Holmes Genealogy Research in Londonderry
I have been researching Holmes families in Ireland for over 30 years. My personal research notes are now in excess of 150 pages. I have created this website in an effort to make them available to other researchers. The following are my notes compiled while researching Holmes families in the city of Derry / Londonderry:
Deeds and other records:
GABRIELL Homes is recorded in the Londonderry Port Book on 15 Jun 1615 as captain of a “small boat of Scotland” from Londonderry to Scotland. (The Ulster Port Books, R.J. Hunter, 2020, p.50)
Ulster Muster Roll c.1630
John Homes. Landlord: Mr Freman the younger (Fishmongers)
(https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/genealogy-databases/muster-rolls-ulster-2/5128)
RICHARD Home, sword only, on 1630 muster roll for Londonderry (Mervine, William M. “The Men of Londonderry in 1630 and 1663.” The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 38, no. 3 (1914): 355–72.)
T/808/15169-15176: T Groves – Muster rolls
Derry Garrison 1642-3
Capt Henry Osborne foote company mustered at L’derry 18 Aug 1643
Thos Holmes (NTTDS)
NATHANIEL Holmes, on 17 May 1650 is listed in the Sales of Bishop’s Lands for purchase of a parcell of the garden belonging to London house. (Collectanea Topograhica & Genealogica, London, 1834, V.1, p.290)
ELIZABETH Holmes, dtr ROWLAND/, was bapt. at Derry Cathedral 11 Jan 1649. (DCVR)
ROBERT, the son of THOMAS Homes born and bap 7 Mar 1654 (DCVR)
JENNET Holmes of Tawboyne m. John Akin of Killea 8 Apr 1654 in Derry Cathedral by , witnessed by JOHN Holmes and James Smyth (DCVR)
Mrs Elizabeth Holmes, widow, buried her son ROBERT, 14 Feb 1655 in Derry Cathedral. (DCVR)
THOMAS Holmes, glover, was buried in Derry Cathedral 2 Dec 1655. (DCVR)
The marriage of John Jenkings and ELIZABETH Holmes was solemnized (Luke Ash, Thomas Kuming [Cuming] and others being present this last of July 1656. (DCVR)
JOHN Holmes, s. JOHN Holmes, Captain Bridges soulder [soldier], was bapt. 17 May 1673 in Derry Cathedral. (DCVR)
JAMES Holmes, sailor of Coleraine, had a licence granted in 1686 for marriage with Margaret Kerr of Derry. (The county of Londonderry in three centuries, with notices of the Ironmongers’ estate, Kernohan, J.W., 1921, p.52)
Fighters of Derry, p.141
NICHOLAS Holmes, officer in Colonel Baker’s Regt, was one of the defenders of Derry all through the Siege in 1688…..In the expedition of 18 June , when some 30 officers of the garrison , under the leadership of Col Adam Murray, made a daring venture up the river, he has the following mention:
“With him (Murray) ascend near thirty officers
Besides the boys prepared for messengers
Noble, and Holmes, and the brave Dunbar
His three companions in the feats of war.”George Holmes (or Homes), defender, an officer of Col. Lance’s Coleraine Regt, with which he served in the defence. He was one of the officers signing on the 11th July the document authorising the Governors to open the abortive negotiations with the enemy . .
Thomas Holmes, described as of co Monaghan is among the attainted in James’ Dublin Parliament
John Homes (or Holmes). His signature is among those attached to the Derry address to King William for the relief.
13 Jun 1689
We had twenty-six bombs sent us, which killed seven persons, and spoiled many houses. About six o’clock in the evening, a fleet appeared in our Lough, which came up to the Three-Trees that night about eleven o’clock. At night our new boat, being commanded by Captain Noble, Colonel Murray, Captain Holmes, and Captain Dunbar, went up the Lough above the buildings ; they had Wrake with them, and Alexander Poke, the gunner ; their intent was to set a boy on shore, to go to Enniskillen with letters. The enemy perceived them, sent two boats, manned with musketeers, to take our men, who behaved themselves so well, that they killed four of the enemy, one an ensign, and took thirteen prisoners, and one of their boats with good store of arms, which they brought with them to Ferry-quay, without the loss of one man ; when they landed the prisoners and sent them to jail, they went over the water with the new boat and the one they took from the enemy, thinking to surprise the cannon at Tamnimore, and to beat the enemy from the wood ; but they were too late, as she was away ere our men got there. That night one Dolan came from the camp, and told us that the enemy at Wind-mill were resolved to march away at night, for fear of the English, whom they heard were in the ships. (The Siege and history of Londonderry, p.287)
June 18. — Colonel Murray, Captain Noble, Captain Dunbar, Captain Homes, two Lieutenants, and. about twenty more went up the water in the night in our new boat ; it was given out to rob the fish houses in the isle, but the real design was to land a messenger or two in a wood about four miles up the river, to send to Enniskillen. But the enemy soon took the alarm, and as the boat passed by Evans’ Wood, they fired a great gun planted there at her, which narrowly missed her. As our men went further up, the enemy fired at them on both sides the shore; but when they came up to Dunnelong Wood, where they designed to land their two messengers, the boys were so terrified that they durst not venture ashore ; and it being now early in the morning, our men discovered two large boats behind them, which the enemy had set out and manned with dragoons to cut off their return. Our men made towards them, and soon came to a very sharp engagement ; for after tlieir shot being spent on both sides, one of the enemy’s boats came up close to theirs, thinking to have boarded them; but as it happily fell out, they caught a Tartar ; for our men were as quickly in upon them, beat back some of them into the water, and killed three or four others, besides a lieutenant in the enemy’s boat, whereupon the rest threw down their arms and called for quarter. We took thirteen prisoners in this boat. The enemy in the other boat seeing this ill success of their friends, made off* with what haste they could. We carried our prisoners and some small prize towards the city, the enemy still firing at us from the shore ; yet in all this adventure not one of our men was hurt, except Colonel Murray who received some shots in his head-piece that bruised his head, and for a while indisposed him for service, but one of the prisoners that sat among them was vrounded by a shot from the shore. So remarkable was the guard of Divine Providence about us. nr men being encouraged by this success, landed their prisoners near the city, delivered them to the guards, and returned to attack a party of the enemy who were at that time drawing off one of their guns ; hut the enemy perceiving the resolute approach of our men, left her and fled. Our men pursued them to the top of the hill, till they perceived another strong party marching under covert of the hill, to get betwixt them and their boats, upon which they retreated, and had scarce time to recover her before the enemy ‘came up. (The Siege and history of Londonderry, p.236)
12 Jul 1689
To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come ; know ye, that we the Governors, Commanders, Officers, Soldiers, and Citizens, now in the City and garrison of Londonderry, have nominated, constituted, appointed and authorized, and by these presents do nominate, constitute, appoint and authorize Colonel Hugh Hamil, Colonel Thomas Lance, Captain Robert White, Captain William Dobbin, Matthew Cockens, Esq. and Mr. John Mackenzie as commissioners for us, and in our name to repair to, and treat with the Right Honourable Lieutenant-General Richard Hamilton, now encamped against Londonderry, with an army of his Majesty’s King James the second, besieging the said city and garrison, or to somewhere near the said camp and city, or to Colonel Dominick Sheldon, Colonel Gordon O’Neal, Sir Neal O’Neal, Sir Edward Vaudry, Lieutenant Colonel Skelton, and Captain Francis Marow, Commissioners nominated, constituted, appointed and authorized by the said Lieutenant-General Hamilton, and there to treat with him or them, concerning the rendering up of the said city and garrison, to the said Lieutenant-General, for his Majesty’s use, with all the stores, ammunition, artillery, arms, implements, and habiliments of war, according to the annexed instructions and articles, and such other instructions and articles as you shall from time to time have from us; and on such other articles, matters and things, as shall be proposed to you our said commissioners, by the said Lieutenant-General, or by his said commissioners. And on such treaty to conclude on such articles, matters and things, for the delivering up of the said city, to the said LieutenantGeneral, or whom he shall appoint, with the said stores, ammunition, artillery, arms, implements and habiliments of war, for his Majesty’s use, and for the giving* and receiving of hostages, for the performance of what shall be stipulated and agreed upon : and the same to reduce into writing, and sign the seal, and to receive the counterpart there Df signed and sealed by the said Lieutenant-General, or the said commissioners for us and in our behalf. And what articles, matters and things you shall agree upon, and reduce into writing, and sign and seal, for us, and on our behalf, we by these presents, bind and oblige ourselves to observe, keep and perform entirely. In witness whereof, we here* unto put our hands and seals, at Londonderry, this 12th day of July, 1689. Signed and delivered in the presence of: Francis Hamilton, Robert Cockrane.
George Walker. John Mitchelburne. Richard Crofton Adam Murray. Henry Monroe. Stephen Miller. Alexander Stewart John Crooks. William Campbell. William Draper. James Grahame. John Coekrane, Francis Obrey. John Crofton. John Thompson. William Mure, Richard Alpin. James Young. Stephen Herd. David Ross Robert Wallace, Adam Downey. Archibald Hamilton Henrj Arkwright. Thomas Ash. Theopliilus Morison William Ragston. William Hamilton. Warren Godfrey. George Holmes, Christophilus Jenny Jo. Henderson. Arthur Noble. Hercules Burleigh. (The Siege and history of Londonderry, p.277-78)
JOHN Humes signed the petition dated 29 Jul 1689 to King William from the Governors, Officers, Clergy, Gentlemen and garrison of Londonderry (Witherow, T., & Mitchell, D. (1994). Extracts from “Derry and Enniskillen, in the Year 1689.” North Irish Roots, 5(1), 30–33. http://www.jstor.org/stable/27696948)
Strabane, the 10th of November, 1689.
Worthy Sir — We, your fellow sufferers of Colonel Lance’s Regiment, have sent over to wait on you, Captain Stephen Godfrey, one of the Captains of our regiment, to give you to understand how thankful we are to God that He hath been pleased to give you favour in their Majesties eyes, to reward and promote you, according to your deserts, which is to our knowledge, but part of what you deserve, and it shall always be our prayers that you may continue in that favour, that you and yours may flourish to all eternity. &c. Your own Servants. Signed by order of the whole regiment,
— Tho. Blair, Stephen Millar, George Homes,
To the Honourable Colonel George Walker, Governor of Londonderry, at his lodgings in Old Jury, London. (The Siege and history of Londonderry, p.463-464)
November 16, 1689. Strabane. George Holmes to William Fleming, at Coniston Hall. “I must confess that I have been very negligent in writeing to you to give you an accompt that I am yet in the land of the living, but to give you a breef accompt of my travels this twelve moneths. I was one of the first-that did wear a read coat-that revolted from King James and helpt to sett up a flagg of defience against him and Popery in the city of Londonderry, that now lyes in a ruinous condition, yet defies all the King and Queen’s enemyes. After some little routs in the country, on the 12 of Aprill last the Irish Army appeared before our city but at that distance that one of our cannons had enough to do to reach them, but in short] time they approached nearer to our walles. In the first place we burned all our subburbs and hewed down all our brave orchards, makeing all about us as plain as a bouling green. About the 18 of Aprill King James came within a mile of our walls but had no better entertainment than bulletts of 14, 16, and 22 pounds weight, he sent us a letter under his own hand sealed with his own Seal to desire us to surrender, and we should have our own conditions. The Messenger was a Lord with a trumpett, and out of grand civility wee sent three Messengers all Gentlemen, but two of them ran away from us, and the other came again. In short we would not yield. Then we proceeded and choose Captains and compleated Regiments, made two Governours. We had 116 Companies in the city; all our Officers fled away, so we made Officers of those that did deserve to be Officers. I was made Captain, and then we began to sally out, and the first sally that we made we slew their French General and several of their men with the loss of 9 or 10 of our men which was the greatest loss that ever we lost in the field. Every day afterward we sallied out and daily killed our enemies which put us in great heart, but it being so soon of the year and we haveing no foridge for our horses, we was forst to lett them out and the enemy gott many, the rest of them dyed for hunger. About the 20 of May, the enemy gave us a general onsett on all sides but was so defeated that we were not troubled with them again for a week. Their own accompt told us that that day they lost 500 men, but I assure you we saw 150 stript beside all that they carried away on their backs which was a trick they had still when they ran, to take a dead man on their back it was good harness. To be short we took no prisoners except nine great officers and they were so wounded that most of them dyed. We have three or four left yett. Tenn days after that battel they came again very boldly but in half an hours time returned with greater loss then before; [when] they began to runn their approaches near us on one side they came within 100 yards of us, and one night they attempted so near that one of them knockt at our gate and called for faggots to burn it with, this being in the dead of the night and our men being gone of their posts we were in some danger, the drums beat alarum and we got a party together and salied out at another gate, fell upon them and put them to the rout and recovered our own grownd again, came so near them that we might have taken them alive, but we gave them [the] old quarter. This night our great guns did execution with case shot of the walls that’s musquett bulletts. At this time they played abundance of bums, the weight of many of them was near 300 weight which killed many people. One bum slew 17 persons. I was in the next room one night at my supper-which was but mean-and seven men were thrown out of the third room next to that we were in, all killed, and some of them in pieces. Into this city they played 596 bums which destroyed many of our people and demolisht many of our houses. Cannon bullets flew as fast as you could count them, and as soon as we took up their bulletts we sent them back again post paid, thus men, horses and all went to destruction. But at last our provision grew scant and our allowance small, 1 lb. of oatmeal, and 1 lb. of tallow served a man a week, sometimes salt hides. It was as bad as Samaria, only we had no pidgens dunge. I saw 2s. a quarter given for a little dog, horse blood at 4d. per pint, all the starch was eaten, the graves of tallow, horse flesh was a rarety, and still we resolved to hold out. Four days before wee got reliefe from England, we saw a great drove of cowes very near us, and we were very weak, but we resolved to sally out, and in order thereto we played our great guns of the walls and salied out on our enemy. I led the forlorn hope which was about 100 men of the best we had, with which I ran full tilt into their trenches and before our body came up we had slain 80 men, put many to the rout. We gott armes enough and some beef, but durst not stay long, not above half an hour. This vext our enemies much, they said we took them asleep. I praise God I had still my health and has yett. After the ships came in with provision to us, our enimies thought it was in vain to stay any longer, so on Lammas day they left us the wide fields to walk in. In the seige we had not above 60 men killed, except with the bums killed. But I believe there dyed 15,000 men, women, and children, many of which dyed for meat. But we had a great feavour amongst us, and all the children dyed, almost whole families not one left alive. This is a true accompt of the Siege of Londonderry. I would have given you a larger accompt but I know you have had it before, this is but a trouble, only the nights is long and it will serve you to read. I know my sister and several of my friends will think I am dead, pray tell them I am well. I was shott in the skirt of my coat and both the hinder skirts of it taken off with a cannon bullett and I was not hurt, I praise God. I was in the head of my company and the pike that was in my hand was cutt in two with a cannon bullett and I not hurt: usquetts bulletts has light about me like crabs of a tree and still God protected me. I had a good caracter given of me to Major General Kirke for my service, for which be made me Major to a Regiment. My quarters is in this towne 10 miles from the city of Derry but I am for the most in Derry myself. My wife I have neither seen nor heard from since Christmas last at which time I parted with her at Dublin. She went to her father’s house near Waterford. I hope shortly to hear from her. Our English company is broken up and gone to their Winter Quarters, the Head Quarters is at Lisnegarven. There is little done, only many men dead. I think you will hear of little action from us this winter. Pray do me the favour as to present my humble service to Mr. Rodger and all the good familie, to the everlasting constable, and to my noble friend the vitlar. When you see any friends that will ask for me pray tell them that I am in good health and am still in hopes that I shall not die in the field. (Historical Manuscripts Commission, 12th Report, p.264)
12 Feb 1690/1 – Robert Holmes debt of £1.3.0 ster. For Towns Custom of a Depositum of Coales which were burnt in the Siege. (PRONI, LA79/2AA/2, Corporation of Londonderry Minute Book 1688-1704)
WILLIAM Homes marr. Katherine Craighead 26 Sep 1693 in Derry Cathedral. He was a Presbyterian minister; see Strabane, Co. Tyrone, for further details. (DCVR) (According to his diary, “Mr. William Homes [the diarist} and Katheren Craghead were marryed Sept 26th 1693 by the Revd. Mr. Craghead of Londonderry in his own house about 8 at night in the presence of Mr. Thomas Craghead, Mr. James Hamilton, John Wilson, James Smith and his spouse, and those of Mr. Cragheads own family. It was a Tuesday.” Katherine Craighead’s father was the Rev. Robert Craighead, prebyterian minister at Donoughmore 1658-88 and Londonderry from 1690 – 1711) (DRWH)
DAVID Humes, soldier, buried 2 Dec 1702 (DCVR)
LA/79/2AA/3 Minute books L’derry Corpn . 8 Jan 1704/5 – Petition of Alice Holmes wife of Ralph Holmes now in great distress – 5 shillings. (NTTDS)
ELLIS Homes, widow, buried 17 Mar 1711, St Columb’s Church of Ireland (www.rootsireland.ie)
MARTHA Homes, daughter of Stephen and Grace Homes b.25 Jun 1714 at St Columb’s Church of Ireland (www.rootsireland.ie)
20 Mar 1717 WILLIAM Homes m. Elizabeth Carlton at St Columb’s Church of Ireland (www.rootsireland.ie)
MARY Homes d.17 Dec 1717 St Columb’s, Church of Ireland (www.rootsireland.ie)
7 Aug 1725 John Linton m. ELIZABETH Hollms at St Columb’s Church of Ireland (www.rootsireland.ie)
Thomas White m. MARTHA Homes 2 Mar 1742 St Columb’s Church of Ireland (www.rootsireland.ie)
JOHN Holmes m. Ann McGlinchy 11 May 1748 St Columb’s Church of Ireland (www.rootsireland.ie)
John Wat m. ELEANOR Homes 13 Sep 1749, St Columb’s Church of Ireland (www.rootsireland.ie)
Samuel Osburn m. ELIZABETH Homes 21 Jan 1751, St Columb’s Church of Ireland (www.rootsireland.ie)
James Portor m ELIZABETH Holmes 31 Jul 1782, St Columb’s Church of Ireland (www.rootsireland.ie)
John Bradly m. ANNE Holme 3 Nov 1794, St Columb’s Church of Ireland (www.rootsireland.ie)
JOHN Hume, very reverend, left will 1818 (PRONI Name Index – Prerogative Wills)
JOHN Holmes Esq of Philadelphia, age 47, son of Mr JOHN Holmes of Buncrana, died at Londonderry on 25 Jul 1834. A native of Ireland he settled in Philadelphia above 30 years ago, and since became one of its most respected citizens, he was distinguished for strict integrity and an ardent love of his native country, where he died 3 days after his arrival. (Belfast Newsletter, 5 Aug 1834, p.3)……….
John Holmes;1812.— Was an iron merchant and manufacturer in this city, and a member of the firm of Craig, Holmes; & Co. He was born November 12, 1786, in Strabane, Ireland. He was a Director in the United States and Schuylkill Banks. He died at Londonderry, July 26, 1834. His two sons, John Holmes; (1841) and Seth C. Holmes (1845), and his brother, Valentine Holmes; (1830), were also members of the Society. He left two sons and two daughters. His father was John Holmes;, Buncrana, Ireland. His sister, Martha Taylor, lived in Cormekelly [Cormakilly], Ireland (HFSP, p.431)
From The Londonderry Standard, Edn. 30 Aug 1836: Married “The 25th inst at St Anne’s Church, Dungannon, by the Rev William Thompson, Mr William Holmes, Londonderry, to Sarah Anne only dau of Mr William Maxwell, Dungannon.” [these are evidently the parents of Hugh Holmes the Attorney General].
From Londonderry Standard, Edn. 26 Feb 1840: Died “At Dungannon on the morning of the 17th instant after giving birth to a fine boy, Mrs Holmes, wife of William Holmes Esq formerly of Londonderry.”
From L D S film 548511
Registry of Deeds
1842 Vol.9 No. 146
Memorial of indenture of marr. arts. dat 18 April 1842 betw 1) William Douglass of N’Limavady mercht. 2) Mary Anne Holmes of Brighton [Broighter] spinster and 3) James Scott of Burnelly and John Moore of Carryclare farmers all Co L’derry; William and Mary Anne to marry; latter is entitled under will of her father James Holmes to 2 acs of Lormont , one third of lands of Crindle and Burnally and one half of lands of Crindle as pchsd by sd Mary Anne and her sisters Jane Holmes then Jane Church and Catherine Holmes from Robert Henry being 6 acres; 2) now assigns land to 3) in Trust; wit Matthew Cherry of Broighter farmer and the Rev Richard Dill; M C sw. N’Limavady 29 April 1842.
From Londonderry Sentinel. Edn. 20 May 1853: Married 17 inst at Stranorlar by Rev Dr Steele, William Holmes Esq, of L’derry, to Catherine eldest dau of John G Laird Esq M D, Ballybofey.
Jane ()Holmes, labourer’s (unnamed) wife from Birdstown, Co.Donegal, died here 7 May 1910, aged 76, daughter SARAH JANE Laird present. (CR)
[Note: I have hundreds of records on Holmes families which I am working to publish on this website, but it takes some time. Please contact me if you have interest in seeing my unpublished notes. I am happy to share. See my Strabane page for an example.]
Holmes Genealogy 