Joel Lafayette Nichols, Sr

Joel was born 30 September 1831 on the west banks of the Savannah River in Wilkes County, Georgia, the 4th child of John Nichols and Nancy Barton.
Joel married Susan Elizabeth Wellmaker 22 January 1851, in Lincoln County, Georgia, daughter of Elias Wellmaker and Margaret Crook. She was born in Lincoln County, Georgia, 25 August 1834.
Joel and Elias Wellmaker, Susan's father, relationship developed into one of less than tolerable conditions. For whatever reasons, Joel's harsh treatment by his father-in-law became more than Susan could bear. She became very frustrated with her father and decided that they should leave so they packed their belongings and their children into the back of a covered wagon, tied their only cow to the rear, and headed for Mississippi, where there were possible relatives descended from Joel's Uncle William E. Nichols.
Traveling through Alabama on the "Three Notch Trail", they made it to Luverne, Alabama. located in Pike County, which would later become Crenshaw County.
Learning of land available nearby on the east side of the Patsalagia River in an area called The Lime Sink." they bought the land in 1857 and settled there.
Due to the swampy conditions along the river, the homesite was located several hundred yards back from the river.
During the War Between the States, Joel enlisted in the Confederate Army, he was assigned to Company G, 56th Alabama Calvary, known as "The Partisan Rangers."
Comprised of two Battalions, the 56th was made up from the 13th. Commanded by William A. Hewlett, and
the 15th, commanded by Major William Boyles.
This unit saw extensive action from the
Mississippi to the "Battle of Atlanta." While at Atlanta, they participated at Kennesaw Mountain under the leadership of General Hood. Joel returned home in 1864. Though the South was decimated by the war, Joel became a prosperous farmer and businessman. He owned many acres of land, some under cultivation and the rest covered in prime timber. He also owned and operated a cotton gin and syrup mill. During this time he supplied many of the locals with work as well as serving his community. He, along with a Mr. Underwood, founded the "Cameron's Chapel
Methodist Church" in Crenshaw County which still stands today.
Susan died on 25 April 1897. Joel passed away June 30, 1901 in the Mt. Ida Community near Brantley, Alabama. They are both buried at the Mount Ida Church Cemetery in Crenshaw County, Alabama, between Brantley and Luverne.
Joel died without a Will. On 20 August 1901, Alvin C. Nichols, the youngest son, filed a petition with the Crenshaw County Probate Court to force the sale of all the real estate and personal property belonging to his father. According to the petition, the estate could not be divided properly among his children. A liquidation was needed to resolve the matter.
The real estate consisted of 390 acres of land. His personal property is listed as the following:
One lot of mechanic tools
One cow and calf
One steam engine
One steam boiler and fixtures
Two cotton gins and belting
Two grist mill rocks and fixture
One wash pot
Two pairs of weighing scales
One sewing machine
One cooking stove
One bedstead
Two tables
One kitchen safe
One lot of chairs
One clock
One cloths press
Property of Joel Nichols was auctioned to the following:

200 acres; Alvin Cyrenous Nichols $250.00
90 acres; William J. Nichols $900.00
80 acres; Job Francis Nichols $200.00
20 acres; Joel Evan Nichols $ 80.00
Total of $1,430.00
Personal property sold for; $678.70
Total off $2,108.70
Administrative charges and other expenses totaled $124.51, leaving $1,984,46. This was divided among his surviving children, at $220.46 each. The four children of his son Elias, who had passed away prior to Joel's death, received $55.11 each.
Note: Many acres of his land remained with the family to this day. Tharon Nichols, who died in 1997, lived with his wife, Mary Ticer, on part of that land. Some
personal items also remained. A clock that came with Joel from Georgia was owned by Tharon
and was handed down to Howard Compton. This is the clock mentioned above in Joel's personal property. Joel's Bible, as well as the Bible of his son George, is owned by Kendrick Shackleford.
Note: The first contact made with the Wellmaker Family after Joel and Susan left Georgia,
came in 1873 when his 8 year old daughter, Margaret Celestia Nichols, wrote a letter to her
grandmother Wellmaker in Georgia.
A Letter from Joel L. Nichols to his cousin John Asberry Nichols;
Mount Ida April the 7th, 1895
Mr. J. A. Nichols Crenshaw County, Ala
Dear cousin it is with pleasure that I endeavor to answer your kind letter that I received sometime ago. We are all tolerably well at this time. Hoping it will find you all well. We are done planting corn. We haven't planted any cotton yet, but I think will plant some next week. It has been the hardest winter I think that I ever saw here. We made a good crop last year made plenty of corn 36 bales of cotton you must excuse me for not writing sooner. I have been in bad health until recently. Let me know how you got along with your saw mill in the future I will answer your letters as soon as I get them write and tell how all your children are getting
along. Tell them to write to me you must be sure to write for I am glad to hear from you all at any time it would ples me the best in the world to see all you said something about coming in the summer I would be more than glad to see you all any time.
I will close for this time Write soon and all the news'
Your loving cousin
Joel Nichols
Note: Joel Nichols was the first cousin to John Asberry Nichols.