Contents |
William Nicolson was born on 3 June 1655 in Cumberland to father Joseph Nicolson and mother Mary Briscoe, fourth daughter of John Brisco of Crofton.[1] William Nicolson was the eldest son of Reverand Joseph Nicolson, rector of Plumbland.[2] He is reknowned as an antiquary, biographist, politician, scholar, author and divine leader of church doctrine.
![]() |
Cumberland, England |
William was the grandson of Joseph Nicolson of Averas Holme, near Carlisle, and his grand mother was Radigunda Scott of Stanwix. He appears to be of Scotch descent.[3] Mr. Loftie, is quoted in the book; The County Families of Titled and Untitled Aristocracy of England, Wales, Scotland, that William Nicolson was "born June 3, 1655, most likely in Plumbland since his father was Joseph Nicolson, having been rector there till his death in 1686". Registers of his birth are not available due to registers of that parish being non-existent at that time.[4]
William Nicolson's early education was obtained at Dovenby School near Bridekirk, Cumbria, England. He then attended Queen's College, Oxford were he matriculated, 1 July 1670 at the age of 15. He graduated with a B.A. 23 Feb 1675-6, was elected a Fellow on 6 Nov 1679 and received his M.A. on 3 July 1679.[2] William became a D.D., by diploma, on 25 June 1702.[4]
In 1678, William Nicolson came under the patronage of the then, Secretarty of State, Sir Joseph Williamson, and was sent to Leipzig, Germany to learn the German language. He remained in Leipzig for five months.[5]
Ordained a deacon in December of 1679 and soon appointed the chaplain by Rev. Edward Rainbow, then bishop of Carlisle, to the position of Vicar at Torpenhow-(1681-1698). Appointed to the vicarage on 17 Nov 1681.[4]
Prebendary of Carlisle Cathedral in 1681-Prebendary of Carlisle in succession to William Still in 1681. A prebendary is a member of the Roman Catholic clergy, a form of canon with the role of the administration of a cathedral or collegiate church. It usually garners a stipend.[6]
![]() |
Great Salkeld Church |
Archdeacon and Rector at Salkeld-(1682-1702). Located in Eden, Cumbria. (In the Anglican church there are three basic titles of leadership-bishop, priest and or a deacon. The Archdeacon is appointed to assist the bishop. The vicar or rector is the parish priest.)[7] He resided at Great Salkeld until 1702. While in residing at Salkeld he built outhouses at the rectory, constructed new school buildings and erected a wall around the churchyard.[2]
Archdeacon of Carlisle-Appointed 3 Oct 1682 along with Rector of Salkeld.[5]
Appointment at Addingham - 2 Feb 1698-9 was inducted by vertue of a mandate from ye Lord Bishop of Carlisle.[4]
![]() |
Carlisle Cathedral |
Bishop of Carlisle-(1702- 1711). Resigned Addingham in 1702 to become Bishop of Carlisle. Nominated to the diocese of Carlisle on 8 May 1702. He was recommended to this position on the border of Scotland for his knowledge of local history and families having been raised in the area and for his strong political connections and nuances to many of the causes of the heightened political tensions during the Jacobite era.[8]
Bishop of Derry-(1718-1727). William Nicolson translated from Carlisle and moved to Ireland. The diocese of Derry is located in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.[9] Appointed by letters patent on 2 May 1718.[5]
Translated to Cashel on 28 January 1727 but was never moved due to his untimely death in February, 1727.
Not only was William Nicolson a prominent figure in the church and ecclesiatic principles, he was also an active participant in the Tory party in 1702 and later moved his allegiance to the Whig cause and "Revolutionary principles".[5] He was reknowned as a scholar, a clergyman and a bibliographer. He also is reknowned for his informative diaries of the early eighteenth century. He attended parlimentary sessions most noticably while in residence in London. The parliamentary duties of an early eighteenth century bishop were linked with party responsibilties. At this time in history were the important "Convocation Controversy of 1697-1701" and the recalled "Convocation of Canterbury in 1701". His political standing became more pronounced in the early 1700's and finally in 1717 he committed a serious blunder by angering the queen to such an extent, he was transferred out of the country to Ireland. In April of 1718 he moved to the role of bishop of Derry, Londonderry, Ireland where he resided until his death.[10]
One cannot separate the rich and full life of William Nicolson between church, politics, family and history. He was accepted as an astute scholar always enhancing his knowledge of the past. He was interested in archealogy of the ancients and how civilizations progressed. He was interested in moving people into the present times keeping old traditions at their heart yet accepting that some changes and progress were indeed beneficial. He valued learning and promoted such for all. He pursued books and knowledge his entire life. One of his quotes from his diary states, "I am abundantly convinced that, if ancient history were more heeded, and better understood, we would be much more at quiet than we are. What a blessing it would be if true learning would replace 'the many rascally disputes about the matters of religion' which are now in fashion!"[11]
Family was important to William Nicolson having married on 3 Jun 1686-7 in Kendal, Westmorland to Elizabeth Archer.[12] Elizabeth was the last daughter of John Archer (1672-1735) of Oxenholm. Elizabeth had eight children with the Reverend and was with him for all his transfers and church positions. After their move to Ireland, she became ill in 1712 and spent much of the year bedridden. On 16 Nov 1712 she passed away.[8]
Children-
Thomas Nicolson-Born in 1688, died young, 1694.[8]
Joseph Nicolson-(1689-1728) Chancellor of Lincoln[13] Death Date: 9 Sep 1728[14]
John Nicolson- (1692- )[15]
Mary Nicolson- (1699-1727) Mary Nicholson: Event Type: Christening Event Date: 17 Mar 1699, Event Place: Carlisle, Cumberland, England, United Kingdom Sex: Female Mother's Name: Eliz. Nicholson[16] married Thomas Benson, died 1727.
Catherine Nicolson-Unmarried in 1777[8] Catherine spent her entire life serving her father and remaining a spinster until her death.
Elizabeth Nicolson-(1700- ) [17] Elizabeth Nicolson married Rev. Bellingham Mauleverer (1689-1752) in 1722 in Ireland.[8]
Anne Nicolson-(1702- ) Baptised on 12 April 1702.[18] Also refered to as Nancy by bishop Nicolson. Nancy remained a spinster until the move to Northern Ireland. In 1725 she agreed to marry J. Bolton, an alderman of Derry, Ireland.[8]
Susanna Nicolson-Born sometime after 1703. While living on her own in Dublin, Susan caught a cold in the spring and died very quickly of pneumonia in 1720 in Dublin.[8]
William Nicolson died on 14 February 1726-7 having suffered a stroke at his desk in his study in Derry, Londonderry, Ireland. He was buried without monument in the Cathedral of Derry. Rev William Nicolson: BIRTH 1655: Plumbland, Allerdale Borough, Cumbria, England DEATH 1727 (aged 71–72): Londonderry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland BURIAL: Saint Columb's Cathedral,Londonderry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland MEMORIAL ID 184802589: [19] His will is printed in the fourth volume of the ‘Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmoreland Antiquarian and Archæological Society.’[20]
Preceded by William Palliser |
William Nicolson Archbishop of Cashel 1727 - 1727 |
Succeeded by Timothy Goodwyn |
Preceded by St George Ashe |
William Nicolson Bishop of Derry 1718 - 1726 |
Succeeded by Henry Downes |
See also
This profile has been improved by a member of the England Project's Orphan Trail.
This week's featured connections are Acadians: William is 18 degrees from Joseph Broussard, 19 degrees from Louis Hebert, 22 degrees from Antonine Maillet, 21 degrees from Roméo LeBlanc, 21 degrees from Aubin-Edmond Arsenault, 22 degrees from Louis Robichaud, 22 degrees from Cleoma Falcon, 23 degrees from Rhéal Cormier, 24 degrees from Jack Kerouac, 21 degrees from Maurice Richard, 24 degrees from Ron Guidry and 24 degrees from Beyoncé Knowles-Carter on our single family tree. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.
N > Nicolson > William Nicolson
Categories: Bishops of Carlisle, Church of England