Robin Holmes
One of the first African Americans to live in Oregon. He travelled the Oregon Trail and was manumitted from Nathaniel Ford
About Robin Holmes
Robin Holmes was an American.
Robin Holmes was the plaintiff in an 1852 court case to free his enslaved children in the Oregon Territory.
Life Robin Holmes was born enslaved in Virginia in 1810. He stated that he and his wife, Polly, had been enslaved by US Army Major in Missouri for twelve years before they were seized to pay the major's debts. One of the children, Harriet, died in 1851. Robin Holmes then sued Nathaniel Ford for his children's freedom in 1852. after a fourteen-month trial.
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Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was Robin Holmes?
One of the first African Americans to live in Oregon. He travelled the Oregon Trail and was manumitted from Nathaniel Ford
When was Robin Holmes born?
Robin Holmes was born in Virginia.
What nationality was Robin Holmes?
Robin Holmes was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robin Holmes. https://biography.guide/robin-holmes/
MLA: "Robin Holmes." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robin-holmes/.
Chicago: "Robin Holmes." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robin-holmes/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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