After observing the action on the Coombs’ of North Cheriton (Ref Sommerset) I have been prodded to seek action on the Coombs’ of Bristol. Henry COOMBS joined the Royal Marines in Bristol on 18 May 1825. He said then that he was born in the parish of St Phillip & Jacob, Bristol and the Magistate recorded that he was twenty years of age. I have found a marriage for him on the B & A FHS CD on 28 May 1822 to Mary TUTTON (prob born 1801/2) at Bristol ST James.
Henry’s military record records his discharge around 10 November 1852 and a hand written notation on it indicates that he then returned to Bristol although I have found no record of them on any census after 1851 when they were still at Plymouth. The return to Bristol seems likely because their third son, Jesse COOMBS married Elizabeth MERCHANT there in Jan of 1866 before emigrating to New Zealand a few years later.
I know nothing more of Henry COOMBS and his wife Mary nee TUTTON. I can find no birth record for either of them and only a couple of possible death registrations. My attempts to track down their birth records in particular have come to nothing but frustration
Their family so far as I know it from FHS CDs, censuses and civil reg. is as follows.
Elizabeth bapt. 28 Dec 1823, Bedminster, prob marr William(?) GEORGE about 1830
William Henry bapt. 2 Jan 1831 Bedminster
Charles James born 3 Jul 1836 East Stonehouse
Emma Jane born 26 Jan 1838 East Stonehouse buried 14 May 1840
Jesse born mid 1840 but no bapt nor registration. Died in Christchurch New Zealand 25 March 1908
George born 8 Sept 1842 East Stonehouse marr Mary BLAKE 1866
Have also posted in Sommerset
I would be grateful for any help
Alan Coombs, Christchurch, New Zealand.
