Robert Holt b. Abt 1603 Rochdale, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom d. Abt 1661 , St. Mary's, Maryland, USA: Albemarle to Callaway, a Herring Family Journey

1603 - 1661

Home Search Print Login Add Bookmark

Personal Information | Notes | Event Map | All | PDF

Birth Abt 1603 Rochdale, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

Gender Male

Died Abt 1661 , St. Mary's, Maryland, USA

Person ID I3566 Herring Family of Callaway County, Missouri

Last Modified 14 Nov 2008

Family Dorothy Heywood, d. Abt 1672

Children

>	1. Richard Holt, b. 1628, Rochdale, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom , d. 1693, , Essex, Virginia, USA

Last Modified 14 Nov 2008

Family ID F1404 Group Sheet

Notes	They immigrated to St.Mary's City, MD in 1646, probably because the Lancashire Holts backed the Stuarts in the English Civil War. Notes from Dixie Briggs, Holt Researcher. 1646 Robert, wife Dorothy, children David, Richard, Dorothy & Elizabeth immigrated to Maryland (Skoras) 1646/7 16 Mar. Bond of Francis Posey to pay debt to Robert Holt. WIT: John Bell, Edward Smyth. /S/ ffra X Posey, Recorded Aug 1647. (MD Archives 4-325 1647 20 June. Robert Holt v John Bell, debt. Warrant to keep Bell in custody. (MD Archives 4-316) 1647 Oct. Robert Holt v Cuthbert Phenock. Gent. who has attached the crop of Francis Posey made over to him. Defendant denies this. (MD Archives 4-334) 1648. Robert Holt, age 28, St. Marys Co. Deposition mentions George Manners, Henry Clay & Edward Comins. /S/ Robert "R" Holt. [original document shows age as 28, may be in error.] 1649 23 Mar "Robert Holt, by Edward Hudson "demandeth 400 ACS for transporting" himself, his wife & 4 children into the province. Warrant is issued "to lay out 400 ACS for Robert Holt in any place within this province southward of Patuxtent River." (Patents ABH.32) 1649 3 Aug. Bond of Francis Brooks to defend John Dandy harmless from a debt to Nath'l. Littleton, Esq. He pledges a bill of Robert Holt's for 400 lbs tobacco. (MD Archives 10-196) 1649 14 Nov. Robert Holt, planter, Bond to pay debt to Paul Simson of St. Marys Co., Mariner. He pledges "my cattel at Kent" and his crop at the Isle of Kent. /S/ Robert Holt. (MD Archives 4-576)/230, 243/44 /bert Holt. Debt. (MD Archives 41-128) ************** 1650...."The best-documented such household was composed of the planter, Robert Holt, his wife, Dorothy, and his partner, Edward Hudson. Witnesses interviewed by Maryland officials revealed that during the summer of 1650 Dorothy Holt lived with Edward Hudson. The two had been seen several times going "to bed together as if they had been man and wife, and they explained to curious inquiries that Robert Holt which was the said Dorothy's husband was dead. Yet Robert had not died; rather, Dorothy had deserted him to move in with Edward. Robert evidently responded to Dorothy's action not by charging her with adultery but instead by inviting her to return and to bring Edward with her. By Feb. 1650/51 the 2 were living together, the two men partners in a tobacco plantation. Less than a year later, the arrangement was already coming apart. When Rose Gilbert Smith, their matronly neighbor (and the local midwife), visited the Holts in Sept., Robert told her "that his wife would kill him. Rose protested that surely he was mistaken, but Dorothy broke in with the comment that "She were as good kill him as live as she did." When Rose replied that Dorothy would be hanged then, Dorothy told her that "then there was an end of two." Another witness reported that "he heard Dorothy Holt to cry for many curses to God against her husband, that he might rott limb from limbe, and that she would daily pray to God that Such Casualties might fall upon him. In November 1651, Robert finally complained to an official of the Prov. Court that "Dorothy, his wife hath threatened him divers times to take away his life." Moreover, Holt added, Edward Hudson "hath divers times been Compacted with her the said Dorothy to abvuse me....between them both I goe daily in fear of my life." Holt did not disclose to the authorities that their family had been a menage a trois, but that fact emerged from the subsequent investigation, which was conducted with remarkable swiftness. Just 4 days after the complaint was first filed, Dorothy Holt & Edward Hudson were convicted of "divers lewd incontinent and scandalous actions and practices. Although the penalties were severe---Hudson was ordered whipped with 30 lashes & Dorothy with 50-at their humble submission and suit for pardon acknowledging their great offence and faithfull promising future amendment, the court suspended the sentences & required only that Hudson pay costs. Thje judges encouraged the Holts to live together "as man & wife" ought to doe, " but testimony in a subsequent prosecution of Robert for bigamy showed that Dorothy continued her liason with Hudson and bore him at least 2 children." (FOUNDING MOTHERS & FATHERS -Gendered Power & The Forming of American Society- by Mary Beth Norton, Vintage Books, A Division of Random House, Inc. NY 1997) 1654, 4 Dec. Robert and Dorothy Holt divorced, by Clerk William Wilkinson, who later denied it. 1657/58, 28 Jan. Robert Holt married to Christian Bonnefield, by clerk William Wilkinson. 1658, 9 Sept. -----Was called afore the Board Robert Holt, & Mr. William Wilkinson Clerk, The sd Holt being charged by Mr. Attorney with bigamy & Mr. Willm Wilkinson as Accessary in Contryuing the same & prefers this Inditmt, Vid Inditemt fol. 108. The Examination of Wm. 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 between Robert Holt & his former Wife Dorothy, Notwthstanding confesseth, tht he drue & signed as a wittnes that paper produced 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, which paper hee sayth hee did draw att their request upon her Confession that shee had Two Bastards by Edweard Hudson, & refusall to bee rfeconciled to Robert Holt. /S/ Willm Wilkinson. By me Philip Caluert. *************** 1651, 3 Nov. Deposition of Robert Holt taken the 3rd day of Nov. 1651 upon his Oath declareth and saith that Dorothy his wife hath threatened him divers times to take away his life, And further saith that Edward Hudson hath divers times been Compacted with her the Said Dorothy to abuse me by takeing her part in his words, Soe that between them both I goe daily in fear of my life. And further Saith not. The Mark of Robt. Holt. Sworn before me, John Sturman.. 1651, 6 Nov. Depositions of Special Commission to look into the domestic difficulties between Robert Holt and his wife. Robert Holt says that Dorothy threatened to kill him. Andrew Watson says he saw Dorothy Holt & Edward Hudson "goe to bed together as if they were man & wife." Others say same. John Medcalf says Dorothy hoped her husband "might rott limb from limbe...[and] that HER SON RICHARD might end his days on the gallows." Punishment handed down: Edward Hudson to be whipped & to live at least 20 miles distant from the Holts, Dorothy Holt to be whipped and to live at least 5 miles from Robert, NOT with Edward Hudson...(MD Archives 10-109/12) 1651, 4 Nov. The Deposition of Rose Smith ages 42 years or thereabouts being Sworn & Examined Saith that about Sept. last past She this Depon't. comeing to the house of Robert Holt, the Sd Holt told this Deponent that his wife would kill him, and She this Depont answered, Sure She would not, and the Said Holt's wife replyed again and Said, that She were as good kill him as live as She did, and this Depon't. told her that She would be hanged then, and Holt's wife Answered again that then there was an end of of two. ffurther this Deponent Saith that the Said Holt's wife comeing to this Deponents house, after the parting between She and her husband this Depon't desired her to return to her husband again telling her what a Covenant She made at their Marriage that thereby She could not with Safe Conscience go from her husband, She replyed again that her heart was Soe hardened against him that She would never darken his door again and further Saith not. Sworn before me this 4th day of Nov. 1651. Jo: Sturman 1651, 6 Nov. Deposition taken by Lt Nichoas Gwyther by virtue of a Speial Comission granted to him for that purpose as follows viz. The Deposition of George Delty aged 24 years sor thereabouts. This Depon't. Saith that one night he came to the house where Edward Hudson & Robert Holt's wife did live together and he did See them both lyeiung in bed together before the fire, And further this Depon't. Saith not. George Dolty Jurat 6 Nov. 1651 coram me Nichas Gwyther. 1651, 6 Nov..........This Deponent Saith that Some time in June in the year 1650 he was goeing to the well for water, he the Said Depon't called at the Said Edward Hudson't house, and the Said Edward riseing in his Shirt opened the door and the Said Depon't goeing to the fire did See the place where the Said Edward had lain in the Same bed where the Said Dorothy the wife of Robert Holt lay at that time which was laid by the fire. And further this Depon't Saith not. The mark of Humphry Howell Jurat 6 Nov. 1651. coram me Nicho Gwyther. 1651, 6 Nov. John Medcalf Gent deposeth that he heard Dorothy Holt to cry for many Curses to God against her husband, that he might rott limb from limbe, and that She would daily pray to God that Such Casualties might fall upon him, and likewise that her Son Richard might end his days upon the gallows, And further this Dep;on't Saith that otherwise then by hearsay, he knoweth nothing of Incontinent Lewd or Adulterous practices betwixt Edward Hudson and the Said Dorothy, and further deposeth not. Jurat 6 Nov. 1651 coram me Tho. Hatton 1651, 6 Nov. The Deposition of Henry Cox taken in open Court 6 Novemb 1651 Saith That he lived in house with Robert Holt and Edward Hudson from about the begtinning of August last till about the Middle of October following and that he doth not know of any difference or falling out betwixt them during that time and this Depon't further deposeth, that he never Saw the Said Edward Hudson and Dorothy the wife of the Said Robert Holt a bed together or any Lewd or incontinent action or passage between them. 1651, 7 Nov. Edward Hudson and Dorothy the wife of Robert Holt apprehended by the Sheriff upon a Speciall warrant at the Suit of the Said Robert Holt being broght before the Court yesterday and to day and charged with divers lewd Incontinent and Scandalous actions and practices appearing by the Several Depositions of Andrew Watson, Rose Smith, George Dolty, Humphry Howell, Mr. John Medcalf, and the Sd Robert Holt upon Record and by other Intelligence, And the Sd Edward and Dorothy being permitted to make what defence they could touching the Misdemeanors charged against them, It is this present day Ordered that in respect of their Scandalous Course of life appearing by proof as aforesaid, the Said Edward Hudson Shall be forthwith whip't with thirty lashes and not after the first of January next to live in any place within this Province within twenty Miles of St. Maries without the Governor's license, and that in Case after the first of January aforesaid he be found within the Limitts aforesaid without leave of the Governor as afores'd for every Time he Shall be Soe found within the Said Limitts to forfeit to the Lord Propriary 300 lbs of Tobacco and Caske or be whip't with thirty lashes. And that the Said Dorothy Holt be forthwith whipt with 50 lashes, And for prevention of any Mischiefe She may doe to her husband She is within one week (upon penalty of being Whipt with thirty lashes to provide herself of Some habitacon within five Miles at the least distant from her husband's now Plantacon in St. Michael's hundred where She may reside for one quarter of a year next ensueing if She think fit in regard of her Young Children and, Afterwards She is not to live in any place within St. Maries County without licence from the Governor upon penalty for every time She Shall be found within the Said County after one quarter of a year (without Such licence) to be whipped with 30 lashes, And that if before She have removed herself five Miles distant from the plantacon aforesaid She doe or attempt any Injury or Violence to her husband upon proof thereof to be entred in the Secretary's Office, She is for every time She Shall Soe Offend to be whipped with thirty lashes without further Order unless the Offence require a greater punishment, And that if at any time hereafter it be made appear to the Court that the Said Hudson and She the Said Dorothy, Doe resort together within this Province in any offensive way this Couryt will from time to time inflict Such Severe punishment upon them both or upon him or her that gives the occasion of the Offence herein as Shall be fitt, provided that this Order is not at all to restrain the Said Robert Holt and the Said Dorothy his wife from liveing together as man and wife ought to doe if at any time both parties Shall agree thereto but only to prevent any Mischief may happen by their Comeing together otherwise in regard of the proofs aforesaid, and for the present punishment appointed by this Order to be inflicted upon the Said Offenders upon their humble Submission and Suit for pardon acknowledging their great Offence and faithfully promising future amendment the Governor is pleased to remitt the Same and Hudson is to pay all ffees and charges of Court the Sheriff being allowed 60 lbs TOB for Serving the warrant in regard of his Extraordinary pains herein---. 1658, 9 Sept. -----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 Wm. 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 between Robert Holt & his former Wife Dorothy, Notwthstanding confesseth, tht he drue & signed as a wittnes that paper produced 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, which paper hee sayth hee did draw att their request upon her Confession that shee had Two Bastards by Edweard Hudson, & refusall to bee rfeconciled to Robert Holt. /S/ Willm Wilkinson. By me Philip Caluert. 1658, 24 Sept. The Examination of Willm Haynes taken uppon oath by me Philip Caluert. The Depont sayth tht hee was present when Willm. Wilkinson did joyne Robt. Holt & Christian Bonnafeild in mg sometime in January last and further sayth not. /S/ Willm. Heynes. Sept. 24, 1658 1658. To bee Remembred tht on the 24th of Septembr came Will Haynes beforfe 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 Prov. Court to bee holden for this province att St. Leonards ths 5th day of Octobr next, then & there to giue euidence ast Robt Holt, Christian Bonnefeild, Willm. Wilkinson or eyther of them that shall be there indicted for ffelony against the Statute 70 Jacobi Regis agst Poligamy. /S/ Philip Caluert. Septembr ut Supra. The Examination of James Hall taken uppon oath beforfe Josias ffendall Esqr Leiutent of thjis prouince, Thje Depont sayth tht hee was prfesent when Willm. Wilkinson did joyne Robert Holt & Christian Bonnefeild in marriage & further sayth not. Oct. 2d /S/ James H Hall. The same Recogniz as Willm. Haynes hath entred, James Hall entreth into allso for himselfe. /S/ Philip Caluert. 1658/9, 17 Sept. The Examination of Robt Holt taken this 17th Septembr 1658 Who Sayth that hee was marryed sometime in January last to Christian Bonnefeild by Willm Wilkinson parson, who tould him the sd Holt, that 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 present att their marriage Willm.Haynes, James Hall & his Wife, Benjamin Hamond & his Wife. 1658, 17 Sept. The Examination of Christian Bonnefeild taken this 17th of Septembr 1658. Who sayth as shee best remembreth shee was marryed to Robt. the Thursday before Candleman day last by Willm Wilkinson Parson. That shee had never marryed to Robert Holt, but that the sd Wilkinson sayd, shee & the sd Holt might lawefully marry, & that divers 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 Evidences 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. 1658 6 Oct. Jury to look into charge of bigamy against Robert Holt, that he has married Christian Bonnefield "his owne wife Dorothy being then & yett living." The jury convicted, then defendants appealed, requesting a jury consisting of Protestants. (MD Archives 41-149/51, 228/230, 243/44) 1658"..The other case of bigamy was when Robert Holt, a cooper of St. Mary's co. was accused of having married a woman by the name of Christian Bonnefield, while his own wife, Dorothy, was still living. Wm. Wilkinson, who was both a court clerk and a Parson, was accused of having been accessory to this felony in that he married the couple after he had "divorced" Robert Holt ftrom his first wife. While Pastor Wilkinson said that he had md Robert Holt & Christian Bonnefeild, he denied that he had done anything "by way of divorce" between Holt and his former wife, Dorothy. Wilkinson admitted, however, that he drew up and sisgned as a witness a paper which released Robert Holt from "all claim of marriage" by Dorothy. It is hard to see the distinction. This agreement he had drawn up, it seems, at their mutual request after Dorothy had confessed that she had had two bastards by another man and refused "to be reconciled" to Robert Holt. (Crime & Punishment in Early MD by Raphael Semmes-John Hopkins Univ. Press 1938) 1658, 6 Oct. The Charge of his Lord Proprietors Attorney: Lett it be enquyred for the Ld Proprietary whither Robert Holt of Greens Poynt in St. Georges hundred, in the County of St. Maries, Cooper, on the 28th day of January last att the howse of Will'm. Wilkinson in St. Georges hund'd in the County afores'd Clarke, not having the feare of god before his eyes, & agst the peace of his sd Ld being marryed to Dorothy Holt, did ffeloniously marry Christian Bonnefeild, the sd Dorothy his lawfull Wife being then lyving, contrary to the forme of the Statute in the case provided. And likewise whither Will'm Willkinson, Clerke, be not accessary to the sd ffellony, in contryuing & Counselling the sd marriage, after hee had diuorced the sd Robert Holt, & Dorothy his Wife. An Enqauest taken before the Coroner of St. Maries County on the behalfe of the Ld Proprietary, & Robert Holt a ffelon Escaped 11th Septembr 1658. We find according to Evidence that the Prisoner Robert Holt, did fly (for feare of comming to Tryall for his fact committed by his owne confession before the Secretary) from the Sheriffe......[names of 12 jurors] It is motioned att this Court by the Attorney Grall whither or noe Robert Holt, shall be called att this Court to Outlawry; or shall have Respite to be called att fiue severall Courts. And It is Ordered that hee bee called att fiue Seuerall (sic) Courts, Robert Holt, being once called. Returne is made by the Sheriffe, Not appeared. 1661. Robert Holt has been pardoned in the earlier bigamy case, but a new case is brought against him by the Attorney General because he "doth still cohabit and incontinently live with the said Christian Bonnefield..."MD Archives 41-528). This 2nd case was not tried due to death of Robert Holt. 1661/62 2 Mar. Robert Holt, Will written 2 Mar 1661 (O.S.) as a deed of gift, recorded Sept. 20, 1662. All estate to wife Christian Holt alias Bonnifield, with condition that she provide land (& probably other items) to his 2 daughters, Elizabeth & Dorothy Holt. (Testimentary Proceedings 1-D.29) 1661/2 It is probable Robert died soon after 2 Mar as his wife's petition below indicates. 1661/2 Recorded July. Petition of Christian Holt alias Bonmfeld (sic) to the Governor, that she herself had "considerable estate before her "unfortunaate marriage happened with Robert Holt," and that he had given her "all his wordly good" before his death. But she is "molested and threatened to be turned out of doores into the Woods by one David Holt his said sonne." (MD Archives 3-463) 1662 14 Aug. Inv. of Robert Holt, returned by Thomas Matthews. (TESTIMENTARY PROCEEEDINGS 1-D.23). This is a substantial inventory, 2 1/2 pages showing farm implements, household items, etc.

Event Map
Event

Birth - Abt 1603 - Rochdale, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

= Link to Google Maps

= Link to Google Earth