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Continued: William Holmes was born shortly before 14 December 1728 in Colton Parish near Ulverston, Lancashire, England. It is tradition that he was born at at a place called "Calder's Bridge," supposedly in Lancashire. The only "Calder Bridge" I have located is in Cumberland on the Calder River, about 25 miles north of Ulverston, Lancashire. While it is possible that the family lived at Calder Bridge for a short time, I did not find anyone named Holme (Holmes, Helm, Hulme, etc.) in the parish registry of Ponsonby Church near Calder Bridge. Also note that there are/were several places near Colton, Lancashire, with "bridge" in their names, and so "Calder" might have been remembered or transcribed incorectly for "Colton"--although I find no "Colton Bridge" except a place by that name in York.
William Holmes who settled in Loudoun Co., Virginia, was no-doubt the William, son of Joseph Holme, who was christened 14 Dec. 1728 at the church in Colton Parish, Lancashire.
His mother was Margaret (Fell) Holmes, and the only marriage record that I could find anywhere in Lancashire for a Margaret Fell marrying a man named Holme, Holmes, Hulme or Helm, etc., was Joseph Holme & Margaret Fell, m. 24 Feb. 1726/7 at Colton Church.
The young family apparently moved to Trinkeld, Ulverston Parish, where Margaret's family lived, and where Joseph Holme died in 1748--the probate record mentions his widow Margaret, so we can be confident they are the same.
I have not found when William arrived in America, but he is said to have traveled with his uncles, Edward and William Fell who settled in the Baltimore, Maryland area by the 1730s; he may have accompanied them on their initial trip, a subsequent trip, or simply took passage on his own.
The Fell brothers apparently made several passages between England and Maryland. They were shipping merchants who established "Fells Point" in what is now "Old Town", Baltimore, Maryland. They owned substantial properties in Maryland and the Holmes family was at law for many years over the Fell's Point; the suit was dropped after important papers were lost in a house fire. Margaret Holmes, sister (and her un-named children) were heirs of Edward Fell's estate, will dated 1738, and administered between 1743 and 1755. William Holmes is named as a "cousin" (meaning nephew) in his uncle William Fell's will, dated 1746, and administered between 1747 and 1756.
William was not a member of the Society of Friends until his marriage to Mary Cooe in 1753. William Holmes "a young man", and a non-member, was liberated to marry Mary Cooe "a young woman", also a non-member, by Fairfax MM 26 March 1753. Their first announcement of intention to marry was made 28 April 1753 and MM minutes state: "She having from infancy been brought up among Friends & he several years past inclined that way & both frequently assembled with us now request to become members of our Society in order to marry our way." Their marriage was reported "orderly and accomplished" 30 June 1753, by Fairfax MM, although it does not state where they were married. They may have been married in Fairfax Co., or at "Waterford, Loudoun Co., Virginia" as several sources have stated. I believe early Fairfax MM met at Waterford sometimes.
Mary was accepted as a member of the Fairfax Women's Meeting 25 June 1757. William repeated his request "of some time ago" for membership in that meeting and was received in membership by the Women's Meeting 24 Oct. 1757. Fairfax MM Men's Minutes for Oct. 1757 note that William "Holms" was accepted as a member.
William Holmes witnessed the will of William Shrieve. Also, William Harris owned land next to 300-acres owned by William Shrieve, . (William Shrieve will; dated 13 April 1758; Loudoun Co., VA, Will Book A, pp. 76-77)
William Holmes owned a farm called "Green Hill" in the Goose Creek neighborhood (now Lincoln), Loudoun Co., Virginia. His children were all born and raised there. William and Mary probably died there. I have read claims that the property was near Hughesville, which is in the immediate area. William was a millwright, and cut timber and lumber at a sawmill he operated on property (perhaps his home-place) situated on Catoctin Mountain--a long mountain forming the easternmost extention of the Blue Ridge Mountains and straddling Frederick county, Maryland and Loudoun County, Virginia.
I was informed that Green Hill was situated at or near the present-day southwest corner of Routes 704 and 662 near Mt. Gilead, Loudoun Co., Virginia (which is on the western side of the northern end of Catoctin Mountain). However, this description does not make sense to me, as Mt. Gilead is on Rt. 797 a few miles south of Rt. 704, while Rt. 662 starts a few miles north of this area (running up through Waterford), and does not intersect Rt. 704.
William Holmes' daughter-in-laws, Abigail Hughes (married William Holmes) and Elizabeth Hughes (married Joseph Holmes). were sisters, daughters of Isaac and Mary (Warne) Hughes of Hughesville, Loudoun Co., Virginia.
Our William Holmes died by Nove,ber 1775 and left a will in Loudon County. He was also reported deceased before the marriage of his daughter, Rachel in 1779. (Another William Holmes died 22 Aug. 1818 in Virginia -- that man was not the subject William, nor the son of William and Mary (Cooe) Holmes.)
The list of William and Mary (Cooe) Holmes' children may not be complete as their family is not listed in one place in MM records published by Hinshaw. The ten children I have connected for them appear in various MM minutes as "son" or "dau." of "Wm. & Mary Holmes".
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Loudoun Co., Virginia, Tithables Lists:
1759 William Holmes and Daniel Neal were added to the lists (A-298, perhaps not together)
1760 William Holms’s: George Tavener, Sr. (2)
1767 William Holmes: Patrick White & John Shawnassey (3)
1768 William Holmes’s: Patrick White & John Shockness (3) [this household listed twice]
1769 William Holms: Basil Devers, Patrick White & Jno. Shortness (4)
1770 William Holmes: Patrick White &John Shortness (3) 5 s.
1771 William Holms: William Harris (2) 10 s.
1772 (Shelburn Parish) William Holms: Bernd Simms (2)
1773 (Shelburn Parish) William Holmes: William Harris (2)
1774 (Shelburn Parish) William Holmes: William Harris (2)
1775 William Holms (1) [next to Nichols & Hoge households]
1784 (Shelburn Parish) William Holmes; under William Hogue
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Loudoun Co., Virginia Deed Index:
William Holmes owned land adjacent to Freelove Shreeve, 8 May 1759. (Loudoun Co., VA, Deed Book A, p. 290) [A few other deeds mention William Holmes owning land adjacent to the Shreeve family.]
William Holmes witnessed a deed from William & Catherine Shrieve to brother Benjamin Shrieve, 16 Aug. 1759. (Loudoun Co., VA, Deed Book A, pp. 336-337)
Catesby Cocke of Fairfax Co., to millright William Holmes of Loudoun Co., 51 ½ ac. Witnesses: Wm. Shreve, Benj, Shreve & Jacob Marrice. Dated 30 May 1760, rec. 12 Nov. 1760. (Loudoun Co., VA, Deed Book B, pp. 56-58)
William Holmes witnessed a deed from Wm. Berry to James Murray, 11 May 1761. (Loudoun Co., VA, Deed Book B, p. 163)
Tanner Samuel Mead, to Francis Wilkes, Jacob Janney, Thomas Clows, Thomas Gore, Solomon Hoge, William Morlan, Samuel Coombes, Richard White, William Holmes & Jeremiah Fairhurst, all of Loudoun Co., 1 ac. of land “in consideration of the esteem Wilkes bears for a school and good will of his neighbors.” Dated 5 Nov. 1763, rec. 14 Feb. 1764. (Loudoun Co., VA, Deed Book D, p. 95)
Samuel Mead & wife Margaret, to William Holmes, all of Loudoun Co., 180 ac. on Kittocton Mt. on drains of Secolons Branch, adjacent to John Hough, Samuel Coombs & Thomas Gore. Dated 7 Aug. 1765, rec. 12 Aug. 1765. (Loudoun Co., VA, Deed Book D, p. 548-549)
William Holmes witnessed a deed from Samuel & Rebeccah Wilks to Francis Wilks, 19 Aug. 1776. (Loudoun Co., VA, Deed Book E, pp. 189, 191)
William Holmes witnessed a deed from James Maris of Pennsylvania to Geo. Tavener of Loudoun Co., 6 Dec. 1768. (Loudoun Co., VA, Deed Book G, pp. 143-144)
Solomon Hoge & wife Ann, to William Holmes, all of Loudoun Co., 15 ac. on Kittocton Mts. On drains of Secolns Branch, adjacent to Samuel Mead & Samuel Combs. Dated 25 Aug 1769, rec. 13 Nov. 1769. (Loudoun Co., VA, Deed Book G, pp. 201-202)
William Holmes & wife Mary, to Edmond Phillips, all of Loudoun Co., 15 ac. on north side of Kittocton Mt., adjacent to Thomas Gore & Samuel Combs. Dated 6 Aug. 1771, rec. 12 Aug. 1771. (Loudoun Co., VA, Deed Book H, pp. 190-191)
John Wilks, son of Francis, & wife Elizabeth, to William Holmes, all of Loudoun Co., 131 ac. adjacent to Thomas Clows. Dated 14 Oct. 1771, rec. 25 May 1772. (Loudoun Co., VA, Deed Book H, pp. 421-422)
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William Holmes died 2 Nov 1775 in Loudoun County, Virginia. He left a will and a probate record exists:
King Book, p. 12 Will Book B, p. 123 William Holmes; will dated 22 Nov 1774; Probate 12 Nov 1775 Exrs: friends William Brown & George Tabenor Witnesses: Samuel Wilks, Samuel Combs, John Updike, Edward Holms & David [unreadable]. Samuel Wilks was security for executors' bond
NOTE: Another abstract of the will indicates it was dated 22 Nov. 1775 and proved 12 Nov. 1775 (note the discrepancy, having the will dated 10 days after it was proved).
NOTE: Note that one of the witnesses was Edward Holms--relationship unclear, but likely William's brother.
Full transcription:
Will of William Holms ~
In the name of God amen, I, William Holms, of Loudoun County and Colony of Virginia, being sickly and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to almighty God for his mercies, and calling to mind the mortality of body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, I do herby make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say principally and first or all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth from whence it came to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my executors, hereafter named, and as touching my worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased almighty God to bless me in this life, I give devise and dispose of in the following manner, that is to say,
Imprimis, my will and desire is that in the first place all and every of my just debts & funeral charges be fully paid and satisfied out of my personal estate, as it will, & hold what is wanting for the same to be raised from the rents of my two plantations and mill ‘till all be fully paid & satisfied.
Item, I give and bequeath to my well beloved son William Holms, my plantation lying in Cetocton Mountain which I bought from Samuel Mead & part from Solm. Hoge, to him and his heirs or assigns forever, upon his paying fifty pounds Virginia currency to my well beloved son Joshua Holms when he comes to age, to him, his heirs or assigns forever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Joshua Holms, to him and his heirs or assigns forever, the rents & profits of the mill and plantation I bought from John Wilks from the time my son William comes to age until my son Joseph comes to age, to inherit the same, and if it so be that my son William or my son Joshua should either of them die before they come to age or without lawful issue, for my son Joshua to have that plantation which such deceased son should have had, to him, his heirs or assigns forever, & the two sums of money above mentioned or so bequeathed to my said son Joshua, to be remitted as if he had not been bequeathed, or otherwise if my son Joshua should die before he comes of age, for the above two sums of money to be remitted as if they had not been bequeathed.
Item, my will and desire is that the rest of my residue of my estate, together with the rent, benefits and profits from both real & personal estate, be put to rent & use for the benefit of my well beloved daughters, and be divided in the following manner: When my son William comes at age, that is to say my will is that my daughter Elizabeth Harris have fifteen pounds Virginia currency laid out in clothing for her and her children, as my executors hereafter named shall think they stand in most need of. And all that remaineth therefrom to be equally divided amongst the rest of my daughters, namely, Magret, Mary, Rachel, Deborah & Sarah, and if any of my daughters should die without lawful issue or before they came to age to receive it, such share shall be equally divided amongst my surviving daughters, to them, their heirs or assigns forever. My will and desire is that the rents and incomes becomes due & recoverable to be paid my daughter Magret after the first year of full and clear rent be due, & so to every younger daughter, a full years rent as they come to age to receive it. And what more rents rising from plantations, some part thereof to be the use of my youngest children’s schooling, as my executors shall think convenient.
The rest to be divided as followeth: five pounds per piece to my daughters Magret, Mary & Rachel, over and above equal share, & what remains to be equally divided amongst all my daughters when my son William comes of age.
And lastly, I do here nominate and appoint my trusty and well beloved friends, William Brown & George Tavers, executors of this my last will and testament, and I do hereby revoke ... in witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 22 of November 1775 [sic, probably 1774].
(Signed) William Holms In the presence of Samuel Wilks, Samuel Combs, John Updike, Edward Holms, David [unreadable]
Proved at a court held for Loudoun Co., Virginia, 12 Nov. 1775 [sic].
The inventory of the estate of William Homes was made 19 Feb. 1776, and presented to the Court 10 June 1776. (Loudoun Co., VA, Will Book C, pp. 140-142)
A will account for the estate of William Holmes was presented to the Court 9 Feb. 1790, including a long list of payments and receipts. (Loudoun Co., VA, Will Book D, pp. 113-117)
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William Holmes (d. 1775) had two known grandsons named William:
William (b. 1763) had a son William (b. 1800); and Joseph (b. 1766) had a son named William (b. 1793)
It seems possible that William Holmes (d. 1775) may have had a another son (not named here) who married a woman named Martha and had a son named William Barnes Holmes, b. 2 June 1796. Apprenticeship records of Loudoun Co., VA (Book Y, p. 410), dated 16 April 1806 show:
William Barnes Holmes, 10 years old 2 June 1806, to Blackstone Janney; loose papers: son of Martha Holmes.
It is also possible that these Holmes' are descended from William's brother Edward, but I have been unable to find anything of his family.
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found in "Virginia Wills and Administrations 1632-1800" compiled by Clayton Torrence, p. 214:
(Halifax Co.)
William Wilson Holmes. 1775. intestate.
(Princess Ann Co.)
William Holmes. 1723. will.
William Holmes. 1774. will
William Holmes. 1780. intestate.
(Loudoun Co.)
William "Holms". 1775. will (this is "our" William)
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from a book on Baltimore Co., MD Families located at the Portland (Ore.) Genealogy Forum:
NOTE: There was at least one other William Holmes in Baltimore Co. MD in the mid 1700s: A William Holmes married Honour Wells (b. 1724), dau of James Wells; she m2. Col. Richard Brown. (p. 673) This William Holmes is also closely connected with Brown and Stevenson families; after careful correspondence, none of those families seem to be related to our lines of the same names.
NOTE: A William Holmes of Baltimore Co., Maryland was indicted for "unlawful cohabitation" with Ann Cordman in Aug. 1744. He purchased 50 acres, "Jones' Neglect", in Baltimore Co. from William Demmitt in 1760. This was a different William Holmes, as he remained in Maryland.
NOTE: A William Holmes married Mary Pottenger, 8 May 1711 in MD (p.88)
NOTE: A William Holmes married ---- ----, 15 Aug. 1738 in MD (p. 89)
NOTE: Baltimore Co., MD Debt Book 1754: William Holms -- Lott Holms (p. 70) --this may be an interesting record to research.
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from "Early Settlers of Maryland" ed. by Gust Skordas (Genealogical Publishing: Baltimore, 1979), p.234:
HOLMES / liber / folio / remarks
GeorgeQ197transported 1658
George1683immigrated 1670. of Charles Co.
Henry1695transported 1670
John15505transported 1678
Mary17610transported 1673
MichaelWC2394transported 1680. servant
NicholasABH9,150transported 1648 (2, fol. 425)
Nicholas15530transported 1678
Robert324transported 1650. servant
Sarah10503service 1667. wife of Nicholas
Thomas6210transported 1663
Thomas979transported 1665
Thomas10117transported 1666
Thomas16437transported 1671 (17, fol. 575)
Thomas18127immigrated 1674. of St. Mary's Co. (15, fol. 307)
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from Fairfax MM, Virginia (William Wade Hinshaw, Vol. VI, p. 508):
HOLMES
William "a young man" nm ltm 26-5-1753 at
Fairfax MH Mary COOE "a young woman" their
announcement of intentions to m says: "She
having from infancy been brought up among
Friends & he several years past inclined
that way & both frequently assembling with
us now rq to become members of our Society
in order to marry our way" ami 28-4-1753,
ltm 26-5-1753, their marriage rpd "orderly
accomplished" 30-6-1753. Wm. Holmes
repeated his rq for mbrp "of some time ago"
is now rec in mbrp by the Women's Mtg 24-
10-1757. Mary, his w, is rec in mbrp by
the Women's Meeting (p 35) 25-6-1757
Note: It is important to remember this marriage,
since they raised a large fam of ch
and their ch are listed merely as "of Wm.
& Mary Holmes, without identifying Mary
(Cooe) Holmes other than 'Mary, w of William'"
their ch are not listed in the B&D
records, but are found in some of the marriage
records. listed as "of Wm. & Mary Holmes.
(ami = announced marriage intentions first time)
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