ELIZABETH BURRIS/BURRESS, daughter of John Burris, married EDWARD HOLMES, son of the WILLIAM HOLMES who died 1790 in Edgefield. She is named in her father's will, John Burress, Will Bk C, p 47. Her brother, Martin Burress, names his nephews, John B. and Martin Holmes, in his will written 1844 and recorded 23 Mar 1849 (Edgefield Co, SC Will Book D, pp 352-353). >From Edgefield Court Records we know that ELIZABETH BURRIS HOLMES married JAMES A. COLLINS after EDWARD HOLMES died. Equity Roll 421, Docket #51, filed 7 May 1831. "Bill for Account & Relief". Edward Holmes' wife, Elizabeth, remarried James Collins by 1831. She handled the estate up to 1 Jan 1830. She and husband James Collins want court to settle estate and pay heirs and appt. guardian for minors--John, William, Edward, and Martin. Daughter, Mary, had married Benjamin Roper. 7 June 1831 court ordered land be sold adj John Glanton and others containing 50 acres. Equity Rolls 423, 499, 975, 1351, 1601, 1820, 1828, 2141 contain more of the settlement of the estate. Edward's widow, Elizabeth Burriss remarries to James Collins by 1831. (He was the father of Lewis Colllins, who marries Edward and Elizabeth's daughter, Annie). On 5 Nov 1831 a deed from Wyatt Homes to James Collins, in right of his wife, for negroes as discharge and receipt in administration of Edward Homes, deceased (Deed Bk DDD:556). Many researchers list ELIZABETH BURRIS as the mother of all of EDWARD HOLMES' children. But, I am pretty sure EDWARD HOLMES was married and had son, WYATT HOLMES b. 1791--before he marrried ELIZABETH BURRIS. >From "Edgefield County, SC Family Cemeteries & Death Notices from The SC Baptist Newspaper" published by OEDGS, July 2003, page 130. HOLMES CEMETERY # 5 "Collins, Mrs. E. B (Apr 1786) D 23 Oct 1863 Age 77 years and 6 months (Elizabeth Collins, w/o James Collins. She was last married to Edward Holmes & was the stepmother of Col. Wyatt Holmes of Holmes Cemetery # 4. Refs: Will of Edward Holmes, Equity #499, and ECDN of John B. Holmes 10 Nov 1886)." Edgefield Census records seem to back up her birthdate. In the 1850 census page 150 she is listed as age 60 (b. 1790). In 1860 census she is listed as age 74 (b. 1786) CENSUS: 1850 Edgefield Co, SC DIVISION: The District REEL NO: M432-852 P. 150B, hh#2293/2300 James Collins 50 M Farmer 8,000, SC Elizabeth Collins 60 F VA CENSUS: 1960 Edgefield Co, SC, Duttonville, p. 69, hh#1058/1045 J. A. Collins, 59 M Farming KY Betsy Collins 74 F VA Lewis Holmes 23 M Farming, SC By these dates, ELIZABETH BURRIS was only 5 years older than her son WYATT HOLMES. So, she has to be a stepmother and a 2nd wife of Edward. My question to the list is "who is EDWARD HOLMES' first wife?" Kathy Wilcox