Our History

Very few businesses get the chance to align their story with America's 250 th anniversary. McComas does more than align with history--we are part of it. 

McComas Funeral Home: Over 215 Years of Cabinetmaking & Undertaking

A Living Legacy Rooted in Early America

The history of the McComas family is deeply intertwined with the early development of Maryland and the United States. While family tradition has long held that the McComas Funeral Home was founded in 1808, careful historical research reveals a more nuanced—and even richer—story.


Though no single document definitively establishes the exact founding year, it is clear that the McComas family has been engaged in cabinetmaking, coffinmaking, and undertaking for over 200 years—and quite possibly since the late 18th century.

Origins: From Scotland to Maryland

The McComas story begins with Daniel McComas, born in Scotland around 1666. He immigrated to America by 1687 and settled in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, where he died in 1699.


In the generations that followed, his descendants moved north into what would later become Harford County (established in 1773). They settled along Bynum Run on tracts of land known as Ann’s Dower, Littleton, Gresham’s College, and Osborn’s Lott

Abingdon and the Rise of a Trade 

The town of Abingdon, laid out in 1779, became central to the McComas family’s future. By the early 1800s, family members had relocated there and established themselves as skilled tradesmen.

Like many families of the time, the McComases were multi-skilled:


  • Farmers
  • Carpenters
  • Cabinetmakers
  • Craftsmen


From these trades naturally emerged coffinmaking—and ultimately, the early practice of undertaking. 

The First Generation of Craftsmen

Among the earliest known figures in the trade:


  • Aaron McComas, Jr. (1760–1845) Revolutionary War veteran; farmer, probable cabinetmaker, and possible undertaker
  • Robert McComas (1777–1854) Cabinetmaker; trained apprentices, including indentured orphan Richard Garrett (1814)
  • Barnet McComas (1779–1864) Cabinetmaker and farmer


A tax record from 1823 places Aaron, Robert, and Barnet together in Abingdon—suggesting they may have worked collaboratively in cabinetmaking and possibly undertaking. 

Rethinking the Founding Date

For many years, it was believed that John Clay McComas founded the business in 1808. However, research shows this was likely a historical error:

  • The correct name was John Calvin McComas (1807–1856)
  • He could not have founded a business as an infant


Instead, evidence suggests:

  • The trade likely began as early as 1798, when Robert McComas would have completed his apprenticeship
  • The 1808 date remains a symbolic and practical benchmark for the family’s continuous service 

The Emergence of Undertaking

John Calvin McComas is the first family member clearly documented as both:

  • Cabinetmaker
  • Undertaker


Following his death in 1856:

  • His hearse was purchased by his brother Solomon (a shoemaker)
  • This suggests the business was preserved until his son could assume responsibility


His son, William Aaron McComas (1839–1909), continued the trade—identifying primarily as a cabinetmaker and upholsterer, but also serving as an undertaker. 

The McComas family reflects the versatility of early American life:

  • Cabinetmakers who built furniture and coffins
  • Farmers who sustained communities
  • Blacksmiths who supported local economies
  • Undertakers who cared for families in times of loss


Each generation contributed skills that shaped both the family legacy and the community it served. 

View more

Historical Challenges & Lasting Truths

Despite extensive research:

  • No single document confirms the exact founding year of 1808 
  • Early business records were often incomplete or nonexistent
  • Trades were grouped broadly under “Traders Licenses”


Yet one truth remains clear:


The McComas family has provided continuous service to Harford County families for over two centuries. 

Family Lineage & Generational Continuity 

Foundational Line:

Daniel McComas (c.1666–1699) – Immigrant ancestor


Revolutionary Era:

James McComas (1735–1791) – Signer of the Bush Declaration (1775)


Trade & Craft Lineage:

Aaron McComas, Jr. (1760–1845)

John Calvin McComas (1807–1856)

William Aaron McComas (1839–1909)


Modern Funeral Service Line:

Howard Kennard McComas, Sr. (1876–1943)

Howard Kennard McComas, Jr. (1904–1967)

Howard Kennard McComas III (b. 1943)

Howard Kennard McComas IV (b. 1967) Holly Kimble McComas (b. 1970)

200 Years—and Still Serving

In 2008, the McComas family marked 200 years of continuous service—a milestone representing not just longevity, but unwavering commitment to care, craftsmanship, and community.


Today, celebrating 218 years in business, that legacy continues into its seventh generation. 

About the Author

Henry C. Peden, Jr., MA, FMGS

Genealogist and Historian

Bel Air, Maryland

April 16, 2007


This history is based on extensive research from:

  • Harford County court records
  • Historical Society archives
  • Genealogical documentation
  • Family lineage analysis 

Closing Reflection

From handcrafted coffins to modern funeral service, the McComas story is one of adaptation, resilience, and dedication.


It is not defined by a single founding date—but by generations of service to families when it matters most.