William Holt

From the 'Net on Williamsburg, VA the following-" William Holt was a merchant, entrepreneur, and landowner in Williamsburg, Yorktown, and James City County. Holt was first noted as buying land in Williamsburg in 1760. In addition to operating a store in Williamsburg and owning a mill in James City County, Holt imported African slaves for sale, arranged for the shipping of tobacco, and sponsored with others the building of a causeway over Sandy Bay. As a merchant and entrepreneur, Holt vigorously pursued his payments, and in 1762 he brought 12 successful suits for debt in the York County Court.

On November 16, 1761, Holt was added to the Commission of the Peace for York County. He served there until he moved in 1771, when he became a justice for James City County. As a justice he took the list of tithables, supervised the rebuilding of the tobacco warehouse and its road at Capitol Landing, examined the scales and weights of the warehouse, and attended court sessions. In 1762 Holt was made quarter master of Williamsburg's militia, and on December 17, 1776, he was appointed to the Admiralty Court by the Virginia legislature.

He married twice and had at least six children. Three of his children were triplets whose arrival was noted in the Virginia Gazette: "Last Sunday evening, the spouse of Mr. William Holt, near this city, was delivered of two stout boys and a girl, all well, and likely to continue so." William Holt was a devout Presbyterian and joined with Reverend John Jeffrey Smith in establishing a Presbyterian settlement that they called "Providence" in New Kent County, VA.

On 10/29/1768 William and his wife Mary Edloe bought 500 acres, including the manor plantation and mill at Soanes Bridge, for £115 from Mary's sister Rebecca Hubbard Soane Cocke.

On July 7, 1769 William & Mary sold 1700 acres in Charles City County, VA to Charles Jeffrey Smith, Master of Arts, of Long Island, NY

During the Revolution while he was away his wife Mary and their first five children lived in Prince Edward County, where the family received provisions from Thomas Scott, Jr. in July of 1779 through March of 1780. Living with Mary Edloe Holt and her family during this period of time was Molly Dorman Holt, wife of Reverend William Cocke Holt, as he was also serving in the Continental forces. Parents: David HOLT and Margaret DIBDALL.