My earliest Holmes is John Holmes, Messenger of the Plymouth Court. He was undoubtedly born in England, was in Plymouth after 1627 and by 1632, became messenger 1638. He was often styled "Mister" or "gentleman." He m. Sarah (___) and they had two sons, both of whom had families of their own. See "Descendants of Mr. John Holmes, Messenger of the Plymouth Court" by Eugene A. Stratton, National Genealogical Society Quarterly, volume 74, number 2 (June 1986), pages 83-103, 203-223. - Dale C.E., WDRL-TV, Roanoke/Lynchburg VA