Embedded Files
The Jacob and Mary Ann (Hundley) Holmes Family
Jacob Holmes
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:
Patsy (Holmes) Parrott (1848-)
Emma Holmes (1850-1927)
Malinda (Holmes) Taylor (1851-)
Robert Holmes (1851-)
Hannah (Holmes) Press (1855-)
Jacob Holmes Jr. (1856-1914)
Thomas Holmes (1860-)
James Holmes (1865-)
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:
Mary Davis (1867-)
Henry Davis (1869-)
Lucie E. Davis (1870-)
James H. Davis (1871-)
Virginia Davis (1872-)
Joseph Davis (1874-)
Roxie V. Davis (1874-)
Fannie M. Davis (1877-)
Emma Jane Davis (1881-1912) who married Thomas H. Peterson (1876-1961)
Lucy E. Davis (1882-)
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:
Lewis Taylor (1879-) is remembered by descendant Estelle Hunter as being a very attractive man. When he came of age, he sought out a different life and moved to Ohio. The family lost contact with him after some time.
Emma J. Taylor (1880-) married Thomas Cary.
Martha Ella Taylor (1883-1851)
Josiah Taylor (sometimes reported as Joshua or Josh) (1889-February 3, 1935) worked as a laborer.
Jacob "Jake" Taylor (1893-December 3, 1953) spent some time working in New York. As descendant Estelle Hunter recalled, Jake used to say that he worked on buildings so high he could wash his hands in the clouds! He later returned to Greenbrier Avenue and lived near the family. He worked as a gardener and handyman for private families. Jake built two houses for himself and had started on a third when he passed away.
Oney Bell Taylor (1892-1989)
Mellie Taylor (1897-)
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:
Lillian E. (Lee) Watkins (1906-1971)
Yearda (Lee) Smith (1907-1962)
Leander Lee (1908-1963)
Ezekiel Lee (1909-1983)
John H. Lee Jr. (1912-1966)
Alexander Lee (1914-2000).
Fredonia Ruth Lee (1915-?) who may have passed away in early childhood.
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:
Leroy Bailey (1912-1990) who married Annie Bailey (1913).
Elizabeth Bailey (1915-) who married Charles Linwood Brown (1916-).
Lillian Bailey (August 8, 1917-March 15, 2018) who was born in Elizabeth City County, VA and married John Washington Sr. (1917-1981). Lillian was a lifelong member of Wesley Grove United Church of Christ. Lillian and John had 6 children: Estelle Marie Bailey (1937-) who married Nathaniel H. Hunter (1932-2003) and had a career as a nurse; Mildred (Washington) Stewart, Thelma (Washington) Owens, Lillian (Washington) Johnson, John Washington Jr. who married Malinda, and Brenda (Washington) Hill who married Milton Hill Sr. Her family remembered her in her obituary in this way: "She loved people and she allowed that love to radiate to everyone she met. She was known throughout the community for her good hot yeast rolls which she shared with so many over the years." At the time of her death in 2018, Lillian had 18 grandchildren, two of whom had passed, 33 great grandchildren, one of whom had passed, 28 great-great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-great-grandchildren.
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
Oney B. Bailey (1920-) married George Lowe.
William Bailey Jr. (sometimes reported as Junius) (1923-) was killed in an altercation in 1943.
Mildred Bailey who married Gratnie Edward Haskins (1921-2015).
Walter Bailey (1932-February 18, 2004) was born in Hampton and attended Phenix High School. He worked for many years at the C&O Railroad and was a member of Wesley Grove United Church of Christ. He married Lillian Fitz and had six children: Fernando Bailey who married Rhonda, Marquez Bailey, Walter Bailey Jr. who married Beth, Alvin Bailey, Dinette Bailey, and Sharon Bailey. At the time of his death, he had nine grandchildren.
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:
Lavina Holmes (1894-1917)
Earnest Holmes (1896-)
Bertha Holmes (1899-)
Major Holmes (1899-) married Annie Roberts from York County.
Syrethia Holmes (1903-1960) married Merritt Hundley (1897-).
Lillie Mae Holmes (1904-1975)
Rosezelia Holmes (1907-1978)
Moses Holmes Jr. (1908-)
Helen Holmes (1912-1955)
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:
Thomas Holmes Jr. (1884-1937) who married Mary Butler (1879-)
Carrie Holmes (1890-1976) who worked in domestic service in a private home in 1910, according to Census Records.
Mary E. Holmes (1891-1892) who died at just one year old
Baby Girl Holmes (1892-1892) who likely died at birth.
Baby Boy Holmes (1892-1892) who likely died at birth.
Baby Boy Holmes (1893-1893) who likely died at birth.
Sarah Holmes (1894-)
Isaiah Holmes (1895-April 14, 1969) served in WWI. He later worked as a janitor.
Baby Boy Holmes (1896-1896)
Andrew Holmes (1897-1965), who married Maggie Patterson (1904-1970) on August 3, 1923. They had six children:
Nancy (Holmes) Johnson (February 24, 1924-September 20, 2018) graduated from Bruton Heights School in Williamsburg. She married Ernest Hawkins and had eleven children: Leon Hawkins, Cheyanne Hawkins, Ernest Hawkins, Audrey "Ann" Hawkins, Robin L. Hawkins, James "Jermaine" Hawkins, Vinetta Hamilton, Ernestine Mangrum, David Hawkins, Juanita Bausley, and Maxine Hawkins. She later married Willy Johnson. Nancy worked as a housekeeper and cared for her children.
Eliza India (Holmes) Ashlock (August 6, 1925-February 16, 2013) who had four children: Viola (Ashlock) Johnson (Charles), Christine (Ashlock) Banks, Celestine (Ashlock) Jones (Bobby), and Saxton Ashlock (Joyce).
Arthur Holmes (September 12, 1927-March 21, 2006) who married Corrine E. Holmes and had 11 children: Joseph Holmes, Pastor Shelia Simons (Joseph), Gwendolyn Tinsley (Reggie Sr.), Ethel Lee (Jeffrey), Linda Johnson, Vanessa McCray (James), Delores Williams, Lorra McMiller (Joe), Vinetta Holmes, Arthur Holmes Jr., and Angelo Holmes.
Rosa Holmes (May 10, 1931-March 3, 2005)
Elsie (Holmes) Crump (February 13, 1933-April 13, 1989)
Elizabeth Holmes (July 17, 1934-November 21-2014) who had five children:
Alphonso Holmes (August 1950-October 1976)
Teresa (Holmes) Thomas (1956-)
Pamela (Holmes) White (1960-)
Alison Holmes (1963-2016)
Stacy (Holmes) Johnson (1972-)
Tracy Holmes (1972-) (twins with Stacy)
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:
Mamie Holmes (1892-1984)
Anna Holmes (1895-1968)
Bessie Holmes (1896-1973)
Pinkey A. Holmes (1897-1960)
Rosella "Rosa" Holmes (1898-1953)
Willie Leonard Holmes (1902-1991)
Nellie Holmes (1905-)
John Henry Holmes (1905-)
Jacob "Jake" Holmes (1907-1963)
Marie R. Holmes (1911-)
Susie Holmes (1912-1997)
Ethel Holmes (1914-1999)
Mary Homes (1915-1987)
Estelle Holmes (1917-1990)
Paul Holmes (1918-1997)
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:
Ancestry.com. 1970 United States Federal Census, Non-Population Agricultural Census, [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA.
Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA.
Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA.
Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA.
Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA.
Ancestry.com, Freedmen's Bureau Records. [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
Ancestry.com, Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940. [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
Ancestry. com, Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652 - 1900, Will Book, Vol 15, 1889-1897; Will Book, Vol 16, 1897-1909
Ancestry - Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652 - 1900, Execution and Fiduciary Bonds, 1891-1907.
Daily Press. 2004, Walter Lee Bailey Sr. Obituary. February 21.
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.
First Baptist Church Baptismal Membership List.
Hunter, Estelle (Bailey). 2022. Oraly history collected by Lisa Hunter. December.
Johnson, Nancy. 2018. Obituary. Whitings Funeral Home.
Lee, Alexander. 1984. Oral History. James City County Oral History Collection, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
Lee, Rosa. 2022. Jacob Holmes Family History. Prepared November 10.
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.
St. John Baptist Church. 2015. Church History. October 18.
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