Reference code: GB-0033-CCOM
Title: Dean Comber Collection
Dates of creation: 1581-1930s, but chiefly 17th to early 19th centuries
Extent: ¾ metre of volumes plus ½ metre of boxed papers
Held by: Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections (5 The College)
Origination: Members of the Comber and related families, but chiefly Alice Thornton (1626–1707), Thomas Comber (1645-1699) and Thomas Comber (1765-1835), creators
Language: English with some manuscripts in Latin
The collection includes correspondence, manuscripts and printed items from the following members of the Comber and related families, plus some other family or miscellaneous items.
Given to Durham Cathedral in two batches, the first by A.G. Hickson in 1969, and the second by Patrick Comber in 2019. Both donations have been transferred into the custody of Durham University (accession refs Misc.2013/14:36 and
Misc.2019/20:15).
Open for consultation.
Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from the Reprographics Officer at Durham Cathedral Library (library@durhamcathedral.co.uk). The Library will assist where possible with identifying
copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.
The collection has been arranged by original owners or creators of the books and manuscripts, as outlined under Contents, rather than in numerical or accession order. The numbers can be used to relate items to their original acquisition by Durham
Cathedral.
The first donation of material was partly numbered during the 20th century. This numbering sequence was continued in 2021 for the printed items from the second donation, followed by manuscript items from both donations. To determine the immediate
provenance for items listed within this catalogue, consult the following list.
First donation, given to Durham Cathedral 1969: CCOM 1-16, 25, 31-33, 39-46, 49-56. 99-104
Second donation, given to Durham Cathedral 2019: CCOM 17-24, 26-30, 34-38, 47-48, 57-98
Two brief lists for the first donation by A.G. Hickson of 1969 are kept with the collection. One of these lists includes numbered items, but the numbers do not relate to those currently used within the collection.
Printed books are listed within the
library printed catalogue, where they can be found by doing a shelfmark search for 'CCOM'. Manuscripts
and archives are listed within this catalogue.
See under papers of
Dean Thomas Comber (1645-1699) for items held within other collections, both within Durham Cathedral Library and elsewhere.
Additional diaries of
Alice Thornton (1626–1707) are noted within the
online Catalogue of English Literary
Manuscripts 1450–1700.
See under the papers of
Alice Thornton (1626–1707) and
Dean Thomas Comber (1645-1699) for references to published editions of some of their works.
Papers of Alice Thornton (1626–1707)Dates of creation: 1639-1699 (plus item published 1777-1778)
Extent: 3 volumes and 2 folders
Includes some items from or by her father, Christopher Wandesford
Alice Thornton was a daughter of Christopher Wandesford (1592-1640, latterly Lord Deputy of Ireland), and married William Thornton of East Newton in Yorkshire, in 1651. Her journals, reworked and rewritten on several occasions, were published in
part in 1875.
Dean Thomas Comber married Alice and William Thornton's daughter, Alice Thornton (1654-1721), in 1668.
Ann Hughes,
“Thornton [née Wandesford], Alice (1626–1707), autobiographer”, in
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and
available online
Charles Jackson (ed.),
The autobiography of Mrs. Alice Thornton, of East Newton, co. York (Durham, 1875, Surtees Society number 62)
Manuscripts of Alice Thornton's autobiographical books are listed within the
online Catalogue of English Literary Manuscripts
1450–1700 (CELM), two of which (there referenced as *Tha4 and *Tha6) are part of this collection, under references CCOM 7 and CCOM 38 respectively.
The books are the subject of a research project based at the University of Edinburgh,
“Alice Thornton's Books: Remembrances of a Woman's Life in the Seventeenth Century”, see also the project website at
https://thornton.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/, which will host a full edition of all Alice Thornton's autobiographical books. Their identification as the two 'untraced' MSS recorded in CELM is reported in a
blog piece on the project website.
CCOM 7 ca.1668
Language: English and Latin
Autobiographical account of Alice Thornton, written in English
Alice Thornton's autobiography is written as multiple episodes or chapters at p.1-291, and followed by items written by her great great grandson,
Thomas Comber (1765-1835), viz:
p.293-301: copy of correspondence between Alice Thornton and Mary Comber (mother of Thomas Comber), 1669 (original letters survive at
CCOM 57/2-3)
p.303-341: autobiographical account of Thomas Comber (1765-1835), apparently written in 1827 (bottom of p.438). Written in Latin and headed, “De Providentia et bonitate Dei erga Thomam Comber, cujus proavus erat
Thomas Comber S.T.P. Dunelmensis Decanus” (see also
CCOM 37)
Identified within
Catalogue of English Literary Manuscripts 1450–1700 as *Tha4, where it is noted as the second manuscript
used for the edition within Surtees Society no.62, and described there at p.xiv
Included within the
Alice Thornton's Books project as
Book 2: The First Book of My Widowed Condition (
Book 2)
one volume, 16 x 10cm (6 x 4"), 471p
Binding: bound in worn calf with very worn gold (now mostly blind) tooling, gilt edges, worn paper spine label "Madam Thornton's [Memoirs] Vol. 1"
Conservation work (repairs to cover and phase box), May 2022
CCOM 38 ca.1668
Autobiographical account of Alice Thornton, consisting of:
p1. Title page, “A booke of remembrances of all the remarkable deliuerances of my selfe, husband & children with theire births, and other remarks
as conserning my selfe & family begining from the yeare 1625”
p3. Note of her birth and baptism
p3 (bis). Prayer
p5-8. Dedication, prayer, observations, prayer
p9-153. Autobiography, 1631-1668, with years written at top of pages in a different ink (but same or similar hand)
p153-168. Verses, prayers and reflections
p[173]-[181]. Contents listing ("index")
p[182]-[190]. Additions, headed "Remembr to insert some remarks forgotten in this first book," being mainly an account of several dreams
p[191]-[196]. Final gathering, headed "A gratefull remembrance of what God ded for me in deliverance from a miscarriage ..."
Identified within
Catalogue of English Literary Manuscripts 1450–1700 as both *Tha5 and *Tha6, noted as desribed within
Surtees Society no.62 at p.xv and p.347
Included within the
Alice Thornton's Books project as
Book of Remembrances (
Book Rem)
Former box labelled, "Original MS diary of Mrs Alice Thornton 1625-1661 AD" and "R.H.J. Comber" (stored separately)
one volume (three gatherings, ca.196p), 13 x 10cm, boxed
Binding: Three gatherings measuring 10.5 x 8cm, followed by a slightly smaller gathering, in paper covers (front cover lost), all bound into worn,
oversize covers (marbled paper over two boards, which have been stitched together down the spine)
Conservation work (repairs to cover and dropback box), May 2022
CCOM 11 ca.1639-1640
Papers written, or apparently written, by Christopher Wandesford (Alice Thornton's father):
/1. Sheet of paper, "cifer for my Lord Wentworth," and "secret alphabet for the Earl of Strafford"
/2. Letter to Alice Thornton, 1639
1 folder
Two other letters formerly numbered as part of 'Comber 11' are now listed under the papers of Dean Thomas Comber at
CCOM 25.
CCOM 57 1664-1699
Correspondence of Alice Thornton with both Dean Thomas Comber (her son-in-law) and his mother, Mary Comber ("sweet sister")
1 folder, 7 letters
Conservation work (cleaning and paper repairs to CCOM 57/3,6), May 2022
CCOM 58 1651-1686
/1. Letter from William Thornton to Lady Wandesford, concerning property and his father-in-law Mr Gate(s), 1651
/2. Letter from Alice Thornton to her husband, undated [? 1668]
/3. Letter from Alice Thornton to her son, Revd [R] Thornton, 1686
1 folder, 3 letters
Conservation work (cleaning and paper repairs), May 2022
Papers of Dean Thomas Comber (1645-1699)Dates of creation: 1659-1711 (with some later items)
Extent: 9 volumes and ½ box
Thomas Comber was born 1645 in Westerham, Kent, studied at Sidney Suxxex College, Cambridge, 1659-1663, and married Alice Thornton (1654-1721), daughter of William and
Alice Thornton (1626–1707), in 1668. He was
ordained deacon in 1663 and priest in 1664, curate in Stonegrave (Yorkshire) from 1663, chaplain to the Thornton family of East Newton Hall from 1665, and to Lord Freschville from 1666, and rector of Stonegrave from 1669. He became a prebendary of
York in 1677, rector of Thornton-le-Dale in 1679 (held in plurality with Stonegrave), precentor of York in 1683 and dean of Durham in 1691. He died at East Newton in 1699 and was buried in Stonegrave.
Thomas Comber wrote an excursive commentary on the Book of Common Prayer, published as A Companion to the Temple in multiple parts and editions from 1672, and more polemical works directed against Catholics and Quakers, in support of tithes, as a
royalist in the Exclusion crisis and supporting the post-1688 settlement.
Arranged as follows:
- Manuscript books and sermons
- Correspondence and personal papers
- Additional items following his death
Andrew M. Coleby,
“Comber, Thomas (1645–1699), dean of Durham and liturgist”, in
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and
available online
C.E. Whiting (ed.),
The autobiographies and letters of Thomas Comber, sometime precentor of York and dean of Durham (Durham, 1946-1947, Surtees Society numbers 156-157). The introduction numbers Thomas Comber's manuscripts and papers
thus:
/5. Volumes within Durham Cathedral Library, part of the
Raine Manuscripts, refs Raine 32-34
/7. Part of this collection, CCOM 28
/8. Part of this collection, CCOM 30
/9. Part of this collection, CCOM 27
/10. Items not traced, except for letter from Granville (now CCOM 60/5)
/11. Part of this collection, CCOM 29
/14. Items from [The British Library], now part of Add MS 4275 and ??? (the autobiography is noted as Add MS 4221 by Whiting but not apparently now referenced thus)
/15. Item from York Cathedral Library, not located within online library catalogue
/16. Typescript family history, untraced
/17. Part of this collection, CCOM 47-48, or possibly another version of, or missing volume(s) from, the same
/18. Printed memoirs, as copy at CCOM 17-18
/19. Item from Sidney Sussex College, [Cambridge], not located within online library catalogue
In addition to the items listed by Whiting within Surtees Society volume 156 (see bibliography), Comber manuscripts also survive within the
Durham Cathedral Library Additional
Manuscripts, at refs CADD 14, 15 and 66.
CCOM 26 undated
Dean Thomas Comber's commentary on St Matthew's gospel (manuscript)
1 notebook (single gathering within recycled parchment cover)
CCOM 27 undated [chiefly 1659-1663]
Mixed notes by Dean Thomas Comber, noted by Whiting (Surtees Society number 156, p.xiii, item 9) as "appears to belong principally to the dean's college days"
The first section of the volume contains the following items, working from the front of the book (note that only every 10th folio is currently numbered):
f.1: notes on Greek language (Latin and Greek)
f.2-5r: Greek verses (or text for a play), with vocabulary lists and parts beginning with alpha (or a chorus)
f.5v: a page of Latin, subscribed T.C.
f.6-7r: pages written in code, making extensive use of numerals
f.7v: drawing of man sitting on a flying machine, sail-like structure above, being pulled by three birds
f.8: language notes (Greek), followed by some Latin verses (headed 'hora brevis ars longa')
f.9-13: sermons or lectures (Latin, dated 1659-1661), interspersed with some Latin verses
f.14-15: verses on the marriage and arrival of Queen Catherine (Latin and English)
f.16r: a page of Latin
f.16v-17: blank
f.18r: two letters (Latin), to Mr Netherrot and upon the death of Farwell, both dated October 1662
f.18v: blank
f.19r: outline for treatise on sin, grief etc (headed Lamenta)
f.19v-20r: blank pages, with heading Semons preached
f.20v-21r: notes on values or acreage of lands in Stonegrave
f.21v-23: blank
f.24r: schematic to analyse medical treatments (beginning, "Phisicke prescribes either")
Following a blank section (f.24v-45r), the final section of the volume has been written from the back of the volume - the folio numbers stated are as if reading from the front.
f.77r-73r (in reverse): notes on the logic of Franco Burgersdijk (Burgesdicius), Latin
f.73v-72r (in reverse): notes on algebra (division, golden rule, square root)
f.71v- 62v (in reverse): notes on Descartes (Principia Philosophiae, including sections on metaphysics and ethics), Latin
f.62r-55v (in reverse): blank
f.55r-53v (in reverse): "A calendar for the bible," i.e. a table setting out chapters of books of the bible to read for each day of the year
f.53r: "Physical notes," a list of units of weight
f.52v-48r (in reverse): medical recipes ("purging medicines," with prices, followed by recipes for cough, sore eyes, cloudy flux etc), English with a couple of recipes in Latin
f.48r-45v (in reverse): miscellaneous accounts of receipts and expenditure, including lists of clothes and books bought, 1663-1664
Inscribed 'Thomas Cumber' and 'Thomas Cumbar' inside front and back boards, with sketches and practice signatures inside back cover
1 volume
CCOM 28 undated [? 1670s]
Various curious MSS of Dean Comber, as listed in Surtees 156 (p.xii, item 7)
The first half of the book is paginated and includes the following contents:
p.1-27. An epitome of Dr More's Immortality of the Soule (English)
p.28-39. Epitome libri De Generatione Animalium a D're Harveio conscripti (Latin)
p.40-53. Epitome Exercitationum D'ris Charltoni De Oeconomia Animalis (Latin)
p.54-62. An epitome of Lux Orientalis [by Joseph Glanvill], headed on most pages Pre-existence of Soules, or, A key for Providence and ending with diagram p.62 (English)
p.63-69. Epitome Logica Gassendi (Latin)
p.70-76. Des Cartes De Passionibus (Latin)
p.77-81. blank
p.82-86. E Copernico redivivo a Danieli Lipstorfio conscripto excerpta
p.86-92. Various alphabets with notes on silent letters, accents and other letters (Latin)
p.93-96. Predestinationis examen per James Armin in declarat' sentent' sua (Latin)
p.97. Epitome praecipuorum capitum libri vocati, Missa mortua et sepulta per M'sr De Rodon (Latin, continues to foot of p.96)
p.98-109. blank
p.110-113. Notes on the Septuagint (headed De LXXII versione on first page, thereafter De LXX versione), in Latin
p.114-115. blank
p.116-124. Testimonia patrum etc de Canone S. Scripturae ut ab ecclesiis nostris vulgo traditur ex Rev'mi John Cosen Scholastica Historia, being chronological notes on biblical scholarship 102-1546 (Latin)
The central section of the book is blank. The last part of the book has been used for the following contents, working in reverse from the back (all written in Latin, with some Hebrew):
anatomical drawings, with keys (in Latin), 15
double pages
notes on Hebrew vocabulary (Psalms and Proverbs of Solomon), 3 pages
drawings of coins (with brief notes), 2 pages
brief autobiography (Semita brevis ... sive brevis narratio vitae meae, covering 1644-1673), 5 pages
1 volume
More, Henry, 1614-1687Harvey, William, 1578-1657Charleton, Walter, 1620-1707Glanvill, Joseph, 1636-1680Gassendi, Pierre, 1592-1655Descartes, René, 1596-1650Lipstorp, Daniel, 1631-1684Arminius, Jacobus, 1560-1609Derodon, David,
1600?-1664Cosin, John, 1594-1672 CCOM 29 1679-1694
Sermons of Dean Thomas Comber (manuscript), apparently in his own handwriting (according to inscription by his great grandson,
Thomas Comber of Creech St Michael, 1812)
Includes (inside title page f.1v) list of biblical references with dates preached, 1679-1694, and (f.8v, 9v, 10v) list of texts with biblical references and page numbers. Most sermons are 1-page summaries and include date [of preaching] at top.
Multiple versions of sermons on the same text have been grouped together
Recto sides are used for sermons as above, also the last 20 pages in reverse (the last are listed on f.10v)
Verso sides are written from the back of the volume in reverse, separately foliated, and include Comber's commentaries:
f.1-58: on the Ten Commandments
f.60-115: on the Lord's Prayer
After a section of blank verso pages, f.45v-28v includes (in reverse) further sermon texts and notes, most headed "A practicall exposition" with details of text and date preached.
1 volume
CCOM 30 1691-1699
Sermons of Dean Thomas Comber, in late 18th/19th century handwriting (possibly that of his great grandson
Thomas Comber). With introductory and conluding prayers written out at start. Partly written in reverse from
back of volume, using either both sides of the page or just the verso sides.
Whiting (Surtees Society vol.156, item 8 on p.xiii) identifies the sermons as being all composed after he became dean of Durham, with about 12 written out in full and 50 in the form of notes. Dates and places of preaching are stated for many of
the sermons.
1 volume
Enclosures within this volume have been removed and listed separately under the papers of Thomas Comber (1765-1835), as
CCOM 36.
CCOM 60 1670-1701
Letters to Dean Thomas Comber (T.C.), and to his wife/widow Alice, daughter of
Alice Thornton (1626–1707)
/1. James Comber (father) to T.C., about visits, 12 July 1670
/2. [Thomas Belasyse, Viscount (later Earl)] Fauconberg, to T.C. (noted on dorse that deanery of Durham “obtained through the interest of my Lord [Fauconberg]”), 1 February 1676
/3. H[ugh] Cholmeley [4th Baronet, 1632-1689] to T.C., promising the rectory of Thornton and requesting the matter be kept private, 9 March 1677
/4. Denis Granville to T.C., on proposed marriage of [Mr Wandesford] and [Daniel] Brevint's daughter [Charlotte], with lengthy comments on her looks and demeanour, 18 July 1681
/5-6. Denis Granville to T.C., requesting him to ask the new archbishop of York [John Dolben] to restore a weekly eucharist in the cathedral, 25 September and 22 October 1683
/7. Matthew Hutton to T.C., on financial arrangements and his genealogical research within the Dodsworth MSS [Bodleian Library], 9 September 1685
/8. John [Dolben, archbishop of] York to T.C., commenting on T.C.'s recommendations for preferments, 9 July 1691
/9. Eliza Hutton and Matthew Hutton (who refer to each other as cousins), to Alice Comber ("Mdm Comber") and Thomas Comber respectively, referring to the latters' move "so far northward that my litle cold body is not able to follow you," to
the delay in delivering of letters ("in which time one might have travelled from Constantinople"), to Matthew Hutton's lack of preferment (currently rector of Aynho), and to the death and charitable legacies of [Thomas Wood], bishop of Coventry and
Lichfield, 25 April 1692
/10. [Thomas Osborne, Marquess of] Carmarthen (noted as Duke of Leeds on the later cover sleeve), to T.C. ("good cosen"), in reply to a letter from T.C. apparently requesting a royal grant in relation to Newcastle upon Tyne ("what regulation
... the Town needs which is 12 miles north from you"), 7 May 1692
/11. James Comber (brother of T.C.) to Alice Comber (widow), concerning legacies and a debt due to him from T.C.'s estate, 11 January 1701
1 folder, 11 letters
Conservation work (cleaning and paper repairs to CCOM 60/1), May 2022
See also file of letters at
CCOM 25, from earlier donation.
Fauconberg, Thomas Belasyse, Earl, 1627-1700Cholmeley, Hugh, Sir,
1632-1689Grenville, Denis, 1637-1703Dolben, John, 1625-1686Hutton, Matthew 1638-1711Leeds, Thomas Osborne, Duke of, 1631-1712Brevint, Daniel, 1616-1695 CCOM 59 24 April 1671
Letter from Dean Thomas Comber to his mother, Mary Comber
1 item
CCOM 25 1676-1699
Letters to Dean Thomas Comber (T.C.), arranged in date order
/1. William Wandesforde [probably a son of Christopher Wandesford (1592-1640), and so brother of
Alice Thornton (1626–1707)] to T.C. ("nephew"), 18 February 1676. Complains about behaviour of Sir
Christopher [Wandesford, his brother] in relation to estate and inheritance matters, and to the will of his eldest brother John
/2. From “several gentlemen” (Ralph Egerton, Edward Hutchinson, John Leggard, William [?Cagley], John Knowsley, William Osbaldeston, Thomas Coundon, Matthew [?Inlaby]) to T.C., Mr Fairfax and Mr Hill, inviting
them to a meeting at Pickering in order to forumate an addressof thanks to the king for his declaration, written from Killane [Ireland], and forwarded by [agent] at Thornton, 29 July 1681
/3. Dr William Cave to T.C., referencing each other's books and asking about T.C.'s "history of excommunication", 1682
/4. G[ilbert] Burnet [later bishop of Salisbury] to T.C. (addressed as “The most honored, the Animadverter”), defending himself against T.C.'s objections, with copy of marginal notes made by T.C., 22 January
1683
/5. Henry Compton, bishop of London, to T.C., about potential preferment, 7 June 1684
/6. [Francis Turner], bishop of Ely, to T.C. , about potential preferment (with pencil doodles on dorse depicting hangings and a dog), 23 May 1686
/7. [Thomas Osborne], earl of Danby, to T.C. (addressed as “good cosin”), agreeing to be godfather to T.C.'s son [Thomas Comber, 1688-1765], 30 November 1688
/8. Royal dispensation to Dean Denis Granville to travel abroad for the sake of his health, addressed to sub-dean and chapter of Durham Cathedral, 28 March 1689
/9. Thomas [Lamplugh], archbishop of York, to T.C., complimenting him on his writing, 10 January [1691]
/10. William [Lloyd], bishop of St Asaph, to T.C., referencing his History of Liturgies and requesting help with locating books on the English Convocation following loss of books from Canterbury Province in the
Fire of London, 28 March 1690
/11. [John Bennet], Baron Ossulston, to T.C., supporting his preferment, 28 June 1690
/12. [Thomas Belasyse], Earl Fauconberg, to T.C., congratulating him on being made dean of Durham, 23 April 1691
/13. Thomas Lamplugh to T.C., about replacement of organ at York cathedral, 16 May 1691
/14. John [Tillotson], archbishop of Canterbury, to T.C., about preferment and T.C.'s answer to Brittam's complaint, 13 November 1692
/15. [Thomas Osborne], marquis of Carmarthen and Lord President of the Council, to T.C., with news of fleet and commissions of J.P.s, 29 June 1693
/16. John [Sharp], archbishop of York, to T.C., commenting on revisions to the Book of Common Prayer, 31 August 1696
/17. [Thomas] Gale, dean of York, to T.C., thanking him for his book and wishing success in “reduceing of Seperatists”, 21 January 1699
/18. Brian Stapylton to T.C., about estate at Dunsford, 14 October 1699
1 folder
Items 1-2 previously numbered Comber 11/3-4
Conservation work (cleaning and paper repairs to CCOM 25/17), May 2022
See also file of letters at
CCOM 60, from later donation.
Cave, William, 1637-1713Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715Compton, Henry, 1632-1713Turner, Francis, 1637–1700Leeds, Thomas Osborne, Duke of, 1631-1712Grenville, Denis, 1637-1703Lamplugh, Thomas, 1615-1691Lloyd, William, 1627-1717Fauconberg, Thomas Belasyse, Earl, 1627-1700Tillotson, John, 1630-1694Leeds, Thomas Osborne, Duke of, 1631-1712Sharp, John, 1645-1714Gale, Thomas, 1635?-1702 CCOM 61 15 March 1684
Dispensation by John (archbishop of York) to Thomas Comber from reading morning and evening prayer and from declaration of assent to Book of Common Prayer. Seal has been cut away
1 item
CCOM 62 1677-[1690s]
Summary by Thomas Comber of work that he has done:
/1. at York, for period 1677-1691 [prebendary, precentor from 1683]
/2. at Durham, with costs included, undated [dean from 1691]
1 folder, 2 items
CCOM 14 1699
Funeral sermon for Dean Thomas Comber (manuscript), by Charles Man, rector of Gilling, preached at Stonegrave
1 booklet (with paper covers)
CCOM 8 1699-1711
Accounts for the deanery following death of Dean Thomas Comber and his funeral expenses, with inventory of his goods and acquittance by his widow
1 folder
Formerly stored within 20th century brown envelope marked "funeral expenses & effects of Dean Comber," now destroyed
CCOM 17-18 1799
Memoirs of the life and writings of Thomas Comber ... by his great grandson Thomas Comber (1799), two copies
As
printed library catalogue
CCOM 31 1861
Letter or draft letter of thanks to Mrs Kipling for portrait of Dean Comber, to mark the occasion of its first appearance in Chapter Room, from Dean [George Waddington]
1 item (enveloped)
CCOM 32 undated [19th/early 20th century]
Engraving of Dean Thomas Comber as a young man, captioned with his date of death
1 item (in outsize folder)
CCOM 23 1946
Volume 1 of C.E. Whiting (ed),
The autobiographis and letters of Thomas Comber..., as
printed library catalogue
1 volume
Papers of Revd Thomas Comber (1722-1778)Dates of creation: 1702-1803 and undated
Extent: 3 volumes and a few boxed items
For papers of his wife's family, see under
Brooke family papers below.
Grandson of
Dean Thomas Comber (1645-1699), brother of
William Comber (1725-1810), father of
Thomas Comber (1765-1835). Married in 1763 Mary Brooke
(1739-1823), granddaughter of Thomas and Mary Brooke. The elder Mary Brooke (ca.1686-1768) was the youngest daughter of Dean Thomas Comber.
Born 1722 (from CCOM 65), graduated from Jesus College, Cambridge, 1744, ordained deacon 1745 and priest 1768, curate of Stonegrave from 1745, rector of Kirby Misperton from 1768, and of Buckworth and Morbone from 1770 to his death in 1778 (from
person ID 51863 within
Clergy of the Church of England Database)
CCOM 9 1702 and undated [? 19th century]
Almanack for 1702 (
News from the stars: or, an ephemeris for the year...), as
catalogued in printed library catalogue, interleaved and annotated with
recipes, cures etc
Identification with Thomas Comber (1722-1778) uncertain, but handwriting and themes fit with the autobiographical account at
CCOM 33. The earlier agricultural accounts may relate to his father, Thomas Comber
(1688-1765), son of Dean Thomas Comber.
Additional household remedies and recipes were stored in a pocket within the rear binding, and are now stored separately as
CCOM 9A
Many of these recipes and cures include the author or source, and some are dated (usually with reference to publication within
Gentleman's Magazine, mid-18th century).
f1r. Note of blacksmith's work (shoeing), 1747
f1v. Note of sermons lent 1749, plus an address for James Hart
f2r. Note of calvings and matings 1702, plus an address for Andrew Comber
f3. List of sermons lent 1748
f4r-5v. Lists of addresses (perhaps listing letters sent, with some notes on contents), [ca.1700]
f6. Copy of letter to Newcastle Journal, promoting the "extensive vertues of Tar-water" and listing its health benefits, undated (same hand as next)
f7-20. Recipes to prevent illness in horned cattle, for a cough, plague, intermitting [fever], ink, "to expel poison, for the smal-pox or the plague", hiccups, teeth, smal-pox ("when wine alone is not sufficient to keep up the spirits"),
eye-water, "gout, scurvy and all pains in the limbs", to clean old pictures, plague, horned cattle, red ink, "Tinctura Bezoartica", heart burn (to prevent "red gum" in infants), the gravel (disease in animals), convulsions, "red plaister", "to
prevent infection from the bite of a mad dog"
f14 (recipes added either side). Account of sheep, pigs and cattle bought, 1701-1702
f17r (recipes added either side). Account of goods [animals] sold, 1701
f21-22. Reports of successful cures of patients using Musk and Tar Water (for hiccups, fevers, hydrophobia and cancers)
f22v-25r. Recipes (sourced and dated as above, 1750s) for cancers, writing ink, Irish Usqurbaugh [usquebaugh, whiskey?], cholick
f25v-26r. Prescriptions "for my dear wife", signed H.G. [Dr Goddard], 1754
f27r. Prescription for author's own "slow nervous feavor" (with thanks to God for being cured), 1745
f27v-28r. Accounts of cases of dropsy cured by "sweet-oyl"
f28v-30r. Recipes (some sourced and dated, 1740s-1750s) for sore eyes, loose teeth, oyster-shell lime-water
f30r-31r. Recipes "to procure an easy delivery to women with child", with accounts of its success
f31v. Recipe for the stone and gravel, by [John] Fountayne, dean of York, 1759
f32. Copy of letter to General Evening Post, 1759, with recipe to prevent scarlet fever
f33r. To prevent or cure chilblains
f33v-34r. "The famous Labour Powder by L[ord] Chesterfield" (for use in childbirth)
f34. An account of successful treatment for "the present disorder among horse", 1760
f35r-37r. Recipes from Gentleman's Magazine, 1760, to cure palsy (using egg-water) and dog bites
f37. Recipe for "Daffy's Elixir", 1759
f38-40. Recipes for cancerous cases, to destroy rats, worms in children, "canker or moist sore eyes", bloody flux, warts, gangrene (from a sword wound)
f41. To preserve balm, 1746
f42-45. Recipes for "ink of secrecy", cure of cancers, to destroy lice, sore mouth and thrush, hiccups, cramp, violent headache (using leeches), cramp, "to wash old deeds etc whereby they are rendered legible ... by Mr Holmes, keeper of the
records of the Tower" (using gall), antidote for deadly nightshade, 1750s-1760s
f46-50. Recipes for the stone or gravel, rheumatism, epileptic fits (interleaved within printed work (News from the stars ...)
f51-86. Printed work as above, interleaved with various short accounts, 1747-1754
f87r-88r. Medicine for the stone (recipe with anecdotes), dated 1764
f88v-96r. Blank
f110-105 (in reverse, from back of book). Accounts for malt and other brewing records, 1748-1753
f104-103 (in reverse). Inventories of bed and table linen, 1702, plus a note of blacksmith's work for 1753-1754
f102-101 (in reverse). “Plantation News”, 1749
f101-100 (in reverse). “A Morning Hymn” ("To thee, let my first offerings rise...")
f100-96 (in reverse). Blacksmith's and brewing accounts, 1753-1761
one volume
CCOM 9A 1757-1803 and undated
Additional household remedies and medical recipes, removed from
CCOM 9
Paper 11 items (in envelope)
CCOM 33 1749
Autobiographical account headed,
“Some reflections on the present tryals I am exercised with”, apparently incomplete. Recounts physical and mental illness (details not specified), reflecting on divine providence
Previously folded at the front of
CCOM 1, with attribution to his father in the hand of Thomas Comber (1765-1835)
Single sheet (in folder)
CCOM 34-35 undated [late 18th/early 19th century]
Comber MSS in two volumes, being a collection of Thomas Comber's poetry and plays, collected by his son (
Thomas Comber, 1765-1835). Includes a letter from a previous owner and newscutting.
CCOM 34: vol.1,
biography and poetry, preceded by a sketch of the life of the author and of his father (Thomas Comber, son of Dean Thomas Comber) at p.1-34. Also includes printed letter to Notes and Queries and another to John Comber,
both from the then owner of these two volumes, W.A. Copinger of Kersal Cell, Manchester
CCOM 35: vol.2, three plays or tragedies
2 volumes
CCOM 64 undated
Label marked "autograph of Thomas Comber LLD Rector of Buckworth" (original signature or letter apparently lost - perhaps dates from same time as volume of pedigrees at
CCOM 47-48
1 item
CCOM 65 undated
B/W photograph of [portrait of] Thomas Comber, mounted on paper and labelled on back with biographical details
1 item
Brooke family papersDates of creation: 1677-1821
Thomas Comber (1722-1778) married Mary Brooke (1739-1823), in 1763
CCOM 100 1677-1706
Clerical papers of members of the Brook family, viz:
/1. Letters of orders on ordination of John Brooke of Christ's College, Cambridge, as priest by archbishop of York, 23 December 1677
/2. Certificate of subscription by Thomas Brooke to articles of religion, on institution to Richmond rectory, 22 May 1706
1 packet, 2 items
Seal: Seals of both items fragmenting
These items plus CCOM 101 had previously been numbered as Comber 21
CCOM 99 1683-1713
Packet of papers, former envelope initialled R.B.H., containing:
/1. Grant of tuition for Frances, daughter of Anne Brooke, late of Dodsworth, deceased (by dean of York during vacancy in see), granted to John Brooke of Wooley, Yorks,
clerk, and to John Brook of Dodsworth, tanner, 1683
/2. Receipt for payment of £11 2s 2d for ground to be used as a vault by Joshua Brooke, works required and interring of a body, endorsed "... wheare I have built a valt wheare my deare wiff is laid and wheare I intend to be laid", 1687
/3. Grant of administration for goods of Rebecca Palfreman, late of Stepney, Middlesex, widow, deceased, granted to Joshua Brook as guardian of Elizabeth Palfreman, minor, her daughter, 1695
/4. Marriage licence granted by surrogate to archbishop of York for marriage of Robert Hetherington of Holbeck and Jane Brooke of Manningham, 1713
1 folder, 4 items
These items had previously been numbered as Comber 17
CCOM 50 17 June 1738
Letter from Robert Hetherington to Revd Brook, his brother-in-law, relating to repayment of money, with account
2 items (paper)
The recipient is Thomas Brooke (1669-1739), who married Mary, daughter of Dean Thomas Comber, and whose granddaughter Mary Brooke married Thomas Comber (1722-1778). Robert Hetherington married Jane, sister of the same Thomas Brooke. Thomas was
then rector of Richmond - see person ID 74155 within
Clergy of the Church of England Database.
CCOM 63 1775-1785
Letters to John Charles Brooke (1748-1794) at Herald's College, London, and Wakefield, Yorkshire
John Charles was the youngest son of William Brooke and sister to Mary (1739-1823), who married Thomas Comber (1722-1778). He was made Somerset Herald in 1778.
/1. from William Comber [brother of Thomas Comber], 1775
/2. from Mary Comber at Buckworth (his sister, who married Thomas Comber 1763), with note from Thomas Comber, 1775
/3. from Mary Comber at Buckworth, 1779
/4. from William Hood (married Anne, daughter of Thomas Comber, in 1782), 1785
1 folder, 4 letters
CCOM 69 1819-1821
Letters to Margaret Zouch and Jane Brisco, younger sisters of Mary Brooke (1739-1823):
/1. from Sarah Comber, wife of Andrew Comber of Liverpool
/2-3. from Thomas Comber (1765-1835)
1 folder, 3 letters
From information within CCOM 47-48:
Margaret Brooke (1743-1833), married in 1808 Thomas Zouch (1737-1815, prebendary of Durham)
Jane Brooke (1746-1839), married in 1768 Richard Horton Brisco (died 1769)
Papers of Revd William Comber (1725-1810)Dates of creation: 1799-1810
Brother of
Thomas Comber (1722-1778), grandson of
Dean Thomas Comber (1645-1699). Vicar of Kirkby Moorside and rector of Kirkby Overcarr. Married Dorothy Arbuthnot (died 1807) of
Ampleford in 1756
CCOM 66 1799-[1810]
/1. [Notes for] will of [Dorothy, William Comber's wife], referencing inter alia her Ampleford estate, 10 December 1799
/2. Letter from Ann Hawkins to Mrs Comber at Kirkby Moorside, 8 April 1805
/3. Letter from D. Comber at Glasgow to Andrew Comber at Liverpool, with copy of part of will of William Comber, codicil and affidavits relating to probate, 31 July 1810
/4. Engraving of portrait of William Comber, with reference to his death in 1810
1 folder, 4 items
CCOM 74/1-2 1807-1810
Copy will of William Comber of Kirkby Moorside, clerk, with codicils and grant of probate (two copies)
parchment 2 items
Papers of relict and descendants of William Turner Comber (1771-1827)Dates of creation: 1858-1895
William Turner was the third son of
Thomas Comber (1722-1778).
CCOM 75 1858-1862
Copy will of Jane Helen Comber [née Castleman] of Northgate Street, Chester, widow (will dated 1858), with grant of probate 1862
Executors William Merritt Comber and Jane Harriet Jones (wife of Joseph Jones)
Legacies to sons Henry Gordon, William Merritt and Thomas Denison, and daughter Jane Harriet Jones
References deceased sons Brooke and George John
parchment 1 item
Jane Helen Castleman married William Turner Comber in 1819, and died 1862.
CCOM 76 1866-1867
Copy will of Harriet Mary Sanders Johnstone of Heath House, Boughton, Chester, widow (will dated 1866), with grant of probate 1867
Harriet Mary Sanders Johnstone was the mother of Charlotte Henrietta Comber as
CCOM 78
parchment 1 item
CCOM 78 1890-1895
Copy will of Charlotte Henrietta Comber [née Johnstone] of Brook Lodge, widow (will dated 1890), with grant of probate 1895
parchment 1 item
Charlotte Henrietta Johnstone married William Merritt Comber (son of William Turner and Jane Helen as
CCOM 75) in 1857, and died 1893. Her mother was Harriet Mary Sanders Johnstone as
CCOM
76.
CCOM 71 4 November 1880
Letter from [Arthur Richard Wellesley, 2nd Duke of] Wellington to William Comber at Brook Lodge, Chester [William Brooke Comber, born 1859, eldest son of William Merritt and Charlotte Henrietta as
CCOM 78]
1 item
Papers of Revd Thomas Comber (1765-1835)Dates of creation: 1788-1835
Extent: 2 volumes plus folders
Includes some papers relating to the Woodhead family: Thomas and Elizabeth Comber's daughter Harriet (1793-1872) married Joseph Woodhead in 1815.
Great grandson of Dean Thomas Comber (1645-1699) and his biographer. Married Elizabeth Coote (1763-1852) in 1792.
CCOM 36 1816-1835
Papers previously inserted into volume of Dean Thomas Comber sermons, listed as
CCOM 30, but originating from his great grandson Thomas Comber (1765-1835), viz:
/1. Letter from Miss Boffin ("born without
arms or legs"), 1824. With verses addressed to her by Thomas Comber (under the pen name Britannicus), 1816
/2. Letter to his daughter Harriet, 1827, following the death of her baby son, with verses
/3. Certificate of appointment as Deputy Grand Chaplain in the Orange Institution, 1828
/4. A sheet of short or comic verses by Thomas Comber, 1835
/5. Printed letter to the York Chronicle (under pen name Britannicus), 1835, criticising "The Destructives" (those opposing Robert Peel in Parliament), and comparing the situation to pre-revolutionary
France
1 folder
CCOM 37 19th/20th century copy
Biographical notes on Thomas Comber (1765-1835), "written at the end of a volume of Mrs Thornton's life" (
CCOM 7 - the original is written in Latin, these notes appear to be very brief summaries in English taken from
p.303-341 of CCOM 7)
Previously inserted into the front of his,
The history of the Parisian Massacre..., at
CCOM 21
1 item (enveloped)
CCOM 22 1824-1825
A letter to the king, on the critical circumstances of the present times... and
A sermon preached ... before the Orange Institution of Great Britain... (bound together with manuscript
described below), by Thomas Comber
The printed works are followed by a manuscript of his verses (
The Poetical Works..., including an address in verse “To the Reader”), paginated as I-IX (Preface) and 1-333 (Verses). List of contents for the poetical works is at the start of the
volume (before the two printed items).
Bound in at p32-33 of
A letter to the king... is a page of verses, “A gentle hint to Henry Hunt, esq, who styles himself 'Lord of the Manor of Glastonbury!'”
1 volume
Printed works catalogued within printed library catalogue as
CCOM 22/1 and
CCOM
22/2.
CCOM 45 1788-1813
Records relating to ordination and clerical career of Thomas Comber, from his ordination as a deacon by the Bishop of Rochester in 1788, to his induction and 'reading in' as rector of Oswaldkirk in 1813
1 folder
CCOM 46 16 June 1823
Warrant of Thomas Comber as Deputy Grand Chaplain within the Orange Institution. Wrapper also references his appointment as Chaplain to the Duke of Cumberland
1 item (parchment), with paper wrapper
CCOM 67 1811-1815
Letters from Thomas Comber to [Thomas] Griffith of Islington, concerning bills, advowson of Oswaldkirk and marriage of Thomas' daughter Harriet to Mr Woodhead. [Thomas Griffith married Charlotte, daughter of Thomas Comber, in 1821]
1 folder, 2 letters
CCOM 68 1833-1834 and undated
Woodhead family letters, being from H. and H.J.P. [same?] to his parents at Montagu Square, London
1 folder, 3 letters
Papers of Henry George Wandesford Comber (ca.1798-1883)Dates of creation: 1822-1835 and 1883
Son of Revd Thomas Comber (1765-1835). Rector of Oswaldkirk, 1835-[1883]
See also his copy of his ancestor Christopher Wandesford's
book of instructions at
CCOM 13.
CCOM 39 1822-1835
Records relating to ordination and clerical career of Henry George Wandesford Comber
1 folder
CCOM 40 16 July 1833 (dated also 5833 under 'A[nno] L[ucis]')
Certificate of Henry George Wandesford Comber's reception into Free Masonry, on printed form under crest of the United Grand Lodge
1 item, parchment
CCOM 41 [mid/late 19th century]
Crest for Henry George Wandesford Comber, probably used as a bookplate
1 item, paper
CCOM 42 14 June 1883
Letter from J[ames] Raine to Revd E[dward] H[ood] Higgs of Oswaldkirk [literary executor to Henry George Wandesford Comber, also curate of Oswaldkirk 1872-1884], regarding return of letters from [Alice] Thornton, and original letters of Dean
Comber in the hands of "their editor, Canon Ornsby"
1 letter, with envelope
CCOM 43 25 September 1883
Letter from W[illiam Thomson], archbishop of York, to Robert Pearson of Helmsley [his deputy registrar perhaps, or acting for the patron] in relation to [Revd Edward Hood] Higgs following death of Henry George Wandesford Comber and sequestration
of the living [of Oswaldkirk]
1 letter, with envelope
CCOM 44 undated [? 1883]
Statement of account, Revd [Edward Hood] Higgs with a J. Harker, for provision of coal, carrying luggage and washing, perhaps acting as an executor for Henry George Wandesford Comber
1 item, paper
General Comber family itemsDates of creation: 1581-1930s
CCOM 24 1699-1984
The Book of Common Prayer... (1699), and
The Whole book of Psalms collected into English metre... (1704) with Gordon and Comber family inscriptions dated 1716-1984
1 volume
As printed library catalogue entries for
Book of Common Prayer and
Psalms
CCOM 47-48 undated but ca.1930s based on hands and latest updates
Family history and pedigrees of the Comber and related families, mostly written in a single hand and bound in identical limp black Morocco bindings with gold tooling, marbled endpapers and foreedges
Contents are stated as follows at the front of the two volumes, though many related families and pedigrees are also included:
vol.1, p.1-54: Comber of Shermanbury
vol.1, p.55-79: Comber of Chichester
vol.1, p.80-85: Comber of Balcombe and Chiltington
vol.1, p.96-104: Comber of Lindfield
vol.1, p.104-: Comber of Ardingly
vol.2, p.1-69: Comber of East Newton and Oswaldkirk, Yorkshire
vol.2, p.70-: Comber of Stand House, Lancashire
From internal evidence, at least one volume is missing between vol.1 and vol.2: for instance, Dean Thomas Comber (1645-1699) is not properly covered, and note reference to "Vol.II, p.129" at bottom of CCOM 48 f.26v. Later Thomas Combers are
covered in CCOM 48, viz:
p.30: Thomas Comber (1688-1765), son of Dean Thomas Comber
p.43: Thomas Comber (1722-1778), grandson of Dean Thomas Comber
p.62: Thomas Comber (1765-1835), great grandson of Dean Thomas Comber
2 volumes
CCOM 70 10 April 1587 (19/20th century copy)
Impression of seal of John Comber, endorsed "cast from impression of signet ring ... British Museum"
Tobacco tin previously used to store this seal impression was labelled, "Comber seal from British Museum." The tin has been discarded.
1 item
CCOM 72 1581 to early 20th century
Items apparently collected during compilation of family histories within
CCOM 47-48
/1. Copy of grant of arms for Comber of Shermanbury, Sussex, 1571 (with envelope)
/2. Letter from W.L. Budgen (of Notes and Queries), enclosing tracings of Comber signatures "from the 1578 deeds" (with envelope)
/3. Envelope for some original letters from Thomas Comber (1722-1778) and Thomas Comber (1765-1835), which are now listed separately within the collection
/4. Inventory of Hugh Bradley of Pickall [Pickhill], Yorkshire, knight, with account of debts and funeral expenses, 1581 (with envelope)
1 folder, 4 items
CCOM 79 early 20th century (with revisions to 1931)
Family tree for the Comber family of Ardingly, later Balcombe and elsewhere, descendants of Francis Comber (ca.1620-1689)
1 folder
Other family papersDates of creation: 1701-1885
CCOM 49 27 May 1701
Codicil of John Cock, clerk, vicar of Durham St Oswald (deprived)
1 paper gathering, bound in parchment (reused document endorsed with a 1765 date)
See Venn: Christ's College Cambridge 1655, ordained in Lincoln 1660, vicar of Durham St Os ? 1673, lecturer at Newcastle St Nicholas 1675-79, Rector of Gateshead 1687-87, deprived as non-juror
Also person ID 87406 within the
Clergy of the Church of England Database
CCOM 51 29 December 1748
Letter from John Clarkson of Royston, recipient unknown, referencing book by Woolston [? Thomas Woolston, ca.1668-1733] and receipt of pamphlet from the recipient, and with extensive discourse on faith
1 item (paper), in 2 pieces
CCOM 52 11 February 1831
Letter from [C.E.] Chetwode to unnamed recipient about meeting at home of Lord Kenyon with comments on "our society" (the Orange Order) and proposals for a resolution declaring "admiration of the very proper conduct of our Irish Brethren"
1 letter
CCOM 53 12 September 1873
Letter from
The Antiquary requesting information about the Thornville family in response to an enquiry received (with reference also to a Thornton family member)
1 letter with envelope
CCOM 54 1885 (and undated copy of 1719 letter)
Receipt for First Fruits from [Queen Anne's] Bounty Office, with reference to Braybrooke rectory. Also copy of letter from John Mapletoft written in 1719 about value of Braybrooke rectory, and another (scored through) relating to his gifts and
trust for the parish
1 item
CCOM 55 undated
Print of William Shakespeare engraving, with portrait and signature (engraved from an original painting by Cornelius Jansen)
1 item
CCOM 73 19/20th century copy
Impression of seal belonging to the Corporation of the Office of Arms (now the College of Arms), within tin
1 item
CCOM 77 1873
Admission to act as a solicitor in Chancery for James Meymott Etches
parchment 1 item
Unidentified manuscriptsDates of creation: undate [17th to 19th centuries]
Extent: 1 volume plus 1 notebook
CCOM 56 undated [mid/late 17th century]
Language:
Latin
Book of manuscript Latin verse, mostly in dactylic hexameters, including (other pages chiefly blank):
f.2r. Prefatory note (Bonae indolis, melioris industriae, optimae spei pueris), signed Studiosissimo W'mo H
f.2v-4r. Address to the reader in prose (Lectori salutem)
f.9r. Title page, Summum parricidium sive decollatio serenissimi et iustisssimi Principis Caroli primi ... Anno maestissimo 1648 ...
f.10r. Address to the archbishop of Canterbury (in verse)
f.12-45. Verses, Bella Britannica, liber quartus
f.46-77. Verses, Bella Britannica, liber quintus
f.80v-82r. Neater version of address to the reader in prose (Lectori salutem), signed W.H.
f.82v. Neater and revised version of prefatory note (Bonae indolis, melioris industriae, et optimae spei pueris et adultis), signed studiosissimo
f.83r. Address to the reader in verse (Lectori )
f.84-99. Verses, Bella Britannica, liber primus
f.148-150. Verses (elegiac couplets), Carolus secundus ... fidei defensor. Anagramma
Authorship unknown, but seems not to be in the hand of Dean Thomas Comber
one volume
CCOM 2 undated [18/19th century]
A sermon, perhaps by, or transcribed by, Thomas Comber (1765-1835)
1 notebook
Deeds and estate papersDates of creation: 1598-1894
Extent: 1 box
CCOM 10 1730-1735
Brook account book, mostly rents or other estate receipts and payments. Gathering f49-51 contains executor's accounts following death of "sister Ann Brook" 10 March 1734
1 notebook, 57f (f52-56 a separate gathering tucked into pocket formed by uncut final pages)
Binding: Three gatherings within loose folded parchment covers (recycled from a will, endorsed "Mr Rob't
Blackburne's will"
CCOM 80 30 September 1598
Feoffment
(1) John Redforde of Sheire, Surrey, yeoman, and Jane, his wife, daughter of William Tickner, late of Alburye, Surrey, yeoman, deceased
(2) William Comber of Wotton, Surrey
Feoffment confirming bargain and sale of 10 September 1598, for sale of lands called Collyns in Dorking by (1) to (2)
Seal tags for (1), seals missing
parchment, 1m
CCOM 81 24 October 1616
Feoffment
(1) William Comber of Shermanbury, Sussex, gent
(2) John Gratwick of Jarvis in Cowfold, Sussex, yeoman, and Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of (1)
Feoffment for sale of lands called Sponeres in Shermanbury and other lands, herbage etc, by (1) to (2)
Fragment of seal of (1) on tag
Endorsement records gift of this deed to John Comber of Ashenhurst, Guildford in 1919
parchment, 1m
CCOM 82 4 October 1632
Quitclaim
(1) Thomas Jeffery of Battle, Sussex, shearman; Nicholas Trice of Speldherst, Kent, blacksmith; Thomas Jeffery of Senock, Kent, shearman (father of Thomas Jeffery of Battle); Peter Trice of Kent, blacksmith (father of Nicholas
Trice)
(2) Robert Thayer of Brightling, Sussex, tanner
Quitclaim for sale by (1) to (2) of land in Tyseherst and Wodherst, Sussex, left in will of William Penniall, late of Lamberherst, Sussex, blacksmith, deceased
Seal tags for (1), seal of first named only survives
parchment, 1m
CCOM 83 9 June 1659
Assignment of lease
(1) Thomas Waite of Wetwange, Yorkshire, clerk
(2) William Skinner of Kingston upon Hull, merchant, and Charles Vaux of Kingston upon Hull, gent
Assignment by (1) to (2) of remainder of 99 year lease, for herbage etc in park of Cottingham, Richmond, Yorkshire, also two closes Great Pillwards and Little Pillwards in Cottingham
Seal tags for (2), seal of Vaux only survives
parchment, 1m
CCOM 84 19 September 1667
Settlement
(1) William Thornton of East Newton in Stongrave, Yorkshire, esq
(2) John Lord Frethevile, Baron of Staveley, Derbyshire; Sir Christopher Wandesford of Kirklington, Yorkshire, baronet; Henry Best of Grayes Inne, Middlesex, esq; John Denton late of Oswaldkirk, Yorkshire, clerk
(3) Thomas Cholmley of Bransby, Yorkshire, esq; Timothy Portington of New Malton, Yorkshire, gent
Recites settlement of lands for use of (1) with contingent remainder to daughters of (1) and Alice, his wife, 1662
Lease for 1,100 years by (1) to (2) and (3) for use of (1) and Alice, his wife, then upon trusts for younger children, parcels of Laystrop in Stongrave (named fields)
Dean Thomas Comber named as a witness. Seal tags for two of (2) plus (3), seals missing
parchment, 1m
Conservation work (cleaning, flattening, parchment repairs and boxing), May 2022
CCOM 85 28 November 1685
Exemplification of a Common Recovery
(1) William Balkcombe (demandant)
(2) Richard Gibbs, gent (tenant to the praecipe)
(3) Robert Thayer (tenant in tail)
(4) John Wheeler (common vouchee)
Records transfer by (3) to (1) via (2), of lands in Tisehurst and Wadhurst, [Sussex]
parchment, 1m
CCOM 86 23 June 1686
Exemplification of a Common Recovery
(1) John Heathcot, senior, and John Stafford (demandants)
(2) Thomas Bagshall, gent, and Thomas Statham, gent (tenants to the praecipe)
(3) Henry Fawcett (tenant in tail)
(4) John Wheeler (common vouchee)
Records transfer by (3) to (1) via (2), of lands in Tansley
Endorsed, "Humfry Chapmans Recovery"
parchment, 1m
CCOM 87 June 1687
Final concord
(1) Robert Hurd (plaintiff)
(2) Anthony Gaten and Grace, his wife (deforciant)
Agreement for sale of lands in Escote and Underwood by (2) to (1), consideration £60
parchment, 1m
CCOM 88 13 August 1689
Assignment of lease
(1) John Abbay of Kirkby Hall, Yorkshire, gent, administrator of Sara, his late wife, formerly sara Ibson of York
(2) James Swale of Cowthropp, Yorkshire, yeo, and Ellen, his wife, and Richard Blythman of Thorp Underwood, Yorkshire, yeoman
(3) Robert Merret of Rider, Yorkshire, clerk
(4) William James of Bramham, Yorkshire, clerk
Recites lease for 99 years, by (2) to Sara Ibson as (1), redeemable by (2) for payment of £106, 1681
Consideration £120 16s 4d paid at direction of (2) by (4) to (1)
Assignment of lease by (1) to (3) in trust for (4)
Seal tags for (1) and (2) with applied seals of (1) and Blythman only
With (attached) grant of administration to (1) for goods of Sara Abbey alias Ibson, by Thomas Comber as precentor of York, 1688
Original label (stored separately within box) misidentifies this as an assignment to Thomas Comber
parchment, 2m (attached)
CCOM 89 27 April 1702
Marriage settlement
(1) Francis Blackburne of Richmond, Yorkshire, mercer
(2) William Blackett of Newby, Yorkshire, esq, and William Comber of Osburne, Yorkshire, esq
Recites:
- Deed to lead uses of a fine, establishing a 1,000 year lease in trust for John Pepper of Richmond, gent, 1673
- Assignment by surviving trustee to (1), 1682
Consideration: 5s and intended marriage between Francis Blackburne, son of (1), and Alice Comber, eldest daughter of Thomas Comber, late Dean of Durham, deceased, and sister of William Comber as (2)
Lands (fields named), late part of the priory or cell of St Martins near Richmond
Assignment of remainder of 1,000 year lease by (1) to (2) in trust as per intended lease and release for settling inheritance of the lands
Endorsed, "to be read before destroyed"
parchment, 1m
CCOM 90 17 October 1707
Release of claims
(1) Beneficiaries in will of John Beere of London, mariner (named - Holderness, Gill, Dunce, Jones and Sheppard)
(2) Executors of above will, Captain Charles Mawhood and Captain John Mabb
Release by (1) of (2) from further claims (payments under will specified)
9 seal tags with seals (3 missing) for (1)
parchment, 1m
CCOM 91 undated (endorsed with habendum date 25 March 1743)
Draft lease
(1) Thomas Comber the younger of East Newton, Yorkshire, esq
(2) George Wilson and John Sigsworth
Draft for lease for 3 years of Woodhouses and lands in East Newton, rent £78
Covenants for repair, not to plough up meadow or cut timber, rights of way for Thomas Comber the elder (father of (1)) and others, to build barn, etc
Placeholders for seals, part of document cut away
parchment, 1m
CCOM 92 7 November 1791
Mortgage
(1) Duncombe Comber of Southampton Street, The Strand, Middlesex, merchant, son and legatee in will of Thomas Comber, late rector of Buckworth and Morborne, deceased [Thomas Comber (1722-1778)]
(2) Thomas Catterson of Helmsley Blackamoor, Yorkshire, plumber and glazier, and Thomas Agar of Duncombe Park in Helmsley Blackamoor, yeoman
Recites:
- will of Thomas Comber [1722-1778]
- (1) has reached age of 21 and is entitled to £1,500 under will
- agreement by 92) to advance £300 to (1) on security of the legacy
Assignment of legacy to pay £300 and interest
parchment, 1m
CCOM 93 3 August 1792
Lease for a year (release missing)
(1) Thomas Comber [1765-1835] of Jesus College, cambridge, clerk, eldest son and heir of Thomas Comber [1722-1778], late of Buckworth, deceased; Mary Comber of Wakefield, Yorkshire, widow of Thomas Comber [1722-1778]; William Comber
of Kirby Moorside, Yorkshire, clerk; William Brooke, late of Fieldhead, now of Wakefield, esq (last three being executors in will of Thomas Comber [1722-1778])
(2) Thomas Anson of St James Square, Middlesex, esq, and Robert baker of Southampton Buildings, St Andrew Holborn, Middlesex, esq
Lease by (1) to (2) for purpose of release under the statute of uses (i.e. for sale), of Manor of East Newton in Stonegrave, Yorkshire, and lands (specified)
Applied seals and signatures of (1)
parchment, 2m
CCOM 94 6 October 1792
Redemption of mortgage
(1) Thomas Catterson and Thomas Agar (as party (2) of CCOM 92)
(2) Duncombe Comber (as party (1) of CCOM 92, now of Liverpool, Lancashire, merchant)
Recites mortgage of 1791 (CCOM 92), payment of interest, principal still owing
Reassignment of legacy by (1) to (2), for repayment of £300 principal
Applied seals and signatures of (1)
parchment, 1m
CCOM 95 26 March 1819
Marriage settlement
(1) Jane Helen Castleman of Ross's Buildings, Camberwell, Surrey, spinster
(2) William Turner Comber of Threadneedle Street, London, merchant
(3) William Lees of the Ordnance Office, Tower of London, esq; William Comber Hood of Earl Street, Blackfriars, London, merchant; John Nichol of George Street Mansion House, London, coal merchant
Recites:
- Bargain and sale of legacy in will of Alexander David Bradshaw dated 1708, in trust for Elizabeth Castleman and chilren (listed, including (1)), 1787
- Intended marriage of (1) and (2)
Bargain and sale of share of legacy, by (1) to (3) in trust for (1) and children of (1) and (2)
Signatures and applied seals of all parties
Endorsed with two appointments by (1) of replacement trustees, 1831 and 1861
parchment, 6m
CCOM 96 26 May 1827
Marriage settlement
(1) Harriet Mary Sanders Castleman of Ross's Buildings, Camberwell, Surrey, spinster
(2) John Hope Johnstone of Isabel Place, Kennington, Surrey, gent
(3) William Lees of Grove Lane, Camberwell, esq; Joseph Pennington of St Mark's Road, Kennington, esq; William James Lees of Grove Lane, Camberwell, gent
Recites:
- Intended marriage of (1) and (2)
- Transfer of £2,327 2s 6d in consolidated bank annuities by (1) to (3)
Declaration of trust in relation to funds already transferred, for use of (1), then portions for use of (2) and of Mary Bird of Camberwell, then for use of children of (1) and (2)
Seals and applied signatures of all parties
Endorsed with two appointments by (1) of replacement trustees, 1831 and 1853
parchment, 4m
CCOM 97 6 December 1858
Marriage settlement
(1) Henry Boys Johnstone of Piel, Lancashire, Lieutenant in Royal Navy
(2) Ann Alderson Bamlett of Middleton Tyas, Yorkshire, spinster
(3) Ann Alderson Bamlett as above and Carlisle Bamlett of Middleton Tyas, farmer
(4) John Wilkinson of Twinsburn, Heighington, County Durham, farmer, and John Carlisle Bamlett of Middleton Tyas, farmer
Recites:
- Mortgate by Darlington Local Board of Health to (3) of gas and water works for £830 plus interest, 1858
- Intended marriage of (1) and (2)
Bargain and sale of mortgage by (3) to (4) in trust for (2), then for children of (1) and (2)
Attached - paper memorandum of Estate Duty Office [following death of (2)], 1910
Endorsed with account of trustees for distribution of funds to [children of (1) and (2)?] Annie Grace Comber, Bertha Blanche Johnstone and Edith Eliza Johnstone, 1911
parchment, 3m (bifolia) as 12p
CCOM 98 10 February 1894
Agreement
(1) William Brooke Comber of Oficina Carolina, Republic of Chili [sic], South America, nitrate manufacturer
(2) Thomas Gordon Comber of same
(3) Frank Preston comber of same
(4) Henry Lee Comber of Rough Down, Boxmoor, Hertfordshire, gent
(5) James Rowe Wandesforde Comber of Brook Lodge, Hookersbrook, Chester, gent
(6) Harold Castleman Comber of Brook Lodge, mechanical engineer (aged under 21)
(7) Helen Caroline Comber of Brook Lodge, spinster
(8) Henrietta Mary Comber of Brook Lodge, spinster
(9) Emily Beatrice Comber of Brook Lodge, spinster
(10) Charles Robert Enock of Chester, accountant, and Henry Lee Comber as (4)
Recites:
- Will of Harriet Mary Sanders Johnstone daed 1866, with legacy for her daughter Charlotte Henrietta Comber and children of same, in trust
- Death of Harriet Mary Sanders Johnstone and trustees, and appointment of (1) as replacement trustee
- Purported will of Charlotte Henrietta Comber dated 1890, in favour of daughters as (7)-(9)
- Death of Charlotte Henrietta Comber leaving surviving children as (1) to (9), and doubts as to validity of her will
Agreement to observe directions in recited purported will
parchment, 3m (bifolia) as 10p
CCOM 101 1644-1685
Deeds relating to property of the Brook family
1 bundle
These items plus CCOM 100 had previously been numbered as Comber 21
CCOM 101/1 7 December 1644
Feoffment
(1) William Brooke of Dodsworth, Yorkshire, yeoman
(2) Joshua Brooke, junior (his son)
(3) Joshua Brooke, senior, and Edmund Brooke
Sale by (1) to (3) for use of (1) for his life, then of (2) and his heirs, or for lack to use of other sons William, Jonathan and Timothy, of messuage and tenement in Royston
Damaged (gnawed) in parts, seals lost
parchment, 1m
CCOM 101/2 14 November 1685
Feoffment (without livery of seisin)
(1) William Wallis, citizen and mercer of London
(2) Joshua Brooke of London, merchant taylor
Sale by (1) to (2) of 1/32 share of "good shipp or vessell called the Worcester Friggott of London", burden 241 tons, plus share of ropes, tackle etc
parchment, 1m
CCOM 102 1662-1685
Leases relating to 9 acres of meadow in Clifton Jugs alias Hurbecke Jugs, property of the Driffield prebend in York Cathedral, which was held by Thomas Comber (1645-1699) as Precentor, 1683-1692
/1. Appointment by Robert Sorsby, prebendary of Driffield prebend, of James Blackbeard and Thomas Letterthwaite, both of York, milliners, as his attornies for taking and delivering possession, 7 May 1662
/2-3. Lease by Robert Sorsby to Robert Holburne of York, gent, for three named lives (sons and daughter of Hoburne), 7 May 1662 (two copies, one sealed, one endorsed with livery of seisin)
/4. Appointment by Thomas Comber, prebendary of Driffield prebend, of Greenwell Harpur of York, gent, as his attorney for taking possession, 18 January 1684 (subscribed with memorandum of possession by Greenel Harpper, on paper)
/5. Lease by Thomas Comber to John Denton of York, apothecary, for three named lives (Alice Comber his wife, and William and Alice their son and daughter), 13 January 1685
/6. Declaration of trust by John Denton, that the property is held for sole use of Alice Comber (wife) and Alice Comber (daughter), 14 January 1685
parchment (except as stated) 1 bundle
Items CCOM 102/1-3,5-6 formerly part of a bundle that had been numbered Comber 18, CCOM 102/4 formerly part of bundle numbered Comber 22
CCOM 103 [mid 17th century] to 1706
Transcripts of deeds relating to parsonage, tenement and rectorial tithes of Little Ouseburn (Usburne Parva, Useburne Parva):
/1. Lease by James Hall, precentor of York cathedral, to Francis Blackburne of Richmond, gent, for lives of
Alice Comber (widow of Thomas Comber), Alice Blackburne (nee Comber, daughter of same, wife of Francis) and Thomas Comber (son, aged 17), 3 May 1706
/2. Declaration of trust by Francis Blackburne, that he would assign property to Alice Comber (widow of Dean Thomas Comber) for her life, and then to Thomas Brooke of Dodworth, Silkstone, Yorkshire, clerk, and Mary his wife (one of the
daughters of Dean Thomas Comber), 16 May 1706
/3-5. Letters to members of the Brook family, one with list of transactions and one from a son to his father, 17th century
paper 1 bundle
Formerly numbered Comber 19
CCOM 104 undated [most 18th century]
Notes on deeds and property relating to the Brook family, particularly in relation to Fieldhead, Dodworth and other Yorkshire property
paper 1 folder, 5 items
Parts formerly numbered Comber 22
