Return to Family Index

 THE STORY AS I KNOW IT.

Eli Nichols was born in 1775 in Bertie County, North Carolina. His father was  Josiah Nichols.   It has long been guessed that his mother was  Nancy Reddick.   Bertie County is in the Northeast on the Albemarle Sound between two major NC rivers, the Roanoke and Chowan.  However, Josiah wed Nancy Hocut shortly before he died.  This may be the source of the mother Nancy.  Reddick was the name of one of his sons.  So the mother is unknown by me.

We begin to pick up deed activities in Wake County in 1792 where Josiah Nichols had moved his family. Wake County is more central at Raleigh, NC. The Wake County NC Deed Abstract states that Eli Nichols witnessed a deed transfer on June 14, 1799.

The Caldwell County Kentucky History tells this story "In the early 1800's six brothers whose ancestors had come from England in the 1600's migrated from NC to Caldwell County, Kentucky. They were Rev. Noah Nichols, Reddick, Wright, Nathaniel, William and Eli. Noah came in a large wagon. The others came in two-horse carts or walked. The story found said there also three Price brothers: James, Irwin, and Thomas. They settled near Lewistown, KY and at Lisman, KY Lewistown is in Caldwell County, east of Princeton. Lisman is in Webster County just northeast of Caldwell Ct.

On July 16, 1802 Eli is in Christian County, Kentucky. There he married Christian Hail (or Haile or Hale). This was found in Early Kentucky Marriages. Christian County is just southeast of Caldwell County.

The 1810 Caldwell County Census lists the Eli Nichols family to be of 1 male 26-45, 1 female 16-26, 3 male children under 10 and 1 female child under 10.  He is also found on the Caldwell Count Tax list of 1810  with one man over 21, 3 horses, 100 acres on Tradewater, no slaves.  Land had been surveyed and placed in the name of Nathan Hall, (I believe this should read Hail)  Perhaps this had been a wedding gift.  From Gateway to the Jackson Purchase, by Eurie Pearl and Wilford Neel, page 96

By the 1820 Census the family had grown to 1 male 26-45, 1 female 26-45, 1 male 10-16, 2 males under 10, 1 female 15-20, 1 female 5-10,3 females under 5. We actually have two differing 1820 reports. They need to be confirmed.

The Kentucky Land Grants and Land Warrants by Willard Rouse Jillson state that Eli Nichols acquired 22 acres on May 1, 1823 in Caldwell county on the Fork of the Tradewater River. It may be found in Grant Book M, page 463.

Christian died sometime between 1827 and 1830. The 1830 Census is states that the Eli Nichols family was 1 male 40-50, 2 males 15-20, 2 males 5-10, 2 females 10-20 and 1 female 5-10. Christian is not included. The Caldwell county History states that she died in 1838. This is in error. In the History of the Nichols Family by John Reddich Nichols, on page 56 is the following: " On 11-28-1833, in Caldwell County, Eli Nichols I married Sarah Salyer, a widow. Before their marriage they executed a "marriage contract". She died about 1838, for on 8-20-1838 her husband waived his right to qualify as her administrator and James Salyer was appointed."

Finally, the wonderful 1850 Census lists the family still with Eli:
Eli Nichols, age 74 born in North Carolina, farmer with assets valued at $270.
Eli Jr., age 25, born in KY, assets valued at $140.
Anna, age 27 born in KY
Reddic, age 23 born in KY
Phemelia Scaneuden , age 12

From the Kentucky Death Records 1852-1963 for Caldwell County  Eli Nichols died in June, 1855 at age 78 of (and it is hard to make out) Rheumat???  It further states that he was a farmer, lived on Old Hopkinsville Rd and had been born in North Carolina. His age suggests he was born in 1776 or 1777 rather than 1775.

The Caldwell County Library has a Nichols Family File in their historical library room. In the file is the record of the will for Eli Nichols that was probated on August 20, 1855.  Ten children were named in the will plus their foster daughter. It is believed that they were all the children of Christian. They are all listed below along with the name of the person they married according to the Caldwell County History.
Caldwell County Will Book B. page 162
Wright,
Jesse
Aradnah,
Josiah wed Margaret Creekmur in 1844
Mary Ann wed David Joseph Eison
Elizabeth wed George Clark
John wed Nancy Nichols in 1835
Anna
Eli Jr. wed Narcissus Jane Dearing Lamb
Reddick wed Elizabeth Banks in 1852
and foster daughter Permelia Carpenter.

If you know the answer please CONTACT US

1. When was he born?

2. Get birthdates and names of all children.

3. Visit the Nichols Cemetery..

4. Get copy of Eli's deed.

Return to Top of Page

Maier_Associates: © Copyright 2012

Doc; ghnic030.html
Date Last Edited: 9/24/2012