Holmes, Edward

Person

Dates

Existence: 1806 - 1888

Biography

Edward Holmes was the third of five sons and two daughters born to Joseph and Lucy Holmes. At an early age, Edward went to work in his father’s shipyard located on the Jones River, learning every aspect of the business. He fathered six children; three by his first wife Eliza Bryant who died in 1842, and three by his second wife, Abby Bosworth of Plympton.

Although his brothers participated with their father in the business, it was Edward who became most closely associated with it. It was said of him, “he was the only man in the country who could go into the woods, cut trees and saw them into planks, design and build a ship, and then navigate it around the world always for a tidy profit.”

A Master Mariner (Captain today) and Master Carpenter, Holmes was also a large land holder and farmer in Kingston, residing at 192 Main Street (today the residence of Dr. Raymond Russo whose veterinary clinic occupies Holmes’ carriage house.) In 1874 he launched the last ocean going vessel to sail from Kingston, the Helen A. Holmes named for his daughter-in-law.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Edward & Joseph Holmes ledgers

FOUND IN: Baker Library Special Collections and Archives, Harvard Business School

Collection Identifier: Mss:550 1827-1888 H749

Scope and Contents:

Ledgers and day books kept by Kingston, Massachusetts shipbuilders Joseph Holmes and his son Edward Holmes. The ledgers and day books contain the accounts of shipbuilding, the sale of groceries and provisions to shops, and the tax bills of Edward Holmes from 1827-1888.

Details in the biographical note are from the Kingston Public Library website and the Joseph Holmes Collection at Mystic Seaport Museum.