Henry was born in New London on June 10, 1819. He was one of the 12 children from the marriage of his father Robert Holt, born on June 28, 1782, and Robert’s first wife, Nancy Hempstead (10/8/1803 – 3/28/1835). He had a second wife, Lucy. Robert died on March 2, 1838. According to the Coit family genealogy (#675, p. 146) (see Sources), “[h]e died by his own hand in a state of mental derangement”.
Henry married Lucy Ann Bishop, born on November 25, 1824, of Waterford CT on June 17, 1847. The Coit genealogy (#1061, p. 235) records their marriage, showing Henry as “mariner”. They had one child, Anna, born on March 18, 1848 in New London. The New London census report for 1850 records the family: Henry (age 31, “mariner”), Lucy (age 26), and Anna (age 2). In the 1860 census they appear again with Henry shown as “seaman”. Henry is recorded as having died on August 1862, Lucy on June 27, 1881. A memorial stone at Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London, recording their dates of birth and death, shows “Capt. Henry W. Holt” and under his date of birth “Lost at Sea August 1862”. The author was unable to find any information concerning the circumstances of his death. His last voyage recorded in AOWV ended two years before his death.
Henry sailed as a crew member for four voyages on three ships, all with New London as home port: JONES (AS1723) for its 1835-1837 and 1837-1838 voyages, NORTH AMERICA (AS2056) for its 1842-1844 voyage, and MERRIMACK (AS1935) for its 1844-1847 voyage. Henry was issued Seaman’s Protection Certificate #333 on May 9, 1850 in New London.
With his crew experience behind him and his Seaman’s Protection Certificate in his pocket, Henry began his career as a master. He was master of one voyage on each of two ships, both with New London as home port.
NEPTUNE (AS2032): (ship (altered to bark in 1850), 285 tons, length 94 ft., built in New Bedford in 1809, withdrawn in 1857, broken up in Hawaii). NEPTUNE sailed on July 21, 1847 for N. Pacific and Indian oceans and returned on June 28, 1850. Dennis Wood Abstract 2-449 (apparently an incorrect reference). Williams & Haven was the agent. AV10375.
FRANKLIN (AS1406): (schooner, 99 tons, length 73 ft., built in Eastport ME in 1833, condemned and broken up in New Bedford in 1893). FRANKLIN sailed on October 9, 1857 for the So. Atlantic and returned on March 23, 1859. Wood Abstract 3-544. Perkins & Smith was the agent. AV05249
Henry also served as master of two ships with Stonington CT as home port: BYRON (AS0076) for its 1852-1853 voyage and UNITED STATES (AS2541) for its 1854-1855 voyage.
Sources used: see sidebar and sources cited in text. The Coit Family, Or the Descendants of John Coit, Who Appears Among the Settlers of Salem MA, in 1638(found online).
George Shaw
American Institute for Maritime Studies
Mystic Seaport Museum
April 2026