In my last post I discussed Gabriel Holmes the elder and Gabriel Holmes the younger of Strabane.
The name Gabriel appears again in Strabane with the family of Gabriel Holmes (b. abt. 1720) and his wife, Isabella Thompson. Much of what we know about the family comes from a series of 12 letters now held by the University of Michigan and made available in digital form by the University of Galway. They are written by family members in Ireland to Nathaniel Holmes of Cape May and span the period from 1792 to 1805. The first is a letter from the Isabella to her son Nathaniel written not long after the death of Nathaniel’s brother John Holmes.
The complete series of letters provides an intimate glimpse into the lives of this immigrant family. Below are excerpts focusing on family and friends:
Isabella Holmes, Strabane, County Tyrone, to her son Nathaniel Holmes, Philadelphia, [11 August 1791]: Dear Nathaniel, … I received the letter from John McLaughlin with news of my dear son John’s death. .. I had a fine family of sons .. now all gone. Only Gabby and you …[enclosed is also a letter from sister Elizabeth] I am in haste as the bearer is waiting .. John Knox of Edymore… I have a son named James for your dear brother. When you write let us know if his wife is married and how her son is.
Isabella Holmes, Strabane, County Tyrone, to her son Nathaniel Holmes, Philadelphia, 20 June 1792: Dear Nathaniel, this comes with my love to you and to John’s widow and my blessing to both your families…I would be glad to know what has become of Margry Smith and her children…I beg you will let me know how Margaret Smyly and her brother Thomas is doing and if the child is living or not and if his son James is alive and how his mother is doing…let me know if James Thompson and Gabriel is alive for they have not rote to their father these three years, neither has Aleck Orr which is very ungrateful of them all…
Isabella Holmes, Strabane, County Tyrone, to her son Nathaniel Holmes, Philadelphia, 9 September 1792: …Let me know how Margry Smith and her three children is and if John left them anything to sustain them. When you write about them you may enclose it by itself as there are no one here knows about it except myself and Betty … I beg you to let me know how Margret Smyly and her brother is doing and how the child is … let me know about the Thompsons boys where they are or what they are about likewise Aleck Orr for their people has not received a letter these three years… I wrote two letters this year and sent them with Joseph Knox and Tom Barnhill. I received the money you allowed John McLaughlin to send… I hope you will write to me about James his son and his mother and if his mother is married…
Isabella Holmes, Strabane, County Tyrone, to her son Nathaniel Holmes, Philadelphia, 11 June 1794: … as to the money you sent I do by this letter inform you in what manner I paid it out. I lent 50 pounds to James Parker .. uncle Patrick Hale. 20 pounds I likewise lent your Uncle Gilbrath. … I lent your brother Gabriel 30 guineas … Your sister Elizabeth .. has one child, James .. and is 4 years old … P.S. .. let me know how your brother James’ son is and likewise how your brother Thomas’ daughter is…
Gabriel Holmes, Ballydonaghy, County Tyrone, to his brother Nathaniel Holmes, Philadelphia, [?] June 1794: … I have lived as usual in my father-in-laws but have repaired a commodious house … I wrote to you half a year with a John Knox … if I thought myself strong enough in constitution I would like to take a season and visit you …
Isabella Holmes, Strabane, County Tyrone, to her son Nathaniel Holmes, Philadelphia, 16 September 1794: I am writing you by James McLaughlin, brother of you dear friend John McLaughlin, deceased … I wrote of in my last concerning brother Gilbrath’s ungrateful sons, will say no more at the moment…
Isabella Holmes, Strabane, County Tyrone, to her son Nathaniel Holmes, Philadelphia, 18 May 1795: … your sister Betty was brought to bed in September of a dear boy as fine a child as ever you saw… let me know about John’s daughter … and Aleck Orr, he writes none to his father. You have a friend in Philadelphia, Mary Parker. She is married to one Moore? A hairdresser. She is a daughter of William Parker of upper Stragullin. … William Knox is just in …
Isabella Holmes, Strabane, County Tyrone, to her son Nathaniel Holmes, Philadelphia, 23 May 1796: … I got a letter from you … brother Gilbrath expected one from you for he expects none from his sons … Josiah received a letter from James this year. He hopes you will not neglect to write him for he is determined not to write one letter to James or Gabriel this year he supposes it is on account of his having a step mother that .. from writing but that need not hinder them for she is a good woman. I sent 3 letters to you last year and Gabriel 1 or 2. Brother Gilbreth wrote one to you and one to James and one to Gabriel… I am at a great loss ever since John McLaughlin died to know how to direct my letters … Nathaniel Thompson is intended to go to you. His father says he will send him to you to put him in what business you think proper. … I send this with Mr John Hatrick, brother-in-law to Josias Thompson. He said he will go see James Thompson and give you this…
Gabriel Holmes, Ballydonaghy, County Tyrone, to his brother Nathaniel Holmes, Philadelphia, 16 June 1796: …Dear Nathaniel, I wish you could come over and spend your Christmas with us… Mr William Mason? Come over from Baltimore this season … This letter will be delivered to you by Mr John Hetrick who is first cousin to my wife and brother-in-law to Josiah Thompson. A genteel young man he has served a time in Derry in the shopkeeping business. … your friendship with Mr Hitrick will oblige me very much as his father was always a friend to me …
Elizabeth Weir, Strabane, County Tyrone, to her brother Nathaniel Holmes, Philadelphia, 2 June 1798: Dear Brother, I and family and friends is well blessed .. hoping to find you the same and all dear brother’s children, not forgetting cousin Orr and children. Her father-in-law and family is gone to live in Monterlong eleven miles from here… John Hatrick gives James Thompson great praise for his kindness to him. His brother Joseph is very glad he befriended him so much that he likewise wrote to his father of your kindness to him. Perhaps you would like to know how dear mother disposed of her money that brother John left her. Just when she got it she lent brother Gaby 30 guineas, she likewise lent to uncle Galbraith 26 pounds and he gave his bond for it and that bond she left to me to get as he could give it or I need it… there was 50 pounds remaining that she put to interest to James Porter which he paid when he went to America. My dear mother was on her deathbed at the time Gabriel borrowed 15 pounds for his father-in-law and gave his bond for it. Joseph Thompson borrowed 5 pounds and gave his bond. Uncle Gilbraith bought a mear from James Parker, Uncle had not the money to pay him when he was going away so mother took his bond for 10 pounds. My husband borrowed 10 pounds to build a house in Clabournmore … that 40 pounds she left to my son…your affectionate sister, Elizabeth Weir.
Gabriel Holmes, Ballydonaghy, County Tyrone, to his brother Nathaniel Holmes, Philadelphia, 13 May 1802: Dear Brother … considering John Hitrick’s affairs… I am sorry to hear of James Thompson’s death. Uncle Thompson experienced a great…he was very much afflicted..Drs Fenton and Sproul made an operation and he is perfectly well… P.S. John Tylor carries this letter. He is brother to Robert Tyler. He is very fine young man. He served his time__ with his uncle John Holmes ..to the mercantile business.
Gabriel Holmes, Ballydonaghy, County Tyrone, to his brother Nathaniel Holmes, Philadelphia, [28 September 1805]: Sorry to inform you of the death of our worthy friend Uncle Gillbrath [Galbraith] who departed this life January last…I send this letter with our friend William Smyly who is going out to see his brother Andrew regarding the properties of his late brother John. The day before this I was over at Uncle Smileys and they are all well.
From the letters we know that Gabriel Holmes and Isabella Thompson had at least 6 children. John, James, Nathaniel and Thomas all emigrated to America while Gabriel and daughter Elizabeth Weir remained in Ireland.
We know the most about John and Nathaniel who prospered and had large families in Cape May County, New Jersey. Much of the following information comes from:
- Nathaniel Holmes, an Irish American Patriot,of Cape May, by Daniel Page Stites, MD, The Cape May County Magazine of History and Genealogy, pp. 125-157.
- Holmes-Weir letters, University of Galway
- Genealogical Notes on the Holmes Family of Cape May, NJ by H. Cillford Campion, Jr
Campion states that John Holmes and his brother James Holmes were in Pennsylvania as early as 1770 when they acquired property in Redstone, Fayette County. Some accounts say that father Gabriel came with them, and later planned to return to Ireland, but died in Dover, Delaware on his return trip.
The following will shows that by 1777 John and Nathaniel were in Cape May County while mother Isabella, daughter Elizabeth (and probably son Gabriel) were in Ireland.
12 May 1777, Will of James Parker of Middle Precinct, Cape May Co.; Executors-friends, Gilbreath Thomson, of Parish of Cambs [Camus], County Tyron, Ireland, and John Holmes of Cape May Co., N. J.; Friend, Elizabeth Holmes of Parish of Cambs [Camus], County Tyron, Ireland, all real and personal estate; but, if she die, then to Isabella Holmes of said Parish; but, if she should be dead, then to my friend, Nathaniel Holmes of Cape May Co., NJ. Witnessed by Isaac Leddie, Thomas Gandy, Margery Smith. Proved 24 Mar 1778. Inventory by Robert Harris and Thomas Shaw (NJ Colonial Records, v34, p.377)
John Holmes married Hannah Morris, the daughter of Robert Morris and his wife Hannah (Some trees give show Elizabeth as the daughter of Robert Morris and Hannah Cain, but that Robert and Hannah were married in 1765. Elizabeth Morris was born in 1755, so either Elizabeth is from a prior marriage or the assumption that that her parents are the couple married in 1765 is wrong.
John Holmes became a very prosperous businessman. His home is now the site of the Cape May County Historical and Genealogical Society. His will dated 1790 and proved 1791 reveals a sizable estate:
After his death his wife Elizabeth Morris Holmes married Christopher Ludlam but his son Robert Morris Holmes was placed under the guardianship of Franklin Davenport. Davenport was a prominent Woodbury, NJ lawyer and, of special interest to me, a grand nephew of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin being the brother-in-law of my ancestor Robert Homes (eldest son of the Rev William Homes of Strabane) who married Benjamin’s sister Mary Franklin.
John Holmes was buried in the Holmes Family cemetery located across the street from his house. Also buried in the cemetery is his cousin, John Hood whose marker reads:
In memory of Mr. John Hood late Merchant of the city of Philadelphia . who departed this Life July 16th, 1787 Aged 35 years
John Holmes was an executor named in John Hood’s 1785 will. The two were also parties to a 1784 deed regarding property on Walnut Street. Elizabeth would transfer her dower’s right to this property in 1812 to Richard Rundle who in a deed recorded the same day transferred the rights to Edward Shippen Burd. I mention these deeds in particular because in 1814 we have a series of Deeds involving Edward Shippen Burd and a Gabriel Holmes. This is something I need to explore more, but raises the question of whether this is John’s brother Gabriel come to America?
Nathaniel Holmes is the subject of Daniel Stite’s excellent article in the Cape May County Magazine of History and Genealogy, so I won’t do more than summarize. Nathaniel arrived August 8, 1773 in Philadelphia from Ireland and settled in Cape May County. He married Hannah Hand the daughter of Daniel Hand and Hannah Page. He served in the Revolution, and was quartermaster during the Whiskey Rebellion. He served for a short time as representative from Cape May County to the State Assembly and seems, like his brother to have been a prosperous business man for left a large estate when he died in 1834.
If you have access to Ancestry.com you can view a tree on this family here.
Gleaning from the Letters:
The letters mentioned above contain a lot of names for us to ponder:
Uncle Galbraith Thompson, d. Jan 1805 in Ireland. His sons James Thompson (probably the one whose death was mentioned in Gabriel’s 1802 letter) and Gabriel Thompson were in America.
Uncle Patrick Hale
Mr John Hetrick , first cousin to Gabriel’s wife and brother-in-law to Josiah Thompson
Cousin Alexander Orr – probably the Alexander Orr of Cape May County whose estate was administered in 1795 by Mary Orr. Nathaniel Holmes was a bondsman. Joshua Crowell and James Thompson were witnesses.
Uncle Smiley [Smyly] – the letters also mention Margaret Smyly and her brother Thomas, and William Smyly and his brother Andrew. – The Smylys had been in Camus since 1628 (see Smyly of Camus). [The Smylys appear in a few early Holmes documents. James and Robert Smelie [Smyly] of Camus were witnesses of the 1712 deed where my ancestor the Rev William Homes of Strabane and his wife Catherine transferred property in Strabane to Samuel Sinclair of Bairnie [Bearney]. William Smyly of Camus was party to a a couple of deeds involving the Rev Benjamin Holmes for property in Strabane in 1764.
John and Robert Tyler and their Uncle John Holmes – could this be reference to Robert Taylor of Carrickshandrum, (nephew to John Holmes of Strabane and later Buncrana), who emigrated to Philadelphia about 1797 and became a naturalized citizen in 1802? – see Friendly Sons, p.534)
Parker – The 1777 will of James Parker of Cape May is discussed above. The letters also make a couple of mentions to another James Parker and to Mary Parker, daughter of William Parker of upper Stragullin, who is married to one Moore, a hairdresser. – more research is needed here.
Knox – In various letters John Knox of Edymore (near Strabane), Joseph Knox, John Knox and William Knox are mentioned. – thus the following deeds, etc are interesting for their possible connections:
Memorial of agreement dated 26 Apr 1726 between ANNE Holmes and MAGARET Holmes, both of Ballinabryan, Lifford Parish, County Donegal and Moses McCrea of Strabane, Co. Tyrone. Whereas JOHN Holmes late of the parish of Lifford died sometime this month of April intestate and whereas there are four sisters living, the two oldest married and the two youngest unmarried. John Miller and Moses McCrea the husbands of the older sisters agree that younger sisters will control disposal of the effects of said JOHN Holmes. Witnessed by Rev. John Marshall of Ballindreat, Co. Donegal , Josh. Knox of Cavanalee, parish of Camus, Co. Tyrone, farmer and Isabella Marshall of Ballindreat, spinster. Memorial witnessed by Josh. Marshall and Ezekiel Marshall of Killevery, Co. Donegal, Gentl. sworn in Londonderry 20 June 1776.
Memorial of deed of lease dated 1 Jun 1746. Andrew Knox of Prehen to John Thompson and John McKee, both of Dromirohill, Co Donegal, half of Greimstown then in their possession for the lives of John Thompson, William McKee son of John McKee and Thomas Thompson son of John Thompson. Witnessed by James Soden of Murvagh and John Reynolds of Dromore, both in Co Donegal. Memorial dated 6 Mar 1755 and witnessed by John Reynolds and Manus Holmes of Strabane.(RD 200/532/134199)
Memorial of Lease dated Nov 19, 1748 whereby Robert Brown of Strabane, Gent let to NATHANIEL Homes of Strabane, wheelwright, the house and garden he now possesses bound on the one side with a wall joining Mr McAnalley and round along the back street and on the other side joining Thomas Quin commencing the first day of May past for a term of 31 years or the lives of the said NATHANIEL Homes, JOHN Homes, son of sd NATHANIEL Homes, and John Knox, son to John Knox of Strabane. Witnessed by Thomas Wilson and John Graham, both of Strabane, Gent. Memorial dated Jan 24, 1750 and witnessed by John Graham and John Thompson of Strabane. (RD 144/293/97558)
Memorial of Lease dated June 21, 1750 between Thomas Wilson of Strabane let to John McCrea of Latiries (sp?) Hill in the parish of Arigile, Co. Tyrone, farmer all that house where John Smith, Sayer now dwells and barn adjoining and the little house where Thomas Avilion has timber …commencing Nov next for the lives of John McCrea, John Knox the younger and Samuel Knox, both sons of John Knox of Strabane, Innkeeper. Witnessed by William Baird, John Knox, NATHANIEL Holms and Francis Diven, all of Strabane. Memorial signed by John McCrea and witnessed by Nathaniel Holms and John Thompson of Strabane, dated Jan 24, 1750 (RD 145/178/97557)
Nathaniel Nesbitt, Lifford 4 Mar 1755 to Earl of Abercorn:
“Answers to Your Lordship relative to tenaments in Strabane and who was proprietor at the time of Mr Starat’s survey:
1. WILLIAM Homes tenement; has William Sinclair’s tenement or house where Widow Knox dwells at the lower end, and Margery Hamilton’s at the upper and going to the meeting house. (PRONI D623/A/31/84)Memorial of Marriage Agreement dated 1758 between Robert Brown of Strabane and Lucinda Parke of Mounthall, Co Donegal, spinster. Browne grants to Thomas Young of Lougheask and Johnston Mansfield of Killygordon, the sureties the following: tenements in Strabane possessed by Thomas Short, tenement possessed by Rev George Bracegirdle, tenement and orchard possessed by Thomas Wallace, the dwelling house possessed by John Count, the 4 dwelling houses possessed by NATHANIEL Holmes and his undertenants, the house possessed by James Knox, staymaker, with the towns and lands of Gortnagree, Manor of Killygordon subject to a jointure of 26 pounds payable to Jane Brown, mother of said John [probably transcription error, should be Robert] to hold to Robert Brown for life and for lives of issue of him and Lucinda. Remainder to sister Margaret Hamilton als Brown. Witnessed by Robert Forrester of Cloverhill, Co Londonderry, and by John Mansfield and Edward Mansfield both of Killygordon. Memorial dated 14 Jan 1758 and witnessed by John Mansfield and Simeon Rouse. (RD 191/86/127139)
Deed of release dated Nov 11, 1758. GABRIEL Holmes of Ballynacan [Ballynacor]) leased to Nathan Neilson of Liscooly half the townland of Ballynacor as the same were held by Samuel Scott, the elder to be held during the minority of Samuel Scott, the younger until he turns of age. Witnessed by James Knox of Killcaddon, William Stewart of Killygordon and Alex. Carlile of Castlefin (RD 194/426/130200)
BENJAMIN Holmes of Peacock Hill is mentioned in Jul 1758 as having a sickly sister living with the widow Knox. (IAL, p.60) ….A widow Knox is mentioned as living on the property in Strabane that was transferred in 1747 from John Sinclair and Nathaniel Davis as trustees of John Gordon to Allen Campbell (RD 129/403/8550),….I have a petition from the widow Knox of Peacockbank, complaining that her brother, Holmes a minister, is taking a lease for himself, to which he has no right. It is certain that he treated for the land in the name of a widow, and that I set his name down only as a memorandum. I desire you will dispose of it according to the right ….'(PRONI D623/A/15/117, Title : [James, Earl of Abercorn], to Mr Nisbitt….Dates :13 July 1758)………….”Homes of Peacockbank acted when your Lordship was in this country for his mother, a widow, who is since dead, and as I understand the story, left any right that she had to a sickly daughter, for whom Ben. Homes is now acting, and is willing the widow Knox should live with her sickly sister but, not to put the sickly sister entirely in the power of the widow Knox who has no right at all. (PRONI Reference :T2541/IA/1/5/38, Letter from Nathaniel Nisbitt, Lifford to [Earl of Abercorn] …Dates : 23 July 1758)…………….Holmes should enter into an article to hold Upper Peacockbank with my consent, for the use of the person entitled.(PRONI D623/A/16/3, Title : [‘James, Earl of Abercorn], Witham, to Mr Nisbitt. 18 October 1758………….I told Mr Holmes that your Lordship hath permitted him to sell his holding in Peacockbank; he has not as yet agreed about it. (PRONI D623/A/40/25, James Hamilton, Strabane, to [Earl of Abercorn]….17 April 1772)
Memorial of assignment or endorsement dated July 2, 1762 whereby NATHANIEL Holmes of Strabane assigned to Thomas Smith and James Cudbert his lease dated Nov 19, 1748 between Robert Brown and NATHANIEL Holmes concerning a tenement and gardens which Nathaniel Holmes then possessed being bound on the one side with a wall joining Mr McAnely and round along the back street and on the other side joining Thomas Quin. Witnessed by John Inch, JAMES Holmes, and John Thompson all of Strabane. Memorial perfected by Thomas Smith and James Cudbert in the presence of John Thompson and Archibald McCrea on Aug 4, 1762. (RD 226/18/145307).
Lease and release dated 20 and 21 Apr 1775. William Knox, Esq. of Kilcadden, co Donegal to Patrick McGandy of Dreenan, flax dresser and John Russell of Cavan Mill, carpenter a tenement in Ballybofey on the road leading to Naveny Bridge as lately in the possession of Alex Ramsay for the lives of Robert Holmes son of Robert Holmes of Naveny [Navenny], James Holmes another son of said Robert and William Russell son of John the lessee. Witnessed by Thomas Cowan of Dublin, atty and William McCreery of Ballybofey. (RD 307/292/204140)
Memorial of Indenture of Deed of Release dated Aug 18, 1781 between Margaret Knox formerly of Urney, Co Tyrone, but now of the city of Dublin, spinster of the first part; JOSHUA Holmes of Bice Lane in the city of Dublin, apothecary, 2nd part, and Alex Caldwell and James Ewing, both of Dublin, gent.,3rd part. Regarding marriage to happen shortly, Margaret transfers her portion of lands to Caldwell and Ewing, being a fourth part of lands called Mullaghanry [Mullaghanny], Gortroddy and Ballynanian, her part being upper Mullaghanry in the parish of Donoghmore, Manor of Killygordon, Co Donegal. Witnessed by Adam Gillespey, surgeon and Alex Buckanon, gent, both of the City of Dublin. (RD 339/341/228999)
Reference:
Nathaniel Holmes, an Irish American Patriot,of Cape May, by Daniel Page Stites, MD, The Cape May County Magazine of History and Genealogy, 2011 v. XII, No3, pp. 125-157.
Holmes-Weir letters, University of Galway
Genealogical Notes on the Holmes Family of Cape May, NJ by H. Cillford Campion, Jr
Homes to Rankin, Fayette County Deeds, 1774
Homes to Hood, Philadelphia Deeds 1784
HOOD, JOHN. City of Phila. Merchant.
Will: October 14, 1785. proved August 14, 1787.
I John Hood of the City of – Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania Merchant , being Sick and weak in Body , but thro the Goodness of Almighty God of Sound Disposing mind , memory and understanding and considering the certain of Death and the uncertainty of the time thereof do make and pub in writing this my Last Will and Testament in Manner and form following , that is to say , First , it is my Will that all my just Debts and Funeral Expences be fully paid and Satisfied by my Executors herein after named as soon as conveniently may be after my Decease – And I do nominate and appoint my beloved wife Hannah Hood, my Cousin John Holmes and my Friend William McMurtrie to be the Executrix and Executors of this my last Will and Testament Item I give devise and bequeath unto my said beloved wife Hanna one equal third part of the Rents and Annual Income of all and Singular my Messuages Lots , Lands , Tenements Hereditaments and Real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever for and during the term of her Natural Life . Item I do also give and bequeath unto my said beloved wife Hannah , one equal third part of all my monies Goods Chattels , Rights , Credits , Effects and personal Estate , whatsoever and wheresoever , to be at her Disposal immediately after my Decease . And it is my mind and Will , that what I have herein before given to my said beloved wife Hannah , shall be deemed and taken to be in lien of her Dower or thirds , or Right and title of Dower in all my Real Estate . Item I give and bequeath unto my honoured Mother – Elizabeth Hood , my Brother Robert Hood and my two Sisters Sarah Simpson , and Jane Stewart, the sum of one thousand Pounds in Gold and Silver money current in Pennsylvania to be equally divided between them part and Share alike , to be paid to them or – to their between attorney legally authorized to receive the same at any time after the Expiration of Eighteen Months next after my decease , And whereas my said beloved wife Hannah is now pregnant or ensent with one or more – – Child or said Children – , and it is but just and right to provide for such Child or Children in – case they should be born alive . Therefore for the making such Provision , it is my Will and I do give , devise and bequeath all the rest Residue , Reversion and Remainder of my , Estate both – Real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever unto such Child or Children wherewith my said Wife is now ensent or pregnant , and to the Heirs and assigns of such Child or Children forever ( and if more than One ) to be equally divided between them part and Share alike as – Tenants in common . provided always Nevertheless , that if it shall happen , that such Child or Children wherewith my said Wife is now ensunt shall not be born alive , or if born alive , shall both happen to shall depart this Life happen under the age of twenty one years , and without Lawful Issue Then and in those Cases , but not otherwise it is my mind and Will , that the rest residue and remainder of my Estate both real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever so devised to such Child Issue or Children ensunt then , shall descend and go to my said beloved wife Hannah, my said Honoured Mother Elizabeth Hood, my Brother Robert Hood and my two Sisters Sarah Simpson and Jane Stewart Stewart, … (Philadelphia Wills p.527)
Holmes Genealogy 
Leave a reply to Daniel Stites Cancel reply