Hi My Holmes came from Strabane, Northern Ireland. Gabriel and his son John came first and went to Redstone Settlement PA sometimes after 1759. Gabriel left his wife Isabella Thompson in Ireland with his other children. Gabriel was on his way back to Ireland and died in Dover, DE. In 1773 three other sons Thomas, Nathaniel and James came to Phild. and then settled in Cape May CO, NJ. John also settled there with his three brothers. There is also another Holmes family in Monmouth Co, NJ who I believe came from England. In one of John E Stillwells books Vol III there is lots of information on the origin of the Holmes family and the Holmes family in Monmouth Co. NJ. Shirley