Peter Holland Sr. (1683 - abt. 1752)

Born 30 Aug 1683 in Middlewich, Cheshire, England

Descendants

Died about 1752 at about age 68 in Virginia

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Peter Holland Sr. was a Virginia colonist.

Biography

Peter was born in 1683. He was the son of William Holland and Mary Unknown as recorded in church records. Claude Holland of Franklin Co Va hired a researcher in England who searched Manchester Central Library records for Peter Holland, 1680-1690. There is a letter in the papers Claude Holland gave me (Sherrie Mitchell) from the researcher that is dated March 9, 1991 responding to his letter of 20 Feb. The Heading is "The North Cheshire Family History Society". The author states "Middlewich is still a small town in Cheshire, Holland is quite a common name in this area."

Peter's parents, William and Mary Holland, agreed in December 1698 to send Peter, aged about 15, to Virginia or Maryland. An indenture was made with the merchant, William Neilson, who was to pay Peter's passage. He sailed on the ship "Globe" and was in Essex Co., VA by June 1699. Apparently, Peter's indenture was transferred to William Williams.

Typically, the person who paid for passage of an immigrant like Peter was granted land in exchange. But in this case, the only headright claims mentioning Peter were those of John Woodson, Sr. in 1701 (land in New Kent Co.) and Robert Brooke in 1704 (land in Essex Co.). While the Woodson family has family ties to Holland's and Robert Brooke is mentioned in a few other Holland records, we have no explanation for how these headright claims came to be. Headrights were bought and sold so it's possible Woodson and Brooke bought their rights to use Peter's name.

Peter is known to have lived in Essex Co., probably in the part that became Caroline Co. in 1728. For many years, Peter Holland's wife was thought to be Susannah Tarrant Reynolds. More recent research has revealed this NOT to be the case. Susannah married Thomas Holland c. 1724, just after the death of her first husband James Reynolds. Susannah's profile (Tarrant-388) contains additional detail. At present Peter Holland's wife remains an unknown.

It is thought that Peter and his unknown wife had several sons but record losses and time have prevented conclusive proof. Records do exist to tell us he had at least two sons, Peter, Jr. and James Holland. Other sons linked to this profile are connected by substantial circumstantial evidence.

Peter was still living in 1748, as he sold land to son James in July of that year in Caroline Co. Other probable sons of Peter, and perhaps Peter himself, left Caroline Co. and settled in Cumberland Co. beginning as early as 1742. We don't know if Peter, Sr. made that move but it could be possible. Land records in Cumberland Co. clearly show at least one Peter Holland as resident there by 1748 (Cumberland Co. formed 1749 from Goochland Co.). A deed from Jonas Meador to Peter Holland, Jr. in 1750 Cumberland Co. suggests that two Peter Holland's may have been living there - the elder Peter born 1683 and his son born 1716. Research continues to pinpoint a date for the elder Peter's death, estimated here as 1752 in Virginia.

Research Note

Caroline County, Virginia deed and will records were destroyed during the Civil War. No will has been located for Peter, nor has any estate documentation. Deed records in Goochland and Cumberland County, Virginia do suggest that Peter made the move there, probably with some sons, by 1748. No will or estate documentation for any Peter Holland has been located in Cumberland Co. probate records.

Given the difficulty in separating early records for Peter and his son Peter, all the known Goochland and Cumberland Co. records for Peter Holland are provided in the profile for the younger man.

The 15 December 1752 record (below) uses the term "estate" in regard to one Peter Holland. This could be interpreted to mean that Peter was deceased. However, the term "estate" was also used in debt cases of the day, particularly when the defendant had left the area and remnants of his "estate" were sought to settle outstanding debts.

Research to identify Peter's wife and other children continues.

Nov 2022. I ( Charles Uzzell) attached Susanna Spearman to Peter born 1683, in Ancestry, and made my database private. After a period of time, no Thrulines showed up supporting the idea that she may have been Peter's wife. Thrulines is very imperfect, based on other people's lines, and then dna. The reason that I did this: my Peter Holland line seems to have some dna overlap with the Spearman folks, including the known marriage of Peter Jr folks, and various probable intermarriages. But "my line" (thru James Holland born before 1756) does not have a known marriage to the Spearman family, so would not otherwise have any Spearman dna. Sadly, this did not pan out. We just know for sure that it wasn't Tarrent. The search for Peter's wife continues.

• Fact: Christening (30 Aug 1683) Middlewich, Cheshire, England
• Fact: Residence (30 Aug 1683) , Middlewich, Cheshire, England

Sources

• "Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : modified 09 September 2019, 13:44), entry for Peter Holland(PID https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:27VS-VLQ); contributed by various users.
• Manchester [England] Central Library MFPR 521 (file number); St Michaels and All Angels Church, Middlewich

Note: Registers begin 1613, but are defective 1641-49. Checked years 1680-1690.

19 May 1681. (-------) Hollan. Baptism.
19 March 1682. William. Son of William Holland. Burial.
28 January 1682. Catherine Holland. Burial.
13 August 1683. John son of John Holland and Sarah. Baptism.
30 August 1683. Peter son of William Holland and Mary. Baptism.
1 March 1683. Jonathan son of John and Elizabeth Holland. Baptism.
10 October 1684. Mary Holland. Burial.
6 March 1685. M(-----) child of (------) Holland and Ann. Baptism.
24 (or 27) January 1685. (------) child of William Holland and Mary. Baptism.
28 July 1686. William Holland. Burial.
6 June 1689. William son of William and Mary Holland. Baptism.
8 June 1689. Charles son of William Holland. Burial. Researcher’s Note: “(Couldn’t read the film for the baptisms in 1685 - but neither looked like a “Peter Holland:. Blurred even with the use of a magnifier.)”

• Holland Papers, Franklin County Virginia Museum, Rocky Mt, VA. (see image) Translation: “This indenture made ye 5th day of Decembr: 1698 Between Peter Holland of Midlewitch in the County of Lancaster on the one party and William Neilson of Edenburg [sic], Merchant, on the other party; Witnesseth that the said Peter Holland doth agree from day of ye date hereof untill ye first & next arrivall in Virga: or Mary Land and after dureing the term of Six years to serve in such service and emplyments as he the said William Neilson or his assignes shall there employ him in according to ye Custome of ye Country. In consideration whereof the said William Neilson doth grant ye sd. Peter Holland to pay for his passage and to find and allow him meat drink apparell & lodging with other necessaries according to ye Custome of ye Country. In Witness whereof the parties to these presents have sett their hands and seales. Note: Another source for the same record: Deed and will Abstracts of Essex County, Virginia, 1697-1699, Part II of Deed and Will Book 1695-1699, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio, 1991; p. 85 (Deed & Will Book p. 325).

• 1697/ December, Holland, Peter of Middle Witch, 6 years, Pd for 5, Acc of Serv Went to Virginia in Globe, M. Skapson, Master. Immigrants to America from Liverpool, p185.

• Virginia County Court Records, Deed & Will Abstracts of Essex County Virginia, 1697-1699, Edited and Published by Ruth & Sam Sparacio, The Antient Press, copyright 1991, pg 103; 10 June 
1699, Holland, Peter, servant boy to Wm Williams presented “for Ye Courts Judgment to know when he becomes titheable is adjudged thirteen years old & ordered that ye same be recorded.

• Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, Volume 3, 1695-1732, Abstracted by Nell Marion Nugent, 1979, p. 43; John Woodson, Senr., 1020 acs., Henrico Co., in Verina Par.; in Rawsoney Neck; 25 Apr. 1701, p. 321. Beg. at Henry Turner’s, on Mrs. Izard’s line; to Beachen Runn; down Rockey Run; on John Woodson, Jur. &c. Trans. of 21 persons: James Deane, John Duff, John Man, Peter May, Humphrey How, Wm. Blunt, Wm. Russell, John Denham, Henry Pierce, Ralph Rogers, Wm. Spillman, Wm. Blessington, Peter Holland, Richd Lakeland, Thomas Minor, Thomas, Twyne, John Johnson, Sarah Davis, Isabella Tiplady, Hellena Parker, Elizabeth Sprigge.

• Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, Volume 3, 1695-1732, Abstracted by Nell Marion Nugent, 1979, p. 83; Robert Brooke, 650 acs., Essex Co.; on brs. of Gilson’s Cr; adj. Mr. Robt. Pley’s devident; 26 Apr. 1704, p. 596. Granted Alexander Robins 5 Nov. 1673, deserted, & now granted by order, &c. Trans. of 13 pers: Hugh smith, Durby Tynam, Edmund Kelle, Robt. Williams, Arthur Mack-Dougall, Margaret Forbes, Abraham Sutliff, Jane Harrison, Patrick Mackgatrin, Peter Holland, John Pareson, James Beven, Francis Osbound.

• Essex County, Virginia Wills and Deeds, 1711-1717, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Vol. VIII, abstracted by Beverly Fleet, p. 81 (Book 8-E, p. 234); 8 April 1714, Will of Abraham Stapp of Essex Co. dated 20 October 1710. One witness was "Peter Hollon".

• Essex County, Virginia Wills and Deeds, 1711-1717, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Vol. IX, abstracted by Beverly Fleet, p. 79 (Ex 9, p. 621); 16 July 1716, John Moseley, planter, of St. A. Par., sells John Coffee and Edward Coffee, planters, of same Par., 200 acres commonly called Moseleys Quarters on east side of Occupation, a small branch of Gilsons, adj. land belonging to Mr. Matrum Wright and formerly belonging to Tho. Button. Wit: Salvator Muscoe, John x Staton, Peter x Holland

• Order Book Abstracts of Essex County, Virginia, 1716-1723, Part II, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio, p. 93 (OB p. 355); 18 August 1719, Robt. Dooling being arrested at Suit of Robt. Brooke gent. in Debt & not appearing, Judgmt. is granted sd Plt. agt Deft. & Peter Holland his security for wt. shall appear due at next Court unless deft. then appears & answers sd accon.; p. 101 (OB p. 370), 15 September 1719, Robt. Dooling failing to appear & answer ye suit of Robt. Brooke Gent., in Debt, the order of last August Court is therefore confirmed to sd Plt. agt sd Dooling and Peter Holland his Security for Eighty hundred pounds of tobacco with one attorneys fee and costs.

• Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1732-1740, Part III, 1737-1740, by John Frederick Dorman, 1967, p. 52-53 (OB p. 93), 12 March 1741/2, Ordered that Daniel Coleman be surveyor of the new road from Sutton’s ford to the new church, that William Harros, Wm. Durratt, Daniel Tompkins, Bartholomew Durratt, Richard Maudlin, Francis Durratt, Francis Durrat junr., John Partloe, Nicholas Oliver, Moses Karnall, George Trible, Thomas Yarbrough, Charles Yarbrough, John Wright, John Dyer, John Dyer junr., Wm. Dyer, Peter Holland, Wm. Holland, John Holloway, John Sutton and Richard Leigh with their people assist the surveyor in clearing the road and keeping the same in repair.

• Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1740-1746, Part Three, 1744-1746, by John Frederick Dorman 1973, p. 4 (OB p. 341), 11 January 1744, Peter Holland acknowledged his deed of livery and seizen of land indented to Peter Holland Junr.

• Caroline County, Virginia Order Book 1740-1746, Part Two, 1742-1744, by John Frederick Dorman, 1973, p. 68 (OB p. 292), 13 July 1744, Action of trespass, assault and battery. Peter Holland agt. William Holland. It’s ordered the plaintiff recover his costs. Note: Record may be more likely to be for Peter, Jr.

• Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1740-1746, Part Three, 1744-1746, by John Frederick Dorman 1973, p. 48 (OB 542); 8 November 1745, Peter Holland on jury.

• Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1746-1754, Part One, 1746-1748, by John Frederick Dorman, 1968, p. 72 (OB p. 97); 8 July 1748, Peter Holland acknowledged his deed indented and bond to his son James Holland.

• Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1746-1754, Part Four, 1752-1754, by John Frederick Dorman 1971, p. 16 (OB 371); 15 December 1752, Suit on attachment. Thomas Holland agt. the estate of Peter Holland. The plaintiff proving his account, judgment is granted him for £17.15.6. The Sheriff served the attachment in the hands of James Holland who declared he has 17 pounds of feathers, a trunk and two tubs, which he is ordered to deliver to the Sheriff to sell.

• Vestry Book of Southam Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia, 1745-1792, by Ann K. Blomquist, 2002; p. 22-23, [25] Processioners returns 21 May 1748, The Church Wardens of Southam Parish make the returns of the processioners which are as follows. In Goochland County and Southam Parish We the Subscribers have procission’d the Several Lands and renew’d and mark’t the Respective lines in our precincts Beginning at Muddy Creek Vizt Richd Fains Land mark’t himself & Ralf Flipping Present, Thos Flippings Land mark’t himself & Thos Walton Present, part of Ralph Flippings Land mark’t himself and Thos Walton Present, Tho Walton’s Land mark’t himself and Thos Flipping present, part of Watson’s Land mark’t Thos Walton & Ralph Flipping present, part of Pendleton’s land mark’t Eleander Hughes present, part of John Hudgins Land mark’t Phillip Hudgins present, John Hudsons Land mark’t David Roberts & Robt Walton present, part of Thos Carters Land mark’t Wm Sammons Present, part of Sylvanus Witts Land mark’t Wm Cox present, Robt Douglas’s land himself & Phillip Hudgins present, Phillip Hudgins Land mark’t himself & Rich. Fain present, Wm Mullins Land mark’t Richd Fain and Phillip Hudgins present, Sampson Flemings Land mark’t himself & Jacob Winfrey present, part of Jacob Winfreys Land mark’t himself & Samson present, part of George Owens Land mark’t Jacob Winfrey present, part of Phillip Poindexters Land mark’t Jacob Winfrey present, part of Peter Hollands Land mark’t Samson Fleming present, part of Joel Meadows Land mark’t Sampson Fleming present, part of Wm Bond’s Land mark’t himself Joel Meadow & Peter Holland present, part of John Merrimans Land mark’t himself Wm Bond & Joel Fain present, part of Ashford Hughes Land mark’t Phillip Hudgins present p[er] us. [Signed] William Bond & John Merriman. Note: Peter, Sr. or Peter, Jr.?? Note: William Bond was the father of Jane Bond Holland, wife of John Holland, the elder Peter's son.
• https://www.familytreedna.com/public/holland?iframe=yresults.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Chris Varney for creating Holland-2448 on 14 Jul 13. Click the Changes tab for the details on contributions by Chris and others.