Holmes, James (Deacon)
Birth
James was born on February 14, 1758 at Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Connecticut. His father was James and his mother’s name was Sarah.
Occupation
There was a reference in his pension file that said he was a deacon, and his son’s deposition in that file referred to an old account book that contained the family record written by James tends to show that, but his occupation has not been fully revealed and he was not referred to as Reverend in any documents.
Military
James Holmes enlisted as a private in Capt. Benjamin Mills Company on the 20th of June in 1776 at Salisbury, CT.
The company was immediately marched directly to the City of New York where he stayed two days and then marched across the river to Bergan Point in New Jersey
They again marched across the river to Fort Washington where he was taken prisoner when the British overtook the fort. He was then marched as a prisoner to Harlem then to NY City where he was held in a church for the time of his imprisonment. He remained there until he was taken sick with Small Pox and hospitalized in New York and from there was boarded out in a private house. He was then paroled and discharged and returned home in February of 1777
He again entered the service under Col. Burrel’s Regiment in October of 1777. They crossed the river and went to Livingston’s Mills and stayed there for about a month and he was again discharged.
He returned home and was not in the army afterwards because he did not consider himself at liberty to go into the army again in consequence of the promise he made when he was paroled.
Marriage & Children
He married on June 20, 1780 Lucy Barber who was born at Torrington, CT on December 18, 1757. Her father was Nathaniel and her mother’s name was Hepzibah. James and Lucy had the following children:
- Byron Holmes b. November 7, 1781 at Salisbury, CT
- Levi Holmes b. December 31, 1783 at Salisbury, CT
- Lucy Holmes b. December 19, 1788 at Salisbury, CT
- Lave Holmes b. July 16, 1790 at Rensselaerville, NY
- James Holmes b. August 14, 1792 at Rensselaerville, NY
- John Holmes b. February 12, 1795 at Rensselaerville, NY
- Lois Holmes b. May 1, 1797 at Rensselaerville, NY
- Augustus Holmes b. August 31, 1800 at Rensselaerville, NY
His first wife died in 1812. He then married Lucretia Wright on December 4, 1812. They had one son:
- William Holmes b. September 25, 1813
His second wife died in 1825 and on October 10, 1826 he married Rhoda J. Anable who was born at about 1780. Anabel was likely not her maiden name, but the name of her first husband. They had no children.
Death
Lucy Barber Holmes died on September 4, 1812 at Rensselaerville. Lucretia Wright Holmes died on December 21, 1825 at Rensselaerville James Holmes died on September 12, 1837 at Rensselaerville. No burial places are known.
James' Will
This will was proven and recorded on November 13, 1837
Additional Media
This pension file is noticeably unusual. Most widows of Revolutionary War pensioners were disallowed claims because they weren’t married to the veteran before 1790, during his service, or very shortly after his discharge. Rhoda not only got a speedy determination, but also received benefits far exceeding most other widows.
One of 3 pages of James’ declaration in pursuit of his Rev. War Pension 
Page 2 of 3 of James’ declaration for his pension 
Third and final page of James’ declaration, contains his signature 
Certificate of James Holme’s pension award 
Formal declaration of Rhoda’s request for her Rev. War Widow’s pension 
Formal court reading of Rhoda’s application 
Formal court document allowing the testimony of Samuel Anabel in support of Rhoda’s pension application. His relationship to Rhoda was not given 
Document provided by Levi Holmes, the son of James, in support of Rhoda’s application. This document contains his family record. 
Court document signed by Samuel L. Anabel swearing that his statements in his affidavit were truthful 
Certificate of Rhoda’s pension award 
Certificate of the land bounty award given to Rhoda
Sources
