In this exhaustive genealogical and historical study, James Taylor Holmes traces the rich legacy of Reverend Obadiah Holmes, a prominent Baptist minister whose defiance of religious persecution in colonial Massachusetts marked him as a founding figure in the fight for religious liberty in America. Beginning with Obadiah's arrival from England and his subsequent punishment for preaching without a license, the narrative expands into a multi-generational exploration of his descendants and their influence on American society. Through marriage, migration, and public service, the Holmes family spread across the colonies and into the early republic, contributing to religious, legal, and civic life. Drawing upon church records, personal correspondence, town documents, and oral tradition, the author provides an intimate portrait of family resilience amid cultural shifts and frontier challenges. Far more than a list of names and dates, this book brings the Holmes lineage to life through stories of pioneering spirit, faith, sacrifice, and enduring community values. With its careful documentation and clear narrative voice, it is both a reference work and a celebration of the American family as a dynamic force in shaping history. For genealogists, historians of American religion, and those tracing Puritan and Baptist roots, this work stands as a lasting contribution to the study of New England's colonial legacy.