Robert Holme is a 4 times great grandfather on mum’s side of the family. The son of John Holme (a farmer) and Agnes Burrow, he was born in Crosthwaite, Westmorland, England on the 28th February 1816. He was baptised at St Mary, Crosthwaite on the 29th March 1816.
On the 1841 census, Robert is listed as Robert “Holmes”, a male servant, at Newby Bridge, Lancashire, England.
Robert married an Eleanor Benson, the daughter of William Benson and Mary Walker at Whicham, Cumberland, England on the 6th December 1849. The witnesses were George Benson and Mary Benson. I believe this George was the uncle of Eleanor.
The Kendal Mercury listed an announcement of Robert’s (huntsman to G Woodburne Esq., of Thurston Ville) marriage to Eleanor Benson on the 15th December 1849.
Robert and Eleanor’s first daughter, Agnes Holmes was born on the 23rd January 1851 and was baptised at Cartmel on the 23rd February.
Robert (a huntsman), Eleanor and Agnes are listed in the 1851 census at Canny Hill, Staveley in Cartmel, Lancashire, England. It looks like there is a caravan park in the area now when I do a Google search for “Canny Hill”.
On the 27th July 1852, my 3 times great grandmother, Mary Holmes was born to Robert (listed as a husbandman on the birth certificate) and Eleanor, then of “Hazel Ridge Staveley”, she was baptised at Cartmel on the 22nd August, when Robert is listed as a huntsman of Hazelrigg.
Robert’s mum, Agnes, died of Haematemesis on the 17th September 1852 at “Nook”, Crosthwaite, Westmorland, England, and was buried at St Mary, Crosthwaite.
The 3rd and final child of Robert and Eleanor, Eleanor Holmes, was born on the 25th March 1854 at Hazelrigg, and was baptised at Cartmel as “Ellen” to Robert (a huntsman of Hazelrigg) on the 30th April.
On the 18th December 1858 the family suffered the loss of Robert and Eleanor’s first child, Agnes, at Hazelrigg. Agnes was buried at Cartmel on the 21st December 1858.
At the next census, in 1861, the family are living at Hazelridge, Staveley in Cartmel. Robert is listed as being a “Farmer of 8 Acres of Land”. Robert’s dad, John Holme, was with them at the time of this census. John died at Mansriggs Farm, Mansriggs of “Senile Decay” on the 17th July 1867, and was buried at Ulverston.
By the time of the 1871 census, Robert Holmes and family had moved to Kirkham, Lancashire, England. Robert was listed as a huntsman living with wife, Eleanor at 72 Preston Street, Kirkham.
Robert (a huntsman) and Eleanor Holmes were listed at the same address on the 1881 census.
Eleanor, the wife of Robert Holmes (a huntsman), died on the 14th July 1888 at 74 Preston Street, Kirkham. The cause of death listed as “Debility of age”, and was buried at St Michael’s church, Kirkham on the 18th July 1888.
Robert (a huntsman) was once again at 72 Preston Street, Kirkham on the 1891 census.
Robert Holmes (“Huntsman to Harriers”) died on the 22nd January 1892 of pneumonia, and was buried at St Michael’s church, Kirkham on the 25th January.
The Preston Herald published an obituary for Robert on the 27th January.
Robert didn’t leave a will, but probate was granted to Mary Coxhead (Robert’s daughter) on the 10th May 1892. His effects amounted to £208 12s 9d.
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