Robert Kerr (Holms) Holms-Kerr (1844 - 1910)

Descendants

Biography

Robert Kerr Holms was born in Paisley on 4 Feb 1844. He was the son of William Holms & Elizabeth Kerr. ^[1] His early years were spent at Brabloch House, which stood on Renfrew Road in Paisley. ^[2][3] He became a stockbroker and set up in business at 80 Buchanan Street in Glasgow in his early 20's. ^[4][5]

On 30 Apr 1869, aged 25 years, he married Margaret Ralston, the daughter of an iron merchant, at her home, Denton Cottage, Partickhill, Partick, ^[6]

Holms-Kerr & Ralston wedding 1869

and they set up home at Kirkland Villa, Bellahouston, Govan ^[4][7] where they added 4 children in 5 years to their family. ^{[8][9][10][11]} Sadly, the last of the 4, Isabella, died as an infant ^[12]and it may have been this or their expanding family which prompted a move to Underbank in Largs, Ayrshire on the coast where they added another son, David to their family. ^[13]

It was also about this time that Robert adopted the name Kerr as a surname to become Holms-Kerr instead of merely Holms. This was shortly after the death of his uncle Robert Kerr. ^[14]

Certainly their shorefront home in Largs was a bonus to Robert who had a great passion for yacht racing and he had moorings opposite the house. He had great success with a Clyde-built yacht named "Neva" winning many races and accolades and for some time it was the fastest yacht in it's class. ^[15]

As well as the property at Largs, Robert maintained a house in the city at 27 Park Circus, Barony from 1879 onwards. ^[4][16][17] His business was booming too, and he and he had set up in business with a friend at 79 St George's Place, Glasgow as "Holms-Kerr & Hedderwick, Stockbrokers" ^[4]

He died at Underbank on 29 Nov 1910. ^[14][18]

Sources

1. ↑ 04/02/1844. "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTJV-ZVW), Robert Kerr Holmes,
2. ↑ 1851 Census of Scotland. Parish: Paisley Abbey Church; ED: 7; Page: 25; Line: 11; Roll: CSSCT1851_125; Year: 1851
3. ↑ 1861 Census of Scotland. Parish: Abbey Burgh; ED: 7; Page: 20; Line: 24; Roll: CSSCT1861_74
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} Glasgow, Lanarkshire Electoral Registers. The Mitchell Library; Glasgow
5. ↑ 1870. Post Office Directory of Glasgow. Page 406
6. ↑ 30/04/1869 HOLMS, ROBERT KERR / RALSTON, MARGARET (Statutory registers Marriages 646/2 52-Partick)
7. ↑ 1870 Post Office Directory of Glasgow. Page 714
8. ↑ 11/04/1870. Glasgow Herald - Monday 11 April 1870. Page 5
9. ↑ 01/04/1871. Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser - Saturday 01 April 1871. Page 5
10. ↑ 1871 Census of Scotland, Parish: Govan; ED: 18; Page: 21; Line: 15; Roll: CSSCT1871_143
11. ↑ 19/10/1872. Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser - Saturday 19 October 1872. Page 4
12. ↑ 1874 KERR, ISABELLA HOLMS (Statutory Deaths 646/1 155-Govan & Govan Church)
13. ↑ 10/08/1875. Glasgow Herald - Friday 10 September 1875. Page 1
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} 30/11/1910. The Scotsman - Wednesday 30 November 1910. Page 13
15. ↑ 12/09/1874. Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald - Saturday 12 September 1874. Page 5
16. ↑ 1891 Census of Scotland. Parish: Glasgow Barony; ED: 48; Page: 7; Line: 22; Roll: CSSCT1891_276
17. ↑ 1903. British Phone Books. Scotland Page 79.
18. ↑ 25/01/1911. Scotland, National Probate Index (Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories) Robert Kerr Holmes-Kerr