Vincent DuComb of Philadelphia Hairdresser, Perfumer and Merchant and His Family

The Pennsylvania GENEALOGICAL Magazine MagegigigaigligragsgggigilgliPMARN Vincent DuComb of Philadelphia Hairdresser, Perfumer and Merchant and His Family Research by FERN DUCOMB KAHLERT V INCENT DUCOMB had arrived in Philadelphia prior to 1785, when, as "Vincent Ducombe" he was listed in one Philadelphia City Directory as a hairdresser at 35 Chestnut Street, and in another as "Vincent Duncomb," hairdresser, near the corner of Second and Chestnut Streets. Born about 1765, a son of Philip and Anna Maria Servois DuCombs of Marseilles, France,' he had, however, been in the city since at least 1784, if not earlier. Whatever the actual time of his arrival, it was long enough for him to become well acquainted with some of the French-Acadian residents in the city, probably through attendance at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Willing's Alley. 7 Marphersores Directory for the City and Suburbs of Philadelphia . . Published October 1s5 1785; Francis White's Philadelphia Directory, 1785. All Philadelphia Directorks mentioned in the text were examined at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. A letter from Leon Du Combs of Marseilles to the author reports that "The Du Combs came from the High Pyrenees, noon Lourdes, to Marseilles, France. The poor, not known. Why did the Du Combs of America drop the "s", it should be Du Combs." Wilson Mitchell Ducomb, grandson of Vincent Ducomb, in his memoirs in the possession of the author, said tile, three brothers, Philip, Vincent and Gabriel Ducomb came to America one year after the Revolution. Gabriel De Combos was listed in a Philadelphia Directory in 1797 as a bookseller and stationer at 48 N. led St., and that year on 10 June advernsed for sale The Adeverstures of Telemachus in Claypoole's Daily Advertiser. No other, dam on him has been found to date. The Silt record of Philip DuComb is dated 1793, irk Fort New Madrid, Louisiana Territory (Missouri). An undated letter from one of his sons to Vincent Ducomb, whom he calls "my father's brother," in Philadelphia, in the possession of the author, establishes their relationship. 215 216 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine A month after his name first appeared in the Directory, as a preliminary to his marriage he was party to a marriage bond dated 12 November 1785: Know all Men by these Presents, That Vincent Ducomb Hair Dresser and Francis Serre of the City of Philadelphia are held and firmly bound unto His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esquire, President of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Captain General and Commander in Chief in and over the same, in the Sum of two hundred Pounds, to be paid to the said Benjamin Franklin, Esquire, his certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, or his Successor in the said Office: To the which Payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves jointly and severally for and in the Whole, our Heirs, Executors and Administrators firmly by these Presents — Sealed with our Seals. Dated the twelfth day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and eighty five. The Condition of this Obligation is such, That if there shall not hereafter appear any lawful Let or Impediment, by Reason of any Pre-contract, Consanguinity, Affinity, or any other just Cause whatsoever, but that the above-mentioned, or any other just Cause whatsoever, but that the above-mentioned Vincent Ducomb and Rose Ribaud may lawfully Marry; and that there is not any Suit depending before any judge, for or concerning any such Pre-contract; and also if the said Parties, and each of them, are of the full Age of Twenty one Years, and are not under the Tuition of his or her Parents, or have the full Consent of his or her Parents or Guardians respectively to the said Marriage; and if they, or either of them, are not indented Servants, and do and shall save harmless and keep indemnified the above-mentioned Benjamin Franklin Esquire, his Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, or his Successor in the said Office, for and concerning the premises; and shall likewise save harmless and keep indemnified the Clergyman, Minister, or Person who shall join the said Parties in Matrimony, for, or by Reason of, his so doing; then this Obligation to be Void and of none Effect, or else to stand in full Force and Virtue. /s/ Vincent Ducomb (Seal) Sealed and Delivered /s/ francois Serre (Seal) in the Presence of /s/ James Trintbk Vincent Ducomb's intended wife, ROSE RIBAUD, born ca. 1766, was the daughter of Joseph Ribaud and his first wife Margaret Benoit, French Acadians who had been sent to Philadelphia in 1755. 2 Two days after the execution of this bond their marriage was entered in the register of St. Joseph's Catholic Church as having taken place on 14 November 1785, "after dispensation," and had been witnessed by Joseph Ribaud, the bride's father, Francis Serre, party to the 2 Records of the Secretary of the Commonnlalth, Pennsylvania Hinorical and Museum OXIIIIIi991011, Harrisburg, Pa., photostat in the possession of the author. See ales "Marriage Licenses, 1784-1786," Pennsylvania Archives, grit Scrim, VI, 291, 304, 3 See "Note us the Ribaud Family of Acadia and Philadelphia," Pessosylvavia Genealogical Magazine (PGM), XXV (1968), 183-190. Vincent DuComb of Philadelphia 217 bond, and John Sainton. The "dispensation" was perhaps necessary since neither Vincent nor Rose were of full age.' On 3 February 1786, three months after his marriage, Vincent Ducomb took and subscribed to the oath of allegiance to the State of Pennsylvania before Plunket Fleeson. The record stated that "Vincent Ducomb arrived in this City from France above two years past." According to family legend, Ducomb participated in the "Grand Federal Procession" in Philadelphia on 4 July 1788, which celebrated the ratification of the Federal Constitution. Although his name does not appear in the account of the parade, he may very well have marched with the "Peruke-Makers and Barber-Surgeons," since he was listed in the Directories at least four times as a barber (in 1790, 1791, 1795 and 1797). Certainly his friend Francis Serre was in the parade, for the record stated that "The stay makers were represented by Mr. Francis Serre and his first journeymen, carrying an elegant pair of ladies stays." By 1789 the Ducombs had moved from Chestnut Street to Walnut Ward where Vincent's personal estate was rated at £50. The next year he was listed on the First Federal Census as Vinsant Dunscomb, barber, on the north side of Walnut Street, head of a household which included two males over 16 years of age, three males under 16, and three females. In view of the size of the household, it is probable the Ducombs had lodgers, since only two children are known to have been born to them by that time: Anna Maria, born ca. 1786, and Vincent, Jr., born ca. 1787 or 1788.' Vincent Ducomb continued to be assessed in Walnut Ward. In 1791 he was listed as a hairdresser in that ward, had personal estate rated at £40, and a dwelling at £360 which he appears to have been renting from the Faulkener estate. He was listed in Biddle's Directory that same year as Vincent Dunscomb, barber at 41 Walnut Street. He Records of the Awn*. Catholic Hisiorkal 4 See "Father Farmer's Marriage Register, 1785," Society (ACHS), LI (1889), 313, wherein Serre's name is given as Ferre, and Sainton's as Pinion. In these records, the Ducomb name is invariably gulled without any capitalization of the first letter of the second sYllable. and is dse wa7 Vincent hinosif spelled it. Their birds years are deduced from their ages as given in their death records. h Thompson Watson, Names of Persons who Took the Oalb of Allegiance to the State of Pennsylvania between the Peers 1777-1789 (Philadelphia, 1865), 112. Francois Senn "from France above 2 years past," and John Sainton "from Corsica above 3 years past," both witnesses to Vincenes marriage, subscribed to the oath at the same time so Vincent. Monoirs of Wilson Mitchell Ducomb; Pennsylvania Packet, 9 July 1788. T. Assessment Ledger, Walnut Ward, 1789, Plsiladelphia City ArcIsives, City Hall. Heads of Families at the First Census . . . 1790: Pennsylvania (Washington, D.C., 1908), 240. 218 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine was still at the same address in 1793 when he was now listed as a perfumer and hairdresser. His personal estate was rated at £100 and his dwelling at £500.s This was the year he purchased his first property in the city. On 15 May 1793, he bought for "three thousand Spanish milled dollars," a small lot, twenty-five feet square, on the north side of Walnut Street "between Delaware Second Street and the Dock," on which was a messuage or tenement. Located just east of the place where Dock Creek crossed Walnut Street, it was only a few doors west of his former dwelling.° In 1794 he was listed in the Directories as perfumer at 53 Walnut Street; his personal estate was rated at E100 and his dwelling at £500 in Walnut Ward. This was also the year he was listed as a private on the roll of Captain Peter Duplessis's 1st Company of the Third Regiment, First Battalion of Philadelphia City Militia, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Samuel McClean. By 1798 he had advanced to Lieutenant of the 1st Company, Third Regiment, a rating he held for seven years." Meanwhile, although he continued to be listed in the Directories at 53 Walnut as a barber in 1795 and 1797, he was assessed in South Ward in 1796 and 1798 on a two-story brick house rated at £1050, and in 1799 on a frame shop, rated at E1100, as well as on a horse rated at £50. The Directories continued to list him at 53 Walnut Street, but now as a perfumer." By 1800, when the Second Federal Census for Walnut Ward was taken, Vincent Ducomb's family had increased. It now included two males under ten years of age, one male between ten and under sixteen, three females under ten, and one between ten and under sixteen. He himself was between 26 and under 45 years of age, and there were two a Tax Assessment Ledger, Walnut Ward, 1791, 1793, City Archives, cited in Note 7, P Plidadelphia Deed Book D-39, 47. If May 1793, Felix Brunt ro Vincent Ducosnb. In 1785 Bruno, had just opened a perfumery shop in woo,,, near the corner of Second Stem, where he had "'an elegant assortment of Perfumery imported from France," according to his announcement in the Pennsylvania Parket for 29 March 1785. See also his listing in the 1790 Census, 240, cited in Note 7. 15 Tax Assessment Ledger, Walnut Ward, 1794, City Archives. 'Dais same year he ,ho was assessed on property in South Ward, rated at 0400. See Tax Assessment Ledger, South Ward, 1794, City Archives. Pennsylvania Archives, 6th Series, V, 509; ibid., IV, 660. The original commission, signed by Thomas MiBlin, is in the possession of Dr. Wilson L. Ducomb, of Carlyle, Et, a great-great grandson. "Ibid., South 'Ward, 1796, 1798, 1799. He may have been renting this property in South Ward; no deeds have been found for it. On 2 September 1798, Rose Ducomb and Anthony Limn were sponsors at the baptism, at Holy Trinity R. C. Church, of Mary Rosin,, daughter of Rose's sister Catherine Cadet and her husband John Baptiste Cadre. PGM, XXV, III, cited 10 Note I. Vincent DuComb of Philadelphia 219 females in the same age bracket." The known children born since 1790 included Mary Louisa, born in 1792, Gaspard, born in 1795, and John Baptiste, born in 1797. This was the year Ducomb joined Masonic Lodge No. 3. He was elected to the First Degree on 1 November 1800, to the Second Degree in December of the same year, and to the Third Degree on 7 January 1801. He was Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 3 from June to December 1804 (a Worshipful Master was elected for a period of six months), and was a dues paying member of the Lodge until 2 January 1814, and then resigned." On 6 April 1801, Rose Ducomb and Anthony Chardon were sponsors at the baptism at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, of Rosa Caroline, daughter of Peter Boulu and his wife Frances Chardon. The baptismal register noted that the child had been born in France in 1795." In June of this year Vincent Ducomb purchased for $3000 a twenty-nine acre tract "in or near" Bristol Township on the Limekiln Road. It appears to have been unimproved land, and late in 1804 Ducomb sold it to John Goodman, Sr., for £.1200. The same day he sold the Bristol Township land, he bought from Goodman for $1600, a messuage and lot on the south side of Margaretta Street, between Delaware Front and Second Streets in the Northern Liberties." Although Ducomb was described as a merchant in these two conveyances, he was still listed as a perfumer in the Directories at 53 Walnut Street up to 1803, and then at 58 Walnut Street in that year and in 1804. In 1805 an Academy of Fine Arts was initiated in Philadelphia in which the Peale family had a considerable interest. Young Rembrandt Peale, established by his father in a small studio in the State House, was one of the two contributing artists. When the Academy officially opened its doors in 1806, the Ducombs decided to have their portraits painted by the aspiring artist. The resultant portraits on wood were finally placed on exhibit for a year in the new building. As late as 1917 Vincent's portrait was in the Philadelphia home of a grand12 National Archives Microfihn Reel No. 43: U. S. C:115111, 1800, Philadelphia city, Walnut Ward, I. m Information courtesy of Ashby B. Paul, Grand Srtretary, Masonic Temple, Broad and Filbert Sts., Philaddphia. ACHS, XVIII (1907), 86. This was doe the year Vincent acted as executor of the will of Joseph Ribaud, his father-in-law. See PGM, XXV, 189. Anthony Chardon, who had operated a paper-hanging manufactory in the city at 85 Chestnut Street since about 1794, had been a sponsor at the baptism of Vincent's daughter Mary Louisa in 1792, for which see the text below. .5 Philadelphia Deed Book CF-f, 677: Is June 1801, Joseph Girard of New York to Vincent Ducomb; CF-IS, 254: 9 Derember 1804, Vincent Ducomb and Rosetta, his wife, to John Goodman, Sr.; ibid., EF-18, 626; 9 December 1804, John Goodman, Sr., to Vincent Ducomb. 220 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine daughter, Ernestine Ducomb Peabody, but has since disappeared. That of his wife, Rose Ribaud Ducomb, is presently owned by George Ducomb Kahlert of Dayton, Ohio." Extant records of Vincent Ducomb's mercantile interests show that at this period he was doing business with Edward Coursalt, a merchant of St. Louis, to whom he sold toothbrushes, combs, pocket books, turtleshell combs, silver trays and pencils, and other similar small goods." Family tradition also has it that Stephen Girard and Vincent Ducomb "were good friends." Certainly they were at least business acquaintances; among the Stephen Girard papers, examined on microfilm at the American Philosophical Society Library in Philadelphia, there are four items which indicate that young Vincent, Jr., who had entered upon a maritime career in 1803 as a lad of 15, within a few years was involved in dealings with Girard, at least peripherally. On 3 December 1807, as "Mr. Ducomb, 2nd Officer of the Brig Neptune," he carried a letter to Stephen Girard from one Juan Jose de Iriarte of Havana. He also had a letter, and a package of documents from J. Bte. Frontis, of Havana, for Mr. Girard." From 1805 through 1808, the elder Ducomb was listed at 47 N. Third Street, still as a perfumer. But in the latter year he was also listed with Joseph Poole as combmakers, at 47 N. Third and 179 Arch Street — the latter being Poole's separate address as well. In 1809 and 1810, Ducomb and Poole, combmakers, were listed at 73 N. Eighth, although Vincent continued to be listed also as perfumer at 53 Walnut. The combmaking appears to have been a sideline for Vincent, but bears out the family tradition repeated by Wilson Mitchell Ducomb of his "grandfather manufacturing combs to be used in foreign trade." While the partnership continued through 1811, Vincent that year was listed for the first time as merchant at 53 Walnut. During these years pages from an old ledger show that Vincent was part owner or held shares in the Brigs Nanina, Neptune and Only Son, with Benjamin Thomas. whose son Benjamin, Jr., in 1814 married Vincent's daughter Mary Louisa. The cargo of these vessels was gen19 The author saw the portraits at Mn. Peabody's fil August 1917. After her death on 28 July 1923, her son Andrew J. Peabody was unable to locate Vincent's portrait. He believed his half-sister, Catherine Gibson, may have sold the portrait. That of Rose had been shipped to the author ba 1918. 17 Henry S. Dame. Collection, 1800-1829, Missouri Historical Sockty, Jefferson Memorial Bldg., St. Louis, Mo. 18 A note dated 5 January 1805, from G. F. Courvoiskr Sandoz to Stephen Girard stated that "My Servant took the boo of matches to Mr. Nonangell and the two guns to Mr. DuCombe." This cod the 1807 items are Nos. II, 695, 701, 744, in the Stephen Girard Papers. Vincent DuComb of Philadelphia 221 erally sugar and flour, destined for such ports as Havanna, Savannah, Trinidad, Porto Rico and New Orleans." Ducomb also invested in additional real estate in this period. In March 1808, he bought from John Baptiste Verdier the messuage and lot adjoining on the west of his place on Walnut Street for $1700. Three months later Verdier in his will appointed Vincent Ducomb one of his executors. The will was proved nine days later on 14 June 1808." The next year on 12 February 1809, Vincent and Marie Rosette Ducomb were sponsors at the baptism at St. Joseph's Church of Vincent Benjamin Sixt, son of Stephen Sixt and his wife Catharine Jones. At the end of that year on 27 December, Rosetta Ducomb and Michael MarMot were sponsors at the same church at the baptism of Vincent Michael Meunier, son of Nicholas Meunier and his wife Sarah Butler." In 1810 Vincent Ducomb acquired two more pieces of real estate. In April, for $800 he bought a house and lot on the south side of Sassafras Street (now Race Street) between Delaware Eighth and Ninth Streets. Then in July he bought for $700 another house and lot, this time a two-story frame messuage on the west side of Second Street continued south beyond the bounds of the city in Southwark." By the time the enumerator for the Third Federal Census in 1810 came around, the Ducomb household included thirteen persons. Among these were his newly married eldest son Vincent, Jr., and his wife Margaret Frick, and his youngest children: Anna Sophia Constantia Fortunata, born late in 1800, Harriet, born in 1802, Emilia in 1804, and Philip Nicholas Gaspard in 1806. Two of the females in the household may have been servants." During 1810 and into 1811 the threat of a possible war with Great Britain had steadily mounted as a result of the continuing impressment of American sailors and the seizure of American vessels by the British naval forces. Precisely how all this affected Vincent Ducomb is not I9 Records of the Port of Philadelphia, Vessel Reports, 26 August 1809-16 March 1812, Division of Archives and Manuscripts, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, P. 10 Philadelphia Deed Book EF-29, 646: 8 March 1808, John Baptiste Verdict to Vincent Ducomb. Philadelphia Will Book 2, 311, #66:1808, will of John B. Verdict. 21 ACHS, XDC (1908), 422, 425. While Wilson Mitchell Ducomb always referred to his grandmothrt as Maria Rosetta, and she had signed her name as Rosetta as early as 1804, these baptisms ate the fine occasions when she is so called in the church records. 2.Philadelphia Deed Book IC-S 277: 7 April 1810, James Dilworth to Vincent Ducomb. The lot was 20', 144', about 99' east of Ninth Street. /W., IC-8, 272: 3 July 1810, Daniel Rain to vilICalt Ducomb. This property was 19' • 100'. 28 National Archives Microfilm Reel No. II: U.S. Census, Philadelphia Gty, Wahl. Ward, 491. 222 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine known, but he appears to have felt the need for some retrenchment. In February 1811, Ducomb sold the Margaretta Street house and lot for $2000 to Henry A. Beck, a druggist, and John M. Brown, a rigger, both of whom were of the Northern Liberties. In March he brought suit against Sebastian Palmer for a debt of $200, and in November against one William P. Brown for a like amount. The Palmer suit appears to have been discharged, but arbitrators were appointed to settle the second suit." None of this seems to have solved his financial problems, for at the end of December 1811, Ducomb found himself "indebted to divers persons in large sums of money which by reason of many losses in trade he is unable to pay and satisfy otherwise than by his assignment of all his estate and effects for their benefit." He and his wife therefore made over to James Lyle and Anthony Chardon all "the messuages, lots of ground, lands, tenements, hereditaments and real estate," as well as all "the goods, wares and merchandise," and all the "monies, debts and credits" due and owing or contracted to be paid by him, in trust, to convert all the estate, real and personal, into cash for the payment and discharge of Vincent's debts. One of the subscribing witnesses to this arrangement for collecting his debts and paying his creditors was the Benjamin Thomas with whom he had had business dealings. By his attorney he filed another suit in January 1812, this time against George Helmbold, Jr. Again arbitrators were appointed to settle the account, and in February Vincent was awarded $134.21.' His partnership with Joseph Poole now ended, and by 1813 the Ducombs had moved to 191 Pine Street where they lived for two years. Vincent had held in trust properties for Constance Griffin who presumably had been the sponsor at the baptism in 1800, of Vincent's daughter Anna Sophia Constantia Fortunata. In June 1815, at the request of the lady, Vincent and she made over these properties to Louis James Bertholomus Truet, a mariner of Charleston." 24 PhAadelphia Deed Book MR-4, 151: 16 February 1811, Vince. Ducomb and Rosetta his wife to Henry A. Beck and John M. Brown. Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Docket, March 1511, 114, Case 452: Philadelphia District Court Docket, December 1811, 271, Case 423, City Archives, cited in Nom 7. 28 Philadelphia Deed Book IC-18, 74: 30 December 1811, Vincent Ducomb and Rosetta ha wife to James Lyle and Anthony Chardon. Philadelphia District C,ourt Docket, February 1812, 311, Caw 169, City Archives. 20 Philedalphia Deed Book MR-4, 13: 20 June 1815, Vincent Ducomb and Constance Griffin to Louis J. B. Truet. Vincent DuComb of Philadelphia 223 By 1816 the Ducombs had moved once more, this time to the southeast corner of Spruce and Third, where Vincent was listed as a grocer. It was presumably here that Vincent died on 21 February 1816, aged 50 years and 3 months. According to family tradition, the death of his son Vincent, Jr., apparently lost at sea sometime after his return in August 1815, from a voyage on the Sloop Rosetta D., hastened Vincent's death. The notice of his death appeared in the newspaper on 22 February 1816: Departed this transitory life, yesterday morning, at three o'clock, Mr. Vincent Ducornb, after a short but severe indisposition which he bore with exemplary fortitude and Christian resignation. The friends and acquaintances of the deceased are invited to attend his funeral from his late dwelling, this of ternoon, at 4 o'clock. His masonic brethren are particularly requested to attend." Letters of administration on his estate were granted 27 February 1816, to his widow Rosetta Ducomb, and Peter Perpignan, a jeweler of the Northern Liberties. Sureties, in the amount of $2400, were George Willing, storekeeper, and George Weaver, coachman, both of the city. The inventory of his shop, made by William Wilson and Isaac Culp, listed liquors and food, household goods, spices, and goods in the cellar. The total valuation did not exceed $1200. Among expenses paid after his death was $22.121/4 to William Campbell for a coffin; $12 to John Doyle of St. Mary's Church for ground; $64 to John Altemes for a mourning cape; $25 to Catherine Smith and Mary Babe for two mourning bonnets; $75.93 to M. Weeks for winding sheets and winding cape; $10 to Patrick Sharp for funeral ceremonies; $7.50 to James Walley, a servant; $10 to Meley Miller, another servant; and $24 to Charles Caldwell for medical services.' Rosetta (Ribaud) Ducomb survived her husband until 1830. These fourteen years were sad and uneasy ones for her. She lived in three different homes during this period, the first of which was at 13 Powell Street (now Delancey), where she was listed as residing in 1817. From 1818 through 1822, she was listed as "Mrs. R. Ducomb, gentlewoman," 168 South Sixth Street. Here her son Gaspard died of consumption in 1820. In 1824 her daughter Mary Louisa died, and in 1825, when she had moved to 177 Lombard Street, her daughter Harriet died of conPoulson', Americat Daily Advertiser, as Death Register, 1803-1860, "D to FSS," City Archives. 22 February 1816, 3. 28 Philadelphia Administration Book L, 320, #35:1856, Vincent Ducomb estate. The inventory and accounts are 6 rom the original papers, City Hall Annex, Fhiladdphia. 224 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine sumption. Three years later Emilia also died of consumption, and in 1829, was followed by John Baptiste, her third son. She herself died eighteen months later on Thursday, 9 December 1830, survived by only two children. The notice of her death appeared the following Saturday in the papers: Died on 9th of Dec., of a lingering illness, Mrs. Rosetta DuComb, consort of the late Vincent DuComb, age 64 years. The Friends of the deceased are respectfully invited to attend her funeral, from her son-in-law's residence, No. 181 Lombard-street, near Seventh, on Sunday afternoon, at 3 o'clock." Known Issue of Vincent Ducomb and his wife Rosetta Ribaucl:" i. ANNA Mama. Ducomis, b. ca. 1786; d. in Philadelphia 12 November 1807; m, by the Rev. William Filing of Holy TrinIty Catholic Church on 1 January 1806, merchant in 1807 at the northeast corner of Third and Mulberry (Arch) Streets. According to Anna Maria's death notice, she died "of an apoplexy, as she lived beloved by all, who had the pleasure of her acquaintance, on she died universally regretted. She has left, to lament the loss, a husband and a young babe." No further information on her husband or child has been located. VINCENT DUCOINB, JR., b. ca. 1787-88; lost at sea probably late in 1815; m. ca. 1808-09, MARGARET Fiucx, d. after 1837. Maritime records list him in 1803 as aged 15, height $ ft. 2 in., with dark complexion. He was the youngest member of the crew of the Schooner Lyons. By 1805 his age was given as 17, he had grown two inches, and was 2nd Mate of the Schooner Two Friends, bound for Porto Rico. Two years later, at age 20, he was Mate of the Brig Neptune, bound for Havana. He still had a dark complexion and hazel eyes. In August 1809, he became Master of the Brig Nanino and made several voyages in her to Havana and back via New Orleans." On 21 March 1812, apparently as he was about to go on another voyage, he executed a power of attorney, authorizing his father Vincent Ducomb to collect monies due him, to carry on and for his use "a Comb Manufactory or any other business" as might be of most use and benefit, and to make contracts "either by Purchase, Sale or otherwise." The document was witnessed by his brother Gaspard Ducomb and Robert Ross." WILLIAM THOMAS LEGRAND, 29 Poulson's Amerkan Daily idaverther, 11 December 1830, 3. The son-in-law was Ensest P. Cram., for whom see the ten. 80 According to the memoirs of Wilson Mitchell Ducomb, Vincent and Rosetta had ten children, but ordy nine have been established. One may have died in infancy. ill Baptismal retards for St. Joseph's Church are missing between 1786 and 1791; Holy Trinity's baptismal records extend only through 1806. See `Wattages, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 17961586," ACHS, 30C(DI (1928), 60. Robinson's City Directory, 1807. Poolson's American Daily Advertiser, 16 November 1807, 3. 07 'Wasters and Crews," Vol. 1-2, Sec, 5, 27; Vol. 3-4, Sec. 5, 177, 157, W.P.A. Maritime Records, Port of Philadelphia, examined at Philadelphia Public Library; Vessel Reports, 26 August 180616 March 1812, Port of Philadelphia, cited in Note 19. 89 There is no evidence that the elder Ducomb did anything about continuing the comb manufactory in his son's name. The original document is in the possession of Dr. Wilson L. Ducomb, Carlyle, Vincent DuComb of Philadelphia 225 He was first listed in the Directories in 1811 as a sea captain at 46 Penn Street, then in 1813 at 191 Pine at his father's residence, but in 1814 at 196 Pine. The last listing was in 1816 at his father's then location, the southeast corner of Spruce and Third. The last notice of him in the papers was 21 August 1815, when he arrived from Washington, N. Carolina, with naval stores on the Sloop Rosetta D. The presumption is that he then set sail or, his final voyage." His widow Margaret was listed in the Directories from 1823 through 1831 as a grocer at the northwest corner of Sixth and Pine. In 1833 she had dry goods at 174 S. Sixth, and in 1837 was listed at 179 S. Second Street. Her name then disappeared from the Directories, and no further data has been found. Known issue: 1. Vincent Ducomb, d. 2 September 1809, ae. 1 week; bur. St. Peter's. 2. Maria Rosetta Ducomb, b. 7 August, bapt. at St. Joseph's 1 October 1813. 3. Anna Francesca Ducomb, b. (posthumously) May 1816, bapt. at St. Joseph's 10 June 1816." MARY LOUISA DUCOMB, b. 2 September, bapt. 1 October 1792, sp. Anthony Chardon and Mary Louisa Sainton; d. 26 August 1824; m. by Dr. Joseph Pilmore of Sc. Paul's P. E. Church, Philadelphia, on 30 April 1814, to BENJAMIN THOMAS, Jk., son of Benjamin Thomas, Inspector of Customs. Benjamin Thomas, Jr., was an accountant, and was listed at the same address as his father: 136 Swanson Street, from 1816 through 1822. The death notice of his wife in 1824, called her "relict of Benjamin Thomas, Jr." as No known issue. /T. GASPARD DUCOMB, b. 27 May, bapt. by the Rev. M. Ennis 9 July 1795, sp. Gaspar Ennis and Christina Ribaud; d. in Philadelphia 29 November 1820; bur. in the graveyard of St. Mary's R. C. Church, Philadelphia; m. before 1818, Puri-1E34u Non. First listed in the Directories in 1819 as Gaspard F. Ducomb, accountant, 23 Elizabeth Street, he moved in with his mother in 1820 at her residence, 168 S. Sixth, and was living there at the time of his death. He had been an accountant for his father, according to family tradition, then, as reported in his long obituary, he "was clerk to a gentleman of this City, who, for many years entrusted him with all his concerns, and they were at times immensely important. His conduct throughout these transactions was of a most satisfactory kind, but what constitutes a feature of his character of no common kind, the whole of his earnings were expended in the support of his widowed mother and her numerous family, not spent in revellings and dissipation." He died of "a lingering consumption which he bore with christian fortitude and resignation." B. Vincent Ducomb, Jr., was wearing a gold watch, with his father's name and address inside, when he was lost at sea. It was returned to his father by a now unknown person, and was in the post:slim of Ernestine Dmomb Peabody of Philadelphia in 1917. Paulson's American Daily Advertise., "Arrivals — Port of Philadelphia," 21 August 1815, 3. 8, Philadelphia Board of Health Records, 14074814, 146, Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (GOP); original parish registers, St. Joseph , R. C. Church, Baptisms, 1809-1823, 140, 201, housed at the church. These baptisms, extracted in 1967 by the Rev. Robert Piquet, S.J., for the author, include the name of Vincent's wife Margaret Frick. No marriage record for them has been found, nor my birth or death record for her. (1904), 308. Records of St. Paul's R. E. 88 'llapeisms, 1792, St. Joseph's Church," ACHS, XV, Church, 373, GOP. Poulson's Americas Daily Advertiser, 27 August 1824, 3. 226 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Issue: 1. Catharine lobar:nit Ducomb, b. 23 February 1818, bapt. 14 December 1819.. V. JOHN BAPTISTE Ducomn, b. 19 October, bapt. 8 November 1797, sp. John Baptiste Cate. and Elizabeth Cartey; d. unm. in Philadelphia in June 1829. According to his obituary, he was "a young man of exemplary piety: having ruptured a blood vessel some time past, and having a constitution naturally delicate, his health became gradually impaired and the function of the organs of respiration were finally destroyed; his actions and conduct during his illness evinced how much he was interested and concerned for the welfare of his widowed mother." " vi. ANNA SOPHIA CONSTANTIA FORTUNATA DUCOMB, b. 26 November 1800, bapt. by the Rev. Carr, 28 March 1801, sp. Philip Dominic Puglia and Constance Greffen; probably d. before 1861; m. before 1827, ERNEST F. CnozErrt, b. in France ca. 1800; d. in Philadelphia 12 June 1861, ae. 61; bur. in the graveyard of Holy Trinity R. C. Church. He was a printer by trade, and was first listed in the Directories in 1828 at 191 Lombard Street. Later (1837.1843) he was listed at 151 S. Sixth Street, and still later (1850-1854) at 13th and Market Streets, and 471 Chestnut. Known issue: 1. Margaretta Crozette, b. ca. 1827; d. 5 February 1831, or. 4 2. Ernest Crozette, Jr., b. ca. 1834; d. 30 July 1859, vii. HARRIET Ducomn, b. 7 November, bapt. by the Rev. Rossiter, 17 November 1802, sp. Stephen Perpignan and her elder sister Mary Ducomb; d. unm. 16 December 1825, "of a rapid consumption," and was bur, in the graveyard of St. Mary's Church. The funeral was held from her mother's residence, 177 Lombard Street." Val. EMILIA Ducomn, b. 5 December 1804, bapt. by the Rev. Rossiter, 4 January 1805, sp. her elder sister Louisa Ducornb; d. umn. 20 July 1828, "of consumption of the lungs." The funeral was "from her mother's residence, No. 177 Lombardstreet," and she was bur. in St. Mary's graveyard." ix. PHILIP NrcoLAs GnspAn DUCOMB, b. 4 March 1806; d. 2 April 1883, in Philadelphia; m. 1st, by Alderman Michael Freytag, 6 March 1827, to HxxxrErrA 05 "Baptisms, 1795, St. Joseph's Church," ACID, XVI (1905), 215. The Christina Ribaud who was a sponsor at this baptism has not been identified. Was she a sister of Rose Riband who died before their father wrote his will in 18015 Poulson's Anserkan Daily Advertiser, 5 December 1820, 3; Philadelphia Death Register, 1803-1860, "D to ESS," Philadelphia City Archives, City Hall. Original parish registers, St. Joseph's R. C. Church, Baptisms, 1809-1823, 307, cited in Note 35. 3, "Baptisms, 1797, Holy Trinity R. C. Church," ACHS, XXII (1911), 77. John Baptiste Cater, Poulson's American Daily Advertiser, sponsor at his baptism, was the brother-in-law of Rose Ducomb. 15 June 1829, 3. Philadelphia Register of 8 . "Baptisms, 1801, St Joseph's Church," ACHS, XVIII (1957), 85. Deaths, 1861, Vol. 2, 19; Register of Deaths, 1503-1860, Vol. 6, 958. No date of death or marriage for Anna Sophia has been found. 40 "Baptimis, 1802, St. Joseph's Church," ACHS, XVIII, 237. Death Register, 1803-1860, "D so ED," Philadelphia City Archives, City Hall. Poulson', American Daily Advertiser, 17 December 1825, 3. Burials were made in St. Mary's graveyard when available space in St. Joseph's was reduced. If the Ducombs had headstones, they have disappeared. See ACHS, III (1888)0 253. •..Baptisms, 1805, St. Joseph's Church," ACHS, XDC, 80. Death Register, 1803-1860, "D to ESS," wherein she is listed as Emma Ducomb. Positron's American Daily Advertiser, 21 July 1828, 3. Vincent DuComb of Philadelphia 227 Parrox of Westborough, Pa.; witnesses Rosette Ducomb and Catharine E. Colin. He m. 2nd, 30 June 1830, ANN CATHARINE CREAMER, the Rev. Silas Potts of the Fourth Presbyterian Church officiating. Witnesses were Ernest Crozette, Philip's brother-in-law, and Julia Ann Cramer.. Philip was first listed in the Directories as an accountant in 1829 at his mother's residence, 177 Lombard Street. In 1833, after her death, he was listed at Loeleys [Loxleyst] Court. By 1837 he had become a clerk, and was listed at 155 Vine Street. He was not listed in 1840, but Catherine Ducomb, dressmaker, pmsumably his wife, was listed that year and in 1841 at the southeast corner of Sixth and Pine. In 1844 Philip's location was Bryan's Court. Possibly at the suggestion of his brother-in-law Ernest F. Crozette, he abandoned clerking and became a printer, and was so listed in 1860, at 830 Catherine Street; Catherine Ducomb was at the same address as a dressmaker. By 1876 he was established at 221 N. Ninth, as was Catherine, who continued to be listed there as a dressmaker after his death. Issue: 1. Anna Rose Ducomb, b. 1837; d. 21 October 1866. 2. Vincent Ducomb, b. 1839; d. 1855. 3. Sophia Ducomb, b. 1840; d. 1855. 4. Ernestine Ducomb, b. 1842; d. 28 July 1923. 5. Wilson Mitchell Ducomb, b. 1844; d. 1931. 6. Gaspar Ducomb, b. 1846; d. 1850. 42 Marriages by Alderman Michael Freytag, I, 12, 116, GSP. Philadelphia Public Ledger, 4 April 1813, 2. The original record of his Cod marriage is in the possession of Dr. 'Wilson L. Ducomb. Births and deaths of these children are from family records. An emended genealogical mcount of Philip N. Cl. Ducomb and his descendants is being compiled by Deane Ducomb, a great-grandson. DRAWING AND PAINTING ACADEMY THE subscriber respectfully informs the Public, and the Ladies and Gentlemen who have already patronised Nis undertaking, that he intends opening his Academy on Monday next at 2 o'clock, at Mr. Ormerod's Young Ladies' Seminary, corner of South and Front streets, where he proposed teaching the polite and Necessary Accomplishments of Drawing and Painting upon Paper, Glass, Silk, Sattin and Muslin, and shading in India Ink. Coats of Arms, neatly painted upon Paper, Silk, Sattin or Vellum; Flowers and Festoons, Gowns and Flounces &c. drawn or painted on the most reasonable terms. The subscriber is furnished with Systems of Heraldry, and can procure the Arms of any Family proceeding from England, Ireland or Scotland. JAMES COX Pennsylvania Packet, 7 November 1789