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Descendants of John Holte

Generation No. 2

2. ROBERT² HOLT (JOHN¹ HOLTE) was born Abt. 1605 in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, and died July 1661 in St. Mary's County, Maryland. He married (1) DOROTHY HEYWOOD December 19, 1625 in Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England ¹. She was born in Lancashire, England, and died Unknown in Virginia/England. He married (2) CHRISTIAN BONNIFIELD January 28, 1656/57 in St. Mary's County, Maryland. She died Unknown.

Notes for ROBERT HOLT:
Among the earliest definite records of the name Holt in England are those of John Holt of Warwickshire, before 1272; those of Henry de la Holte of Worchestershire, 1273; those of William del Holt of Yorkshire. While it is not definitely known from which of the many lines of the family in England the first emigrants of the name to come to America were descended, it is recorded that the Holts were among the earliest settlers in this country. The first of the name in America was Randall or Randolph Holt who came over in The George in 1620. He married Mary Baily of Hog Island, North Carolina in 1626. He was 13 when he came over. They had two sons, John and Captain Michael Holt. (Descendants of John and Isabel Holt)

A James Holt, Lancashire, England was buried in 1632 in Bolton Parish.

A Robert, son of John HOLTE was baptised at Rochdale on 5 May 1605. A Robert Holt married Martha HEYWOOD 29 Aug 1621 at Rochdale and Dorothie HEAWOOD married a Robert HOULTE 19 Dec 1625 at Manchester.
From: Bruce Jackson, County Archivist, Lancashire England. Ref:-A1/A-S.B.

In Gust. Skordas' "Early Immigrants to Maryland", 1912, "Robert Holt, immigrated 1646 with wife and 4 children" (2, fol, 229, 550) Copied from Land Office records in Annapolis, Libers F, A, and B. Much contained in no. 8510, Skordas. A few records beyond the year 1655.
Source Bibliography: "LAND NOTES, 1634-1655." In Maryland Historical Magazine, Vol. 6:1 (Mar. 1911), pp. 60-70; vol. 6:2 (June 1911), pp. 195-203; vol. 6:3 (Sept. 1911), pp. 262-270; vol. 6:4 (Dec. 1911), pp. 365-373.
Page: 369

Robert Holt was issued a land warrant to lay out 400 acres "in any place within this province southward of Patuxtent River". (Patents ABH.32) Edward (Edmund) Hudson was associated with Robert Holt and was living in the same household.

Edward defaulted on a bond in 1650 and the court allowed Robert Holt to "attach his estate" for the cost. (p. 135)

In the Maryland Archives continued (10-109/112): November 6, 1651: The St. Marys court heard depositions concerning domestic problems between Robert Holt and his wife, Dorothy Heywood Holt. Robert reported that Dorothy threatened to murder Him. A witness reported that he saw Dorothy and Edward Hudson "goe to bed together as if they were man and wife", with other witnesses stating the same thing. One witness stated that Dorothy "hoped her husband might rott limb from limbe" and that her "heart was soe hardened against him she would never darken his door again." She held resentment toward her son, Richard, stating that she hoped he would end his days on the gallows. As punishment, Edward Hudson was to be whipped and to live a least 30 miles from the Holts. Dorothy was to be whipped and live at least five miles from Robert, not with Edward Hudson.

In "Crime and Punishment in Early Maryland", by R. Semmes, p. 184. This book recounts the above. It states further: "After hearing all the evidence, the court found Dorothy and Edward Hudson guilty of adultery. Hudson was sentenced to receive thirty lashes, while Dorothy was to be given fifty stripes. In order to prevent Edward from having further adultery with Dorothy , he was to leave St. Marys. If he returned without the permission of the Governor, he would receive another whipping. Dorothy was told that she must live at least five miles away from her husband's house, and if in the future she soiled his reputation by loose living, she would be severely whipped. After this sentence was pronounced, the court reversed itself. The judge told them if they made a humble submission, acknowledged their offense, asked for pardon and promised amendment, then the Governor might be willing to remit the punishment which the court had ordered. Dorothy and Robert would be allowed to live together as man and wife if they came to an agreement.

On December 4, 1654, Robert and Dorothy divorced by clerk William Wilkinson, the clerk later denying that the divorce was granted.
On January 28, 1657, Robert was married to Christian Bonnefield by William Wilkinson, clerk.
On October 6, 1658, a jury heard charges of bigamy against Robert Holt, hearing that he married Christian Bonnefield "his owne wife Dorothy being then & yett living". Clerk Wilkinson testified as to the marriage but denied granting a divorce from his wife, Dorothy. The jury convicted him of bigamy, but Holt appealed and asked for a Protestant jury. (MD Archives 41-149/151, 228/230, 243/244.)
In "Crime and Punishment", ibid., p. 205: ......................

Provincial Court Proceedings, 1658 p228-229
Maryland Archives Volume 41
Was called afore the Board Robert Holt, & Mr William Wilkinson Clerk, The sd Holt being charged by Mr Attorney wth bigamy & Mr Willm Wilkinson as Accessary in Contryuing the same & prefers this Inditmt, Vid Inditemt fol. 108.

The Examination of William Wilkinson Clerk taken the 9th of Septembr 1658 who Sayth That hee did joyne in marriage Robert Holt & Christian Bonnefald, But denyeth tht hee did any thing by way of diuorce betweene Robert Holt & his former Wife Dorothy, Notwthstanding confesseth, tht he drue & signed as a wittnes tht
paper peoduced by Robt Holt, bearing date 4th of December wch conteyned a release of all claime of marriage from the sd Dorothy to the sd Robert, Wch paper hee sayth hee did draw att their request upon her Confession tht shee had Two Bastards by Edward Hudson, & refusall to bee reconciled to Robert Holt, by me Philip Caluert. Willm Wilkinson.

The Examinaon of Willm Haynes taken uppon oath by me Philip Caluert. The Depont sayth tht hee was present when Willm Wilkinson did ioyne Robt Holt & Christian Bonnafeild in marriage sometime in January last & further sayth not.
Septembr 24th 1658. Willm Heynes

To bee Remembred tht on the 24th day of Septembr came Willm Haynes before me Philip Caluert Esqr & acknowledgeth himselfe to owe & stand indebted unto the Ld Propr in the full summe of one Thowsand pownds of Tob & Cask. If hee shall not come to the next Prouinciall Court to bee holden for this prouince att St Leon-
ards the 5th day of Octobr next, then & there to giue euidence agst Robt Holt, Christian Bonnefeild, Willm Wilkinson or eyther of them tht shall be there indicted for ffelony against the Statute 7o Jacobi Regis agst Poligamy
Septembr ut Supra. Philip Caluert.

The Examinaon of James Hall taken uppon oath before Josias ffendall Esqr Leiutent of this prouince, The Depont sayth tht hee was pent when Willm Wilkinson did ioyne Robert Holt & Christian Bonnefeild in marriage & further sayth not.
Octobr 2d James H 1 Hall

The same Recogniz as Willm Haynes hath entred, James Hall entreth into allso for himselfe Philip Caluert

The Examinaon of Robt Holt taken this 17th Septembr 1658 Who Sayth tht hee was marryed sometime in January last to Christian Bonnefeild by Willm Wilkinson parson, who tould him the sd Holt, tht hee was free to marry any Body, by reason of mutuall discharges from the Bond of Matrimony (as they conceiued) Guyen betweene
him the sd Robt Holt & Dorothy his former Wife dated 4th of Decembr 1654. That there was pent att their marriage Willm Haynes, James Hall & his Wife, Beniamin Hamond & his Wife

230 Provincial Court Proceedings, 1658.
The Examinaon of Christian Bonnefeild taken this 17th of Sep-
tembr 1658 Who sayth as shee best remembreth shee was marryed to Robt
Holt the Thursday before Candlemas day Jast by Willm Wilkinson Parson, That shee had neuer marryed to Robert Holt, but tht the sd Wilkinson sayd, shee & the sd Holt might lawfully marry, & tht diuers times coming to him to know his Opinion in itt, telling him of her former husband & Roberts Holts former Wife. Hee still told
her shee might mary to any Body by me Philip Caluert

Other Euidences were also made appeare out of the Records by Mr Attorney. And after some time spent The Jury agreeing, bring in their Verdict Endorsed on the Writt Bill a Vera for the whole.

"Court and Testamentary Business, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland", Volume 3, p. 325. (1647) (Note: spellings, for the most part, are copied from original papers.)
August 30th. This bill byndeth me Francis Posey hy heirs or assignes to pay or cause to be payed, unto Robert Holt or his assignes one thousand and thirty pounds of sound merchantable tobbaco in caske, and five barrells of good sound Indian corn, to be payed the tenth day of November next, ensuing the date hereof, likewise, I Francis Posey do bind my crop for his security, and am not to dispose of it untill the sayd Holt be satisfied. Witness my hand this eighteenth of March, one thousand six hundred and fowerty six. X Francis Posey.

p. 330, 1647:
Robert Holt complaineth against Cuthbert Phenick gent in an action of damage to the value of 1030 pounds of tobbaco and caske by wrongfully attaching a crop of Francis Posy made over to him.

p. 450, 1648:
The deposition of Robert Holt aged 28 years or thereabouts taken 23rd of October 1648 this depositioner sayth that George Manners did desire Henry Clay to speak to Edward Commins to send him his pestle that he stole. Whereupon this depositioner told him that it was a hard matter to tax a man with such a thing. But the said Manners made answer again, that he did tax him and would tax him. These words being spoke in this deposition hearing sometime in May last. And further he sayth not. Robert Holt "R"

p. 516, 1649:
July 20th, 1649. This bill bindeth me Robert Holt of Maryland, planter, my heirs, executors and assignes to pay or cause to be pain unto Paul Simpson of St. Inegoes Marriner the full and just sum of 2300 pounds of merchantable leaf tobacco and cask his heirs executors and assignes by or before the tenth day of November next. And for true payment thereof, I do by these presents bind over my cattell at Kent viz: two milch Cows, one 2 year old heifer, 2 calves viz: one cow calf and one bull calf and one shallopp sometime belonging unto the said Paul with all her rigging compleat, likewise all my crop at the Isle of Kent now in the ground. Witnes my hand the day and year above written. Sign. Robert Holt

"Court and Testamentary Business, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1661-1675" Volume 3, p. 463. (1661)
To the Right Honorable Charles Caluert, Esq., Lt. Generall of Maryland
The Humble Peticion of Christian Holt, als Bonmfield, sheweth that whereas your Peticioner to all the Inhabitants adjadcent is well knowne to have brought a considerable estate into your Lordships Province and hath lived in a full and plentifull manner till such time as her unfortunate marriage hapened with Robert Holt. She then having a considrable estate in her possession. And whereas since it hath pleased God to take away the said Robert Holt, he having in his life time confirmed all his worldly good to your Petitioner being inconsidrable to the value of what she had when she was first married to him wince with decease of the said Holt your Petitioner being thus virtually possest by deed of guilt is nevertheless molested and threatened to be turned out of doors into the woods by one David Holt, his said sonne. The premises considered your petitioner humbly begs your Honors Just and pious consideration to redresse her injuries she being always ready to give such just accounts as shall in law be required of the same and she as in duty bound shall pray. Ordered that the Petition is granted and that the petitioner Christian Boniefield als Holte does give the Secretary sufficient security that no part of the estate mentioned either in the deed of guild dated March 2nd 1661 or peticon, be imbezzeled before such time as the Court have determined to whome the said estate belongeth. Att a Councell held at St. Marys the 28th of November 1662, present the Lt. General Chancellour and Secretary

Children of ROBERT HOLT and DOROTHY HEYWOOD are:

ELIZABETH³ HOLT, d. Unknown.

Notes for ELIZABETH HOLT:
Buried about 1633, Roachdale, Lancashire, England.

3.	ii.		DAVID HOLT, b. Abt. 1625, Roachdale, Lancashire, England; d. Abt. 1679, St. Mary's County, Maryland.
	iii.		DOROTHY HOLT, b. Abt. 1630, Roachdale, Lancashire, England; d. Unknown.

Notes for DOROTHY HOLT:
"11 die 7" (date?) Dorothy Holt to serve Henry Aubrey for five years, to do household work & c but not "working the ground." She to receive a calf after three years. (Signed) Dorothy "X" Holt. WIT: John Poole, William Williams. (D&W 1665-77, pg. 19.) Notes by Steven M. Manning.

iv.

RICHARD HOLT, b. 1641, Virginia/England; d. 1693, Essex County, VA.

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