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Note: Capt. Joseph Hopper Nicholson (1777 Kent Co., MD - 9 Jun 1819 Queen Anne's Co., MD) 1. House of Delegates, Queen Anne's County, 1805
2. Little is know about the personal life of Joseph Hopper Nicholson (1777-1819), son of Joseph Nicholson (1709-1787) and his second wife Mary Hopper (1734-1786/87). However, there is one account of his participation in the War of 1812 in "Queen Anne's County - Its Early History and Development" by Frederic Emory. In this and other sources, Joseph Hopper Nicholson is referred to as "Joseph Hopper Nicholson, Jr." or J. H. Nicholson, Jr."
In August, 1813, part of the Queen Anne's County militia, under the command of Major William Hopper Nicholson (nephew of Joseph Hopper Nicholson), prepared to defend a British attack on the town of Queenstown. However, the body of infantry of the local militia consisted of only 62 men whereas the British forces amounted to at least 2000 men. Major William H. Nicholson determined that his forces were not sufficient to engage the enemy and ordered his men to withdraw to Centreville which they could more easily defend. However, he had previously dispatched a picket guard of 21 men (from previous accounts it is assumed that this was a cavalry unit) under the command of Capt. Joseph Hopper Nicholson, Jr. and Capt. Massey. As the main body withdrew across the Wye River, Major Nicholson became concerned for his picket guard stationed about two miles from Queenstown on the Kent Island road at the point known as Slippery Hill. The picket guard had not withdrawn with the main body as ordered. In his book, Emory states "Mounting his horse, he (Major Nicholson) started in that direction and within half a mile of the post heard firing which, continuing, left him ?without hope that an individual of them was left alive'. He returned to the main body and, he states in his report, "found them all at their posts - all cheerful and anxious for the onset of the enemy notwithstanding their numbers. A fresh volley of musketry created feelings which I can ever forget. It assured me that my picket was not annihilated as I supposed but (to their immortal honor) they had abused my orders of the night before, rallied and a second time attacked the enemy. I instantly sent the adjutant to meet them and they arrived safe at our line about four hundred yards in advance of the enemy. If anything I could say would add to the reputation of those gentlemen, how freely would I say it. In giving their names to the public I do all that I can. It should be known that a picket guard composed of the following gentlemen stood firm at their posts, received the attack and returned fire of a column of British troops two thousand strong, supported by four field pieces, retreated, formed again and gave the enemy their second fire." A list of the names of the picket guard follows which includes the name of Capt. J. H. Nicholson, Jr.
In this skirmish the horse of the British general, Sir Sidney Beckwith, was shot under him and several of the enemy were killed.
3. Land Records in Queen Anne's County for Joseph Hopper Nicholson:
Queen Anne's Co. Land TM#1, p. 433 23 Dec 1817 - 23 Jan 1818 Joseph H. Nicholson, Jr. to Thomas Kent cons. $150 part of "Chesterfield" a lot in Centreville, cont. 2 a. adj. Wm. Carmicahel. Joseph H. and Charlotte his wife. e/a bef. Wm. Clayton, Peter Foster ("...beginning at the South East corner of a lot of ground sold by said Joseph Hopper Nicholson, Jr., to William Carmichael and running from thence with Water Street extended South fifty two degrees thirty minutes East twenty perches then North thirty two degrees East sixteen perches then North fifty two degrees thirty minutes West till it intersects the North East corner of said William Carmichaels's lot..." ).
Queen Anne's Co. Land RM#1, p. 124 20 Sept 1816 Randle H. Moale, Trustee for the sale of the property in the decree hereafter mentioned... mentions chancery decree of 12 July 1815 and a cause between Isaac McKim and William Chambers... mentions numerous properties including part of "Chesterfield" which was conveyed 15 Aug 1804 by Joseph H. Nicholson Jr. to Wm. Chambers, cont. 4 1/2 acres to Benj. Hall.
Queen Anne's Co. Land Records JB#2, p. 541 11 May 1815 - 15 May 1815 Jos. Hopper Nicholson Jr., to Joshua Kennard, consd. $20, part of "Chesterfield" 12 square perches of land on Commerce St. on the southwest side of the road leading to the mansion house, late of Jos. H. Nicholson, Jr. Jos. and Charlotte his wife, e/z bef. Wm. Clayton, Peregrine Wilmer. ("...Beginning at a stone marked with the letter K standing on Commerce Street and or the South West side of the Road or Street leading from Commerce Street to the mansion house, late of the said Joseph Hopper Nicholson, Junr., and at the intersection of the said streets or road, and thirty feet from the South West corner stone of a lot of land purchased by a certain William Legg of the aforesaid Joseph Hopper Nicholson, Junr., which stone stands at the intersection of the aforesaid Nicholsons Road or Street and Commerce Street, and running from the said stone marked with the letter K, then by and with the said road or Street South fifty five degrees East twenty perches to a newly laid out street leading to Water Street, thence by and with the said street Street South sixty eight degrees West half a perche to Lot No. 14 described on the Town Plot of Centreville by No. 14 South, then by and with said Lot North fifty seven degrees thirty minutes West, twenty perches to Commerce Street, thence by and with Commerce Street, seven tenths of a perche to the beginning, containing twelve square perches more or less...)
Queen Anne's Co. Land Records JB #2, p. 40 23 Dec 1812 - 8 May 1813 Jos. H. Nicholson, Jr., Wm. Chambers and Wm. H. Bordley to Thos. B. Turpin, consideration $5288.20 part of "Chesterfield" 188 a., 24 perches, adj. the road leading from Church Hill to Centreville and the Old Chester millpond. Ack bef. Wm. Clayton, Peter Foster, Charlotte, wife of J.H. Nicholson, Jr., privately examined. [Today, this tract of land is still whole and in existance. It is known as "Turpins Farm".] ("...This indenture made this twenty third Day of December in the year of Our Lord eighteen hundred and twelve Between Joseph H. Nicholson, Junr. William Chambers & William H. Boardley of Queen Anne's County and State of Maryland of the one part & Thomas B. Turpin of the county and state aforesaid of the other part. Whereas a contract and agreement had been entered into by and between the said Joseph H. Nicholson, Junr., for the sale of a tract of Land lying and being in the county and state aforesaid called Chesterfield & whereas also the said Joseph H. Nicholson Junr. heretofore on the ninth day of March in the year eighteen and twelve by his certain Deed of Indenture did bargain & sell the said tract of Land called Chesterfield unto the said William Chambers and the said William H. Bordley had endorsed two promissory notes for the said Joseph H. Nicholson Junr. for the sum of two thousand dollars to be discounted at the Farmers Bank at Easton in Talbot County for the use and benefit of the said Joseph H. Nicholson with a condition hereto annexed that if the said Joseph H. Nicholson Junr. his heirs Executors or administrators or any of them should well and truly pay or cause to be paid the said two promissory notes with the interest on the sum & all other promissory notes with interest thereon drawn by him the said Joseph H. Nicholson Junr. & endorsed by them the said William Chambers & the said William H. Bordley for the purpose of renewing the said notes & should well and truly indemnify & laid harmless the said William Chambers & William H. Bordley from and on account of the same that then the said Indenture & every part thereof should cease and be utterly null & void as by the said Deed reference being ?thereto had? will now fully & at large appear & the said Joseph H. Nicholson Junr. hath since paid & satisfied the said notes & all the occurringinterest & discounts on the same & the said William Chambers & William H. Bordley are willing to convey according to the appointment of the said Joseph H. Nicholson Junr. & the said Joseph H. Nicholson hath directed them to join in this Deed to the said Thomas B. Turpin...all that tract or parcel of Land...called Chesterfield & which is contained in the following lines Metes & Boundaries that is to say, Beginning at a stone standing at the end of the first lines of the whole tract and running from thence south eighty six degrees thirty minutes and twenty eight perches & south forty eight degrees thirty minutes west fifty perches & south fifty nine degrees thirty minutes West thirty four perches & south forty degrees thirty minutes west thirty perches & south forty six degrees thirty minutes west sixteen perches & south fifty seven degrees thirty minutes west eight perches & twenty two links & south thirty two degrees thirty minutes west one & nine tenths perches & south thirty two degrees thirty minutes west thirty five perches and a half & south fifty two degrees thirty minutes east nionety seven & sin tenths perches to the Division fence now standing between the said Joseph H. Nicholson & a certain Jarvis(?) Ringgold & by and with the said fence North forty eight degrees East twenty four perches & north sixty eight degrees thirty minutes east thirty two perches & north thirty degrees east nineteen & a half perches & south sixty three degrees thirty minutes east three & three tenths perches until it shall intersect a line drawn North forty nine degrees fifteenminutes east from a Beech Tree standing by the side of old Chester Mill pond marked I.N.E. and running from thence with said line north forty nine degrees fifteen minutes and fifty perches and from thence with a straight line to the beginning containing one hundred & eight eight acres & twenty four perches of Land more or less...")
Queen Anne's Co. Land Records JB#2 p 081. 18 June 1813 Jos. H. Nicholson manumits negro Nanny, wife of Peter Wilson and her children: Ned, abt. 12; Joe, abt 12, and Anna, abt. 11 - purchased of Mrs. Mary Meeds at the request of Peter Wilson, all now living at Centreville. Wit: Wm. Chambers. Ack. bef Chas. Downes.
Queen Anne's Co. Land Records JB#1 p. 246 9 Mar. 1812 - 23 Mar. 1812 Jos. Nicholson, Jr. to Wm. Chambers and Wm. H. Bordley - consideration $5 current, part of "Chesterfield" where J.H. Nicholson now resides, cont. 180 a. at or near the head of Corsica Creek, to secure 2 promissory notes amounting to $2000, to be discounted by the Farmers Bank of Easton. Ack. be. Wm. and E. Clayton. [Present "Locust Hill" of the Turpin family]
Queen Anne's Co. Land Records JB#1 p454 10 Dec 1812 Jos. Hopper Nicholson to John Knotts, Carpenter, cons. $5 - part of "Chesterfield" Lot no. 1 on the north side of LIberty St. in Centreville, cont. 1/2 a. Wit: Thos. Knotts, ack bef. Wm. Clayton, Thos. Kent.
Queen Annes' Co. Land Records JB#1, p. 28 Jos. H. Nicholson, Jr. to Elizabeth Clayton, infant dau. of Ed. Clayton, late of QAC, dec'd, his only child, cons. $1 - part of Chesterfield, cont. 4 a., 3 rods, 25 perches, sold to Edward Clayton during his lifetime for $130 without a deed. Jos. H. and Charlotte his wife, e/a bef. Wm. Clayton
Queen Anne's Co. Land Records JB#1, p. 555 23 Dec 1812 - 3 Mar. 1813 Jos. H. Nicholson to Perry Pratt, cons. $450 - part of "Chesterfield" 11 acres on the road from Centreville to "Ruthsburg" adj. John McFeely. Jos. and Charlotte his wife, e/a bef. Wm. Clayton, Peter Foster.
Queen Anne's Co. Land Records ST#10, p. 357
Mentions two lots in Centreville on Liberty St. purchased of Jos. H. Nicholson by William Hackett.
Queen Anne's Co. Land STW #9, p. 474 26 Mar 1811 - 28 Mar 1811 Jos. H. Nicholson Jr., to John McFeely, Mcht. - cons. $210 - 3 3/4 acres part of "Chesterfield" adj. Dr. Robert Goldsborough on Ruthsburg Road. Jos. and Charlotte his wife, e/a. bef Wm. and Ed. Clayton.
Queen Anne's Co. Land STW#9, p. 487 26 Mar. 1811 - 5 Apr 18811 Jos. H. Nicholson, Jr., to Dr. Robert Goldsborough, cons. $600, 8 acres part of "Chesterfield" on the Ruthsburg road. Jos. and Charlotte his wife, e/z bef W. and E. Clayton.
Queen Anne's Co. Land STW#9, p. 500 26 Mar 1811 - 16 Apr 1811 Jos. H. Nicholson, Jr. to Wm. Carmichael - cons. $300 - 3 acres part of "Chesterfield" adj. the lot and dwelling of Wm. Carmicahel. Jos. and Charlotte his wife, e/a bef. Wm. and Ed. Clayton
Queen Anne's co. Land Records STW#9, p. 361 18 Oct. 1810 Jos. H. Nicholson, Jr. in consideration of $200 manumitts negro wman Henny and her child, Charlotte, Henny abt. 36 years. [She probably married a free black, who bought her out of slavery].
Queen Anne's Co. Land Records STW#10, p. 329 20 Feb. 1809 - 21 July 1809 Jos. Hopper Nicholson, Jr. to Joshua Kennard, cons. $5 - part of "Chesterfield" adj. the Old Chester Mill land and the water course of the Old Chester Mill pond - cont. 12 acres 15 perches adj. Rd. T. Earle's part of "Chesterfield". Jos. H. Nicholson's mother, Mary Nicholson sold this land to Kennard but did not give him a deed for it. Ack bef. Wm. and Ed. Clayton. ("...Whereas Mary Nicholson late of the aforesaid county deceased Mother of the said Joseph H. Nicholson Junior, in her life time sold and contracted to convey unto the said Joshua Kennard his Heirs and assigns all that part of the tract of land lying and being in the County aforesaid called Chesterfield which is herein after described
4. mesna 4: 91 11-1-1819 Charlotte Nicholson is Adm for Joseph H. Nicholson
5. 1810 Maryland Census
Queen Anne's County
Joseph H. Nicholson Males: <10=1, 26-44=1. Females: 10-15=1 (where was his wife? who was the teenage girl? did the enumerator check the wrong box for the female?)
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