The Jacob and Mary Ann (Hundley) Holmes Family

Jacob Holmes

Jacob Holmes was born circa 1821 in King William County, Virginia. On October 19, 1857, he married Mary Ann Hundley who was born circa 1822-24 in King & Queen County.


Jacob and Mary had eight children:

Mary Ann (Hundley) Holmes
Courtesy: Carlon Lassiter, via Ancestry.com
Photo editing courtesy: John Washington

Jacob and Mary Ann were living in King & Queen County at least until 1855 when their daughter, Hannah, was born. However, by 1865, Jacob and Mary Ann and their family appear to have been living in York County. In May 1865, Jacob was recorded as a police guard on the Warren farm on a list of Special Rations Tickets issued. The family may have moved to the Reservation at this time as abandoned plantations were being redistributed.

Jacob Holmes recorded as police guard on the Warren Farm, Special Rations Tickets issued May 1865
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Freedmen's Bureau Records, Ancestry.com

Freedmen's Bureau Food Rations List, circa
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Freedmen's Bureau Records, Ancestry.com

On this document dated May 1, 1865, five of Jacob and Mary Ann's children - Robert, Malinda, Jacob Jr., Thomas, and Hannah - are listed as having received food rations from the Freedmen's Bureau. Their names are crossed out, suggesting they stopped returning for rations.


Malinda, Robert, Jacob, and Thomas are also listed on the baptismal records at First Baptist Church in Williamsburg, VA.

Jacob Holmes Sr. appears to have been an enterprising man. In this contract with F. Massey, Assistant Superintendent of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, dated February 18, 1866, Jacob gained the right to cut "dead wood and down timber" from 15 acres of land on the Warren Farm in York County in exchange for 3/4 of a barrel of shelled corn per acre. Jacob signed the contract with his mark.

February 18, 1866 contract by Jacob Holmes to cut timber
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Freedmen's Bureau Records, Ancestry.com

Jacob Holmes Sr. also began a family legacy of standing up for what was right - a legacy his descendants would carry on when the U.S. government commandeered their land after World War I. In 1866, he was accused of stealing pigs from a Mr. W.R. Powell. He was tried in the Freedmen's Court of Albemarle County, VA on February 15, 1866 and was found not guilty.

Court record, Jacob Holmes acquitted of charge of stealing pigs, February 15, 1866
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: February 15, 1866 Freeman Bureau Court, Freedman Bureau Records, Ancestry.com

Court docket, Jacob Holmes acquitted of charge of stealing pigs, February 15, 1866
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: February 15, 1866 Freeman Bureau Court Docket, Freedman Bureau Records, Ancestry.com

By 1870, Jacob reported his occupation as a farmer on Federal Census records. Indeed, Jacob had secured 13 acres of land valued at $130, according to the 1870 Agricultural Census. He also owned farm implements and machinery valued at $35 and livestock valued at $180, including two milk cows, three working oxen, and fourteen swine. In that year, he reported producing 350 bushels of Indian corn on his farm and paying $15 in wages during the year.


In 1870, Albert Byrd, a 25 year old farm laborer, also lived with the family and perhaps worked for them. Albert was born circa 1847 to Gaberiah and Jenny Byrd in King & Queen County. In 1872, he married Emeline Payne, who was born circa 1845 to Alfred and Leah Payne in Queens Creek, York County.

Jacob Holmes Sr. recorded on the 1870 Agricultural Census
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: 1870 Non-Population Agricultural Census, Ancestry.com

Photo of St. John Baptist Church in the Reservation, ca. 1886. [Photograph]
Courtesy: The Lee Family

Jacob Holmes Sr. was also a committed community member. He was one of the first deacons of St. John Baptist Church when it was established in 1884 in the Reservation community. He is pictured here in front of the church on the Reservation.

Jacob expanded his landholdings over the decades, owning as much as 250 acres at one point, some of which he appears to have distributed among his family.


Jacob prepared his last will and testament on October 22, 1894 with Justice John A. Roberts and Harry Wormley as witnesses. At this time, he owned over 30 acres land and other assets. In his will, he left his wife, Mary Ann, their home and 20 acres of land, as well as a stock of cattle, horses, and hogs. He also left her a store-house with another acre of land and ten acres of wooded land adjoining that owned by Mr. J. Redcross.


He left his youngest son, James Holmes, twelve acres of land and directed the balance of his land to be sold by Mary Ann as the executor of his will to pay for his funeral expenses and any debts. 


Jacob Holmes died in circa 1895. His probate papers, pictured below, were signed by his son, Jacob Holmes Jr. and Williamsburg entrepreneur, Sam Harris, on March 21, 1895.

Jacob Holmes Sr.'s Will, October 22, 1894
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry - Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652 - 1900, Will Book, Vol 15, 1889-1897; Will Book, Vol 16, 1897-1909

Jacob Holmes Sr.'s Probate Papers dated March 21, 1895
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry - Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652 - 1900, Execution and Fiduciary Bonds, 1891-1907- document dated 21 Mar 1895

When the U.S. government announced it would commandeer the land in the Reservation, Jacob Holmes' son represented his estate at the hearings before the Board of Valuation on Commandeered Property. In the case #240, his land was given a valuation of $10,000.00 and his two-story home built in 1909 was listed in fair condition and given a value of $600.00.

Jacob and Mary Ann Holmes' Children

Family and community historians have provided the details below on Jacob and Mary Ann's children. We invite family members to add additional details and memories.

Patsy (Holmes) Parrott 

was born in 1848 to Jacob and Mary Ann Holmes. She married John W. Parrot (born 1846) on April 11, 1869 in York County, VA.

Robert Holmes

was born circa 1848. As a young man, he worked as a farm laborer and later became a farmer in his own right in the Reservation community. He married Harriett Haskins (born 1853). Based on Federal Census records, in 1900 he was living with a son, Robert Jr. (born 1877), and three grandchildren, Jerimiah (born 1884), Hezikiah (born 1891), and Anna (born 1894). Robert Jr. and his son, Jerimiah, who was 15 years old, were both working as farm laborers.

Robert Holmes' family listed on the 1900 Federal Census
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Emma (Holmes) Davis

was born in 1849 to Jacob and Mary Ann Holmes. She married Joseph R. Davis (born 1848) on February 2, 1866 in Middlesex County, Va. 

Joseph Davis and Emma Holmes' marriage recorded on the Middlesex County Marriage Register, 1866
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry.com Virginia, U.S., Marriage Registers, 1853-1935.

They had 10 children:


Joseph died likely in the 1920s. Emma passed away on June 30, 1927 at the age of 85 years in Middlesex County.

Emma (Holmes) Davis, death certificate
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

Malinda "Lewdy" (Holmes) Taylor 

was born in 1851 to Jacob and Mary Ann Holmes. 


Malinda came of age as the Civil War ended and, with her family, began to build a life in the Reconstruction era. Malinda was recorded as receiving a dress in April of 1868 from the Freedmen's Bureau, signing her mark to verify receipt of the clothing. This document demonstrates both the Freedmen's Bureau's offer of some resources and its often condescending attitude, referring to people like Malinda as "Destitute Freedpeople," with little mention of the conditions of slavery and continued racism that produced destitution.

Malinda Holmes named on a Freedmen's Bureau as receiving clothing
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Freedmen's Bureau Records, Ancestry.com

Malinda later married Lewis Taylor (sometimes reported as Louis). Lewis was born in 1856 to George (1824-) and Catherine Taylor (1840-1910).


Lewis worked as an oysterman. He also served his community. He served as a Deacon of St. John Baptist Church when the U.S. government commandeered their land. He supported Deacon John Roberts who testified before the U.S. Government's Board of Valuation of Commandeered Property on behalf of the church.


Together, Malinda and Lewis had seven children: 


Family and community historians have provided additional details on Martha and Oney's families. We invite contributions sharing details of the other children.

Jacob Taylor, death certificate
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

Martha Ella Taylor was born in 1883. She married John Henry Lee. They lived on the Reservation together with their seven children until their family was displaced by the U.S. government:

Martha Ella (Taylor) Lee
Courtesy: Mary Lassiter

John H. Lee Sr., husband of Martha (Taylor) Lee
Courtesy: Christine James

After the family was displaced from the Reservation, Martha and John H. Lee lived on the same property as Lewis, Martha's father. Lewis had his home situated midway on the parcel of land in Penniman near Martha and John's home. Lewis would join Martha and John and their children for meals. When Lewis passed away, grandson Alexander Lee moved the home to his own property and rented it out.


Alexander Lee recalled his grandfather, Lewis Taylor, in his later years: 


"He was a great, what we used to call, "chairback preacher." ...He was an ace Bible scholar...that's what he loved from day to day...He was quite an elderly fellow, but he really knew the Scripture." 


Source: Alexander Lee (1984)

Despite the barriers to education at this time, Martha was able to access some education. The quality of her cursive handwriting on this government questionnaire demonstrates that she must have devoted significant time to her education. According to family oral history, a white family looked out for her, made sure she had what she needed, and provided her with clothes so she would look nice. When the U.S. government took their land, Martha used this education to write detailed and powerful descriptions of her assets and the compensation she felt she deserved. 


Descendant Mary Lasster recalls that, throughout their lives, Martha and her sister Oney were very close and cared for each other.

Segment of Martha Lee's response to a government questionnaire on the value of her assets and property
Courtesy: Questionnaire completed by Martha Lee; “Lee, Martha;” Box 32; Records of the Office of the Judge Advocate General (Navy), 1799-1950, Record Group 125; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.

Lillian E. (Lee) Watkins, daughter of John H. and Martha (Taylor) Lee
Courtesy: The Lee Family

Yearda (Lee) Smith, daughter of John H. and Martha (Taylor) Lee
Courtesy: The Lee Family

Leander Lee, son of John H. and Martha (Taylor) Lee
Courtesy: The Lee Family

Ezekiel Lee, son of John H. and Martha (Taylor) Lee, and his wife Etta James
Courtesy: The Lee Family

John H. Lee, Jr., son of John H. and Martha (Taylor) Lee
Courtesy: Media Services, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Alexander Lee, son of John H. and Martha (Taylor) Lee
Courtesy: The Lee Family

Birth certificate for Fredonia Ruth Lee, daughter of Martha and John H. Lee
Courtesy: Christine James

Martha E. (Taylor) Lee passed away on November 8, 1951. At the time of her death, she had 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

News clipping reporting Martha (Taylor) Lee's death on November 8, 1951
Courtesy: Mary Lassiter

Oney Bell Taylor was born in 1892 to Lewis and Malinda (Holmes) Taylor. She married William Bailey (1896-1958) on November 20, 1911 in Warwick County. 

Oney Bell Taylor and William Bailey's 1911 marriage recorded in Warwick County
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Warwick County Marriage Register, 1911, Ancestry.com

Despite the barriers to education in this period, Oney was able to access three years of schooling. She raised a large family of eight children and also supported her grandchildren.


Granddaughter Estelle Hunter recalls Oney as the sweetest and kindest woman. Oney's husband, William, was very smart and took care of the finances and insurance. 


Oney was employed as a domestic worker in a private home. When her employers would give her apples, she wouldn't eat a single one until she was home to share with the family. 


Oney was a member of Wesley Grove United Church of Christ. William passed away in 1958, and Oney died three decades later at the age of 97 on December 10, 1989. At the time of her death, she had 19 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren.

Oney B. (Taylor) Bailey, daugther of Lewis and Malinda (Holmes) Taylor
Courtesy: Karen Carpenter

News clipping report Oney B. (Taylor) Bailey's death
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan

Oney B. (Taylor) Bailey, death certificate
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

Oney and William had eight children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Oney babysat for all of her grandchildren and some of her great-grandchildren. Granddaughter Estelle Hunter fondly recalls visiting Williamsburg with her grandmother and imitating the conductor announcing their stop, "Lee Hall." The children were:

Lillian (Bailey) Washington, daughter of  William and Oney B. (Taylor) Bailey
Courtesy: C.C. Carter Funeral Home

Estelle (Bailey) Hunter, daughter of  William and Oney B. (Taylor) Bailey
Courtesy: The Holmes family

Hannah (Holmes) Press

 was born in circa 1854 to Jacob and Mary Holmes in King & Queen County. She married Charles Press (sometimes reported as Pressan or Preston) on December 26, 1874 in York, VA. Charles was born circa 1853 to Charles and Polly Press in King & Queen County.

The couple had at least two children, Jenny (born 1887) and Samuel (born 1889). Jenny and Samuel were living with their maternal uncle and aunt, Jacob Holmes Jr. and Mary Holmes, at the time of the 1900 Federal Census, and Jenny continued to live with them until at least 1910.

Jacob and Mary Holmes and their niece Jenny and nephew Samuel on the 1900 Federal Census
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Jacob Holmes Jr. 

was born in 1856 to Jacob and Mary Ann Holmes. As a young boy of just 14, he began working as a farm laborer, according to 1870 Census records. He later became a farmer.

He married twice, to Mary Scott (born 1854) on August 18, 1880 and to Luvenia Brown. Jacob Jr. and Luvenia had two children: Moses Holmes (1873-1947) and Mary Frances Holmes (1883-1958).

Jacob Holmes Jr. died on August 8, 1914.

Death certificate for Jacob Holmes Jr., son of Jacob Holmes Sr. and Mary Ann (Hundley) Holmes
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

Jacob Jr. and Luvenia's eldest child, Moses, married twice, to Catherine Casey and to Lucinda Day. In 1910, Moses was working as a laborer with the railroad. He built a home for his family over the course of four years at a cost of $1600. He had nine children:

Moses Holmes' family listed on the 1910 Federal Census
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

In 1917, the year before the family would receive the news that they would be displaced from their home in the Reservation community, the family experienced another tragedy - their daughter, Lavina, died at about 23 years of age.

Daughter Syrethia and her husband Merritt Hundley had three children around this time. Their first son, Merritt Hundley Jr. was born in 1919, followed by a daughter, Nancy Hundley  on May 31, 1920, and another son, Pernell Hundley.

Just a few years later, Major and Annie Holmes had a child, Major Holmes Jr., who was born December 3, 1921 and died just two days later. He was buried in the Cheesecake Cemetery.

Major Holmes, Jr. death certificate
Source: Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014, Ancestry.com

When the family heard that the U.S. government would be commandeering the land in the Reservation, Moses Holmes and his son-in law, Merritt Hundley, both appear to have signed the Prayer Petition. The petition called on the government to give families more time to relocate. 

Source: Roberts, John A., Moses Lee, Annie E. Roberts, Cyrus Jones, and L. Redcross. 1918. Petition submitted to Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, by residents of York County threatened with eviction by Presidential Proclamation #1492 dated November 15, 1918. General Correspondence, Records of the Bureau of Ordinance 1818-1967; Record Group 74; National Archives Building, Washington D.C.

Moses Holmes further provided testimony to the U.S. Government's Board of Valuation on Commandeered Property regarding his home, which he built over four years at the cost of $1600. Below is an abstract of that testimony.

Source: Board of Valuation on Commandeered Property. 1920. Abstract of Testimony In Vols. 1 and 2 of Hearings Before Board On Valuation of Commandeered Property at Yorktown, VA. Box 42, Records of the Board on Valuation of Commandeered Property 1918-1922, Records of the Office of the Judge Advocate General (Navy) 1799-1950, Record Group 125; National Archives Building, Washington D.C. 

Moses Holmes was pushed off the Reservation and was forced to rebuilt his livelihood. He was able to watch his grandchildren, such as Syrethia's children Merritt, Nancy, and Pernell, grow up. Merritt Hundley Jr. married Mattie Lou and they had a son, Merritt Hundley III (1947-), who married Lyndell Marie Tabb (1969-) and then Bessie. Nancy (Hundley) Nickings was a lifelong member of St. John Baptist Church and served in the Pastor's Aide Club and the Gospel Chorus. She also served as a foster grandparent for thirteen years.

Moses Holmes died in 1947. 

Nancy Nickings obituary
Courtesy: Mary Lassiter

Pernell Hundley obituary
Courtesy: Mary Lassiter

Jacob Holmes Jr. and Luvenia (Brown) Holmes' second child, Mary married John Jones and was a housewife. Mary's husband, John, died before her, and she passed away on November 6, 1958. She was living in Richmond at the time.

Death certificate for Mary Frances Jones, daughter of Jacob Holmes Jr. and Mary Frances Jones
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

Thomas Holmes

was born circa 1860 to Jacob and Mary Ann (Hundley) Holmes.

He married Eliza Williams (1864-) on December 27, 1883. 

They had ten children, five of whom died at birth or in infancy:

Death certificate for Isaiah Holmes,  son of Thomas and Eliza Holmes
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

Nancy (Holmes) Johnson, daughter of Andrew and Maggie Holmes, granddaughter of Jacob and Mary Ann Holmes
Courtesy: Mary Lassiter
Source: Daily Press obituary

Eliza India (Holmes) Ashlock, daughter of Andrew and Maggie Holmes, granddaughter of Jacob and Mary Ann Holmes
Courtesy: Mary Lassiter
Source: Daily Press obituary

Thomas Holmes Sr. passed away in 1911 with three of his children still in the home, Carrie (age 19), Isaiah (age 16), and Andrew (age 14). Upon his passing, Eliza paid $100 and filed this document on August 3, 1911 to remain the legal guardian of her children. The children also submitted the written request below to remain in their mother's guardianship. This protected the children from being taken by the state and being bounded out as apprentices, who were often mistreated - a fate experienced by those whose surviving parents did not have the means to pay.

Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan

Source: Viginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900, Eliza Holmes, probate date 3 Aug 1911, York County, VA, Bond Book 1906 - 1915; Eliza Holmes, probate date 3 Aug 1911, York County, VA,  Fiduciary Order Book, Vol 3, 1943-1964, Ancestry.com

Written Request by Carrie, Isaiah, and Andrew Holmes for their mother to remain their legal guardian

Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan

Source: Viginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900, Eliza Holmes, probate date 3 Aug 1911, York County, VA, Bond Book 1906 - 1915; Eliza Holmes, probate date 3 Aug 1911, York County, VA,  Fiduciary Order Book, Vol 3, 1943-1964, Ancestry.com

Thomas Holmes Sr. had passed away before the U.S. government commandeered the family's land. His son, Isaac Holmes, represented his estate by giving testimony to the U.S. government's Board of Valuation of Commandeered Property. An abstract of his testimony is below.

Source: Board of Valuation on Commandeered Property. 1920. Abstract of Testimony In Vols. 1 and 2 of Hearings Before Board On Valuation of Commandeered Property at Yorktown, VA. Box 42, Records of the Board on Valuation of Commandeered Property 1918-1922, Records of the Office of the Judge Advocate General (Navy) 1799-1950, Record Group 125; National Archives Building, Washington D.C. 

James Holmes

was born in 1865 to Jacob and Mary Ann Holmes. He married Emma Wilson (born 1875) on November 2, 1890 in Warwick County, VA. According to the 1930 census, James was a tonger in the oystering industry. He owned his own home valued at $800. 

James and Emma Holmes family recorded on the 1930 Census
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA.

James and Emma had 15 children: 


Emma passed away in 1934, and James followed a few years later in 1941. He died of heat exhaustion.

Death certificate for James Holmes
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

A Family Legacy

Jacob Holmes Sr. was one of the first deacons of St. John Baptist Church when it was established in 1884 in the Reservation community. He helped to forge this spiritual community that has persisted for over 130 years. Today, two of his descendants, Minister Saxon Ashlock Jr., and Reverend Carlon Lassiter, have carried on this legacy and have preached at St. John Baptist Church. Rev. Carlon Lassiter was elected Pastor of St. John Baptist Church in January 2023.

Minister Saxon Ashlock, Jr., preaching in St. John Baptist Church
Courtesy: Mary Lassiter and St. John Baptist Church

Pastor Carlon Lassiter, preaching in St. John Baptist Church
Courtesy: Mary Lassiter and St. John Baptist Church

Sources: