James P. Holt was one of eight known children born to Squire (Esquire) Holt and Rebecca J. "Becky" (Johnson) Holt. He married Tiresa on Feb. 19, 1852 in Cape Fear Township, Chatham County, N.C. There are many spellings for her name: Tyresa, Tyresy, Tricie. The family had 12 children, but their triplets, Aren, Ada and Ensely died the day of their birth. Eight were still living in 1900.

(Note: Death date is actually July 24, 1920 as per death certificate. The headstone is incorrect but in accordance with FAG rules, it must be listed above as on the stone. Also note that his oldest son is only given as Henry once in the first census, then as James and later as James Franklin or "Frank" Holt.)

Death Certificate: #454
James Holt, male, white, Age: 93 yr. 5 mo., Birth: March 28, 1827, Chatham Co. (N.C.), Death: July 24, 1922, Cape Fear, Chatham Co. (N.C.), father: James Holt, residence: Chatham, mother: Tirecie Holt, res. Chatham, Cause: Senility & Old Age, Informant: J.E. Holt, Undertaker: E.E. Walden. (NOTE: Instead of giving his parents, the deceased and his wife are given.)

1850 Census, North Carolina, Chatham Co., pg.472, dw.475
Squire Holt 49, Rebecah Holt 49, Lucinda Holt 23, Richard Holt 21, James Holt 20, Arzeney Holt 17 (female), Martha Holt 12, James Hindzly 8.

1860 Census, North Carolina, Chatham County, Eastern Division, pg. 44,line 10: Jas. Holt 32, farmer, Tarese 26, Malinda 7, Nelan 5 (female), Henry 3, Marsena 1 (female)

1870 Census, North Carolina, Chatham Co., New Hope Townsh. pg. 38, dw.287
James Holt 42, Teresa 38, Malinda 14, Cornelia 12, James 10, Marcinda 8, Elizabeth 6, Martha 3

1880 Census, North Carolina, Chatham, New Hope Township, pg. 43, dw.320
James Holt 54, Tiricie Holt 45, Malinda Holt 24, Cornelia Holt 22, Marcenia Holt 19, Elisabeth Holt 17, Martha A. Holt 14, Mary Holt 9, Lula Holt 7, Repsey Holt 5 (female)

1900 Census North Carolina, Chatham, New Hope Township, pg. 13, dw. 188
James Holt, 73, married 50 yr., wife Tyresa 68, (12 children, 8 living), dau. Mary 26, dau. Luler 24, dau. Repsie 22, grandson James I.7, granddau. Louadie 3, grandson Lennie 1. (gives birth years and months)

1910 Census, North Carolina, Chatham, Cape Fear Township, pg.6, dwelling 90
James Holt 83, married 61 yrs, wife Tyrecie 77, (12 children, 8 living), dau. Mary 39 (2 children, 1 living), dau. Lula B. 37(3 children, 2 living), dau. Repisie A. 35 (3 children, 2 living), grandson Jas.E. 18, granddau. Luada L. 12, grandson Lennie D.10, granddau. Lela 9, grandson Chesley 7.

1920 Census, North Carolina, Chatham, Cape Fear Township, pg. 7a
Repsy Holt 44 (head) female, father: Jines P. 93, sister Marry 50, dau. Adie Hearn 20 married daughter, son-in-law Clance Hearn 20, son Chesley Holt 16

By the time his will was probated, his daughter Eilzabeth (childless) had passed away. James P. Holt left 1/8 of his estate to each of; Malinda Moore, Frank Holt, Marcinia Holt, Martha Mathews, Mary E. Holt, Lula B. Holt, Repsey Holt. His daughter Cornilia "Nelan" Jones, had died 4 years before him. He left her share to be divided by her 3 surviving children: Tavie Jones, Andrew Jones and "Nonnie" (Martha Annie) Mitchell.