James Nichols

300. James[11] Nichols (A1,714). Born in Scotland. Died, 16 Mar 1725/6 in

NH. Extra 0: before 1720. Prob of Est: 11 Sep 1733 [180].

From Moore, A Life of General John Stark: The Nichols emigrated from Londonderry before the Starks, but after the Walkers. "The ships reached Boston Harbor safely on Aug. 4, 1719...In default of definite grants awaiting them at Boston, it was decided to cruise down the coast toward the Maine settlements. In Casco Bay at Falmouth (now Portland some twenty families tarried. The bulk of the passengers came back and disposed themselves in small groups...A large grant in New Hampshire was obtained and called 'Nutfield'. The name of James Nichols follows immediately after that of Rev. James MacGregor, showing the standing of Mr. Nichols.

"In James Nichols, the father, the vigor of youth had long departed. He found himself depending on his sons, Alexander and William, and on his son-in-law, Archibald Stark. In 1722 the three Nichols were grantees under the final charter and at the next town meeting, March 5, 1723-4 James Nichols was signally honored by being elected Moderator...He also acted on a committee as to wages of Selectmen, on the salary of constables and as to distributing meadow lots...

"The winter of 1725-6 brought the life of James Nichols to a close. On the 16th of March, he called his neighbors, James Adams and Robert Wilson, and his son-in-law Archibald Stark and asked them to witness his act in making "his mark' to his Will; to the scribe he was 'James Nikill.'..son Alexander to defray the charges and was to have '1/2 of my lot (his farm)), son William getting only 'my Bodyly Cloathing' while son-in-law Walker got 'my lot in the second division.' To Walker's son 'my grandson' (Robert Walker) 'I bequeath the other half of my lot with it equal rights.'...To his wife James Nichols left two cows and a heifer...'and all household stuff' and the services of Grandson Robert Walker, until he be 20 years of age' he to be 'at her disposing.'...More than seven years were to elapse before the will could be probated...not withstanding that nearly a year before (Oct. 28, 1732) Margaret, the widow, in the presence of Archibald Stark and John Barnet petitioned the Judge of Probate at Portsmouth to allow Robert Walker to administer the estate so that the heirs could 'quietly enjoy and possess avoiding feweds and further debates. It was not until one of the leading men of Londonderry intervened that a journey to Portsmouth resulted in Archibald Stark and James Adams accompanying Robert Walker, who presented a letter from John McMurphy to the Court. the very next day, the appointment of Robert was made."

From the Londonderry Town Records: 10 March 1824/5 "Mr James MacGregor Minister James Nickel Alexander Mac---- Alexander Nickel James Blaier Alexander Walker and Divers others having arrived at Boston August ye 4th 1718 from--- and presented a petition to the General Court of the Ma---ts Bay met at boston in the month of october 1718 for ----tract of land for a township in some of the unappropriated Lands and the Court having readily granted them...Diverse oathers of the People of Ireland came up from Cascobay to Haverel in order to select at Nutfield about the beginning of April 1719. The ---aw....and Diverse others of the People of Ireland for the formation their said plantation presented a call to the Rev Mr James MacGregor to be their minister...the first famelis that arrived at Nutfield planted themselves in the moneth of Apriel 1719 on either end of a small Brook Runing westward into Beaver River and may be called west Runing brook they agreed that the home lots should be thirty perches [?] broad fronting on the Brook and the same breadth to be continued back on a south and North line untill it make up six to each lott and if any lott wanted of sixty a--- was to be made up of the most conveneant com---- lands."

James had one share as proprietor of Londonderry. He was elected moderator and a selectman Mar 5, 1722. An undated town record show James Nickels with seat/pew #62 in the Old Meetinghouse with a "salary upon it" of Ł1 8 -.

"June ye 28, 1723. Laid out to James Nickels a lot of meadow in sd town containing one acre one hundred and twenty one Rhods bect more or less re lot by eth in Reimistrion ash at the Easterly corner and is bounded by a great white oak tree on the upland and a small pine in the meadow and so runs down the meadow so a line so cuds across the meadow from a popular tree on the south to a dry pine on the north. ---also a lot of meadow in the aforesaid place in the southeasterly part bounded by a small pine on the west and runing to a dry pine----bounds the aforsd lott and runing from thence to a popular wc bounds Greggs lott on the south side of the meadow bounds containing one acre bsst more or less. Recorded this 28th day of february 1723/4 Mr John McMurphy Town Clark..."

He married Margaret (301) (A1,715). Children:

242 i. Elinor[10] Nichols.

ii. Jean Nichols. Born in Scotland. She married Andrew Walker,

before 1708 (?)[180].

iii. Alexander Nichols. Born in Scotland. Died, 1758, in ME.

iv. William Nichols. Born in Scotland. Died in Londonderry, NH.

Occupation: Farmer. He married Ann Cochrane, 20 Oct 1724, in

Londonderry, NH[1].