Family and Education

bap. 2 Nov. 1699, 1st s. of Henry, and bro. of Henry Holmes. m. (1) Anne (bur. 29 Sept. 1743), da. of Henry Player of Alverstone, Hants, wid. of Colby Apsley, 1s. d.v.p.; (2) Catherine, da. of John Leigh of Shorwell, I.o.W., s.p. suc. fa. 1738. cr. Baron Holmes [I] 11 Sept. 1760.

Offices Held

Gov. I.o.W. Apr. 1763-d.

Biography

In 1727 Holmes was returned as a Tory for Newtown, where his family shared the electoral influence with the Worsleys. He voted against the Administration on the civil list on 23 Apr. 1729 but on 25 Apr. the House of Commons awarded the seat to his opponent. Re-elected unopposed in 1734, he voted against the Administration on the Spanish convention in 1739 and was absent from the division on the place bill in 1740. He did not stand in 1741, when he made an agreement with Sir Robert Walpole to support the Government on condition he should become the Government’s manager for the three Isle of Wight boroughs. After Walpole’s fall he renewed the agreement with Pelham.1 Returned with his brother, Henry, for Yarmouth in 1747, he was classed as a government supporter. He died in 1764 (buried 21 July).

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Paula Watson

Notes

• 1. Add. 38333, f. 95.