Person Page - 140

     Miriam Stevens married Shadrack Moore, son of William Moore and Damaris Phelps.

     Starr Holcombe was born on 7 September 1801 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.^4,5 He was the son of Nahum Holcombe and Rebecca Moore. Starr Holcombe married Phebe Smith Wright, daughter of Wyllys Wright and Rhoda Chapman, on 15 November 1826 at Hartland, Hartford Co., CT.⁶ Starr Holcombe died on 23 May 1875 at age 73.⁴

Married on Thanksgiving Day.

Starr and Phebe were enumerated in the 1850 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, census, roll 39, page 158, as a farmer, with Phebe, Hubert, Adelaide, Halsey and Luzerne.


The family lived at "Brushy Hill", the ancestral home. It was a comfortable, Colonial farmhouse located at 19 Bushy Hill Road in rural Granby. The house was badly damaged in a fire in 1892, but was rebuilt. It burned again, and another house was built on the site. ⁷

Starr and Phebe were enumerated in the 1860 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, census with Adelaide, Starr, and Luzerne.

Starr and Phebe were enumerated in the 1870 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, census with Halsey, Alice (Halsey's wife), and Luzerne.

     Phebe Smith Wright was born on 17 May 1805 at Hartland, Hartford Co., CT.^2,1 She was the daughter of Wyllys Wright and Rhoda Chapman.¹ Phebe Smith Wright married Starr Holcombe, son of Nahum Holcombe and Rebecca Moore, on 15 November 1826 at Hartland, Hartford Co., CT.¹ Phebe Smith Wright died on 10 March 1876 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 70.^2,1

Phebe is a Mayflower descendant.

      Halsey Starr Holcombe was also known as Starr Halsey Holcombe.³ He was born on 27 June 1841 at Torrington, Litchfield Co., CT.^4,5 He was the son of Starr Holcombe and Phebe Smith Wright. Halsey Starr Holcombe married Alice Josephine Griffin, daughter of Richardson Griffin and Julia Ann Viets, on 29 September 1869 at Windsor Locks, Hartford Co., CT.⁵ Halsey Starr Holcombe died on 7 May 1921 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 79.^6,5 He was buried at Center Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT; Lot II-216.⁷

Halsey was a farmer in Granby. Alice was educated in a select school in Granby and at the Westfield, Massachusetts, High School.⁸

"Starr" and Alice were enumerated in the 1880 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, census with children Nathaniel and "Infant Daughter".

     Alice Josephine Griffin was born on 23 May 1849 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.^2,3 She was the daughter of Richardson Griffin and Julia Ann Viets. Alice Josephine Griffin married Halsey Starr Holcombe, son of Starr Holcombe and Phebe Smith Wright, on 29 September 1869 at Windsor Locks, Hartford Co., CT.³ Alice Josephine Griffin died on 3 June 1936 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 87.^2,3 She was buried at Center Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT; Lot II-216.⁴

     Jessie Alice Holcombe was born on 5 September 1879 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Halsey Starr Holcombe and Alice Josephine Griffin. Jessie Alice Holcombe married William Shattuck, son of Aaron Draper Shattuck and Marion Colman, on 19 October 1898. Jessie Alice Holcombe died in 1965 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. She was buried at Center Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT; A-338.²

     William Shattuck was born on 19 September 1864 at Great Barrington, VT. He was the son of Aaron Draper Shattuck and Marion Colman. William Shattuck married Jessie Alice Holcombe, daughter of Halsey Starr Holcombe and Alice Josephine Griffin, on 19 October 1898.

William is listed in the 1920 census of Granby, page 3A, line 21, age 55, with Jessie, Corrine, Alice, Sidney, Granville, and Rodney. William Shattuck died on 28 March 1946 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 81. He was buried at Granby Center Cemetery; A-338, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹

     Wyllys Wright was born on 24 November 1777. He was the son of Ezekiel Wright and Phebe Smith.¹ Wyllys Wright was baptized on 10 May 1778 at Sandisfield, MA.¹ He married Rhoda Chapman, daughter of William Chapman and Mary Banning, on 30 June 1802 at Hartland, Hartford Co., CT.¹ Wyllys Wright died on 20 April 1854 at Hartland, Hartford Co., CT, at age 76.¹ He was buried at Wright Family Cemetery, East Hartland, Hartford Co., CT.

     Rhoda Chapman was baptized on 3 March 1782 at Hartland, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of William Chapman and Mary Banning. Rhoda Chapman married Wyllys Wright, son of Ezekiel Wright and Phebe Smith, on 30 June 1802 at Hartland, Hartford Co., CT.¹

     Ezekiel Wright was baptized on 25 August 1751 at Bolton, Tolland Co., CT.² He was born on 22 April 1753 at Plympton, Plymouth Co., MA.² He was the son of John Wright and Mary Coomer.¹ Ezekiel Wright married Phebe Smith, daughter of Isaac Smith and Mary Sparrow, on 2 February 1775 at East Hampton, Middlesex Co., CT.² Ezekiel Wright died on 9 January 1812 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 58.²

     Phebe Smith was born on 22 April 1753 at Middletown, Middlesex Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Isaac Smith and Mary Sparrow.¹ Phebe Smith married Ezekiel Wright, son of John Wright and Mary Coomer, on 2 February 1775 at East Hampton, Middlesex Co., CT.¹ Phebe Smith died on 5 June 1826 at Hartland, Hartford Co., CT, at age 73.¹

     Richardson Griffin was born on 22 November 1812. He was the son of Aristarchus Griffin. Richardson Griffin married Julia Ann Viets, daughter of Dan Viets and Beula Phelps, on 13 April 1837. Richardson Griffin died on 21 May 1898 at age 85.

     Julia Ann Viets was born on 17 August 1816 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Dan Viets and Beula Phelps. Julia Ann Viets married Richardson Griffin, son of Aristarchus Griffin, on 13 April 1837. Julia Ann Viets died on 26 May 1897 at age 80.

      Thomas Nathaniel Holcombe was also known as Nathaniel Thomas Holcombe. He was born on 10 September 1871 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ He was the son of Halsey Starr Holcombe and Alice Josephine Griffin. Thomas Nathaniel Holcombe married Henrietta Elizabeth Howe, daughter of James Gamaliel Howe and Briget M. O'Grady, on 17 October 1894 at Beekmantown, Clinton Co., NY.^4,3 Thomas Nathaniel Holcombe died in 1953.⁵ He was buried at Center Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT; Lot II-216.⁶

In the 1920 census, page 3A, line 38, of Granby, CT, "Nathaniel Holcomb" is listed as age 48, a tobacco farmer. His wife "Etta" is 44, son Howel M. is 21, son James S. is 20, son "Luzern C." is 18, and son "Maynard W." is 16.

Nathaniel and Etta were enumerated in the 1930 Granby census, page 5B. He was a farmer, age 58, she was 55. Children in the household were Howell 32, and Maynard 26. Nathaniel's mother, Alice J, age 80, widowed, was also in the household.

      Henrietta Elizabeth Howe also went by the name of Etta Howe.¹ She was born on 16 January 1875 at Beekmantown, Clinton Co., NY.^2,1 She was the daughter of James Gamaliel Howe and Briget M. O'Grady. Henrietta Elizabeth Howe married Thomas Nathaniel Holcombe, son of Halsey Starr Holcombe and Alice Josephine Griffin, on 17 October 1894 at Beekmantown, Clinton Co., NY.^2,1 Henrietta Elizabeth Howe died on 22 August 1970 at East Hartford, Hartford Co., CT, at age 95.^3,1 She was buried at Center Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT; Lot II-216.

     Howell Nathaniel Holcombe was born on 16 December 1897 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Thomas Nathaniel Holcombe and Henrietta Elizabeth Howe. Howell Nathaniel Holcombe died on 23 February 1982 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT, at age 84.^2,3 He was buried at Center Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT; Lot II-216.⁴

     James Starr Holcombe was born on 2 November 1899 at 114 West Granby Road, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.^3,4,2,5 He was the son of Thomas Nathaniel Holcombe and Henrietta Elizabeth Howe.² James Starr Holcombe married Eva Mary Messenger, daughter of Charles Edwin Messenger and Carolyn M. Luther, on 9 June 1926 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² James Starr Holcombe died on 18 September 1977 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 77.^3,5

A farmer who loved milking his cows.

James and Eva were enumerated in the 1930 Granby census, page 5B, living next door to his father. He was a farmer, age 30, she was 21. Did they move to MA before their son was born in September?

      Luzerne Clifton Holcombe was also known as Lucerne Clifton Holcombe. He was born on 4 December 1901 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Thomas Nathaniel Holcombe and Henrietta Elizabeth Howe. Luzerne Clifton Holcombe married Marion G. Evarts, daughter of Howard A. Evarts and Della A. Hayes, on 29 September 1928. Luzerne Clifton Holcombe died on 20 July 1991 at age 89.²

Luzeren and Marion were enumerated in the 1930 West Hartford, Hartford Co., CT, federal census, district 229. He was 28, she was 23.

      Willard Mayard Holcombe was also known as Maynard Willard Holcombe. He was born on 4 February 1904 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Thomas Nathaniel Holcombe and Henrietta Elizabeth Howe. Willard Mayard Holcombe married Mildred Avena Ledgard, daughter of Joseph Ledgard and Avena I. Hayes, on 16 June 1932 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT. Willard Mayard Holcombe died on 6 February 1994 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT, at age 90.²

     Mildred is 1st cousin of Marion (Evarts) Holcombe, her brother-in-law's wife. Mildred Avena Ledgard was born on 12 December 1908. She was the daughter of Joseph Ledgard and Avena I. Hayes. Mildred Avena Ledgard married Willard Mayard Holcombe, son of Thomas Nathaniel Holcombe and Henrietta Elizabeth Howe, on 16 June 1932 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.

     Marion G. Evarts was born on 22 April 1907 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT.^1,2 She was the daughter of Howard A. Evarts and Della A. Hayes. Marion G. Evarts married Luzerne Clifton Holcombe, son of Thomas Nathaniel Holcombe and Henrietta Elizabeth Howe, on 29 September 1928. Marion G. Evarts died on 22 September 1996 at Avery Heights, Hartford, Hartford Co., CT, at age 89.^3,2

Marion was a Girl scout leader and member of the Ruth Wyllys Chapter fo the DAR, who with cousin, Mildred, are eligible on their maternal sides to membership in "Mayflower Descendants" and "Founders of Hartford, CT".

     Ava Valdson was born circa 1945 at Helsinki, Finland. She died on 6 May 2007.

from the Hartford Courant, 8 May 2007:

Ava (Valdson) Holcombe, 62, of Burlington, beloved wife of Thomas E. Holcombe, passed away Sunday (May 6, 2007). Born in Helsinki, Finland, she had lived in Hartford before moving to Burlington 33 years ago. Besides her husband, she leaves a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary and Richard Heywood; and two nieces, Alice and Sarah Heywood, all of Wethersfield. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 10, at 11 a.m., at the Granby Cemetery, North Granby Rd., Granby. There are no calling hours. Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, Granby, has care of the arrangements.

     Eva Mary Messenger was born on 24 April 1908 at West Granby, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.^1,2 She was the daughter of Charles Edwin Messenger and Carolyn M. Luther. Eva Mary Messenger married James Starr Holcombe, son of Thomas Nathaniel Holcombe and Henrietta Elizabeth Howe, on 9 June 1926 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹ Eva Mary Messenger died on 25 February 1993 at Rockville, CT, at age 84.^3,2

     Charles Edwin Messenger was born on 5 March 1868.¹ He was the son of Armenus Messenger and Eliza Clark. Charles Edwin Messenger married Carolyn M. Luther in 1907. Charles Edwin Messenger died on 2 February 1941 at age 72.¹

     Carolyn M. Luther was born on 30 December 1888.¹ She married Charles Edwin Messenger, son of Armenus Messenger and Eliza Clark, in 1907. Carolyn M. Luther died on 28 November 1983 at age 94.¹

     Natalie Faith Ware was born on 23 May 1930 at Brookline, NH. She was the daughter of Alfred Raymond Ware and Edith Hughes. Natalie Faith Ware died on 13 October 1998 at at home, Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 68.¹ She was buried on 16 October 1998 at Halsey Starr Holcombe Plot, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.

     Corinne Coleman Shattuck was born on 21 July 1899 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of William Shattuck and Jessie Alice Holcombe. Corinne Coleman Shattuck died on 17 April 1993 at age 93. She was buried at Granby Center Cemetery; A-338, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹