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 THE STORY AS I KNOW IT.

Nathaniel Nichols was born about 1720 probably in England. His parents aren't known for sure but we have some interesting candidates.

The Caldwell County, Kentucky History notes the genealogy of the Nichols family. I'm sure they were compiled from family stories handed down from the Kentucky settlers.
Six brothers had moved together about 1800 to Caldwell County from Bertie County, North Carolina. The most distant ancestor noted in the genealogy was Nathaniel and Mary Nicholas. They were the grandparents of the six brothers. The History states that Nathaniel was born in England.

The Colonial Bertie County Deed Abstracts A-H 1720-1757by Mary Best Bill contain a lot of helpful information. On January 9, 1740 Nathaniel Nicholas and William Webb witness a land sale. It was "Half that track George Nicholson bought of Stephen Williams, including house and plantation.."

The dates and names of deeds granted that are listed in The Bertie Index by Edythe S. Dunstan are:
1729 George Nicholson
1736 William Nichols
1740 Willis Nicholas
1741 Nathaniel Nicholas
1741 John Nicolson
We believe it possible that George Nicholson was the father of Nathaniel and possibly the other men listed.

Bertie County Court Minutes 1724-1762 provide an estimate of age for Nathaniel. 1741 is the first year his name appears. It was a busy year for Nathaniel. Docket #311, August 1741, shows that Nathaniel bought land from Anthony Webb. Docket #321, reports claim by Christainna Rasberry that Nathaniel Nicholas was father of her bastard child.  He was directed to pay for 1 year.

The Bertie Index by Edythe S. Dunstan lists the Webb transaction on Deed Book F page 189 and then lists another deed Nathaniel was granted from Peter West in Deed Book F, page 516. We don't have the year for the West transaction but it was after the first.

In Feb of 1750 property was sold that had previously belonged to Nathaniel Nichless on the south side of White Oak Run at Coult Branch. This is found with a longer description in the Colonial Bertie County Deed Abstract. This may help establish family relationships.

The Colonial Bertie County book mentioned above states that on Feb 28, 1750 Nathaniel Nichless paid 53 Pounds for 300 acres on south side of Ahoskey Swamp at Turkey Swamp adjacent to Thomas Hudson and George Standly. It was sold by Johnathan Standly Sr. of Johnston County with the quote "being the plantation where I lately lived..." It was witnessed by George Standly and William Lewis.

We do not know when Nathaniel Nichols or Nicholas married Mary or what her maiden name was. We believe they had only 2 children when he died in 1755 so they probably wed about 1750. The purchase of the Standly plantation may have been to provide a home for her.

According to NC Wills: A Testator Index 1665-1900 by Mitchell, the will of Nathaniel Nicholas filed 1755 SS 880/159 is in the loose wills of the State Archives. We have not read it yet.

The Colonial Bertie County Deed Abstracts A-H 1720-1757 state that Mary Nicholas witnessed a deed with Jonathan Standly on 4/28/1756 on a sale of 175 acres from Thomas & Elizabeth Roades to David Standly.

But then in 1759 the Bertie County Court Minutes #493-253 contain the following:
" Mr. Jonathan Standly, guardian to William Nicholas and Josiah Nichols, orphans of Nathaniel Nichols, deceased, move the court for leave to sell 1 mare, 2 guns, 1 sword, a pair of pistols and hosters belonging to the orphans. It was granted and also ordered that John Hill, William Gray and Thomas Whitnell, Esq. to divide the estate of Nathaniel Nicholas decd."

The family and dates as we put together the story might be:
Nathaniel Nicholas born about 1720, wed about 1750, died 1755
Mary born about 1730, died between 4/28/1756 &  1759
son William Nicholas born about 1751
son Josiah Nichols born 1752

If you know the answer please CONTACT US

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Doc; ghnic050.html
Date created: 3/17/1998
Date edited 3/16/2014