The NICKERSON Family of Norwich, Norfolk, England, Yarmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts and Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts Send comments and corrections to anneb0704@yahoo.co.uk
WILLIAM NICKERSON m. Alice Unknown
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WILLIAM NICKERSON (c. 1603/4 - 1689/90) of Norwich, Norfolk, England, Yarmouth and Chatham m. Anne Busby
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WILLIAM NICKERSON (bp. 1646) m. Mercy Williams
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SARAH NICKERSON (bp. 1646) m. Nathaniel Covell
WILLIAM NICKERSON (c. 1675 - 1742) m. Deliverance Lombard
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WILLIAM NICKERSON m. Sarah Covell
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ELIZABETH NICKERSON (1735 - 1828) m. Archelaus Smith
 

Generation 1

WILLIAM NICKERSON

Parents:

William Nickerson married Alice Unknown

Children of William Nickerson and Alice Unknown:

  1. William Nickerson was born about 1603 or 1604. He died between 30 Aug 1689 and 8 Sep 1690. He married Anne Busby.

Generation 2

WILLIAM NICKERSON (c. 1603/4 - 1689/90) of Norwich, Norfolk, England and Yarmouth

Parents: William Nickerson and Alice Unknown

William Nickerson was born about 1603 or 1604. [Ref, p. 56] From various deeds it can be inferred that he must have died between 30 Aug 1689 and 8 Sep 1690. [Ref, p. 91] He married Anne Busby by about 1630. [Ref, p. 56]

William settled in Norwich in Norfolk and was a weaver and a non-conformist. [Ref, p. 56] At the time of their 8 Apr 1637 examination prior to leaving for New England, William was 33 and Anne was 28. They had children Nicholas, Robert, Elizabeth and Anne. [Ref, p. 56] William and his family arrived in Salem on 20 Jun 1637. [Ref, p. 57]

William took the freeman's oath on 2 May 1638 in Boston. [Ref, p. 58] He was in Yarmouth as early as 1640 and represented the town on the grandjury in Jun 1641. [Ref, p. 58]

Mr Anthony Hatcher, Mr. Thomas Howes and Mr. John Crowe were originally chosen to apportion land in Yarmouth. This led to complaints and in Mar 1647/8 the Court appointed Capt. Miles Standish to visit the town and settle the differences. In May 1648 Miles Standish granted William ten acres of upland and eight acres of meadow toward the South Sea. Mr. Star, William Nickerson and Robert Dennis were added to the committee to apportion land for the following year. This led to acrimoney and assorted defamation and slander suits by and against William and others. In Oct 1650 the Court ordered the suits to cease and desired Mr. Nickerson to see the evil of his speeches. [Ref, p. 58-9]

William was a jurer in Jun 1651. [Ref, p. 59] He was chosen Deputy from Yarmouth in 1655. [Ref, p. 59]

In about 1656 William entered into a bargain with Mattaquason, the sachem of Monomoit (later Chatham), to buy land there. He offered a boat in return. This was against the law in Plymouth Colony and on 1 Dec 1663 William was called to Court where he admitted the transaction but pleaded ignorance. The Court found him guilty and allowed him to keep only a small part of his purchase. He appealled unsuccessfully but later purchased the land from those to whom the Court gave the tract. [Ref, pp. 55-6]

In Mar 1657 William and Anne moved to Boston so that Anne might care for her parents in their old age. [Ref, p. 60] About a month after his father-in-law's death on 28 Aug 1657 William bought a dwelling house, yard, garden and orchard on the road leading to Roxbury and William appears to have erected a shop there. [Ref, p. 61] After the death Anne's mother in Jul 1660 and the settlement of her estate, William sold his house in Nov 1661 to Robert Gibbs of Boston and William and Anne returned to Yarmouth. [Ref, p. 61]

During his time in Boston, William applied to the Plymouth Court for the land he had purchased at Monomoit and in Jun 1659 it was agreed that he might have it upon paying five pounds an acre in fines. [Ref, p. 62] By a 15 Jan 1661/2 deed William conved 40 acres of upland and ten acres of meadow at Monomoit to his daughter Elizabeth Eldred. [Ref, p. 62]

On 4 Jul 1663 William and his children Nicholas, Robert, Samuel, John, William, Joseph, Robert Eldred, Trustrum Hedges and Nathaniel Covell petitioned the court for a town at Monomoit. This elicited no response. [Ref, p. 63-4] William settled in Monomoit by Mar 1664. [Ref, p. 64] At the Mar 1663/4 court, the chief marshall was ordered to levy a 200 pound fine on William. [Ref, p. 65] The chief marshall reported that he could find no property on which to levy the fine and consequently the Jun 1664 court ordered the sale of the property with William to have a portion. [Ref, p. 66] William appealed the matter to the King's Commissioners who said that they believed it excessive for him to have a four-square-mile farm but allowed him 100 acres. The rest was to go to Mr. Thomas Hinckley, Mr. John Freeman, Mr. William Sargeant, Mr. Anthony Thacher, Nathaniel Bacon, Edmond Hawes, Thomas Howes, Sr., Thomas Falland, Sr. and Lieut. Joseph Rogers. These men were to pay William for the land as long as he could show that he had purchased the land. [Ref, p. 66-7] Mr. Thomas Hinkley's interest was later purchased by Mr. Josiah Winslow. [Ref, p. 71]

Unfortunately, William had quarreled with Mattaquason and had never received a deed. For seven years he attempted to acquire one and in March 1672 he unsuccessfully sued Mattaquason for the deed and damages. A few months later he reached an agreement with Mr. Winslow and his associates that resulted in a deed from them in return for 90 pounds. He also received a deed dated 19 Jun 1672 from Mattaquason and his son John Quason for the original purchase and additional land, this in exchange for cattle and Indian corn. Part of the 90 pounds had been contributed by his sons and son-in-laws and he gave his sons Samuel, John, Joseph and Robert and his daughters Ann Hedges and Sarah Covell each 40 acres of upland and ten acres of meadow. His daughter Elizabeth Eldred had already received her share. Tristrum Hedges disputed his share and unsuccessfully sued his father-in-law. [Ref, p. 71-3] By deeds dated 29 Mar 1678/9 and 16 Aug 1682 William purchased additional large tracts, giving him a domain of 4000 acres, less the amount he had given his children. [Ref, p. 77]

In Jun 1665 the court had ruled that Monomoit was part of Yarmouth. This was inconvenient as the two were not connected. In 1667 the constable of Yarmouth, Mr. Thomas Howes, met with a hostile reception. In Jun 1668 the court ruled that Monomoit was parat of Eastham. [Ref, p. 80] Goodman Nickerson was chosen rate maker in Eastham on 13 Jul 1671. He was re-elected in 1672 and 1673 as William Nickerson, Sr. [Ref, p. 81] He and four others were chosen rate makers on 21 Mar 1676 to help defray the cost of King Philip's War. [Ref, p. 83]

In Jun 1679 Monomoit became independent of Eastham. [Ref, p. 87] William was grandjuryman of Monomoit in 1681. [Ref, p. 89] He was chosen constable or grandjuryman in 1682. [Ref, p. 90]

By a deed dated 2 Dec 1687 William conveyed the land called Monamesset Neck and half interest in all of his lands, save only his home farm which was exclusively Sarah's, to his children William Nickerson and Sarah Covell. [Ref, p. 93]

Children of William Nickerson and Anne Busby:

  1. Nicholas Nickerson was born about 1630 in England. [Ref, p. 64-5] He died on 26 Mar 1681/2 in Yarmouth. [Ref, p. 64-5] He married Mary Unknown probably about 1655. [Ref, p. 64-5] She died on 16 Mar 1705/6. [Ref, p. 64-5]
    Nicholas did not accompany his siblings and father to Monomoit and remained in Yarmouth. [Ref, p. 64]
    some descendants of Nicholas Nickerson
  2. Robert Nickerson was born before 1637 in England.
    Robert was a constable or grandjuryman in Monomoit in 1682. [Ref, p. 90]
  3. Elizabeth Nickerson was born before 1637 in England. She married Robert Eldred in Oct 1649 in Yarmouth. [Ref, p. 64-5]
  4. Anne Nickerson was born before 1637 in England. She married Trustrum Hedges on 20 Oct 1657 in Boston. [Ref, p. 64-5] Trustrum died about 1682. [Ref, p. 89]
  5. Samuel Nickerson was baptised on 1 Jun 1646 in Barnstable. [Ref, p. 56]
  6. John Nickerson was baptised on 1 Jun 1646 in Barnstable. [Ref, p. 56] He married Sarah Williams.
    Sarah's father Thomas Williams left his grandson William, the son of John Nickerson, one shilling "and no more" in his will of 22 Oct 1696. [Ref, 2;22-3]
    some descendants of John Nickerson
  7. Sarah Nickerson was baptised on 1 Jun 1646 in Barnstable. She married Nathaniel Covell.
  8. William Nickerson was baptised on 1 Jun 1646 in Barnstable. He married Mercy Williams.
  9. Joseph Nickerson was born in Dec 1647 in Yarmouth. [Ref, p. 56]
    He was chosen grandjuryman from Monomoit in 1680. [Ref, p. 89] He was chosen constable in 1684. [Ref, p. 90]
    some descendants of Joseph Nickerson

Generation 3

WILLIAM NICKERSON (bp. 1646)

Parents: William Nickerson and Anne Busby

William Nickerson was baptised on 1 Jun 1646 in Barnstable. [Ref, p. 56] He married Mercy Williams. Mercy's father referred to his daughter

William was a soldier from Monomoit in King Philip's War. [Ref, p. 83]

By a deed dated 2 Dec 1687 William conveyed the land called Monamesset Neck and half interest in all of his lands, save only his home farm which was exclusively Sarah's, to his children William Nickerson and Sarah Covell. [Ref, p. 93]

Samuel Smith and William Nickerson purchased a tract in the eastern part of Chatham on 27 Jun 1694 from John Quason, Jr., with Samuel taking two thirds and William taking one third. [Ref, p. 99]

Children of William Nickerson and Mercy Williams:

  1. William Nickerson was born about 1675. He died in 1742. He married first Deliverance Lombard. He married second Anna Atwood.
  2. Nathaniel Nickerson was born about 1679.
    Nathaniel, the son of William and brother of Thomas, Sr., testified that he was 39 on 24 Mar 1719/20. [Ref, p. 98]
  3. Elizabeth Nickerson married William Cahoon not long after 1690. [Ref, p. 151] William died before 10 Jul 1702 when administration on his estate was granted to his widow. [Ref, p. 151]
    By a 14 Sep 1695 deed William bought about 60 acres in the Hall neighbourhood in Harwich. By an 8 Jun 1695 deed he sold one-third to Samuel Nickerson of Monomot [Chatham]. By a 3 Jun 1697 deed he sold the remaining one-third to John Smith, later of Harwich, in exchange for land at Monomoit. In 1697 he was living on one of Samuel Smith's farms at Monomoit that he bought from John Savage. [Ref, p. 151]
  4. Thomas Nickerson

SARAH NICKERSON (bp. 1646)

Parents: William Nickerson and Anne Busby

Sarah Nickerson was baptised on 1 Jun 1646 in Barnstable. [Ref, p. 56] She married Nathaniel Covell between 15 Jan 1661/2 and 4 Jul 1663. [Ref, p. 64-5]

By a deed dated 2 Dec 1687 William conveyed the land called Monamesset Neck and half interest in all of his lands, save only his home farm which was exclusively Sarah's, to his children William Nickerson and Sarah Covell. [Ref, p. 93]

Sarah Covell deeded land at Tom's Neck in Chatham that she had received from her father to Samuel Smith on 10 Mar 1690/1. [Ref, p. 99]

Generation 4

WILLIAM NICKERSON (c. 1675 - 1742)

Parents: William Nickerson and Mercy Williams

William Nickerson was born about 1675. [Ref, p. 3.3] He died in 1742. [Ref, p. 3.3] He married first Deliverance Lombard. He married second Anna Atwood [Ref, p. 11] on 24 Oct 1717 in Chatham. [Ref]

William Nickerson of Chatham was appointed the guardian of Bethiah Smith on 11 Jul 1722. [Ref, 4;62]

Children of William Nickerson and Deliverance Lombard:

  1. William Nickerson married Sarah Covell.
  2. Caleb Nickerson [Ref, p. 3.3]
  3. James Nickerson [Ref, p. 3.3]
  4. Joshua Nickerson [Ref, p. 3.3]
  5. Elizabeth Nickerson [Ref, p. 3.3]
  6. Mercy Nickerson [Ref, p. 3.3] might be the Mercy who married Seth Paddock on 13 Apr 1727. [Ref, p. 34]
  7. Nathaniel Nickerson [Ref, p. 3.3]
  8. Deliverance Nickerson [Ref, p. 3.3]

Children of William Nickerson and Anna Atwood: [Ref, p. 3.3]

  1. Eldad Nickerson [Ref, p. 11] was born about 1723. [Ref, p. 3.3] He married Mary Cahoon on 31 Oct 1744. [Ref, p. 3.3] Mary was the daughter of James Cahoon. [Ref, p. 3.3]
    Eldad and Mary moved to Barrington [Ref, p. 11] by 1762. [Ref, p. 3.3]
  2. Anna Nickerson married Jonathan Crowell [Ref, p. 11] on 13 Jul 1739. [Ref, p. 3.3]
    Jonathan and Anna moved to Barrington by 1762. [Ref, p. 3.3]
  3. Deborah Nickerson married William Badechall. [Ref, p. 3.3]

Generation 5

WILLIAM NICKERSON

Parents: William Nickerson and Deliverance Lombard [Ref, p. 3.3]

William Nickerson [Ref, p. 3.3] married Sarah Covell.

Children of William Nickerson and Sarah Covel:

  1. Absalom Nickerson married Sarah Spinks.
  2. Stephen Nickerson
  3. Deliverance Nickerson
  4. James Nickerson
  5. Elizabeth Nickerson was born on 15 May 1735. She died on 2 Apr 1828. married Archelaus Smith.
  6. Mercy Nickerson married first Heman Kenney on 25 Aug 1752 in Chatham, Massachusetts. [Ref, p. 738] Heman died on 4 Feb 1775, age 43. [Ref, p. 738] She married second as his second wife Joshua Atwood [Ref, p. 738][Ref, p. 9] on 4 Feb 1775 in Barrington, N. S. [Ref]
    Heman Kenney was Justice of the Peace and lived at Barrington. Head. [Ref, p. 738]
  7. William Nickerson
  8. Lumbert Nickerson
  9. Susanna Nickerson
  10. Joshua Nickerson
  11. Gideon Nickerson

Generation 6

ELIZABETH NICKERSON (1735 - 1828)

Parents: William Nickerson and Sarah Covell

Elizabeth Nickerson was born on 15 May 1735. [Ref, p. 20] She died on 2 Apr 1828. [Ref, p. 20] She married Archelaus Smith [Ref, p. 556] after 18 Apr 1752 (int.) in Chatham. [Ref, 13;28] She is referred to as "Betty". [Ref, p. 3][Ref, p. 20]

References

Atwood, Elijah Francis, Ye Atte Wode Annals, Sisseton, SD, Atwood Pub. Co., 1928.

Bowman, George Ernest, "Vital Records of Chatham," Mayflower Descendant 13, 1911, 27-31.

Brown, George S., Yarmouth Nova Scotia Genealogies, Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1993.

Crowell, Edwin, A History of Barrington Township and Vicinity, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, 1604-1870, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, unknown.

No author, Doane Reunion at Barrington Head, Nova Scotia, Canada, Truro, N.S., News Pub. Co., 1912.

Crowell, F. E., New Englanders in Nova Scotia, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1938.

Hinckley, Gustavus Aldolphus, trans., “Barnstable, MA: Probate Records 1685–1789,” Online database, NewEnglandAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.

Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850. Online Database: NewEnglandAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2007.

May, Samuel P., The Descendants of Richard Sears, Albany, Joel Munsell's Sons, 1890.

Smith, William C., A History of Chatham, Massachusetts, Hyannis, F.B. & R.P. Goss, 1909.