Individual Details

Obadiah is known to have had a brother Robert. He was in Salem, MA by 1639, moving to Rehoboth in 1646 and then to Newport RI in 1650 about the time he left the Congregational Church and joined the Baptists. He was chosen the second Pastor of the 1st Baptist church in Newport in 1652, continuing in that office until his death.
The following webpages tell the detailed story of Obadiah Holmes.
http://rootie.org/holmes.php [Now on Wayback Machine]
and
https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~sam/holmes/obadiah.html

Obadiah was born about 1607, probably Reddish, Cheshire, England. He was baptized in Didsbury, Lancastershire, 18 Mar 1609/1610. Obadiah died in Newport, RI on 15 Oct 1682, age 76. He married Katherine Hyde in Manchester, England on 20 Nov 1630. She was still living when Obadiah died.
Holmes probably sailed from Preston, down the River Ribble, across the Irish Sea and across the Atlantic to Boston. They had a very stormy voyage and landed in the summer of early fall of 1638. By January, 1639, they were in Salem when Obadiah received one acre of land for a house and the promise of ten more acres to be laid out. He made common window glass and may have had the first glass factory in North America.
In March, 1640, Obadiah & Catherine joined the Salem church but he had problems with the established church. By Oct of 1643 he had taken an option in the newly formed community of Rehoboth, 40 miles south of Boston.
He sold his land in Salem by 1645 and became a freeman in Rehoboth in 1648. Within three years, the Rehoboth church had become seriouly divided and became aligned behind their minister Samuel Newman and Obadiah. Obadiah was baptized into the Baptist church and became the leader of the Schismatists. On 29 Oct 1649, Obadiah entered suit for slander against Rev. Newman. Holmes and his followers ended up moving to Newport, Rhode Island.
During a visit back to Lynn, MA, Holmes, John Clarke & John Crandall were all arrested. This was 20 Jul 1651. Holmes was fined, refused to pay and was whipped. He returned to Newport and succeeded John Clarke as the minister of the first Baptist Church in America. This was his permanent charge for more than 30 years until his death.
The 5th day of Sep 1651 came and Holmes was taken from the jail, stripped naked down to the waist - he refused to aid by touching even a button of his clothing - tied to the post and publicly whipped. There were thirty strokes, with a three-cord whip, held by the executioner, not in one hand, but in both hands. The strokes did not follow each other quickly or lightly. They were laid on slowly and with all the strength of the officer wielding the instrument of torture. Throughout, there was not a groan or murmur from the victim. The first sound from his lips were the words to the magistrates, who stood about as witnesses, "You have struck me as with roses."
His will was presented along with 17 others to the court in 1700, because the law required three witnesses and his had only two. The following daughters are named: Mary Brown, Martha Odlin, and Lydia Bowne. There was a bequest to the two children of daughter Hopestill Taylor. Sons named were John, Obadiah, the children of son Samuel, son Jonathan as executor. Wife Catherine was named. Overseers were loving friends, James Barker, Joseph Clarke, Philip Smith, all of Newport. The will was dated 9 April 1681. Witnesses were Edward Thurston & Weston Clarke who did appear before the Council of Newport on 4 Dec 1682 and declare they saw Obadiah Holmes, deceased, sign his will.
Catherine died soon after her husband and they were buried on their farm.
Several of the children of Obadiah, including son Obadiah and daughter Lydia Bowne, moved to New Jersey.
NEGHR, The Register, Vol. 67, Issue 1, Jan 1913, p.21-23. Extracts from the manuscripts of Rev. Obadiah Holmes, found among the Bull family papers, Charles M. Bull, of New York City and Newport, RI. There is a full transcript of Obadiah's Will. Also "A Letter to all my children" dated 17th day, 10 mo., 1675 - in which he describes each of their names from the Bible - this is what he had to say about Mary, my ancestor, "My daughter Mary remember Mary she chose the better part that shall not be taken away and did hearken to the Lord's instructions". Daughter Lydia was ancestor of Abraham Lincoln, "My daughter Lidiah remember how Lidiah's heart was opened her ear bored her spirit made to be willing to receive and obey the apostle in what the Lord required and was baptized and entertained and refreshed the servants of the Lord."
Other writings of his memoirs mention that his parents had three sons attend the University of Oxford; he does also name Robert Hullme of Redish near Gorton Chapel in Manchester as his brother.

From Wikipedia:
One of Obadiah Holmes descendents, Abraham Lincoln, became the 16th president of the United States. The line of descent is shown below.
Obadiah Holmes (1607-1682) married Catherine Hyde (1608-1682)
Lydia Holmes (1637-1693) married Captain John Bowne (1630-1684)
Sarah Bowne (1669-1714) married Richard Salter, Esq. (1669-1728)
Hannah Salter (1692-1727) married Mordecai Lincoln (1686-1736)
John "Virginia John" Lincoln (1711-1788) married Rebecca Flowers (1720-1806)
Captain Abraham Lincoln (1738-1786) married Bathsheba Herring (1746-1836)
Thomas Lincoln (1778-1851) married Nancy Hanks (1784-1818)
President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
The discovery of the direct line from Holmes to Abraham Lincoln was made by Wilbur Nelson, who published a small booklet on the subject: Obadiah Holmes, Ancestor and Prototype of Abraham Lincoln (Newport, 1932).
The following was in a note attached at FamilySearch that has been removed but seemed to have interesting data:
Obadiah Hulmes [Holmes] , the immigrant; baptized, at Didsbury , Mch. 18, 1609-10, as "Obadiah , son of Robert Hulme ." He was living, in Reddish , in 1633, and in his father's will he is given a legacy of £10, in the event of the death, under age, of a younger brother. This Obadiah Hulme could readily be confused with "Obadia son of Robert Hulme of Rediche ," whose burial is recorded, in the Stockport register, under date of Dec. 20, 1626, were it not known that our Obadiah Hulme was living, in 1640, the date of his father's will. He, Obadiah , married, at the Collegiate Church, Manchester , Nov. 20, 1630, Katherine Hyde , and had: "John , infant of Obadiah Hulmes of Redich ," buried, at Stockport , June 27, 1633. His other issue is given, in detail, further on. OBADIAH HOLMES , w hen first he came to this country, located at Salem, Mass. , where he is mentioned in the Town Records, 21, 11 mo., 1638, and where he had, Dec. 11, 1639, two acres granted, being one of the "glass men," as the manufacturers of glass were called. They manufactured the common glass for window frames, of which pieces are still occasionally found near the site of their works. To encourage this industry, it was agreed, in Dec. 1641, that the glass-men were to have a loan of £30 from the town, which they were to pay again, "if the works succeed, when they are able." 1644, June 31. He drew lot No. 37, in a division of wood land; again Jan. 10, 1645, his name was in a list of those who had forfeited their lots, at Rehoboth , for not fencing or not removing their families. This can be interpreted as evidence of his intention to remove thence for some time. In 1646, he removed to Rehoboth, (Seakonk) , and became a member of the Rev. Samuel Newman 's church. 1648, June 7. He was propounded for freeman. 1649. On the Grand Jury. 1649, Oct. 29. He entered a complaint against Samuel Newman for slander, damages £100, for saying Holmes took false oath in court. Newman acknowledged the wrong. In 1649 or 1650, he, with eight others, changed their religious sentiments; were baptized by Mr. John Clarke , and formed themselves into a church, of which he became pastor. Mr. Holmes , and most of the others, left Rehoboth and removed to Newport, R. I. , either the latter part of 1650, or early 1651. 1650, June 4. Sentence of excommunication was pronounced against them by Mr. Newman , upon which Mr. Holmes and two others were presented (i.e., complained of) to the General Court at Plymouth , by four petitioners, urging the Plymouth rulers to "suppress them speedily." They were charged by the court not to break bread or preach or baptize. 1650, June 5. He and Joseph Torrey were bound in the sum of £10. 1650, Oct. 2. With others, of Rehoboth , he was presented by the Grand Jury for continui ng of meeting upon the Lord's Day from house to house, contrary to order of this court. He settled, in 1650-51, on a tract of land East of Newport , (now Middletown ), R. I. , which remained in possession of his descendants till the present century. The old burying-ground wherein lie the remains of Obadiah Holmes , his wife, and members of his family, located on this original site, still belongs to his posterity. 1651, July 21. Obadiah Holmes , with his neighbors, John Crandall and John Clarke , of Newport , were seized, at Lynn , whither they had journeyed, as "representatives of the church in Newport , upon the request of William Witter of Lynn * * * he being a brother in the church who by reason of his advanced age could not undertake so great a journey as to visit the church." While Mr. Clarke was preaching, the Constable came to Mr. Witter 's house and apprehended him, as well as Mr. Holmes and Mr. Crandall , and the next morning they were sent to prison, in Boston , the 22, 5 mo. After various proceedings, they were tried before Gov. William Bradford , Capt. Myles Standish and other magistrates, and condemned: "The sentence of Mr. Obadiah Holmes of Seakonk the 31st day of 5th Month 1651." "For as much as you Obadiah Holmes being come into this jurisdiction about the 21st day of the 5th month did meet at one Wm Witter 's house at Lynn , did in disrespect to the ordinance of God and His worship keep on your hat, the pastor being in prayer, insomuch that you would not give reverence in vailing your hat till it was forced off your head * * * all of which tends to dishonor God * * * and to perverting the straight ways of the Lord; the Court doth fine you thirty pounds to be paid * * * or else to be well whipped; and that you shall remain in prison till it be paid or security given for it. By the Court Increase Nowell" Upon Mr. Clarke a fine of £20 was imposed, and upon Mr. Crandall a fine of £5 was laid. In default of payment each was to be whipped. Their fines w ere paid, but Mr. Holmes would not permit his friends to pay his and accepted his punishment. He was kept in prison till the court assembled Sept. 5, when he was taken out, bound to a post and sentence executed, "the man striking with all his strength, (yea, spitting on his hands three times as many affirmed) with a three cord whip giving me therewith thirty strokes, when he loosed me from the post. * * *" * * * "As the man began to lay the strokes upon my back I said to the people, though my flesh should fail, and my spirit should fail, yet my God would not fail." * * * "When he had loosed me from the post, having joyfulness in my heart and cheerfulness in my countenance, as the spectators observed, I told the magistrates, you have struck me as with roses: and said moreover, although the Lord hath made it easy to me, yet I pray God it may not be laid to your charge." He was advised to make his escape by night, and says: "I departed, and the next day after, while I was on my journey, the constables came to search at the house where I lodged, so I escaped their hands and was, by the good hand of my Heavenly Father, brought home again to my near relatives, my wife and eight children. The brethren of our town and Providence having taken pains to meet me four miles in the woods where we rejoiced together in the Lord." From 1652, to the time of his death, he was Pastor of the First Baptist Church, succeeding Mr. Clarke in that office. 1655, Mch. 11. He was a Commissioner to the General Court of Tryalls , held at Warwick . In 1656, he was a freeman. 1656-8. Commissioner to the General Court, for Newport , and, again, at one held at Portsmouth . In 1676, Apr. 4, it was voted. "that in these troublesome times and straits in this colony, this Assembly desiring to have the advice and concurrence of the most judicious inhabitants if it may be had for the good of the whole, do desire at their next sitting Mr. Benedict Arnold ," Mr. Obadiah Holmes , etc. Extracts from the letter.

Birth	1607	Reddish, Lancashire, England
Baptism	18 Mar 1609/10	Didsbury, Lancashire, England
Marriage	20 Nov 1630	Manchester, Lancashire, England - CATHERINE Hyde
Death	15 Oct 1682	Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island

Spouse	CATHERINE Hyde (1608 - 1682)
Child	John HOLMES (1631 - 1633)
Child	MARY HOLMES (1632 - 1690)
Child	Lydia HOLMES (1637 - 1701)
Child	Jonathan HOLMES (1637 - 1713)
Child	Martha HOLMES ( - 1711)
Child	Samuel HOLMES ( - 1679)
Child	Obadiah HOLMES ( - )
Child	Hopestill HOLMES (1645 - 1682)
Child	John HOLMES (1647 - 1712)

Father	Robert Hulme (1578 - 1640)
Mother	Katherine Johnson (1574 - 1630)
Sibling	John Hulme ( - 1640)
Sibling	Joan Hulme ( - )
Sibling	Samuel Hulme ( - 1613)
Sibling	Samuel Hulme ( - )
Sibling	Nathaniel Hulme ( - 1631)
Sibling	Robert Hulme ( - 1698)
Sibling	Joseph Hulme ( - 1623)
Sibling	Joseph Hulme (1623 - )