Holmes Genealogy

[Update July 2025: Y-DNA testing shows a male descendant of this family to be Holmes Group 01, and thus a distant cousin of mine]

John Homes was born in Strabane about 1757. He married Anne Porter ⁽¹⁾, the daughter of William and Isabella Porter of Moleny or Mulleny, Burt Parish on the Inishowen Peninsula. John Holmes and Ann Porter had at least 6 children (see my tree on Ancestry):

• John Holmes (of Philadelphia) m. Ann Craige
• William Holmes (of Londonderry and later Dungannon) m. Sarah Anne Maxwell
• Valentine Holmes (of Philadelphia)
• Isabella Holmes
• Martha Holmes m. __ Taylor of Cormakilly
• Mary Jane Holmes

John moved from Strabane to Buncrana where on 12 May 1829 The Strabane Morning Post reported his intention to register a freehold in Carrowmore ⁽²⁾. Later that year he and Ann were involved in deed ⁽³⁾ where they, plus several other Holmes and Porters, conveyed the quarterland of Carrowmore to Robert Holmes of Strabane. (More on this deed and the people involved in a future post). Anne Holmes died at Buncrana on 13 Jul 1831.

John Holmes outlived her by 10 years. He died at Buncrana on 6 Jan 1841. His death was reported in the January 19th editions of both the Belfast News Letter and the Londonderry Journal: Died “On the 6th inst at Buncrana, John Holmes Esq, aged 84.”

The 3 sons of John Holmes and Anne Porter were all prosperous. John and Valentine both settled in Philadelphia ⁽⁴⁾ (although both would return to Ireland before their deaths), while William remained in Ireland and eventually settled in Dungannon.

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John Homes, Jr was born in Strabane 12 Nov 1786, ⁽⁴⁾.

He emigrated to Philadelphia as a young man and married Anne Craige, daughter of Seth Craige on 27 May 1811 at the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. ⁽⁵⁾

In 1816, John Holmes, Jr became a partner with his father-in-law. They operated the iron works at the Globe Mill under then name Craige, Holmes & Co. ⁽⁶⁾. John Holmes and Anne Craige had five children:

• Mary Ann Margaretta Holmes m. John Holmes, MD (born 1807 in Strabane)
• John Holmes m. Elizabeth Gray Leiper
• Martha Hariet Adeline Holmes
• Seth Craig Holmes
• Elizabeth Emeline Holmes m. William Whiteley

John returned to Ireland in July 1834 and died in Londonderry at the home of his brother William’s brothers-in-law, Robert and William Maxwell only 3 days after his arrival.

John Holmes’ will ⁽⁷⁾ written just before his departure for Ireland names his wife and his four living children as well as his father John, his sister Martha Taylor of Cormakilly, and his cousin Richard Taylor. HIs wife Anne died in 1840, but the estate didn’t settle until at least 1845 when the property was divided. ^{(8), (9)}

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William Holmes, the second son of John Holmes and Isabella Porter, remained in Ireland and became a lawyer. He was living in Londonderry when he married Sarah Anne Maxwell of Dungannon on 25 Aug 1836.

The couple settled in Dungannon where William established a law practice. Tragically, Sarah died in July 1840 giving birth to their only child, Hugh.

William died 14 Jul 1859. The reports of his death noted his work as Poor Law Guardian. Admin of his estate went to his son, Hugh.

Hugh Holmes had a notable career. He served as Attorney General for Ireland from 1885 to 1887. He was MP for Dublin University from 1885 to 1887 and was appointed Lord Justice of Appeal in 1897. ^{(10), (11)}

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Valentine Holmes, the 3rd son of John Holmes and Isabella Porter was born about 1800. He is probably the Valentine Holmes, age 20 who arrived in New York in 1820 on the ship “Robert Burns” from Londonderry, Ireland.⁽¹²⁾ Valentine became guardian of his nephew Seth Craige Holmes and his niece Elizabeth Emeline Holmes after their mother’s death in 1840.^{(9), (13)} He partnered in several real estate ventures with Ralph McClintock with real estate investments as far away as St Louis.⁽¹⁴⁾ (Note: Ralph’s wife was Elizabeth Craige the sister of Ann Craige who had married Valentine’s brother John Holmes.) In 1851 Valentine was appointed US Consul to Ireland. A post previously held by John Holmes of Belfast from 1796-1815 who is notable as the first US Consul to Ireland.

Valentine wrote his will in 1857 ⁽¹⁵⁾, at which time he left most of his estate to be divided between his remaining siblings, William, Isabella and Mary Jane. When William died in 1859, Valentine wrote a codicil dated 1860 that left William’s share to William’s son Hugh. In his will, Valentine also mentions his cousin, Dr John Holmes who married Valentine’s niece Martha Holmes.

Like his brother John, Valentine Holmes returned to Ireland before his death and died 13 Aug 1870 at his residence on Scotch Street in Dungannon.

He is buried at Drumcoo cemetery in Dungannon and shares a grave with his nice Olivia, daughter of Hugh Holmes and Olivia Moule. The headstone reads ⁽¹⁶⁾:

In memory of Valentine Holmes Esq formerly of Philadelphia who died at Dungannon on the 13th August 1870 aged 70 years. Also Olivia Frances daughter of Hugh and Olivia Holmes of Dublin died at Dungannon on the 26th January 1872. Aged one years and ten months. He took them up in his arms. Mark X.16

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References:

(1) Memorial of an Indented Article of agreement dated 17 Sep 1799 between Wm Porter the Elder of Molony [Mulleny] in Co of Donegal & Isabella Porter ye elder his Wife of ye first part 2) William Porter the younger of Molony and 3d son of sd William and Isabella of the 2nd part 3) the Revd Cunningham Porter of Rospenny? In the Co of Donegal,Clke, Mary Porter, Eliza Porter, Isabella Porter & Jane Porter all of Molony all daughters of the said Williams & Isabella Porter, John Holmes of Strabane in the Co of Tyrone, merchant  & Ann Holmes orwise Porter his wife who is also one of the daughters of William & Isabella Porter of the 3d part & 4) Christie Glenn of Grayston and John Cary of Carrowen in the Co of Tyrone of the 4th part; Whereby after reciting articles the said Wm the Elder & Isabella his Wife for ye consons therein ment have granted.. to Christie Glen and John Cary the …five ballyboes Quarterland of Carramore [Carrowmore] then in the possession of  Wm Porter the Elder … and also the lands of Whitehouse…Witnessed by John Finlay of Dublin and John Nemma of Moleny.  (RD 629/444/433765)

(2) Strabane Morning Post 12 May 1829
COUNTY OF DONEGAL
A List of Persons who have served Notices on the Clerk of the Peace, of their intention to Register Freeholds at the ensuring Special Sessions, to be held at Buncrana on the 13th June 1829, as appointed by the Lord Lieutenant pursuant to the 10th Geo. IV. Chap. 8.
Enishowen Barony
– John Holmes, Buncrana Carrowmore

(3) A Memorial of an indented Deed dated 28 Dec 1829 between 1) William Porter of Moleney [Mulleny] in the County of Dougal Farmer eldest son and heir at Law and also Admn with the Will annexed of the Revd Cunningham Porter decd of the first part 2) Mary Porter orse O’Donnell of Moloney aforesd widow of said deceased, John Porter of Boom Hall in the liberties of the City of Londonderry Gent, Isabella Porter and Susana Porter both of Moloney aforesd Spinsters which said John, Isabella and Susan are also children of the said deceased of the second part 3) John Baldrick of Linsforth in the County of Donegal aforesd William Holmes and Isabella Holmes orse Porter his wife both of Strabane, Co Tyrone, Jane Porter of Moleney aforesaid Spinster and John Holmes and Anne Holmes orse Porter his wife both of Buncrana in the said Co of Donegal of the third part 4) Isabella Holmes and Mary Jane Holmes both of Buncrana Spinsters and Mary Holmes and Anne Elizabeth Holmes both of Strabane aforesd Spinsters, of the fourth part and 5) Robert Holmes of Strabane aforesd Gent of the fifth part; whereby after reciting as therein is recited the said Wm Porter, Mary Porter, John Porter, Isabella Porter, Susana Porter, John Baldrick, Wm Holmes and Isabella his wife, Jane Porter, John Holmes and Anne his wife, Isabella Holmes, Mary Jane Holmes, Mary Holmes and Anne Eliza Holmes for the Consdns therein ment did pursuant to the respective Interest therein grant bargain sell assign alien release & confirm unto the said Robert Holmes his actual posson then being by Virtue of an Indented Deed to him thereof made for one whole year bearing Date the day next before the day of the Date of said presents in conson of five shillings to each of them resply in hand paid the Receipt whereof they do thereby severally acknowledge and by force of the Statute for transferring uses into posson his heirs executors and assigns all that and those the full Ballyboe of the quarter land of Carrowmore as the same was formerly possessed by the said Wm Porter the elder deceased and since by Wm Porter the younger and the Revd Cunningham Porter and now in the posson of the said Wm Porter party thereto and his undertenants situate lying and being in the parish of Culdaff barony of Inishowen and County of Donegal aforesd … To Hold unto the said Robert Holmes his heirs admins and assigns for and during all the rest residue and remainder of the term fortunes and years then to come and unexpired thereof which said deed the said of the the printing by the said Robert Holmes, Wm Cunningham Porter and said John Porter three of the Executing parties thereto is witnessed by Isaac Colhoun of the City of Londonderry Gent atty at Law and James Holmes of Strabane in the Coy of Tyrone Gent. This Memonal as to the Exon thereof by the said Robert Holmes is witnessed by the said Isaac Coloun and Geo . Alex Cunningham of the said City of Londonderry Writing Clerk, sworn at Londonderry in the County of Londonderry this 15th day of Feby 1830 (RD 856/42/571543)

(4) History of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and of the Hibernian Society for the Relief of Emigrants from Ireland : March 17, 1771-March 17, 1892 / by John H. Campbell, historian of the Hibernian Society, p.431

(5) Ancestry.com. U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.
Original data:Church Registers. Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

(6) The Governor’s Mill and the Globe Mills, Philadelphia (concluded)
Samuel H. Needles, The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 8, No. 4 (Dec., 1884), p.380

(7) John Holmes of Philadelphia
13 Jun 1834. Proved 10 Oct 1834
Be it remembered that I John Holmes Holmes of the City of Philadelphia Merchant being of sound mind and memory praised be the Lord for the same have thought proper to make and do hereby make my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say First I will that all my just debts and funeral expences be duly paid and satisfied. Item I give and bequeath to my children to wit Margaretta, John, Seth, and Emeline, each the sum of five Thousand Dollars with Interest proper day of my decease until paid Margaretta and Emelines Legacies to remain in the hands of my Executors and laid out by them for their use as they and my Executors are or deem proper – Item I give and bequeath to my dear father John Holmes of Buncrana Ireland the sum of Sixty Pounds British Sterling per annum during his natural life to be remitted him by my Executors Annually in the month of March – Item I give and bequeath to my dear sister Martha Taylor of Cormikilly Ireland the sum of Forty Pounds British Sterling per annum during her natural life to be remitted her by my Executors annually in the month of March – Item I give and bequeath my wearing apparel and all my household and kitchen furniture Carriages and Horses to my beloved Wife Ann, without any, Inventory or appraisement thereof to be made or taken – Item . I give and bequeath the net Rents and Income and Interest of all the rest residue and remainder of my Estate Real and personal to my said wife for and during all the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease to give and devise and bequeath all the said Residue Reversion and Remainder of my Estate real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever unto and for the use of my children in manner following that is to say to my Executors herein after named and the survivors and survivor of them and the Heirs Executors and Administrators of such survivor for ever in Trust all my Three Story Brick Store and Lot No 112 Market Street which I value at Twenty Thousand Dollars on which there is a Mortgage of Ten Thousand Dollars which my Executors must pay off out of the funds of my Estate, to receive and take the rents and pay over the same to my Daughter Margaretta for her sole and separate use and on her separate as receipt for and during all the term of her natural life upon her decease then in trust to convey and transfer said store and lot to all and every the child or children of the said Margaretta as shall then be living and the lawful issue of such of them as shall then be deceased in equal parts or shares as tenants in common to nevertheless that such issue take and receive such part and share only as his her or their deceased parent would have had and taken of then living – To my son John as I wish him to take my place in the concern of Holmes Craige Co when one present partnership is up say 31 December 1836. I give and bequeath to him his heirs Executors and Administrators for ever all my part of the Globe Mills Machinery Stock and also Stock at Store No 110 Market St in the following terms viz Last Valuation of Gtobe Mills Mills Say January 1832 at what Thomas and Seth Craige purchased $ 80.000 – my 1/4 $ 20.000 – My ⅓ of New Buildings and Machinery put up by Craige Howles 1420.67 on which I now make a further deduction of 20 per cent 31.67 My 1/3 of present Stock which will be ascertained when our present partnership expires say it will and to be taken at which ever it actually may be. My one third of four lots of ground in Factory yard purchased in to with Thomas and Seth Craige’s Cost with Interest… Deduct the Five thousand bequeathed him leaving a balance of $ 40.836.67 or whatever it may be when the amnt of Stock is ascertained where he will have to pay interest on during his mothers life time after which he will have to pay the balance to my Executors deducting Twenty Thousand Dollars which I give and bequeath him to make Equal to his sister leaving leaving the balance $ …. which he will be indebted to the Estate and which he must pay over to my Executors so that my Estate may be settled up to pay off interest on said balance from the decease of his mother until paid. I give and bequeath to my son Seth his Heirs Executors and administrators the sum of twenty Thousand Dollars and to my Executors and the survivors and survivor of them and the Heirs Executors and Administrators of such survivor for or in trust all my three story brick Dwelling and Store and Lot at 246 Market St, said running back to Ledge Street which I value at Eighteen Thousand Dollars and also all my three story brick dwelling House No. __ Third Street near Germantown Road adjoining the House of Eshers with its Lot running half way through to Germantown Road say to back of Lot of my two Story House on Germantown Road which I value at two thousand Dollars to receive and take the rents and pay over the same to my Daughter Emeline for her sole and separate use and on her separate receipt for and during all the term of her natural life and upon her decease then in trust to convey and transfer said Houses and lots to all and every the child and children of the said Emiline as shall then be living and the lawful issue of such of them as shall then be deceased in equal parts and shall as tenam in common so nevertheless that such issue take and receive such part and shall only as his her or then deceased event would have had and taken if then living Provided always and it is my mind and will that if any or either of my children shall happen to die in their minority without issue then and in such case I give the part and share of such deceased to my surviving children and the lawful issue of such of them my children as may then be deceased in equal parts and shares as tenants in common so nevertheless that such issue take and receive such part and share only as his her or their deceased have it would have had and taken if living the residue of my Estate real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever I give unto my surviving children and the lawful issue of such of my children as may be deceased in equal parts and share as tenants in common so nevertheless that such Issue sa and receive such part and share only as his her a then deceased parent would have had and taken if living – when my Executors are closing my Estate they are authorized to sell my real Estate and personal Estate at Private a Public sale excepting the Houses bequeathed to my Daughters Margaretta and Emeline. I appoint my son John Holmes Holmes, my Brother in Law Seth Craige and my Cousin Robert Taylor my executors. Signed 13 Jun 1834. Witnessed by Ralph McClintock & Seth W Craige. Proved 10 Oct 1834 by Ralph McClintock and Seth Craige. (Philadelphia Wills, Book 11, p.334 #185)

(8) John Holmes, et al. to Dr John Holmes, Philadelphia Deeds, 1845, p.445

(9) John Holmes, et al. to Elizabeth Emeline Holmes, Philadelphia Deeds, 1845-46, p.207

(10) Dictionary of Irish Biography – Hugh Holmes

(11) Wikipedia – Hugh Holmes

(12) New York City. Passenger Lists Jan 7, 1820–Jun 30, 1821, image 265 of 1075

(13) Seth Craig Holmes to Valentine Holmes, Philadelphia Deeds, 1844-45, p.279

(14) St Louis Deeds, 1833-34, FamilySearch, image 341 of 696

(15)Valentine Holmes of Philadelphia
15 Apr 1857, proved 1870
I Valentine Holmes, of the City of Philadelphia , in the State of Pennsylvania being of sound mind do make this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me at any time made . 

1.  I give, devise, and bequeath unto my executors herein after named and the survivor of them, the lot or piece I ground, and the houses thereon erected, situate onThe South side of Cedar, commonly called South Street between Eighth and ninth Streets, in the City and County of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania, In trust nevertheless to hold the same , to and , for the only use and behoof of my brother William Holmes, and my sisters Isabella and Mary Jane Holmes, all of Scotch Street in the town of Dungannon, County Tyrone, Ireland, them and I their heirs forever ; – To rent the said houses and collect the rent thereof , and after payment of Ground rent taxes, and other necessary charges, to pay the balance in equal shares to and among my said brother and sisters; with power , to my said Executors and the survivor of them , to sell at any time at public or private sale the premises aforesaid , and execute a deed of Conveyance thereof in fee simple , to the purchaser , who shall take a good title thereof without being required to see to the appropriation of the purchase money . And my said Executors or the survivor, shall pay the proceeds of said sale to my said brother and sisters to each one third thereof. 
2.  I give and bequeath to my cousin Dr John Holmes of Philadelphia [John was married to Valentine’s niece, Mary Ann Margaretta, daughter of John Holmes and Ann Craige, but Dr John Holmes may also have been a cousin on the Holmes side,] one hundred dollars and to my esteemed friend Samuel Hood attorney at law of Philadelphia One hundred dollars.
3.  All the rest and residue of my estate I give devise and bequeath to my brother the said William Holmes, and to my said Sisters Isabella and Mary Jane Holmes, share and share alike.
4.  I nominate and appoint my friend the said Samuel Hood, and my cousin the said Dr John Holmes both of Philadelphia, and the survivor of them Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Philadelphia aforesaid this Fifteenth day of April A. D. One thousand eight hundred and fifty seven. 

Signed – Val Holmes. Witnessed by William McDavid and Robert McGrath.
Codicil [11 Jul 1860] – since the date of the foregoing will my brother William Holmes has died leaving an only son Hugh R. Holmes, now a student in Trinity College Dublin; I therefore give and bequeath give to him the and property and estate given and devised to his father, as stated in the 1st and 3rd articles of my will – If the real estate referred to in the 1st article of my will should be sold by me before my death, and if any other real estate should be purchased by me of which I shall die seized I give and devise the same to my said executors as therein devised, but in trust, for my nephew the said Hugh R. Holmes  and my said Sisters as aforesaid, and with these alterations I hereby republish my said Will . Witness my hand and Seal this Eleventh July A D. 1860. Val. Holmes (Philadelphia Wills 1870, image 39-42)

(16) Ulster Historical Foundation, genealogy-databases/northern-irish-gravestone-inscriptions