Born
~1714
Birthplace
New Jersey
Died
1782
Death Place
New Jersey
Vital Information
- Spouse
- Ann Story (1720–1830)
Biography
Aaron Holman Sr. was born around 1714 in New Jersey, the son of Joseph Holman and grandson of the believed immigrant ancestor Robert Holman. He is the first member of this Holman line for whom documentary evidence begins to emerge more clearly, including a will dated March 5, 1782, recorded in New Jersey probate records.
Aaron Sr. raised his family in New Jersey during a period of tremendous upheaval. He lived through the French and Indian War and the opening years of the American Revolution, dying in 1782 before the war's conclusion. His son Thomas Holman would go on to serve as a Revolutionary War veteran, carrying the family's patriotic legacy into the new nation.
Aaron Sr. had at least two sons who are documented in this family tree: Aaron Holman Jr. and Thomas Holman (1754–1836). Thomas would eventually leave New Jersey and settle in Franklin Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, becoming the direct ancestor of this family's Pennsylvania Holman line.
Aaron Sr.'s will, dated March 5, 1782, provides one of the clearest documentary anchors for this generation of the family. The will was recorded in New Jersey and helps establish the family's presence and property holdings in the state at the time of the Revolution.
Research Notes
Aaron Sr.'s 1782 will is a key document for this branch of the family. It establishes his presence in New Jersey at the time of his death and provides evidence of his family structure. The will predates the end of the Revolutionary War by just over a year.
The name Aaron appears repeatedly in this family line — Aaron Sr., Aaron Jr., and later descendants — suggesting a strong tradition of naming sons after fathers, a common practice in colonial New Jersey families of English descent.