Individual Details

Possible father of these Holderness persons of comparable age. The earliest Robert Holderness found in Middlesex Co, VA 1719-1728, married to Abigail (probably Pratt) may have been too old to be the parent and was mostly likely the grandfather. A Holderness descendant has also had atDNA matches to person who have Pratts in their family tree.

The following is either a son of the man in Middlesex - or he has taken a new wife. 1734-1737 - of Caroline but buying land in Orange co, VA
On 10 Jan 1734, a Robert Holderness received a grant of 400 acres of land in Orange Co VA. In the patent he is said to be "of Caroline County". This land was on the south side of Southwest Mountain road adjacent land of William Pratt.
[English Duplicates of Lost Virginia Records by Louis Des Dognets, Jr., 1958: Patents granted in forks of Rappahanock and Westwood of Sherrando River since Oct 1875: Robert Holderness, 400 acres, So side SW Mountain Road, Surveyed 7 Dec 1733. William Pratt, 400 acres, So. side No. Fork Beaverdam Run. Surveyed 6 Dec 1733.]
On 16 Aug 1737, Robert Holderness and his wife Michal of Caroline Co sold this same land to Daniel White of King & Queen County. p.110-14, Orange Co VA Deed Book 2. On 22 Sep 1737, Michal relinquished her right of dower. I don't believe they ever lived on the land - part of the agreement of the grant was that part of it must be improved or cultivated within three years. Daniel White traded them 100 acres, being "the plantation whereon Daniel White doth now dwell in King & Queen County". Daniel White was on the list of Tithables for 1739 in Orange County - next to William Pratt. Many records from both Caroline and most from King & Queen Counties have been lost.
[King & Queen and Caroline Counties were adjacent - in fact Caroline was formed from King & Queen in 1728.]

Then the following Holderness records which include a Robert are in Amelia Co VA 1750-1752. This Robert perhaps a son of the above.
Amelia Co VA Court Order Book 2 (1746-1751) 21 May 1750. Road to be cleared from James Atwood's road to Roanoak road. Tithes of Atwood, Flournoy, Abraham Estis, John Popham, and ROBERT and SAMUEL HOLDERNESS are to assist Estis, surveyor.
[This seems to be the only occurrence of the given name Samuel for a Holderness in Virginia or North Carolina. He either died or left the area.]
Amelia Co Will Book 1, p.87 Estate settlement of Thomas Lewelling who died 23 Jun 1752. Settled by Samuel Tarry. Names mentioned: Jessey Lewelling, Charles Burke, ROBERT HOLDERNESS, John Nash, Col Cobbs, William Cradock, Richard Burke, and Mr. Ligon (for coffin & digging grave).
From THE VIRGINIA GENEALOGIST, Vol 16, #4, p.296: Amelia Co VA Will Book 1 with Inventories & Accounts: 1734-1761, p.87a Thomas Lewelling. Estates Account. Payments made to Wm. Craddock, Robt. Holderness, Charles Burke, Jessey Luelling, John Nash, Richard Burke, Mr. Ligon (for coffin and digging the grave), Colo. Cobbs. Signed by Saml. Tarry [not dated but between entries dated 25 Jun 1752 and 26 Sep 1751.
[The name Nash will appear often in connection with James Holderness of Halifax & Rockingham Counties in NC.]
Amelia Co Deed Book 5, p.38 26 Dec 1752 James Atwood to Thomas Scott of Gloucester Co VA, 600 acres on Little Bryer River part of 1765 acres patented to Atwood 20 Jul 1748. Bounded by river, lines of Martin & Estis. Witnesses: Alexander Kean, Ambros Estes, Richard Atwood, ROBERT HOLDERNESS
[This is the last record for a Robert Holderness in Virginia. Atwood and Nash will be frequently associated with James Holderness later in Halifax, NC]

Prince Edward Co was formed from Amelia Co in 1753. We find James Holderness there.
Prince Edward Deed Book 5, p.381 26 Nov 1755 James Presniel to William Purnell both of Nottoway Parish. Both sides Deep Creek, part of tract where Presniel now lives & part of patent to William Hudson 2 Jan 1737 for 1000 acres. Witness: JAMES HOLDERNESS, James Atwood, and John (x) Grant.
Prince Edward Co VA Deed Book 1, p.166b 1 Aug 1757. James Atwood of Amelia Co. to William Purnal of same. 343 acres on Little Brier[y] part of tract granted Atwood 1765 acres bounded by Thomas Scott, Alexander Kean, Richd Swepston & Richd Atwood. Signed: James Atwood. Witnesses: William Atwood, Frances Forest, George Forrest, JAMES HOLDERNESS Rec. 10 Oct 1757 (this appears to refer to the same land as the Atwood deed witness by Robert Holderness, 26 Dec 1752)

Child	James Holderness ( - 1795)
Child	WILLIAM HOLDERNESS (1740 - 1806)
Child	Elizabeth HOLDERNESS (1747 - 1827)