John Holmes (1654 - 1712)

Born 17 Aug 1654 in Massachusetts Bay Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Frances (Holden) Holmes — married 1 Dec 1671 in Rhode Island

Husband of Mary (Sayles) Holmes — married 12 Oct 1680 in Newport, Rhode Island

Descendants

Died 2 Oct 1712 at age 58 in Newport, Newport, Rhode Island

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Biography

John remained at Newport, where he grew up, unlike his three brothers who all settled in New Jersey on the Monmouth Patent. "He was twice married ; was a Lieutenant in the militia, many years — sixteen — the general treasurer of the colony of Rhode Island, a member of the House of Deputies, at different times, often employed and trusted, otherwise, in the public service, and died October 2, 1712, leaving a widow and several children." ^[1]
John married (1) on 1 Dec 1671 to Frances Holden. She died in 1679. Children (by first marriage): John Holmes, Catherine Holmes Gardiner Wightman, William Holmes, and Mary Holmes.
He married (2) Mary Sayles, widow of William Greene, on 12 Oct 1680. She was a granddaughter of Roger Williams. Children (by second marriage): Ann Homes Peckham Chapman, Susanna Holmes Wightman (wife of Valentine Wightman), Deborah Holmes Manchester, Frances Holmes Carr, and Phebe Holmes Thurston.

The will of John Holmes of Newport mentions:^[2]

• wife Mary Holmes
• sons John Holmes, William Holmes
• daughters Kathrine Gardiner, Frances Carr, Ann Peckham, Deborah Holmes, Phebe Holmes

The will leaves off mid-sentence. Then there is another document signed by the legatees after his death, dated 11 October 1712, indicating their acceptance of the terms of his will as they understood them. This also names his daughter "Deborah Manchester late Deborah Holmes", indicating that she had married since he wrote the will.

Note: the daughter Deborah appears to be second wife of Manchester-212.

Research Notes

Many non-primary sources have John as born in Newport, but his parents appear to have been living in Rehoboth at that time; more research is needed to find a reliable source for his birthplace.

Sources

1. ↑ The American Family of Rev. Obadiah Holmes, by Col. J.T. Holmes, 1915, page 56.
2. ↑ Fiske: Item 35

• The Chad Browne Memorial Title: Abby Isabel Brown Bulkley, The Chad Browne Memorial: Consisting of Genealogical Memoirs of a Portion of the Descendants of Chad and Elizabeth Browne with an Appendix Containing Sketches of Other Early Rhode Island Settlers 1638-1888 (300 Copies Printed for the Family; Brookln NY 1888. Reprinted by Heritage Books, Inc. 2001.)

• Fiske, Jane Fletcher Gleanings from Newport Court Files, 1659-1783 (Boxford, Mass., 1998).

• Find A Grave: Memorial #23387415

• Mentioned in his father's will.

• Yates Publishing, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (Generations Network, Inc., Provo, UT, USA, 2004)

• Torrey, Clarence Almon. Torrey’s New England Marriages Prior to 1700 (Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore, 1985)

• Clemens, William Montgomery. American Marriages Before 1699 (Biblio Co., Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, USA, 1926)

• Clarke, Louise Brownell. The Greenes of Rhode Island (Knickerbocker Press, New York, 1903) Page 72.