It is through letters shared among family members that so much is learned about the personality of individuals.  Deeds, census, court and vital records tell us little about the individuals whose names are transcribed.  Those rare letters are precious treasures in revealing family traits, humor, concerns and talents. 

Alexander Holmes was a teacher in early Virginia and Kentucky.  How did a man become a teacher?  Was there criteria?  Would there be school records in Dublin, Ireland?  How do we locate record of Alexander and Jane in Dublin?

Alexander and Jane McCaw Holmes came to Virginia from Ireland in 1785.  In 1786, the couple settled in Wythe Co., Va remaining there until 1817 when they moved to Pulaski Co., Kentucky.  In Pulaski County, the family lived on 41 acres on Fishing Creek.  The McCaw family were also in Wythe Co., Va.  On 21 Nov 1807, Bk 1 p. 151, a survey for David McCaw was made.  This was for 100 acres of land lying in Pulaski County on the east side of Fishing Creek.   

There were McCaw family members in the same areas of  Virginia and Kentucky in which the Holmes lived.  Were these parents and siblings of Jane?

Children of John McCaw and Jerusha Hill Holmes:

• David  born abt 1828 in Pulaski Co., Ken.
  
• Polly Ann  born abt 1829 in Pulaski Co., Ken; died 6 Mar 1863 Tipton Co., In
  
• William Alexander T. born 1832 in Pulaski Co., Ken; md Eliza A;died 22 Feb 1900
  
• Amanda J. born abt 1835 in Pulaski Co., Ken; md D. M. Amos; d 21 Feb 1896
  
• John H. born abt 1837 of Tipton Co., In; died 24 Jun 1864 Dalton, GA
  
• Theodore F. born 15 Jun 1840 Tipton Co., In; md Elizabeth J. Light 31 Dec. 1874
  
• James G. born abt 1842 in Tipton Co., In; died 17 Jul 1855; Clinton Co., In
  
• Telemachus P. born 24 Jul 1845 in Tipton Co., In; md Matilda
  
• Horatio Dallas born 24 Jul 1845 in Tipton Co., In; md Charlotte Neal 5 Jan 1877
  

Horatio was born in 1813 in Wythe Co., Va. Orphaned early, he was raised in Pulaski Co., Ken. by his siblings.  He moved to Pike Co., Ill where he married Nancy Porter.  Early in 1848 they immigrated West to Oregon by wagon train.  Read about the trek West. 
Read about the children of Horatio and Nancy.   Horatio was an important contributor to the establishment of the Oregon Territorial Government and the Oregon constitution.  His five story home was used to entertain dignitaries and officials.  The upper floor was purported to be a ballroom.  Second and third floors were for family living.  The first floor was the kitchen and maids' quarters.  I am seeking a photograph of this early Ore