William Coombs

Profile & Legacies Summary

No Dates

Biography

Owner of Stony Hill estate in St Ann, Jamaica. Died in 1801. According to the transfer of property in the slave registers, his executor was Rose Coombs and his legatees were Robert Francis Coombs, Richard Coombs and Rose Coombs.

Described as a 'free person' in the Jamaica Almanac of 1816 so very likely of African heritage.
The will of William Coombs of St Ann, planter, was written and proved in Jamaica in 1801. His main legatees were his natural children William James, John, Mary Ann, Diana Elizabeth, Olive, Richard, Rose [note Rose is male], Samuel and Robert Francis.
Mary Ann Coombs, daughter of William Coombs, age 13 years, was baptised in St Ann 27/06/1811; her sponsors were Ralph Walker and Eliz. Thompson. A group of people with the surname Coombs were baptised at Ochos Rios 24/02/1814: John R. Coombs (age 29), Mary E. Coombs (age 28), William James Coombs (age 25), Susanna Ann Coombs (age 23), Robert Coombs (age 17), Richard Coombs (age 42) and Olivia Coombs (age 29).
Tentative association with the William Coombs who owned 23 enslaved people and 53 stock in St Ann in 1792.

Sources

Jamaica Almanac (1816).
Copy of the will of William Coombs provided by Hermione Hellyer.
Familysearch.org, Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online].
'A list of slaves and stock in the parish of St Ann taken the 28th March 1792 pursuant to order of the Honourable House of Assembly', Edward Long Papers, Add. 12435, transcribed at http://www.jamaicanfamilysearch.com/Members/m/mstann1792.htm [accessed 19/02/2015].

Further Information

Children

[illeg.] William James, John, Mary Ann, Diana Elizabeth, Olive, Richard, Rose, Samuel, Robert Francis

Will

Precis of the will of William Coombs

William Combs of St Ann, planter, being very sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory.

First, settlement of just debts.

To my heir at law whever he or she may be who I suppose may exist somewhere in the Kingdom of England the sum of £20 Jamaican currency in full lieu and being of any inheritance, claim or demand whatsoever that he or she may have.

To my natural son William James Coombs that piece or parcel of land on which he now resides consisting 20 acres and six new negroes who bought out of my estate for the term of his natural life. Immediately after his decease to deliver and go to my natural son John Combs to hold for him and his heirs forever.

To my natural son John Coombs eight new negroes to be bought for him out of my estate as soon after my decease as possible to hold unto him, his heirs and assigns forever.

To my natural daughter Mary Ann Coombs six prime new negroes to be bought for her out of my estate in the first year after my decease to hold unto her and her heirs and assigns forever.

To my two natural daughters Diana Elizabeth Coombs and Olive Coombes the sum of £1000 sterling each, and to the heirs of their bodys. Should either die without issue then her part to her sister. In case both should die without issue, then the sums to return and be deemed a part of my estate.

All rest, residue and remainder both real and personal in this island or elsewhere, to my four natural sons Richard Coombs, Rose Coombs, Samuel Coombs and Robert Francis Coombs jointly forever, that is to say my estate be kept together by my executors hereinafter named and the income to be equally divided, share and share alike. If any of my sons should die without lawful issue, then his or their part to devolve to the survivors of them. If all of these sons should die without lawful issue then all that I have bequeathed herein unto them shall devolve to my son John Combs and his heirs and assigns forever.

All of my daughters to have full liberty to live and reside in my dwelling house until they may think property to remove without any manner of interruption or hindrance.

Sarah Gilderfleece [Guildersleeve?], a white woman now residing on my property, shall not be allowed to reside there any longer after my decease.

If any of my said children should attempt to convenience[?] any seict[?] at law or lay any claim under any will, deed or [?]ment of writing whatsoever from Robert Terry, that him her or them seeking such attempt shall be cut off from any bequest herein made them and receive from my estate £10 Jamaican currency in lieu thereof.

My four sons John Coombs, Rose Combes, Samuel Coombes and Robert Francis Coombs when he shall attain the age of 21 years to be my executors.

Signed 29/01/1801.

Registered in Jamaica 25/04/1801.

[Copy of original provided by Hermione Hellyer]

Occupation

Planter

Associated Estates (2)

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