John HOLMES

John married Rachel WATERBURY on 11 May 1659 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. Rachel (daughter of John WATERBURY and Rose TAYLOR) was born in abt. 1642 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; died before 1710 in Bedford, Westchester, New York, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Richard HOLMES was born in 1676 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA; died before 09 Apr 1708 in Bedford, Westchester, New York, USA.
2. Stephen HOLMES was born on 14 Jan 1664 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA; died on 15 May 1710 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
3. John HOLMES was born on 18 Oct 1670 in Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
4. John HOLMES was born on 18 Oct 1660 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA; died in 1729 in Bedford, Westchester, Ny, Usa.
5. Rose HOLMES was born about 1681; died on 28 Jan 1750 in Wilton, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
6. Captain Jonathan HOLMES was born in 1674 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA; died before 05 Dec 1742 in Bedford, Westchester, Ny, Usa.
7. Rachel HOLMES was born on 07 Dec 1669 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
8. David HOLMES was born in 1680 in Bedford, Westchester, New York, USA; died in 1734 in Bedford, Westchester, New York, USA.
9. Sarah HOLMES was born on 25 Feb 1666 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
10. Mary HOLMES was born on 25 Sep 1662 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
11. Joseph HOLMES was born in 1683 in Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut; died about 1740 in Carmel, Putnam, New York.
12. Jonas HOLMES was born on 03 Jan 1672 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: 14 Feb 1675/6, Inventory of his estate was taken

Notes:

Name:
"Connecticut Ancestry": Francis Holmes is another early resident of Stamford for whom English origins have not yet been identified. He died at Stamford in the winter of 1675/76.

The name of his first wife and mother of his children is completely unknown. He married (2), sometime after 19 August 1658, Ann (?) Stevens, widow of Thomas Stevens who died on that date in Stamford. Her maiden name is also unknown. On 20 December 1686, the brothers Obadiah, Benjamin and Joseph Stevens agreed that their mother, "the widow Homs," would live with her son Benjamin Stevens, with some support being provided by the other two brothers in the form of certain specified gifts of animals. And, on 1 April 1689, Ann holmes, widow, signing with her X mark, gave "asartain ox" to her son Joseph stevens. Francis Holmes had died at Stamford before 14 February 1675/76 when his inventory was taken.

He first appeared in the Stamford records in 1648 when he and a night watchman were both verbally abused by robert Pennoyer, who was "overcom wt. wine." Francis Holmes himself was accused for misconduct years later (1665) in another Stamford incident, and his son Richard was similarly charged in 1684.

According to Paul Prindle, Francis Holmes was a blacksmith, and always signed with his mark, indicating that he could probably neither read nor write.

His will was made at Stamford on 6 September 1671 and proved at Fairfield on 14 March 1675/76. His wife (unnamed) was to receive the house for life or until "Change of Condition by marriage;" his son John receive the shop with tools, iron, and steel; his son Stephen to receive the farm, horses, and farm implements; and both sons to share equally in the cattle and the remainder. His son Richard, daughter Ann Dean, and servant Cornelius were each to receive 5 shillings. He also referred to his son John's oldest son (not named) who was to receive "my short gunn." He signed with his "FH" mark, in the presence of witnesses Henry Smith, Ann Smith, and Matthew Bellamy. His inventory was presented on 14 March 1675/76, and verified by his widow on the same date. The small legacy to his son Richard suggest that he may have set Richard up in business as a blacksmith during his lifetime, possibly in Norwalk, and therefore considered that Richard had already received his portion.

Francis married ? UNKNOWN. ? died before 1658. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]