Rev William Holmes of Antrim

The basic facts regarding the Rev William Holmes of Antrim from the Fasti of the Irish Presbyterian Church,

#546 Holmes, William

Son of the Rev. William Holmes (d.1734) of Urney

Educated Glasgow  MA 1721

Licensed Strabane Presbytery, Co Tyrone 1728

Ordained Antrim (1st) 7th September 1730

A staunch advocate of subscription

Died 1st May 1750

Note – General Stewart, Lurgan was a grandson.

More about his ministry can be found in Historical and Literary Memorials of Presbyterianism in Ireland.

Holmes married Elizabeth McDowell, daughter of Benjamin McDowell of Rathmore. Their marriage agreement can be found in the registry of deeds (RD 138/435/93793)

The lands of Rathmore and Ballyrobert mentioned in the marriage agreement were left to Elizabeth by her father, Benjamin, whose 1725 will is also recorded in the registry of deeds (RD 55/512/38065).

An executor to the will was John Allen of Drumnadarragh [Drumadarragh] who will feature in a future post. He was the son-in-law of John Smith of Dumadarragh whose 1706 will mentions John as well as son-in-laws Samuel Holmes and William Galt.

Nathaniel Holmes appears in several of the deeds involving the Reverend Holmes as does Nathaniel's son William Holmes of Antrim, merchant. It seems likely that they are related to the Reverend. Nathaniel is probably the Nathaniel Holms of Antrim, mercht, whose 1750 will we find in the PRONI name index.

The Rev William Holmes and Elizabeth McDowell apparently had only one child, a daughter Isabella Holmes who married Robert Stewart of Lurgan. Their marriage agreement can be found online (RD 194/343/129723). They were the parents of several children: Major General Robert Stewart (this is the "General Stewart, Lurgan" mentioned as a grandson in the Fasti article #546 on the Rev William Holmes.), Lt Col Benjamin Stewart, William, Isabella and Martha Maria. Robert's 1783 will (PRONI T700/1) also mentions a son-in-law William McConchy. He was the son of the William McConchy found in several deeds involving the Rev William Holmes of Antrim as well as Isabella.

Martha Maria Stewart, daughter of Robert Stewart and Isabella Homes, is probably more well known as Martha Maria Magee, wife of the Rev William Magee. She was the founder of Magee College. An interesting article, “The Collegiad” or Will of Widow Magee, can be found online at the Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland.

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Additional details relating to the people in this post are as follows:

McDOWELL, BENJAMIN, Rathmore, parish of Dunegar, Co.

Antrim, linendraper. 22 Dec. 1725. Narrate, f p., 26 Jane, 1728.

His two daughters Elizabeth McDowell and Anne McDowell. His son John McDowell. Son Benjamin. Thos. Banks, Belfast, gent., John Allen, Drumnadarragh, linendraper, George McMaster, Antrim, Co. Antrim, gent., exors. Rathmore, profits of Dunegar Mill and of the Fair Bogg, lands of Still [? Stiles], parish of Antrim, Ballyrobert, parish of Templepatrick, all in Co. Antrim. Witnesses : William Rodger and Robert Carswell, both of Rathmore, aforesaid, linendrapers, William Boyd, Dunegar, farmer. Memorial witnessed by : William Rodger, William Boyd. 55, 512, 38065 Anne McDowell (seal)

(RDAW, V1, p.164) and (RD 55/512/38065) Memorial of will dated 22 Dec 1725 of Benjamin McDowell of Rathmore, linendraper. Daughter Elizabeth McDowell and Anne McDowell. Lease in Ballyrobert. Son John McDowell. Executors Thomas Banks of Belfast Gent and John Allen of Drumnadarragh [Drumadarragh] linendraper, and George McMaster of the town of Antrim. Witnessed by William Rodger and Robert Carsell of Rathmore linendrapers, and William Boyd of Dunegar [Donegore] farmer.

Deed dated Dec 2, 1731 regarding the marriage settlement between WILLIAM Holmes of Antrim, clerk, Elizabeth McDowell of Rathmore, spinstress and Alexander Brown of Dunagor [Donegor]. Elizabeth McDowell transfers to Brown her total moiety being half part of lands of Style Rathmore and Ballyrobert situate in Co. Antrim which were devised to her by the last will of her father, Benjamin McDowell. Witnessed by Robert Gamble of IslandBan_, William Boyd of Rathmore and Ann McDowell of Randlestown all in the Co. of Antrim. Memorial executed Feb 12, 1749 by sd ELIZABETH Holmes in presence of sd Anne Henderson and William Henderson of Randalstown, Co. Antrim (RD 138/435/93793)

Memorial of Deed of lease and release date Sep 1, 1732 whereby William Robinson of Shanes Castle, Co Antrim, butler to John O’Neil, Esq. let to the Rev. Mr. WILLIAM Holmes of City and Co Antrim 20 acres late in the possession of John Latimore. Witnessed by William McConchy of Antrim, merchant and Joseph Willson of the same, Gent. Memorial dated Aug 18, 1733. (RD 72/439/51442)

Rev. WILLIAM Holmes, Nathaniel Holmes and Joseph Wilson all of the County and Parish of Antrim, gentleman, were witnesses to deed dated Nov 4, 1732 between Henry Shaw of Ballytweedy, parish Killead, co Antrim, gentleman and William McConchey of Antrim, co Antrim, merchant for a parcel of land called Bush Farm and part of the “16 towns” of antrim. Nathaniel was also witness to Memorial on Oct 21, 1734 (RD 79/17/54310)

ELIZABETH Homes wife of WILLIAM was granted admin on May 28, 1733 of the estate of Benj. McDowell, Rathmore, Co Antrim (BGA, Prerog. Admons. (Int) M. 1722-1746) 

Memorial of deed dated 1735 whereby Mary Ramsey, widow, David Ramsey and Thomas Ramsey sons of said Mary Ramsey by John Ramsey her late husband, Charles McCleland of Shane’s Castle and Jane McCleland als Ramsey his wife, John Graham of Magherafelt and Mary Graham als Ramsey his wife, which said Jane McCleland and Mary Graham are daughters of Mary Ramsey by John Ramsey; transfer land in Antrim currently occupied by Alexander Ferguson, George Duffield and William McKeigh, for the lives of Francis Shaen, William Heartson and John Weir. Witnessed by George McMaster, Joseph Wilson, and NATHANIEL Holmes of the town of Antrim, merchant. Memorial dated 17 Jun 1736. (RD 84/139/58779)

Dates : 5 June 1740

Description : Robert Donnaldson, Dublin to Wm. McConcky [McConchy] Merchant & Rev.WILLIAM Holmes both of Antrim Town. Assignment for lives renewable for £77. House in Antrim & 8 acres in Antrim Parish

(PRONI T1009/12)

Will of Samuel Wilkinson of Antrim town, weaver dated 2 March 1743.  His brother Thos. Wilkinson. His brother Josh. Wilkinson. His brother Isiah Wilkinson. Jacob Baxter. His lands and tenements in the town and parish of Antrim which his father had formerly mortgaged to Wm. Hartson, clerk, then held by William. McConchy and WILLIAM Holmes or in tenancy to John Maxwell and Robert Harlow and others. Witnesses: Saml. Stewart, Robt. Mewha, Jas. Camron. Memorial witnessed by: Saml. Stewart, Antrim, blacksmith, Robt. Mewha and Jas. Camron, both of Antrim, weavers, NATHANIEL Holmes, Antrim, merchant. Memorial dated 8 Mar 1748. (RD 134/247/90826).

Memorial of deed dated 4 Aug 1746 whereby George Shannon of Dublin, merchant, and Robert Rainey of Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry, linen draper, transferred to Lewis Reford of the town of Antrim, linen draper property in the town of Antrim referred to in lease dated 1 Sep 1698 from Lord Massareen to Samuel Shannon of Antrim, Innkeeper for the lives of Thomas Shaw, then about 16 years old, William Hartson age 6, and James Jackson then about age 14. The said George Shannon is heir to Samuel Shannon and that the said Robert Rainey and his ancestors have for years been seized of said lands by several assignments of deed. Witnessed by Joseph Kelso of Antrim, linen draper, John Walker of the same, gent., William McMurtrie of Dublin, NATHANIEL Holmes of Antrim, and David Johnston of Dublin. Memorial witnessed by Joseph Kelso and John Taylor, dated 14 Sep 1748. (RD 131/335/89359)

Memorial of deed dated 14 Nov 1746, reciting deed dated 15 Apr 1717 whereby Lord Massareen let unto Thomas Stewart of Antrim, land on the north side of the street then in the possession of said Thomas, for the lives of Ike hington Bristow son of Roger Bristow, William Brown son of widow Brown of Ballycraigy, and William Halliday of Antrim then about 15 years old. The said Thomas Stewart now grants said property to William McConchy. Witnessed by Arthur O’Neille, gent., the Rev WILLIAM Holmes, clerk, and WILLIAM Holmes, linen draper, all of the town of Antrim. Memorial dated 6 Oct 1748.  (RD 136/257/91284)

Oct 7 1749 Memorial of Deed of assignment re back of -- lease dated May 8, 1699. Thos. Wilkinson of City and Co of Antrim, taylor in consideration of payment from Rev. WILLIAM Holmes and William McConchey, merchant, both of the town and Co of Antrim assigns east side of lane leading to Shane’s castle to the said Holmes and McConchey. Witnessed by William Williamson and Thos. Curry (RD 137/124/92602)

Oct 7 1749 Memorial of Deed of assignment re back of -- lease dated June 24, 1748. Thos. Wilkinson of City and Co of Antrim, taylor in consideration of payment from Rev. WILLIAM Holmes and William McConchey, merchant, both of the town and Co of Antrim assigns fore and back house on south side of street formerly in the possession of John White to the said Holmes and McConchey. Witnessed by William Williamson and Thos.Curry (RD 139/5/92601)

Memorial of marriage settlement dated July 27, 1750 between Robert Stewart, trooper in Capt. Grahams Troop in Col. Degrangues regiment to marry Isabella Holmes of Dunean, spinster. William Curry of Antrim, apothecary. Transfer to said William Curry all her moiety in half part of the lands of the farm called Folly a Hoyle in the Mill row of Antrim provided by the last will and testament of her mother Elizabeth Holmes bearing the date Feb 13, 1749. Witnessed by Joseph McKay and Thos. Bell of town of Antrim and by William Henderson of Dunnean. Memorial witnessed by Thos. Bell, James Curry and said William Curry. (RD 194/343/129723)

Memorial of agreement dated Sep 13,1751 between William McConchey and Robert Stewart of Lurgan and his wife Isabella, only child and heir of William Holmes. The said McConchey and the Rev. William Holmes, late of Antrim purchased from James Crawford, late of Antrim, lands tenements and gardens in Mill Row. Reciting that a division of premises now be made by which the house and garden now in the possession of Ruth Brady, widow and the lands possessed by William Curry fall to the share of said William Holmes, and the said house possessed by Joseph McCay, Capt. James Holmes and lands formerly possessed by David Campbell fall to the share of said William McConchey. Witnessed by Thomas Little and Francis Joy both of Antrim, Co. Antrim. Memorial dated Apr 7, 1759 and witnessed by Thomas Little and Richard Overend, atty of Dublin. (RD 201/210/132511)

WILLIAM Holmes only son and heir of NATHANIEL Holmes, late of the town and county of Antrim - On May 21, 1770 For £120,  sold to John Miller of Antrim, Innkeeper, the messuage tenement fore+backhouses in town of Antrim for lives of Sarah Abernethy and Elizabeth Gilmore otherwise Boyd. Witnesses to the deed and memorial were Rev. John Ranken of the town and Co of Antrim and MARGARET Holmes of the town of Antrim, merchant. Memorial dated Jun 18, 1770. (RD 280/313/181730