Holmes Genealogy

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I discussed the Holmes and Galts of Coleraine, Ireland back in January (see post). In the post I mentioned that I had found a 17th century deed, written in Latin, that I was trying to decipher. Thanks to Transkribus and Claude.AI I have now been able to do so. This deed dated 16 Aug 1688 involves the transfer of property in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland.¹

On that day William Galt, now residing in Auchingavie [Aghadowey/Agivey area] in the County of Londonderry in the Kingdom of Ireland, heir of the deceased William Galt in Bangor in the County of Down in the Kingdom of Ireland his father was vested as the hereditary proprietor of the said two tenements in Irvine, Ayrshire.

That same day William Galt transferred the tenements to Ninian Holmes and his wife Margaret Galt who immediately transferred them to their daughter, Kathren Holmes.

Ninian Holmes

By 1668, Ninian Holmes was established as a merchant and burgess of Irvine—a status that meant he was a full citizen with trading rights and political privileges in the town. The burgess class formed the backbone of Scottish urban society, controlling trade, serving on town councils, and building the commercial networks that connected Scotland to Ireland. He appears in various burgh records in the late 1600s as was at one time treasurer. The 1695 Hearth Tax shows him with 2 hearths—a substantial household.

Ninian was likely the son of Hugh Holmes of Langdreghorn, and his wife Margaret Galt. This is fascinating as it shows another Holmes / Galt marriage. In fact I have discovered six Holmes / Galt Marriages in Irving and nearby Dreghorn during the 1600 and early 1700s

• 1611 and 1618 deeds involving Hugh Holmes of Dreghorn or Langdreghorn and Mariote / Margaret Galt his spouse^2,3
• 1648 deed involving Hugh Galt (son of John Galt of Templehous and Janet Holmes) and Marion Holmes his spouse⁴
• 1664 testament of John Galt in Dreghorn alias “Earle” – Marion Holmes (his wife and executrix)⁵
• 1668 deed involving Ninian Holmes of Irving and Marion Galt his spouse⁶
• 1713:William Holmes born in Irvine to William Holmes and Jane Galt⁷

The Scots-Irish Connection

The locations involved, Irvine, Ayrshire; Bangor, County Down; and Auchingavie [Aghadowey/Agivey area] in County Londonderry, open a window into the larger Atlantic world these families inhabited. By 1668, many Scottish families had:

• Settled in Ulster
• Maintained property on both sides of the Irish Sea
• Moved back and forth for trade and family reasons

Irvine as a Port

Irvine in 1668 was:

• A royal burgh with trading privileges
• A port serving western Scotland and Ulster
• Home to perhaps 1,500-2,000 people
• A center for shipping, ship-building, and coastal trade

Ships regularly sailed between Irvine and Irish ports like Coleraine, Londonderry, and Belfast. We have numerous Holmes and Galt records in these locations showing they were part of this maritime economy—they were skippers, owned shares in vessels, and traded goods.  I plan to explore these people in future posts.

References

1. 18 Aug 1668
For Ninian Holmes and his spouse [Marion Galt]
Know by this present public instrument and let it be known to all persons:
That in the year of our Lord’s incarnation one thousand six hundred and sixty-eight, on the eighteenth day of the month of August, in the fourteenth year of the reign of Charles by the grace of God King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, in the presence of me the notary public and the witnesses subscribed below, there personally appeared the honorable Robert White, eldest son of Hugh White in Mountfrid.
[This concerns] the soil and ground of those two tenements of land formerly belonging to William Galt, son and heir of the deceased William Galt in Bangor in the County of Down in the Kingdom of Ireland, situated within the burgh of Irvine bounded on one part by the land of Master James Bryden on the eastern side, by the tenement of Alexander Cunningham senior on the western side, and by [other] tenements on the southern side on the one part and others [on the other],
In which the said William was this day infeft as nearest and lawful heir of the same said deceased William Galt his father.
And there the aforesaid Hugh Boyd, acting as attorney and factor lawfully appointed of the said William Galt, son and heir of the said deceased William Galt, now residing in Auchingavie [Aghadowey/Agivey area] in the County of Londonderry in the Kingdom of Ireland, hereditary proprietor of the said two tenements of land, and to the effect subscribed by virtue of his letter of attorney freely contained in a certain deed of disposition pertaining to the said two tenements of land before and behind, above and below, and [with] all and singular their pertinents, in favor of Ninian Holmes, merchant and burgess of the said burgh of Irvine, and Margaret Galt his spouse, their heirs, successors and assignees to be subscribed, made and dated the fourteenth day of the month of July last past,
[He] surrendered up purely and simply by staff and baton as is customary, the whole and entire aforesaid two tenements of land before and behind, above and below, and all and singular their pertinents whatsoever, as is said, within the limits and bounds of [names – possibly “Main” and “James Blair”], bailies of the said burgh, together with all right, title, interest, claim, property and possession, both petitory and possessory, which or that the said William Galt, his heirs, successors or assignees whatsoever, have had, hold or in any way in future might have, hold, claim or be able to claim in the said [properties] or any part of them with their pertinents.
In favor of and for this new sasine and infeftment of the same, preceded by surrender as aforesaid, to the aforesaid Ninian Holmes and Margaret Galt his spouse, for their joint lives in conjunct infeftment, and to the heirs to be procreated between them, whom failing to the said Ninian and his nearest heirs and assignees whomsoever, also irredeemably without any reversion, redemption or return whatsoever in future in the manner subscribed and as agreed.
Which resignation being thus as aforesaid made, delivered and received by the aforesaid bailies, and the staff given and received, the aforesaid [name – possibly “Carolus/Charles”], one of the said bailies, by virtue and power of his office, at the instant asking, request and requirement of the said [parties], gave sasine, actual and real corporal possession of the whole and entire aforesaid two tenements of land above and below with all and singular their pertinents whatsoever, as is said, within the limits and bounds aforesaid, to the aforesaid Ninian Holmes and Margaret [Galt] his spouse, for their joint lives in conjunct [infeftment]…(NRS B37/1/3, Protocol Book of Arthur Hamilton, Irvine for period 1664-1674)

2. 20 Aug 1611
Thomas Boyd and Catherine Peebles his spouse sold to Hugh Holmes in Langdreghorn and Mariot Galt, spouses the entire fourth part (quarter share) of a brewhouse and associated lands in Irvine (“prelum et feriarum” – press/brewery) (NRS B37/1/1 p.11)

3. 5 Jul 1618
John Mure, burgess of the burgh of Irvine, and Catherine Steinson, spouses, existing upon the ground of the lands of the tenement… to Hugh Holmes in Dreghorn and Margaret Galt, spouses…(NRS B37/1/1 p.63)

4. John Galt, of Templehous in Dreghorne; his spouse Janet Holmes; son Hew Galt; and Marion Holmes, daughter of John Holmes of Meiklestane & spouse of Hew Galt. 19 Dec 1648, V8/199 (Registry of Sasines of Ayr, p.188)
…..
At Irvine, the 19th day of December, the year of God 1648, the forty-eighth year: Appeared Allan Thomson in Irvine and produced the Instrument of Sasine underwritten to be registered in the Clerk of Register his Register of Evidences [of the Charterhouse?] according to the act of Parliament made thereanent, which is registered therein beginning on the 199th leaf and eighth volume thereof. Whereof the tenor follows:
In the name of God, Amen. By this present public instrument let it be clear and evident to all and be it known: That in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and forty-eight, on the ninth day of the month of December, in the twenty-fourth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles, by the grace of God King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith.
In the presence of me, notary public, and the witnesses subscribed, there personally appeared honest persons John Galt of Templehouse and his spouse, and they gave sasine of the lands and ground of the mains [home farm] of the Templar lands, houses, buildings, yards, and other pertinents lying within the town and parish of Dreghorn and bailiary of Cunningham in the sheriffdom of Ayr.
And there the aforesaid spouses, for the observance and fulfillment of the marriage contract made between them, and all acting upon them for Hugh Galt their son, and the said Hugh with their consent on the one part;
And John Holmes in Meiklestone and Elizabeth Ker, spouses, for themselves and all acting upon them for Marion Holmes their daughter, and the said Marion with the consent of her parents on the other part, according to the present sasine subscribed dated the eighteenth and nineteenth of December instant, made with their own hands;
Gave state and sasine, as well as corporal, actual, and real possession of the whole and entire just and equal half of the aforesaid Templar lands in Dreghorn, together with the equal half of the houses, buildings, yards, and pertinents of the same lying as above mentioned, to Hugh Galt and Marion Holmes, future spouses, and to whichever of them lives longer in conjunct fee [joint ownership with survivorship]; And also the whole and entire other just and equal half of the aforesaid Templar lands with houses, buildings, yards, and other pertinents as above, to the said Hugh Galt alone for his better provision.
This was done by tradition and delivery here upon the ground of the said lands to the said Hugh Galt, personally present and accepting, and to the said John Holmes as attorney and in the name of the said Marion Holmes his daughter as above, this being in full contentment and satisfaction to the said Marion Holmes of her whole third or portion of the father’s lands that she could seek or claim from the remaining lands.
Reserving nevertheless to the aforesaid John Galt and his spouse, John Holmes and Joneta Holmes during their lifetimes the rents of the just and equal half of the said Templar lands, houses, buildings, yards, and other pertinents according to the form and tenor of the said marriage contract in all points.
[The notary then states that] Hugh Galt for himself and John Holmes as attorney in the name of Marion Holmes his daughter requested that this present public instrument be made.
These things were done upon the ground of the said lands around the tenth hour before noon, on the day, month, year, and reign of the King as above stated, with these persons present: John Galt in Kirkstyle of Dreghorn, John Galt son of John Galt in Dreghorn called “the Eale” in Dreghorn, Hugh Galt at Newmilne of Dreghorn, and John Barclay in the burgh of Dreghorn as witnesses called and requested to the premises.
And I, Master William Caldwell, clerk of Glasgow diocese, by royal authority and by the authority of the said Council and Session admitted as notary public according to the tenor of act of Parliament, because all and singular the premises were said, acted, and done as premised, I being personally present together with the pre-named witnesses, saw, heard, and took note of all and singular the premises thus done. And at the request of Allan Thomson, I faithfully wrote this present public instrument and signed it with my sign and cognomen [name] usual and customary, in faith, strength, and testimony of the truth of all and singular the premises, being requested and required.

5. Hew Holmes in Langdreghorne; Ninian, son of Hew, and; Agnes Auld, spouse of Ninian 16 Apr 1658, V9/314 (Ayr- Register of Sasines, p.224)
Transcription from Transkribus and Claude.AI
This document is also primarily in Scots (not Latin), dating from April 7, 1658. It records a sasine (property transfer) in Irvine. Here’s a complete English transcription:
At Irvine, the seventh day of April, the year of God 1658:
Appeared Ninian Holmes, the lawful son of Hugh Holmes in Langdreghorn, and produced the Instrument of Sasine underwritten to be registered in the Register of Sasines, reversions, and other evidences of the Sheriffdom of Ayr, conform to the act of parliament made thereanent, which is registered therein beginning on the 314th leaf and ninth volume thereof. Whereof the tenor follows:
In the name of God, so be it known to all men by this present public instrument:
That upon the seventh day of the month of April, the year of our Lord 1658, in presence of me, notary public and common clerk of the burgh following, and witnesses underwritten:
Ninian Holmes, third lawful son of Hugh Holmes of Langdreghorn, appeared before him and Helen McFadden his present spouse, and John Auld, portioner of Kirkland Dreghorn, as attorney for Agnes Auld his lawful daughter, the said Agnes being his [Ninian’s] future spouse, being passed to sasine of a quarter or fourth part underwritten of the said Hugh Holmes’ lands commonly called the quarter of the rood meadow, lying between [boundaries given] within the territory of the said burgh and sheriffdom of Ayr.
And there they had lying in lawful hands a certain charter made, given, and granted by the said Hugh Holmes to and in favor of the said Ninian Holmes as his eldest [third] son above-named, and to the said Agnes Auld his said future spouse, and to the longest liver of them two and their heirs, in respect of the said lands with pertinents heritably, containing within it the precept of sasine written and directed to John Dickson, burgess of the said burgh, [appointed by] the said Hugh Holmes as bailie in that part, of the tenor in the said precept of sasine to the effect underwritten.
[The precept reads:]
“To our lovites John Dickson, burgess of Irvine, and either or any of you, severally specially constituted [as bailies], greeting: I require that incontinent upon sight hereof you pass and give and deliver heritable state and sasine, as also actual and corporal possession of my said lands called the quarter or fourth part of the roodmeadow with the pertinents bounded as said is, to the said Ninian Holmes my son above-named and to Agnes Auld his said future spouse, and to the longest living of them two in conjunct infeftment [joint ownership], or to their certain attorneys bearers hereof, by delivery to them of earth and stone of the ground of the said land as use is.
Reserving nevertheless to me and to Helen McFadden my said spouse, our liferents [life interests] of the same during all the days of our lifetimes, conform to our charter above-written and the said matrimonial contract. And this on no ways leave undone. The which to do I commit to you conjunctly and severally, any bailie in that part aforesaid, my full power.
In witness whereof (written by Robert Brown, town clerk of Irvine) I have subscribed these presents with my hand as follows; my seal is hereunto appended at Langdreghorn the ninth day of April 1658.
Before these witnesses: John Galt in Legait, Robert Montgomery brother of John Montgomery of Sevenacres, John Holmes son to William Holmes in Langdreghorn, and Adam Biggart schoolmaster there.
Subscribed Hugh Holmes above-named with my hand at the pen led by the notars following at my command because I cannot write.
I, Robert Brown, notary public hereunto required, attest the premises, witnessing hereto my sign and subscription manual.
I, William Mure, co-notary hereunto required, also attest the premises.
[Witnesses sign:]John Galt witness, R. Montgomery witness, John Holmes witness, David Biggart witness”
[Execution of the sasine:]
After the publishing and reading over of the which charter above-said and precept of sasine above-written, the said John Dickson, the said Hugh Holmes’ bailie in that part as said, contained in the said precept of sasine, by virtue of his office of bailieship in that part aforesaid committed to him thereby, and in special obedience of the command of the said precept of sasine above-written, gave and delivered real state and sasine, as also actual and corporal possession of all and whole the said Hugh Holmes’ lands above-written called the quarter or fourth part of the roodmeadow with the pertinents extending and bounded as said is:
To the said Ninian Holmes and to the said Agnes Auld his said future spouse, and to the longest living of them two in conjunct infeftment, by the deliverance of earth and stone of the ground of the same to the said Ninian Holmes personally present for himself, and to the said John Auld as attorney above-named for his said daughter.
Reserving nevertheless to the said Hugh Holmes himself and to the said Helen McFadden his spouse, and to the longest living of them two, their liferents of the said lands with the pertinents during all the days of their lifetimes, conform to the said charter, precept of sasine aforesaid, and matrimonial contract.
Upon which all and sundry the foresaid premises, the said Ninian Holmes for himself and the said John Auld as attorney above-named for the said Agnes Auld his said future spouse, asked of me, notary public underwritten and common clerk of the said burgh, this present public instrument or instruments one or more.
These things were done upon the ground of the said lands about six o’clock or thereby, day, month, and year of God above-written, in presence of Robert Montgomery, brother of John Montgomery of Sevenacres, James Galt smith in Fullerton Wright, John Dunlop tailor, burgesses of Irvine, and Hugh Bib, burgh officer, witnesses specially called and required to the premises.
Robert Brown, common clerk of the said burgh in the sheriffdom of Ayr and notary public by royal authority and Commissioners for Administration of Justice to the people in Scotland, conform to the acts do hereby attest all and sundry the several above-written premises to be as is aforesaid true. I was personally present with the fore-named conjunctly while the same was so spoken, acted and done, and thereof I saw and heard the same, and took notes thereof. And this present instrument written with my own hand…

6. 29 Mar 1664
The testament testamantar & inventar of the goods gear debts & sums of money owed & lent to umquile John Galt in Dreghorn alias called Earle within the parish…who deceased in the month of _ 1656 years,faithfully made & given up by his own mouth … Marion Holmes relict of the defunct & only exr … nominat by him … I also nominate … John Galt in Heigate, Hew Galt in New Miln Dreghorn, William Holms in Dreghorn, William Holms in Staine & John Galt my eldest son … before witness Hew Galt of ___, & Ninan Holmes younger son of Hew Holmes in Dreghorn. …George Garvan … … John Galt … ….Hew Galt witness, Ninian Holmes witness… Mr William Fleming of …. …compeared personally William Galt in Langdreghorn as cautioner. (Scotlands People, CC9/7/33)

7. William Holmes b. 12 Jun 1713 in Irvine to William Holmes and Jane Galt (Scotlands People)