UPDATE 09/01/2026 – This article was originally published May 9, 2018, but I have found a great deal more information since that time. After doing further research, I need to correct the statement that Mary HOLMES was the mother of any children. In fact, her will reads like an unmarried, childless woman leaving bequests to family members. It turns out that all but James, Nancy, and Elisy can be found in other HOLMES family items, and James and Nancy are likely siblings of Mary, possibly all of a first wife of John HOLMES Sr., less likely they are children of his wife Easter who was married to him at least as early as 1797 and who died after 1820. I’ve re-written the content below to accurately reflect relationships.
Below is a transcription of the last will and testament of Mary HOLMES of Craven County.
North carlina Craven County In the year of our Lord amen this December th11 1823
as I am in a lo state of helth and in my proper sences and now as this is my last will and testament as for my little property I take the liberty to give to them I see proper to sivil HOMES one woolin wheel to James HOMES two Dollars and to Nancy TAYLER two Dollars and one Chest to Elisy HOMES and to Richard HOMES one little Box and then after paying all my just dets the Ballance to be sold and Equel devided between Richard and Elisy and it is my request for Elisha Griffin to act for themher
Mary —< Homes {Seal}
marktest Elisha GRIFFIN
Amon JOYNER ?
Mary requests Elisha GRIFFIN act on behalf of children, Richard and Elisy, relating to her bequest to them. He is also a testator along with Amon JOYNER.
Mary HOLMES appears to be the same Mary/Polly HOLMES who participated in this 1820 deed.
Other siblings named in that same deed are William HOLMES (left for Virginia, see here), Lovie HOLMES (who I have wondered if she might be the same Lovey who marries Elial Edwards, but I have no proof of that), and Sevil/Civil HOLMES, also named in her 1824 will.
I have found that Richard HOLMES, named in her will, was bound as a cooper’s apprentice to my 4th-great-grandfather James Spear(s) in 1814. He is listed as nine years old at that time. Three years earlier, it appears he was living as an orphan in the home of his mother, Easter HOLMES, in Chocowinity. A couple of lines above that it mentions John Holmes (Jr) living as an orphan with his mother in Chocowinity. (see below)
Here is the apprentice bond for Richard HOLMES to be bound to James Spears.
