Francis Nichols, of Ampthill

Francis Nichols, son of Antony and Mary (Waldron) Nichols, married Margaret, daughter of Sir George Bruce, of Carnock, who was a son of Robert Bruce. Edward Bruce, father of Robert Bruce, was born in 1565, son of Sir Robert Bruce. He was a son of Sir David Bruce, who was born in 1497; the line traces backward through Sir David Bruce; Sir David Bruce; Sir Robert Bruce; Sir Edward Bruce; Robert Bruce, of Clackmanan, son of King Robert Bruce, of Scotland, who was born in 1334.

In 1613 the custody of the Great Park at Ampthill in Bedfordshire was granted to Sir George Bruce, Margaret (Bruce) Nichols' father, the honor of Ampthill being vested in the Crown. Under this arrangement the Nichols family for many years leased Great Park from the Bruces, and lived at the Great Lodge or Capitol Mansion.

Francis Nichols is called in the pedigree of 1628, of the Middle Temple, one of the Squires of the Bath. He was buried at Ampthill, about forty miles from London.

The will of his wife Margaret was dated April 20, 1651; William Nichols, dean of Chester, and her "ancient servant," Thomas Greene, alias Hodson, were executors; she bequeathed all to her son Francis.

The will of Sir William Craford, Knight, of the Beckerings Park, Bedfordshire, dated February 24, 1634, proved May 28, 1636, and filed in the Prerogative Court, Canterbury, England, bequeaths To Margaret Bruce, wife of Francis Nicholls, 50 pounds. Francis Nicholls, Esq., now in the Indies, 150 pounds."

The children of Francis and Margaret (Bruce) Nichols were:

1. Edward, baptized 27 Oct 1611 parish of Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire ... born before 1600; held military office under the Royalist regime; he was forced to flee the country under the Commonwealth and never returned; died in Paris
2. Francis, baptized 12 Sept 1620, parish of Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire
3. Bruce, baptized 27 Oct 1614/1615 parish of Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire
4. a daughter, baptized parish of Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, married John Frecheville (baron), of Stavely, Derby, and died in 1629
5. Richard, not baptized in Abbots Langley, governor of New York in 1664, returned to England in 1667
6. William, not baptized in Abbots Langley, died young

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• (ACCORDING TO OTHER REFERENCES THIS SGT. FRANCIS NICHOLS IS NOT THE SON OF MARGARET (BRUCE) & FRANCIS NICHOLS)
• Francis Nichols
• M, #14575
• Father Anthony Nichols, Esq.
• Mother Mary Waldron
• Francis Nichols was born at of Middle Temple and Ampthill Court. He married Margaret Bruce, daughter of Sir George Bruce and Euphame Primrose.
• Family Margaret Bruce d. 1652
• Children
  • Francis Nichols, Sgt.+ b. 1595, d. 16 Jan 1650
  • Richard Nichols, 1st English Colonial Governor of New York b. c 1624, d. 1672
• From: http://our-royal-titled-noble-and-commoner-ancestors.com/p485.htm#i... ____________________
• NICHOLS, Francis (c.1582-1624), of the Middle Temple, London and Ampthill, Beds.
• b. c.1582, 1st s. of Anthony Nichols of Paddington, Mdx. and Mary, da. of Roger Walrond of Wells, Som.1 educ. M. Temple 1600, called 1607.2 m. settlement c.July 1608, Margaret (d.1652), da. of Sir George Bruce of Carnock, Fife, 3s. (1 d.v.p.) 1da.3 suc. fa. by 1612.4 d. 7 Sept. 1624.5
• Offices Held
  • Clerk of the wards, duchy of Cornw. by 1610-d.;6 recvr., duchy of Cornw. estates in Beds. and Bucks. by 1623-d.7
• Patentee (jt.) to inspect tobacco 1619-d.8
• The great-grandson of a London brewer who died in 1548, Nichols became a lawyer and made a fortunate marriage. His father-in-law, Sir George Bruce, one of the Scottish commissioners for the Union, was a brother of the 1st Lord Kinloss, master of the Rolls from 1603 until his death in 1611. Nichols clearly enjoyed a close relationship with the Bruce family. He stood squire to Kinloss’ heir when the latter was dubbed knight of the Bath at the creation of Prince Henry as the prince of Wales in 1610, and it was probably through Kinloss that he was also appointed a clerk of the Wards in the duchy of Cornwall. Although of similar name, there is no evidence that Nichols was related to Augustine Nicolls, the prince’s receiver-general.9
• Nichols was granted a pass for a visit to France in June 1613, presumably on family business.10 Two months later the 2nd Lord Kinloss was killed by Sir Edward Sackville* in a duel at Bergen-op-Zoom, leaving Nichols £200.11 In 1619, with two partners, Nichols received a 30-year lease of the lucrative office of garbling tobacco, for an annual rent of £100.12 Having inherited property in London and Middlesex, Nichols resided mainly at Ampthill in Bedfordshire after 1619. In that year he acquired the Crown lease of the park there, presumably via the Bruces, who were lessees of the honour of Ampthill.13
• Nichols was nominated for Bishop’s Castle at the general election of 1620 by Lord Cavendish (Sir William Cavendish I*), the son-in-law of the 1st Lord Kinloss.14 His reason for wanting to sit soon became apparent, for on 2 Mar. 1621 his office of garbling tobacco was named as a grievance. The matter was raised again on 17 Apr., but no action was taken by the House.15 His only committee appointments were to consider the bill to naturalize the Scottish courtier Sir Robert Ayton (chaired by Cavendish, 22 Mar.), and to examine abuses in Ireland (26 April).16
• Nichols was returned to Parliament again in 1624, this time for the duchy of Lancaster borough of Preston. He came in undoubtedly on the nomination of the chancellor, Sir Humphrey May, although the precise nature of his connection with either May or the duchy remains unclear. He received two committee appointments, one for a naturalization bill (15 Apr. 1624) and the other to ratify the transfer of York House to the Crown for the duke of Buckingham’s benefit (19 May).17 After the session had been prorogued, Nichols died on 7 Sept. 1624 and was buried at Ampthill.18 His final illness must have come suddenly: he left a brief will appointing his wife and Thomas, Lord Bruce, his executors, and giving them complete discretion to settle his estate. He hoped his children, ‘tender in years’, would be of good carriage and disposition, ‘and if in both they concur not I intend them nothing of mine’.19 His sons were active royalists in the Civil War. No other member of the family entered Parliament.20
• From: http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1604-1629/member/ni... ___________________
• Americana, American Historical Magazine, Volume 15
• https://books.google.com/books?id=jgM7AQAAIAAJ&lpg=PA88&ots=jgJD5tn...
• Pg.87
• I. Robert Nichols, of London, the first of the direct line to whom
• Pg.88
• it has been possible to trace, was the owner of a mansion in London, and of extensive estates in different parts of the kingdom. He died in 1648, and his will, which mentions three sons and his grandson, Robert, was proved June 20, of that year. He married Elizabeth or Isabel — — — .
• II. Thomas Nichols, eldest son of Robert Nichols, married Elizabeth Popplewell, and died in 1561, leaving real estate in various parishes in London, Tottenhall Court, and other places, to his sons. Besides family legacies, he bequeathed on hundred pounds each to the four hospitals in London, and made gifts to numerous other charities.
• III. Antony Nichols, son of Thomas Nichols, married Mary Waldron, of Say, Somerset county. On the monument of his daughter Elizabeth, he is mentioned as living in Paddington, now a part of London.
• IV. Francis Nichols, son of Antony and Mary (Waldron) Nichols, married Margaret, daughter of Sir George Bruce, of Carnock, who was a son of Robert Bruce. Edward Bruce, father of Robert Bruce, was born in 1565, son of Sir Robert Bruce. He was the son of Sir David Bruce, who was born in 1497; the line traces backward through Sir David Bruce; Sir David Bruce; Sir Robert Bruce; Sir Edward Bruce; Robert Bruce, of Clackmanan, son of King Roger Bruce, of Scotland, who was born in 1334. In 1613 the custody of the Great Park at Ampthill in Bedfordshire was granted to Sir George Bruce, Margaret (Bruce) Nichols' father, the honor of Ampthill being vested in the Crown. Under this arrangement the Nichols family for many years leased Great Park from the Bruces, and lived at the Great Lodge or Capital Mansion. Francis Nichols is called in the pedigree of 1628, of the Middle Temple, one of the Squires of the Bath. He was buried at Anpthill, about forty miles from London. The will of his wife Margaret was dated April 20, 1651; William Nichols, dean of Chester, and her "ancient servant," Thomas Greene, alias Hodson, were executors; she bequeathed all to her son Francis. The will of Sir William Craford, Knight, of the Beckerings Park, Bedfordshire, dated February 24, 1634, proved May 28, 1636, and filed in the Prerogative Court, Canterbury, England, bequeaths "To Margaret Bruce, wife of Francis Nicholls, 50 pounds. Francis Nicholls, Esq., now in the Indies, 150 pounds." The children of Francis and Margaret (Bruce) Nichols were: 1. Edward, born before 1600: held military office under the Royalist regime; he was forced to flee the county under the Commonwealth and never returned; died in Paris. 2. Francis, mentioned below. 3. Bruce, a daughter, married John Frecheville (baron), of Stavely, Derby, and died in 1629. 4. Richard, governor of New York in 1664, returned to England in 1667. 5. William, died young.
• Pg.89
• (ACCORDING TO OTHER REFERENCES THIS SGT. FRANCIS NICHOLS IS NOT THE SON OF MARGARET (BRUCE) & FRANCIS NICHOLS)
• V. Sergeant Francis (2) Nicholls, son of Francis (1) Nichols, (or Nicholls) Sr., and Margaret Bruce, his wife, was born in England before 1600. He emigrated in 1635, and was among the first settlers of Stratford, Connecticut, where he was living as early as 1639. He had military training, and was a member of the Horse Guards in London prior to his coming to America. In 1639 he was chosen to train and exercise the men of Stratford in military discipline. Francis Nicholls subsequently removed to Westchester County, New York. He was also an extensive land owner in Southold, Long Island, where he married Anna, daughter of Deacon Barnabas Wines. His estate was distributed among his children be his death, in 1650. __________________________
• Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut ..., Volume 2, Part 2 By William Richard Cutter
• https://books.google.com/books?id=w-8nAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA1168
• https://archive.org/details/genealogicalfami002cutt
• https://archive.org/stream/genealogicalfami002cutt#page/1168/mode/1up
• (I) Robert Nichols, of London, married Elizabeth or Isabel —— . He died 1548. His three sons and his grandson Robert, son of Thomas, are mentioned in his will which was dated and proved June 20, 1548. He left a mansion in London, and large landed property. Children : Thomas, mentioned below ; John : Thomas, the younger.
• (II) Thomas, eldest son of Robert Nichols, married Elizabeth Popplewell. He died 1561. His will was dated October 11, 1558. and proved January 31, 1561. He left real estate in various parishes in London, Tottenhall Court, and other places, to his sons. Besides family legacies, he bequeathed one hundred pounds each to the four hospitals in London, as well as remembering other charities. Children : Robert ; Antony, mentioned below ; Richard ; John.
• (III) Antony, son of Thomas Nichols, married Mary Waldron, of Sav, Somerset county. On the monument of his daughter Elizabeth, he is mentioned as living in Paddington, now a part of London. Children : Francis, mentioned below ; Antony, William, Elizabeth.
• (IV) Francis, son of Antony Nichols, married Margaret, daughter of Sir George Bruce, of Carnock, who was son of Robert Bruce. Edward Bruce, father of Robert, was born 1565, son of Sir Robert Bruce. He was son of Sir David Bruce, born 1497. Sir David Bruce was son of Sir David Bruce, who was son of Sir Robert Bruce, born 1393. Sir Robert Bruce was son of Sir Edward Bruce. His father, Robert Bruce, of Clackmanan, born 1367, was son of King Robert Bruce, who was born 1334. In 1613 the custody of the Great Park at Ampthill in Bedfordshire was granted to Sir George Bruce. Margaret's father, the honor of Ampthill being vested in the Crown. Under this arrangement the Nichols family for many years leased the Great Ampthill Park under the Bruces, and lived at the Great Lodge or Capitol Mansion, as it was called then. It is occupied now by Lady Ampthill, one of the late Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, and it is called by the villagers "The Park House." Francis Nichols is called in the pedigree of 1628, of the Middle Temple, one of the Squires of the Bath. He was buried at Ampthill, about forty miles from London. The will of his wife Margaret was dated April 20, 1651, and William Nichols, dean of Chester, and her "ancient servant," Thomas Green, alias Hodson, were executors, and she left everything to her son Francis. In a will found on file in the prerogative court, Canterbury, England, there is a legacy to Francis and his wife. It is the will of Sir William Craford, Knight of Beckerings Park, Bedfordshire, dated February 24, 1634, and proved May 28, 1636: "To Margaret Bruce, wife of Francis Nicholls, 50 pounds. Francis Nicholls, Esq., now in the Indies. 150 pounds." Children: 1. Edward, born before 1600, held military office in the Royalist cause, and was compelled to flee the country, and never returned : died in Paris. 2. Francis, born before 1600, mentioned below. 3. Bruce, a daughter, married John Frecheville (baron), of Stavely, Derby, died in 1629. 4. Richard, was governor of New York in 1664, and returned to England in 1667. 5. William, died young.
• (ACCORDING TO OTHER REFERENCES THIS SGT. FRANCIS NICHOLS IS NOT THE SON OF MARGARET (BRUCE) & FRANCIS NICHOLS)
• (V) Francis (2), son of Francis (1) Nichols, was born in England before 1600. He was the immigrant ancestor, and was among the first seventeen settlers and founders of Stratford, Connecticut, where he was living as early as 1639. He had a military training
• https://archive.org/stream/genealogicalfami002cutt#page/1169/mode/1up
• and belonged to the Horse Guards of London, it is believed. He was brother of Colonel Richard Nichols, the first English governor. In 1639 he was chosen by the general court to train and exercise the men of Stratford in military discipline. He owned land in Southold, Long Island. He lived at Stratford but a short time, and finally settled in Westchester county, New York. No mention is made in the records of his wife when he came to Stratford, so he was very likely a widower. He married (second) in 1645, Anna, daughter of Deacon Barnabas Wines, of Southold, Long Island, by whom he had a daughter. He died in 1650. His estate was distributed among his children before his death. His widow married (second) John Elton, a wealthy planter of Southold; (third) Captain John Tooker, of Setauket, Long Island ; (fourth) Colonel John Youngs, son of Rev. John Youngs, the first minister at Southold. Children, born in England : John ; Isaac ; Caleb, mentioned below ; daughter, married Richard Mills. Child by second wife : Anna, married Christopher Youngs Jr., nephew of her step-father.
• (VI) Caleb, son of Francis (2) Nichols, .... etc. _____________________