The immigrant ancestors were sons of a "younger son. the brother of an English Lord. While Richard Houkling (the ancient spelling of the name) was being escorted to jail by the sheriff for attending a Dissenters' meeting, his uncle appeared riding in his coach, and thus accosted the officer : " 'Tis a pity to carry this poor young man to prison; he is my nephew." Through this influence the sheriff agreed to release his prisoner on condition that he agree to attend no more dissenting meetings. The young man was silent, upon which his uncle became incensed and thus addressed him: "These men act like gentlemen in offering to release you; therefore, comply with their
request!" After some deliberation he promised to attend no more Dissenters' meetings in that country, and was accordingly released. He immediately set about preparing to join the Puritan colonists in America, and the passenger list of the ship "Francis," which sailed from Ipswich, England, in April, 1634, contained the names of Richard Houlding, aged twenty-five, and Justinian, twenty-three.
(I) Richard Holden, born about 1609, settled in Watertown, Massachusetts, upon arrival in America, and died there March 1, 1698. His wife, Martha Fosdick, died December 6, 1681.
(II) Samuel Holden, son of Richard and Martha (Fosdick) Holden, was born June 8, 1650, and died
in 1739. He married Anna , born in 1659,
died 1731.
(III) Samuel (2), son of Samuel (1) and Anna (possibly Lawrence) Holden, was born July 23, 1699, died October 12, 1761. He married Elizabeth Dix, born May 3, 1679, died January 10, 1774.
(IV) Samuel (3), son of Samuel (2) and Elizabeth (Dix) Holden, was born October 13, 1729, and died March 12, 1800. He married, June 16, 1757. Martha Call, born April 20, 1734, died December 13, 1830.
