Holmes Genealogy

I received an interesting email this week from Adrian Boyd asking if I knew anything about theAndrew Boyd (d.1734) of Ballywillan who married Jennet Holmes. This was a surprise as I was not aware of this couple. Adrian and Jonathan Gray have been researching the ancestry of Hugh Boyd of Ballycastle. Jonathan gave a very interesting lecture on the subject which you can watch on YouTube. In the lecture Jonathan shows that Col Hugh Boyd of Ballycastle descends from the Boyds of Portencross – a cadet branch of the Boyds Kilmarnock. Jonathan presents two theories regarding this decent. One through Thomas Boyd, Provost of Irvine, Ayrshire and later of Carngoggy, Co Antrim and one through William Boyd of Dunluce. These cousins were certainly close as Thomas Boyd of Carncoggy was a trustee named in the will of William of Dunluce.¹ In the lecture Jonathan notes that grave of Andrew Boyd contains a similar crest as that of Col. Hugh Boyd of Ballycastle.

Adrian and Jonathan were good enough to bring the following deed to my attention.

A Memorial of Indenture of a Sale and conveyance made 4 Mar 1762 between Robert Knox Port Glenoan [Portglenone] in the Parish of Machrehockle Barony of Tomb and County of Antrim, Distiller of the one part and James Moore of Ballydivity in the Barony of Dunluce and said County of Antrim, Gent of the other part whereas Jennet Boyd otherwise Holmes of Lower Ballymacklevannon in the in the parish of Ballywoolen [Ballywillan] Liberties of Coleraine and County of Londonderry, Relict & Widow of Andrew Boyd of said Ballymacklevannen [Ballymaclevennon], Gent deceased did by her Indenture of Lease duly executed bearing Date 18 May 1754 demise unto the aforesaid Robert Knox all that part and parcel of the aforesaid Quarterland of Lower Ballymacklevannen then and formerly in the possession of him the said Robert Knox, her son the same was then maid and bounded situate in the said parish of Ballen and County of Londonderry aforesaid for the Term and space of nine years to commence from the first day of November then next ensuing and for during the Natural Life and Lives of Samuel Holmes of the City of Dublin Merchant and of Samuel Knox of Ballymacklevannen … (RD 217/444/145555)

We learn two interesting facts from this deed. First that Jennet Holmes was the relict of Andrew Boyd and second, that she was the mother of Robert Knox.

I immediately recognized that Jennet was the Jennet Boyd that appears in a series of Holmes deeds regarding Ballymaclevennon in Ballywillan parish.

The first of these is dated 1732.² The Rowley Hill mentioned is connected to Boyds of Ballycastle in that his daughter Mary was the wife of Hugh Boyd, son of William Boyd, sheriff of Antrim and Mary Davys Wilson. William being the son of Col. Hugh Boyd of Ballycastle.

Memorial of indented deed dated Oct 13, 1732 whereby Rowley Hill of Dublin, Esq. transferred to Andrew Boyd of BallymciIlvannon, Co. Londonderry, Gent all the lands of Crossreagh, Ballyreagh upper McIlvannon and all that part of lower BallyMcIlvannon lately in the possession of SAMUEL Holmes, deceased except the meeting house and ground where it stands for the lives of said Rowley Hill, Samuel Knox, about 4 years old, son of William Knox of BallyMcIlvannon and SAMUEL Holmes, about 16 years old, son of said SAMUEL Holmes of BallyMcIlvannon, deceased or for 31 years. Witnessed by Henry Sandford of Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, Esq., Collector of Coleraine and John Lawson of Milltown, nr Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry. Memorial dated Jun 9, 1733 and witnesses by Henry Sanford and William Church of Coleraine. (RD 72/353/51015)

We actually have an earlier record of Andrew Boyd from 1628. This one involving Abraham Holmes of Ballygelagh.³

ABRAHAM Holmes of Ballygelagh, in the parish of Agherton, and Liberties of Coleraine, yeoman leased from Andrew Boyd of Carnrigg in the parish of Miltown and Liberties of Cloreraine, gent. on May 11, 1728 the quarterland known as Ballyreagh in the Liberties of Coleraine, Miltown parish, Co of Londonderry. Witnessed by WILLIAM Holmes, merchant and Charles Church both of Coleraine. Memorial signed by ABRAHAM Holmes, WILLIAM Holmes and Thos. Church (RD 64/448/44637)

Andrew Boyd died 20 Nov 1734 at the age of 56. He is buried in the Ballywillan Churchyard near Portrush.⁴

Jennet outlived Andrew by a quite number of years. We see her involved in a series of deeds^5,6,7,8 through that of 1762 above.

WILLIAM Holmes the younger and Robert Hutchinson, both of Coleraine, merchants, and Rev. Charles Boyd of Coleraine were witness to an instrument dated 3 Feb 1748 whereby Jannet Boyd [nee Holmes] of Ballymcilvennan, Liberties of Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, widow let unto Robert Knox of Ballymacilvenan, that part of Ballymacilvenan she formerly possessed, reciting lease from Rowley Hill, Esq., deceased. Memorial dated 30 March 1749 and witnessed by WILLIAM Holmes the younger and Robert Hutchinson. (RD 136/120/90795)

Memorial of Indented Deed dated Nov 4, 1752 whereby Jennet Boyd [nee Holmes] of Ballymalvenan in the parish of Ballywoolin, Co. Londonderry, Widow let to NINIAN Holmes of Ballyreagh in the aforesaid parish all that farm of land then in his possession for the lives of SAMUEL Holmes of the City of Dublin and Samuel Knox of Ballymalvinan for 11 years from the 1st of Nov, 1752. Witnessed by Robert Knox of Ballymalveneen and James Black of Glenmanus, parish of Ballywillan. Memorial dated Oct 15, 1754. (RD 169/480/114651)

Memorial of Indented Deed dated Nov 4, 1752 whereby Jennet Boyd [nee Holmes] of Ballymalvenan in the parish of Ballywoolin, Co. Londonderry, Widow let to PAUL Holmes of Ballyreagh in the aforesaid parish all that farm of land then in his possession for the lives of SAMUEL Holmes of the City of Dublin and Samuel Knox of Ballymalvinan for 11 years from the 1st of Nov, 1752. Witnessed by Robert Knox of Portglenone, Co Antrim and James Black of Saguestown, parish of Ballywillan. Memorial dated Aug 21, 1762. (RD 241/360/159537)

Memorial of deed of lease dated Oct 28, 1753 whereby Janet Boyd [nee Holmes], widow of Ballymullvenan, parish of Ballywoolen, Co. Londonderry leased to John Bailey of Crossreagh, all the lands of Crossreagh then in his possession consisting of 100 acres lying in the parish of Ballyachren, Co Londonderry, for a term of ten years, or the natural lives of SAMUEL Holmes of Dublin, merchant and Samuel Knox of Ballymulvenan. Witnessed by Robert Hutcheson and William Hunter, both of Coleraine, both merchants. Memorial witnessed by William Hunter and Edward Ichers and dated Jan 26, 1753(/54). (RD 166/224/111331)

Holmes of Ballywillan / Ballyreagh

There have been Holmes in the vicinity of Coleraine since at least 1630 when John Holmes and Thomas Holmes appear on the muster list for the NE Liberties of Coleraine.

Ninian Holmes

The first Holmes for which we have much information is Ninian Holmes of Ballyaghran. He first appears in 1657

29 June 1657. Chancery bill. No answer.
Robert Kerr, James Patterson, Ninian Holmes, John Fargison [Furguson], James Beard [Baird], John Mathew, John Allen, John Patterson, Robert Algeo, Hugh Kerr, John Baldridge, Robert Gault [Galt], John Humphrey, John Young, John Beard, Gilbert Crocket, Robert Rea & Ninian Clerk [Clark]  Plts
V. Capt John Galland, Lt Thomas Dance, Ensign Edmund Browne, Samuel Doughty, George Cary & his wife Avis, Jane Cary, Thomas Church & his wife Hester, Defts

Plts are tenants of the lands of 6 qrs of Ballyaghran co Londonderry, 2 quarters of Gallyvallyoughtrah and the mill of Gallyvallyoughtrah & the qr of Ballylagan all in the co of Antrim, and the 2 qrs of Ballyvolton in Dunluce Barony co Antrim & The lands of Ballyhemon by lease from Defts Cary and Church. They have been disturbed by Defts Galland, Dance, Browne & Doughty
(PRONI T808/897)

I would note the mention of Robert Gault/Galt among the plaintiffs. As I mentioned in my last post, the Holmes and Galts of Irvine and Dreghorn, Ayrshire were deeply entwined with at least 6 marriages.

Ninian Holmes of Ballyaghran appears on the 1661 subsidy roll as well at the 1663 Hearth Money roll. He died in shortly after writing his will in November 1680.

Connor Will, 13 Nov 1680
NINIAN Holmes, Co Londonderry
I NINIAN Holmes in the parish of Ba__ Co Londonderry…”my two sons JOHN and WILLIAM”…the following persons who owed him money: Archibald Campbell, Robert [Chillows?], John Doby, John Cochran, John Logan, John Ross, James Baxter, John McKeedy. Exrs: my two sons JOHN and WILLIAM. Will signed 13 Nov 1680. Witnesses: John Lemok[?], James __, Hough Whyt. Probate to Exrs 20 Dec 1680
(PRONI T681 p.305)

The name Ninian is unusual in the early Holmes records. We find it only here in Co Londonderry and in Irvine / Dreghorn, Ayrshire where we see it as early as 1559.

1559 Cunninghame Teind List – Irvine Parish
John Holmes
Robert Holmes,elder
Robert Holmes, younger
Ninian Holmes

Interesting for this discussion in the 1608 testament of Ninian Holmes, merchant burgess of Irvine.⁹ In the testament he names Thomas Boyd, Provost of Irving, great grandfather of Col Hugh Boyd of Ballycastle as one of overseers to his wife and children. Another overseer was Hew Holmes of Landreghorn (possibly a brother). Thomas Boyd and Hew Holmes appear 3 years later on 20 Aug 1611 when Thomas Boyd and Catherine Peebles his spouse sold to Hew Holmes in Langdreghorn and Mariot Galt, spouses the entire fourth part (quarter share) of a “prelum et feriarum” [press / brewery] and associated lands in Irvine.¹⁰

Abraham Homes

Abraham Holmes of Ballygelagh leased Ballyreagh from Andrew Boyd of Carnrigg in 1728. We see records for Abraham as early as

PRONI Reference : D2977/3A/6/20/1
Title : Lease from John O’Neil Esq. of Edenduffcarrick,…
Dates : 26 April 1696
Description : Lease from John O’Neil Esq. of Edenduffcarrick, Co. Antrim and Hugh McCollum, Gentleman, of Dunluce, Co. Antrim to John Cochran and ABRAHAM Holmes, both yeomen, of Ballygellagh, Co. Londonderry, of the quarterland of Ballygellagh, [Ballygelagh] for 14 years. Yearly rent £9 Lease dat 6 May 1696;John o Neile of Edenduffcarrick  Co Antrim Esq and Hugh McCollum of Dunluce Co Ant gent to John Cochran and Abraham Homes of Ballygellagh in  of B of  Dunluce, Long Libs of Coleraine and Co of L’derry yeomen; the Q’land of B’gellagh now in their possn; 14 yrs fr 1 nov last; rent £9 pa sterling together with six pence per pound Receivers fees and one barrell and a halfe of good white oates and six dayes worke of horse and man and six henes yearly on 1 May or at Lessors’ discretion 4 shillings in leu of sd oates and sixpence in leu of each dayes work and three pence in leu of each hen….the sd John Cochrane and Abraham Holmes and their under tenants are to doe suite and service to ye Courte leete and Court Barron held for the Mannor of Dunluce …and to grind all their graine …at the accustomed mill … and to plant 9 ash, oacke or sicamor trees yearely .to build 9 pearch of good ditch well Quikset with thorne or ffurs or a double stone ditch 4 foot high ..Signed in a good hand Abraham Holmes and by John Cochran with his mark.

He may also be the Abram who married Janet Hopkins,¹¹ although he could be a son.

ABRAM Holms in Ballywilling [Ballywillin] & Janet Hopkins in Ballykelly are allowed proclamation 9br 6 1725

Abraham Holmes is another unusual name in the Holmes records. Most notably we see it in connection with 1718 migration to New England where Charles Knowles Bolton in his Scotch Irish Pioneers in Ulster and America gives record of a testimonial brought by Abraham Holmes to Londonderry, New Hampshire:¹²

The bearer, ABRAHAM Holmes, Janet Givens his mother-in-law, Mary Morrison, his wife, and their two children has lived in this Congregation the most part of them from their infancy, and all along, and now in their derparture they were not only sober and free of publick scandle, But also of good Report and Christian Conversation, (Children excepted) now Communicants with us. And now being about to transport themselves to New England in America we have nothing to hinder their being received as members of any Christian Society, and may be admitted to sealing ordinances wherever providence may order their lot; all of which is certified at Ahadonia (Aghadowey) this 12th day of June 1719. Witness by John Givens, David Cargill.

Also

Mary Morrison m Abraham Holmes in Ireland and they came to U S 1719 with 2 children in ship Elizabeth, Robert Holmes master; [This was my ancestor, Capt. Robert Homes, the son of Rev William Homes of Strabane], arr Boston and warned out of town 3 Nov 1719.  With them came David Morrison and Jane Davis widow who is prob Janet Given referred to as Abraham Holmes’s mother in law in the latters church letter, which is in possn family of late Charles D Page New Haven Conn. On 13 June a dau was b. to Abraham Holmes and Mary Morrison.  Two daus have been identified as Mary Holmes who m. Joseph Morrison and [    ] Holmes who m Matthew Reid (See Probate Records of N H vol 16 p 258 and vol 18 p 488 for Mary’s petition to have an administrator aptd on her husband’s estate and the settlement). (“From a typescript of an MS by Sarah E Holmes 1943 found at New England Historic Genealogical Soc. Boston MA”)

More to Explore – Holmes of Bray and Donaghmore, Co Tyrone

Jonathan Gray’s Ballycastle lecture also mentions that William Boyd (c. 1674-1733) who is buried in Tullanisken, Co Tyrone shares the same crest on his grave as that of Hugh Boyd of Ballycastle and Andrew Boyd of Ballywillan. Jonathan Gray and Adrian Boyd brought to my attention that his grave is immediately across from that of William Holmes and his wife Martha Stewart. If you have access to ancestry you can see my tree for them here.

This raises interesting questions on their possible relationship to the Holmes of Ballywillan, but as this post is already fairly long, we will save that for another day.

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References

1. 1624 Will of William Boyd of Dunluce, Ulster-Scots Academy

2. A Memorial of Indenture of a Sale and conveyance made 4 Mar 1762 between Robert Knox Port Glenoan [Portglenone] in the Parish of Machrehockle Barony of Tomb and County of Antrim, Distiller of the one part and James Moore of Ballydivity in the Barony of Dunluce and said County of Antrim, Gent of the other part whereas Jennet Boyd otherwise Holmes of Lower Ballymacklevannon in the in the parish of Ballywoolen [Ballywillan] Liberties of Coleraine and County of Londonderry, Relict & Widow of Andrew Boyd of said Ballymacklevannen [Ballymaclevennon], Gent deceased did by her Indenture of Lease duly executed bearing Date 18 May 1754 demise unto the aforesaid Robert Knox all that part and parcel of the aforesaid Quarterland of Lower Ballymacklevannen then and formerly in the possession of him the said Robert Knox, her son the same was then maid and bounded situate in the said parish of Ballen and County of Londonderry aforesaid for the Term and space of nine years to commence from the first day of November then next ensuing and for during the Natural Life and Lives of Samuel Holmes of the City of Dublin Merchant and of Samuel Knox of Ballymacklevannen aforesaid and the Survivor of them or for the said Term of nine years or any of them that shall longest continue at and under the yearly rent of fifteen poundester and this Indenture further witnesseth that the said Robert Knox for and in Consid of the sum of one hundred and forty pounds Ster to him then in hand paid by the said James Moore and for which Sum the said Robert Knox did perfect a Bond and Warrant of attorney payable unto the said James Moore and likewise granted and perfected a mortgage Deed of the sd Lands of Bally Macklevannon unto the said James Moore said Bond & Mortgage Deed bearing date respectively the Second day of March then instant and on the fourth day by a further consideration of the sum of ten pounds to to him in hand paid by the said James Moore amounting in the whole to the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling the Receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge hath bargained Sold granted aliened released & confirmed unto the said James Moore his Heirs Exors admors and assigns in his actual possession now being by virtue of a Bargain and sale to him thereof have by the said Robert Knox in consideration of five shillings by Indenture bearing at the day next before the Day of the date of said Indenture for one year and one of the Statute for transferring uses into possession all that part of the Quarterland of lower Ballmacklevannen aforesaid as the same was then meared and bounded formerly held and possessed by the said Robert Knox & now possessed by James McMullan and Thomas Boyd his undertenants with all the Rights members and appurtenances thereunto belonging to hold the said Land and premises unto the said Mary C. . James Moore his Heirs and assigns for and during the Lives of the said Samuel Holmes and the said Samuel Knox and for and during the remainder of the estate our wake term of nine years granted by the said Jennet Boyd as above mentioned that was then to come and unexpired from the first day of November then last past with other Covenant & agreements usual and common in Deed of Sale and conveyance which said Indenture of Sale and Conveyance is witnessed by William Linn of Ballydivity in the County of Antrim aforesaid Gent and John Walker of said Ballydivity and said County of Antrim Cont and this memorial is witnessed by the said William Linn and by the said John Walker James Moore ( Seal ) Signed and Sealed by the above named James Moore in presence of Wm Linn , John Walker , the above named William Linn maketh Oath that he Law the above named Robert Knox duly execute the Indenture of Deed of Sale whereof the above writing is a memorial and also saw the said James Moore one of the parties to said Indenture of Deed of Sale Sign and seal this memorial and that he this Depons is a subscribing witness to said Indenture of Deed Deed of sale and Memorial and that the name William Linn Subscribed as a witness to said Indenture of Sale and Memorial is this Deponts name and is his own proper and writing – Wm Linn – Sworn before me at Ballymoney in the County of the 6th day of Jan. 1763 (RD 217/444/145555)

3. ABRAHAM Holmes of Ballygelagh, in the parish of Agherton, and Liberties of Coleraine, yeoman leased from Andrew Boyd of Carnrigg in the parish of Miltown and Liberties of Cloreraine, gent. on May 11, 1728 the quarterland known as Ballyreagh in the Liberties of Coleraine, Miltown parish, Co of Londonderry. Witnessed by WILLIAM Holmes, merchant and Charles Church both of Coleraine. Memorial signed by ABRAHAM Holmes, WILLIAM Holmes and Thos. Church (RD 64/448/44637)

4. (Memorials of the Dead, v9, p.2)

5. WILLIAM Holmes the younger and Robert Hutchinson, both of Coleraine, merchants, and Rev. Charles Boyd of Coleraine were witness to an instrument dated 3 Feb 1748 whereby Jannet Boyd [nee Holmes] of Ballymcilvennan, Liberties of Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, widow let unto Robert Knox of Ballymacilvenan, that part of Ballymacilvenan she formerly possessed, reciting lease from Rowley Hill, Esq., deceased. Memorial dated 30 March 1749 and witnessed by WILLIAM Holmes the younger and Robert Hutchinson. (RD 136/120/90795)

6. Memorial of Indented Deed dated Nov 4, 1752 whereby Jennet Boyd [nee Holmes] of Ballymalvenan in the parish of Ballywoolin, Co. Londonderry, Widow let to NINIAN Holmes of Ballyreagh in the aforesaid parish all that farm of land then in his possession for the lives of SAMUEL Holmes of the City of Dublin and Samuel Knox of Ballymalvinan for 11 years from the 1st of Nov, 1752. Witnessed by Robert Knox of Ballymalveneen and James Black of Glenmanus, parish of Ballywillan. Memorial dated Oct 15, 1754. (RD 169/480/114651)

7. Memorial of Indented Deed dated Nov 4, 1752 whereby Jennet Boyd [nee Holmes] of Ballymalvenan in the parish of Ballywoolin, Co. Londonderry, Widow let to PAUL Holmes of Ballyreagh in the aforesaid parish all that farm of land then in his possession for the lives of SAMUEL Holmes of the City of Dublin and Samuel Knox of Ballymalvinan for 11 years from the 1st of Nov, 1752. Witnessed by Robert Knox of Portglenone, Co Antrim and James Black of Saguestown, parish of Ballywillan. Memorial dated Aug 21, 1762. (RD 241/360/159537)

8. Memorial of deed of lease dated Oct 28, 1753 whereby Janet Boyd [nee Holmes], widow of Ballymullvenan, parish of Ballywoolen, Co. Londonderry leased to John Bailey of Crossreagh, all the lands of Crossreagh then in his possession consisting of 100 acres lying in the parish of Ballyachren, Co Londonderry, for a term of ten years, or the natural lives of SAMUEL Holmes of Dublin, merchant and Samuel Knox of Ballymulvenan. Witnessed by Robert Hutcheson and William Hunter, both of Coleraine, both merchants. Memorial witnessed by William Hunter and Edward Ichers and dated Jan 26, 1753(/54). (RD 166/224/111331)

9. Ninian Holmes,  merchant,  burges  of  Irvine  26  Aug. 1608
The testamant testamentar letterwill and Inventar of the goods gear debts & sums of money owed and lent to unquhile Ninian Holmes merchant burgess of Irvine faithfully made and given up by his own mouth….day of November 1607 years … nomat and ….Margaret Cunningham his spouse and Johne Holmes his eldest son and apparent heir the only exrs and …. and … and also he nomat Thomas Boyd provost of Irving, William Cauldwell, ___Bankhead of …….and Hew Holmes in Langdreghorne as overseers? to his wyff & bairnes… of her …in the … in the … conform? to his letterwill following…..
Inventar
…the said umquile Ninian and his said spouse the time of his decease foresaid had the the goods and gear underwritten of … 
Debts Owing to
Item. There was owed to the defunct the tyme foresaid: by Robert Lowry [son-in-law], burgess of Irvine now dwelling in Ireland……Jonet Holmes his spouse… …the said Margaret… Item by Johne Mylne? in Anthintonar? five bolls malt … boll at …Item by Hew Holmes in  Dreghorne… …By John Towbert in Ireland and sometime? in Kilwynning?…By John Thomsone walker burgess of Irvine Lx lb money. By James Towper?… in … Kilwynning …& Hew Montgomerie …….Item by Johne H.. burgess of Irving younger in Bytree Dreghorne and by Bessie Montgomerie his spouse… Item by Johne Pored? in Dal… …Item by John Salton? in Bytree Dreghorne…By Adam Cunningham merchant burgess of Irvine …By Isobell Wilsone …. to Robert Wilsone burgess of Irvine…By Isobel H__ in …. By William Cauldwell …. By Robert Broun in Balray….By Thomas Miller in … …by Johne B… and Agnes R__ his spouse.. By James … in Kyle…Item by Hew B__ in … …Item by Cathrene Peblis as … for Marion Montgomerie …By Robert Cuningham of Achinhervie? …By John Lyndsay merchant burgess of Irvine… … by Robert Peblis … in Irving By Bessie Muir … in Irvine… By James Barr in B__ of Irving …By Robert Cunningham of G__ … By James …  in … By Thomas … burgess of Irvine … ..Item by ___ Gudy? daughter lawful to __ Gudy in Sorn? …By Thomas __ in Monkredding… By James Wallace son natural to John Wallace in Coners?… By Jane Fullerton spouse to John Peblis elder burgess of Irvine …By Howard Walker burgess of Edinburgh?…By John Cuming? son to Thomas Cuming … By Robert Wallace in Galriggs…By William Wilson in …By Lillias? M’lone? spouse to Mr W Wallace …at Irvine?.. By Mr W Wallace himself ..By John Boyd … in Irvine…By James Muir in … By Thomas __ in Blouk?…By… …in Onttingham?…By James Barclay? now in Ireland…By John Lyn cordiner in … …By Hew __ burgess of Irvine… By Hew ___ burgess of Irvine… By Margaret Hamilton spouse to …..skipper burgess of Irvine…By Robert Boyd of Pettincortis… By David ___merchant burgess of ….By Johne Moreson cupper burgess of Edinburgh?…By Thomas ……By Janet Mylnes? spouse to Thomas Arnot? burgess of Irvine…By Jon Ross younger .. burgess……By Robert Hunter in …. By John Marshall? ….By Archibald Barclay mason burgess of Irvine …By Robert Moresine? spouse to Isobell Moresone …By John Dunlope … son to Andro Dunlope in … By John Cuninghame in merchant of Irvine …By John Muir …son to umquile James Muir burgess…By Hew Holmes fellow burgess By Johne Dene? younger …burgess…By Wal. Patersone? fellow? burgess…By Paul Neilsone…. ..By G___ in …. By W Barclay dagmaker and his spouse burgess of Irvine…By Wm … …By John Gotwray? in nether … .By John Biggart younger merchant burgess of Irvine .. ..By Bessie Blair and William Patison?… her spouse in Irving …By David Adame fellow burgess of Irvine … ….By Robert Blak in Salt__…By William Gareson?… By Hew Marten….By John Boyd..Boyd by Katrine Boyd spouse to James Robinson in Saltcoats..by John Montgomerie in the … by James Moreson in __ and his spouse … by Thomas Yong_.. by Adam Muir and __ Boyd.. … debts abovewritten … to the said Niniane and his spouse by the … There was owed by the defunct the time forseaid to … … to Issobell __ …in Irving … to William Cunningham fellow burgess of Irving … to Robert Wallace merchant in … to .. … in Glasgow… To James T__ merchant… to Thomas Broun merchant… to John Moreson merchant… to Johne Yong elder… to Wm __ merchant… to Archibald __ merchant.. to Johne Boyde … to James Pa__ .. .. to William __ merchant … to Johne Gibsone …. to Wm Holmes burgess of Irving of borrowed money… to James Bell merchant burgess of Glasgow… to Johne Cunninghame merchant burgess of Glasgow…
Legacies
Item the said umquhile Ninian’s debts being paid he left his whole free goods gear and … to be divided between the said Margaret his spouse, Jonet Holmes his daughter already procreated unless ___ Holmes .now being in the mother’s womb being son or daughter or both and only if after the conception in this manner viz:…the third part of the ..and the bairnes the whole two part? ….as to Johne Holmes his eldest son and apparent heir. Before?.. .. portion of his foresaid goods gear and debts … to have his portion & and any … for his portion for … his… goods gear and debts … he left to Jonet Weir his furniture? for the faithful service made by her to him these seven years? Bypast.. … ten lb. … …… Thomas Boyd provost of Irvine and John Adams? …burgess of …. ……………….. I Ninian Holmes…with my hand at the pen… ……being now at the point of death and unable to … …the 26th day of August 1608

10. 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)
National Records of Scotland, Protocol Book of William Cauldwell, B37/1/1 p.11

11. ABRAM Holms in Ballywilling [Ballywillin] & Janet Hopkins in Ballykelly are allowed proclamation 9br 6 1725
(Ballykelly Presbyterian Register of Marriages, 1699-1739: [original in Presbyterian Historical Society]: A true Account of all ye persons proclaimed & after ye year married by Mr Jon Stirling, Min’r of ye Gospel in Ballykelly parish. (https://www.cotyroneireland.com/marriages/ballykelly.html)

12. (Scotch Irish Pioneers in Ulster and America, Charles Knowles Bolton, 1986, pp. 259-60) and see also (The county of Londonderry in three centuries, with notices of the Ironmongers’ estate, Kernohan, J.W., 1921, p.71)