth year and in perfect, mental and bodily health my hair is yet thick on my head and only slightly sprinkled with white, and not an unsound tooth in my head thank God, when we sold the old place, after the death of my father to Messrs R. E. BROOKING and A. LACKWELL and made them a deed, some 20 and 30 years ago (see Clark County Court record book) we reserved ¼ of an acre enclosing the family grave yard in which my father and mother, and several of my brothers and sisters are buried, and I afterwards erected tombstones at the heads of my father and mother and built a strong stone wall around them, about 12 by 24 feet square, and I hope my children, and their descendants, will always attend to keeping the same in order and that the present owners of the place (Mr. and Mrs. GRIM) and other neighbors will never suffer them to be violated or the wall removed but keep the same in repair Leslie Combs Page No. 2 I claim this general protection for my father and mother - 1st because he was a Revolutionary officer under Washington at the siege of York - 2" because he helped Dan'l BOONE to whip the Indians out of Kentucky - 3rd because my mother was an educated woman and a God-send to all the sick in the vicinity as long as she lived. Her name will be found in Mrs. ELLIOT'S book of remarkable women. 2 Item I have been a laborer all my life, never an idler or a spendthrift - and if I had hoarded my earnings as many do, I should not now be in want of market money, as I often am, but I have always lived well and entertained strangers, as well as my friends liberally - as long as I had spare money. But I have allowed my feelings, more than my judgement, to control my investments. 1st. More than thirty years ago when I could have purchased Pennsylvania, Illinois and other state bonds at a very low rate, (I think at less than 25 cents for 100 cents) I invested all my money and all I could borrow, in the war debt of Texas and a large portion of this is still due me, I think over two hundred thousand dollars. The U. S. Government having paid a portion of it some years since. Texas has never paid a cent altho perfectly able to do so. Page 3 if either of my children die without issue I desire my other children or their descendants to have what is herein devised equally divided only special legacies. 2 Item I have heretofore given more to some of my children than to others according to my means and their necessities and may yet make advances while I live - still after handing over all the special legacies - none of them very large. I desire my house and all the balance of my estate, real and personal to be sold and the proceeds equally divided among my children, first paying all my debts - whether secured by mortgages or not. Special Legacies 3 Items 1st. my oldest living daughter, Mrs Mary R. MITCHELL having very much attended to my housekeeping for many years - I give her all my furniture with worked cover sofa chairs and which she helped her mother to make also her mother's large wardrobe - my set of gilt tea china and three dozen silver spoons 1/2 of those presented to me many years ago by my friend Col. James MORRESSEY, late member of congress from New York. 1 dozen table (large) spoons - 1 dozen desert spoons and 1 dozen tea spoons (one half of my new spoons) 2nd. I give to her daughter, Margaret, her Grandmother's large dressing glass and to her daughter Mary her Grandmother's bureau and small dressing glass. Leslie Combs Page 4 Item 3 I give to my daughter Mrs. Georgette A. WARNER three dozen silver spoons similar to those given to my daughter Mary and presented me by the same friend 2 salt spoons and my honest good old castor. 4 Item I give to my daughter LaBelle two thousand acres of land for which I handed to her husband (Col. S. D. BRUCE) the evidences of title and I hope he gave them to her - My large silver plated broach candle sticks, loaned her many years ago, also one third of all my silver spoons and plated ware not herein specially disposed of I appoint my grandsons to see to that. Leslie Combs Item 5 I give to my son, Howard, my sword now in his possession; my saddle, my uniform when captain of artillery, Leslie Combs, and walking canes - The picture of a captain in uniform and General HARRISONS likeness, both in frames in the basement entry - all the books which he doesn't want, to the law library in Lexington and such public documents and pamphlets as he doesn't want, to my nephew, Burke COMBS, of Bremard Texas [Buck COMBS of Bremond, Robertson Co, TX?] - Also the silver pitcher given to me in 1844 by the Whigs of Kings County New York, the friends of Henry CLAY, for whom I made a public address in Brooklyn. This pitcher is not to be sold but handed down to one on his children as an heir to me - and so on. Leslie Combs Page 5 I also give him one third of my undivided silver and plated ware - Item 6 I give to my daughter Mag Leslie one third of my undivided silver and plated ware and her Mother's china flower vases 1 pair on the mantle in the parlor and the portraits of her mother and myself, my son Howard to have the portraits at her death, without issue - They were painted by Jouett. Item 7 I give to my daughter Elizabeth, one dozen silver forks - my tea set of flowered Dresha China all the books in my library over my office and my small likeness in the dining room, also my new family Bible in common with her brother Leslie also 2 silver butter knives and six small old silver teaspoons given me by my father. Item 8 I give to my son, Leslie, my silver pitcher presented to me by the Whigs of Delaware in 1840 after my political campaign in that state in favor of General HARRISON as an heirloom never to be sold but to be handed down to some descendant of my blood - also my set of gilt china for the dining and my nice wine glasses and tumblers and one choice pair of bottles and water holders - my marble bust by Bivers and my portrait painted by Frazer in a blue hunting shirt - such as I wore always when addressing Leslie Combs Page 6 the people in the political campaign of 1840 and similar to the one worn by General HARRISON when I first saw him at St. Mary's in October, 1812, on his return from the relief of Fort Wayne the likeness is too meager and thin, but if varnished and neatly framed, as I desire to be done will give some idea of my countenance at that time - I wish him also to take and preserve the hunting shirt. I also give him all my undivided books and pamphlets I also give him an old pistol, presented to me on the 19th of December, 1844, the anniversary of the surrender of Cornwallis and which had been recently disinterred by the side of a skeleton within the fort walls, supposed to be that of a British officer killed during the siege - I also give him a block of the frigate constitution which captured the British frigate - Gueriere - early in the War of 1812 - I give him also my china clock. Item 9 When my last wife came home with me to Kentucky she left a very nice small library at her father's house - I hope her daughter will bring it to her house, so that her brother and sister may have access to it. Item 10 I wish Howard and Leslie to divide my wearing apparel -(of little value of late years) and dispose of it as they please. Leslie Combs Page 7 Item 11 If any of my children desire articles of personal property not herein specially devised I wish my Executors to let it thus be disposed of at a very low rate to them and not publicly sold. Item 12 I have done everything in my power for my children, my friend, my town, county, state and country, but I desire no ostentation shown at my funeral - Let me be buried in a plain wooden coffin, by the side of my wife and boy in the Lexington cemetery. My other children to be buried there also unless they prefer some other location hereafter. Item 13 By special request of my brother-in-law, James F. S. BROWNELL, he is buried on my lot near his sister and his widow has erected a very neat monument to him - If she desires it I hope she may be placed by his side, at her death and her child on the other side. Item 14 During the late terrible Civil War I was knocked down and robbed off my watch, made by Toliras No. 2477 for which I paid two hundred dollars in 1819 or 1820. My name on the outside if ever recovered, I give it to my son Leslie. Leslie Combs Witnesses: J. H. HARRISON James BRENNAN Page 8 The foregoing 7 pages contain my will - I appoint my oldest daughter, Mary, Executrix and my son Leslie, Executor and having entire confidence in them do not desire them to give any security. Witness my hand and seal October 8th, 1875. Leslie COMBS (Seal) Lexington, Kentucky July 2nd, 1879 I have perfect confidence in the good sense, sound judgment and honesty of my youngest daughter, Elizabeth, and therefore appoint one of my Executrix's I give her full power to give away to my children and friends, all the furniture saved from my burnt house as they may need and desire, and to sell the remainder at the best price she can get at public or private sale and not to give any security in court on account of it. Leslie Combs State of Kentucky August Court County of Fayette, Sct. August 29, 1881 An instrument of writing with codicil thereto attached purporting to be the last will and testament of General Leslie COMBS, Dec'd of Fayette County, was this day produced to court for probate and proven by the oaths of D. G. FALCONER and J. H. HARRISON to be wholly in the proper handwriting of Testator. Whereupon said instrument of writing with codicil attached is ordered to be recorded as the last will and testament of General Leslie Combs which has been done. Allie G. Hunt, Clk. By Jno. J. Anglin, D.C. State of Kentucky,)

    ) Sct. County of Fayette,) State of Kentucky,)

    ) Sct. County of Fayette,) I, Theo. Lewis, clerk of the County Court of Fayette County, State of Kentucky, and as the custodian of the seal and all records of appertaining to said court, do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true and accurate copy of the last will and testament of Leslie COMBS, deceased, as the same appears of record in my office. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, witness my hand, the seal of said court, this 21st day of January 1916. Theo. Lewis Clerk Fayette County Court (Seal) J. D. HUNT GEO. W. DARNALL HUNT & DARNALL, ATTORNEYS AT LAW EAST SHORT STREET Lexington, Ky., Oct 24th 1881 Commission of Pensions Washington, D.C.

Sir - Gen. Leslie Combs of this place died on the 21st of August last being at the time of his death on the pension rolls as a Captain in the War of 1812. We suppose him to have been entitled to some as can as account of the current quarter at his death, and would be obliged if you sent to us the blanks and instructions for making out the claim -

Yours Respectfully Hunt & Darnell (From the National Archives Trust Fund)

Source:

http://www.combs-families.org/combs/families/c-les.htm