I have been interested in the Holmes family of Coleraine for some time. They fist came to my attention while rearching Samuel Craighead of London who was the brother-in-law of the Rev. William Homes of Strabane. In 1734 William Galt of Coleraine and William Richardson of Summerseal, Co. Londonderry took over a lease from Samuel Craighead.
Memorial of deed dated 10 Feb 1734 Deed witnessed by Hercules Hyland, Esq. of Castleroe, Co. Londonderry, deceased, and John McAlester of Coleraine. Memorial witnessed by John McAlester and Robert Patrick and dated 10 Jun 1752. (RD 149/543/103791)
I believe that this was the William Galt of Coleraine who wrote his will in 1759 (proved 1776). His brothers-in-law included Hercules Hyland and Samuel Smith, jr. of Belfast. [Note: the Smiths and Galts were interelated and the name "John Galt Smith" is seen frequently in the records]
The name William Galt appears in other Holmes records. In his will dated 20 Feb 1706/7 of James Smith of Drumadaragh, parish of Dunegar, Co. Antrim, dryer. mentions son-in-laws, William Galt, Samuel Holmes and John Allen, daughter widow Ferguson.
The will of Jennet Holmes, widow, of Belfast dated July 30, 1737 mentions sons, Hugh, Robert, Samuel, John, James, cousin Samuel Smith sr, grandson Thomas Holmes, grandaughter Jennet or Jane Holmes, granddaughter Mary Holmes, cousin William Galt, cousin Margaret Allen and her daughter Ann Allen, cousin Mary Ferguson and her daughter Margaret Andrew
In her book Belfast Merchant Families in the Seveteenth Century, Jean Agnew states that the Galts of Coleraine probably originated in Irvine, Ayrshire, and their is a strong body of evidence to support this. Interestingly there are a number of Holmes / Galt connections in Irvine and the neighboring parish of Dreghorn.
The testament of John Galt aka "Earl" was proved in 1656. His wife was Marion Holmes. William Holmes in Dreghorn and William Holmes in Stain appear to be overseers and the witnesses include Ninian Holmes son of Hew Holmes of Dreghorn. John Galt aka "Earl" appears in the 1617 testament of Lawrence Legatt of Warrix in Dreghorn and the 1627 testament of John Galt of Tempilhous, Dreghorn. John Galt, jr of Tempilhouse married Janet Holmes. Their son Hew Galt married Marion Holmes, daughter of John Holmes of Meiklestane.
Hew Holmes of Dreghorn and John Holmes both appear in the 1624 testamant of John Galt of Townend, Dreghorn.
Robert Galt of Heigate, Dreghorn appears in the 1608 testamant of Ninian Holmes of Irvine, and James Holmes of Irvine is mentined in Robert's own testament of 1632. The testament of Robert's wife Agness Schaw was proved in 1638. John Galt aka "Earl" was cautioner.
In the Protocol Book of Arthur Hamilton, Irvine for period 1664-1674 I recently found an entry dated 1668 for Ninian Holmes of Irvine and his wife Marion Galt. I am working on deciphering the handwriting and translating from latin, but so far I can make out the following:…… William Galt son…late William Galt in Bangor in County of Down, and the Kingdom of Ireland………. said William ….….. late William Galt .. father …. And there … Hugh Boyd…said William Galt son … said late William Galt … in Auchingavie [Agivey in Achindowie near Coleraine?] in county of Londonderry in the kingdom of Ireland … hereditary …. … in favor of Ninian Holmes merchant Burgess in said burgh of Irvine and Marion Galt his spouse ……. in all and whole the aforesaid William Galt ….
12 Jun 1713
William Holms born in Irvine to William Holms and Jane Galt
Transcipts of the various testaments, etc. mentioned above can be found in the documents on this site. There are many other interesting connections, but the long and short is that I suspect that the the Holmes of Coleraine likely originated in the Irvine / Dreghorn area
