Holmes Genealogy

A quick update on Janet or Jennett Holmes who I discussed in my last post. Jennet or Janet appears to be the widow of William Knox of Coleraine who died in 1730. His will:

Original Connor Will of William Knox of Coleraine
Signed 4 Feb 1729/30 proved 30 Apr 1730
William Knox leaves
d. Agnes Knox, d. Marg: Knox, son John Knox
d. Mary Knox, son Robert Knox
and to 2 sons William Knox and Samuel Knox
and to wife all cattle ships etc.
sons to be put to such trades as they shall choose
Executors: my brother Robert Knox & Mr William Moore of Drumhagle
Overseers: Mr Andrew Boyd and my wife and my brother Thomas Knox
Witness: (illegible) Boyd
Probate to widow, R Knox and W Moore renouncing
Administration bond attached to above
Janet Knox, William Homes of Coleraine and Robert Hamell [Hamill] of Ballywillin co Antrim, 30 April 1730 that said Janet widow & Executrix of William Knox of Coleraine
(PRONI T808 p.8870)

In his will William Knox names 3 daughters and 4 sons, so Janet was mother to 7 children when William died. Samuel Knox the last named child was only about 2 years old at the time.¹

Janet must have married Andrew Boyd shortly thereafter, but the marriage was not to be a long one as Andrew died 20 Nov 1734. Apparently Janet and Andrew had at least one child together as a child Andrew Boyd is mentioned on the same gravestone as Andrew Boyd, Sr.

Somewhat surprising is that Janet did not remarry after Andrew died.

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References

1. 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)