Person Page - 83

     Timothy Holcombe was born on 25 February 1756 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ He was the son of Capt. Hezekiah Holcombe and Susanna Alderman.⁴ Timothy Holcombe married Elizabeth Griffin, daughter of Benoni Griffin and Mary DeLacy.

Simsbury Records. They moved to Salisbury, Ct., and later to West Virginia. He had a Revolutionary War Pension.

Additional information on this family is from James Schultz, waldenwalnuts@yahoo.com , Oregon, IL 61061.

Michael O'Farrell has done considerable research on this line and consulted with James Schultz and come to the following conclusions in an email dated 21 February 2011:

Despite what is claimed in McPherson, Timothy, son of Hezekiah and Susanna (Alderman) Holcomb, was not a lieutenant. According to his pension file, he served in the Revolutionary War on three separate occasions and each time as a private. He also stated in his application that he had lived in Simsbury until removing to Bath Co, Va, at age 33. Therefore, it seems unlikely that Timothy ever lived in Salisbury, Connecticut, as is claimed in McPherson's book. He was drafted and guarded military stores in Litchfield for a while, near the end of the war. Perhaps that is where the confusion arose.

Also note that, since Timothy and wife Elizabeth lived in Simsbury, I assume that all of their children with birth dates prior to 1789-90, or so, were born there, and not in Salisbury, as McPherson has them.

While I am as yet not absolutely certain, I do not personally believe that Timothy Holcomb actually lived in Greenbrier Co, as is claimed. He owned land in that county, but all of the data I have so far places him in the counties of Bath and Pocahontas. There is some uncertainty, though, and we must exercise some caution. Last I heard, local historians were still attempting to locate Timothy's initial residence in what is now Pocahontas Co, WVa. I also happen to know that he owned more than one home and would relocate his entire household from one to another on a whim. So, the jury is still out on this one, but it is something of which we should be aware.

     Elizabeth Griffin was born on 26 May 1755 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Benoni Griffin and Mary DeLacy. Elizabeth Griffin married Timothy Holcombe, son of Capt. Hezekiah Holcombe and Susanna Alderman. Elizabeth Griffin died after 12 April 1808 at White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier Co., VA.¹

Bowman thinks Elizabeth is the daughter of Levi Griffin.

     Timothy Holcombe III was born circa 1802.^1,2 He was the son of Timothy Holcombe II and Mary A. Chesnut. Timothy Holcombe III married Hannah Ruckman on 19 June 1828. Timothy Holcombe III married Mary Ann Ettenburn circa 1865 at Caldwell Co., MO.² Timothy Holcombe III died after 1880 at probably Mirabile, Caldwell Co., MO.²

Notes from William E. Walsh Billie0W@aol.com.

     Hannah Ruckman was born on 12 March 1798 at Lower Back Creek, Bath Co., VA.¹ She married Timothy Holcombe III, son of Timothy Holcombe II and Mary A. Chesnut, on 19 June 1828. Hannah Ruckman died circa 1855.¹

     Charles Timothy Holcombe was born on 25 February 1839 at VA.¹ He was the son of Timothy Holcombe III and Hannah Ruckman. Charles Timothy Holcombe married Cecilia Ellen Wonsetler, daughter of Matthias Wahnsidel and Mary Ann Ettenburn, on 18 April 1865. Charles Timothy Holcombe died on 24 August 1915 at Baline Co., OK, at age 76.

     Cecilia Ellen Wonsetler was born on 22 February 1848 at Fayette Co., PA. She was the daughter of Matthias Wahnsidel and Mary Ann Ettenburn. Cecilia Ellen Wonsetler was also known as Celia Ellen Wahnsidel. Cecilia Ellen Wonsetler was also known as Cecilia Ellen Wonseller. She married Charles Timothy Holcombe, son of Timothy Holcombe III and Hannah Ruckman, on 18 April 1865. Cecilia Ellen Wonsetler died on 26 March 1924 at Booker, TX, at age 76.

     Albert Chestnut Holcombe was born on 2 April 1874 at Caldwell Co., MO. He was the son of Charles Timothy Holcombe and Cecilia Ellen Wonsetler. Albert Chestnut Holcombe married Rosetta Dean, daughter of Heney Arthur Dean and Alice McCannon, on 23 April 1923 at First Baptist Church, Beaver Co., OK. Albert Chestnut Holcombe died on 11 October 1964 at Enid, Garfield Co., OK, at age 90. He was buried at Ames, OK.

Albert C. and Rosetta were enumerated in the 1930 Logan, Bever Co., OK, federal census. He was a farmer, age 56, she was 26. Children in the household were Alice Irene 5, Roy H, 2 years 5 months, and Ronald R. 3 months.

     Rosetta Dean was born on 20 February 1904 at Shawnee, Pottawatomie Co., OK Terr. She was the daughter of Heney Arthur Dean and Alice McCannon. Rosetta Dean married Albert Chestnut Holcombe, son of Charles Timothy Holcombe and Cecilia Ellen Wonsetler, on 23 April 1923 at First Baptist Church, Beaver Co., OK. Rosetta Dean died on 20 September 1937 at Ames, OK, at age 33.

     Alice Irene Holcombe was born on 22 February 1925 at Elmwood, Beaver Co., OK. She was the daughter of Albert Chestnut Holcombe and Rosetta Dean. Alice Irene Holcombe married Floyd Earl Smith on 26 October 1946 at Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS. Alice Irene Holcombe died on 19 March 2006 at Enid, Garfield Co., OK, at age 81.

From the Enid News and Eagle March 21, 2006:

Funeral services for Alice I. Smith, age 81, of Enid, will be Wednesday, March 22, 2006, at 3 p.m. at the Davis Park Christian Church. Rev. Steve Driskill will officiate. Burial will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements made by Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

She was born in Ames, OK, February 22, 1925, to Albert Chestnut and Rosetta Dean Holcomb and died at Integris Bass Baptist Health Center March 19, 2006.

She graduated from Ames High School. On October 26, 1946, she married Floyd Smith in Wichita, KS. Floyd preceded Alice in death February 1981, due to a vehicle accident.

She lived and farmed in the Breckenridge and Kremlin area until she moved to Enid in 1996.

Alice was a member of the Davis Park Christian Church, and active in the Christian Women’s Fellowship, Retired Christians and Growing Sunday School Class. She loved to paint pictures, and she also enjoyed writing.

She is survived by her daughter, Betty Rose Walsh of Enid; grandchildren, Hosteen Jay Walsh, Charis Kay Walsh Griffin, and Villimy Dy Walsh; six great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by two brothers and her parents.

     Floyd Earl Smith was born on 12 February 1918 at Enid, Garfield Co., OK. He married Alice Irene Holcombe, daughter of Albert Chestnut Holcombe and Rosetta Dean, on 26 October 1946 at Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS. Floyd Earl Smith died on 26 February 1981 at Breckinridge, Garfield Co., OK, at age 63.

     Joseph Alderman was born on 30 June 1697 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ He was the son of William Alderman and Mary Case. Joseph Alderman married Mindwell Case, daughter of William Case and Elizabeth Holcombe, on 30 June 1720 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ Joseph Alderman died on 23 September 1782 at age 85.⁴

Mindwell was a great-granddaughter of Thomas Holcombe , the immigrant.

     Mindwell Case was born on 21 March 1700. She was the daughter of William Case and Elizabeth Holcombe. Mindwell Case married Joseph Alderman, son of William Alderman and Mary Case, on 30 June 1720 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³

Ruth Cost Duncan cites the Simsbury Vital Records.

     Susannah Holcombe was born on 8 May 1753 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ She was the daughter of Capt. Hezekiah Holcombe and Susanna Alderman. Susannah Holcombe married Samuel Forward, son of Abel Forward and Hannah Phelps. Susannah Holcombe died on 31 December 1832 at age 79.⁴ She was buried at Aurora Cemetery, Aurora, Portage Co., OH.⁴

Simsbury Records say "mary" 8, 1753.

Moved to Aurora Township, in OH in 1803.

     Samuel Forward was born on 21 April 1752 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Abel Forward and Hannah Phelps.¹ Samuel Forward married Susannah Holcombe, daughter of Capt. Hezekiah Holcombe and Susanna Alderman. Samuel Forward died in 1821.

     Capt. Jesse Holcombe was born on 20 November 1759 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ He was the son of Capt. Hezekiah Holcombe and Susanna Alderman. Capt. Jesse Holcombe married Lovisa Pinney, daughter of Jonathan Pinney and Lydia Case. Capt. Jesse Holcombe died on 21 June 1827 at age 67.⁴ He was buried at St. Andrews Episcopal Church Cemetery, Bloomfield, Hartford Co., CT.⁴

They lived in Mesopotamia, Ohio and Trumbell County, OH, and are listed in Trumbell County History books.

     Chloe Holcombe was born on 16 November 1767 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Capt. Hezekiah Holcombe and Susanna Alderman. Chloe Holcombe died on 21 June 1855 at age 87.¹ She was buried at East Granby Cemetery, East Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹

Chloe Holcombe and Chloe Holcombe are listed by different sources as the spouse of Capt. Roswell Phelps.
Findagrave memorial # 10742092 shows that the Chloe that Married Roswell Phelps and Samuel Alderman was the daugher of Hezekiah and Susanna (Alderman) Holcombe.

Gravestone: relict of Samuel Woodruff Esq. and formerly wife of Capt. Roswell Phelps aged 85

There is confusion over the parents of the Chloe that married Capt. Phelps.

Seaver, Weir and SS but not in Simsbury records.

     Abel Holcombe was born in 1761. He was the son of Capt. Hezekiah Holcombe and Susanna Alderman. Abel Holcombe married Elizabeth Pinney, daughter of Jonathan Pinney and Lydia Case, on 1 April 1779. Abel Holcombe died on 12 September 1833 at Windham, Greene Co., NY. He was buried at Big Hollow (now Maplecrest), Windham, Greene Co., NY.^5,6

Seaver, Weir, and SS but not in Simsbury records. Abel had a Revolutionary War Pension.

Abel was enumerated in the 1790 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, federal census. There were 3 males and 4 females in the household.

Abel was enumerated in the 1800 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, federal census. There were 6 males and 5 females in the household.

Abel was enumerated in the 1810 Windham, Greene Co., NY, federal census. There were 6 males and 6 females in the household.

"Moved from Granby, Connecticut to Greene County, New York, followed by his family. They were among the pioneers of Greene County; his sons Friend, Homer and Carlos bought a large tract of timberland and built a sawmill, a large tannery, store and residence, at Big Hollow (now Maplecrest), carrying on business until about 1845, when they sold the property to Pratt & Robinson… Abel 2nd lived with his father, Abel 1st, at Jewett Heights, Greene County… Abel 1st was buried in the Cemetery at Big Hollow (now Maplecrest). -- From the Holcomb(e) Genealogy, by Jesse Seaver (1926)

Abel Holcomb came from Granby, Connecticut, in 1802. He located in Jewett with a family of 10 children. He was a farmer, an Episcopalian, and a member of the Ashland church. Friend Holcomb was the second son of Abel, and Homer, his brother, the fourth. These two came from Jewett to Big Hollow in 1821, and located 640 acres of land, heavily timbered with hemlock, beech, and maple. One of their first enterprises was the building of the Holcomb saw-mill, in 1822, on their tract, now the Palmer Joslyn farm. They had a fall of 20 feet, and used a flutter wheel. They sawed the lumber for their tannery, and for their dwelling houses. The first house built was that occupied by Zeal Rose. The entire family followed from Jewett and untied their efforts in the erection of the different buildings. A blacksmith shop was built, and a brickyard started, first at the flat in the rear of the Methodist Episcopal church, and then in the rear of the old residence. In these yards were made the bricks used in the chimneys of the tannery, and other buildings. A store was built in 1826, and is now occupied by Z. Rose as a wagon house. The tannery was completed in 1827. It had a cast iron bark-mill, and a wood hide-mill, propelled by a 12 foot overshot wheel. It had 150 vats, and 2,000 cords of bark were annually used. This tannery was operated till about 1848, when it was purchased by Pratt & Robertson, who continued it till 1854." from the History of Greene County, New York With Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men, 1884 by J. B. Beers and Co.

From Greene County Revolutionary War Pensioners - 1835:
Abel Holcomb, Private in the Connecticut Militia, received an annual allowance of $26.66 effective March 4, 1831, total amount received was $69.28, was granted the pension on May 29, 1833 at the age of 73. Died September 13, 1833. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/nygreen2/pensioners_1835.htm.

     Seth Holcombe was born on 22 May 1768 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Capt. Hezekiah Holcombe and Susanna Alderman. Seth Holcombe married Deborah Bates. Seth Holcombe died on 4 November 1804 at age 36. He was buried at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Cemetery, Bloomfield, Hartford Co., CT.²

     Deborah Bates was born in 1768. She married Seth Holcombe, son of Capt. Hezekiah Holcombe and Susanna Alderman. Deborah Bates died in 1857.

     Thomas Griffin was born on 3 October 1658 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Sergeant John Griffin and Anna Bancroft.¹ Thomas Griffin married Elizabeth Welton.

     Elizabeth Welton married Thomas Griffin, son of Sergeant John Griffin and Anna Bancroft.

     Bathsheba Holcombe was born on 3 January 1721.¹ She was the daughter of Joshua Holcombe III and Marey Griffin.¹

     Joel Holcombe was born in 1723. He was the son of Joshua Holcombe III and Marey Griffin.

     Joshua Holcombe IV was born on 2 February 1724 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^4,5 He was the son of Joshua Holcombe III and Marey Griffin.⁶ Joshua Holcombe IV married Martha Griffin, daughter of Stephen Griffin and Mary (?). Joshua Holcombe IV died on 16 April 1784 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 60. He was buried at East Granby Smallpox Cemetery, East Granby, Hartford Co., CT.

Bowman found this death date to be 1772 while Seaver states he died in 1784 of small pox. If he died in 1772, his widow could be the Mrs. Martha Jr. who married Adonjah Ford in August 1772 (GR), If he died in 1784, his widow could be the one who married Rene Cossitt in 1786. There is a picture of the tombstone of Deacon Joshua who died n 1784 on page 44 of Weir, but one should be cautious in reading tombstones, see the article by McCracken in TAG 44:58-60. Seaver and Simsbury records indicate that Joshua had children.

Thomas Howard, the head of the East Granby Historical Society, found that Deacon Joshua Holcombe is buried on the crest of Hatchet Hill, a few feet east of the Meacomet Trail. His 10-month old granddaughter, Ruth Ford, who died two days earlier, is buried a few feet away. Mr. Howard believes that she also died if the smallpox epidemic that took so many lives at that time. Also in the graveyard are the bodies of Ruth's cousins, 2 year-old Caleb Holcomb, who died on April 6, 1788, and his 1-year-old twin sisters, Amarilla and Boadica who died in March 1793; Caleb and his sisters share one headstone.

William E. Talbot, took Joshua's stone and constructed a foundation fo a large tool shed, which was later converted to a home. Tom Howard has started a fund to replace the stones on the original graves.

From the Granby News, 19 March 2012:

EAST GRANBY — Tom Howard, a local historian and retired high school teacher, is working to make sure a man and his grandchildren, struck down in the 1780s and 1790s by small pox, are not forgotten.

“Hikers walk by it on the Metacomet Trail overlooking the valley, never aware that a grandfather lies buried alongside four of his grandchildren,” Howard said.

Deacon Joshua Holcomb, age 61, died of smallpox on April 16, 1784. His 9-month-old granddaughter Ruth Ford died two days earlier.

A grandson died in his second year of life, in 1788, and twin 12-month-old granddaughters died in 1793.

Howard believes the graves are isolated in this wooded area, on the hill north of Hatchet Hill Road in East Granby, because the deaths were all due to small pox, a fearsome and highly contagious disease.

Howard learned that headstones for the five members of the Holcomb family vanished 70 years ago from the smallpox cemetery, and were encased in a concrete wall in 1939.

“They could not be salvaged,” he said. “New stones have had to be cut.”

Tom Howard and his wife Virginia have been working for 15 years to restore the burial ground, and this summer three new headstones should be in place.

Ground penetrating radar, or GPR, will be needed to find the exact placement of the graves, and therefore the headstones.

But GPR is expensive, and Howard hopes readers will donate to The Smallpox Restoration Fund, c/o the first National Bank of Suffield, Center Shops, East Granby, CT 06026.

“In addition, Connecticut statutes governing ancient burial ground restorations require that descendants of the deceased be contacted for consent if graves are moved or disturbed or headstones removed,” he said.

“In this case graves will not be disturbed, and three headstones will be returned to mark the passing of these Holcomb family members.”

If you are a descendant of Deacon Joshua Holcomb (1723-1784) who died of smallpox, please contact Howard at Thomas.f.howard@snet.net or 860-658-0232.

Howard is also looking for eyewitnesses and photographs of the cemetery before 1940, to learn the exact positions of the headstones.

For more information, read “Mysteries of the Smallpox Cemetery,” an article Howard wrote in 2008 for the Simsbury Free Library newsletter.

     Martha Griffin was born in 1737. She was the daughter of Stephen Griffin and Mary (?) Martha Griffin married Joshua Holcombe IV, son of Joshua Holcombe III and Marey Griffin.

     Keziah Holcombe was born on 2 April 1728 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Joshua Holcombe III and Marey Griffin.² Keziah Holcombe married Joseph Alderman Jr., son of Joseph Alderman and Mindwell Case, on 13 November 1745 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³

Simsbury Vital Records says Keziah is the daughter of Joshua Holcomb Jr.

     Zilpah Holcombe was born on 12 August 1730 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Joshua Holcombe III and Marey Griffin.² Zilpah Holcombe married Anthony Rogers.

Zilpah must have died about 1782 and Anthony Rogers left, shortly thereafter, as a Loyalist, for Saint John, New Brunswick. Anthony sailed, from New York City with the “Spring Fleet” in 1783. He took with him his sons, Anthony, John and Edward. James remained in Simsbury and lived with school teacher Joshua Holcomb; Joel Eno appointed guardian for James. ³

     Anthony Rogers married Zilpah Holcombe, daughter of Joshua Holcombe III and Marey Griffin.

     Marriage in TAG.

Simsbury VR page 220, show a "Ahinoah Holcomb" married 25 September 1780 Obadiah Hayes. Could this be a second marriage for her? Alinoam Holcombe was born on 17 February 1732/33 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² She was the daughter of Joshua Holcombe III and Marey Griffin.³ Alinoam Holcombe married Elijah Alderman, son of John Alderman and Sarah Case. Alinoam Holcombe died on 11 April 1750 at age 17.⁴

     Elijah Alderman was born in 1722.¹ He was the son of John Alderman and Sarah Case. Elijah Alderman married Alinoam Holcombe, daughter of Joshua Holcombe III and Marey Griffin. Elijah Alderman married Deborah (?) Elijah Alderman left a will on 10 January 1779.¹ He died on 11 January 1779.¹ He was buried at Episcopal Church Cemetery, North Bloomfield, Hartford Co., CT.¹ His estate was probated on 2 April 1779 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹

Elijah resided in Simsbury all his life, his home being in that section known as East Granby. The Turkey Hills Parish register shows that Elijah was a member of a committee 1776 to 1778. They were members of the Episcopal Church of North Bloomfield, known as Scotland, and their bodies lie buried in the cemetery opposite the church.

Elijah's eldest son Elijah, was executor of his will. Asahel Holcomb was appointed guardian for Gad who was fourteen years old, and Nathaniel Phelps was appointed guardian of John who was under fourteen.

Elijah enlisted in the 1st Co. of the 3rd Regiment of Windham, CT, commanded by Col. E. Dyer, on September 12, 1755, and was discharged December 8, 1755. He again enlisted on March 27, 1756, with the rank of Corporal, under Col. Phineas Lyman of Suffield, CT, and was discharged November 14, 1756.²