Samuel Nicholson (bef. 1620 - 1685)

Born before 1620 in Wiseton, Nottinghamshire, England

Descendants

Died 1685 after age 65 in Elsinborough, Salem County, Province of West Jersey

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Biography

Samuel was a Friend (Quaker)

Samuel Nicholson was an early settler in New Jersey.

Samuel was a husbandman.

In 1675 John Fenwick, with his children, associates, and servants, arrived off Cape May on board the little ship "Griffin," Captain Griffith, master, and the ship and passengers proceeded along the eastern shore of Delaware Bay and river for fifty miles and passed the Old Swedes fort located at Elsburg, near the south of the Assamthocking river, which had been built by the Swedes about 1640. At this place a party of English settlers from New Haven, Connecticut Colony, undertook a settlement soon after the fort was erected, but became discouraged and returned to New Haven in 1642, leaving the place in the possession of the Swedes. The "Griffin" came to anchor there, September 23,1675 (O. S.), and the next day proceeded up the river along the eastern shore to the wide mouth of the Salem river, followed this river for about three miles until it became quite narrow, when they landed and, considering the place a favorable one for the location of a town, called the spot Salem. The passengers and their household goods were carried to the shore and the first permanent settlement by the English immigrants was made on the eastern shore of the Delaware River.

Samuel Nicholson, a native of Orston, Northamptonshire, England, was one of the associates of John Fenwick on the "Griffin," and he had with him his wife Ann, and five children, all born in Northamptonshire, the youngest being at the time only three years of age. He and his family were notable among the passengers as being the owners of two thousand acres to be located wherever the settlement should be made, such a possession giving them prominence as leaders, and they were as well, members of the Society of Friends. Samuel Nicholson had been brought up as a husbandman and, upon arrival at their final location on the Delaware River, he proceeded to survey outside the town limits of Salem, and south of it, his tract of two thousand acres, obtaining full title and possession in the tenth month, 1675. He also purchased a town lot of sixteen acres on Wharf Street in New Salem, where he built a house of hewn logs, and in this house, the first religious organization in Fenwick colony was made in 1676, and the meetings of the Society of Friends were held in the houses periodically up to 1681, when the need of a meeting house became apparent and to meet this need, Samuel and Ann Nicholson deeded the estate of sixteen acres to "Salem Monthly Meeting forever for a Meeting House and burial ground," and the Society enlarged the building, taking out the partitions and making a firm clay floor, and the first yearly meeting was held in the house as transformed, the date of the meeting being 2nd month 15th, 1684. In this way, the first home in New Jersey of Samuel Nicholson became the first meeting house of the Society of Friends in the state. Upon surrendering his home, Samuel Nicholson selected a site on his two thousand acre tract for a new home, the place becoming known as Elsinborough, and he was made the first justice of the peace in the Fenwick colony. He devised that his landed estate of Elsinborough be divided between his eldest son Samuel Jr., and his youngest son Abel.

He died at his new home, Elsinborough, about 1690, and his widow, Ann, died in 1693. In her will, Ann Nicholson devised her estate to the three grandchildren, Rachel, Mary and Elizabeth Abbott, and to her sons, Samuel, Joseph and Abel Nicholson.

Religion

Samuel bought 2,000 acres from Fenwick in Elsinboro Township, New Jersey before leaving England. After arrival, he purchased a 16-acre lot in the City of Salem where he constructed a home. It was in this house that the first Salem Meeting of the Society of Friends was organized in 1676. In 1680 he donated his home & acreage in the city to the Salem Meeting and relocated to his Elsinboro property.

Estate

Samuel "Nicholdson", of Monmouth River, West Jersey: administration of his estate was granted to his widow, Ann "Nicholdson", on 12 Jun 1685 (Salem Wills, Lib. 2, p. 15). His estate was divided between his eldest son, Samuel Jr,. and Abel, who inherited his father's homestead farm.

Birth:

Date: ABT 1604

Place: Orston, Nottinghamshire, England^[1]

Event: Did not pay his church levies.

Type: Civil

Date: 16 OCT 1663

Place: Clayworth, Nottinghamshire, England

Note: #N14815

Death:

Date: 12 JUN 1685

Place: Lower Alloways Creek, Salem, New Jersey^[2]

Immigration

^[3]

Event: On the ship "Griffin."

Type: Migration

Date: 05 OCT 1675

Place: Salem, Salem, New Jersey

Note: #N14820^[4]

Date: 23 SEP 1675

Note: #N13289^[5]

Undated, but between entries dated 24d 11m 1755 and 29d 12m 1755 of the Salem Monthly Meeting Minutes is the following:^[6]

"Some account of the first friends that came over, and settled at Salem viz

Samuel Nicholson with his wife and five children transported themselves to

America in the ship called the Griffin of London Robert Griffin Master who all arrived

in Delaware River in the Province of New Jersey yet 23rd of ye 9th mo 1675 and unto the

place now called New Salem where they did inhabit.

He died at his new home, Elsinborough, about 1690, and his widow, Ann, died in 1693. In her will Ann Nicholson devised her estate to the three grandchildren, Rachel, Mary and Elizabeth Abbott, and to her sons, Samuel, Joseph and Abel Nicholson.

Children of Samuel and Ann Nicholson:

1. Parabol, born 2nd month 20th day, 1659; married at New Salem, 9th month, 25th day, 1677, Abraham Strand.

2. Elizabeth, born 3rd month 20th day, 1664, married, 1684, John Abbott, and had children: Rachel, Mary, and Elizabeth.

3. Samuel, born 3rd month, 6th day, 1666 married but had no children. Immediately after the death of his wife he made a will devising his large estate, consisting of one-half of his deceased father's landed estate, to his brother Joseph, and shortly afterward died, 1750.

4. Joseph, see forward.

5. Abel, born 5th month, 2nd day, 1672; married, probably in 1694, Mary, daughter of William and Joanna Tyler.

Note N13289Arrived on board the "Griffin" with John Fenwick.

Samuel and Ann/Anne (Unknown) Nicholson were married about 1657 in Orston, Nottinghamshire, England.^[7]

They emigrated with their five children to the Quaker settlement in Newton Township, Salem, West Jersey. "They landed at where Salem is, on the 5th of 10th month 1675."^[8]

1. Parable/Parobale b 1659 m Abraham Strand
2. Elizabeth Nicholson b 1664 m John Abbott
3. Samuel Nicholson b. 1666
4. Joseph Nicholson b 1669
5. Abel Nicholson b 1672

Long Quote to Trim

Note N14815Michaelmas 16 Oct 1663

Churchwardens present the following: Samuel Nicholson of Waiston [Wiseton] for refusing to pay two church lays, being 3s 4d apiece; the said Samuel Nicholson for standing excommunicate; Elizabeth Hewitt, widow, of Claworth, for the like; Jane Webster, wife of Thomas Webster, for refusing to come to the church; Elizabeth Picker for the like; Anne Picker for the like; Anne Booth, daughter of Thomas Booth, for the like.

Place name given as Claworth cum Waiston. Written in another hand, 'emat in 3 febrij'.

Michaelmas - 23 Sept 1670

Churchwardens present the following: Mr Ralph Royston for not paying his church levies, the sum of 3s 6d; Mrs Dixinson 'Wuld'[?] for the like, £1 8s; John Kent for the like, £1 4s; Samuel Nicholson for the like, 11s 2d.

Written in another hand, 'emt in 13 Decemb'.

- http://nottingham.ac.uk

Note: The oath of Samuel Nicholson to show his allegiance to the government of John Fenwick is here copied, it being the same that was taken by most of the planters upon their arrival:

"I, Samuel Nicholson, of the Town of New Salem, in Fenwick Colony, in the Province of New Caesarea or New Jersey in America, Planter, do hereby declare and promise that I will endeavor to promote the honor of Almighty God in all my undertakings, who is the King of Kings and requires all men to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God; and, accordingly, I do further declare and promise that I will bear true allegiance to the King of England, his heirs and successors, and also that I will be faithful to the interest of John Fenwick, Lord or Chief Proprietor of the said colony, his heirs, Executors and assigns, and endeavour the peace and welfare of him, them and of his said Colony accordingly. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this July 5th, 1676, ire the twenty-eighth year of the Reign of King Charles Second, &c."

Note: The oath of Samuel Nicholson to show his allegiance to the government of John Fenwick is here copied, it being the same that was taken by most of the planters upon their arrival:

"I, Samuel Nicholson, of the Town of New Salem, in Fenwick Colony, in the Province of New Caesarea or New Jersey in America, Planter, do hereby declare and promise that I will endeavor to promote the honor of Almighty God in all my undertakings, who is the King of Kings and requires all men to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God; and, accordingly, I do further declare and promise that I will bear true allegiance to the King of England, his heirs and successors, and also that I will be faithful to the interest of John Fenwick, Lord or Chief Proprietor of the said colony, his heirs, Executors and assigns, and endeavour the peace and welfare of him, them and of his said Colony accordingly. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this July 5th, 1676, ire the twenty-eighth year of the Reign of King Charles Second, &c."

Note N14820The next arrival was the Griffin, Robert Griffin of Newcastle, master, which had been chartered by Fenwick for the voyage. It loaded at London from 16 June to 20 July, and arrived at Ft. Elsborg on 5 October, then sailed about 3 miles up stream and landed the settlers on the south side of the river at the present site of the city of Salem. (Loadings in Port Book E 190/62/1.) The following passengers are named as having travelled aboard her. A total of 200 passengers are said to have sailed including John Fenwick, Proprietor and leader of the expedition.

Samuel Nicholson (abgm), or Nichols, wife Ann; children: Rachel, Elizabeth, Samuel, Joseph, and Able.

We may class the types of evidence used in assembling a ship's list as of roughly three kinds: (1) positive, (2) most probable, and (3) supplemental

or circumstantial. As in all things, some evidences fall into the gray areas

between definitions, but we will try to classify these as best we can, with

primary reference to those evidences used in assembling passenger lists of

the 17th century Delaware River.

We may consider the following types as indisputable and positive proof that a person under study was a passenger in Ship X.

(a) He is identified in the ship's log or other ship's document as being aboard.

(b) He is named in a merchant's papers or in court papers or other similar contemporary document as transported on Ship X.

(g) He testified under oath in court that he was aboard Ship X, arriving at such and such a date. (As the period of the testimony becomes more remote from that of the voyage, this evidence may shade into group 2 as the deponent may enter a period of faulty memory or senility.)

(m) Statement of a passenger on Ship X that the person in question was also aboard with him. (Like Item g, this item in later years can shade into group 2.)

- Passengers and Ships Prior to 1684. 1970. p. v, 138.

Arrived on board the "Griffin" with John Fenwick.

Samuel Nicholson

Among the few persons who ventured with John Fenwick across the ocean to make the first settlement upon the land in which he had become interested by purchase from Lord John Berkley in 1673, were Samuel Nicholson, his wife Ann, and their children. They came from Wiston, in Nottinghamshire, England, in the ship "Griffin" of London, Robert Griffin, master. They arrived in the Delaware river upon the 9th month, 23d, 1675.

Their children were as follows:

Parabol, born second month, 7th, 1659;

Elizabeth, born third month, 22d, 1664;

Samuel, born eighth month, 30th, 1666;

Joseph, born second month, 30th, 1669;

Abel, born fifth month, 2d, 1672.

This little company ended their voyage upon the river Delaware, at Elsinburg, where they found a few Swedes, some Indians, and myriads of mosquitoes, of which last they had heard but little previously, although they now were among the first to make their acquaintance. They were the pioneers of the English colonists, and, but for the sanguine temperament and determined character of their leader, might have allowed the discouragements that surrounded them to induce an abandonment of the undertaking, and a return to their homes. There could be nothing in the prospect before them that was in the least inviting; to the females, especially, it must have been dark indeed. They could not expect to obtain anything from the soil for more than a year, for it was still covered with timber, and in no condition for raising a crop. The feelings of the Indians towards them were yet to be discovered, and, if their conduct towards those who had preceded them in the Massachusetts colony, was to be an index, they derived but little comfort in that direction.

The Dutch and the Swedes had driven off a colony of emigrants who came from New Haven in 1641, and had made a settlement on "Varken's kill" now Salem creek; and, at the time when Fenwick came, no vestige of their habitations could be found. The jealousy of these people, as well as the suspicions of the Indians, had to be overcome, and no small degree of diplomacy was exercised to steer clear of these difficulties that surrounded them at once.

The High Court at Upland had judicial authority over the Dutch and the Swedes on the eastern shore of the river, and the church at Tinacum was the place whither they all went to attend to their religious duties, and to have their children christened. These were powers and prejudices hard to overcome, and so antagonistic to the theory and practice of those who now proposed to make a settlement, that no compromise could reconcile the differences; and, to a disinterested spectator, this state of affairs would appear likely to lead to difficulty and trouble. Although John Fenwick was impetuous and hasty in much that he did when opposed, especially when his absolute authority over the land of which he claimed to be the owner was questioned, yet the forbearance and good counsel of those who were with him, prevented any trouble with his neighbors, so far as the management of their religious affairs was concerned.

Immediately after, or, perhaps, before they had landed, "the agreements" between the patroon and the planters were drawn up and signed by each of them. These may now be seen in the office of the Secretary of State at Trenton, in a good state of preservation. The document is dated June 28th, 1675; it embodies all the elements of a good government, and upon this was afterwards established the kind of authority that made the colony a desirable place for settlement. Among the thirty- three persons who put their signatures to this paper, and who were mostly heads of families, may be found the name of Samuel Nicholson, signed by his own hand, which, by its style, shows him to have been a man of some education.

The following is extracted "From the First General Order, as agreed upon by Fenwick and the first purchasers:

"And as for the settling of the town of New Salem, it is likewise ordered that the town be divided by a street ; that the SE. side be for the purchasers, who are to take their lots of 16 acres as they come to take them up and plant them, as they happen to join to the lots of the purchasers resident, who are to hold their present plantations, and all of them to be accounted as part of their pm-chases; and the other part, on the N. and by E. and by S., is to be disposed of by the chief proprietor for the encouragement of trade,-he also giving, for the good of the town in general, the field of marsh that heth between the town and Goodchild's plantation; and, -

Lastly, we do leave all other things concerning the setting forth and surveying the said purchases, unto the chief proprietor, to order as he sees fit.

Signed accordingly, the 25th day of the 4th month, 1676. FENWICK.

Edward Wade, John Smith, Richard Noble, Sami. Nicholson, John Addams, Hypolite Lefevre, Edward Champnes, Richard Whitacar, William Malster, Robert Wade."

Steps were immediately taken to extinguish the Indian title; this was done for a satisfactory consideration, by three deeds from several chiefs, who held the territory bounded by several large streams, by which the grants were defined therein. This was a proper and just movement, and, although the privileges of the aborigines were not abridged in their hunting and fishing expeditions, yet their ideas of right were met and satisfied, to the avoidance of any trouble in the future.

As soon as abodes were provided for their families, which consisted of the humblest kind of habitations, a religious meeting was established after the order of the Society of Friends, and held at private houses for several years. These meetings took place twice in each week for divine worship, and once in each month for church discipline. It is curious and interesting to examine the records of the Friends meeting at that place, and to notice the various movements taken to secure a locality for public worship.

In the year 1676, on the first 2d day in the 6th month, a few Friends met together to organize a meeting of business, it being the first of the kind held on Continent of North America. The following is the minute of their organization:

"It is unanimously considered that the first 2d day of the week, in the 6th month, that Friends do meet in the town of New Salem, in Fenwick's Colony; and all Friends thereunto do monthly meet together, to consider of outward circumstances and business, and if such that has been convinced, and walked disorderly, that they may in all gravity and uprightness to God, and in tenderness of spirit and love to their souls, be admonished, exhorted, and also reproved. And their evil deeds and practices testified against in the wisdom of God, and in the authority of truth, that may answer the witness of God within them."

Signed by John Fenwick, Edward Wade, Samuel Wade, Francis Nebo, Samuel Nicholson, Richard Guy, Edward Champney and Isaac Smart

Upon the fourth month, 2d, 1679, Richard Guy, Edward Bradway, Nathan Smart and Edward Wade were appointed to go on the seventh instant, and select a place for a meeting house and burial ground, and to report at the next monthly meeting. Upon the eleventh month, 5th, 1679, Edward Wade, James Nevil, John Maddox and George Deacon were appointed a committee to treate with Samuel Nicholson and William Penton for their houses and plantations in Salem; and, also, to see the widow Salter about her plantation, &c. Upon the twelfth month, 2d, 1679, George Deacon, John Maddox, George Azeheard and Henry Jennings were appointed to take a view of Edward Bradway's house for a meeting house.

At this meeting a minute was made, fixing fourth day and first day as the times for religious worship; the first of which meetings was to be held at Robert Zane's house, the next at Samuel Nicholson's house, and the next at Richard Guy's house. This arrangement put at rest, for a short time, the trouble about a meeting house; and not until the seventh of the fourth month, in the next year, does anything further relative to the subject appear. Then the subscription list was entered, showing who contributed, and the amount given by each person.

Upon the ninth month, 1st, 1680, another committee was appointed, to treate with Edward Champneys for a lot on which to build a meeting house and a burial lot, and to report at the next Monthly Meeting. Soon after this, some arrangement had been made with Samuel Nicholson for his property, for on the 3d of the eleventh month, 1680, John Thompson and Robert Zane were appointed to look after the repairing of Samuel Nicholson's house (lately by him occupied) for a meeting house, "and forthwith get said house fit for Friends to meet in."

The next year, Samuel Nicholson and Ann, his wife, conveyed to the trustees of the Salem meeting his sixteen acre lot, whereon stood the house aforesaid; and the same committee was directed to enlarge the house by adding "sixteen feet in length, and in height equal to the old frame, with a chimney and pair of stairs." For some reason, this was not done until the next year, when another committee was named for that purpose. Samuel Nicholson's house was, therefore, the first building set apart for public religious worship in West New Jersey. Various alterations were subsequently made in the arrangement of the galleries, and in the mode of heating. This latter was done by large, open fire places built in the ends of the house, - a method which did much to preserve a circulation of pure air in the room, but very little towards making it comfortably warm. Several attempts were made to have the floor constructed of boards; but they failed, as, on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month, 1687, Benjamin Knapton and Thomas Woodroose were appointed a committee to have both the old and the new end of the meeting house floored with a "good clay floor," and to have it ready before the yearly meeting. The windows consisted of four panes each, of thick bull's-eye glass, seven inches by nine in size, and set in heavy sash. The doors were clumsy and small, cut horizontally in two parts, and had long iron hinges and wooden latch. Imagine a large open fire place in each end, no ceiling under the roof, and the benches without backs or cushions, and some idea of the inside appearance of this place of worship may be had. Forty-feet in front and sixteen feet in depth, part of frame and part of brick, and, perhaps, ten feet in heighth of story - these items give a fair description of the outside of a building which, at this day, would be looked upon as an odd structure for such uses.

The first Yearly Meeting held at Salem was on the fifteenth day of the second month, 1684; but the Burlington Friends neglected to send a committee, - a matter duly noticed. The next Yearly Meeting there held was on the twelfth day of the second month, 1687; afterwards, the time for such meetings was changed to the twenty-seventh day of the second month, and so yearly, "from inconveniences and impediments being seen in the meeting falling out so early in the spring." These meetings were continued at that place for several years, making it clear that Friends thereabout were able to entertain, and that their place of worship had capacity to receive the strangers thus coming among them.

At the Yearly Meeting held in Salem in the second month, from the twenty-seventh to the thirty-first, 1693, George Keith appeared with his friends, and laid before the meeting their proposals for the settlement of the differences among them. These were in the shape of several propositions, covering the points at issue and discussing the reasons for their adoption. This led to much controversy, and to the final separation of many members from the society. These proposals were signed by Jeremiah Collat, John Penrose, Nathaniel Sykes, Anthony Taylor, Samuel Cooper, Isaac Jacobs, James Shattuck, Samuel Adams, George Keith, Thomas Budd, Henry Furnass, Nicholas Pierce, Robert Granna, William Budd, Benjamin Morgan, Thomas Withers and Andrew Griscom.

Thomas Sharp of Newton was clerk, at that time, of the Yearly Meeting, wherein, no doubt, much excitement existed, and many controversies were had touching the merits of the matters before them, which so sadly vexed the church. The persons who signed the proposals with George Keith were influential in the communities in which they lived, and were well calculated to draw many other valuable members with them to the new dogmas, as laid down by this bold and popular dissenter.

The arrival of new settlers, the frugality and industry of the old ones, and the evident success of the colony, made it necessary that some new and better accommodations should be had for the religious meetings held in that place. The old house met the wants of the society for several years; but, on the twenty-ninth day of the sixth month, 1698, a committee of the Monthly Meeting was appointed to "have a new meeting-house erected." In the same year they agreed with Richard Woodnutt to do the brick work, and Robert Gillman to do the wood work. Matters did not go far, however, before the meeting decided that the house according to the plan would prove too small, and ordered it to be increased to one of forty feet in front by thirty feet in depth. Whether it was erected on the site of the old one does not appear, but the capacity of the new was not very much greater than the old house, nor were its proportion any better.

On the thirtieth day of the first month, 1702, the committee reported the building finished, and that the entire cost was four hundred and twenty-five pounds, thirteen shillings and two pence. The long list of subscribers, and the amount of money severally paid, show how rapidly the neighborhood was being occupied, and the increase of wealth among the inhabitants. Several Friends in other parts contributed; Samuel Carpenter, then a resident of Philadelphia, gave fifteen pounds; Samuel Jennings of Burlington gave five pounds, and many others contributed, who doubtless were frequent visitors, and felt an interest in the comfort and convenience of this religious society.

Next after the patroon, Samuel Nicholson was, perhaps, the wealthiest man in the colony at that time, as he appears to have made several large surveys of land in the county, and also several purchases of real estate. He did not remain in Salem many years, but removed to a plantation which he owned upon Alloway's creek or Monmouth river, as it was then called, where he died in 1685, intestate. He took an active part in the religious and political advancement of the colony, but does not appear to have participated very much in the difficulties of John Fenwick with the Dutch and the English authorities. They claimed that he was a usurper, and must, consequently, be driven away or imprisoned; this latter misfortune befell him, much to his discomfiture and pecuniary loss. The oath of Samuel Nicholson to show his allegiance to the government of John Fenwick is here copied, it being the same that was taken by most of the planters upon their arrival :

"I, Samuel Nicholson, of the Town of New Salem, in Fenwick Colony, in the Province of New Caesarea or New Jersey in America, Planter, do hereby declare and promise that I will endeavor to promote the honor of Almighty God in all my undertakings, who is the King of Kings and requires all men to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God; and, accordingly, I do further declare and promise that I will bear true allegiance to the King of England, his heirs and successors, and also that I will be faithful to the interest of John Fenwick, Lord or Chief Proprietor of the said colony, his heirs. Executors and assigns, and endeavour the peace and welfare of him, them and of his said Colony accordingly. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this July 5th, 1676, in the twenty-eighth year of the Reign of King Charles Second, &c."

Samuel Nicholson must have been a favorite of the patroon, for he gave him his choice of lots in the town of Salem, which contained sixteen acres with a tract of marsh fronting on the creek. On this tra6t of sixteen acres he built his house, which, afterwards, was used by the Friends as the place of meeting before named.

Ann, the wife of Samuel Nicholson, survived him and died in 1694. Of the children, Parabol married Abraham Strand in 1677; Elizabeth married John Abbott; Samuel died in 1694, without family and unmarried; Abel married Mary, a daughter of William Tyler; and Joseph married Hannah, a daughter of Henry Wood, in 1695.

Henry Wood, whose daughter married Joseph Nicholson, in 1682, purchased one hundred acres of Samuel Cole, in Waterford township, near the mouth of Cooper's creek, fronting on the river, with the buildings put thereon by Cole; to this place he removed, and there remained during his life. He called this place "Hopewell."

The same year in which Joseph Nicholson married his daughter, he removed from Salem county to a tract of land on the north side of Cooper's creek, that he had previously purchased; here he built a house and made a settlement. In 1699, he purchased an adjoining tract of James, a grandson of Henry Wood, which made his landed estate quite large at the time of his death.

Samuel Nicholson, the brother of Joseph, in his will gave him his entire estate; the land of which he sold to George Abbott in 1696. The deed says, "Joseph Nicholson, late of Salem county, now of Gloucester county." This language establishes the identity of Joseph beyond any question, and connects the family hereabout with Samuel, the first comer.

Joseph Nicholson deceased in 1702, intestate, and leaving but two children, George, who married Alice Lord in 1717, and Samuel, who had three wives. These were as follows: in 1722, he married Sarah, a daughter of Samuel Burrough; in 1744, he married Rebecca Saint, and, in 1749, he married Jane Albertson, the widow of William, and daughter of John Engle. The last named female was somewhat remarkable in her marriage relations, having had four husbands and, probably, dying a widow. The husbands were John Turner, William Albertson, Samuel Nicholson, and Thomas Middleton.

As the oldest son, Samuel inherited the landed estate of his father, and had his residence on the tract of land purchased of James Wood in 1699. This he re-surveyed in 1733, which survey discloses the title and the number of acres contained in the same. He was neighbor to the Spicers, the Woods, and Humphrey Day, all of which families and names have long since been lost sight of in that region.

Samuel Nicholson deceased in 1750, leaving the following named children; but how distributed among the several wives, there is no means at this time of discovering. Joseph, the first son, married Catharine Butcher, of Burlington, in 1738; in 1749, he purchased half an acre of land of John Gill in Haddonfield, at which place he at that time resided. This piece of land is situated on the west side of the main street, and is now owned by Joseph B. Tatem. He probably built the house now standing on the lot; but of this there are no certain data. Abel married Rebecca Aaronson, daughter of Aaron; Abigail married Daniel Hillman in 1743 and John Gill in 1767; Hannah married John Hillman; and Sarah died single in 1756. Abel deceased in 1761, and before his first child was born. This proved to be a son, who was named for his father, and subsequently married Rebecca, a daughter of Isaac Ellis. The widow of Abel married Isaac Burrough, and deceased in 1768. From the last named Abel, the family in this immediate neighborhood has descended. A few of the name reside in Salem county, but the family is not large. In tracing this family, care should be taken not to confound it with that of George Nicholson, who came from Borton Stathers, in Lincolnshire, England, and settled in Burlington county, N. J. His wife's name was Hannah, and their children were Grace, born in 1677; Samuel, born in 1679; George, born in 1680; Joseph, born in 1684, and Mercy, born in 1687. Samuel died at Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1684. Joseph and Mercy were born at the same place, the other children being born before the coming of the parents to America. They probably came among those designing to remain in Pennsylvania under the patronage of William Penn, but finally settling in New Jersey.

- Sketches of the first emigrant settlers in Newton Township, old Gloucester County, West New Jersey. 1877. p. 213-222.

In 1675 John Fenwick, with his children, associates and servants, arrived off Cape May on board the little ship "Griffin." Captain Griffith, master, and the ship and passengers proceeded along the Eastern shore of Delaware Bay and river for fifty miles and passed the Old Swedes fort located at Elsburg, near the south of the Assamhocking River, which had been built by the Swedes about 1640. At this place a party of English settlers from New Haven, Connecticut colony, undertook a settlement soon after the fort was erected, but became discouraged and returned to New Haven in 1642, leaving the place in the possession of the Swedes. The "Griffin came to anchor there, September 23, 1675 (O.S), and the next day proceeded up the river along the eastern shore to the wide mouth of the Salem river, followed this river for about three miles until it became quite narrow, when they landed and, considering the place a favorable one for the location of a town, called the spot Salem. The passengers and their household goods were carried to the shore and the first permanent settlement by the English immigrants was made on the eastern shore of the Delaware river. John Fenwick was the owner of one-tenth of the entire area of West Jersey, and from the time he made his home at Salem, in September, 1675, his fortunes and those of William Penn were closely allied and William Penn, the proprietor of Pennsylvania, purchased large tracts of land in Fenwick's colony.

Samuel Nicholson, a native of Orston, Northamptonshire, England, was one of the associates of John Fenwick on the "Griffin," and he had with him his wife Ann, and five children, all born in Northamptonshire, the youngest being at the time only three years of age. He and his family were notable among the passengers as being the owners of two thousand acres to be located wherever the settlement should be made, such a possession giving them prominence as leaders, and they were as well, members of the Society of Friends [Quakers]. Samuel Nicholson had been brought up as a husbandman and, upon arrival at their final location on the Delaware river, he proceeded to survey outside the town limits of Salem, and south of it, his tract of two thousand acres, obtaining full title and possession in the tenth month, 1675. He also purchased a town lot if sixteen acres on Wharf street in New Salem, where he built a house of hewn logs, and in this house the first religious organization in Fenwick colony was made in 1676, and the meetings of the Society of Friends were held in the houses periodically up to 1681, when the need of a meeting house became apparent and to meet this need, Samuel and Ann Nicholson deeded the estate of sixteen acres to "Salem Monthly Meeting for a Meeting House and burial ground," and the Society enlarged the building, taking out the partitions and making a firm clay floor, and the first yearly meeting was held in the house as transformed, the date of the meeting being 2nd month 15th, 1684. In this way the first home in New Jersey of Samuel Nicholson became the first meeting house of the Society of Friends in the state. Upon surrendering his home, Samuel Nicholson selected a site on his two thousand acre tract for a new home, the place becoming known as Elsinborough, and he was made the first justice of the peace in the Fenwick colony. He devised that his landed estate of Elsinborough be divided between his eldest son Samuel Jr., and his youngest son Abel. He died at his new home, Elsinborough, about 1690, and his widow, Ann, died in 1693. In her will Ann Nicholson devised her estate to the three grandchildren, Rachel, Mary and Elizabeth Abbott, and to her sons, Samuel, Joseph and Abel Nicholson. Children of Samuel and Ann Nicholson:

1. Parabol, born 2nd month 20th day, 1659; married at New Salem, 9th month, 25th day, 1677, Abraham Strand.

2. Elizabeth, born 3rd month, 20th day 1664, married, 1684, John Abbott, and had children: Rachel, Mary and Elizabeth.

3. Samuel, born 3rd month, 6th day, 1666; married but had no children. Immediately after the death of his wife he made a will devising his large estate, consisting of one-half to his brother Joseph, and shortly afterward died, 1750.

4. Joseph, born 2nd month, 30th day, 1669; married 1st month, 3rd day, 1695, Hannah Wood; died in 1702.

5. Abel, born 5th month, 2nd day, 1672; married, probably in 1694, Mary, daughter of William and Joanna Tyler.

- Genealogical and Memorial History of the State of New Jersey. 1910. p. 856-857.

The accounts given in relation to Samuel Nicholson represent him as one of the wealthiest of the emigrants, a favorite of Fenwick, the first magistrate of the colony, and that he and his wife were active members of the Society of Friends. His 16 acre lot in Salem was one of the most eligible, and he bilt upon it a house of hewn logs, presumably of the most primitive character. The floor of this house was earthen, whether it had a chimney is uncertain, and a glass window was a luxury that probably was missing. In those early days, it is said, oiled paper, isinglass and thin stretched bladders were used to let light through small openings made for windows. Such was the first dwelling which house Samuel Nicholson and wife and five children, aged respectively, 16, 11, 9, 6, and 3 years.

- Salem County, New Jersey, Records and Friends' Monthly Meeting Records.

In 1675 John Fenwick, with his children, associates and servants, arrived off Cape May on board the little ship "Griffin," Captain Griffith, master, and the ship and passengers proceeded along the eastern shore of Delaware bay and river for fifty miles and passed the Old Swedes fort located at Elsburg, near the south of the Assamthocking river, which had been built by the Swedes about 1640. At this place a party of English settlers from New Haven, Connecticut colony, undertook a settlement soon after the fort was erected, but became discouraged and returned to New Haven in 1642, leaving the place in the possession of the Swedes. The, "Griffin" came to anchor there, September 23,1675 (O. S.), and the next day proceeded up the river along the eastern shore to the wide mouth of the Salem river, followed this river for about three miles until it became quite narrow, when they landed and, considering the place a favorable one for the location of a town, called the spot Salem. The passengers and their household goods were carried to the shore and the first permanent settlement by the English immigrants was made on the eastern shore of the Delaware river.

(1) Samuel Nicholson, a native of Orston, Northamptonshire, England, was one of the associates of John Fenwick on the "Griffin," and he had with him his wife Ann, and five children, all born in Northamptonshire, the youngest being at the time only three years of age. He and his family were notable among the passengers as being the owners of two thousand acres to be located wherever the settlement should be made, such a possession giving them prominence as leaders, and they were as well, members of the Society of Friends. Samuel Nicholson had been brought up its a husbandman and, upon arrival at their final location on the Delaware river, he proceeded to survey outside the town limits of Salem, and south of it, his tract of two thousand acres, obtaining full title and possession in the tenth month, 1675. He also purchased a town lot of sixteen acres on Wharf street in New Salem, where he built a house of hewn logs, and in this house the first religious organization in Fenwick colony was made in 1676, and the meetings of the Society of Friends were held in the houses periodically up to 1681, when the need of a meeting house became apparent and to meet this need, Samuel and Ann Nicholson deeded the estate of sixteen acres to "Salem Monthly Meeting forever for a Meeting House and burial ground," and the Society enlarged the building, taking out the partitions and making a firm clay floor, and the first yearly meeting was held in the house as transformed, the date of the meeting being 2nd month 15th, 1684. In this way the first home in New Jersey of Samuel Nicholson became the first meeting house of the Society of Friends in the state. Upon surrendering his home, Samuel Nicholson selected a site on his two thousand acre tract for a new home, the place becoming known as Elsinborough, and he was made the first justice of the peace in the Fenwick colony. He devised that his landed estate of Elsinborough be divided between his eldest son Samuel Jr., and his youngest son Abel.

He died at his new home, Elsinborough, about 1690, and his widow, Ann, died in 1693. In her will Ann Nicholson devised her estate to the three grandchildren, Rachel, Mary and Elizabeth Abbott, and to her sons, Samuel, Joseph and Abel Nicholson. Children of Samuel and Ann Nicholson:

1. Parabol, born 2nd month 20th day, 1659; married at New Salem, 9th month, 25th day, 1677, Abraham Strand.

2. Elizabeth, born 3rd month, 20th day, 1664, married, 1684, John Abbott, and had children: Rachel, Mary and Elizabeth.

3. Samuel, born 3rd month, 6th day, 1666 married but had no children. Immediately after the death of his wife he made a will devising his large estate, consisting of one-half of his deceased father's landed estate, to his brother Joseph, and shortly afterward died, 1750.

4. Joseph, see forward.

5. Abel, born 5th month, 2nd day, 1672; married, probably in 1694, Mary, daughter of William and Joanna Tyler.

Samuel arrived on 23 September 1675, on the Delaware River in West Jersey, the new settlement of New Salem was established. Samuel was a wealthy man and was able to purchase 2,000 acres of land. He was a Quaker, and the house he built in the town, became the meeting place.^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S62 Page: p. 856-857 FOOT Lee, Francis Bazley, Genealogical and Memorial History of the State of New Jersey (New York, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1910), p. 856-857.
2. ↑ Source: #S64 Page: p. 213-222 FOOT Clement, John, Sketches of the First Emigrant Settlers in Newton Twp., Old Glouster County, West New Jersey (Camden, New Jersey, Sinnickson Chew, 1877), p. 213-222.
3. ↑ Source: #S64 Page: p. 213-222 FOOT Clement, John, Sketches of the First Emigrant Settlers in Newton Twp., Old Glouster County, West New Jersey (Camden, New Jersey, Sinnickson Chew, 1877), p. 213-222.
4. ↑ Source: #S62 Page: p. 856-857 FOOT Lee, Francis Bazley, Genealogical and Memorial History of the State of New Jersey (New York, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1910), p. 856-857.
5. ↑ Source: #S62 Page: p. 856-857 FOOT Lee, Francis Bazley, Genealogical and Memorial History of the State of New Jersey (New York, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1910), p. 856-857.
6. ↑ https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/2189/31906_284100-00361?pid=99617861, transcribed by H. Husted
7. ↑ Lee, Francis Bazley. Genealogical and Memorial History of the State of New Jersey (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1910) , 856-857
8. ↑ Shourds, Thomas. History and genealogy of Fenwick's colony, New Jersey. (Bridgeton, N.J., G.F. Nixon, 1876), 164-166
9. ↑ Clement, John, Sketches of the First Immigrant Settlers Newton Township, Old Encyclopedia of American Quakers Generalogy, p. 13

See also:

• Rootsweb NJ-L Archives From: "David Tourison", 2 Nov 2002
• Source: S62 Author: Lee, Francis Bazley Title: Genealogical and Memorial History of the State of New Jersey Publication: Name: Lewis Historical Publishing Company; Location: New York; Date: 1910
• Clement, John. Sketches of the First Emigrant Settlers in Newton Township, Old Gloucester County, West New Jersey. (Camden, N.J, Sinnickson Chew, 1877)
• Wiseton (born) to Clayworth (refused to pay church tax) to Orston (m. Anne) - all in Nottinhamshire, England. Google Map
• http://www.njfounders.org/sites/default/files/DFNJ%202016%20Edition%207-17-16%20OGDEN.pdf, p. 153, Bio of Samuel Nicholson, 154 Sources