Michael Holmes was born on 22 Jul 1827 in Anson County, North Carolina, United States. He died on 20 Sep 1886 at the age of 59 in Abbeville, Henry Co., AL.
Michael Holmes and his cousin, John Martin Boatwright came to Henry County, Alabama in July 1845.
Michael served as a Private, Company B, 6th Alabama Infantry Regiment. While away for the War, Michael regularly wrote home to his Mother. Those letters can be accessed and read at this link.
Michael Holmes and Martha E. Howerton were married on 23 Dec 1851. Martha E. Howerton, daughter of John Wesley Howerton and Elizabeth Jane Chester, was born on 25 Dec 1832 in SC. She died on 8 May 1857 at the age of 24.
Michael Holmes and Martha E. Howerton had the following child:
1. Martha A. Holmes was born about 1852 in Abbeville, Henry County, Alabama and died in 1916.
Michael Holmes and Martha Eliza Roberts were married on 17 Jul 1860. Martha Eliza Roberts, daughter of Birch M. Roberts and Harriet M. Hardwick, was born on 25 Oct 1839 in Abbeville, Henry, Alabama, United States. She died on 8 Dec 1910 at the age of 71.
Michael Holmes and Martha Eliza Roberts had the following children:
1. Virginia Holmes, born abt 1862, Abbeville, Henry County, Alabama; married A. W. Holley.
2. Georgia Holmes, born on 4 Jun 1863 in Abbeville, Henry County, Alabama. She died on 22 Jul 1906 at the age of 43.
3. J. Edward Holmes, born in Feb 1866 in Abbeville, Henry County, Alabama.
4. Alexander Holmes, born about 1868 in Abbeville, Henry County, Alabama.
5. Mary Alma Holmes, born in Dec 1871 in Henry County, Alabama
6. Hinton Craddock Holmes, born 16 May 1874, Henry County, Alabama; married Danie Wood; died 11 Jan 1952.
7. Annie Holmes, born in Oct 1876 in Henry County, Alabama.
Michael Holmes died at the early age of 59. He was a well-respected member of his community. The following obituary and tribute is a testimony to his standing within the community.
The death of Michael Holmes, Age 59, was a great shock to his family and friends. He died at his home at Wesley on September 20, 1886. Several days before his death, a short notice as follows appeared in a local newspaper: "Abbeville Times - Friday, September 17, 1886. We regret to learn of the serious illness of Mr. Mike Holmes of Wesley caused by a carbuncle on his face.
He was not expected to live through last Tuesday night, but we learn that he was a good deal better Wednesday morning. We earnestly hope he may speedily recover for he is Henry County's best citizen. Since putting the above in type, we learn with regret that Mr. Holmes is gradually growing worse and is not expected to live through today, Thursday. " MICHAEL HOLMES died Monday morning, September 20, 1886, about three O'clock and was buried in Judson Cemetery the same evening.
Several announcements of his death were published in County newspapers, the first one in a Columbia, Alabama paper, The Columbia Enterprise: Thursday, September 23, 1886; "A SAD DEATH: Mr. Mike Holmes of Wesley, Ala. died at his residence about three O'clock on last Monday morning and was buried at Judson Church on the same evening. Mr. Holmes was one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of our county and had amassed a large fortune. He has a large number of friends who will mourn his death. His family and friends have our sympathy on this bereavement." Other tributes appeared in Abbeville newspapers:
Abbeville Times - Friday September 24, 1886
Mr. M. Holmes who has been a citizen of this county for 40 odd years departed this life on last Sunday night at his home at Wesley, Ala. and was buried Monday evening at Judson Cemetery. He was truly a good man and loved by all that know him. The Times extends its sympathies to his many relatives and friends.
Abbeville Times - Friday September 24, 1886
MR. MIKE HOLMES
Born in Anson County North Carolina on 22nd July, 1827, Died the 20 inst. at 3:30 A.M. at his home Wesley, Alabama. An honest man the noblest work of God's creation, a faithful friend, a kind neighbor, a loving and indulgent father and husband. He came in 1845, a poor boy with a widowed mother, five sisters and one brother Ned, who was killed near Atlanta in 1864. With only $2.50 in his pocket in a strange Country among strangers, yet by his every industry, pluck and determination, he has amassed quite a competency, and leaves his family well provided. He has acted well his part in all the affairs of' life and leaves no stain upon his character. There are quite a number of successful men in this and surrounding country who owe their start in life to the aid and advise of Mike Holmes, but he is gone, and we shall see him no more, until the summons comes for us to join that innumerable host which will move from the pale realms of earth to a purer, fairer, and brighter world beyond this veil.
A FRIEND
This connection to families in Chesterfield County was just recently made, see post here. It's great finding missing individuals and connecting them to your family. My thanks to Mary Nell in Georgia and Mary F. in Alabama for working with me to connect these family members.
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