Minutes
Tyrrell County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions

January Session 1819

Ordered that Selby Patrick Esqr. Henry Alexander & Lemuel Basnight & Saml. Spruill lay off to Charlotte Combs widdow of William Combs deceased one years provisions out of the estate of said deceased agreeable to act of assembly & make return to next term.

Administration on the estate of William Combs was committed to John Combs the widow first consenting thereto who entered into bond in the sum of ten thousand pounds Thomas Leigh Spencer Midyett his securities ordered that letters of administration issue thereon & that he proceed to sell the perishable estate of said deceased & account for the same as the law directs.

April Session 1819

Inventory & account sales of William Combs deceased was returned on oath by John Combs the administrator & filed.

The years provision of Charlotte Combs widow of William Combs was returned to court & filed.

Henry Alexander returned in open court Charlotte Combs dower in the lands of her deceased husband Wm. Combs & filed.

January Session 1820

Ordered that John Combs administrator to the estate of William Combs be allowed the sum of one hundred seventy six dollars & four cents for board clothing & schooling the heirs of said Wm. Combs deceased up to 7th January 1820 as per account allowed by the court & filed.

October Session 1820

Ordered that Samuel Spruill Selby Patrick and Henry Alexander be appointed to settle & audite the accounts of William Combs deceased - - also that the same persons allot and set off to Lewis Midyett in right of his wife Charlotte and Lewis Combs their proportionable part of said estate.

Ordered that Thomas Leigh be appointed guardian to Harriett, Jno, and Susan Combs heirs of Wm. Combs deceased.

Ordered that Frederick Davenport be appointed guardian to Lewis M. Combs orphan of Wm. Combs deceased and entered into bonds with approved security and receive the estate of said orphan into his possession and account for it as the law directs.

January Session 1821

Ordered that John Combs administrator of William Combs deceased be allowed one hundred & forty dollars eighty three 1/2 cents for clothing John H. Combs to 27th Novr. 1820 as per account allwed by the court & filed.

Report of auditors on the estate of William Combs deceased was returned to court ballance due the heirs $2228.64 1/4 cents & filed.

Report of the division of the estate of William Combs deceased so far as respects the widdow of said deceased & Lewis Combs was returned in court & filed.

April Session 1821

Thomas Leigh was appointed guardian to Jno. Combs, William Combs & Harriett Combs who entered into bond with approved security ordered that he receive the estate of said orphans into his possession & account for the same as the law directs.

April Session 1822

The following guardians appeared in open court & renewed their guardian bonds agreeable to the act of assembly in that case made & provided as follows viz. - -
Thomas Leigh guardian to Harriett Combs
Thomas Leigh guardian to Susan Combs
Thomas Leigh guardian to John Combs

Thomas Leigh guardian to the heirs of William Combs returned in open court on oath his guardian accounts & filed.

Ordered that John Thoroughgood John Midyett Samuel Leigh & Ephraim Mann & Thomas Hopkins be reappointed commissioners to divide the land of William Combs deceased among the legal representatives agreeable to the prayer of the petition filed at the last term & make report to the next term.

July Session 1822

A plat & division of the lands of William Combs deceased was returned to court & filed.

January Session 1823

Ephraim Mann was appointed guardian to Harriett Combs who entered into bond with approved security, ordered that he recieve the estate of the said Harriett Combs into his ossession & account for the same agreeable to law.

Frederick Davenport was appointed guardian to John & Susan Combs orphans of William Combs deceased who entered into bond with approved security ordered that he recieve the estate of said orphans into his possession & account for the same as the law directs.

Ordered that John Thoroughgood Joseph McCleese & Henry Alexander be appointed commissioners to audite & settle & divide the estate of William Combs deceased between Thomas Leigh former guardian to the heirs of said deceased & the present guardian & make report to the next term.

April Session 1823

Ephraim Mann guardian to Hariott Combs returned on oath his guardian account stating a ballance due upto 1 April 1823 $406.89 cents & filed.

The audited account between the heirs of William Combs deceased & Thomas Leigh their former guardian was returned to court stating a ballance due the heirs of $1300.31 1/2 & filed.

April Session 1824

Ephraim Mann guardian of Harriet Combs returned in open court his guardian account ending 26th Apl 1824 with a balance due the guardian of $38.54.

Frederick Davenport guardian of the heirs of Wm. Combs returned in open court his account with said heirs ending 8th March 1824 with a balance due the said heirs of $794.34 which account was ordered to be filed.

An account of the hire of negroes belonging to the heirs of Wm. Combs was returned in open court by their guardians.

January Session 1825

A division of the negroes belonging to Wm. Combs estate was returned in open court and filed.

July Session 1826

Ordered that John Hamilton Combs aged about fifteen years an orphan of William Combs be bound apprentice to Saml. Leigh until he arrives at the age of twenty one years.

April Session 1827

Frederick Davenport returned an account of the hire of the negroes & land for the year 1827 belonging to Jno. & Susan Combs amount $17.50.

April Session 1828

Frederick Davenport returned the hire of negroes of Jno. & Susan Combs for the year 1828 and a guardian account balance due the heirs of $107.89.

January Session 1829

Frederic Davenport came into open court and renewed his guardian bond to Jno. & Susan Combs and gave for security George W. Davenport & James A. Spruill.

January Session 1830

Frederick Davenport guardian to Jno. & Susan Combs returned an account of hire of negroes for 1829.

July Session 1830

Ordered that Eph. Mann be appointed guardian to John H. Combs orphan of Wm. Combs who entered into bond in the sum of five thousand dollars with Saml. Leigh & Jno. Midget security.

North Carolina Archives
Loose Estate Papers
Tyrrell County (C.R.096.508.14), Box 14
Combs, William, 1818

Petition in January term by Lewis M. Combs & Thomas Lee guardian to the other heirs Hariet Combs, John H. Combs & Susan Combs all heirs at law of Wm. Combs. They state that Wm. Combs died intestate in the year 1818 leaving your petitioners his heirs and leaving a tract of land of about 250 acres joining the lands of Edward Mann's heirs. They request that commissioners be appointed to divide the said land so as to set aside the portion of Lewis M. Combs and leave the remaining portion undivided between the other heirs who are now infants. {The back side of this petition lists the year 1818, but it is not likely this is correct.}

Bond dated 11 Jan 1819 in the amount of ten thousand pounds appointing John Combs administrator of the estate of William Combs deceased, Thos. Leigh & Spencer Midyett securities.

Petition January term 1819 by Charlotte Combs widow of William Combs deceased who died intestate possessed of a tract of 100 acres joining Lemuel Basnight, William Dowdy & Ed. Mann's heirs. She has had no dower layed off in the premises and requests that the sheriff appoint a jury to lay off her dower in said land.

Laying off of the dower of Charlotte Combs on 4 Feb 1819 in a 102 acre tract belnging to the estate of her deceased husband William Combs. She received 34 acres including the dwelling house.

Execution issued 26 Jan 1820 in the amount of $145 against Betsy Applegate & William Combs in the hands of their administrators John Combs father of Wm. Combs & Lucy Alexander administratrix of David Alexander which Abel Sawyer administrator of Wm. Applegate recovered against them for debt.

Bond dated 2 Oct 1820 in the amount of one thousand five hundred pounds appointing Frederick Davenport guardian of Lewis M. Combs orphan of William Combs deceased, Frederick Alexander & Lewis Midyett securities.

Division on 29 Dec 1820 of the estate of William Combs deceased so far as respects the widow of said deceased now Charlotte Midyett and his son Lewis Combs:
To the amount of ballances due the heirs of said deceased as appears by the settled accounts - $2,228.64 1/2.
Each heirs equal share of the ballance (viz) Charlotte Midyett widow of said deceased, Lewis Combs, Harriett Combs, John H. Combs & Susan Combs are $445.73.
Division of the negroes belonging to the estate of said deceased (viz):
Man Ellick valued at $380
Man Jack valued at $425
Man Will valued at $425
Man Peter valued at $385
Man Stephen valued at $400
Boy Leonard valued at $350
Woman Lettice valued at $150
Woman Clark and child valued at $425
Girl Metilda valued at $200
Boy Cancer valued at $230
Girl Judae (?) valued at $150
Girl Annis valued at $125
Total value $3,645
The one fifth part of the valuation of the negroes belonging to the estate of said deceased is $729.00
Charlotte Midyett drawed man Will & Metilda valued at $425 and $200 totalling $625.
Charlotte Midyett receives in money $104 for a total of $729.
Lewis Combs drawed Jack, Lettice & Juda valued at $425 & $150 & $150 for a total of $725.
Lewis Combs receives in money $4 for a total of $729.
The ballance of the negroes are left undivided in the hands of the managers for the benefit of Harriet Combs, John H. Combs & Susanah Combs.

Bond dated 2 Apr 1821 in the amount of three thousand dollars appointing Thomas Leigh guardian of Harriet Combs orphan of William Combs deceased, Edmund Alexander & Frederick Alexander securities.

Bond dated 2 Apr 1821 in the amount of three thousand dollars appointing Thomas Leigh guardian of John Combs orphan of William Combs deceased, Edmund Alexander & Frederick Alexander securities.

Bond dated 2 Apr 1821 in the amount of three thousand dollars appointing Thomas Leigh guardian of Susanna Combs orphan of William Combs deceased, Edmund Alexander & Frederick Alexander securities.

Bond dated 1 Apr 1822 in the amount of three thousand dollars appointing Thomas Leigh guardian of Harriet Combs orphan of William Combs deceased, John Marriner & Ephraim Mann securities.

Bond dated 1 Apr 1822 in the amount of three thousand dollars appointing Thomas Leigh guardian of Susanna Combs orphan of William Combs deceased, John Marriner & Ephraim Mann securities.

Bond dated 1 Apr 1822 in the amount of three thousand dollars appointing Thomas Leigh guardian of John Combs orphan of William Combs deceased, John Marriner & Ephraim Mann securities.

Bond dated 31 Dec 1822 in the amount of one thousand pounds appointing Ephraim Mann guardian of Harriet Combs a minor orphan, Edmd. Alexander & Saml. Leigh securities.

Bond dated 31 Dec 1822 in the amount of two thousand pounds appointing Frederick Davenport guardian of John & Susan Combs minor orphans, Thomas Hopkns & Abram Pledger sec urities.

Guardian account from April 1823 to April 1824 of Harriet Combs orphan of William Combs deceased by Ephraim Mann. Includes one bed and furniture bought at Lewis Combs sale on 24 Jul 1823.

Execution issued 29 Sep 1823 against Spencer Ludford & Azail Johnson & the goods and chattels of William Combs in the hands of his administrator $86.50 which John Alexander guardian recovered against them for debt.

Subpoena issued 8 Oct 1824 for Allen Howitt, Richard Howitt & Enoch Hassell to appear in court October term next to answer charges of a debt of $235.50 owed to Ephraim Mann guardian of Harriet Combs.

Account of the hire of negroes belonging to Harriet, Jno. & Susan Combs orphans of William Combs deceased in the hands of their guardian the 3rd of January 1824 by F. Davenport & Ephraim Mann:
Negroe Peter to Jos. McLure - $26.65
Negroe Ellick to Leml. Basnight - $25.50
Negroe Stephen to Benjn. Sikes - $25.05
Negroe Leonard to Jno. Thoroughgood - $17.45
Total rental of $94.65
Deducted $25 paid to Saml. Leigh for keeping Clark & children and $1.25 and $2.36 1/2 in commisions, leaving $66.03 1/2 due the estate.

Petition October term 1824 by William Etheridge stating that he injtermarried with Harriet Combs one of the heirs of William Combs deceased, who died intestate possessed of considerable real and personal property. He asks that the court appoint Henry Alexander, Lemuel Basnight, Edmund Alexander, John Thoroughgood & Abraham Pledger commissioners to divide the personal estate of said intestate among the distributees and that the court order a copy of this petition to be served upon Frederick Davenport guardian of Hamilton & Susan Combs.

Division of the negroes belonging to the heirs of William Combs viz. Harriet, John & Susan Combs on 10 January 1825 by Saml. Spruill, Lemuel Basnight, Edmd. Alexander & John Thoroughgood.
Names and valuations of negroes:
No. 1 - Ellick valued at $300
No. 2 - Peter valued at $200
No. 3 - Stephen valued at $375
No. 4 - Leonard valued at $350
No. 5 - Cansor valued at $200
No. 6 - Clark and child Eliza valued at $325
No. 7 - Girl Annis valued at $135
No. 8 - Lovey valued at $110
Total Value $1995
Each heirs part is $665
Lot 1 is Peter, Leonard & Lovey valued at $660.
Lot 2 is Ellick, Cansor & Annis valued at $635. This lot was drawn by Harriet Etheridge.
Lot 3 is Stephen, Clark & Eliza valued at $700.

Bond dated 27 Jan 1829 in the amount of four thousand pounds appointing Frederick Davenport guardian of John & Susan Combs minor orphans, George M. Davenport, James A. Spruill & Richard Howett securities.

Division 30 Jan 1830 of the negroes belonging to Jno. H. Combs & Susan Combs (now Owens) heirs of the estate of William Combs deceased as follow:
Negroe man Peter valued @ $150
Negroe man Stephen valued @ $375
Negroe man Leonard valued @ $375
Woman Clark & child Gilbert valued @ $250
Girl Lovey valued @ $150
Girl Eliza valued @ $100
Total value of $1400
Lot 1 consisting of Leonard, Peter & Lovey alloted to John H. Combs at total value of $675
Lot 2 consisting of Stephen, Clark, Gilbert & Eliza alloted to Joseph Owens & wife Susan at total value $725
Balance due of $25 from Joseph Owens and wife Susan to Jno. H. Combs
Signed by Henry Alexander, Edmd. Alexander & Ephraim Mann.

Petition April term 1830 by Richard Howett stating that in April term 1829 he became security of Frederick Davenport as guardian to John & Susan Combs. He now fears that he may suffer in consequence of doing so and petitions the court to have Frederick Davenport give other security at the July term.

Summons issued 26 May 1830 for Frederick Davenport guardian of John & Susan Combs to appear in court July next to answer the petition of Richard Howett and to give other security to his guardian bond for John & Susan Combs.

Bond dated 28 Jul 1830 in the amount of five thousand dollars appointing Ephraim Mann guardian of John H. Combs a minor orphan, Samuel Leigh & John Midgett securities.

Petition January term 1831 by Joseph Owens and his wife Susan Owens who state that sundry negroes and chattel property of the estate of Will Combs are in common ownership between petitioner Susan Owens and John H. Combs children of Will Combs. Said property is seven negroes named Peter, Stephen, Len, Clark, Love, Eliza & Gilbert, and are in the possession of Frederick Davenport who was appointed guardian to John H. & Susan. Petitioner Joseph Owens has intermarried with said Susan and is thereby entitled to her distributive share of the estate of her deceased father in the hands of her guardian. John H. Combs is still a minor. Petitioners request a division of the negroes and chattel property.

Petition in April term 1834 by William Mann and William Etheridge & wife Harriet who are tenants in common of a tract of land formerly the property of William Combs deceased which adjoins Ephraim Mann, John Thoroughgood's heirs, John Midgett & Leml. Bassnett. Petitioner Will Mann further shows that he purchased from Joseph Owens & wife Susan & John H. Combs their 2/3 interest in this tract of land and now they request a division of this tract according to the 2/3 interest of William Mann and the 1/3 interest of William Etheridge and wife Harriett.

Transcriber's Notes:
Tyrrell County marriage bonds show the marriage of William Combs to Charlotte Pledger on 14 Aug 1818, Frederick Davenport security; also Lewis Midyett to Charlotte Combs on 28 Jun 1819, Selby Pledger security; also Harriet Combs to William Etheridge on 7 Jun 1824, George H. Alexander security; also Susan Combs to Joseph Owens on 28 Nov 1829, Zachariah W. Pendlton security; also John H. Combs to Maria Bassnight on 20 Feb 1834, William Etheridge security.
Lewis Midyett is age 68 and Charlotte Midyett is age 52 in the 1850 Tyrrell County census. John H. Combes is age 39 and Maria Combes is age 35 in the 1850 Tyrrell County census.
Lewis Combs died in 1823. See court minutes and estate papers.
Court minutes and the estate papers of William Midyett who died in 1815 indicate that William Combs was his son in law and that he was married to William Midyett's daughter Dorothy.

Return to Tyrrell County Probate Records

Updated October 14, 2020
Charles W. Barnes