A History of St. Andrew`s Church, Charmouth
From 1747 until 1818 the Church was to be run by William and then his son, Brian Combe. There are no graves or memorials to them, yet their names appear regularly as witnesses and trustees on many deeds and documents relating to the village. A memorial to the family can be seen at the Parish Church at Shepton Mallet where they originated from as Clothiers. They were related to both the famous families of Wyndham and Strode who fought in the Civil War. There is also a family connection to both the Purlewant and Schalch families.
Reverend William Combe became Rector in Charmouth in 1747 under the Patronage of Richard Henvill, nephew of Anthony Ellesdon. His later obituary shown here is very detailed and reveals what a charitable and capable man he was. It goes on to say that it is expected that his son Brian will be filling his role. But although he was Rector of neighbouring Catherston, he never became Rector, instead he held the position of Curate for the rest of his life. This was because the Patron in 1783 was Francis Phipps Henvill, living in St. Kitts who chose his kinsman, Rev. Audain to take on the position. This gentleman was rarely there and his work was carried out instead by his deputy Brian Combe.
Brian was left a large fortune by his father and bought a number of properties both in Charmouth and the neighbourhood. He would also assist villagers by giving them mortgages for their houses. He purchased Backlands Farm, to the north of The Street from James Warden who had bought most of the village in 1788. Brian never married and when he died in 1818 left his considerable estate to his nieces: Frances Purlement, Jane Purlement, Catherine Williams and Frances Warren,, The 1825 Poor Rates shows “Combs Farm” being owned by Warren & Co. and rented by James Powell. It is later sold to Captain Schalch and is detailed as being 23 acres in 1840 with a rate of £1-12s.
In 1788 Francis Henvil is shown in the Land Tax Assessments for Charmouth as Owning the Manor Estate with John Bowdridge and others renting it from him. Amongst the Occupier is James Warden. The following year reveals that James has bought most of the Estate, but the balance is bought by the Village's Curate, Brian, the son of the previous Rector, William Combe who had left him a fortune in his will of 1782. It would seem that he was to own most of the lands to the north of the Street based on the Manor known as Backlands and James Warden had purchased the lands to the south known as Sea lands. Simeon Bullen later buys the Manor House in 1802 and his family lived there until buying Catherstone Manor in 1887. Brian Combes dies in Charmouth in 1818. It is left to his nieces, Frances Purlement, Catherine Williams, Frances Warren, Jane Purlement,and by 1825 is shown as Combs Farm,being owned by Warren & Co. and rented by James Powell. Edward Wooton is also shown as renting a house and Orchard from them. It is later sold to Captain Schalch and is detailed as being 23 acres in 1840 with a rate of £1-12s.
In the year 1789 action of trespass was bought by James Warden Esq, against the Rev. Brian Combe and others for entering a Close of the Plaintiff part of the waste in the Parish of Charmouth and for carrying away stones, seaweed ore stones sand and gravel earth and for breaking fences, gates the defendants pleaded that the Close was part of the Sea Beach.
1814 Poor Rates list showing Rev. Brian Combe owning and occupying the Rectory paying £1-0-0
1782 Obituary for the Rev. William Combe rector of Charmouth and Catherstone for 35 years
At Charmouth, co. Dorset, The Rev. William Combe, who had been 35 years rector of that parish, also rector of Catherstone, both in the county of Dorset and Diocese of Bristol. Steward to all the Estates of the late Mr Grey, trustee under the will of Simon Edgerston, lately deceased, for £40 given to the said Mr Edgerston to Sarah, the wife of William Phippin, for her separate use and more comfortable subsistence, trustee for about 20 years for two houses, and a field called Stocking and Shoe Charity, given to the poor of Charmouth, for certain lands called Castlebury Charity, assessor for the land tax, house tax, and highways, register and entry clerk and keeper of all the parish rates, papers etc. Belonging to he said parish, and a commissioner of the turnpikes. Besides those numerous offices, he also was frequently overseer. He died rich, and has left one son, the Rev. Mr Bryant Combe, fellow of ... College at Oxford, who it is thought will succeed his father in or most of the above offices, if he should be presented to the Rectory aforesaid.
This indenture of six parts made the 6th April... Between John Spurway of Milverton in the County of Somerset Esquire and Frances his wife, late Frances Purlewnent, spinster of the first part Catherine Williams of Shepton Mallett in the County of Somerset widow, late Catherine Purlewent, spinster of the second part Jane Purlewent of the same place, spinster of the third part May Purlewent of Shepton Mallett aforesaid, spinster of the fourth part Frances Catherine Warren of Lyme Regis in the County of Dorset spinster of the fifth part which said Frances Spurway, Catherine Williams, Jane Purlewent, Mary Pulewent, Frances Catherine Warren are the five nieces and devisees in fee simple of the message, tenements, farms, closes, lands, etc and undivided shares of messages, lands and heridiaments therein particularly mentioned and described as herein after rented and William Purlewent of Shepton Mallett aforesaid... John Warren of Lyme Regis aforesaid Esquire of the... part, Whereas the said Brian Combe made and published his last will and testament in writing bearing date on or after 18th December 1817 only.. And attested.. real estate and after giving to his sister Jane, the said wife of the said William Purlewent and annuity of ... Hundred pounds a year for her life and to his Aunt,Mary Coffin, spinster an annuity of £200 a year for ... upon all his real and personal estate except his household goods and furniture.. He gave, devised and bequeathed all and singular messuages, tenements, etc.......
Reciting that Frances Combe, late of Shepton Mallet aforesaid, widow deceased .......
And all that messuage or dwelling house with the outhouses and other appurtenances to the same.. Situate lying and being in Charmouth in the occupation of Mary Coffin (Aunt)as tenant belonged to the Rev. William Combe, clerk, deceased father of the said Brian Combe, and all those cottages in the several occupation of Phillip Wheadon and Daniel Osborn as tenants and two closes of arable land at ... hill now called Rhoud Horn, one of them containing 2 roods,13 perches ...
The close called Double Common being divided by the road now in the occupation of the said Mary Coffin which said close is called, the double common .. Garden held by Elizabeth Rickard and Mary Rickard were with the other lands in 1788 purchased in fee simple by the said Brian Combe, deceased and James Warden Esquire and also that Orchard formerly and commonly as a burgage in the tenure of George Cousins and William Cousins, deceased, afterwards of Clement Joynes , late in the occupation of Mr Thomas Shute, also deceased, but now of Richard Hawkins as tenant containing 3 roods, 28 perches. Lately purchased by the said Brian Combes, widow and devise of the said Thomas Shute
Now in the occupation of he Reverend Thomas Hodges as tenant hereof and now also lately purchased by the said Brian Combe of the said James Warden in 1788.
Bottom part of annual page has list of charmouth properties
27th October 1656 Attested Copy of Indenture of Release whereby William Ellesdon in consideration of a marriage between him and his wife released and conveyed the Manor and Adowson of Charmouth to Roger Gale, Walter West and Anias Short at by way of settlement
29th November 1716 Attested copy of Indenture of that date between Anthony Ellesdon of the one part and Thomas Gale, Arthur Parsons and Henry Gale of the other part wherein after reciting that said Anthony Ellesdon did in Trinity Term then has past levy a fine of said Manor of Charmouth of and unto said Gale, Parsons and Henry Gale. It is declared that said fine should be and ensure to the use of the said Anthony Ellesdon and his heirs and assigns for ever.
20th November 1730 - July 1737 Attested copy of the Probate of the Will and Codicil of Said Anthony Ellesdon.
6th September 1783 - Attested copy of Indenture of release between Francis Phipps Henvill, then late of the island of St Christopher in the West Indies, But then residing at Charmouth in the County of Dorset, cousin and heir at Law of Benedicta Durston, late of Charmouth, aforesaid widow, formerly Benedicta Henvill, deceased of the one part and Mary Hoskins of Bristol in the county of Somerset, widow and relict of James Hoskins, late of Long Ashton in the county of Somerset, esq., deceased, James Ireland of Brislington in Somerset, Esq. and Willliam Blake of the City of Bristol aforesaid. Merchant (trustees named in the last Will and Testament of the said James Haskins deceased of the other part whereby the said Francis Phipps Henvill granted and conveyed the said Manor, herediaments and premises to the said Mary Hoskins James Ireland and William Blake and their heirs by way of Mortgage for securing £1,200 and lawful interest.
13th November 1783 Attested copy of Indenture between said parties whereby said Francis Phipps Henvill charged said premises with the further sum of £300 and lawful interest making together the sum of £1500.
15th November 1783 Attested Copy of Bargain and sale involved in the Court of Common Pleas at Westminster between said Francis Phipps Henvill and Mary his wife of the one part and Baruch Fox the elder of Beaminster in the County of Dorset, gentleman and John James Millard of the City of Bristol, Cooper with of the other part whereby said Francis Phipps Henvill granted and conveyed said Manor, Heridiaments and premises to said Fox and Maitland and their heirs interest for sale .
3rd June 1788 Attested Copy of Indenture of Release being of 5 parts made between said James Ireland and William Blake Surviving Trustees named in the last will and Testament of the said James Hoskins, deceased of the first part said Baruch Fox and John James Millard of the second part, William Durston of Mark in Somerset, gentleman the residuary devises of the last Will and Testament of Benedicta Durston, late of Charmouth, widow, deceased of the third part the said James Warden of the fourth part and John Harvey Pearce of the fifth part whereby the said James Ireland and William Blake Baruth Ffox John James Millard and William Durston. Granted and conveyed said Manor and premises to said James Warden and John Harvey Pearse and the heirs and assigns of the said James Warden forever and as to the Estate of the said John Harvey Pearse Interest for said James Warden, his heirs and Assigns.
.... 1788 Indenture.. And release between said James Warden and John Harvey Pearce of the one part and said Brian Combe of the other part whereby said John Harvey Pearce at the request and by the direction of the said James Warden did alienate and confirm and said James Warden did grant and confirm the said premises before particularly mentioned and hereby conveyed with their appurtenances unto the use of the said Brian Combe, his heirs and assigns forever.
Beefland and Wodgavel 105 acres in Whitchurch Canonicorum, occupation of James Gerrard bought from Lord Arundel in 1786
Also all that Messuage or Dwelling House with the Outhouses, garden and other appurtenances to the same belonging and lying in Charmouth now in the occupation of Mary Coffin as tenant therof and belonged to the Reverend William Combe, deceased, father of the said Brian Combe . And all that dwelling house with the Outhouses, gardens and other appurtenances thereto belonging or usually enjoyed therewith in Charmouth now in the several occupation of Philip Wheadon and Daniel Osborn as tenants thereof and also those 2 closes or pieces of arable land at Harners Hill now called Road Horn, one of them containing 2 roods 13 perches and the other 1 acre 1 rood and 22 perches also situate and lying and being in Charmouth now in the occupation of George Case as tenant
All that Backside or yard containing 29 perches and also that close of arable land Little Park Containing 3 acres 3roods and 14 perches and also all that close or meadow or pasture land called Dry Mead containing. 4 acres 3 roods 3 perches and also that close or meadow or pasture ground called Higher Grange or Grange Mead containing 5 acres 1 rood 3 perches and all that orchard called Grange Orchard containing 3 roods 34 perches which said Barton or yard and several closes called Little park, Dry Close, Higher Grange Mead and he orchard called Grange Orchard are also situate in Charmouth and now in the occupation of John Harris as tenant the year 1788 purchased with other lands by the said Brian Combe, Clerk, deceased of the said James warden and also that meadow or pasture ground called Berry Moor with the plantation thereto belonging containing 3acres 3 roods 20 perches also situate in Charmouth aforesaid now in the occupation of the Reverend Thomas Hodges at tenant thereof were also lately purchased by the said Brian Coombe, Clerk of the said James Warden for and also all the Tenement or Farm with the .. of Arable Meadow and pasture land thereunto belonging called Stone Barrow farm with the timber now growing containing thereon one hundred and forty one acres and thirty four perches situate lying and being in Stanton St. Gabriel within the parish of Whitchurch Canonicorum in the county of Dorset now in the occupation of the said John Harris as tenant thereof and was lately purchased in fee.
Several closes called Little Park and By Mead in the occupation n of the said John Harris and the said close called Berry Moore in the occupation of the said Thomas Hodges all situated in Charmouth
Jane Purlewent, spinster Dwelling House, homestead, barn, stable and Garden situated on Charmouth Street
Then 1 acre, 1 rood 22 perches also situate in Charmouth aforesaid now in Closes at Harners Hill were some years ago purchased in fee by the said Brian Combe deceased of the said Elizabeth Farr , Widow the only child and heiress of the said Jacob Burrows deceased by Elizabeth his wife also deceased and also all that the said Close of Meadow or pasture Ground now called Pear Close but lately know by the name of Edwards's Close containing 1 acre 2 roods 36 perches and being in Charmouth aforesaid and now in the occupation of William Burnard as tenant thereof And also all that one close of Meadow or Pasture Ground now called the Double Common but therefore known by the Name of Westleys and Braggs Closes containing 2 acres 25 perches also in Charmouth now in occupation of said William Stephens as tenant therof Also all that the said small Garden containing about 20 perches also situate in Charmouth aforesaid bounded by the Turnpike Road leading to Axminster and opposite to the said Dwelling House in the occupation of Said Mary Coffin which small garden is now held by Elizabeth Rickard and Mary Rickard for one life and also all that the said small piece or strip of Ground in Charmouth aforesaid now called the Potato Plot containing about 11 perches opposite the Close called the Single Common being divided therefore by the Road or Public Highway now in the occupation of the said Mary Coffin which said closes or pieces of land called Pear Close the Double Common of the same James Warden in the year 1788 by the said Brian Combe deceased And also all that the said Orchard formerly Commonly or Burgage or acre of Ground and in the tenure of the said George Comings(died 1709) and William Comings of Southwark,deceased afterwards of the said Clement Joynes, ( lease 1732) late in the occupation of the said Thomas Shute also deceased but now of the said Richard Hawkins as Tenant thereof containing 3 Roods 28 perches situate lying and being within the Parish of Charmouth aforesaid lately purchased by the said Brian Combe of said Francis Shute, the Widow and Devisee of the said Thomas Shute and also that the said Top of Messuage Garden and Backside with the appurtenances and also all that the said Close of Meadows and all the said Close of Pasture to the said adjoining Hayes and containing both of the whole the same more or less. And also all those the said formerly two closes of Meadow called Longlands now thrown together and making only one close containing by estimation 5 acres … situate and being in the parish of Cheddington
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Memorial to the Coombes in Shepton Mallet Church