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(My sincere thanks to my cousin Dortha Gamel who has and continues to shared her information.)

My Holden ancestors originated in England. The earliest use of the Holden surname is said to have appeared in Lancashire, England, about the year 1100. Surnames, as a rule, began being used during the mid to late 1200's. English surnames were generally taken from such things as localities or land features (such as Marsh, Hill, or Meadow), from occupations (such as Smith, Taylor, or Wheeler), from the names of flowers and animals (such as Rose or Fox), or from physical features (such as Stout or Longfellow). The Holden surname is derived from a locality or land feature. The surname means "a hollow or deep valley".

The Holden name is listed numerous times in early immigration records. Some of the earliest Holden immigrants to America included Richard Holden who immigrated to Massachusetts in 1634, at the age of 25 years; Henry Holden who immigrated to Maryland in 1658; and several Holdens who immigrated to Virginia, including Robert in 1674, Thomas in 1655, Peter in 1658, John in 1637, and Joshua in 1699, at the age of 16 years.

My great-great grandfather, Archibald Holden, was born about 1804, in South Carolina, according to census records. Some think he may have been the son of Richard Franklin Holden and Sarah Langston. Some think he may have been the son of James Holden, who was born 1765 in Virginia and died 1840-1850 in Tennessee, and Biddy McDaniel, who was born 1767 in Virginia and died February 26, 1851, in Tennessee. Neither of these ideas has yet been proven, however. Archibald may have had brothers named Joshua Holden, James Holden, Jr. and Richard Holden, but this has not yet been proven either.

Archibald Holden moved to Tennessee before 1825. He married Jemima (last name unknown) about 1825, in Tennessee. Jemima was born about 1804, in Tennessee, according to census records.

Archibald appears on the 1830 Wayne County, Tennessee, census. The census shows one male 20-30 years old, one female 20-30 years old, and one female under 5 years of age. Archibald was a farmer. James Holden also appears on the 1830 Wayne County census. The census shows one male 60-70 years old, one female 60-70 years old, one male 20-30 years old, one male 5-10 years old and one female under the age of 5 years. The young male and female may have been James' grandchildren.

Wayne County tax records show that James and Archibald both paid a poll tax in Wayne County in 1832.

The 1836 Wayne County tax list shows Archibald living in Civil District #8. Also listed on the tax list in that district is James Holden. They both paid a poll tax in 1836. The 1838 Wayne County tax list again shows Archibald and James living in Civil District #8, and paying a poll tax.

The 1840 Wayne County census shows James Holden, Sr., age 70-80 years, one female 60-70 years, one female 15-20 years, and two females 10-15 years of age. All three of these younger females were probably grandchildren. Also on the 1840 Wayne County census is James Holden, Jr., who is shown to be 20-30 years of age, with one female age 20-30 years and one female under the age of 5 years.

Archibald does not appear on the 1840 Wayne County census. The 1850 census indicates that Archibald was in Mississippi between about 1842 and 1845, as it shows two children born during that time in Mississippi. It is possible that one of Archibald's brothers was in Mississippi at that time.

Archibald moved his family to Arkansas between 1845 and 1849. He appears on the 1850 Jackson County, Arkansas, census in Cache Township with his wife and children: Rebecca, age 24; Prudence, age 17; Richard, age 15; Biddy, age 14; Jonathan, age 10; Simeon, age 8; and Jeremiah, age 5. Also living in Jackson County, in Village Township, is Isaac Holden, who was born about 1799, in South Carolina. Isaac was a millwright. He appears on the census with his wife and four children. We believe the two families were related.

Between 1851 and 1858, Archibald moved his family from Jackson County to Izard County, Arkansas. The family appears on the 1860 Izard County census, in Sylamore Township, Green Bush Post Office. With Archibald and Jemima on the census are their children: Lucinda ("Biddy"), age 23; Jeremiah, age 15; and Mahala, age 9.

Jemima died between 1861 and 1868, in either Izard or Independence County, Arkansas. Archibald moved his family to Independence County around 1865 to 1869. We are unsure if Jemima was still living when they moved, or if he moved after her death.

Archibald married Frances (last name unknown), between about 1865 and 1868, probably in Independence County. Frances was born about 1842, in Alabama, according to census records. She was about 38 years younger than Archibald.

Archibald and Frances appear on the 1870 Independence County census in Franklin Township. Listed with them on the census are their children: Harriet, age 1 year and Aaron, age 1 month.

We believe Frances died prior to 1880 also. The 1880 Stone County census shows Archibald and Frances' daughter, Harriet, living with the family of George W. Howard, and their son, Aaron, living with his half-sister, Jane Holden Roberts. Also appearing on the 1880 census in Stone County was William P. Holden, age 5 years. He was living with Jacob Hancock and his family. It is possible that William was another child of Archibald and Frances', but this has not been proven.

9. Harriet Tennessee Holden, b. abt 1868, AR; d. abt 1890-1891 (after birth of 2nd son); m. Joseph Record Siler on Apr 12, 1885, in Stone Co, AR. Joseph R. Siler b. Nov 13, 1862, White Co, AR; d. Jan 25, 1933, White Co, son of Record C. Siler and Mary Johnston McCauley (both from NC). Joseph and Harriet had 2 sons: James Taylor Siler, b. Feb 24, 1886; d. May 13, 1947; and Johnnie Siler, b. Mar 22, 1890; died in infancy.

I am not a professional genealogist and although I have researched much of the information found at this site, some of it was given to me by other researchers and may not have been documented. Each bit of information found here should be carefully researched and proved or disproved by you, the researcher. Researchers may copy information found at this site for their own personal use and to share with other researchers or genealogical organizations. Any commercial use or distribution without the written consent of this author is prohibited.

If you would like to be listed as a Holden researcher, or if you find errors or have additional information to contribute, please contact katherinemcclure52@yahoo.com