J Holmes
(GAWP5 A imprint only)

1st tier candidates:

John Holmes, 1772 - 1830, Middleborough, MA

carpenter

Joseph Holmes, 1770 - 1853, Cambridge, MA

carpenter and housewright

2nd tier candidates:

John Holmes, 1719 - 1802, Middleborough, MA

housewright (too early)

James Holmes Sr. and Jr., Warwick and Greenwich, MA, carpenters (too far west from Middleborough, MA)
John Holmes, 1778 - 1841, Marshfield and Pembroke, merchant with carpenter's tools in the inventory list

Notes on the J / I Holmes entry in GAWP5.

1. GAWP5 offers the three J Holmes imprints as being "from the same or different person(s)". With the planes from each imprint being significantly different in imprint style, construction details, length and wood, it is the editor's opinion that the imprints likely represent different craftsman.

2. EAP website reported that the I Holmes imprint was English.

3. GAWP5 notes that the J Holmes A imprint planes exhibited chamfer ends with flutes similar to ones found on E Clark / Middleboro planes. This J Holmes entry will focus on the A imprint as the flute features are likely tied to a limited geographical area of SE MA.

J Holmes (GAWP5 A imprint only)

1st tier candidates:

John Holmes, 1772 - 1830, Middleborough, MA

carpenter (Perhaps the strongest candidate due to E Clark being in Middleborough and the flat back wedge finial

being similar to the finials of E Taft in Mendon, and late style Ce Chelor and late style John Nicholson planes in Wrentham.)

m Prudence King in 1800

parents Nehemiah and Fear

ch Prudence and Mahala

1812 coffin bill

1827 deed, record of John building their house, in 1848 reference to that same deed, John is listed as a carpenter

Joseph Holmes, 1770 - 1853, Cambridge, MA

carpenter and housewright in 1799, 1801, 1807, 1813, 1816, 1837 and 1845 deeds

m Lydia in 1803

parents John and Mary (Polly)

ch Lydia, Nancy, Joseph, Caroline, Francis and Isaac

2nd tier candidates:

John Holmes, 1719 - 1802, Middleborough, MA

housewright (too early)

m Joannah Adams in 1743, Plymouth, MA

In John's will in Freetown, he left his carpenter tools to his sons James, John, William and Church. The sons were listed as yeomen in period deeds of 1799, 1794, 1792, 1793 while in the same deeds, the father was listed as a housewright.

James Holmes Jr., Warwick, MA, 1772 - 1855.

carpenter in 1798 and 1801 (weak candidate as he's too far west from Middleborough, MA.)

John Holmes, 1778 - 1841, Marshfield and Pembroke, MA. In his 1841 probate, John is listed as a merchant. His inventory included store merchandise at $300, carpenter's tools at $39.83 and a shop with lumber at $10.

John Holmes (1772 - 1830), Middleborough, MA, 1812 paid for making a coffin in 1812.

John Holmes (1772 - 1830), Middleborough, MA, 1827 deed, record of his building a house on their land.

Joseph Holmes, 1770 - 1853, Cambridge, MA. 1799 deed, with Joseph a housewright in Cambridge.

J Holmes, A imprint plow plane, 9 1/2". Note the end chamfer stops with flutes and the flat back wedge finial.

J Holmes, A imprint molding plane. Cherry, 9 1/2". Note the end chamfer stops with flutes and the flat back wedge finial.