"John D. COMBS, one of the oldest setters of King River Township was born in Warren County, Tenn., November 17, 1815, being the son of Jeremiah and Charity (RHODES) Combs.

The father was born in East Tennessee in 1790, and died in Madison County, Ark., in 1866. He followed agricultural pursuits all his life. At the age of twenty he married Miss RHODES, a native of North Carolina, who moved with her parents to Warren County, Tenn., when a young girl. She died in Madison County, Ark., in 1860, at the age of sixty-one or sixty-two. They were members of the Baptist Church for many years, and he was deacon of the same. He was a Democrat in his political views.

To their marriage were born twelve children, eight now living: Nancy, widow of Thomas CLARK; John D.; Emeline, widow of James McELHANEY; Tennessee, widow of George W. KING; Mason C.; Sarah, widow of Caroll LANE; Wheeling and Jesse R.

John D. COMBS left the paternal roof at the age of twenty-one, and January 25, 1837, he married Miss Phoebe GAGE, who was born in Overton County, Tenn., July 4, 1821, and is the daughter of William GAGE.

This union has been blessed by twelve children, seven now living: Amelia, wife of James T. HOLT; Surilda, wife of John ARMSTRONG; George W., Amos Levi, Andrew J., Jonathan E., and Susan, wife of James SANDERS. Those deceased were named America, Alfred, Calvin, Julia and Eldora Bell.

Mr. COMBS began improving his present farm when seventeen years of age, and has been a farmer and stock raiser all his life. He is the owner of 192 acres of valley land, and although starting with little means he has, with the help of his sensible and practical wife, succeeded so well that they can pass their declining years in comparative comfort.

He is a Democrat in his political views, and an enterprising member of society. He built the first frame house on King River, and made the first plank floor, which he sawed by hand. Mrs. COMBS has been a member of the Baptist Church since a young woman. Both Mr. and Mrs. COMBS have the respect and esteem of all who know them." (Goodspeeds' History of Northwest, Arkansas…)

(Hawkins Co, TN DB3:69) Dtd. 2/22/1802 Reg. 11/1/1802

Trust Mason Combs to his Wife & Children
Registered 1 November 1802 Trans from Leber E, page 385
Know all men by these presents that I Mason Combs of the county of Hawkins and State of Tennessee for devers Good Causes & reasons well known, I do give & bequeath unto my wife Dorothy Combs Two Choice Cows all the Hogs & Sheep,two Sorrel mares all the beds & Furniture that now belongs to me to dispose of at her will after my decease the Tract of Land that I now live on I give and bequeath to my two Sons Simeon & Jeremiah to be Equally Divided between them Simeon to have the Lower end and Jeremiah Combs to have the upper End only Reserving to the use of their mother Dorothy Combs Ten acres out of each half when divided as She thinks proper to choose also the use of what Timber She may want for her use during her the two boys to have all the profits arising from Said Lands and their Mother to have the privilege of Renting and Seeing to the Said Land untill the boys comes of age [---] for all my Goods & chattles of every kinds whatsoever that now belongs to me I leive to my wife Dorothy Combs during her life or widowhood for the use and benefit of my children in Trust at the end of which it is to be Equally Divided among my surviving children only Simeon is to have the first Colt that the Big Sorrel mare brings and Jerry is to have as his own the yearlin colt now belonging to the Roan Mare Ther mother to have the charge & care of them untill the boys become of age and the Increase of sd colts young to Dispose of as She thinks fit. All these things I do Give and Grant as before mentioned and do heeby confirm.

In Witness of which I here unto set my hand & seal this 22nd day of February in the year of our Lord 1802.

Mason [M] Combs (Seal)
[his mark]

Signed sealed and Delivered in presence
of Wm Paine Jacob Manus
Martin Johnson.

State of Tennessee)

Hawkins County) August Session 1802

Then the within Deed was proven in open court by the oaths of William Paine Jacob Manus and Martin Johnson. Richard Mitchell--clerk

(Hawkins microfilm 972798 & 9)