Hi Jean,
Back to the funeral notice in October 1884 for Harriet HOLMES.
Samuel HOLMES was the father of Joseph HOLMES.
Here is a story, with both men, mentioned in September 1882 in Newcastle.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/141018921?searchTerm... holmes" "joseph holmes"&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales|||l-decade=188|||l-title=356
Still looking for possible deaths of Samuel HOLMES.
This one??? SMH 20 July 1896.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/14059126?searchTerm=... holmes"&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales|||l-decade=189|||l-year=1896
9502/1896 HOLMES SAMUEL SAMUEL UNKNOWN CANTERBURY
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13916535?searchTerm=... holmes" jockey&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales|||l-decade=189
No, not him.... the jockey.... he arrived 1841 in Australia, as per the following story.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/71251096?searchTerm=... holmes" jockey&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales|||l-decade=189
Mary