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Notes for William Homes and Katherine Craighead

1692 William Homes was ordained on December 21. "The earliest record of an ordination, in which any details of the mode of procedure on such occasions are given, is that of Mr. Holmes, who was ordained in Strabane on the 21st of December, 1692. It is as follows—'This day Mr. Rot. Craghead preached upon 1st Tim. 4. & 16. according to appointment at Strabane and after sermon having proposed the ordinary questions to Mr. Will. Homes that are useuall before ordination, he with the rest of the ministers then present, and that are written in the sederunt did ordain the sd. Mr. Will. Holmes by imposition of hands and solemne and serious prayer to God they solemnly sett him apart to the ministrie in the congregation of Strabane.'" [1]

1693 William Homes and Katherine Craighead were married on September 26 in Londonderry, Ireland. In his diary, Rev. Homes described his wedding as follows, "Mr. William Homes and Katheren Craghead were marryed 26 Sep 1693 by the Reverend Mr Robert Craghead of Londondery in his own house about 8 at night in the presence of Mr. Thomas Craghead, Mr. James Hamilton, John Wilson, James Smith and his spouse and those of Mr. Craghead's own family. It was upon Tuesday." [2]

The transcriber of William's 96 page diary described the diary, in the library of the Maine Historical Society, as "of the size known as quarto and is bound in contemporary leather. It contains the notes of births, deaths, and records within the personal knowledge of the diarist. It is closely written from cover to cover. Even the fly leaves and the insides of the covers being utilized by the original owner or its subsequent possessors." [3]

1693 At a meeting of the Laggan Presbytery in November, "Mr. Will Homes" was appointed "to supply Sligo, etc." while three other ministers "Mr. Halliday, Mr. Fisher, and Mr. Harvey" were to supply "Strabane in Mr. Will Homes his absence." [4]

1694 William and Katherine's son Robert was born on July 23 in Stragolan, Fermanagh, Ireland. William's diary records that "My son Robert Homes was born July the 23d 1694 being Munday at 12 of the clock in the day time. In Stragolan and was baptized the Wednesday following in my own house by mr Robert Craghead his grandfather." [5]

1695/96 William and Katherine's daughter Margaret was born on February 28 in Strabane, Tyrone, Ireland. William's diary records that "My Daughter Margaret was born Febr 28 1695/6 being friday at 11 before noon And was baptized the 5 of march following in the meeting house of Straban, by the Revd W Sam: Hallyday." [6]

1696/97 William and Katherine's son William was born on March 24 in Strabane, Tyrone, Ireland. William's diary records that "My Son William was born March 24th 1696/7 being Wednesday about one of the clock in the Morning; He was baptized in the meeting house of Straban March 31st 1697 By the Revd James Pringle." [7]

1697 In May, at a meeting of the Laggan Presbytery, "Mr. Homes, of Strabane, reported that he had preached at Clare, as appointed." [8]

1698/99 William and Katherine's daughter Katherine was born on March 20 in Strabane, Tyrone, Ireland. William's diary records that "My Daughter Katherin was born March 20th 1698/9 being Munday about three in the morning And was baptized by the Rev'd Mr Thomas Craghead in the meeting house of Straban March 22d being Wednesday." [9]

1699/1700 William and Katherine's nearly three-year-old son William died on February 18. The Reverend William wrote in his diary that "My Son William departed this life febr 18, 1699 alias 1700 about 1 morning he sickened the 7th Day of sd moneth on the Saturday following we perceived severale purple spots upon him, on the Thursday following he bleed excessively at the nose from 9 night till near 12. By the application of the Joyce of Nettles his bleeding stoped, the Thursday following his feet began to swell and on friday his whole body. His heat was excessively great from frieday till the time of his death during which time he continued speechless. He was burryed the 19 of febr towards night in the church yeard of Straban." [10]

1700 William and Katherine's son John was born on July 30 in Strabane, Tyrone, Ireland. William's diary records that "My Son John was born July 30 1700 being Tuesday about 7 morning. He was baptized in the meeting house of Straban July 31st by the Revd mr Sam: Hallyday." [11]

1701 William and Katherine's daughter Jane was born on August 30 in Strabane, Tyrone, Ireland. William wrote in his diary that "My Daughter jane was born August 30 1701 being Saturday about 11 night. She was baptized in the meeting house of Straban September 3 d by the Revd mr William Homes of Urney." [12]

1704 William and Katherine's daughter Agnes was born on May 31 in Strabane, Tyrone, Ireland. William wrote in his diary that "My Daughter Agnes was born May 31 1704 being Wednesday at 4 morning she was baptized in the meeting house of Straban by the Revd mr William Homes of Urney." [13]

1706 William and Katherine's daughter Elizabeth was born on September 15 in Strabane, Tyrone, Ireland. William wrote in his diary that "My Daughter Elizabeth was born September 15th 1706 about 8 night she was baptized in the meeting house of Straban by the Revd mr William Homes of Urney." [14]

1708/9 William and Katherine's daughter Hanna was born on January 31 in Strabane, Tyrone, Ireland. William wrote in his diary that "My Daughter Hanna was born Jany 31. 1708/9 about 2 morning being munday. She was baptized the frieday following in the meeting house of Straban By the Revd mr Thomas Craghead." [15]

1710/11 William and Katherine's daughter youngest daughter Margery was born on January 23 in Strabane, Tyrone, Ireland. William wrote in his diary of her birth and baptism that "My Daughter Margery was born Jany 23d 1710/11 at 1 morning. She was baptized the Thursday following in my own house by the Revd mr Thomas Craghead. She was born on the Lords day." [16]

1714 The Homes family and Katherine's brother Thomas Craighead and his family emigrated from Ireland to New England. Their ship, the Thomas and Jane, William Wilson, master, from Londonderry, arrived in October at Boston (N. L. Oct 4-11, 1714). [17]

1727 "Just Published, A brief & plain Discourse of the Christian Sabbath, wherin the Doctrine of the Sabbath is explained; the Morality of the fourth Commandment proved; the Change of the Sabbath from the Seventh to the First day of the Week considered and cleared up; and the Religious Observation of the Lord's Day is recommended by Several weighty Arguments. By the Rev. Mr. William Homes Pastor of the Church in Chillmark. Sold by Samuel Gerrith, at the lower end of Cornhill, Boston. Price 18 d." [18]

1746 William Homes died on June 20 in Chilmark, Dukes County, Massachusetts, "in 84th y." [19]

1754 Katherine, widow of William Homes, died on April 10 in Chilmark, Dukes County, Massachusetts, "in 82d y." [20]

Research Notes:

Handley Chipman wrote of Katherine Craighead that Mr. Homes' "dear and Remarkable Loving wife died Some years before him, I think. She was a very Godly woman, but was bedrid many years before She died, which I suppose was when she was Eighty odd years old. Notwithstanding she could Set up Some in her bed and knit, and help in maintaining the family as her husbands Sallary was but Small and he medled not with indoor or outdoor business, but devoted himself wholly to the Minstry, Preaching, praying, Studying, Visiting his people Sick and well, &c." [21]

Banks states, [22]

Mr. Homes was born 1663 and when a young man came to Martha's Vineyard where he taught school for three years 1686-1689. (Source Allen Biographical Dictionary, 463). He returned to Ireland where in 1692 he was ordained over the parish of Strabane and the next year 26 Sep 1693 he married Katherine, daughter of reverend Robert Craghead of Londondery. He continued as pastor of this church until 1714-15 when, with his wife and nine children, he crossed the ocean and made his future home in Chilmark (Martha's Vineyard) where he was ordained pastor 15 Sep 1715. He published several sermons and religious works. The greater portion of the diary is made up of weekly entries labeled Lord's day, where he detailed his texts and sermons.

Handley Chipman states of Rev. Homes, [23]

His Parents, I have been informed, was Scotch Inhabitants, and removed over and Settled in the North of Ireland, where are many Presbyterians, as they was also. Their Son William who had a Liberal Education, but at what Colledge I cannot tell, being a Sober well disposed person, was Licensed to Preach, and was ordained, but how long after he was Licensed, I never was informed. When he was a Young Man he came over to Boston, in New England, and Preached there, had much respect shown him by the Mather Ministers, the Revd. Increase and Cotton Mather. I Suppose, He on a request went over and preached a while at Said Chilmark on said Vine-Yard Island, to the peoples good Liking, who requested him to Stay and Settle over them in the Ministry, for although he was a Presbyterian Minister and they the Church there Settled on the Cambridge or Congregational Platform, as most of the Churches in Boston and Else where in the Massachusetts, now State also was, Yet it was a Rule among them in General that this difference of Sentiments Should be no bar of Communion or prevention of the Ministers of Each denomination Preaching occasionally in one anothers Pulpits, and their were Several Instances in that day of Some Presbyterian Ministers coming over from England, Ireland and Scotland, and of their being received and settled over Congregatonal Churches in New England, as Dr. Increas Mather, and others in their Church histories, fully relates. ... But although Said Church at Chilmark gave a Call to Settle over them and made him considerable offers for his temporal Support, considering they was but a Small Number of people not perhaps then 60 families at most and in General not in very flourishing Circumstances ... Mr. Homes declined their call being desirous to go home to Ireland again to his parents, but gave them some incouragement that possibly he might return to them again and Comply with their request. He said Mr. Homes, soon went home to Ireland, and Soon having a call to Settle in the Ministry in Strabone ... he accepted, Settled in the Ministry their and married into a family whose name was Craghead, and continued there I have understood many Years, to great Satisfaction, and had their two sons born or more and sundry daughters. But Some of the family, Especially on the Mothers Side, having suffered terribly formerly by the persecution of the Papist against the Protestants of which last party the sd Mothers Relations was. On the Conduct of Queen Ann of England in the Latter part of her Reign, in changing her Ministry and putting in others that was disaffected to the protestants and favourers of the Pretender to the Crown of England and the Papist Religion, it put the whole Kingdoms into a most terrible fright, and in particular Ireland who had so many papist on it, and from whom so many Thousand and ten Thousand protestants had Suffered in former times by deaths in the most Cruel and Unhuman Manner possible, &c. &c. Sd Minister Homes by his Earnest request to his Church and people got a dismission and liberty from the Presbytery to Leave the kingdom of Ireland, with his family, and return again to Boston in New England and they did so, he and all his family, where they had much respect Shewn them by the Ministers that was Living, of those that he was Acquainted with when he was there before, in his Younger Years, and by the Magestrates also particulrly Judge Dudley and Judge Sewell, judges of the Superior Court, and to whom he aftersards dedicated two discourses he had request printed, the One was proposals for Some further regulations in the Congregational Churches Government, more agreeable to the Presbyterian Sentiments, that so Matters might be determined more desicive than they now were in the Congregational Councils, but wrote in a very tender Loving Manner, and dedicated to Judge Dudley.

The other treatise was on the Scriptural duty as he, Mr. Homes Looked on it of reading of the Scriptures, a Chapter therof in Public on every Sabbath day and Expounding therefrom. This piece he dedicated to Judge Sewell.

The said Church and Congregation at said Chilmark being still without any settled Ministry among them, Soon applied to Mr. Homes to bring his family and Settle among them in the Ministry, and he by advice consented so to do and did, Continuing his ministry even to or into his 87 year of age. Preaching to them after he was so feeble with old age that he used to be helped on to his horse on a Sabbath Mornin, and helped off again at the Meeting house door, which was, it may be, 3/4 of a mile from his own house. And when once told, by a friend, that as he had once or more fainted away in his Pulpit, he feared he would die there, He, it seems, Cheerfully answered his concerned friend, that he did not know he could die in a better place.

Bolton states, [24]

The migration from the vicinity of Londonderry and from northern Tyrone to New England was much influenced by two Presbyterian ministers who had emigrated from Ireland a short time before, and were in sympathy with the Rev. Cotton Mather in his desire for the settlement of Protestant families from Ulster.

William Homes, the first of these ministers, was born in the north of Ireland in 1663, of a family which had been of consequence there for several generations. There was a Thomas Homes at Strabane, County Tyrone, in 1619; and at the time of which we write another Rev. William Homes, living at Urney, a few miles south of Strabane, was so well known that our William was called "the meek" to distinguish him. [footnote: William Homes, Junior, of Urney was ordained in 1696, and was probably a cousin.]

He had a happy combination of gentleness and ability which made his career in the ministry less eventful than that of the second minister referred to above, the Rev. Thomas Craighead. The boy Homes was carefully educated, and about 1686 he came over to Martha's Vineyard where he obtained a position to teach school. His teaching was acceptable, and he was urged to remain there, but a desire to preach led him in July, 1691, to return to Ireland. He was reported from Lagan meeting in 1692 as "on trial in order to ordination," and having gone through his second trials he was ordained December 21, 1692, as pastor of a church at Strabane in the Presbytery of Convoy. Strabane was at the time a small village whose chief importance lay in its situation at the point where the Mourne and the Finn join to form the river Foyle. In the centre of the town there was a neat but plain market house, and farther down the road were two good gentlemen's country houses, facing each other. In this town he was to begin his labors.

Mr. Homes received his degree of Master of Arts at the University of Edinburgh in 1693 [Note: likely this graduate was a different William Holmes since the graduation date is after the ordination of William Homes at Strabane]. Craighead had preceded him in 1691, and the names of several others of note later in America appeared on the college rolls soon after. From a copy of Mr. Homes's diary, preserved by the New England Historic Genealogical Society, many facts in regard to his family may be gleaned. William's father came from Donaghmore, county Donegal, a village a mile or more west of Castlefinn, and an hour's drive south west of Lifford on the road to Donegal and Ballyshannon. In the family lot there William's brother John, who was killed by lightning in 1692 in the parish of Raphoe, was buried; this John left five children, Margaret, John, Johnet, Jane and Rebecca. Mary Ann, a sister of William, died in 1705. William married September 26, 1693, Katherine, daughter of the Rev. Robert Craighead, a venerable and distinguished minister of Londonderry.

The Rev. William Homes and his brother-in-law the Rev. Thomas Craighead, with their families, arrived in Boston the first week in October, 1714, from Londonderry, on the ship "Thomas and Jane" of which Mr. William Wilson was then master. Homes brought four written testimonials, from the elders and overseers of his congregation at Strabane, from the Presbytery of Convoy, from the Synod, and from eight presbyterian ministers at Dublin, including the Rev. Joseph Boyse, a famous preacher and writer. The first testimonial was printed in the Boston Gazette for August 26, 1746; of this issue no copy is known to exist.

The testimonial from Convoy was printed as part of the preface written by Joseph Sewall and Thomas Prince for Homes's "The Good Government of Christian Families Recommended," a memorial volume issued in 1747. It was signed by Francis Laird at Donaghmore July 12, 1714. [footnote: Laird was succeeded there in 1744 by the Rev. Benjamin Homes.]

It will be seen that Homes came well recommended. He was of gentle spirit, although something of a leader, having served in Ireland as moderator of the general Synod of 1708 which met at Belfast with fifty-four ministers and forty ruling elders present. He was a student of administration. His work, entitled "Proposals of Some Things to be done in our administring Ecclesiastical Government" (Boston, 1732) favored a council or presbytery of churches to check the friction which became evident on several occasions among New England ministers and people. The Rev. John White of Gloucester replied two years later in "New England's Lamentations," contending that, excepting ruling elders and the "third way of communion," the Congregationalists and Presbyterians stood on common ground. White held that no church in the whole consociation of churches would be so stubborn as to "sustain the dreadful sentence of non-communion." Nevertheless he felt secure in Congregational polity after reading the fifth chapter of first Corinthians, where "the Brethren" are admonished to come together and subject their sinning members to discipline.

Samuel Sewall welcomed Mr. Homes upon his arrival, and showed him many marks of respect. In his diary on October 5, 1714, Sewall wrote: "I wait on the Lieut. Govr, visit Mr. William Homes, Mr. Thomas Craighead, Ministers, in order to know what was best to be done as to the ship's coming up. Carried them a Bushel Turnips, cost me 5s and a Cabbage cost half a Crown. Dined at the Castle, Lt Govr also invited Mr. Homes." On December 2d he records a gift of "an angel" (ten shillings) to Mr. Homes and Mr. Craighead, and in correspondence later he showed his good will.

The pulpit at Chilmark in Martha's Vineyard being vacant, Homes returned to the scene of his youthful labors. There he remained, faithful and honored, until his death June 27, 1746, in his eighty-fourth year. Mrs. Homes died April 10, 1754, in her eighty-second year. Thus were lost to the upbuilding of Ireland two worthy characters.

Parker says [History of Londonderry, p. 34.] that a young man named Homes, son of a Presbyterian clergyman, first brought reports to the people in Ireland of opportunities in New England. This was probably Captain Robert Homes, son of the Rev. William Homes; he had an unusual opportunity for intercourse with his father's former parishioners through his voyages to Ireland. In 1717 two men with names later significant in the Worcester and Falmouth settlements, called to see the minister at Chilmark; they were John McClellan and James Jameson. Three weeks later (November 24th) Mr. Homes writes in his diary: "This day I received several letters, one from Doctor Cotton Mather, one from severall gentlemen proprietors of lands at or near to Casco Bay, and one from son Robert."

The above quotation points strongly to a conference held at Boston in November between Captain Robert Homes, recently from Ireland and interested in transporting Scotch Irish families, the Rev. Cotton Mather, eager to see the frontiers defended by a God-fearing, hardy people, and the third party to the conference, the men who were attempting to plant settlements along the Kennebec. They must have talked over the project for a great migration (they all had written to the minister at Chilmark), and undoubtedly Captain Robert Homes sent over letters and plans to friends at Strabane, Donaghmore, Donegal and Londonderry. Perhaps no one in Boston had so many relatives among the clergy in Ulster, and as a sea-captain he had a still further interest in the migration. Robert himself sailed for Ireland April 13, 1718, and returned "full of passengers" about the middle of October.

The Rev. Mr. Homes in his diary describes his journey to Boston on this great occasion. He lodged with his son and preached twice, from Philemon i. 21, for the Rev. Cotton Mather at the North meeting house, and from Proverbs xii. 26 for the Rev. John Webb at the New North; neither text seems to have had any special significance.

The Rev. William Homes had two prominent brothers-in-law, Robert and Thomas Craighead. The Rev. Robert Craighead studied divinity at Edinburgh and Leyden and had a conspicuous career at Dublin from 1709 until 1738, when he died. In 1719, when the Presbyterian church in Ireland was in prolonged debate over the deity of Christ and subscription to the Westminster Confession of Faith, he served as moderator of the Ulster Synod. The Rev. Thomas Craighead was educated in Scotland, but later entered upon his trials for the ministry as a probationer in the Presbytery of Strabane in 1698. He settled at Donegal. Here he remained until he removed with his brother-in-law Homes to America in 1714, being succeeded by the Rev. John Homes, who enjoyed a long pastorate at Donegal.


Footnotes:

[1] Alexander G. Lecky, In the days of the Laggan Presbytery (Belfast: Davidson & McCormick, 1908), 16, quoting from the Laggan Presbytry meeting minutes, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].

[2] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:447, [InternetArchive].

[3] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:446, [InternetArchive].

[4] Alexander G. Lecky, In the days of the Laggan Presbytery (Belfast: Davidson & McCormick, 1908), 68, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].

[5] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:448, [InternetArchive].

[6] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:448, [InternetArchive].

[7] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:448, [InternetArchive].

[8] Alexander G. Lecky, In the days of the Laggan Presbytery (Belfast: Davidson & McCormick, 1908), 68, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].

[9] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:448, [InternetArchive].

[10] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:448, [InternetArchive].

[11] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:448, [InternetArchive].

[12] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:448, [InternetArchive].

[13] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:448, [InternetArchive].

[14] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:448, [InternetArchive].

[15] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:448, [InternetArchive].

[16] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:448, [InternetArchive].

[17] Charles Knowles Bolton, Scotch Irish Pioneers in Ulster and America (Boston: Bacon and Brown, 1910), 317, [GoogleBooks].

[18] Newspaper, Boston News Letter, Thursday July 13 to Thursday July 20, 1727, issue 29; p. 2.

[19] Henry Ernest Woods, Vital Records of Chilmark, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850 (Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1904), 87, [FHLBook].

[20] Henry Ernest Woods, Vital Records of Chilmark, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850 (Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1904), 87, [FHLBook].

[21] Mrs. Arthur James Trethewey, "A Chipman Family History," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 91 (1937), 159-176, at 168. Images of Handley Chipman's family memoir are available in the Digital Collections of the Acadia University Library, [AmericanAncestors], [Acadia_University].

[22] Charles Edward Banks, "Diary of Reverend William Homes," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 48 (1894), 446-453; 49 (1895), 413-416; and 50 (1896), 155-166, at 48:446, [InternetArchive].

[23] Mrs. Arthur James Trethewey, "A Chipman Family History," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 91 (1937), 159-176, at 167. Images of Handley Chipman's family memoir are available in the Digital Collections of the Acadia University Library, [AmericanAncestors], [Acadia_University].

[24] Charles Knowles Bolton, Scotch Irish Pioneers in Ulster and America (Boston: Bacon and Brown, 1910), 79-87, [GoogleBooks].