By Linus Joseph Dewald Jr., Editor
Winter 2010 and Revised 30 Oct 2010
We set out, below, the presently known information we have received about John Prentice from Charlottee Nichols Vardy in her email of 6 Jul 2009 about John Nichols (father of Hester Nichols, who m. John Prentice, a grandson of the immigrant, Valentine Prentice) For reasons discussed later in the article, we have set aside the question whether John is a son of Francis Nichols.
In Appendix A we are including a descendant chart prepared by Lee Bennet for Francis Nichols of Sedgeberrow, England. It purports to establish that he is the same person as Francis Nichols of Fairfield, CT. While there is still some doubt among some researchers whether they are the same person, the chart is useful in identifying the known descendants of Franciw Nichols of Fairfield.
1. John Nichols was b. at an unknown date. If he is a son of Francis Nichols of Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England, he was b. 16 May 1601, Sedgeberrow. In any event, he would have been an adult in 1636 when he received a grant of land (see below). Since he was then married with at least 2 children, we can reasonably assume that he was about 30-35. That would place his birth at about 1601 and 1606. That date also suggests that John was likely born in England.
Interestingly, the 1601 date corresponds with the 16 May 1601 birth year of John Nichols, son of Francis Nichols of Sedgeberrow, suggested by Neil D. Thompson, CG, FASG, in the October, 2000 issue of "The American Genealogist" [Vol. 75, No. 4], as being the Francis Nichols who emigrated to America and settled in Stratford, CT, with his 3 sons: John, Isaac and Caleb.
Nichols' researcher, Barbara Nichols, provides the following information:
- ". . .we learn, John Nichols. . . is believed to have been in Watertown [MA] by 1634 where he received a grant of "Plowlands at Beaverbrook Planes" of four acres 28 Feb 1636 Land divided and lotted out one acre per person, which included four members in his household. (Watertown Rec First and Second Book Proceedings w/Land Grants & Proprietors Book 1898, 8) John is listed as a Proprietor in Watertown 1636-7 in Henry Bonds "Genealogies of Early Settlers of Watertown" p 376) This is the last record of John in Watertown. No births of children listed in any reference. . .
"He went from Watertown [MA] to Wethersfield [CT, just south of Hartford] in 1637-8 and removed to Stratford [CT] in 1639. He removed after a very short stay west to Uncoway, now Fairfield where he was granted land in the First Township in 1639 (Wm W Roberts, Pioneers & Patriots Pequanock 1933)
"John received 2 1/2 acres on the south east side of Frost Square lying between Richard Westcotts and Daniel Frosts home lots. I have a map of the Town in 1639 showing Johns home lot. . . He is cited a "Puritan" in R R Hinman's Catalogue of Names of First Puritan Settlers of Colony of CT, 1968 p 57).
"This research shows John in Watertown before 1636 with four in his household and in Wethersfield about 1637-8 and Fairfield late in 1639.
"I do not believe he had a son Thomas. There was a Thomas Nichols who came to Watertown about the same time John did and founded the MA line of Nichols. It is very possible Thomas was of his line and not Johns.
"Believe me I did a lot of research to find the birth dates of Johns daughters but found nothing. All I can say there is the first two were born in England before 1636 and Hannah after 1636. I have the death dates of Hester and Elizabeth and have been in touch with descendants of both. and will send them next time. I have no further information on Hannah. She may have died young. . .
"John bought of . . . Isaac Nichols [son of Francis Nichols] of Stratford a home. lot & five parcels of land in Fairfield, recorded Jan 13,1643. (Judd Manuscript Ct V8:192).
He [John] died intestate in 1655 at Fairfield, Ct. His widow Grace gave up her interest in the homestead to her son John Nichols. (Donald L Jacobus, Hist & Genealogy Old Fairfield V1, Pt4-6). A distribution of John "Nichols" estate was made by his [his Administrators] Isaac Nichols [son of Francis Nichols] & Andrew Ward, Jun 9,1655 in which six children were named, viz: Hester, Elix, Hannah, Isaac, Sarah and John. In this distribution Samuel is not named. (Fairfield Probate 1656 1:56).
John left minor children to be cared for. His [Administrator] Isaac raised his son Isaac and possibly Sarah while [Isaac's] sister Jane Washburn's family cared for young John. . . "
On the return of the inventory of John's Will, dated June 19, 1655, the children Isaac, Sarah & John are named, expecting another which was Samuel, probably named by his widow, Grace.
On June 4, 1659 when the Deed was given to son, Isaac, Grace required him to pay her children; Sarah, John & Samuel a particular sum. Savage believed, then, that Esther, Elizabeth,& Hannah. who were the three oldest children, were probably issue by a previous wife. Jacobus concurred.
He m. 1st. Unknown before 1635 in England. She was b. c. 1618 in London, London, England, and may have d. in Watertown, MA. Children of John Nichols by first unknown wife were:
- Esther Nichols, probably b. before 1636 in England. She m. John Prentice, a descendant of Valentine Prentice.
- Elizabeth Nichols, b. 1637, Fairfairfield, Fairfield Co., CT, and d. 11 Nov 1713, Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA, per Ancestry.com . She m. Thomas Bowen. Her marriage and children can be found at Ancestry.com .
- Hannah Nichols, b. 1840, CT, per Ancestry.com .
- Isaac Nichols, b. 1645, Fairfield, Fairfield Co, CT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2]
John m. 2nd Grace c. 1649 in Fairfield Co., CT. She was b. 1625 in England. Children by John's 2nd wife, Grace, and born between 1649 and 1655, were :
- Sarah Nichols, b. c. 1649-1655, Fairfield, Fairfield Co., CT.
- John Nichols, b. c. 1649-1655, Fairfield, Fairfield Co., CT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[3]
- Samuel Nichols, b. 1655, Fairfield, Fairfield Co., CT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [4]
2. Isaac Nichols, b. 1645, Fairfield, Fairfield Co., CT, and d. 20 Dec 1713, Derby, New Haven Co., CT, per Ancestry.com .
He m. Esther Clark on 15 Aug 1672, Stratford,Fairfield Co., CT. She was b. bef. 1 Mar 1646, New Haven, New Haven Co., CT, and d. 14 Jan 1717, Derby, New Haven Co., CT. An Ancestor Chart for her can be found at Ancestry.com . Children per Ancestry.com :
- Grace Nichols 1673 1702
- Alice Nichols 1674
- John Nichols, b. 10 Oct 1676, Stratford, Fairfield, CT, and d. at an unspecified date in Very, Meuse, Lorraine, France.
- Isaac Nichols, b. 18 Oct 1676.
- Francis Nichols, son, b. 1676.
- Samuel Nichols, b. 26 Dec 1678, Stratford, Fairfield, CT, and d. at an unspecified date in Y, Somme, Picardie, France.
- Abigail Nichols, b. c. 1686, Derby, New Haven, CT.
3. John Nichols, b. c. 1649-1655, Fairfield, CT.
4. Samuel Nichols, b. 1655, Fasirfield, Fairfield Co., CT, and d. 1737, Derby, New Haven Co., CT. per Ancestry.com .
It is generally agreed John Nichols was a son of Francis Nichols of Fairfield, CT.
So far, no proven patrilineal descendant of John Nichols has submitted a DNA specimen for proof that he has the same DNA grouping as those from known descendants of Francis Nichols. We are in the process of trying to find a living willing male line doner.
Despite DNA tests seeming to exclude Francis Nichols' son, Isaac Nichols, as a brother to John Nichols, it is of interest to note that John (1) bought land from Isaac Nichols, (2) named Isaac Nichols as an Administrator of John's estate, and (3) that Isaac and Isaac' sister, Sarah, cared for some of John's children after his death. Those matters seem to indicate some non-kinship social or business relationship. Investigation is continuing.
Footnote 1: DNA Test for Enoch Nichols
The DNA test, discussed above, shows Enoch Nichols, b. 1762, Wilton, Fairfield Co., CT. An Ancestor Chart for Enoch Nichols can be found at Ancestry.com which traces his roots back to John Nichols (perhaps b. c. 1635-1645) and his wife, Mercy Holbridge who in 1669 were living in Compo, Westport, Fairfield Co., CT. Enoch Nichols' family tree is set out in Ancestry.com as follows with the dates shown for the first 3 generations being only estimates:
1. John Nichols. His birth year is given in Ancestry.com as 1651 and d. 1680. Another source at Ancestry.com says he was b. 1651 and d. 1676 in MA. Both birth dates are suspect as is any claim to be a descendant of Francis Nichols. Investigation is continuing on those matters.
He m. Mercy Holbridge, probably about 1667-1669. That same source at Ancestry.com says she was b. 30 Jun 1650 in New Haven Co., CT, and d. 1712 in Compo, CT. They had 3 or more children, including:
2. John Nichols, b. c. 1669, Compo, Westport, Fairfield, CT, and d. in Westport.
He m. Abigail who was b. c. 1672, called "of Westport," and d. there. Known children:
3. Joseph Nichols, b. c. 1700-1705
He m. Abigail c. 1730 in Fairfield Co., CT. She was b. c. 1705 and called "of Wilton, Fairfield Co., CT." They had 1 or more children, including:
4. Joseph Nichols, b. 27 May 1734, Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT, and d. c. 1774, perhaps Ridgefield, Fairfield Co., CT.
He m (Unknown). They had 3 or more children, including:
Appendix A: Descendant Chart for Francis Nichols of Sedgeberrow, England and Fairfield, CT .
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1. SGT. FRANCIS1 NICHOLS was born 05/25/1575 in Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England, and died 01/16/1649-50 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT. He married (1) FRANCES WIMARKE 01/24/1599-00 in Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England. She was born 11/02/1577 in Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England, and died 1634 in Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England. He married (2) ANNE WINES 12/01/1645 in Southold, Suffolk, NY. She was born c. 1590, and died 1650 in Southold, Suffolk, NY.
Children of FRANCIS NICHOLS and FRANCES WIMARKE are:
i. DAUGHTER2 NICHOLS, b. Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England.
2. ii. JOHN NICHOLS, b. 05/16/1601, Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England; d. 06/19/1655, Fairfield, Fairfield, CT.
iii. ANNE NICHOLS, b. 10/18/1606, Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England; d. 10/25/1606, Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England.
3. iv. CALEB NICHOLS, b. c. 1625, Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England; d. 1690, Woodbury, CT.
4. v. ISAAC NICHOLS, b. c. 1620, Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England; d. 1695, Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
Generation No. 2
2. JOHN2 NICHOLS (FRANCIS1) was born 05/16/1601 in Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England, and died 06/19/1655 in Fairfield, Fairfield, CT. He married GRACE (UNKNOWN) NICHOLS. She was born c. 1613 in London, Middlesex, England, and died in Fairfield, Fairfield, CT.
For children of JOHN NICHOLS and GRACE NICHOLS see #1, above .
3. CALEB2 NICHOLS (FRANCIS1) was born c. 1625 in Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England, and died 1690 in Woodbury, CT. He married ANNE WARD. She was born c. 1620, and died 07/23/1718.
Children of CALEB NICHOLS and ANNE WARD are:
i. HESTER3 NICHOLS, b. 02/18/1654-55, Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
ii. SAMUEL NICHOLS, b. 05/29/1658, Stratford, Fairfield, CT; d. 1691, Woodbury, CT.
6. iii. ABRAHAM NICHOLS, b. 01/19/1661-62, Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
7. iv. SARAH NICHOLS, b. 12/01/1650, Stratford, Fairfield, CT; d. 07/23/1718.
4. ISAAC2 NICHOLS (FRANCIS1) was born c. 1620 in Sedgeberrow, Worcestershire, England, and died 1695 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT. He married MARGARET (UNKNOWN) NICHOLS.
Children of ISAAC NICHOLS and MARGARET NICHOLS are:
i. JOSIAH3 NICHOLS, b. 01/29/1652-53, Stratford, Fairfield, CT; d. 06/25/1692; m. HANNAH HAWLEY, 12/13/1678.
ii. ISAAC NICHOLS, JR., b. 03/12/1653-54, Stratford, Fairfield, CT; d. 1690, Stratford, Fairfield, CT; m. MARY (UNKNOWN) NICHOLS.
8. iii. JONATHAN NICHOLS, b. 12/10/1655, Stratford, Fairfield, CT; d. 1689, Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
iv. EPHRAIM NICHOLS, b. 12/15/1657, Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
9. v. PATIENCE NICHOLS, b. 02/02/1659-60, Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
vi. TEMPERANCE NICHOLS, b. 05/17/1662, Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
vii. MARJERY NICHOLS, b. 11/30/1663, Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
viii. BENJAMIN NICHOLS, b. 02/02/1665-66, Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
ix. ELIZABETH NICHOLS, b. 04/02/1668, Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
Generation No. 3
5. ISAAC3 NICHOLS (JOHN2, FRANCIS1) was born c. 1645 in Fairfield, Fairfield, CT, and died 12/20/1713 in Derby, New Haven, CT. He married HESTER* CLARK. She was born c. 1646 in New Haven, New Haven, CT, and died 04/15/1690 in Middletown, Middlesex, CT.
Child of ISAAC NICHOLS and HESTER* CLARK is:
10. i. ABIGAIL4 NICHOLS, b. c. 1686, Derby, New Haven, CT.
6. ABRAHAM3 NICHOLS (CALEB2, FRANCIS1) was born 01/19/1661-62 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT. He married RACHEL KELLOGG. She was born 02/16/1662-63.
Child of ABRAHAM NICHOLS and RACHEL KELLOGG is:
11. i. JOSEPH4 NICHOLS, b. 09/21/1685, Stratford, Fairfield, CT; d. 09/17/1743, Trumbull, Fairfield, CT.
7. SARAH3 NICHOLS (CALEB2, FRANCIS1) was born 12/01/1650 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT, and died 07/23/1718. She married MOSES WHEELER. He was born 07/05/1651, and died 01/30/1723-24.
Child of SARAH NICHOLS and MOSES WHEELER is:
12. i. ROBERT4 WHEELER, b. 05/18/1686, Stratford, Fairfield, CT; d. 02/23/1753, Shelton, Fairfield, CT.
8. JONATHAN3 NICHOLS (ISAAC2, FRANCIS1) was born 12/10/1655 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT, and died 1689 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT. He married HANNAH HAWKINS 12/21/1681 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT. She was born 1661 in Farmington, Hartford, CT, and died 07/23/1698 in Woodbury, Litchfield, CT.
Child of JONATHAN NICHOLS and HANNAH HAWKINS is:
13. i. JONATHAN4 NICHOLS, b. 10/21/1682, Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
9. PATIENCE3 NICHOLS (ISAAC2, FRANCIS1) was born 02/02/1659-60 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT. She married LT. JOHN HUBBELL, son of RICHARD HUBBELL and ELIZABETH MEIGS. He was born 1652 in New Haven, CT, and died 1690 in Near Albany, NY.
Child of PATIENCE NICHOLS and JOHN HUBBELL is:
14. i. MARGERY4 HUBBELL, b. 1681; d. Bet. 1703 - 1704.
Generation No. 4
10. ABIGAIL4 NICHOLS (ISAAC3, JOHN2, FRANCIS1) was born c. 1686 in Derby, New Haven, CT. She married (1) EDWARD RIGGS 01/05/1707-08, son of SAMUEL RIGGS and SARAH BALDWIN. He was born 10/07/1680 in Derby, New Haven, CT, and died 11/25/1712. She married (2) WILLIAM MOSS 03/18/1713-14. He was born 06/28/1682 in New Haven, New Haven, CT, and died 08/26/1749 in Derby, New Haven, CT.
Child of ABIGAIL NICHOLS and EDWARD RIGGS is:
15. i. GRACE5 RIGGS, b. 10/24/1708, Derby, New Haven, CT; d. Aft. 10/29/1773.
Child of ABIGAIL NICHOLS and WILLIAM MOSS is:
16. ii. NICHOLS5 MOSS, b. 04/28/1716; d. 11/24/1759, Derby, New Haven, CT.
11. JOSEPH4 NICHOLS (ABRAHAM3, CALEB2, FRANCIS1) was born 09/21/1685 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT, and died 09/17/1743 in Trumbull, Fairfield, CT. He married MARY CURTIS 12/26/1704 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT. She was born 1681 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT, and died 04/16/1767 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
Child of JOSEPH NICHOLS and MARY CURTIS is:
17. i. ABIGAIL5 NICHOLS, b. 01/01/1714-15, Stratford, Fairfield, CT; d. 02/21/1794, Huntington, Fairfield, CT.
12. ROBERT4 WHEELER (SARAH3 NICHOLS, CALEB2, FRANCIS1) was born 05/18/1686 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT, and died 02/23/1753 in Shelton, Fairfield, CT. He married SARAH BENNETT (Source: The American Genealogist Vol 10, p220, "Lyme (Conn) Vital Records, from Town Records, Book 1, Page 50, see copy for "Benet, Sarah".), daughter of HENRY BENNETT and SARAH CHAMPION. She was born 08/07/1683 in Lyme, New London, CT, and died 1773 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
Child of ROBERT WHEELER and SARAH BENNETT is:
18. i. ANNE5 WHEELER, b. 09/24/1717, Stratford, Fairfield, CT; d. 02/05/1793, Huntington, CT.
13. JONATHAN4 NICHOLS (JONATHAN3, ISAAC2, FRANCIS1) was born 10/21/1682 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT. He married SARAH BEACH. She was born 07/13/1697 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT, and died c. 1767 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
Child of JONATHAN NICHOLS and SARAH BEACH is:
19. i. HANNAH5 NICHOLS, b. 05/25/1716, Stratford, Fairfield, CT.
14. MARGERY4 HUBBELL (PATIENCE3 NICHOLS, ISAAC2, FRANCIS1) was born 1681, and died Bet. 1703 - 1704. She married JOHN GLOVER. He was born 1674, and died 1752.
Child of MARGERY HUBBELL and JOHN GLOVER is:
20. i. CAPT. HENRY5 GLOVER, b. 1703; d. 1784.
Generation No. 5
15. GRACE5 RIGGS (ABIGAIL4 NICHOLS, ISAAC3, JOHN2, FRANCIS1) was born 10/24/1708 in Derby, New Haven, CT, and died Aft. 10/29/1773. She married JONAH SMITH 03/22/1726-27 in Derby, New Haven, CT, son of NICHOLAS SMITH and MARY TIBBALS. He was born 09/27/1699 in Derby, New Haven, CT, and died Aft. 1748.
Child of GRACE RIGGS and JONAH SMITH is:
i. ISAAC6 SMITH, b. 03/18/1729-30, Derby, New Haven, CT; d. 12/04/1789, Derby, New Haven, CT; m. LUCY CLARK, c. 1754; b. 12/13/1736, Lyme, New London, CT; d. c. 1817, Derby, New Haven, CT.
16. NICHOLS5 MOSS (ABIGAIL4 NICHOLS, ISAAC3, JOHN2, FRANCIS1) was born 04/28/1716, and died 11/24/1759 in Derby, New Haven, CT. He married HANNAH LEAVENWORTH. She was born c. 1719 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT, and died 10/15/1789 in Mt Carmel, Hamden, CT.
Child of NICHOLS MOSS and HANNAH LEAVENWORTH is:
i. JOSEPH6 MOSS, b. 04/22/1758; d. 09/1827, Volney, NY; Stepchild; m. EUNICE SMITH, c. 1775, Derby, CT; b. c. 1760, Derby, CT; d. 10/30/1815, Volney, NY.
17. ABIGAIL5 NICHOLS (JOSEPH4, ABRAHAM3, CALEB2, FRANCIS1) was born 01/01/1714-15 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT, and died 02/21/1794 in Huntington, Fairfield, CT. She married SAMUEL SHELTON 10/02/1735 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT. He was born Bet. 1704 - 1705 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT, and died 11/12/1772 in Huntington, Fairfield, CT.
Child of ABIGAIL NICHOLS and SAMUEL SHELTON is:
i. ELIZABETH6 SHELTON, b. 10/13/1740, Huntington, Fairfield, CT; m. NATHAN CLARK; b. 1733; d. 12/17/1816, Huntington, Fairfield, CT.
18. ANNE5 WHEELER (ROBERT4, SARAH3 NICHOLS, CALEB2, FRANCIS1) was born 09/24/1717 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT, and died 02/05/1793 in Huntington, CT. She married JAMES SHELTON, son of DANIEL SHELTON and ELIZABETH WELLES. He was born c. 1710 in Wetherford, Hartford, CT, and died 03/21/1802 in Huntington, CT.
Child of ANNE WHEELER and JAMES SHELTON is:
i. ANNA6 SHELTON, b. 02/03/1741-42; m. JAMES BEARDSLEY; b. c. 1740.
19. HANNAH5 NICHOLS (JONATHAN4, JONATHAN3, ISAAC2, FRANCIS1) was born 05/25/1716 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT. She married NATHAN BEERS 01/27/1741-42, son of JOSIAH BEERS and ELIZABETH UFFORD. He was born 08/23/1718 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT, and died 07/08/1779 in New Haven, Fairfield, CT.
Child of HANNAH NICHOLS and NATHAN BEERS is:
i. DEACON NATHAN6 BEERS, b. 02/24/1753, Stafford, Tolland, CT; d. 02/10/1849, New Haven, New Haven, CT; m. MARY PHELPS, 05/26/1781, Stafford Springs, Tolland, CT; b. 03/18/1763, Stafford, Tolland, CT; d. 09/05/1861, New Haven, New Haven, CT.
Notes for DEACON NATHAN BEERS:
Fought with Benedict Arnold
20. CAPT. HENRY5 GLOVER (MARGERY4 HUBBELL, PATIENCE3 NICHOLS, ISAAC2, FRANCIS1) was born 1703, and died 1784. He married PRUDENCE STODDARD. She was born 1711, and died 1782.
Child of HENRY GLOVER and PRUDENCE STODDARD is:
i. REV. SOLOMON6 GLOVER, b. 1750; d. 1842; m. MARY NORTHRUP; b. 1756; d. 1812.
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