Elizur Holyoke arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony from the village of Tanworth in Warwickshire, England in 1637 or 1638 at the age of 20.
The Holyoke and Pynchon families appeared to be close friends, dating back to their days in England.
The area given to Elizur was roughly equivalent to 2½ acres [1 hectare]), near the present-day location of Chestnut Street in Springfield.
It is commonly stated[weasel words] that Holyoke and Thomas gave their names to the mountains that stood at the end of their paths.
Elizur Holyoke was in command of the successful defense of Springfield, until his death in 1676, one account says not due directly to any injury.