Holmes Genealogy

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Edward Holmes was Sovereign of Belfast several times between 1622 and 1630. He is noted for leaving a large charitable contribution to the poor of Belfast when he died in 1647,(Town Book of Belfast, p.49). Unfortunately we don’t know if he was related or not to the Holmes families that came later.

The origins of the influential merchant family of the 1700’s are probably in the Holmes mariners of the late 1600’s. In 1651 the Records of Parliament we find the following:

17 Mar 1651: Warrant and pass granted to John Denny, merchant in Glasgow, to bring victual from Orkney or the isles to the west country in a bark called The Katherine of Greenock, the skipper’s name is Gabriel Holmes.

A couple of things to note here. First, Kathrine or Katrin is a ship name often associated with the Holmes mariners of Belfast. Also “of Greenock” gives us a clue as to the possible origins of the family. Greenock is in the historic county of Renfrewshire which DNA studies now indicate as the likely origin for men in Holmes Group 1, including myself.

On Dec 15, 1659 James Holmes merchant & Seafering man was admitted and sworne a free Comoner and Marcht of ye Staple within this Towne according to ye Ancient libertyes and previledges thereof (TBB, p.258). He was followed soon after by Gabriel Holmes and Gabriel Holmes the younger in 1663, James Holmes in 1671 and Robert Holmes in 1677.

The letterbook of George Macartney, a wealthy Belfast merchant includes several mentions of Robert Holmes, master of the Katrin as well as Gabriel Holmes between 1664 and 1674. At this time it seems that the Holmes’s were working for Macartney, but by 1675 we see that they are co-owners of the Katherine along with William Smith. In 1678 Gabriel Holmes was doing well enough that he could loan Sir Hans Hamilton 200 pounds, (see image above).

The Smiths were a prosperous family that came from Glasgow and settled in Belfast in the middle of the 17th Century and were connected through business and marriage to the Holmeses. William Smith’s second wife was Grissel Shaw and his brother Patrick Smith married Janet Shaw. (see Ancestry tree of William Smith). These women are likely related to the Mary Shaw who married William Holmes of Belfast and her sister Katherine Shaw, wife of William Rainey (one of the many Holmes / Rainey connections I hope to post about at some point).

James Smith of Drumadarragh wrote his will in 1706. (He was likely a relation of William Smith above.) He split his estate among his son, Samuel Smith, his son-in-laws, William Galt, Samuel Holmes & John Allen (discussed in a previous post), and his daughter Margaret Ferguson, widow of Henry Ferguson his son-in-law. (see Ancestry tree of James Smith)

The 1737 will of Jennet Holmes of Belfast, widow mentions among others cousin Samuel Smith sr, cousin William Galt, cousin Margaret Allen and cousin Mary Ferguson. Clearly Jennet is a close relation of Samuel Holmes mentioned in the 1706 will of James Smith – my guess is a daughter-in-law.

Janet had 5 sons, Hugh, Robert, Samuel, John and James.

Hugh Holmes became a merchant in Antigua. We are lucky enough to have 2 wills from Hugh. In his 1751 will Hugh left “all residue to my bro. Rob Holmes & Jno Smith, bookseller, both of Dublin, in trust to invest. The John Smith mentioned here is the great grandson of James Smith of Drumadarragh. John m. Mercey Waddington. She was the 1/2 sister of Robert Holmes 1st wife Elinore Robinson (see Ancestry tree of John Smith and Robert Holmes ) In his 1759 will, Hugh Holmes late of Antigua, now of Dublin mentions his cousin Samuel Smith of London, another great grandson of James Smith of Drumadarragh. (see Ancestry tree of Samuel Smith)

Robert and James Holmes also migrated to Dublin. James married Mary How, sister of the Lord Mayor, Thomas How. Robert Holmes was a goldsmith and watchmaker. Robert’s son Hugh Holmes of Richardstown, Co Louth and later of Chapelizod married Mary Smith of Waterford, another great granddaughter (possibly 2nd great) of James Smith of Drumadarragh. (see Ancestry of Mary Smith). Their son was the famous Irish barrister, Robert Holmes.

James Holmes (1731-98), another son of Robert Holmes and Elinore Robinson, left a wonderful family notebook or diary. This notebook has been a tremendous help in putting together this family. In the book he makes several mentions of his Smith relations.

1676 18 Dec my Grandfather James Robinson was born — he died on Mon the 30 March 1747 1/2 past 12 at noon Jane Robinson his first Wife died 14 Sep 1723 his second Wife [Elizabeth Priesty, widow of Thomas Waddington] who was Mother to Mrs Smith [Mercey Waddington – she was the ½ sister of Elinore Robinson, the wife of Robert Holmes and she married John Smith of Dublin, bookseller a cousin of the Holmes – see family tree] died Tuesday 2 Mar 1741/2 about 10 in the Morn his third wife Alice who was the Widow [of John] Johnston died 19 Sep 1747 at two in the Morn

Mrs Smith [wife of John Smith, bookseller] alias Mercy Waddington was born 22 Jany 1713

Friday 19 Aug 1785 at 10 Minutes after two at noon Mrs Nevill [Frances Dance, granddaughter of Brent Smith and Sarah Clewlow] was delivd of a son, Christend by the Revd Sam Murray 2 Sept and call’d Brent after his Father

1791 12 Oct   Peter Boursiquot [husband of Mary Smith, daughter of Samuel Smith d.1760 of Belfast, a Holmes cousin] died at 8 oClock in the Morn in the 87th year of his age he was interd on Monday Morn in the Ground belonging to the French Church
1792 23 March his wife Mary B alias Smith [Mary Smith, daughter of Samuel Smith d.1760 of Belfast, a Holmes cousin] died at 10 in the Morn aged 72 & was interd in same Grave

1764 8 Apl   Peter Smith died in Swifts Hospital & was buried in St James Churchyard the 10th. His Mother who died the ___ day of __ was buried in same Grave. Her husband John Smith died in London 6 Nov 1759

9 Oct Mary Holmes [Mary Smith, mother of the barrister Robert Holmes] widow of my Brother Hugh died at 1/4 before nine at night, her remains were inter’d in St Andrews churchyard on Monday Morn the 12 Oct aged 67 years

John stayed in Belfast and founded a wealthy merchant banking family. His family is treated in detail in a wonderful write up at BloomfieldBelfast.

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Wills:

Connor Will dated 20 Feb 1706/7. James Smith of Drumadaragh, parish of Dunegar, Co. Antrim, dryer. Touching my estate which extends to 2600 pounds or thereabout …To Mary my dear and loving wife one convenient lodging room in my now dwelling house with stable for 1 horse & 2 cows and 4 pounds yearly if she please to dwell on the land I now live but if she incline to live elsewhere I bequeath to her 8 pounds yearly. To pay which 100 pounds to be invested to pay said 4 pounds yearly 50 pounds … To son Samuel Smith, my interest in my holdings of Drumadarragh. To said son Samuel and William Galt and Samuel Holmes my son-in-laws each a 5th pt of each of my lands after money is invested for wife, the same for ? of their children. To Margaret, widow of Henry Ferguson, my son-in-law & her children (except her son Sam) a fifth part equally among her children, but only leave to her son Sam 1 pound. His fifth part to go to his sister Janet for his unstable behavior. Because I was pressed by the relations of my son-in-law John Allen only one tenth of said residue of my goods for use of his children. In regard I have not given my son Sam so much patrimony as to some of my daughters & that he and his sons bear up my name I bequeath to them the other tenth part to such of his sons as will dwell on my farm & follow my trade & in case none of them will do so I bequeath same to my grandson James Smith. To poor of Dunagor 1 pound. To poor of Ballyeaston 1 pound. Appoint son Samuel sole executor. After wife’s death said sum secured to her equally to son Sam, my sons-in-law William Galt, Samuel Holmes & John Alan & my daughter widow Ferguson & her children. 20 Feb 1706/7. Witnessed by Edward Brice, Nicholas Thetford and Brice Blair. (CGA, Parcel 1A-32-25 v. S) Smith notebooks, v. 2-12 (cont.), File Iv)

JENNET Holmes, widow – will dated July 30, 1737. Admin on Nov 16, 1744 mentions sons, Hugh, Robert, Samuel, John, and James, cousin Samuel Smith sr, grandson Thomas Holmes, granddaughter Jennet or Jane Holmes, granddaughter Mary Holmes, cousin William Galt, cousin Margaret Allen and her daughter Ann Allen, cousin Mary Ferguson and her daughter Margaret Andrew.  (BGA, Prerogative Wills. (Phillips Mss) H 1739-1753)

HUGH Holmes, merchant. Will dated 8 March 1751. My negro woman Maria al’s Mary Ann & my son John Hughson al’s Holmes to have their freedom. Mary Ann to have £15 a year out of the rent of 2 houses in Nevis Street. To my son Jn” Hughson al’s Holmes £500 st. at 21 provided he do not return from Europe to the West Indies. To my Ex’ors £10 each. All residue to SAMUEL., JAMES., HUGH, NELLY, & ROBINSON, children of my bro. ROBERT Holmes, goldsmith, of Dublin, equally at 21. To my cousin Jean Timms of Dublin £50 st. All residue to my bro. Rob’ Holmes & John Smith, bookseller, in trust to invest. My bro. Ro” Holmes & Jno Smith, both of Dublin, & Francis Delap, Sam. Martin of S’ John’s, & Jn” Dunn, M’, of Antigua, Ex’ors. Witnessed by Michael Lovell, Jas. Alley, Simon Aske. Sworn and recorded 20 June 1765. (The History of the Island of Antigua,Oliver, Vere Langford, London, 1896, V.2, p.57)

HUGH Holmes, late of Antigua, merchant, now at Dublin. Will dated 8 May 1759. To be bur. at Belfast with my father & mother. To my son JOHN Holmes £1000. The lease of my house at Drumcondra Lane to HUGH Holmes, son to my bro. ROBERT Holmes, also my mother’s wedding ring with this motto, ” In Christ and thee my Comfort be,” & a signet ring. To my bro. ROBERT Holmes & his 2 sons JAMES & HUGH their bond for £434, dated 28 June 1758. My 2 houses at St. John’s, Antigua, & a legacy that was left my wife on Hawksbill estate in Five Islands to my godson Tho. Hanson, son to my bro.-in-law Tho. Hanson of Antigua. To my goddau. Rebecca Hanson, dau. of my bro.-in-law Jas. Hanson, cooper, of S’ John’s, £5. To my cousin Tennatt Tims, now my housekeeper, £50. To Jno Hamilton, Merch’ in Dublin, £50. To the poor of Belfast £100. To my late bro. JAMES Holmes’ son THOMAS How Holmes & to his sister, now Pallasier, 1s. each. To my bro. JOHN Holmes & to his sons JOHN & JAMES & to his dau. MARY Holmes 1s. each. All residue to my bro. Rob’ Holmes’ 5 ch°, SAMUEL, JAMES, HUGH, ELINOR, & ROBINSON Holmes at 21. My bro. Rob’ Holmes of Dublin, goldsmith, & cousins Tho. Allen & Sam. Smith, both of London, Mts Ex’ors. Witnessed by Joseph Malone, James Innes, Thomas Wallace. Adm’on to ROBERT Holmes 26 Oct. 1762 ; probate reserved to others. Recorded at St. John’s 1791.  (The History of the Island of Antigua, Oliver, Vere Langford, London, 1896, V.2, p.57-58)