• Christened: 15 May 1828, Bardney, Lincoln, England ²
• Married: 7 May 1853, Parish Church, Branston, Lincolnshire, England ¹
• Died: 23 Oct 1905, Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia
• Buried: 24 Oct 1905, Mudgee Cemetery, Ulan Rd., Mudgee, N.S.W., Australia ³

  Research Notes:

Betty Ling, who originally researched the descent of the Holmes family back in the 1970s and 1980s, had Martha's maiden-surname as Page, which is incorrect. Thomas's death certificate indicates that he was married to Martha Overton, and on the death entry for their daughter Fanny Doswell (née Holmes) her mother's maiden-surname is given as Overton. Betty identified the marriage place of Thomas and Martha as Branston, and Martha Overton was living in Branston in the years leading up to her marriage. Further, the entry for Martha in the NSW Registrar, Death Index, gives her parents as William and Elizabeth. Based on the evidence (e.g. marriage certificate), the informant was mistaken; Martha's father-in-law (not father) was William, she had a brother William, and her paternal grandfather's name was William. Martha's father, Robert Overton, married Elizabeth Page on 14 Apr 1821 in Sna(r)ford, Lincolnshire.

There is no listing in the GROE for the marriage of Thomas Holmes and Martha Page, only for Thomas Holmes and Martha Overton.

There is no listing in the 1841 or 1851 Censuses for a Martha Page in Lincolnshire, only Martha Overton.

Betty Ling identified Thomas's mother's maiden-name as Overton. This may be the case (though probably not). It seems that Betty inadvertently gave Thomas's wife's maiden-name to Thomas's mother. Thomas Holmes' death certificate states that his mother's maiden-name was unknown to the informant.

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1841 England Census:

Age given: 13 years
Birthplace given: Lincolnshire, England
Dwelling Place: Branston Allotment near Bardney Ferrey, Lincolnshire

at home with parents Robert Overton (45), woodkeeper, and Elizabeth (45), and brother William (15)

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1851 England Census:

Age given: 22 years
Birthplace given: Bardney, Lincolnshire, England
Dwelling Place: Fen Houses, Branston, Lincolnshire

at home with widowed mother Elizabeth (61) and brother William.

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Will of Martha Holmes, late of Mudgee, Widow.

"THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me Martha Holmes of Mudgee in the State of New South Wales, Widow. I give devise and bequeath all my real estate to my son William Page Holmes absolutely subject and charges with the payment to my Executors of the sum of One hundred and fifty Pounds to be paid within three months after my decease and such sum when paid to become part of my personal estate. I give and bequeath my personal estate to my Executors hereinafter named Upon Trust to pay thereout first all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses, secondly the sum of One hundred Pounds to my daughter Elizabeth Mason and to pay the residue of any monies to my daughter Fanny Burwood Wife of John Burwood together with any articles of furniture I may die possessed of and which I have not given away by any writing in my lifetime. I hereby appoint my Son William Page Holmes and my Son-in-law John Burwood Executors of this my Will Hereby revoking all Wills by me at any time heretofore made and declaring this only to be my last Will and Testament. I have hereunto set my hand this Eighth day of December one thousand nine hundred and three. MARTHA HOLMES.
Signed Published and Declared by the said Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament in our presence who in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto at her request subscribed our names as witnesses: Herbt. Clarke, Solicitor, Mudgee, Percy A. Webb, Mudgee.

15th December 1905. BY ACT OF COURT Probate of the Will of the said deceased was granted to William Page Holmes of Mudgee and John Burwood of Wollar the Executors in the said Will named. Testatrix died 22nd October 1905. Estate sworn at £748-3-0 Net (Clarke & Son by Curtiss & Barry)." ⁴