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Robert Holmes
Greenland c1869

Historical Information | Obituaries | Golden Wedding | Genealogy

Holmes - Triggell Connection

Left to Right: 
Back Row: Percy Holmes, Edwin Holmes, Bob Holmes, Gilbert Holmes, Harry Holmes (I think actually Henry)
Middle: Caroline Went, Agnes Warren, Ann Gilbert Warren, Robert (Fox) Holmes, Agnes Holmes, Elsie Targett (not sure on the spelling here)
Bottom: Florence Mary Holmes, Thelma Holmes, Muriel Holmes, Edna Holmes, Mary Florence Holmes

HOLMES Robert (son of HOLMES John and MURPHY Mary Ann) born 16 May 1844 in Gundaroo NSW, died 15 Jul 1938, (age 94y1m30d).
He married WARREN Anne Gilbert (daughter of WARREN Gilbert Bullivant and HAMMOND Agnes) 25 Jan 1869.
Children - HOLMES Edwin, HOLMES Robert, HOLMES Emma, HOLMES Mary Ann, HOLMES Gilbert, HOLMES Agnes, HOLMES Henry, HOLMES Percival.

Robert was actually the son of George Fox and Mary Murphy, however George died when Robert was very young, therefore when Mary married, both Robert and his brother John took the Holmes name.

Submitted by Olivia Peters <livpeters-at-bigpond-com>

Obituary - Robert Holmes
Extract from Perkins Papers - Roll 2 Page 3373 - Cooma Express - 15 July 1938

Death of Robert Holmes, Greenland, Nimmitabel, aged 94 years 2 months. He was eldest son of the late John Holmes of Kybean. He was born at Gundaroo. Came to Dangelong as a shepherd boy. Later he took employment at Kybean station. He was a noted athlete, and was at one time runner on Monaro. The he took up Greenlands, shortly after his marriage, he was one of the first to select land in the district. He became a cattle breeder on a large scale. He was the first Church Warden and guarantor of St Peters Church of England Nimmitabel. He married Ann Gilbert, eldest daughter of the late Gilbert Warren of Greenlands. She died 15 years ago (1923). He leaves 5 sons - Robert (Kanoona), Gilbert (Greenlands), Edwin (Numbugga), Henry (Nimmitabel), Percival (Springvale Nimmitabel), 2 daughters Mrs J Lucas and Agnes both of Greenlands. The daughter Mrs Went (Mary Ann) died 26 years ago (1910). He was buried at Nimmitabel, Rev HG Russell conducting the service.

The Golden Wedding Anniversary of
Mr & Mrs Robert Holmes
Source: Southern Star - 5 February 1919

Golden Wedding

The home of Mr & Mrs R Holmes at "Greenland", Nimmitabel, presented an animated scene on Saturday last, the occasion being the celebration of the venerable couple's Golden Wedding. A large and representative gathering, including a strong contingent of "down the mountain" people, was present.

The proceedings, which were presided over by Mr John Jardine, took the form of the presentation to Mr & Mrs Holmes of an illuminated address by their numerous friends and well wishers. The Chairman, in making the presentation, prefaced his remarks by a brief reference to the Great War just ended. He expressed the hope that the wise heads now deliberating in France would accomplish a lasting peace.

A number of apologies for non-attendance were read. A serious outbreak of fire in proximity to Nimmitabel was the contributing cause. Numerous letters of congratulations from absent friends were also read.

In entering upon the object for which they were assembled, the Chairman referred to the many sterling qualities of their guests. Their hospitality was a household word; their lives were an example of a high standard. He related how and old neighbour of the Holmes had, in conversation with him some days previously, paid a high tribute to their guests by describing them as "the grandest couple in the world". Continuing, he referred to the practical manner in which the Holmes family supported all district movements. He believed no higher standard of life could be attained than the aged couple had achieved. Mr and Mrs Holmes had, he said, brought up a family who were a credit to themselves and the district. Referring to the early life of Mrs Holmes, the speaker described her as an exceedingly comely young lady. She was an intrepid horsewoman, and cut a handsome figure on horseback.

The address, which was handsomely illuminated and bore life like insets of the aged couple, was then read as follows:

"To Mr and Mrs Holmes, on the occasion of their golden wedding. The residents of Nimmitabel and District desire to convey their hearty congratulations on the attainment of this happy event in the lives of two of their most esteemed residents of the district, whose 70 years residence has been so happily spent amongst them. Their name for hospitality has being proverbial during this long time throughout Monaro and the South Coast. Our hope is that, together with their highly esteemed family, they may be blessed with health and strength to celebrate their diamond wedding and enjoy all the prosperity and happiness Providence can bestow. Signed John Jardine, Miss A McDonald, Oliver Tindal, Mrs Thos Kirwin, M O'Neill, D Driscoll, W Stokes, WM Hayes, Thomas Gait, E Lewis, John Mooney, Mrs G Williams, Con Buckley, O E Silk, Charles Taylor, Henrietta Reid, Henry Taylor, WM Hutchison, P Reid, Ethel Ward."

Mr and Mrs Holmes were also spoken of in glowing terms by Messrs Con. Buckley, JH Alcock, P Reid, ET Boller, J Mooney, WM Hayes, CA and EH Alcock.

Mr J H Alcock being reminiscent, said that 50 years ago a similar season to the present one was experienced. The country under the mountain was then in a wilder state than at present, and the grass was nearly all burnt. Large numbers of cattle were taken to Monaro for pasture. A heavy frost occurred on Christmas Eve in Monaro. As a result of this gooseberries and other fruit lay thick on the ground. He recollected Mr Holmes in those days, as a young man who could run, jump and climb better than anyone else living around.

The function was marked by an excellent "spread", which was served beneath the trees in the garden. As usual the reputation of Nimmitabel people for doing things well was well maintained throughout. The wedding cake, which was a large three decker, was a credit to the maker. A lollie scramble for the children, and numerous photographs under the skilful hand of Mr Morton, Bega, terminated a delightful function.

This material was contributed by:  <shellmarked-at-bigpond.com>

CORRECTION 26/09/04
Pattrick, I took a look at the family tree of Robert Holmes on the site, and I'm afraid that the information for his "brother", John Holmes, on the site has been found to be incorrect.  Whilst Robert Fox/Holmes did have a brother
called John, it was not the man who was the father of the family listed for him - including my grandmother, Essie Rebecca Holmes.  My great-grandfather, John Thomas Holmes, was - according to his children's birth certificates, "born at sea".  According to their marriage certificate, he and Mary Ann Clarke were married on Mahratta Run, and were living in Bombala at the time of the 1903 census.  They moved to Cobar and then to Sydney, although I'm not sure whether John moved back to Sydney with Mary Ann, as somewhere along the way, he had deserted her.  This information was gleaned from his son's military records in the National Archives.  Confusingly, on one of his daughter's death certificates, John's christian name is given as Alexander. He was obviously hiding something, Pattrick!!  The only Alexander Holmes that I have been able to find in the NSW BDM was the son of George Holmes, the Anglo-Indian son of Michael Holmes of Madras.  I am still trying to unravel the mystery of the "Alexander" reference, and of my mysterious g.grandfather's origins.  Sorry for inundating you with all this information, Pattrick, but thought that perhaps the reference to my John should be removed from the site, as he certainly wasn't the son of George Fox and Mary Ann Murphy.
Submitted by Lynne Hadley <casteaway-at-bigpond-com>

Descendants of Robert (Fox) Holmes

Olivia Peters <livpeters-at-bigpond-com>
Lynne Hadley <casteaway-at-bigpond-com>
Michelle Edwards  <shellmarked-at-bigpond.com>
Colleen Levett <cailinluibheid-at-hotmail.com>  1.11.06
Lynne Hadley <casteaway-at-bigpond-com> 1.11.06
Recompiled from the new Monaro Pioneers database: 11.07.08

Descendants Report