The name "HOLMES" or "HULME" is said to be a derivative, like Hill, Dale, Wood and others, from the character of the land or place of residence of the first person who bore it. It signifies a meadow surrounded by water, low flat land, the deposit where two rivers or streams intersect.

    Our oldest recorded ancestor was Robert Hulme of Reddish in the Parish of Manchester. His baptism is recorded as 18 Aug 1558. He was mentioned in the will of John Reddish, Esq., 1569, and was also mentioned in 1598 as a witness to the will of "Otis Hulme of Redytch, husbandman". His will, dated 11 Aug 1602, and proved at Chester 28 Jan 1604/5, bequeathed his lands to his eldest son Robert and his widow Alice. His widow was buried at the Collegiate Church (now cathedral), Manchester, 7 Sep 1610 as "Alyce Wydow to Robte Hulme of Reddiche".

The children of Robert and Alyce Hulme:
1. Robert
2. John, (named in father's will, and as executor)
3. Jane, (named in father's will, --- then unmarried)
4. A daughter

ROBERT HULME

    Robert and Katherine (Johnson) Hulme, farmers, were married at Stockport, near Manchester, on the 8th day of October, 1605. He inherited his father's lands. His burial was at Stockport on 12 Nov 1640. His will, dated 20 August 1640, was proved at Chester 24 November 1649 by Robert Hulme, one of the executors, power being reserved to the other executor, Hugh Johnson, whom the testator styles "brother-in-law". By this will, Obadiah Hulme was given as his legacy ten pounds being dependent on the death, under age, of a younger brother. Robert Hulme bequeathed to his son Robert "my estate and interest," etc., "in the messuage in which I now dwell and which has been held," etc., "by my predecessors tyme out of mynd", hoping "my right worshippfull master Edward Cooke esq. will dale mercifullie with him.".
 

    Katherine (Johnson) Hulme was buried at Stockport 8 Sep 1630.

The children of Robert and Katherine (Johnson) Hulme:
1. John, bpt at Stockport 3 May 1607;
    matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford,
    as son of Robert Hulme of Reddish, "pleb.",
    18 Nov. 1625, aged 17.
    As he is not named in his father's will
    it is probable that he died before 1640.
2. Obadiah (our ancestor)
    He came to America before his father's death.
3. Joan, bpt. at Didsbury 2 Feb 1610/11
4. Samuel, bur. at Stockport 2 Nov 1613
5. Samuel, perhaps bapt. at Didsbury 23 Feb 1616/17;
    matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford.
    To him his father bequeathed "6s.8d. and no more,
    in regard of the former great charges I have been
    putt unto in and about his education."
6. Nathaniel, bpt. at Didsbury 12 July 1618
    buried at Stockport 10 Sep 1631
7. Robert, bpt. at Stockport 25 Mar 1621.
    He inherited his father's holding at Reddish.
8. Joseph, buried at Stockport 13 June 1623
9. Joseph, youngest son, named in father's will of 1640,
    and then under 21.
    His father left him 40 pounds and all his books.