Henry Holmes

Henry Holmes ( – 23 June 1738) of Thorley, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, was an Anglo-Irish Army officer, landowner and Tory politician who was Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Wight (1710–14) and sat in the English and British House of Commons from 1695 to 1717.

Early life

Holmes was the son of Thomas Holmes of Kilmallock, County Limerick and joined the Army. He was appointed Captain of Hurst Castle on the Isle of Wight in 1683.

Political career In 1695, Holmes lost the governorship of Hurst Castle after opposing the Governor of the Isle of Wight, Lord Cutts. However, he was returned as Member of Parliament for Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) on his own interest at a by election on 2 April 1695 and followed up being returned in a contest at the 1695 English general election. His dispute with Lord Cutts continued in the House of Commons, as he accused Cutts of discharging militia officers in Yarmouth who had voted against Holmes' rival, Cutts' brother-in-law John Acton. He refused to sign the Association, and in March 1696 voted against fixing the price of guineas at 22 shillings. In 1697, the House had to intervene to prevent a duel between Holmes and Lord Cutts. At the 1698 English general election, with the dispute with Cutts resolved, Holmes was returned unopposed as MP for Yarmouth. He was returned unopposed at the two general elections of 1701 as a Tory.

Death and legacy Holmes died on 23 June 1738, having had, with his wife, eight sons and eight daughters. His sons Thomas, Henry, and Charles all sat in Parliament for Isle of Wight constituencies.

Genealogy

Henry Holmes of Mallow, County Cork, Ireland Colonel Thomas Holmes of Kilmallock, County Limerick, Ireland Henry Holmes (–1738) m. Mary Holmes (daughter of Admiral Sir Robert Holmes)

Lieutenant General Henry Holmes (1703–62) Rear Admiral Charles Holmes (1711–1761) Elizabeth Holmes m. Thomas Troughear Leonard (Troughear) Holmes, 1st Baron Holmes (–1804) m. Elizabeth Tyrrell (d.1810) The Hon. Elizabeth Holmes m. Edward Rushout Descendants Admiral Sir Robert Holmes (–1692), English Admiral Mary Holmes (wife of Henry Holmes) Admiral Sir John Holmes (1640?–1683), English Admiral leader