Aieux Morris

HON. JOHN HOLKER. "Of Scotch descent, was born in England in the year 1743. His father Jean Holker of France joined the army of the Pretender, fought at the battle of Culloden, 1746, was taken prisoner and condemned to be executed, but made his escape to France. His wife and child, John, then about two years old, followed him.
John Holker was sent to this country during the Revolutionary War about the year 1778 by the Government of Louis XVI, or rather by Beaumarchais, to inquire into the probability of the success of our armies against England.
On his favorable report the treaty was made between Louis and the United States. Mr. Holker was then made Consul General of France and agent of the Royal Marine. Mr. Holker brought letters to this country from Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris and other members of Congress speaking in the highest terms of his segacity. " He married as his third wife Nancy Davis Stillman (nee Stackpole) of Boston, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Holker then removed to Virginia and lived at "Springsberry," Clarke County, where he died in June, 1820. Being a Roman Catholic he was buried in holy ground in Winchester, but was reinterred at the Old Chapel in the Autumn of 1904.